The house the workers lived in had been quickly built by Orochimaru using his Wood Release. Since there was no cost for thend, and with his nearly unlimited chakra, conjuring homes was as simple as casting a couple of jutsu.


    As for the food, it was prepared by the wives and daughters of the locals hired for the task. Orochimaru had two of his clones don cloaks and masks, tasked with protecting the women and assisting in transporting the meals.


    Money, however, was never a concern for Orochimaru.


    In this remote area, there were only about one or two hundred able-bodied men, aside from the elderly, sick, or disabled. Paying a thousand ryo per person per day meant he was spending about 100,000 to 200,000 ryo daily. But for Orochimaru, who could make deals with neighboring small countries for 50 to 60 million ryo at a time, this was an insignificant expense, even if itsted for years.


    After all, Orochimaru had the ability to imnt research data into his clones, allowing them to mass-produce gic repair solutions and other lucrative items. When it came to money, he could practically print it.


    Of course, being a man with foresight, Orochimaru understood the principles of scarcity. By limiting the avability of his potions, he made them more desirable. Rare things, after all,manded higher prices. So, he controlled the supply.


    Each small country could only purchase once a year, receiving around 120 repair solutions and 20 enhancement serum. Each transaction brought in roughly 90 million ryo. Over the past three to four years, with deals from three small countries annually, Orochimaru had umted close to one billion ryo.


    A billion ryo that was the kind of wealth that rivaled transactions between great nations. For Orochimaru, money was never a problem.


    ---While Orochimaru quietly built his clone army and industrial base, the tension between the major nations was rapidly escting.


    At the end of Konoha Year 29, the death of Uzumaki Mito marked the end of an era, and Uzumaki Kushina officially became the second jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails. The transition was kept a closely guarded secret, so Kushina didn''t experience the kind of public scrutiny Naruto wouldter face.


    However, Uzumaki Mito''s death signaled the beginning of open conflict between nations. The Land of Wind, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Fire were already engaged in skirmishes, testing each other''s strength.


    By Konoha Year 30, the tension was palpable. At Root headquarters, hidden deep within the vige, Yakushi Nono now a fully trained operative knelt before Danzo. Dressed in full Root ninja gear, her appearance was that of a seasoned warrior despite her young age.


    Danzo''s voice was low, yetmanding. "Nono, I''ve trained you for long enough. Now, it''s time to serve the vige."


    "Please give me your orders, Danzo-sama," Nonou replied, her tone full of respect.


    Though she had attended the ninja academy like any other child, her real training had always been with Root. After graduation, she went straight into full-time service for the organization. Now, at only 11 years old, she was already more skilled than many adults.


    "We''ve received intelligence that the Land of Wind is nning arge-scale attack. Your mission is to infiltrate Sunagakure and confirm whether this information is urate. If it is, gather the details of their strategy, the time, location, and specifics of the operation and report back to Konoha. This will be a long-term mission."


    "Understood," Nonou responded without hesitation.


    With her orders in hand, Nono left for the Land of Wind.


    ---


    Meanwhile, Jiraiya, who had been away on a reconnaissance mission, was recalled to Konoha by Hiruzen. Upon his return, the vige''s atmosphere felt heavy, everyone could sense the looming threat of war. Fear gripped the hearts of many, worried about what would happen if they or their loved ones were called to the front lines.


    But not everyone shared that anxiety. There was one person in the vige who remained as carefree as ever—Jiraiya.


    Having just returned, Jiraiya''s thoughts were far from the battlefield. Instead, his attention was drawn to Tsunade, who stood in front of him in casual attire, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.


    "Tsunade?! What happened? You''ve grown even more… impressive!" Jiraiya blurted out, staring at her in disbelief.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    At the time, Jiraiya was heading back to the Hokage''s office with the Third Hokage when Tsunade, dressed in a ponytail and a white mesh top, walked through the door.


    Seeing her like this, Jiraiya was ovee with jealousy, though not of Tsunade herself, but of Orochimaru. How could Orochimaru not be utterly addicted to being around someone like her?


    Tsunade, who had been excited to see Jiraiya return safely, immediately scowled at hisment. "Really, Jiraiya? After all these years, you haven''t changed at all. Can''t you be more mature?" ???????ΒЕ?


    "What do you mean? I''m mature!" Jiraiya protested. "By the way, where''s Orochimaru? Shouldn''t he be with you?"


    Since his return, Jiraiya hadn''t seen a trace of Orochimaru.


    Tsunade sighed, throwing up her hands. "I have no idea. He left me a message, but he didn''t tell me where he was going."


    Over the past year, Orochimaru had only contacted Tsunade twice, and both times, his messages were brief and cryptic.


    "Orochimaru''s been gone too?" Jiraiya asked, surprised.


    He had been away on a prophecy-rted mission, but now it seemed Orochimaru had left as well. Before Jiraiya could dwell on it further, the Third Hokage interrupted their conversation.


    "We can catch upter," Hiruzen said, his tone serious.


    Jiraiya and Tsunade both turned their attention to him, realizing the gravity of the situation. Tensions between the nations had reached a boiling point, and war was on the horizon. Konoha had already entered a state of high alert.


    "Is it really that bad?" Jiraiya asked, his expression growing more serious.


    "When you left, things were still calm. Now the entire ninja world is on the brink of war," Hiruzen exined, taking a deep puff from his pipe. The smoke curledzily into the air as he exhaled. "I wouldn''t have called you back otherwise."


    "Wait, since when do you smoke, sensei?" Jiraiya asked, raising an eyebrow.


    Hiruzen gave an awkward smile. "It''s just been the stresstely. Can''t help it."


    "It seems like a lot has happened while I''ve been gone," Jiraiya muttered.


    Tsunade, however, was less concerned with the political tensions and more with her missing boyfriend. "How long has Orochimaru been gone?"


    "More than a year, almost two," Hiruzen replied.


    Jiraiya''s eyes lit up mischievously. "Tsunade, that means you''ve been without him for over a year, right? Doesn''t that get lonely? Maybe you should consider me instead."


    Tsunade shot him a withering re. "What are you talking about?"


    "Obviously, you should make me your boyfriend!" Jiraiya said with a grin. "He''s been gone for so long, ignoring you. You''ve got to be feeling lonely, right? And here I am—Jiraiya the Great, wise, strong, and single! If you choose me, I promise you''ll never be bored."


    "Don''t waste your time, Jiraiya," Tsunade cut him off, her tone t. "With how perverted you are, I''ll never be interested in you, not in this life."


    Most people would''ve been disheartened by such a blunt rejection, but Jiraiya was not most people.


    Instead of backing off, he leaned in and whispered something into Tsunade''s ear, his voice low and suggestive.


    *Bam!*


    A loud crash echoed under the Hokage''s office as Tsunade''s fist mmed into Jiraiya, sending him flying into the wall.


    "You idiot! Don''t say such disgusting things!" Tsunade yelled, her face red with both anger and embarrassment. "One more word out of you, and I''ll tear your mouth off, you pervert!"


    Jiraiya, now slumped against the wall, grinned sheepishly despite the throbbing pain in his face. "Totally worth it…" he muttered under his breath.