As Reiki stepped out, the ANBU ninja was momentarily stunned.
"Hokage-sama is meeting with the president of the Sanada Chamber of Commerce in his office. The president specifically requested to see you," the ANBU ninja said, swallowing nervously as he sensed hostile gazes directed at him from the courtyard.
"Oh, and Hokage-sama mentioned that if Lady Tsunade has time, she can join you," he added before disappearing.
Under usual circumstances, he would've escorted the person back. But…Tsunade's eyes had unnerved him a bit.
"Sanada Chamber of Commerce? Is that the same guy?" Reiki muttered, somewhat confused. Hadn't he given this person plenty of potions? What could he want now? And why involve Sarutobi Hiruzen? If Hiruzen learned about the potions, he might spread them across the village, and that thought didn't sit well with Reiki.
"Is it the Chamber of Commerce we encountered on that last mission?" Tsunade asked, approaching Reiki.
"Yes," he replied. "I provided them with some potions during that mission, and it seems they sold well, so they want a long-term partnership. I'm not sure why they came to the village, though."
Tsunade's brow furrowed. If this involved the village, it could mean Reiki would become nothing more than a potion-maker. She understood the unique qualities of Reiki's potions; they weren't simple to produce. Too much time spent on them would interfere with his training.
"Let's go. I'll join you," Tsunade said decisively. Her student wouldn't become a tool for the village's profit.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the Hokage's office. Upon seeing Sanada, Reiki's expression soured. It was indeed him. Couldn't he meet Reiki privately?
"Reiki, I've come with sincere intentions," Sanada greeted eagerly. "Have you thought about our previous discussion?"
Sanada's enthusiasm was evident, completely ignoring Sarutobi Hiruzen in the room.
"Not interested," Reiki replied curtly. Then, turning to Hiruzen, he added, "Hokage-sama, is this the reason you called us here?"
Sanada's behavior had soured Reiki's opinion of him even more.
"Reiki, do you know President Sanada?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, now understanding that this "cooperation" might be more about resources Reiki possessed than about Konoha itself. "Could you explain what's going on?"
"I developed some special potions during my training with Tsunade-sensei," Reiki explained. "They can restore physical strength, chakra, and similar effects. Mr. Sanada purchased some from me previously, and I believe he wants a similar arrangement now. However, since my teacher helped me, I can't make that decision alone." Reiki shrugged, redirecting the responsibility to Tsunade.
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Tsunade, sensing she might not easily agree to any such deal. And he was right—Tsunade was not one to be compelled. The only leverage he had over her was her attachment to her disciple Reiki and her younger brother, Nawaki. But any pressure on either would only lead her to rebel, given her strength and influence.
"We can't agree to this," Tsunade declared firmly. "Reiki will be taking the Chunin Exams soon. A partnership with the Chamber of Commerce would consume most of his time, and his future doesn't lie in potion-making. Potions are just a support for his training, not his career."
Her words, though polite, made her refusal clear. There was no way she'd allow someone with Reiki's talent to be reduced to a vendor's tool.
"Tsunade is right," Sarutobi Hiruzen conceded. "If your Chamber of Commerce wishes to collaborate with Konoha, we can discuss other arrangements. But in terms of supplying large quantities of these special potions, we won't be able to accommodate that."
"Well, that's unfortunate," Sanada replied, standing up. "As a gesture of goodwill, I'll still offer Konoha a reduced price on our supplies, though it won't be as steep a discount." He bowed slightly to Sarutobi Hiruzen before turning to leave. "I look forward to maintaining a positive relationship with your village."
With Sanada gone, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Tsunade. "Is there a way to mass-produce these potions? If so, could you provide some for the village?"
"They can be mass-produced, but we don't have the resources for large-scale production," Tsunade replied coolly. "The Senju clan is not exactly wealthy at the moment. We can only make enough for personal use."
"Provide me with a list of the ingredients," Sarutobi Hiruzen said, trying to remain composed. "Any potions for the village won't require your clan to cover the cost of ingredients. The village will also offer financial support. If you need further assistance, feel free to ask."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was intrigued by the potion's potential effects, judging from Sanada's reaction.
"Fine," Tsunade replied, nodding to Reiki.
"Here's the list," Reiki said, handing over a document. "One batch of ingredients yields about ten bottles of potion, with an 80% success rate. It's still undergoing refinement."
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly as he scanned the list. Only three of the ingredients were rare, though the quantities were substantial.
"This is a sample," Reiki added, handing over two bottles. "Hokage-sama, if that's all, we'll be heading back."
With that, Tsunade and Reiki left the office. They still had training to attend to, and Tsunade didn't want to linger any longer than necessary.