Chapter 41 – Yujiro: I Only Sold 'Health Supplements' for the Good of Konoha!
Events unfolded exactly as Orochimaru had predicted.
After what future generations would consider a fairly ordinary marketing stunt—but what was an unprecedented sensation in the current shinobi world—the Ryūchi Cave Vitality Tonic exploded in popularity overnight.
From the Fire Daimyō's palace to noble estates across the Land of Fire—and of course, among the powerful merchant class—everyone was secretly sending people to purchase Ryūchi Cave Rejuvenation Powder: Supreme Deluxe Edition.
As for the less affluent—ordinary merchants, bureaucrats, and shopkeepers—they quietly bought the Standard Mail-Order Edition instead.
When asked what the difference was between the "deluxe" and the "standard" versions, Uchiha Yujiro's answer was simple:
"Packaging."
Jiraiya: "And… aside from that?"
Yujiro: "That's it."
Jiraiya: "Wait, that's it? But isn't the deluxe version ten times the price of the standard one?"
Yujiro nodded without shame.
"Correct. And then there's the Supreme Deluxe Edition, which costs a hundred times more, and the Ultimate Supreme Deluxe Edition, a thousand times more.
The standard version comes in paper wrapping.
The deluxe version—wooden box.
The supreme deluxe—metal box, plus some art trinkets and collectibles.
And the ultimate supreme version—silver box, with even more art and exclusive merchandise."
Jiraiya blinked as Yujiro handed him one of those "exclusive" collectibles—
a silver-engraved Limited Edition Jiraiya the Gallant Standee.
For a long moment, Jiraiya stared at it, speechless.
He wanted to say something like:
"Are there really idiots out there paying a thousand times the price just for this crap?"
But before he could, Yujiro spoke again, wearing the confident smile of a man who had seen through the world itself:
"Everything follows the laws of the market, Master Jiraiya.
It's not me manipulating people—it's the invisible hand at work.
Our mail-order version is priced for the working class—affordable for any ordinary shinobi or villager.
But if we only sold that, none of the nobles, Daimyō, rich merchants, or wannabe elites would touch it.
No matter how good or cheap the product is, they won't buy it—because in their eyes, that would mean lowering their social status.
Nobles are creatures that live for ceremony, for image.
And the newly rich and social climbers who aspire to become nobles?
They're even worse."
Jiraiya let out a low whistle. "Ah… the rules of the highborn, huh…"
He might not have understood "market economy" or "invisible hands,"
but when it came to the unspoken rules of nobility and power,
no one in Konoha understood them better than Jiraiya the Gallant.
He had to admit—Yujiro's plan made sense. It was disturbingly clever.
But one question still gnawed at him—one he couldn't keep down any longer.
"Yujiro… don't you think what we're doing is a little… morally questionable?"
Truth be told, Yujiro using Jiraiya's image—turning him into a walking advertisement for "miracle recovery" and marketing him like some kind of shinobi Ronaldo—was plenty of reason for Jiraiya to be furious.
But before that fury could even ignite, Yujiro had already apologized, bowing with exaggerated sincerity.
Then, before Jiraiya could stay mad, he'd invited him back to Heaven and Earth for another all-night "ten-round special."
And afterward, Yujiro even slipped him a handsome endorsement fee.
With Minato chiming in here and there—dropping hints that Yujiro was "one of us"—Jiraiya ended up laughing it off.
Or maybe he just didn't dare protest again.
After all, ten rounds a night would break even a Sage's chakra-enhanced spine.
Still—apologies aside—he couldn't help but feel uneasy. He didn't meddle in others' business ventures, but he had to ask.
Because honestly, the idea of Orochimaru making "health products" sounded suspicious as hell.
…Except this time, it actually worked.
After two nights of back-breaking "field research," Jiraiya had seen green suns in the sky. But one scoop of Ryūchi Cave Powder later, and suddenly—he was back in business.
After undergoing a thorough medical check at Konoha Hospital and finding no side effects, even Jiraiya had to admit:
"This stuff… actually works."
So now, only one question remained.
He looked at Yujiro with a hesitant gaze.
He'd only known the young Uchiha for a short time, but his talent and drive were undeniable. And that worried Jiraiya.
He'd seen what happened to Nagato.
He couldn't bear to watch another genius stray down a dark path.
"I have one last question," he said quietly. "Yujiro… don't you think what we're doing is a bit… heartless?"
For a moment, Yujiro's mind flashed with a line he'd never dare say aloud:
'Money can always be earned again—but lose your conscience, and you'll earn even more.'
Of course, he didn't say that.
He had no desire to find out firsthand how much a Sage Art: Super Giant Rasengan hurt.
So instead, he put on his most righteous expression, slapped the table for emphasis, and launched into his speech.
"Heartless? Not at all!
This, Master Jiraiya, is intellectual redistribution of wealth!
And besides—do you really think I'm doing this for myself?
No! I'm doing this for Konoha!
Minato, back me up!"
He jabbed a finger toward Minato.
Caught completely off guard, Minato froze mid-spectator mode. "Uh—well—"
Yujiro leaned in and whispered under his breath, "Fiscal deficit."
The moment he said those two words, Minato visibly flinched—as if his hairline had just retreated another centimeter.
He straightened, voice trembling slightly as he picked up the cue.
"Yes… the fiscal deficit! Konoha's finances are stretched to the limit! War compensations, orphan care, hospitals, veterans' pensions—there are holes everywhere!
Ninja gave their lives for this village, and now we can't even afford to feed their families or rebuild their homes! I—" His voice cracked. "I'm a failure of a Hokage… I'm trying, but I just don't have the funds…"
Minato's voice broke into a choked sniffle.
Normally, seeing a grown man cry would be embarrassing.
But Jiraiya knew his student well.
The boy had no parents—just him. And he wasn't crying for himself; he was crying for the village.
Jiraiya's anger faded instantly. Guilt crept in. He opened his mouth, ready to comfort his student—
—but Yujiro jumped right in, dragging Minato back like a stagehand removing an extra.
"Alright, alright, Minato, that's enough!" he said, turning back to Jiraiya, voice rising with passionate conviction.
"That's what I've been trying to say, Master Jiraiya!
I'm selling health supplements for Konoha!
Every single ryō of profit—after reinvestment, expansion, and diversification—goes right back into the village!
I haven't spent a single coin on personal luxuries! Not one!
If sacrificing a bit of 'dignity' and 'conscience' can save Konoha…
if it can help more wounded veterans and struggling families…
Then I'll throw away that conscience without hesitation!
Because that's my way of the ninja—Uchiha Yujiro's Nindō!"
Jiraiya stood there speechless for a moment, mouth half open.
Then finally, a wry smile tugged at his lips.
"…Heh. Guess I really did lose to you this time."
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