"So this is the full version of your Uchiha Strategic Alliance plan?"
Uchiha Nobuhiko's eyes gleamed with interest. "Much better than the harebrained coup ideas the clan hotheads keep coming up with."
"I'll pass your intentions along—selectively—to a few trustworthy elders. Once they hear the potential benefits, I think they'll finally start cooperating with my reform initiatives."
He paused, then fixed his son with a sharp look.
"But you really have more business models like that restaurant? More ways to rake in profits?"
Ren Takashi nodded with certainty. "Plenty. I've already started working on several."
"Cure-all elixirs, antidotes, nutrient serums, body-tempering tonics, vitality boosters, mental enhancers—even bloodline-purification formulas. Some are nearly ready. Others are still conceptual."
"Once I've advanced my studies further, I'll bring in my teacher—Tsunade—to help with development."
"If it pans out, we'll co-fund production and open a full-scale pharmaceutical plant."
"Then maybe I'll bring the clan in—once the business is stable."
"I also plan to create healing talismans by combining sealing arts with medical ninjutsu."
"Later on, I'll apply similar techniques to invent jutsu scrolls—ninjutsu that can be unleashed instantly."
"If the bloodline purification process works, I could even adapt it for use on ninja beasts."
"That opens up opportunities for joint ventures with the Inuzuka and Aburame clans—developing an entire ninja beast industry."
"As for tech, I've got some ideas for home appliances. If I can rope in Orochimaru, we could co-develop and mass-produce, selling them across the shinobi world."
"The point is—making money isn't hard for me."
"The real challenge isn't innovation. It's politics."
"Keeping Hiruzen and his cronies from meddling is the real test."
"So none of this can be rushed. You understand?"
Nobuhiko nodded solemnly. "I understand."
Though the specifics—bloodline serums and scroll-activated jutsu—sounded utterly fantastical, he no longer doubted his son.
Ever since Ren awakened his potential, he'd never disappointed him once.
At Konoha Hospital.
Ren's shadow clone showed up, as usual, to continue his studies in Tsunade's office.
By now, he'd read through her entire personal library and had gone through multiple rounds of borrowing more advanced material from the hospital archives.
No sooner had he entered than Tsunade looked up from her desk, eyes gleaming.
"Heard your little restaurant venture with the Ino-Shika-Cho kids is making a killing."
Ren gave her a flat look. "Even you've heard already? Word sure travels fast in this village."
"Yeah, the profits are solid. But we're splitting five ways."
He tilted his head. "Besides, wouldn't a few hundred thousand ryo be pocket change to you, Lady Tsunade?"
"I mean, with your medical skills, you're probably one of the best-paid people in the village, right?"
"…Plus, you're from the Senju clan. Wealthy heritage and all."
What he didn't say—at least not aloud—was that he knew exactly how poor she was.
And more importantly, he knew exactly what she was thinking.
If she was asking about money, it probably meant she was about to ask for some.
Tsunade was a gambling addict. Worse—she always lost, and she never stopped trying. Even if he loved her as a teacher, he wasn't about to feed that kind of bottomless pit.
Still… if she really needed it for something serious, he wouldn't mind helping.
After all, she'd taught him sincerely over the past month and more—answering every question he asked, guiding him through every layer of medical theory.
But if it was for gambling?
Not a single ryo.
Tsunade, of course, picked up on the undertone immediately.
She narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean?"
Ren blinked innocently. "What do you mean?"
"Don't give me that." Tsunade snorted. "You think I'm asking to borrow money to gamble, don't you?"
"Well…"
Ren scratched his cheek sheepishly. "It's just… I've gotten to know you pretty well by now."
He sighed. "Look. I have been making some money from the restaurant. But it wasn't easy. And I'll need it for my own cultivation and future research."
"If you really need help for something important, I'll lend you the money. Heck, I'll give you some."
"You've been good to me, and I'll never forget that."
"But if you're just going to pour it into a casino…"
He spread his hands. "Then I'm sorry. I don't fund reckless losses. Especially when it might empower the enemy."
Tsunade slammed her palm on the desk. "Excuse me? What do you mean, 'enemy'?"
"You think I'd take your money to gamble? Have some faith in your teacher!"
Ren gave her a deadpan stare. "…You really don't know?"
"Most of the casinos in Konoha and the surrounding area are either owned by Danzo, or connected to Hiruzen."
"You might not care about that, but I do. Danzo hates me. He hates the Uchiha."
"If I give you money and you lose it at one of his tables, that's the same as funding our enemy."
Tsunade's jaw dropped. "Wait—what?!"
"You're telling me the rat bastard Danzo runs the casinos?"
"…And the old man too?"
Ren shrugged. "It's not even that hard to verify. Anyone who's tried to dig knows Danzo's involved in the gambling circuit."
"As for Hiruzen—that was something my dad told me personally."
Tsunade slumped in her seat, face darkening. "So… all this time… the money I lost… was going to them?"
Her expression twisted.
If anyone thought she had no hard feelings toward Hiruzen and Danzo… they were dead wrong.
The Senju Clan had practically vanished under their watch. Her grandfather's legacy—eroded piece by piece.
Now it turned out they'd been profiting off her addiction?
That made her sick.