Who Earned All the Money? The Forgotten Twin Jade Incident

"The rocking horse is too shaky," Naruto commented honestly.

"Okay." Sakura pursed her lips, obediently stood up, and asked an unrelated question, "When can we start over there?"

"Soon, just wait a few days." Naruto replied casually, then stopped what he was doing. "Let's wait for responses from Iwagakure, Sand, and Kumogakure."

"I'm a little curious, how did you convince them?" Sakura asked.

"It's nothing, just a little trick, it's hard to explain in a short time," Naruto replied, closing his eyes, his mind calculating that abandoning Kirigakure didn't seem to have much of an impact.

In a dark cave somewhere.

Kabuto did not undergo the Rinnegan transplant surgery; he didn't trust anyone else. So he found an experimental puppet that had been transplanted with mature Hashirama Cells, intending to use it as a vessel for the Rinnegan.

"Orochimaru's mastery of Hashirama Cells is truly admirable," Black Zetsu remarked, watching Kabuto prepare for the operation.

"That's true. I've added a bit of my own understanding to it." Kabuto turned his head slightly, revealing a sinister smile.

"The power of the Rinnegan is too great, and the power of the White Zetsu is too weak. Given the current situation, transplanting the Rinnegan into a puppet is the best option. I hope you understand."

"Hmm." Black Zetsu nodded, thinking to himself, what could he do even if he didn't understand?

Currently, Kabuto has received the Sage's inheritance from Ryūchi Cave, and his displayed talent even seems to surpass Orochimaru's. What can Black Zetsu say? Is it some kind of internal strife?

Obito Uchiha has already brought about his own demise, Uchiha Madara has not yet been resurrected, and Orochimaru is nowhere to be found. He doesn't have many allies he can find, so he has no choice but to compromise for the time being.

"So, when will we begin strengthening the 100,000 White Zetsu army?"

"Soon, after the transplant surgery is completed," Kabuto glanced at Black Zetsu, "But before that, we need to obtain more powerful Hashirama Cells test subjects."

"Who?"

"Konohagakure, Jonin of Konoha," Kabuto said with Yamato smile. "We've gathered enough materials for the Impure World Reincarnation these past few days; we just need one last dose."

"Understood, I'll go capture the target right away." Black Zetsu said, and was about to turn and leave.

"Wait, I have something to give you." Kabuto called out to him, using his snake tail to hand a potion to Black Zetsu.

"What is this?" Black Zetsu glanced down at the potion in his hand; it was entirely green.

"Hashirama Cell Inhibitor can suppress the activity of Hashirama Cells in Yamato's body," Kabuto explained while performing the transplant surgery on the puppet.

"By injecting this medicine into Yamato's body, we can easily capture him. We won't waste Chakra or risk being exposed."

"You've even figured out something like this, that's terrifying." Black Zetsu stood still and stared at him.

"This is not my research result, but something that belongs to Lord Orochimaru. I merely inherited Lord Orochimaru's research and created it." Kabuto said with a smile.

"By the way, I need a living Yamato, not a corpse."

"Understood." Black Zetsu vanished underground.

Konohagakure.

Sakura had quietly left Konohagakure and secretly crossed into Amegakure through the Gate of Hades. Konan received her and arranged food and lodging for her.

At the dinner table, she looked out at the heavy rain, put down her chopsticks, and frowned slightly.

"The weather would be a problem if we built a laboratory here."

Naruto planned to establish the gene laboratory in Amegakure bordering the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth, making it geographically advantageous.

Moreover, Amegakure has an advantage that other places can't replace: its industrial base. Despite its poverty, it can still manage to support a gene laboratory.

"What should we do then?" Konan asked, sitting at the other end of the table, after eating only a few bites.

The sound of rain pattering filled the air. Sakura pursed her lips, lost in thought, and didn't answer her question immediately. After a while, she finally looked up at Konan and asked.

"We can figure out the equipment, Amegakure needs a sterile, dust-free environment with constant temperature control. We'll find someone to solve those later. Right now, we need to ask Naruto for some people."

"Okay," Konan replied. She knew the other party would make all the arrangements, and she just needed to follow them.

Even though Sakura was much younger than her, Konan didn't neglect her at all. Naruto had told her about his plan to build a gene lab long ago, but he only sent her Sakura.

Konan knew very well that the other party must have Naruto's deep trust in him, both in terms of ability and in other aspects.

The following day, Naruto passed through the Gate of Hades and arrived at Amegakure.

"You need people?" Naruto was slightly taken aback, then turned to look at Sakura. "That's no problem. How many do you need? What are your specific requirements? If you have any difficulties, just let me know."

Upon hearing this, Sakura's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter.

"OK!"

"Find four or five trustworthy people, preferably medical-nin with some basic Medical Ninjutsu skills. But not people from the Konohagakure Medical Unit, it's too troublesome due to secrecy."

"Equipment purchases cost money, there are daily expenses, and we need to find people to do the technical work. The construction standards inside and outside the laboratory must be up to standard, and there are other things as well."

Sakura rattled off a whole bunch of things, recounting them all in one breath, until Naruto started to regret it. He shouldn't have taken on so much; he should have just said "overcome the difficulties."

But there's no going back now.

"Okay, I'll ask Sunagakure if they can send a few people," Naruto said after thinking for a moment. "I'll figure out the equipment and money. We can get everything set up in the next couple of days."

"Huh? So after all this time, you didn't prepare any money at all?" Sakura was dumbfounded. "Then you told me to quit my job, but I didn't prepare anything. Am I supposed to go on vacation?"

"Well, not really. Generally speaking, we're currently short of funds, not enough money, and we don't have the equipment yet." Naruto chuckled. "Anyway, everything will be resolved in two days."

"I'll get the people here for you in the next couple of days, and you can train them first."

"Fine." Sakura pouted. Having gotten used to the high-pressure work environment over the years, she felt a little unaccustomed to suddenly having so much free time.

Konan stood beside him without saying a word.

"By the way, how's the village recovering?" Naruto caught a glimpse of Konan out of the corner of his eye and casually asked.

"The reconstruction is almost complete, Thermal Power Department is finished, but we're a bit short on funds," Konan said somewhat embarrassedly.

Money, no money.

Naruto wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to talk so much? If he hadn't asked, there wouldn't have been a problem. Now, where was he going to get money? Gato's grave was practically overgrown with weeds.

"It's alright, I'll figure something out." Naruto forced a smile.

"Really?" Konan was clearly surprised that Naruto would care about such a thing, and was overjoyed. "That's really great."

"Hehe, yeah." Naruto's smile remained unchanged, though his eyelids twitched.

Konan and Sakura left together, leaving Naruto alone on the High Tower. He watched their figures disappear behind the door, and his face fell.

"Where's the money? Where am I supposed to get money? I'm so handsome and I don't have any money. Who's making all the money?" He muttered to himself, pacing around the office like an old farmer.

Who gets to make the money? Nobles, or incredibly wealthy tycoons like Gato.

Nobles are common, but a wealthy man with such low intelligence as Gato is rare. Naruto couldn't think of a solution for the time being, so he turned his attention to the nobles of the Land of Fire.

When the conflict broke out with the nobles of the Land of Fire, those stupid nobles stood by and watched, only jumping out to curry favor after they had killed the new noble.

Even if they're polite, the underlying message is still bastardly. We won't mess with you, so don't get involved or cause trouble.

To put it bluntly, the population of the Land of Fire is like a bunch of green cabbages in their eyes. Even if war breaks out, they will only sigh, "Ah, this year's harvest is not good."

The ninjas are responsible for fighting desperately on the front lines, while the Daimyo of the Land of Fire only needs to think about the name of the medal. During his post-meal "wise time" after eating, sleeping, and having a silver party, he can carefully consider whether to call it the "Gift Medal" or the "Lone Warrior Medal."

He had long disliked the Daimyo of the Land of Fire; they were essentially Celestial Dragons, possessing immense wealth and even the so-called Twelve Guardian Ninja by their side—it was ridiculous.

Konohagakure.

Shikamaru was momentarily dazed when he saw Naruto, this rare guest. He'd been working incredibly hard lately, barely getting a proper rest for a month, and had almost passed away along with his great-grandmother.

Seeing Naruto suddenly appear in the Nara Clan's territory, I thought it was a hallucination.

"How did you find time to come here?"

"Come and take a look." He glanced around to make sure no one was watching before stepping forward and saying, "Do you have time? How about you take me to see Asuma?"

"Asuma? Do you need to see him?" Shikamaru, somewhat puzzled.

"More or less, I have some questions for him." He nodded, speaking vaguely, "I'm not familiar with Asuma, and I won't be able to find him for a while."

"Alright." Shikamaru didn't think too much about it and agreed immediately. "Wait for me for a bit. I'll finish up these things and then take you there on the way."

Upon hearing this, Naruto simply sat down and waited. He would touch the deer antlers on the wall for a while, and then stand up and stare at the huge Deer Hide in deep thought.

Shikamaru couldn't stand his pretentious attitude any longer and sighed.

"Would you like to sit down and have a cup of tea?"

"No need, no need, you just do your thing." Naruto waved his hand in refusal. "I can do things like pouring tea myself, you don't need to worry about me."

Shikamaru: "."

Is this supposed to be about pouring tea? This guy is pacing back and forth, unable to concentrate on his work at all. But he's used to Naruto's unserious behavior and managed to finish his work.

On his way to Asuma's house, Shikamaru suddenly realized that if he were Naruto, he probably wouldn't be so generous as to ask him to find Asuma.

They might come up with a formal reason, but they certainly won't be so shameless as to come knocking on your door.

He shook his head, banishing all the thoughts that had just crossed his mind. Lately, he'd been busy with work, and standing in that arena of power, he couldn't help but think about how to climb the ranks.

Ironically, he was originally a person who hated trouble. But because he was smart, when he was immersed in his work, he would unconsciously think about how to make his life smoother due to the urge to be lazy.

On the contrary, Naruto didn't care about these things at all. However, given his current status and abilities, he probably didn't need them anyway.

Knock, knock, knock. Shikamaru knocked on Asuma's door. Naruto was able to see Asuma as he wished. Since Kurenai Yuhi and her daughter were both home, Naruto made an excuse to invite Asuma out.

"What do you want from me?" Asuma asked with a smile.

He had a good impression of Naruto, and even when rumors of Ino and Hinata being two-timing surfaced, Asuma did not dislike Naruto because of it.

Feelings are a very personal matter, but at least in terms of connections, Naruto arguably has the most powerful background in Konohagakure. It's roughly equivalent to ten Kakashi in terms of connections, or three Jiraiya in terms of influence.

Therefore, one self equals three cards.

After all, when Hiruzen Sarutobi in the line of duty, the two remaining advisors of the Konoha F4, excluding Danzo, first asked Jiraiya if he was willing to become the Fifth Hokage.

"I want to ask you something, about the Daimyo." Naruto scratched his head, smiled, and said directly, "I remember Teacher Asuma was once one of the Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja, right?"

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

"Um, Master Jiraiya should be one of them, right?" Naruto beat around the bush before revealing his true purpose, "I want to ask about the Twin Jade Incident from back then."

"That matter, um... why did you suddenly want to ask about this?" Asuma didn't seem to be resistant to the question, and glanced at him casually.

"I've recently come across some related matters, so I came here specifically to ask about them," Naruto said vaguely. He couldn't very well say, "I want to give the Daimyo a good whack."

"The Twin Jade is actually not that complicated; it's just a legend." Asuma took a sip of tea, and as the teacup fell to the ground, he said, "The Twelve Guardian Ninja were established after you were born."

As soon as Asuma finished speaking, Naruto's eyelids twitched. Asuma didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point, connecting the Nine-Tails Incident directly.

"How so?"

"Originally, there was no such thing as the Twelve Guardian Ninja; Konohagakure had always protected the Capital City of the Land of Fire." Asuma had nothing to hide and poured out all the information he knew.

"But after the Nine-Tails Night, the village was severely damaged, and the Tailed Beast's immense destructive power made the Daimyo very wary, fearing that a ninja would usurp his power. So he selected elites from all walks of life and formed the Twelve Guardian Ninja."

"I was young and ignorant back then, and my ideas went against those of the Third Hokage, so I joined the Daimyo's Twelve Guardian Ninja in a fit of anger."

"At that time, one of the Twelve Warriors, named Kazuma, was radical in his belief that Konohagakure should belong to the Daimyo, rather than becoming increasingly weak under the leadership of the Hokage."

"Then, we fought, and we killed those five people. The Twin Jade was left unresolved."