Current Situation

"Cloning..." Yakushi Nonō murmured, a look of contemplation crossing her face.

She was known as the Wandering Miko, and she was exceptionally proficient in Medical Ninjutsu.

As someone well-versed in Medical Ninjutsu, she was no stranger to the cutting-edge research within the Shinobi World.

The concept of cloning had been proposed over a decade ago, and the corresponding research had never ceased.

As the person in Konoha whose Medical Ninjutsu was second only to Tsunade, Yakushi Nonō was not without understanding of this technology.

In her view, the Uchiha Clan's true objective was likely Targeted Cloning; the technology of cloning itself was probably just a secondary pursuit.

The current Shinobi World was not far from a breakthrough in Cloning Technology; judging by the current pace of development, it would happen within these few years.

"This is certainly not a taboo subject." Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira and said, "I can accept the employment offer from your Uchiha Clan, but I have one condition."

"What condition?" Uchiha Akira looked at her, puzzled.

Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira and said, "I believe you have investigated my identity and know my past."

"We are indeed aware of your former identity." Uchiha Akira nodded.

Hearing his words, Yakushi Nonō nodded and said, "My condition is that if Danzo ever forces me to return to his Root in the future, your Uchiha Clan must help me stop him. This Orphanage cannot do without me."

"You can rest easy on that matter." Uchiha Akira smiled and said, "Since you have already left Root and joined the ranks of our Uchiha Clan, we will naturally provide you with protection."

"There is one more thing." Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira with some embarrassment and whispered, "Could I receive some salary in advance? As you said, the Orphanage is severely underfunded and is on the verge of being unable to sustain itself."

After saying these words, Yakushi Nonō's face flushed slightly. She hadn't even signed an employment contract yet, and asking for an advance felt a bit like pushing her luck.

Uchiha Akira nodded and said, "That is fine. I will advance you half a year's salary—how does one million sound? If that is acceptable, come to our Uchiha Clan tomorrow to collect it."

Yakushi Nonō looked pleasantly surprised. "That is more than enough. Thank you very much."

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

In Konoha, the reward for an S-rank top-secret mission was only around one million, and that wasn't the amount that actually reached one's hands.

That money had to be split with the village and teammates; getting one hundred thousand in hand was already considered good.

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

"That's good then." With the matter settled, Uchiha Akira was in a good mood.

The salary offered to Yakushi Nonō was absolutely worth it; given her abilities, it was a guaranteed profit.

"If there is nothing else, then it is settled." Uchiha Akira said with a smile.

"Wait." Yakushi Nonō spoke up, looking somewhat embarrassed, her face reddening as she said, "I don't know what my position in the company will be?"

"That hasn't been decided yet." Uchiha Akira hesitated for a moment before saying, "The specific position will depend on your own abilities, but rest assured, the salary of two million a year is just the base."

"If I were to be a project lead, what would the salary be?" Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira with burning eyes.

Uchiha Akira's heart stirred, and he asked, "Do you have an understanding of cloning technology?"

Yakushi Nonō revealed a gentle smile and said confidently, "I have a certain understanding of it; I have executed related missions in the past."

Hearing her words, a look of realization dawned on Uchiha Akira's face. It must have been a mission assigned by Danzo.

Danzo had always coveted the power of the Nine-Tails, and in order to control the Nine-Tails, he had been doing many things in secret.

The Sharingan and Hashirama Senju Cells were just two of them.

"The annual salary for a lead is five million!" Uchiha Akira said, then changed his tone, "But if there are no results within two years, the lead's annual salary will be halved the following year."

"Five million..." Yakushi Nonō's eyes burned with intensity as she murmured, "If it were five million, the Orphanage could expand, and the children inside wouldn't have to go out to work so early; they could grow up in peace..."

"What does it take to become the lead of the project?" Yakushi Nonō looked at Uchiha Akira with a scorching gaze.

Uchiha Akira pondered for a long moment and said, "That depends on individual ability."

Yakushi Nonō nodded slowly. "I will prove my ability!"

Finally, Uchiha Akira said to Yakushi Nonō, "As for the specific details, once the company establishes the research center, professional personnel will come to discuss them with you."

Returning to the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Akira went directly to the clan leader's residence where Uchiha Fugaku lived.

"Did Yakushi Nonō agree?" Uchiha Fugaku asked.

"She agreed." Uchiha Akira nodded, a smile appearing on his face as he said, "She seems to have a certain level of expertise in the field of cloning."

"That is an unexpected joy." Uchiha Fugaku nodded.

"What is the situation now? When will the Fourth Hokage election begin?" Uchiha Akira brought up the main business.

"The village's main energy is currently focused on the tail end of the war. The Third's intention is to sign a peace treaty first," Uchiha Fugaku said.

Uchiha Akira nodded slowly and said, "In the Land of Rain, are the village and Iwagakure still engaged in small-scale skirmishes?"

"It's not just Iwagakure." Uchiha Fugaku nodded and said, "There are ninjas from all the major powers in the Land of Rain; they have completely turned it into a small-scale battlefield."

Uchiha Akira raised an eyebrow and said with some surprise, "Hanzo isn't doing anything about it?"

"He isn't doing anything at all." Uchiha Fugaku also seemed puzzled. "According to intelligence from the Ninja Cats, it is said that Iwagakure has been very active in the Land of Rain, destroying many villages. I really don't know what Hanzo is thinking."

Uchiha Fugaku seemed to recall something and said, "By the way, it is said that in order to facilitate peace, the Third sent Danzo to lead his Root to the Land of Rain a few days ago."

"Danzo is leading Root to the Land of Rain to facilitate peace?" A look of contemplation appeared on Uchiha Akira's face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's order was to facilitate peace, but after arriving in the Land of Rain, Danzo disguised himself as a ninja from another village and wantonly sabotaged the peace negotiations, acting in direct opposition to Sarutobi Hiruzen's command.

It is unclear what motive led him to believe that a peace treaty must not be signed, thereby preventing the war from truly coming to an end.

Given the current situation, Uchiha Akira cannot fathom a reason to continue warring with other villages.

For one, there is no profit to be gained, and for another, Konoha is not in a favorable state and is in need of rest and recuperation.

If nothing unexpected happens, it is during this operation in the Land of Rain that Danzo will conspire with Hanzo to kill Yahiko, directly leading to the birth of Pain.