"Is that so… I think it suits me very well too."
Orochimaru turned with an elegant twist, his pale face perfectly framed by the gaping jaws of a giant white snake. The sinuous tail trailing behind him flicked across the floor with a faint hiss. One hand resting on his hip, he inclined his head in mock courtesy. "It looks less like a snake," he murmured, "and more like a dragon that has shed its skin."
"Pfft—ha ha ha!"
Tsunade burst into laughter, unable to contain herself at his theatrical pose.
---
The Rain Country Proposal
Far away, deep in the Land of Rain, the ever-determined Hanzō once again visited the sleek chairmanship office of the White Snake Pharmaceutical Technology Company. Hope was always scarce in his war-scarred homeland, yet he continued searching for any chance to change its grim future.
"Mr. Hanzō," said the company president, Qing He, with a polite bow, "our company wishes to establish a new factory and a transportation hub within the Land of Rain."
"Transportation hub?" Hanzō echoed. He knew well enough what a factory was, but the second term was new to him.
Qing He patiently explained: the hub would coordinate shipments, store medicine, and serve as a central link for commerce across nations. He then outlined the planned factory's purpose and the number of workers it would require.
Hanzō listened intently, astonishment dawning in his eyes. The idea of a major company investing in his impoverished region seemed almost unbelievable. Yet if this plan succeeded, it could bring prosperity his people had never known.
"Mr. Hanzō, this is a provisional contract," Qing He said, producing a neatly bound document. "Please review it. As the leader of the Land of Rain, you have the authority to decide."
Hanzō read carefully. The White Snake Company proposed to build both facilities and to employ a large number of local ninja and civilians. The wages were generous—120 ryō per hour for an eight-hour day, with emergency overtime paid triple. A single worker's monthly income could feed a family of five and still allow savings. In a country where many could barely afford a single meal, it was a miraculous offer.
True, he noticed, the benefits were slightly lower than those offered in the more stable Land of Waves, but given the Rain's constant conflicts and the risk of investment, the terms were more than fair.
Satisfied, Hanzō signed both copies of the contract. His normally stern voice held a trace of excitement as he asked, "President Qing He, when will your company begin construction? I will personally see that Hidden Rain ninja provide full protection."
"There is no need to rush," Qing He replied with a serene smile. "Once preparations are complete, our person in charge will travel to the Land of Rain. Before then, however, we would like your assistance recruiting the first group of workers."
At a signal from Qing He, the chairman's secretary stepped forward, a sleek briefcase in hand. She set it on the table with a decisive thump.
Hanzō blinked at the unexpected sound. The secretary snapped the clasps open, and a golden light spilled into the room. Inside lay neatly stacked ingots of pure gold.
"This…" Hanzō's eyes widened; his breath caught. The glittering sight momentarily dazed him.
"Consider this," Qing He said pleasantly, "a partial advance for workers' wages—and a token of appreciation for your cooperation."
Hanzō could only stammer, "President Qing He, this… this is…"
"Merely a gesture of trust," Qing He finished smoothly. "The rest will follow once the project is underway. We appreciate your continued care."
For a long moment, Hanzō stared at the treasure, the weight of his nation's troubles melting beneath the dazzling glow. Gold, after all, speaks louder than words. All doubts were silenced.
"Please rest assured," he finally said, bowing deeply. "Leave everything to me."
Qing He watched the Rain leader with quiet satisfaction, recalling how Lord Orochimaru had once convinced the mercenary Kakuzu with a similar display of wealth. Few tools were as effective as the glitter of gold.
---
Rumors Across the Shinobi World
Far from the Rain Country, the great villages of the shinobi world were stirring with their own intrigues.
---
Kumogakure: The Raikage's Suspicion
In the Raikage's office, the muscular A held a small parchment, lightning crackling faintly across his clenched fist as he read. The report concerned Uzumaki Mito—the first Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails and wife of the legendary First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Since the day the beast was sealed inside her, she had never once lost control.
"So the Uzumaki Clan truly wields such power," A muttered. "Not only their sealing techniques, but their remarkable vitality… the two together suppress even the Nine-Tails."
He tapped the parchment against his palm, considering the possibility of seizing those techniques from the distant Whirlpool Hidden Village. Kumogakure's own attempts to bind the Eight-Tails had caused tremendous damage and repeated failures.
Yet this intelligence felt too perfectly timed. It had been retrieved at great risk by elite ninja, but something about it smelled of deliberate manipulation. To attack Uzushiogakure outright would invite the wrath of both Konoha and the Whirlpool Village's formidable allies. Kumogakure's power alone was not enough to face such a coalition. A would have to wait, watch, and strike only when the opportunity was perfect.
---
Kirigakure: The Mizukage's Calculations
Meanwhile, in the mist-shrouded Land of Water, the Third Mizukage read a similar report. Hidden Mist's own sealing techniques were crude, often fatal to test subjects. Learning that the Uzumaki could perfectly confine a tailed beast explained why Konoha's Nine-Tails remained so obedient.
If Konoha and Uzushiogakure maintained their alliance, the Mist's position would weaken drastically. The Mizukage's eyes narrowed. Perhaps the solution was not direct assault, but ensuring that other villages viewed the Uzumaki as a common threat. Let them all move against the Whirlpool together.
---
Iwagakure: Onoki's Reluctance
In the rocky stronghold of Iwagakure, the aged Tsuchikage Ōnoki studied his own copy of the intelligence. The information unsettled him, yet he hesitated. To strike at Uzushiogakure would mean war with both the Whirlpool and Konoha. Even a victory would bleed Iwagakure dry, leaving it vulnerable to opportunistic attacks from other nations. And who had leaked this intelligence in the first place? The timing was too convenient. Acting rashly would be folly.
---
Sunagakure: Shadows and Iron Sand
Far to the southwest, the Third Kazekage of the Hidden Sand idly tossed his parchment into the air. A swirl of black iron sand shredded it before it hit the ground.
"Worthless," he said flatly.
Chiyo, standing nearby with arms crossed, frowned. With a flick of chakra threads she reassembled the paper fragments, her fingers a blur of motion.
"As expected of Monzaemon's heir," the Kazekage remarked coolly. But even he admitted the intelligence could be exploited. Someone was clearly trying to use Sunagakure as a pawn. He remembered too well how their previous Kazekage, Lord Shamon, had died under mysterious circumstances—no poison, no battle, just an unexplained end. The memory chilled the room.
Sunagakure, smallest and harshest of the great villages, could not afford reckless moves. Their strength lay in careful planning and minimal risk. Better to observe while others bled.
---
Konoha: Training in the Snow
Back in the Land of Fire, a cold wind swept through an open training field near Orochimaru's home, lifting white snow in twisting spirals.
"Jiraiya," Orochimaru called, forming a hand seal. "You already have the foundation for Wind Release. Mastering the Swift Wind Wall will not be difficult. Its essence lies in the transformation of chakra's nature and shape."
He flicked a shuriken skyward, then shaped the air itself. Wind-infused chakra wrapped the spinning blade, causing it to orbit gracefully around him.
"Unbelievable!" Jiraiya exclaimed, eyes alight with excitement. Determination hardened his stance. He would master this jutsu no matter what.
Orochimaru allowed himself a thin smile and tossed him the scroll containing the technique. "Once you understand the flow of chakra, you can do the same."
---
Quiet Before the Tempest
From glittering bribes in the Rain to whispered plots in distant villages, a subtle storm was gathering across the shinobi world. Gold might build factories and win allies, but it also drew attention—and envy. Even as Orochimaru trained in the snow, unseen hands moved pieces on the board, each leader weighing whether to strike, to wait, or to manipulate others into action.
For now, peace held, but it was the fragile peace of a drawn blade balanced on its edge.
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