Several days later, Konoha, outside Orochimaru's home
Several Anbu Ninjas wearing masks and standard-issue vests appeared without a sound. They handed Orochimaru several perfectly sealed scrolls, then vanished just as quietly, as if they had never been there.
"Heh. Lord Danzo really is 'generous.'"
Orochimaru looked over the contents of the scrolls, the corner of his mouth curling in amusement.
Most of the scrolls contained research data on a special kind of cell. It was highly active and could absorb Chakra to reproduce at an incredible rate...
If he wasn't mistaken, the cells mentioned here were the First Hokage Cells.
But Orochimaru only skimmed a few pages before tossing the scrolls aside.
"Such a shame..."
He shook his head, sounding regretful.
The information looked valuable, but it was all peripheral.
The crucial data was missing: how to control the First Hokage Cells' activity, how to resolve cellular rejection, and the results of experiments combining them with the Sharingan.
In other words, Danzo was dangling bait in front of him...
Orochimaru sneered inwardly. He could guess some of what Danzo was thinking.
Still, there was no reason to turn down something delivered right to his door.
Orochimaru formed Hand Seals.
"Poof! Poof! Poof!"
Several clouds of smoke dissipated, revealing a number of Shadow Clones in the room.
"Sort through these documents, along with the ones we got from the Senju Clan earlier. Categorize them and make an index."
Orochimaru gave his Shadow Clones their instructions.
"Understood."
The Shadow Clones immediately got to work, carefully organizing the mountainous piles of scrolls and documents.
Orochimaru turned his attention to another matter: securing a steady source of funding.
Research was expensive, after all. The money he made from writing novels and gambling was only enough to get started.
It was time to put his skincare business plan into motion.
But he had no interest in handling production or sales himself.
His time was better spent on more valuable research.
Wasting precious research time to make money would be putting the cart before the horse. It would be downright stupid!
"Cooperation for mutual benefit is the most efficient way."
Orochimaru settled on a plan quickly.
He needed partners.
He would provide the technology.
As for the raw materials and processing... The Nara Clan were skilled at cultivating medicinal herbs, while the Aburame Clan specialized in breeding and using all kinds of insects. Their clan grounds must have plenty of unique biological resources that could serve as ingredients for skincare products.
For facilities and sales channels... The most convenient option was naturally the Konoha government. With the Third's support, everything would go much more smoothly.
A few days later, in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the several delicate porcelain bottles on the table, then at Orochimaru, who sat there calmly, and at Nara Luchong (the Nara Clan Head) and Aburame Zhijie (the Aburame Clan Head), whose expressions were somewhat complicated.
"Phew..."
Nara Luchong took a deep breath. He hadn't expected the Third to summon them for something like this.
He picked up a porcelain bottle from the table and opened it. An elegant herbal fragrance wafted out.
"This product is made from a blend of special herbs and biological extracts. It has some whitening, moisturizing, and anti-wrinkle effects."
Orochimaru nodded as he answered.
"And how effective is it?"
Nara Luchong adjusted his glasses, his eyes gleaming shrewdly behind the lenses.
Orochimaru didn't answer. He simply gestured.
An Anbu Ninja standing by immediately stepped forward, took a little of the cream, and gently rubbed it onto the rough skin on the back of his hand, which was often exposed.
In only a moment, the skin where the cream had been applied visibly became smoother and more hydrated, standing out clearly from the surrounding skin.
"Wow!"
Nara Luchong and Aburame Zhijie stared in astonishment.
That effect... It worked way too quickly!
"What's the cost?"
Nara Luchong immediately pressed him, his voice a little urgent.
That alone was enough for him to smell a huge business opportunity!
If this stuff hit the market, not just the women of Konoha, but women across the entire world would go crazy for it!
"The cost is low. It mainly uses relatively common herbs, along with secretions from a few specially bred insects.
"I'll provide the exact formula and production process."
"I've already discussed the terms of cooperation with my teacher."
"I'll provide the core technology and formula."
"The Nara Clan will grow medicinal herbs and supply some of the raw materials. The Aburame Clan will provide special biological ingredients and help with processing."
"The village will provide production facilities and handle sales channels and brand promotion."
"We can discuss how to divide the profits."
Orochimaru spoke calmly. According to his plan, the products would have two production lines.
The cheaper line would be for the general public. It wouldn't work quite as well, but it would sell in large quantities with slim profit margins.
The other line would target wealthy kunoichi and the wives of daimyo, along with other aristocrats and nobles.
"No problem! The Nara Clan agrees!"
Nara Luchong agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation.
As if!
This was a windfall from the heavens!
With the Nara Clan's business sense, how could they fail to see the enormous profits this promised?
With this business, the clan wouldn't have to worry about its development for decades to come!
"The Aburame Clan agrees, too."
Seeing that the Nara Clan Head had agreed, Aburame Zhijie nodded as well.
The Nara Clan had always been known for its intelligence. Their swift agreement showed that this partnership would be highly advantageous for them.
Besides, according to the contract, all they had to do was breed insects to supply the biological ingredients. That would be easy for the Aburame Clan.
"Excellent."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction.
Orochimaru was willing to share such a large profit with the village and the other clans. That pleased him greatly.
It seemed that although the boy was devoted to research, he still had a sense of the bigger picture.
Orochimaru smiled, too.
Though his share of the profits would be smaller, this arrangement saved him time and trouble.
All he had to do was provide the technology, then sit back and wait for the money to roll in.
With this steady and substantial source of funding, he could move ahead with his future research plans.
For a long time to come, he wouldn't have to worry about money again.
The Outcast, Zhuge Village.
In a quaint meditation room, incense wafted through the air. Light filtered through the lattice window, casting mottled shadows across the floor.
"The first priority in a sorcerer's cultivation is a calm mind."
Zhuge Gong sat cross-legged on a cushion, facing his eight-year-old son, Zhuge Qing, who sat cross-legged opposite him. He couldn't hide his pride.
"If your mind isn't calm, your Qi won't gather. You can forget about sensing the world around you or manipulating Qimen!"
He rubbed his chin and continued:
"Most children are jumping around like monkeys at that age.
"They have to wait until they're in their teens, when they've settled down a little, before they can even begin learning Quiet Meditation."
"But you're already able to calm your mind at eight. What talent..."
"Starting today, I'll officially teach you the Zhuge Family's secret art: Wuhou Qimen!"
Zhuge Gong shook his head, brimming with pride.
His son was so gifted; of course, that made him proud as a father.
"Wuhou Qimen..."
Zhuge Qing's eyes lit up, his excitement impossible to conceal.
Here it comes!
At last, he was about to encounter this world's supernatural power system!
As he saw it, Quiet Meditation was actually much like the state of intense concentration he had pursued while doing research in his previous life.
Through a set breathing rhythm and mental guidance, he could cast aside all the random thoughts in his mind and focus more deeply.
In psychological terms, it was the ability to deliberately enter a state of "flow."
For someone like him, who loved learning, getting started wasn't too difficult.
What he was really looking forward to was what came after Quiet Meditation—Wuhou Qimen!
Before you continue