Let's Cooperate, Orochimaru!

The shrine maiden Miko tidied her appearance, knelt, and bowed her head, saying sorrowfully:

"I beg Your Excellency to save this concubine."

Uchiha Genmei had not expected the shrine maiden to pull such a move and hurriedly helped Miko to her feet.

He said, somewhat bewildered:

"Hasn't every problem already been solved? Why would you say such a thing to me?"

The shrine maiden gathered her courage to gaze into the youth's eyes and spoke plainly:

"It is no longer the previous problem; this concubine currently possesses no power."

Her fair hands gripped her lapels, knuckles turning white from the force, as if she were nervous about something.

She sighed:

"With the threat of the Moryo gone, as a female ruler, this concubine fears I shall not meet a good end hereafter."

"Therefore, I shamelessly beg Your Excellency for salvation."

"The problem is, a ninja cannot interfere with state affairs at will." Uchiha Genmei spoke with some difficulty: "Even if I were to save you, I could only protect you as you leave this place."

Miko gave a charming smile:

"There is no need for such trouble; you need only develop this concubine into a God's Retainer."

"After all, as long as I return to the command of a deity, a shrine maiden will naturally regain her power."

The shrine maiden's explanation caused a flash of inspiration to strike Uchiha Genmei's mind.

He knew who to use the final slot on.

The plan he had previously hesitated to enact because Gabimaru's status was insufficient could now be set in motion!

Having thought this through, He looked at the shrine maiden before him, And said solemnly:

"Then you must be prepared for the fact that your future destiny will be in my hands!"

The beautiful shrine maiden bowed gracefully.

She beamed:

"This concubine accepts it gladly."

"Then take the oath: serve me forever." The youth used his blade to slice open his own wrist.

Hum...

Blood dripped, floating through the air under a mysterious power until it reached the shrine maiden.

"From this day forth, Your Excellency shall be this concubine's only god!" Miko did not hesitate to respond to that vow.

She understood deeply that without her power, Once the ninjas returned home, She would face a cruel reality.

She took the blood with both hands and drank it in one gulp.

In that instant, her long-emptied body began to devour the surrounding natural energy like a whale.

The shrine maiden couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

Her face flushed, and she bit her lip, unwilling to let herself make any more unsightly sounds.

Suddenly, Blue-white flames ignited in her eyes, and bursts of Aura shimmered around her body.

A moment later, The youth watched quietly as the shrine maiden regained her strength, And waited for her to compose herself before smiling slightly.

He reached out his hand:

"Then, I look forward to working with you from now on, my shrine maiden."

Miko grasped the extended hand, her expression solemn.

She responded to the youth with grave words:

"Yes! My Lord!"

Uchiha Genmei walked away with a light step.

After asking Jiraiya and Tsunade about the whereabouts of that genius researcher, he set off on the road to find Orochimaru.

To take a monarch as a retainer would allow him to fully unfold the plans he had in mind.

The Police Force had been receiving more and more offerings over the past two years.

After supplying the entire clan's ninja training and the large-scale expansion of the Military Police Force, there was still more than enough left over.

The money was actually becoming inexhaustible!

At the time, he had considered using Gabimaru's status as a lord to have the Uchiha start some businesses outside the village.

He wanted to get that hot money flowing, but he was held back because Gabimaru's scale wasn't large enough, and being in the Land of Lightning, he had certain reservations.

He hadn't been able to make up his mind.

Now, the conditions were ripe.

Once he found Orochimaru, as long as he agreed to the upcoming deal, it would be a success!

Before long, he pushed open the doors to the Library of the Land of Demons.

"I knew you'd be here, Orochimaru-san." Seeing Orochimaru at a desk, engrossed in a book, the young man offered a greeting.

The snake-like genius set down his book and raised his eyelids.

"Genmei-kun? Is there something important you need from me?"

Uchiha Genmei smiled slightly.

"I am terribly sorry to disturb your leisure, but I do indeed have a request."

He walked over to sit opposite the desk, facing Orochimaru.

He spoke bluntly: "I know you enjoy scientific research, so I won't waste words. Let's cooperate, Orochimaru! Whatever money your research projects require, I will fund them all."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru remained silent, watching Uchiha Genmei quietly.

However, the glint in his eyes made it clear that he was tempted.

Having just embarked on the path of scientific research, he had discovered that whether it was researching ninjutsu or the path to immortality that he was currently slightly interested in, both required vast amounts of money!

His own mission income was merely a drop in the bucket; the significance of having someone across from him willing to invest such massive capital at his current stage went without saying.

After a moment of hesitation and thought, he replied, "You know that Teacher has always had reservations about you Uchiha."

"One hundred million ryo!"

"As a disciple of the Hokage, I also aim to become the Hokage myself!"

"Three hundred million ryo!"

"Don't look down on me, Genmei-kun. As a ninja with grand ambitions, I..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a voice cut him off:

"Five hundred million ryo every quarter! Not per year!"

He, Orochimaru, had words he wanted to say next.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate, Genmei-kun!"

Seeing Orochimaru agree, Uchiha Genmei chuckled inwardly.

How could I not know how desperate you researchers are for money?

The methods of scamming research funds in my past life have become a running joke.

As long as the money is good, I don't believe you won't bend, bowing for a meager salary.

Although he had agreed to cooperate with the young man opposite him, Orochimaru still solemnly, tentatively asked:

"For investing so much money in me, Genmei-kun, do you have any other requests?"

He was also worried, if the other party's demands were too outrageous.

Having just been blinded by money, was agreeing so quickly perhaps unwise.

"Don't worry, there are no excessive demands." Seeing the expression on Orochimaru's face, he knew he was worrying about unnecessary things.

Uchiha Genmei patiently explained:

"Don't overthink it. Besides researching the power of ninjutsu, you also need to complete the special projects I assign."

The young man's comforting words

made Orochimaru visibly relax, and he directly asked, "Which special projects?"

"Don't worry, they're just civilian products, you just need to put in some effort."

"Civilian products? What use would Uchiha have for them?" Orochimaru asked in confusion.

The young man shook his head, not explaining further.

He stood up and slowly spoke:

"You'll know when the time comes. I won't disturb you further with your books."

After saying his goodbyes, he turned and walked towards the door.

Orochimaru didn't mind. If he didn't want to say, so be it.

As long as he completed the patron's requests, many of his research projects could finally begin.

Time flew by, more than five years had passed since returning from the Land of Demons.

At this time, Uchiha Genmei sat in the director's office.

Holding the financial report of the Starry Bird Corporation in his hand, he sighed with emotion:

"Orochimaru is really too useful."

Just as he was about to examine it closely for any issues, a sound of the door opening made him look up.

Seeing a familiar silhouette, he smiled slightly:

"It's Shizune."