Current Situation

"Cloning..." Yakushi Nonō murmured, a thoughtful look on her face.

She was known as the Wandering Miko and was highly skilled in Medical Ninjutsu.

As an expert in Medical Ninjutsu, she was familiar with the latest research in the Shinobi World.

The concept of cloning had been proposed more than a decade ago, and the related research had never stopped.

As someone whose Medical Ninjutsu skills were second only to Tsunade's in Konoha, Yakushi Nonō was certainly familiar with the technology.

In her view, the Uchiha Clan's true goal was probably Targeted Cloning; cloning itself was merely an added benefit.

The Shinobi World was not far from a breakthrough in Cloning Technology. At the current rate of progress, it would likely happen within the next few years.

"This really isn't anything taboo." Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira and said, "I can accept the Uchiha Clan's offer, but I have one condition."

"What condition?" Uchiha Akira asked, looking at her in confusion.

Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira and said, "I'm sure you've investigated my background and know about my past."

"We do know about your former identity." Uchiha Akira nodded.

Hearing him say that, Yakushi Nonō nodded and said, "My condition is that if Danzo ever forces me to return to Root, the Uchiha Clan must help keep him away. This Orphanage can't do without me."

"Don't worry about that." Uchiha Akira smiled. "Now that you've left Root and joined our side, the Uchiha Clan will naturally protect you."

"There's one more thing." Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira with some embarrassment and asked quietly, "Could I get some of my salary in advance? As you said, the Orphanage is desperately short on funds and can barely stay afloat."

After saying this, Yakushi Nonō blushed. They hadn't even signed a contract yet, and asking for an advance was a bit presumptuous.

Uchiha Akira nodded. "Sure. I'll advance you half a year's salary—one million Ryo. If that works for you, come by the Uchiha Clan tomorrow to pick it up."

Yakushi Nonō looked delighted. "That's more than enough. Thank you very much."

Yakushi Nonō thought, The Uchiha Clan really is Konoha's wealthiest clan. An ordinary Jonin wouldn't earn this much even after a year of missions.

In Konoha, even the reward for an S-Rank classified mission was only around one million, and that wasn't the amount you actually took home.

The money still had to be split with the village and one's teammates. You'd be lucky to end up with a hundred thousand.

Other missions, even S- and B-Rank ones, paid even less. Besides, there weren't necessarily many A- or S-Rank missions in a year.

"That's good." With the matter settled, Uchiha Akira was in high spirits.

The salary he was offering Yakushi Nonō was absolutely worth it. With her abilities, it was a sure thing.

"If there's nothing else, then let's settle it this way," Uchiha Akira said with a smile.

"Wait." Yakushi Nonō spoke up, a little embarrassed. Blushing, she asked, "What position would I have at the company?"

"That hasn't been decided yet." Uchiha Akira hesitated for a moment. "The specific position will depend on your abilities, but don't worry. Two million a year is only the guaranteed minimum salary."

"What would the salary be for the person in charge of a project?" Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira intently.

Uchiha Akira's interest was piqued. "Do you know anything about Cloning Technology?"

Yakushi Nonō gave him a gentle, confident smile. "I know a fair bit. I've carried out related missions before."

Hearing this, Uchiha Akira looked enlightened. Danzo must have assigned her those missions.

Danzo had always coveted the Nine-Tails' power and had been secretly working toward controlling it.

The Sharingan and Hashirama Senju Cells were just two parts of his plans.

"The project lead's annual salary is five million!" Uchiha Akira said, then added, "But if there are no results within two years, the lead's salary will be cut in half the following year."

"Five million..." Yakushi Nonō murmured, her eyes burning with excitement. "With five million, the Orphanage could expand, and the children there wouldn't have to start working so young. They could grow up in peace..."

"What would it take for me to become the project's lead?" Yakushi Nonō asked, her gaze intense.

Uchiha Akira thought for a moment. "That depends on your abilities."

Yakushi Nonō nodded slowly. "I'll prove what I can do!"

At the end, Uchiha Akira told Yakushi Nonō, "Once the company has established its research center, a specialist will discuss the details with you."

After returning to the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Akira went straight to the clan head's residence, where Uchiha Fugaku lived.

"Did Yakushi Nonō agree?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.

"She did." Uchiha Akira nodded, a faint smile on his face. "It seems she has some expertise in cloning."

"That's an unexpected bonus." Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

"What's the current situation? When will the Fourth begin the election?" Uchiha Akira brought up the matter at hand.

"The village is still focused on wrapping up the war. The Third's position is that we should sign a peace treaty first," Uchiha Fugaku said.

Uchiha Akira nodded slowly. "Are the village and Iwagakure still skirmishing in the Land of Rain?"

"It's not just Iwagakure." Uchiha Fugaku nodded. "Shinobi from all the major nations are in the Land of Rain. They've turned the whole country into a small-scale battlefield."

Uchiha Akira raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Isn't Hanzo going to do anything about it?"

"He's doing nothing at all." Uchiha Fugaku was also puzzled. "According to the Ninja Cat reports, Iwagakure has been very active in the Land of Rain, destroying many of its villages. I really don't know what Hanzo is thinking."

Uchiha Fugaku seemed to remember something. "Oh, right. I heard the Third sent Danzo and Root to the Land of Rain a few days ago to help bring about peace."

"Danzo and Root went to the Land of Rain to bring about peace?" Uchiha Akira looked thoughtful.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's order had been to bring about peace. But once Danzo reached the Land of Rain, he disguised himself as a shinobi from another village and did everything he could to sabotage the peace talks. He was acting in direct opposition to Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders.

Uchiha Akira had no idea why Danzo believed a peace treaty should not be signed and the war should not be brought to a true end.

Given the current situation, Uchiha Akira couldn't see any reason to keep fighting the other villages.

First, there was nothing to gain. Second, Konoha was in no shape to continue and needed time to recover.

If nothing unexpected happened, it was during this operation in the Land of Rain that Danzo joined forces with Hanzo to kill Yahiko, directly leading to the birth of Pain.