Ever since Kakuzu put on Stone Village's brown vest, the village's finance bureau had become a money-printing machine running at full throttle.
This old monster who had lived for nearly a century was downright inhuman when it came to making money.
With his left hand, he mobilized funds to aggressively short the Land of Fire's grain prices. With his right, he directly monopolized iron ore mining in the Land of Wind.
The enormous wealth circulating through the underground black markets was steadily funneled into Iwagakure's coffers through all manner of outrageous financial schemes.
In less than half a month,
Iwagakure's treasury had been expanded three times in succession.
Gold bricks were piled as high as small mountains. Whenever Ōnoki passed by the vault, the dazzling golden glow made his head spin, and he grinned from ear to ear.
Once the flow of funds was fully activated, Yoru began making his moves.
The Full-Staff Super-Gear Plan was officially launched.
Underground Supreme Scientific Research Institute, Live-Fire Range A.
Harsh white shadowless lamps shone against the cold alloy walls.
Orochimaru, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, was as excited as a madman fresh off a drug high.
"Lord Yoru, your concept is art that transcends this era!"
He yanked the dust cover off the lab table.
A set of pure black vests, gleaming with a matte metallic sheen, appeared before everyone.
"Chakra Armor prototype, Version 1.0."
Orochimaru's long fingers stroked the patterns on the armor's surface as his long tongue licked his lips.
"I engraved miniature defensive barriers into the inner layer. As long as a tiny amount of chakra is infused, the shield can be activated instantly."
"Even a direct bombardment from a C-rank ninjutsu won't leave a scratch!"
Ōnoki stood nearby, his eyes wide.
He leaned in and knocked on