"I'll have someone start working on acquiring the biotech company tomorrow." Fugaku looked over at Akira. "Is there anything else?"
Akira had been about to leave, but something crossed his mind.
"Clan Head, do you know someone called the 'Wandering Miko'?"
He wasn't entirely certain of Yakushi Nonō's scientific prowess. She was undoubtedly skilled in medical ninjutsu, but she'd primarily been trained as a spy. While Nonō was a top-tier operative in the world of espionage, that didn't necessarily mean she had the expertise for research.
However, her adoptive son, Yakushi Kabuto, was a different story. Later, he would become an expert with ambitious dreams and play a critical role in the Fourth Great Ninja War. If Kabuto hadn't been involved, the intensity of that conflict might have been halved. Like Orochimaru, Kabuto was a genuine genius.
Of course, right now, Kabuto was just a six or seven-year-old child, but his future potential was undeniable. Someone with that much potential was worth bringing into the fold early on.
"The 'Wandering Miko'?" Fugaku's gaze grew thoughtful. "I remember she was with the Root. Rumor has it she left some time ago and is now running an orphanage."
"Why do you ask? Is there something unusual about her?" Mikoto asked, looking puzzled. "I heard she's a very kind person, taking in many of the war's orphans."
"No, nothing wrong," Akira replied, shaking his head. "I just think it'd be worthwhile to recruit her."
He turned to Fugaku, speaking with conviction. "The Uchiha can't afford to go it alone anymore. If we want to achieve our goal of one day becoming Hokage, we'll need more support."
Fugaku nodded, considering this. "She's not only a top spy from Root but also highly skilled in medical ninjutsu. She'd make a valuable ally."
Mikoto frowned slightly, looking between them.
"But if we try to recruit her so openly, won't that draw the suspicion of the Third Hokage and Danzo?"
Nonō wasn't just anyone. As Root's elite, she knew many of its hidden secrets.
Akira shrugged nonchalantly. "So what? We're not doing anything against the laws of Konoha—just offering her a job as a researcher in the new company we're setting up."
Mikoto shook her head with a smile. "You both sound like she'll just agree to join you. Don't forget, she was once a Root elite. Do you really think she'll want to align herself with the Uchiha?"
"She'll want to. Maintaining that orphanage isn't easy. From what I've heard, her funds are running dangerously low." Akira's confidence was clear.
"Then I'll leave it to you," Fugaku said, nodding at Akira. "Once the acquisition is finalized, I'll let you know right away."
With the power of the Sharingan aiding them, what might have taken months was accomplished in just ten days. The Uchiha acquired a midsized company called ShinTen Biotech, a solid enterprise in both research and sales. For the Uchiha, with their long-standing wealth, this acquisition was a manageable expense.
In Konoha, people barely reacted to the Uchiha's venture into the pharmaceutical industry. Most simply assumed they were trying their hand at a new side business. This recent war had made both weapons and pharmaceutical businesses highly profitable, and practically every major clan in Konoha had a side business of some sort. Merely relying on missions alone wouldn't be enough to sustain such large clans.
The Nara Clan was known for their prized deer antlers, while the Yamanaka Clan specialized in cultivating flowers and medicinal herbs...
At an orphanage on the outskirts of Konoha, Yakushi Nonō sat at her desk, her face lined with worry.
"The funds will only keep us going for three more days, but the next village subsidy isn't due for another two months…" Her brows furrowed deeper with concern.
Just then, a knock came at the door. A round-faced, middle-aged woman appeared in the doorway.
"Sister, there's someone here to see you—a ninja from the Uchiha Clan. He's waiting in the main hall."
"The Uchiha Clan? What would they want with me?" Nonō's brow creased slightly, but she rose to go meet them.
In the main hall, a young man with black hair and dark eyes, a sword strapped to his back, was glancing around the room.
"I'm Yakushi Nonō. How can I help you?" she asked, her professional smile in place.
"Akira Uchiha," he introduced himself without preamble. "I have a job offer for you. Are you interested?"
"I'm afraid not," Nonō replied, shaking her head. "I'm no longer a ninja, so I have no interest in whatever work you're offering."
In her mind, the Uchiha's interest was undoubtedly in her skills as a spy, a life she'd long grown tired of. Now, all she wanted was to protect and save as many of the war's orphans as she could.
"You misunderstand. We're not asking you to go back to your old line of work." Akira shrugged. "The Uchiha are moving into the field of biopharmaceuticals. We recently acquired a company called ShinTen Biotech and want to offer you a position as a researcher."
Nonō relaxed slightly at his words. The Uchiha Clan was powerful in Konoha, and their members were known for their pride. She preferred not to be entangled with them, and running the orphanage was difficult enough without getting on the Uchiha's bad side.
After a moment, she said, "I'm the director here and responsible for these children. I don't have the time to work at your company."
Akira's expression turned knowing. "From what I understand, the orphanage is struggling financially. Konoha's subsidies alone won't keep it afloat."
Nonō fell silent. It was true—Konoha's subsidies were far from enough to sustain the orphanage. To make ends meet, she often had to find side work or have some of the children help out wherever they could.
"ShinTen pays its researchers generously," Akira continued, arching a brow. "Surely you don't want the orphanage to close?"
After a pause, Nonō finally spoke. "What kind of work would I be doing?"
"You don't need to worry—it's nothing forbidden." Akira offered a reassuring smile. "Mainly work in cloning and targeted organ cultivation."
For him, that research was of utmost importance—not just studies involving Senju Hashirama's cells. With the Chimera Technique at his disposal, cloning alone would be not enough to serve his purpose. Once he mastered it, the Senju cells would naturally fall within his reach.
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