Perhaps Orochimaru had underestimated the true power of the marketing plan and the overwhelming influence that the handsome men and beautiful women of the Uchiha Clan brought with them.
Come to think of it, the world had never witnessed such a carefully designed and sophisticated marketing campaign before. It wasn't just clever—it was revolutionary, turning something as simple as skincare products into a phenomenon sweeping across the shinobi world.
On Hokage Rock, Orochimaru stood quietly, his golden eyes looking down at the endless line of people waiting outside the White Snake Brand Skincare specialty store. The store had only opened recently, yet every day the crowd grew larger. The demand was nearly uncontrollable.
"Orochimaru, can you get me a few sets of those skincare products?"
The voice came from behind him. Jiraiya, ever grinning, flashed his perfectly white teeth, the smile of a man who thought he was clever. His tone was pleasant, but Orochimaru could already tell what he was scheming. Jiraiya's mind was transparent: judging by the massive popularity of these products, he probably wanted to use them as gifts for his so-called "beautiful older sisters."
"Jiraiya, you want to give this to your beautiful older sisters, don't you?"
Orochimaru's gaze cut through him with disdain. With a flick of his pale hand, he pointed lazily toward the White Snake Brand store below. "The store is right there. If you want it so badly, why don't you go and buy some yourself?"
"Jiraiya, you stingy fool. You want to impress those older sisters, but you can't even spend your own money?"
Tsunade folded her arms and gave Jiraiya a withering look. She deliberately emphasized the words "beautiful older sisters," as though spitting venom at his excuse. Pointing at him with a single, perfectly manicured finger, she added, "You're just too cheap to pay for it, so you're trying to mooch off Orochimaru, aren't you?"
"N-no!" Jiraiya stammered, looking away with guilt. He lowered his voice to a mutter. "I just thought I could get it cheaper if I bought it directly from Orochimaru…"
Orochimaru rolled his eyes, too proud to waste energy on Jiraiya's pathetic bargaining. "The skincare products are being sold through collaboration with the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka Clans," he explained coolly. "The Akimichi and Yamanaka handle the production. I don't have time to babysit you, Jiraiya. If you want gifts for your women, buy them yourself."
Instead of striking Jiraiya on the head like he deserved, Orochimaru ignored him and turned to Tsunade. "Tsunade," he said smoothly, "a gift in exchange for the scarf."
From within his robes, he pulled out a scroll, unrolled it with practiced grace, and produced a beautifully wrapped skincare set that shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
"Orochimaru, thank you!" Tsunade exclaimed with delight. She accepted the package gladly, holding it up almost provocatively in Jiraiya's direction, as if to say, See? I got one, and you didn't.
"You… you two! You two!" Jiraiya's voice cracked with indignation, his finger trembling as he pointed at them. "We're supposed to be on the same team!" His resentful, almost pitiful scream echoed dramatically across Hokage Rock.
---
The Root Headquarters
In the underground base of Root, Danzo Shimura sat at his desk, his expression dark.
"How could the Ino–Shika–Chō Clans dare align themselves with the Uchiha?" he muttered under his breath. "Don't they realize that the entire Village fears the Uchiha Clan?"
At that moment, a Root operative knelt on one knee before him and delivered his report with utmost respect. "Lord Danzo, the skincare formula being sold across Konoha was developed by Orochimaru. He handed the formula to the Ino–Shika–Chō Clans and has now invited the Uchiha Clan to participate as well."
Danzo's brows furrowed deeply. His mind wandered as he recalled the recent rise in reputation of the Uchiha Military Police Force. Worse, Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude toward the clan had begun to soften, moving away from the strict policies laid down by the Second Hokage.
"Have you forgotten already, Hiruzen?" Danzo thought bitterly. "Have you forgotten how terrifying Uchiha Madara was? Do you not fear that another Madara may rise again from this clan?"
His memories carried him back to that fateful battle at the Valley of the End. He could still feel the ground trembling beneath him, the sky torn open by their monstrous power. The clash between Hashirama and Madara had been so violent that the entire shinobi world had felt it. That kind of fear could never be erased.
Even so, Danzo's hands were tied. Hiruzen's watchful eyes now hovered over everything he did. Root's manpower had stagnated, their harsh emotion-suppressing training methods under scrutiny. Without Sarutobi's tacit approval, Danzo could no longer operate freely in the shadows as he once had.
Rubbing his temples, he let out a long sigh. For the first time since founding Root, he felt powerless. "As long as Sarutobi remains Hokage," he muttered, "I will never truly be free. Only when he steps down—or when another Hokage takes the seat—will my hand be unshackled."
But considering Hiruzen's age and vitality, the man could easily remain Hokage for another ten years. "This is absurd," Danzo spat.
---
The Advisors' Skincare Scandal
On the other side of the Village, Homura Mitokado nearly had a heart attack when she learned that Hiruzen, the Hokage himself, had gone shopping for skincare products.
"This is outrageous!" she cried, ready to storm off and confront him with Koharu at her side.
But before she could, the door opened. In walked Utatane Koharu, holding an elegant White Snake Brand gift bag. Homura's jaw dropped, her glasses nearly sliding off her face.
"K-Koharu, you… you too?!" she stammered.
"What is it, Homura?" Koharu asked casually, as though she had merely returned from buying groceries. She noticed the way Homura stared at the bag in her hand and raised an eyebrow. "What's with that look? Are you interested in skincare?"
"I—of course not!" Homura blurted, flustered.
Koharu chuckled. "Homura, we've known each other for decades. You've always seen me as just another advisor of Konoha, haven't you? Always thinking only of the Village." She lifted the bag proudly. "But I am still a woman. Isn't it natural for me to care about my appearance?"
Homura felt completely out of place, as though the world around her had shifted into something unrecognizable.
Koharu continued nonchalantly, "Oh, I ran into Hiruzen at the specialty store. He was there too, buying a set for Biwako. Unfortunately, this was the last set in stock."
She proudly displayed the bag, her face glowing with triumph.
Homura adjusted her glasses with trembling fingers and dabbed sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief. What's happening to this world?
---
Hiruzen's Predicament
Meanwhile, Hiruzen himself was having no better luck. Having failed to purchase the products, he sought out Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru," he said with unusual humility, "do you have any way for me to acquire a set? Biwako will be… disappointed if I return empty-handed."
Orochimaru smirked. "Master Sarutobi, the products are completely sold out. Even I don't have a direct purchasing channel."
The Hokage let out a weary sigh. "So that's how it is. I suppose I'll just have to endure Biwako's disappointment until they restock."
At that moment, Orochimaru couldn't help but laugh. He pulled a scroll from his ninja pouch, unrolled it with a flourish, and summoned an elegantly wrapped skincare kit.
"Here, Master Sarutobi. This was meant to be a personal gift for Aunt Biwako, but I'll let you be the one to deliver it. Consider it my small way of supporting your marriage."
Hiruzen's eyes softened. Accepting the gift with gratitude, he patted Orochimaru's head. "You're thoughtful as always. Thank you, Orochimaru."
---
Uchiha as Marketing Icons
Perhaps part of the reason for White Snake Brand's explosive success was the shopkeepers of Konoha themselves. Many began to copy the strategy of inviting the handsome men and beautiful women of the Uchiha Clan to appear at their storefronts.
The Uchiha didn't even need to do anything. Simply standing there was enough to elevate a shop's prestige. To everyone's surprise, the proud Uchiha had actually agreed to such invitations.
Orochimaru, passing by one such store, nearly doubted his own sanity. He saw members of the Uchiha Clan casually eating tricolor dango in front of a dango shop as part of a "marketing collaboration." For a moment, he wondered if he had fallen under the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
---
Expansion into the Land of Waves
Not wasting any time, Orochimaru employed the Flying Thunder God Technique to travel to the Land of Waves. There, he presented his marketing plan to Qing He and instructed him to establish White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company.
The Daimyo of the Land of Waves, greedy and corrupt, had no objections. He cared little about what businesses were set up in his territory, as long as his pockets were lined with gold. Orochimaru—disguised as the Daimyo himself—ensured Qing He's protection and loyalty, even gifting him a kunai inscribed with the Flying Thunder God formula.
With Orochimaru's guidance, construction of the processing facility began. Despite the bitter winds, the people of the Land of Waves were enthusiastic. For the first time in generations, they had hope—jobs, wages, and a future.
By the time the facility was complete, fleets of merchant ships had already been purchased, ready to distribute White Snake Brand products across the Land of Fire, the Land of Water, and neighboring countries. Only the harsh desert climate of the Land of Wind required adjustments to the formula.
Qing He oversaw recruitment and advertising campaigns, even paying for television commercials—something only the wealthy could afford to watch at the time. Orochimaru, never missing a chance to experiment, even inserted romantic stories about skincare into Jiraiya's newest serialized novel, ensuring White Snake Brand became a household name among readers.
The results were overwhelming. The brand quickly became the darling of the rich and powerful, yet still affordable enough for ordinary villagers who were willing to save up.
---
Threats to the Company
But success always attracts greed. As White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company flourished, rogue ninjas, mercenary groups, and shadow organizations turned their eyes toward it. To them, this new company with no established history or clan backing was nothing but an unguarded treasure chest. Even if they couldn't seize it whole, a single slice of its profits was enough to satisfy their hunger.
And so, the wolves began to circle.
---
Author's Note
This marks the last update before the novel officially goes on sale. Starting tomorrow, this book will be available for purchase.
To be honest, I don't have much of an idea what to write here. This story has been in my head for a long time, but I never put it to paper. One of the reasons was Boruto. The original plot of Boruto was confusing, unnecessarily drawn out, and often disappointing. Ikemoto's art style didn't help either.
The main story of Boruto is passable, but far from satisfying. On one side, you have the weakening of Naruto and Sasuke—two legends reduced to shadows of themselves. On the other, you have Sasuke, stubborn as ever. Tell me, why can't you simply reattach your arm?
You claim you're atoning for your sins? For what—your mother's sins? Ridiculous!
And what about the Rinnegan? Is Almighty Push and Chibaku Tensei all it can do now? When Boruto stabbed you in the eye, were you unable to react? Do you now have the body of a young man but the reflexes of an old one? Has the Sharingan's famed dynamic vision gone dull?
Where was Shinra Tensei when you needed it? Why didn't you save yourself? Your Rinnegan was wasted!
And Momoshiki—what a disappointment. I never expected Sasuke Uchiha, Erzhuzi himself, to be stabbed with a simple kunai by a Boruto possessed by Momoshiki. How humiliating!
For entertainment, they even reduced him to showing off the Uchiha Clan's ultimate taijutsu: the so-called "Uchiha Body Slam." And what did he receive in return? Urashiki Otsutsuki's legendary "Otsutsuki Elbow Slam." What a disgrace.
What can I say?
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