A Mission? This Is a Recruitment Drive!

"No. You could say it was created through ninjutsu. If you didn't know about it beforehand, even if it turned into someone else and passed right in front of you, you wouldn't be able to detect it."

Uchiha Gin said.

"Neither the Sharingan nor the Byakugan can tell the difference?"

Orochimaru didn't believe him.

"Just like a Shadow Clone, once it's transformed, you can't judge by its chakra or appearance. It can even perfectly imitate the body's internal chakra pathways."

"It won't be easy to capture one. Keep an eye out for them in the future. After all, they can't copy memories, and they especially like hiding underground."

Uchiha Gin gave him a rough rundown of White Zetsu.

Aside from encountering them by going to the Akatsuki, the other possibility was Obito's base—the place where Uchiha Madara was hiding. He thought it was called the Graveyard of Mountains.

"So these things are hard to catch. Is there something you want from me, since you're telling me all this?"

Orochimaru realized Uchiha Gin had to have some reason for bringing it up so suddenly.

But if it was about vying for the Hokage position, he could just say so. It had to be something personal. Orochimaru had no interest in beating around the bush, so he asked directly.

"Do you know the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu?"

"The Akatsuki has it too. They're 'Uchiha Madara's' lackeys, spread throughout the entire Ninja World."

As he made his request, Uchiha Gin also told Orochimaru where to find White Zetsu.

"I didn't expect you to have no reverence for the dead either."

"I happen to know this jutsu. But if you use it in Konoha, there'll be serious consequences. I'll make that clear first."

As he spoke, Orochimaru took out a scroll and began writing down the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

It had been one of his trump cards, but he wasn't stingy about it now. He handed it straight over to Uchiha Gin.

After all, Orochimaru intended to master every jutsu in the Ninja World. He'd read the Scroll of Seals long ago, and had studied plenty of forbidden jutsu by getting around its restrictions. This particular jutsu's effectiveness depended mainly on the strength of the dead it summoned.

The summoned dead could also be sealed with Sealing Jutsu. In Orochimaru's eyes, it was a fairly convenient jutsu. It took time to gather the genetic cells of powerful people, and the jutsu had been classified as forbidden, but it carried no risk of backlash. Its strength depended on the souls summoned, giving it an exceptionally high ceiling—and an exceptionally high floor.

"So White Zetsu was created by Uchiha Madara?"

Orochimaru asked as he wrote.

"Maybe that's what he believes."

"White Zetsu's genes could be useful for cloning."

Uchiha Gin offered the suggestion, along with a theory.

After all, White Zetsu had been made by extracting the souls of the people Kaguya had sacrificed to the God Tree and giving them new bodies. The fact that those bodies could accommodate so many souls suggested they were quite stable.

Orochimaru's eyes lit up at that.

He was clearly very interested.

"The people in Root probably aren't strong enough to catch one. If I get the chance, I'll capture one for you."

Uchiha Gin continued.

Shisui had gone to the Akatsuki, so Obito would surely try to cause trouble in Konoha. They might have a chance to meet then.

"I ought to wait until you've caught one of these White Zetsu before I hand over the jutsu."

Though he said that, Orochimaru had already passed him the scroll containing the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

Uchiha Gin accepted it without hesitation.

He wanted to test whether someone reincarnated with the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu could be used as a familiar. They were basically the same, anyway—both would be under his control.

"Have you recalled that spy named Yakushi Kabuto?"

Uchiha Gin went on.

The man had great potential. At just twenty-four, he could stir up a war across the Ninja World.

He was also an excellent researcher.

A talent like that shouldn't keep working as a spy. He ought to help bring glory to the Uchiha Clan.

And he was a master grave robber. Getting his hands on the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu had reminded Uchiha Gin of this wish-granting master.

"You seem very interested in him. Is he going to be impressive in the future?"

Orochimaru asked.

"Yeah. And he's very good at research."

Uchiha Gin had almost added that he was also a snake in glasses, but stopped himself.

"So did I become the Fifth Hokage in the future?"

Orochimaru was a little curious.

Now that he knew the future, he felt as though he didn't need to work hard—he could just wait for the result. But if he didn't work hard, would he still become Hokage?

"The future is always changing. But becoming Hokage? That's only the beginning."

Uchiha Gin smiled as he spoke.

Orochimaru smiled slyly too, clearly pleased with that answer.

He should just do what he wanted. There was no point wasting time worrying about all that other stuff!

"The situation is more or less set. Once the next step is complete, it'll be time for Orochimaru to step forward and formally announce that he's working toward becoming Hokage."

After leaving the research lab, Uchiha Gin stood on a rooftop and looked up at Kage Rock.

He figured it wouldn't be long before Orochimaru's sinister face was carved into the rock. The thought made the corners of Uchiha Gin's mouth curl up.

"A bunch of schemers are all lurking in the shadows. Let's see who's the most devious of them all!"

Uchiha Gin thought of his future opponents.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, Obito, Black Zetsu, and the whole Otsutsuki clan.

Konoha was just the beginning!

Chapter 44: A Mission? This Is a Recruitment Drive!

"They're actually asking me for money?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the two funding applications from the Root Organization and the Military Police Force.

The gist was that the Root Organization's ninja tool research was in urgent need of funding. They wanted to develop new Ninja Tool Armor, and with enough money, they could expand production of Chakra Attribute Blades. That would help both the Root Organization and the Military Police Force become self-sufficient and reduce Konoha's financial burden, among other things.

Both applications had already been reviewed by Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

If the applications hadn't been submitted by Orochimaru and the Military Police Force, they probably wouldn't even have made it to Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk.

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had both recommended rejecting them, and they'd written their reason on the applications: insufficient funds.

"Have they really put their minds to researching ninja tools?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen considered it carefully, but didn't reject the applications right away.

He needed to think through the intentions behind them.

What would happen if he approved them? And what would happen if he refused?

Uchiha Gin had already prepared for either response. If they got the money, they'd invest it immediately, rapidly expand production, spend it all, and then apply for more.

If they were rejected, Uchiha Gin would move on to the next step: selling jutsu to raise funds while earning goodwill from civilian shinobi. Even a little goodwill would be enough. It would still be better than how everyone had been shouting for their blood before. Of course, there might be some ingrates, but Uchiha Gin didn't care. They were civilians, after all; they couldn't make waves.

The Hokage's son became Hokage. A civilian's son could only be a civilian.

"Rejected!"

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen rejected the applications.

Unable to clearly predict the consequences, he chose to follow the normal procedure and make his decision accordingly. So he rejected them. Konoha really didn't have much money.

Many shinobi still had to earn money by taking missions. The funding provided by the Land of Fire couldn't cover all of Konoha's expenses. The village had to earn money too.

Fugaku and Orochimaru received news the next day that the application had been rejected. They handed the matter over to Uchiha Gin and went back to their own work.

After all, they were each in charge of a department and had plenty to do. Fugaku had it easier, but the Military Police Force was never idle, at least on the surface. Everyone in the Military Police Force except Uchiha Gin would get caught if they slacked off.

And after Shisui defected, they'd chosen a new captain. There was a lot to sort out. As for Orochimaru, well, the Root Organization had set up too many projects under Danzo. When Orochimaru took over, he was surprised by how much had been kept from him, the Root Organization's second-in-command!

"There are still too few people working on ninja tool development. Assigning some missions should be perfectly reasonable, right?"

Aside from patrol duty, Uchiha Gin was responsible for the ninja tool department. He came by every day to check on the progress of the Scientific Ninja Tool development and offer a few suggestions.

Uchiha Gin had also inspected the Ninja Tool Armor the Root Organization had acquired from the Land of Snow. It was practically a prototype of a Scientific Ninja Tool.

It could amplify chakra and release a chakra barrier for defense. The Root Organization had also obtained the detailed research materials, along with ideas for further development. For example, they could add a pair of foldable auxiliary wings and, with an infusion of chakra, glide long distances.

Aside from its high production cost, the thing was genuinely effective.

Before long, Uchiha Gin went to the Mission Building to post a mission.

C-Rank Mission · Ninja Tool Development and Improvement

Requirements: Chunin-level strength. Applicants skilled in Sealing Jutsu or Barrier Ninjutsu preferred. Those familiar with ninja tool materials could be hired directly.

Required personnel: 50

Applicants will be screened. A written exam will be held, and those who pass will be selected.

Reward: 200,000 per person per month; six days off per month; eight-hour workday.

Minimum one-year commitment!

Special reward: Those who make an innovative discovery in ninja tool development may receive an advanced jutsu.

"Are you sure you want to post the mission with these requirements?"

The Mission Building staff member looked at the unfamiliar mission listing and felt it sounded less like a call for shinobi and more like an organization recruiting members.

And the reward was far too high. An ordinary C-Rank Mission only paid about 20,000. The applicants had to be Chunin, but even a Chunin doing a B-Rank Mission would usually earn no more than around 200,000—and they'd have to work in a team and split the money with their comrades. They'd never take home 200,000 a month on their own.

This mission was practically throwing money around.

"Yeah. Anyone who takes the mission should report to the Uchiha Ninja Tool Shop. We'll hold an exam once a week to select suitable candidates."

Uchiha Gin replied.

The staff member looked at the gemstones in Uchiha Gin's hand and concluded that the Uchiha Clan really did have a lot of money.

He also wondered whether ninja tools were really that profitable.

The Chakra Attribute Blade had become quite popular lately. Maybe Uchiha Gin had made all that money selling ninja tools!

"Understood. I'll post the mission right away."

The staff member replied.

If the applicants were from another village, they'd also be required to pay a deposit, usually between 30% and 50%.

For people from Konoha, the deposit would be lower. But if they were part of an official organization in Konoha, they wouldn't have to pay a deposit or a service fee.

Organizations like the Sealing Squad, Barrier Squad, and Sensor Squad, for example.

The Uchiha Police Force was also one of those organizations. They didn't have to pay Konoha a cut to post missions.

Uchiha Gin's mission was immediately delivered to Sarutobi Hiruzen's office by the Anbu.

"?"

"They still have money?"

"Or is this Scientific Ninja Tool really that profitable?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the mission listing, puzzled.

If he didn't have almost all the data on that tool and know that selling it only earned a modest profit, he'd have suspected Uchiha Gin and Orochimaru had made a fortune.

Sarutobi Hiruzen never assumed his enemies were fools. But after looking it over for a long time, he couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Now he was starting to regret his decision. Should he have given them the money after all? The proposal had said Konoha would receive a share of the profits if it funded the project.

"Place some of our people among them and find out what they're planning!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave his final order.