Naruto: The Tavern Speech Begins to Make the Land of Rain Great

Inside the private room of the Yujin Tavern, only Watanabe Tetsu and Orochimaru were present.

For the sake of privacy, Hyuga Hizashi and Uchiha Fugaku were specifically called outside the door.

"Two million catties of grain and 2.4 billion taels of Fire Country currency. I'll release them as long as you pay."

Watanabe Tetsu's tone was resolute, as if there was no room for negotiation.

But Orochimaru knew that this condition could be discussed further.

"One million taels of grain, five hundred million taels—that's the maximum I can do within my authority."

Orochimaru wore a wicked smile, his pale yellow snake eyes fixed on Watanabe Tetsu.

But Watanabe Tetsu, on the other side, sneered and said with dissatisfaction.

Do you think I would accept this condition?

Watanabe Tetsu paused for half a second, then pointed to the rules written on the table.

"I won't beat around the bush. My bottom line is two million catties of grain and two billion taels of silver. Not a drop less."

Watanabe Tetsu knew that Konoha's finances were sufficient to cover these resources, which is why he made such an outrageous demand.

However, this was not actually the main point of the negotiations.

Money and food are easy to solve.

Xiaoguang can earn money on his own, it's just a bit slower.

Watanabe Tetsu raised his head, and Orochimaru's face showed hesitation.

A few seconds later, Orochimaru added.

"If it's a three-year installment plan, this condition can be met."

Installments?

Watanabe Tetsu was well aware of the other party's tricks.

This involves giving him a small amount of resources under the guise of installment payments, and then creating some unexpected situations.

They use tricks like Watanabe Tetsu died unexpectedly, or Xiaoguang was destroyed by Hanzo.

In any case, Xiaoguang would be outnumbered and have almost no ability to resist the behemoth that is Konoha Village.

Once Xiaoguang hands over Jiraiya and Tsunade, it's uncertain whether the installment payments will still be made.

However, Watanabe Toru also had a method.

"Installment payment is possible, but there are a few conditions."

A smile returned to Watanabe Toru's face.

"First, Konoha must provide Akatsuki with a plot of land in Tanabata Street of no less than 1,000 square meters for opening a shop, and Konoha must provide reasonable rental terms based on market pricing."

Orochimaru nodded; the condition was barely acceptable.

In any case, Tanabata Street is not the core area of ​​Konoha. The Daimyo had previously rented some shops in Tanabata Street to Konoha Village. All Konoha needs to do is sublet the shops to the Akatsuki.

You might even be able to make a profit from the price difference.

"Second, Konoha Village will allow merchants from the Akatsuki to enter Konoha to conduct free trade, and will protect the personal safety and assets of Akatsuki merchants within Konoha Village."

Upon hearing this, Orochimaru fell into thought.

Free trade.

There's nothing wrong with what they're saying; it's just a group of businessmen coming to Konoha to do business.

Previously, Konoha also allowed villagers to open shops and trade with merchants.

As for what follows, it is perfectly reasonable for Konoha to guarantee the safety of merchants.

There doesn't seem to be anything wrong?

only...

This matter still needs to be reviewed by the Third Hokage; just because he can't see the problem doesn't mean there isn't one.

"Is there anything else?"

Watanabe Tetsu nodded; this was also his main focus.

"Third, in order to maintain the friendship between Konoha Village and Akatsuki, I propose an exchange student program."

"Exchange student?"

"That's right, it's about having Konoha send some of its Ninja Academy students to Akatsuki every month for learning and exchange. This will reduce the barriers between Konoha and Akatsuki ninjas, genuinely improve their relationship, and allow them to learn from each other's strengths and improve their overall capabilities."

These words seemed reasonable, but Orochimaru was able to keenly grasp some of the details.

It's called an exchange program, but it's probably really just sending Konoha's ninja academy students to Akatsuki as hostages.

After all, if there are ninja academy students in the Akatsuki, then Konoha will not dare to start a war with the Akatsuki.

Orochimaru's eyes were sharp, and he refused without even thinking.

"That's impossible."

Orochimaru's reaction was not unexpected by Watanabe Tetsuya.

With Orochimaru's intelligence, how could he not understand?

"There is a fourth point: Konoha must make the results of the negotiations public to the entire ninja world."

This is to prevent Konoha from cheating and to force Konoha to abide by the rules.

After all, if such a large ninja village can't even keep its basic credibility and promises, it's bound to face some trust issues.

"I need to confirm with the teacher."

Orochimaru's cautious attitude made Watanabe Tetsu shrug.

"Then I think there's nothing more to talk about."

Anyway, Jiraiya and Tsunade are in his hands and are currently being held in a dungeon that the Akatsuki has temporarily built.

To ensure that the organization's important assets were not damaged, Watanabe Toru specially assigned four combat squads to guard them, and separated them and detained them in two locations dozens of kilometers away.

They also threatened each other's lives, promising to kill their companions immediately if they escaped.

In other words, if Jiraiya escapes, Tsunade will be killed immediately.

vice versa.

After all, no matter how fast a person runs, can they be faster than a radio wave?

This dispelled their escape plans and made them stay obediently in their cells.

Watanabe Toru chuckled as he recalled the two figures he had seen when he entered the tavern.

"Speaking of which, Konoha has quite a grand entourage. Both geniuses from the Hyuga and Uchiha clans have come. It's clear that the Third Hokage cares a lot about his two disciples."

Watanabe Tetsu deliberately paused for half a second, observing Orochimaru's expression.

But Orochimaru's expression didn't change at all.

"Alright, these are our Xiaoguang Society's requirements. Once the conditions are met, we will release the person immediately."

Watanabe Tetsu took out the previously prepared set of regulations.

Orochimaru glanced at it and saw that it was exactly the same as what Watanabe Tetsu had described earlier.

"Take this and ask the Third Hokage. I think he'll agree."

Orochimaru nodded. He didn't have the authority to agree to all of these treaties, so he could only ask the Third Hokage first. Anyway, it was just a matter of a summoning jutsu.

He stood up, just about to leave, when Watanabe Tetsu called him back.

"Mr. Orochimaru, now that we've finished discussing matters concerning Konoha, it's time to talk about some personal matters."

Turning his head, Orochimaru saw Watanabe Tetsu holding a half-meter-long scroll in his hand.

Watanabe Toru threw the reel to him.

"I think you'll be interested in the latest medical ninjutsu scroll developed by the Xiaoguang Society."

Orochimaru took the scroll, stared into Watanabe Tetsu's eyes for three seconds, and only after confirming that the other party was not lying did he slowly unroll the scroll.

As soon as the scroll was opened, a mysterious sealing technique was revealed inside.

In the center of the psychic spell, there is a character for "medicine".

"That's interesting."

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with a thirst for knowledge as he lowered his head to examine every inch of the scroll.

Until he suddenly slashed his palm with a kunai and then covered it with the scroll...

A green light flashed, and the wound on his palm slowly healed.

"It's a very clever combination of sealing techniques and medical ninjutsu. The chosen medium is also quite interesting. It seems to be made from trees that grow in humid environments year-round. Is it a native tree of the Land of Rain? But there seem to be some deliberately blurred parts of this scroll. Is it a censored version?"

Orochimaru was still muttering to himself, as if he had fallen into a demonic trance.

"Once this medical reel enters the market, it will probably cause a huge uproar, after all, its portability and practicality are quite good, and it is an essential item for ninjas."

Orochimaru slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with fanaticism and excitement.

"Che-kun, could you introduce me to the person who made this scroll?"

"Of course, I think you two will get along very well."

Watanabe Tetsu smiled and extended an olive branch.

"Mr. Orochimaru, our Akatsuki has many cutting-edge projects under development, such as soul, body, prosthetic body, cells, and even immortality... These are all our research topics."

"I think you'll be interested, because we're the same kind of people."

Watanabe Tetsu leaned back on the sofa, a confident smile on his face.

"The outdated ideas of Konoha will limit your talent, but in the Akatsuki, you will rise to great heights."

"The past belonged to Konoha Village, the future belongs to the Akatsuki."

Orochimaru recalled hearing about the agricultural park at the tavern and then witnessed the medical ninjutsu scroll.

For the first time, his heart wavered.

The death of Rope Tree replayed in his mind, and he repeatedly searched for the true meaning of life and soul.

He didn't expect to find like-minded people along the way.

But that doesn't mean he's going to do anything to the village.

No matter what, Konoha had nurtured him, and Orochimaru was no traitor who served three masters.

However, we can exchange ideas more often.

He now has some new ideas about immortality and the soul, and with Xiaoguang's verification from multiple sources, the results will be more accurate.

"I see."

Thinking of this, Orochimaru immediately used the Summoning Jutsu, and a small snake appeared out of thin air.

He took a scroll from the snake's mouth.

"Che-jun, use this to contact me."

Watanabe Toru nodded.

"Mr. Orochimaru, why don't you stay in the Land of Rain for a few days? I'll have Furukawa contact you in a few days."

Furukawa? Is he the one who made the medical ninjutsu scroll?

It's really fun.

"By the way, I'm very interested in the Hyuga clan, but I've always felt that the Hyuga clan in Konoha Village isn't the real Hyuga clan."

Orochimaru smiled when he heard this; he understood what Watanabe Tetsu meant.

"Che-jun, you have a big appetite; you want everything."

After a moment, he added.

"Same as me."

They both laughed.