"Huh?" Jiraiya stared at the lump of dirt in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, completely baffled.
Since when did Mount Myoboku start producing this?
He was one of Mount Myoboku's own, and he had never heard of it.
Orochimaru and Tsunade looked just as confused.
Clearly, neither of them knew what was going on.
Hiruzen pinched the clump lightly. Crumbs of soil scattered across the table.
Jiraiya pressed a finger into the powder, lifted it to his nose, and sniffed it carefully. After checking again and again, he finally said, "Sensei… this is just dirt, right?"
"It is dirt."
Hiruzen nodded calmly. "But we're going to sell this dirt at the price of gold. No… several times the price of gold."
Jiraiya scratched his head. "I mean… sure, some nobles are pretty foolish, but they're not that foolish, are they?"
Hiruzen chuckled.
"We are shinobi who wield Chakra. We hold the most advanced techniques in the shinobi world. In biological medicine, especially, Konoha has a clear and overwhelming advantage."
"Even if the raw materials are cheap, once technology gives them irreplaceable scarcity, once we match them with precise functions and bind them to identity-based premiums… turning stone into gold isn't difficult."
"This is technology pricing, not cost-based logic."
The moment the conversation shifted to technology, Orochimaru's eyes lit up.
This was exactly why Hiruzen had chosen this direction after careful consideration.
He did not underestimate the other villages.
The Cloud's lightning-enhanced taijutsu. The Stone's Dust Release. The Mist's bloodline techniques. The Sand's puppet arts. They all had their specialties and were capable of innovation.
But their innovation focused almost entirely on military applications.
When it came to civilian medicine, their development was practically nonexistent.
Compared to Konoha, which had been cultivating biological research since the time of the Second Hokage, they were nowhere close.
And with two medical geniuses like Tsunade and Orochimaru, along with the Nara and Akimichi clans' pharmaceutical foundations…
Monopolizing the "noble health" market would not be difficult.
Hiruzen continued, "What do nobles want most?"
"A strong body to extend their privileges. And a status symbol they can flaunt."
"As long as we meet those needs, they'll deliver money to us on their own."
"The effects don't need to be explosive. As long as there's an immediate sensation, and we frame it properly, they'll pay."
"Immediate sensation proves it works. Gradual effects afterward aren't weakness. We call it gentle nourishment, strengthening the foundation, no side effects. That language elevates status."
Orochimaru nodded faintly.
It sounded remarkably similar to the way he persuaded subordinates.
Tsunade's eyes brightened. "I think I get it, Sensei."
She had done something similar before.
Because of her gambling habit, she sometimes owed large sums at casinos. Certain nobles would seize the opportunity, settle her debts, and ask her for medical treatment in return.
Some even requested medicine. She would treat them with medical ninjutsu a few times, casually roll a mud pill, and they would gratefully hand over silver as if she had saved their lives.
Jiraiya had once complained about it.
He worked himself to the bone for Konoha and wrote novels on the side, yet he earned far less than Tsunade.
"Work out the specific effects together," Hiruzen said. "I'm only giving you the general direction."
"The core is building a purchasing cycle. When I mention the First, the Second, the three sacred regions, that binds to the nobles' need for premium identity."
Orochimaru smiled darkly. "That does suit their mindset."
"If we can find large amounts of cheap but marketable materials, even better," Hiruzen added with a faint smile. "Harmless snake scales, for instance. Leave one or two intact pieces in the pill on purpose. They'll think it proves authenticity."
"Konoha's legacy. The endorsement of the three sacred regions. We should make full use of it."
He tapped his own chest. "I'm a living advertisement."
"Even if other villages copy us later, this moat will make it impossible for them to compete. Of course, that depends on your products actually hitting the nobles' weak points."
"Keep raw material costs as low as possible. We're here to make money, not serve them sincerely."
Jiraiya nodded, half understanding. "I don't know about the rest, but there's a kind of toad oil in Mount Myoboku that boosts vitality. I've been taking it for years…"
"They've got piles of it in the back mountain. The boss just stuffs it into my hands."
Tsunade shot him a look of pure disdain. "You look healthy enough. I didn't expect that from you…"
"It's preventive care! I'm not sick!" Jiraiya's face flushed bright red as he jumped up to defend his dignity.
"Calm down, idiot. What are you planning to prove? This isn't a bathhouse."
Orochimaru laughed outright. "I'll count that as your contribution. You can handle negotiations with Mount Myoboku, right?"
After Jiraiya nodded firmly, Orochimaru added, "Ryuchi Cave has large quantities of shed snake skin. It has calming properties. We can repurpose it for nobles."
"As for Shikkotsu Forest, I'm not sure there's any waste to use. Each slug is essentially a fragment of the Great Slug Sage's body."
Tsunade smiled. "Whether it truly comes from the three sacred regions doesn't matter. What matters is reusing low-cost materials without consuming too many medical resources, right?"
"Sensei, don't worry about that. Nobles without Chakra can't tolerate the medicines shinobi use." She began thinking rapidly. "That's a cost advantage, but also a technical challenge. We'll have to adjust dosages to match their tolerance."
Hiruzen nodded approvingly.
As expected of Tsunade. A few hints were enough.
"For the pill base, we can reference the Akimichi clan's spinach-based formulas. The Nara clan's Soothing Drink is also useful," Tsunade muttered, already deep in brainstorming.
"This time, you and Orochimaru will take the lead," Hiruzen said. "Value this cooperation with the Nara and Akimichi."
"Tsunade, I know you've always wanted to establish a Medical Corps. But you also know a pure medical ninja in every three-man team isn't realistic."
"Not everyone has your talent, both in combat and healing."
Tsunade sighed and nodded.
She knew her youthful proposal had been well-intentioned but impractical.
If two three-man teams clashed and one side had to protect a healer with little combat power, that side would be at a disadvantage.
There was no such thing as a tank in the shinobi world. You did not stand there healing and absorbing blows. Survival depended on mobility and evasion.
"Once this project launches, I'll support the Medical Department in selecting one member from each team for training. Every Jonin will receive first-aid instruction."
Tsunade's eyes lit up. "That's perfect. Leave it to me, old man!"
"Orochimaru, you'll handle pricing."
Hiruzen continued assigning tasks. "We're targeting major nobles only. We can't divert too many shinobi. The village's operations come first."
"Understood?"
Orochimaru nodded.
Shinobi were fundamentally combat personnel. Medical ninja were precious and needed for daily hospital operations.
They could not dedicate large numbers to noble medicine.
Targeting major nobles meant fewer clients, higher prices, and lower manpower cost. It also reinforced the exclusivity of a "three sacred regions joint product."
Scarcity was essential.
Orochimaru was already thinking ahead. If the pills gained fame, they could infiltrate enemy Daimyo's Mansions and gather intelligence effortlessly.
They would not even need to ask questions. Small clues would reveal much.
"Focus on this collaboration with the Nara and Akimichi," Hiruzen said slowly.
"Not only for funding from nobles. The technologies developed here, optimized ingredients and dosages, enhanced functions, could transition into military applications."
"Improved Food Pills. Stimulant and pain-suppressing formulas."
"Maintain a strategic perspective. This is pre-research and iterative military development. One investment, dual returns."
He paused. "Tsunade, you once mentioned Medical Talismans. If I remember correctly, the difficulty lies in storing and gradually releasing medical Chakra, correct?"
Tsunade nodded, impressed. "Yes. Compared to the explosive release of fire-attribute Chakra in a Paper Bomb, Medical Talismans require slow release and storage. Both are challenging."
Hiruzen smiled. "If we successfully capture the noble health market, the birth of the Medical Talisman won't be far behind."
"Once major nobles recognize our pills, their retainers will want them too."
"And the closest to them are their wives."
Tsunade blinked, confused. What did that have to do with it?
"Break down the Medical Talisman into its smallest unit. Solve storage and slow release of medical Chakra first. Use it to meet the needs of noblewomen. In other words, cosmetics."
Hiruzen guided patiently. "The returned funds will then fuel military research."
Noblewomen, though bound to their husbands' status, still had purchasing power.
In the feudal system, a noblewoman's appearance was a reflection of her husband's authority. Maintaining beauty was as essential as renovating estates or hosting grand ceremonies.
For them personally, beauty improved marriage negotiations and influence.
If there were a "super cosmetic" that enhanced their appearance, they would not hesitate to spend.
Tsunade's eyes widened. "Not just noblewomen. Plenty of kunoichi have asked me about staying youthful…"
"Exactly. Small-scale projects that require limited manpower but allow civilian-military technology transfer. Once running, they'll benefit the village immensely."
Tsunade slammed the table and clapped Orochimaru's shoulder hard. "We'd better make this work."
Orochimaru's face darkened at the force of it, but he managed a thin smile. "Of course."
He, too, was tempted by the promise of endless cash flow.
Research and jutsu development rarely relied on luck. Most required enormous resources.
"What about me, Sensei?" Jiraiya pointed at himself.
"You…" Hiruzen rubbed his chin. "I hear you've been writing. How are sales?"
Jiraiya's face fell. "Not great. But I believe one day they'll be bestsellers!"
"Weren't those anonymous romance short stories of yours quite popular?"
Orochimaru's expression turned teasing. "Maybe switch genres. Serious literature doesn't suit you."
"What? Snake, how do you know what I wrote?" Jiraiya exploded like a startled cat. "Are you spying on me?"
Few things were more embarrassing for a writer than having friends discover certain works.
"Never underestimate my intelligence network," Orochimaru replied smoothly. "Back to the point. You have talent. Incorporate our pills and cosmetics into your stories. It'll be excellent promotion."
Jiraiya frowned. "I really have talent? Honestly, I think it all feels fake…"
He snuck a glance at Tsunade. "I've never even been in love…"
"You have, Jiraiya," Hiruzen said firmly. "Precisely because you've never experienced it, you long for it with almost fantastical intensity."
"Follow Orochimaru's suggestion. I expect you to become a renowned romance novelist of the shinobi world."
Jiraiya grimaced. "That doesn't sound like a compliment…"
"But if it's for the village, I'll sacrifice my literary genius."
He straightened abruptly, confidence returning. "First, I'll build fame with romance, gather fans, help the village. Then I'll write serious literature and become a master!"
"Yeah. That's the plan."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
Even in the shinobi world, there was a hierarchy between genres?
How realistic.
"I need a pen name…" Jiraiya muttered. "How about Golden Toad Sage of Heaven? Or Wandering Ink Hermit of the Shinobi World?"
"You're past that age," Hiruzen said dryly. "You won't corrupt your student and my grand-student, will you?"
He waved dismissively. "Call yourself Young Azi."
Jiraiya blinked. "That's not bad… sounds pure. It fits me."
"I'll handle the Daimyo. You focus on research."
"For Konoha, Team Hiruzen reunites. Let's give it everything."
Hiruzen extended his hand.
Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya froze for a second. Then they smiled knowingly and stacked their hands on top.
They used to do this all the time when they were children.
"Team Hiruzen… let's go!"