Hiruzen Sarutobi examined the pill.
It had the classic rough-and-ready practical style of a ninja.
Though it was obvious everyone had done their best to make it as refined as possible.
For example, the pill's surface had been polished to a certain degree, and snake-scale elements had been added according to Hiruzen Sarutobi's earlier instructions.
But it was still lacking something.
"Does anything else need adjusting, Sensei..." Orochimaru asked seriously. "As for its effects, I'm confident these Nobles won't be able to live without it, creating sustained demand."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment.
He gathered Chakra and condensed it into a rectangular stone box.
"Bring me some dry ice, several colored pens, and a scalpel. You have all that, right?"
"We do." Orochimaru smiled. "Just ask, Sensei. I really did spend all the funding on the Laboratory."
Jiraiya had sourly mocked his Laboratory as a Great Treasure Bag. Anything related to research, and even things that seemed unrelated, could be found there...
"You brat, don't keep looking for chances to explain yourself..." Hiruzen Sarutobi scolded with a laugh.
He was not Shimura Danzō, unable to make sense of financial statements.
And even if he had some shortcomings in that regard, he had the Nara Clan and other professional teams around him.
"Bring me another piece of quartz."
"Understood, Sensei!" Orochimaru answered, quickly fetching everything Hiruzen Sarutobi needed.
Quartz was an excellent and inexpensive insulator, making it perfect for testing Lightning Release.
Hiruzen Sarutobi held a small knife.
Though he had never studied carving, he had a foundation in Taijutsu and hand seals, so his hands were extremely precise.
Chakra slowly seeped into the quartz. The blade in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand danced as he reshaped the quartz according to his envisioned design.
This was not difficult. At its core, it was just manually "carving a dog's head onto an Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall."
After being processed, the raw quartz became a translucent rectangular box.
The inside of the lid was carved with mountains and flowing water, carrying a rather classical charm, along with Konoha's emblem.
Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a pill and gave it similar treatment, carving the patterns of a toad, snake, and Katsuyu across its surface in three equal sections, each occupying one side.
He then applied an off-white pigment to the pill's surface, making the snake scales curl slightly and peek through.
The box was filled with dry ice.
The way everyone looked at the packaging changed completely...
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a fresh pill and chewed it.
Its medicinal effects were practically negligible for his constitution, but the issue was the taste.
"Not bad. If it could start bitter and end sweet, that contrast would create a psychological suggestion of luxury..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the box and held it toward the Laboratory lights.
At once, hazy mist drifted out of the box. The three pills inside glimmered, their patterns vividly lifelike. They really carried a faint air of something produced by a Holy Land...
"Wouldn't this make it much more expensive?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.
"I trust the products you've made and your technical capabilities, but you need to put more effort into the packaging. What we're selling is a sense of luxury and atmosphere."
"It looks troublesome, but it's just making two sets of molds. The emotional value it creates is much greater..."
Torifu Akimichi stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in amazement.
Old classmate, no wonder you became Hokage. You really did have more tricks up your sleeve!
At the side, Nara Shikayama's eyes lit up. "Lord Third, how about adding some fragrance? The Yamanaka Clan's flower shops have many subtle scents..."
"That's an excellent suggestion, Shikayama." Hiruzen Sarutobi praised him. "Add it in!"
Tsunade clicked her tongue in wonder. Before the modification, the pills looked like they were worth a thousand ryo. After such a makeover, they looked like they were worth ten thousand!
"Sensei really thought this through!" Orochimaru nodded slightly. "I understand what you mean..."
"How are costs being controlled? Can this be sustained?" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.
Orochimaru pondered.
"Even with this packaging, a gross profit margin close to eighty-five percent won't be a problem... As for sustainability, you can rest assured. The Akimichi Clan and Nara Clan both have sources of supply, and these are relatively common materials in the Shinobi World."
"The three of us have also negotiated with the Three Great Sage Regions. There won't be any problems."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Shikayama, Torifu, both your clans have shown such sincerity by contributing your clan secrets. As Hokage, I have seen it."
"The village will not mistreat any member with the Will of Fire. You will handle the raw material supply and deliver it at the standard bulk-purchase price. There is no need to deliberately offer discounts."
"As for processing, that will also be entrusted to your Ino-Shika-Cho. The process is not complicated, and it will be a good job for clan members who lack talent."
"But make sure the screening is thorough. Carefully select honest people of reliable character from respectable families."
Torifu Akimichi and Nara Shikayama exchanged glances.
Lord Third truly was a generous man!
"Thank you, Lord Hokage! Ino-Shika-Cho will definitely handle this job well! As for the raw materials..." Nara Shikayama exchanged another glance with Torifu Akimichi before speaking.
"We will make money, but please let Ino-Shika-Cho give some of the profit to the village."
Torifu Akimichi said in his deep voice, "Hiruzen, taking this money makes our hands burn!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled inwardly.
They really were clever.
Lord Hokage pursed his lips as though slightly moved, then heavily patted both men on the shoulders.
"Orochimaru, I have another idea. Do you see any technical issues with it?"
"Please tell me, Sensei."
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Add trace amounts of substances with no actual effect but obvious testing characteristics to the formula, leading anyone trying to reverse-engineer it in the wrong direction."
"Although we have the endorsement of the Holy Lands and Konoha's predecessors, so they cannot compete with us, we must think long-term. If other Hidden Villages want to imitate us in the future, it would be good to leave them a stumbling block."
Orochimaru stroked his chin. "That's very meaningful, Sensei! But in this area..."
He looked at Tsunade.
Tsunade said with certainty, "I'll handle it, Old Man."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was greatly pleased.
Each of his three disciples had their own role...
Wait, where was Jiraiya?
"And where is that one?"
Though he had not said who he meant, Tsunade and Orochimaru instantly knew from his tone that Hiruzen Sarutobi was asking about Jiraiya.
That was the unspoken understanding between master and disciples.
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "He ran off as soon as he delivered the oil. He said he was going to create a masterpiece for the ages and become the greatest novelist in the world..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a laugh.
If that brat could not write it, he could give him an opening himself...
—Chapter One: Young Master Zi.
"You've wanted this for a long time, haven't you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a scroll from his robes and handed it to Orochimaru. "Second had deep insights into the analysis of souls. You've got a good eye, brat. Some techniques are worth improving..."
A gleam flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.
Eh, Sensei is researching these things too?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was also observing Orochimaru's reaction.
Sure enough, his disciple had been privately researching techniques related to souls.
"When you have time, come discuss your insights with me. We can improve together..."
Orochimaru's heart stirred. "Then I'll thank Sensei in advance for your guidance!"
Master and disciple looked at each other and smiled with unspoken understanding.
Ten days later.
Shimura Danzō, who had been gathering intelligence near Kumogakure, organized the reports compiled by his agents, a fierce light in his eyes.
"Hiruzen was right! Those beasts from Kumogakure truly cannot control the Tailed Beast! It has nearly gone berserk more than once..."
"Move. Return to Konoha at full speed!"
Before you continue