Tobirama Senju: Uchiha Makoto, When It Came to Embezzlement, I Was Willing to Call You

the strongest.

"Work for you?"

"How could that be?!"

Tobirama Senju almost instinctively refused. He was Konoha's nominal second-in-command and actual leader. How could he possibly work for a Naturally Evil Uchiha brat like him?

"Don't be so quick to refuse."

"I know about your talent and abilities in ninjutsu research and development. For instance, the Flying Thunder God Technique—this move killed Lord Madara's younger brother. And even now, you're still developing ninjutsu specifically meant to counter the Uchiha Clan. Setting all that aside, I truly appreciate your abilities."

Uchiha Makoto said this.

Tobirama Senju was an outstanding research talent. The various forbidden techniques he invented had practically influenced the course of the entire Naruto world. If Makoto could make use of his intelligence to improve Akatsuki Ninja Village's core competitiveness as much as possible, it would be an absolute steal.

The first half of Makoto's words made Tobirama Senju reveal a smug smile, especially the part about solo-killing Izuna Uchiha. That had been one of his finest moments. But the latter half was also true. With Hashirama Senju standing nearby, though, he shot Tobirama a dangerous look. Tobirama, why were you still targeting Madara's clansmen?!

This was simply outrageous!

"Don't talk nonsense. I'm not developing ninjutsu against the Uchiha Clan anymore!"

Tobirama Senju defended himself with considerable guilt, but Makoto wore an unconvinced expression and continued.

"I can provide you with the most advanced laboratory in the entire Ninja World, along with a complete set of supporting facilities. Of course, all results produced by this laboratory must be handed over to Akatsuki Ninja Village, which will hold the technical patents. Even you, Tobirama Senju, may not plagiarize or misappropriate them without authorization. I'll also pay you two million ryo every month."

Makoto directly laid out his terms. It could be said that he was brimming with sincerity, and two million ryo per month was already an absolutely high salary in the Ninja World.

Tobirama Senju would not need to take any risks at all. Every month, he could earn the reward for two S-rank missions, while all losses and costs during the experiments would be paid for by Makoto.

"Let me think about it."

Tobirama Senju had intended to refuse outright, but Makoto's offer truly tempted him. Two million ryo. A top-tier laboratory in the Ninja World. What did the Uchiha know about technical work like scientific research? When the time came, a few little tricks should be enough to freeload off the laboratory's resources.

What chef didn't sneak ingredients?

What researcher didn't freeload off experimental resources? The entire bill would be paid by Uchiha Makoto!

Still, working for an Uchiha was simply too humiliating if word got out. Tobirama Senju chose dignity!

"Tobirama Senju, you wouldn't want Konoha to lose the Land of Fire's economic aid and fall into financial hardship, would you?"

Makoto saw the hesitation on Tobirama Senju's face and decided to use the Japanese specialty to turn up the pressure on him.

"Bastard!"

"You really think you can cover the sky over the Land of Fire with one hand?"

"Hmph. Then go ahead and try!"

The two of them became tense once more. Hashirama Senju could not bear to watch any longer, so he hurriedly stepped out to play peacemaker again and began persuading them from the side.

All that was being asked was for his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, to do some research in a laboratory—the thing he loved most. What was the big deal?

Besides, his younger brother would not have to spend a single ryo on research resources. It would also save him from having to rack his brain trying to shave a little off here and pinch a little off there from the village budget for "embezzlement." Most importantly, Makoto could pay Tobirama Senju two million ryo every month. That was no small sum.

Hashirama Senju was, as usual, siding with outsiders.

"Big Brother, shut up!"

"Do you have any idea how busy I am every day? And all you do is fool around with Uchiha Madara all day. I'm the one handling the entire village's affairs, yet you're standing here helping Uchiha Makoto speak!"

Tobirama Senju roared at Hashirama Senju. He admitted that Makoto's offer was generous, but setting aside his pride, he simply had no time left for research. The mountain of village affairs alone kept him so busy that his head was spinning.

"Actually, you can use the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Split off a few clones every day, leave a technique mark in the laboratory with your Flying Thunder God Technique, and you can come to the lab daily for research. Wouldn't that give you the best of both worlds?"

Makoto said faintly from the side.

He had even thought out Tobirama Senju's work arrangement for him.

Hashirama Senju: "Yeah, that really is a good idea."

"Good my ass!"

"Big Brother, have you forgotten the dangers of that forbidden technique? Using it frequently can damage the caster's body and may even cause sudden death."

Tobirama Senju's face darkened. If Hashirama Senju were not his big brother, and if he were not unable to beat him... Hmph. All he knew was how to side with outsiders!

"I can offer a very high price."

"As long as you agree to this, Konoha's funding issue will be easy to discuss."

Makoto said confidently.

After all, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire was the one paying for Konoha's funding. Makoto was only responsible for negotiating. Besides, the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire had plenty of money now and was terrified of Konoha, so he did not mind spending money to avert disaster.

Using the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire's money to handle his own affairs, Makoto felt no psychological burden whatsoever.

"A very high price?"

"Can the terms you offer be higher than the sky?"

Makoto said, "Why don't you name your price?"

Tobirama Senju felt that the rhythm of today's negotiations had been completely led by Makoto. He strongly suspected that the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire had been controlled by Makoto with Genjutsu, but this was not the time to consider that. He raised several fingers and opened his Lion's Mouth. "Eight Billion Ryo!"

Hashirama Senju could not help widening his eyes. Konoha's current liquid funds did not even amount to One Billion Ryo. That was only because Konoha had endured the infamy of Tulips and eventually sold off another round of Tulips to recover some losses. Otherwise, only a few hundred million ryo would have remained.

Konoha's finances were extremely strained right now. When they had discussed this in the office earlier, Tobirama Senju had said that getting Fifty Billion Ryo would already count as a very high price—an astronomical one, even. Hashirama had not expected his younger brother to add another Thirty Billion Ryo just to scare Makoto off. The Daimyo had initially only given Makoto One Billion Ryo.

"Too little!"

Makoto shook his head.

"Too much? This is already the lowest price—wait. You just said it was too little?"

Tobirama Senju could not help widening his eyes.

"Let's roughly double it. Fifteen Billion Ryo. For Konoha, I can give you Ten Billion Ryo!"

For an instant, Tobirama Senju was utterly stunned.

Uchiha Makoto!

Were you really this ruthless?

In a few casual words, he had embezzled Fifty Billion Ryo?