"This sounds like the same ability as the Senju Clan."
Uchiha Fugaku picked up a test tube, his eyes burning with fervor, then drank it all in one gulp, before closing his eyes and his face flushed.
Unlike Meikyō, he doesn't have the ability to slowly and autonomously restore his pupil power. Once he uses up his pupil power, it's gone forever. Therefore, he desperately craves a potion that can replenish his pupil power.
"As expected of Senior Orochimaru."
Meikyō also picked up a test tube and looked at the shimmering golden light flowing on it, and couldn't help but admire it.
This medicine is almost capable of fundamentally transforming a person into Sage Body.
While transplanting White Zetsu Cells can grant one most of the abilities of Sage Body without any side effects, these effects are lost once the White Zetsu Cells are removed.
Moreover, for Meikyō, the physical body composed of White Zetsu Cells is not strong enough.
This might be decent for an ordinary ninja, but for Meikyō, who has honed his physical body to an extremely high level, it's still far from enough.
From this perspective, this medicine is indeed more suitable for me.
"Ugh..."
Uchiha Fugaku groaned and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.
"My attacks during the Third Shinobi World War used up nearly 30% of my eye power, but this one dose of medicine has almost restored my eye power to a state close to when I first awakened it!"
Uchiha Fugaku felt his eye power surge and couldn't help but exclaim excitedly.
"Just as I expected, three to four doses of the medicine are enough to restore the full power of a pair of Mangekyō Sharingan. Moreover, if taken over many years, it can also help the body to restore its own power."
Orochimaru stood aside, observing Uchiha Fugaku's changes, and asked a few more questions, quickly copying Fugaku's answers into his personal notebook.
"The effect of spontaneously restoring pupil power? How long does 'over the years' mean?"
"Uchiha Fugaku curiously again."
"Without depleting the medicine's power to restore pupil strength, taking one dose per month can maximize the medicine's effects, and it should last for about fifteen years."
"Fifteen years..."
Uchiha Fugaku is in his early thirties this year, and he will still be in his prime fifteen years from now, which is acceptable.
However, this is on the premise that the medicine is not used to restore pupil power during the process, and the actual time should be further extended.
"At Obito's age, if he could maintain his daily intake, he might be able to gain this ability just as he reaches his peak."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at Nohara Rin, who was lying on the table, curiously examining the potion, and muttering about how they had only parted ways a short while ago.
There were originally nine vials of the Golden Potion on the table. Uchiha Fugaku and Orochimaru used one of them one by one, so there are now seven left.
At this moment, Meikyō also brought over a dose to take.
There are only six left now.
"Does Chief Fugaku want to expand production?"
Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly and said to Uchiha Fugaku.
"Of course, the current amount of medicine is definitely not enough for the three of us who possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. Senior Orochimaru also made a great contribution to the development of this medicine, so he should also receive a share. Of course, we should expand the production scale!"
At this moment, Meikyō, who had opened her eyes, interjected.
His Mangekyō Sharingan already possessed a certain degree of self-healing ability, and he also paid attention to reducing the use of his eye power at the end of the war. With the addition of this potion, his eye power instantly recovered to 80% or 90% of what it was when he first opened his eyes.
And...
Meikyō looked at her arm.
In his own perception, Meikyō could sense a warm power flowing through his meridians, strengthening his already formidable physique.
"Then let me tally up the expenses for everyone."
Orochimaru was ecstatic to be able to exploit the Uchiha Clan, this wealthy tycoon, for his own research and experiments.
"To manufacture the potion, we first need to cultivate specially made new White Zetsu Cells. This requires a large amount of high-quality medicinal materials with Yang Chakra, as well as that person's legacy. To proliferate the latter, we also need a large amount of similar items. In addition, the success rate of serum production is not high to begin with. Therefore, it is estimated that one vial will cost about six million ryo..."
Orochimaru's scheme was perfectly clear to Meikyō.
The actual cost is estimated to be only about 60% of what Orochimaru said, or even less.
Orochimaru did this simply to obtain more funds to conduct his other experiments.
"It's a little expensive, but still within a reasonable range."
After Meikyō it for a while, Mingjing spoke.
Upon hearing this from the expert Meikyō, Uchiha Fugaku was very tempted, but soon fell into hesitation.
"One dose of medicine costs six million taels. If one person takes one dose per month, it will cost seventy-two million taels per year. Three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan would cost more than two hundred million taels. And we have to add Senior Orochimaru's share, so it will be close to three hundred million taels."
After carefully calculating, Uchiha Fugaku fell silent.
Given that the Elite Jonin like Sarutobi Asuma, who has political status and is at his peak age, is 35 million ryo, then 300 million ryo is enough to buy the heads of seven or eight Asuma.
To put it another way, it would be about three hundred S-rank missions, which is more than all the S-rank missions that the current Konoha Sannin have completed.
And this is only for one year's worth of consumption.
Even with the Uchiha Clan's large size and resources, it was still difficult to cope, considering the large number of clan members they had to support.
"Three hundred million taels a year is indeed too much. Even if Sunagakure is defeated, the compensation from Konoha will only be one billion taels of silver, and it will be paid off in twenty years."
"Uchiha Fugaku sighed and said."
Upon hearing this number Uchiha Obito was so shocked that he opened his Mangekyō Sharingan.
During his years as a ninja, he probably didn't even earn enough to raise a million taels of silver.
Orochimaru was getting a little anxious.
Although he didn't exactly ask for an exorbitant price before, it was still inflated, mainly because he wanted to see just how rich the Uchiha Clan really was.
In reality, although the Uchiha Clan can come up with several hundred million taels of silver in the short term thanks to their past wealth, it would undoubtedly have a significant impact on the clan if they were to invest such a large amount of money every year in the future.
"How about this, Fugaku, you can invest an additional 50 million taels first, which I can use to buy new equipment and improve the production line. At that time, the cost can be reduced to 4 million taels per tube. Moreover, we can cooperate with families such as the Nara Clan that are engaged in the production of medicinal materials, and purchase them at internal channel prices, which can further reduce costs."
Orochimaru began to actively offer advice and strategies to Uchiha Fugaku.
"I think it's possible, Clan Chief Fugaku. If our plan succeeds this year, the clan will also reap considerable benefits. With the end of the Shinobi World War after many years, the Ninja World's economy should enter a period of rapid development and prosperity. At that time, the clan's annual income may be several times higher than its peak."
Meikyō also offered suggestions.
Both Uchiha Fugaku and Orochimaru knew what the plan that Meikyō was talking about was.
Once Dan Katō becomes the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha Clan and Orochimaru will each obtain a Konoha High Command.
Moreover, he was a high-ranking official who held real power, because Dan Katō needed to gather his allies to suppress the interest group formed by the Third Hokage and the older generation of high-ranking officials.
They will reap immeasurable benefits from this position!
Just like the current senior executives.
"Yes, but after the previous batch of funds, the family will need some time to raise the funds for this 50 million taels. However, I can personally contribute 30 million taels."
Uchiha Fugaku gritted his teeth and agreed, also contributing a portion of his personal wealth accumulated over many years.
"My family's wealth isn't as substantial as Chief Fugaku's, but I can still come up with ten million taels."
Compared to Meikyō, Uchiha Fugaku was much older and had accumulated far more wealth; moreover, he occasionally had to provide financial assistance to Dan Katō.
Sometimes, Dan Katō gamble away all his money to Tsunade and have to ask his three beloved disciples for help.
Uchiha Obito was already drenched in sweat, frantically searching for his wallet.
"I, I, I'll offer 435,102 taels!"
Uchiha Obito read out a string of numbers, complete with odd and even numbers.
All his wealth is here.
East Blue, Shimotsuki Village, Wharf.
"Hey! Kuina! I'll let you go first this time. Once I set sail, I'll definitely catch up with you and become the world's greatest Great Swordsman!"
A boy with Moss Head cupped his hands and shouted loudly into the distance.
Koshiro, dressed in a long black robe, stood behind Zoro, gazing at the ships in the distance that were gradually shrinking in size.
At the stern, Kuina, now a beautiful young woman, waved to the distance until the land disappeared from sight.
"So, Dragon, are you treating me like some kind of babysitter?"
Meikyō held the Den Den Mushi in his hand, looking speechlessly at the two boys and girls opposite him.
The man had short blond hair, wore a top hat, and held a cane, resembling an elegant gentleman.
The woman had a faint smile on her face, which made her look very gentle, and her long, slender legs in black stockings were encased in a pair of brown high-top boots.
"Ah, Sabo and Koala are at the age where they should set sail, and since their identities haven't been exposed to the World Government yet, they'd be perfect partners for your mission!"
The dragon's voice came from the Den Den Mushi.
"Furthermore, Koala is an excellent navigator, which will definitely be of great help to your future voyages. Also, I have already had Sabo take the Zoan Devil Fruit you asked me to collect."
Accompanied by the sound of a dragon, Sabo gracefully removed his hat and took out a black Devil Fruit.
This is a Devil Fruit is somewhat similar in shape to a strawberry, with extensions on both sides resembling the wings of some kind of black bird.
"This is the Bird-Bird Fruit, Crow Form, Yuan Yi."
Meikyō took the Zoan Devil Fruit from Sabo's hand.
"All right."
The people are already on the boat, and these two kids seem pretty good. As long as they don't cause any trouble, what does it matter?
Moreover, Meikyō already has experience in mentoring students.
"Sabo and Koala are yours to train. As for this fruit, although I don't know what you want it for, I still don't recommend you eat it. If you want to become a Devil Fruit user, the Revolutionary Army can help you find a better one."
"Thank you, Dragon, but I have other uses for this fruit and will not eat it."
Meikyō shook his head.
"Well, in that case, I'll hang up now."
"Wait, there's one last thing I want to say."
"Help me investigate the pirates who live near Shimotsuki Village so the three young men can practice on them. After all, there are very few strong characters in the East Blue, and it took me a lot of effort to find them myself."
"Is that so? Please wait a moment."
Not long after, Dragon sent a message.
"Kuina, raise the sails! Koala, turn the helm! Head to the Konomi Islands!"
The Konomi Islands.
Located in the northwest of the East Blue, this area comprises more than twenty islands of varying sizes and is under the jurisdiction of the Marine Branch 16.
Poconoya Village, a village that once suffered under the oppression of the Arlong Pirates but managed to survive, has now become Paradise for pirates to plunder.
"Captain, this is Arlong Pirates' territory. Are we sure we'll be safe robbing them here?"
A burly pirate, carrying his newly plundered treasure on his back, spoke worriedly to an ugly, fat woman.
"Hmph, they're probably at Arlong Park on the coast right now. They don't have time to care about the most beautiful person in the world like me."
Alvida touched her face coquettishly and said in a coarse tone.
The pirate officers had no choice but to suppress their disgust and praise the captain's good looks.
Just then, four figures appeared at the corner of the street.
"Do you see that ugly, fat woman with freckles all over her face, holding an iron bar?"
Meikyō pointed to Alvida in the distance and spoke to the three people behind her.
"Teacher Yuan Yi, she's our target for this trial, isn't she!"
Kuina excitedly drew the long sword from her waist and said.
"No, no, no, she's not qualified. She just got annoyed to see someone so ugly doing evil, so she's just giving you a little appetizer before the trial."
Meikyō held up one finger and shook it as he spoke.
"Damn it! How dare they call me, the most beautiful woman in the world, ugly! Unforgivable! Men, charge! Kill them!"
Enraged, Alvida brandished her iron bar and ordered her men to attack.
Meikyō always had the word "ugly" on her lips, how could she tolerate that?
Even so, this red-haired swordsman doesn't look like someone to mess with.