020 Marketing Guidance, and Orochimaru's Tacit Understanding

Hiruzen Sarutobi examined the pill.

It had the classic rugged, practical ninja style.

Though it was clear everyone had done their utmost to make it as refined as possible.

For instance, the pill's surface had been polished to a certain degree, and as Hiruzen Sarutobi had previously requested, some snake-scale elements had been added.

But it was still lacking something.

"Does anything else need adjusting, Teacher...?" Orochimaru asked seriously. "As for the effects, I'm confident I can make these Nobles unable to live without them, 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, a few colored markers, and a scalpel. You have those, right?"

"We do." Orochimaru smiled. "Just ask, Teacher. I've spent every bit of the budget properly in the laboratory."

His laboratory had been mockingly dubbed the Great Treasure Bag by Jiraiya. Anything related to research—and plenty that seemingly was not—could be found there...

"You brat, stop slipping in explanations whenever you get the chance..." Hiruzen Sarutobi scolded with a laugh.

He was not Shimura Danzō, incapable of understanding financial reports.

And even if there were areas where he fell short, he had Nara and a whole professional team at his side.

"Bring me another piece of quartz."

"Understood, Teacher!" Orochimaru replied, swiftly bringing over everything Hiruzen Sarutobi needed.

Quartz was an excellent and inexpensive insulator, making it ideal for testing Lightning Release.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held the small knife in his hand.

Though he had never studied carving, he had a solid foundation in Taijutsu and hand seals, giving his hands exceptional precision.

Chakra slowly seeped into the quartz. The blade in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand flickered as he reshaped the quartz according to his envisioned design.

It was not difficult. Essentially, it was manually "carving a dog's head onto an Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall."

After being processed, the raw quartz became a crystalline rectangular box.

On the inner side of the lid, mountains and flowing water had been carved, carrying an elegant classical charm. There was also Konoha's emblem.

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up a pill and treated it similarly, carving the patterns of a toad, snake, and slug onto its surface in three equal sections, each occupying one side.

He then applied an off-white pigment over the pill's surface, making the snake scales curl slightly and faintly emerge from beneath it.

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.

The medicine's effects were practically negligible for someone with his constitution, but the issue was its taste.

"Not bad. If the flavor can go from bitter to sweet, that contrast will create a psychological suggestion of luxury..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened the box and held it up toward the laboratory lights.

At once, mist drifted out from the box. The three pills inside glimmered, their patterns vivid and lifelike, truly carrying a hint of something produced by the Three Great Sage Regions...

"Doesn't this make it much more expensive?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile. "I believe in your product and your technical capabilities, but you still need to put more effort into the packaging. What you need to capture is a sense of luxury and atmosphere."

"It may look troublesome, but it's nothing more than making two sets of molds. The emotional value it creates, however, is far greater..."

Torifu Akimichi stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi in astonishment.

Old classmate, no wonder you became Hokage. You really had more tricks up your sleeve!

Nara Kashan's eyes lit up as he suggested, "Lord Third, how about adding a hint of fragrance? The Yamanaka Clan's flower shops have many subtle varieties..."

"An excellent suggestion, Kashan." Hiruzen Sarutobi praised. "Add it in!"

Tsunade clicked her tongue in amazement. Before the alterations, the pills looked like they were worth a thousand ryō. After such a drastic makeover, they looked like they were worth ten thousand!

"Teacher really has thought everything through!" Orochimaru nodded slightly. "I understand your intentions..."

"How well are the costs controlled? Can it be sustained?" Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.

Orochimaru considered it before answering.

"Even with this packaging added, a gross profit margin of nearly eighty-five percent will not be a problem... As for sustainability, you can rest assured. The Akimichi and Nara Clans both have supply sources, and these materials are relatively common throughout the Shinobi World."

"The three of us have also negotiated with the Three Great Sage Regions. There will be no problem."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded. "Kashan, Torifu, I have seen the sincerity with which your two clans have contributed your secret family techniques."

"The village will not mistreat any member who possesses the Will of Fire. Your clans will be responsible for supplying the raw materials, delivering them at the standard bulk procurement price. There is no need to offer special discounts."

"As for processing, that will also be entrusted to your Ino-Shika-Cho. The work is not complicated, and for clan members without talent, it will be a good job."

"But the screening process must be strictly enforced. Select only those from respectable families with clean backgrounds and reliable character."

Torifu Akimichi and Nara Kashan exchanged a glance.

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 Kashan exchanged another look with Torifu Akimichi before speaking.

"We'll earn the money ourselves, but please allow Ino-Shika-Cho to give a portion of the profits to the village."

Torifu Akimichi said in his deep voice, "Hiruzen, this money burns in our hands!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled inwardly.

How clever.

The Lord Hokage pressed his lips together, seemingly moved, and 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 to the formula that have no practical effect but obvious detectable characteristics, guiding anyone attempting reverse analysis in the wrong direction."

"Although we have the Holy Land and Konoha's predecessors vouching for us, so they cannot compete with us, we must think long-term. If other Hidden Villages try to imitate us in the future, it would be good to place an obstacle in their way."

Orochimaru stroked his chin. "That is quite meaningful, Sensei! But in this regard..."

He looked toward Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded firmly. "I'll handle it, Old Man."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was greatly gratified.

Each of his three disciples had their own strengths...

Wait, where was Jiraiya?

"And what about that one?"

Though he had not specified who he meant, Tsunade and Orochimaru instantly knew from his tone that Hiruzen Sarutobi was asking about Jiraiya.

That was the tacit understanding between master and disciples.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "He ran off after delivering the oil, saying he wanted to create an epoch-making masterpiece and become the greatest novelist in the world..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head with a laugh.

If that kid 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. "The Second had profound insights into the analysis of souls. You have a good eye, kid. Some techniques are worth refining..."

A glint flashed through Orochimaru's eyes.

Eh, was Sensei researching these things too?

Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also observing Orochimaru's reaction.

Sure enough, his disciple had been privately researching techniques related to the soul.

"When you have some free time, come discuss your thoughts and experiences with me. We can improve together..."

Orochimaru's heart stirred. "Then let me thank you in advance for your guidance, Sensei!"

Master and disciple looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

Ten days later.

Shimura Danzō, who had been gathering intelligence near Kumogakure, sorted through the information compiled by his agents, his eyes gleaming viciously.

"Hiruzen guessed right! Those beasts of Kumogakure truly cannot control the Tailed Beast! It has nearly gone berserk more than once..."

"Move out. Return to Konoha at full speed!"