71. Negotiating with Akatsuki?! (4)

"We've all seen just how cruel and absurd this world can be. Standing before you are murderers who've slaughtered their own clans, mercenaries ordered to kill comrades, and bounty hunters driven only by profit. And I—Pain—am the god who will bring this world true peace and order. Tell me, do you really think your so-called 'otaku culture' can compare to the suffering we've endured?"

Spreading his arms wide, Pain's tone rose unconsciously, filled with fervor. "Answer me! Do you honestly believe your culture can save mankind?"

…Wow. He actually said it. "I am a god."

Even someone as shameless as Hinata couldn't help but twitch at the corner of her mouth. Okay, fine—when it came to dramatic, cringe-inducing speeches, she'd just lost to Pain.

"Save the world? I've never had such a boring ambition. So, if you, as a god, intend to save it, I'll just sit back and quietly watch what you can do."

Hinata immediately sidestepped any ideological confrontation, giving a small nod.

"Maybe I didn't make myself clear. My goal is simple—to use this new cultural system to seize everything I want from the world. Wealth, power, influence, honor—whatever I desire. What happens to the world in the process? Not my concern."

Her answer clearly caught the Akatsuki members off guard. Kisame tilted his head with a shark-toothed grin.

"Ah, I see now. A mischievous little girl who lights a fire and walks away. So your 'otaku culture' is really just a tool for controlling minds. You know it might cause chaos, and that's why you're desperate to link up with the strongest force in the underground world—us—to make your dream a reality, right?"

No question—Kisame might look like a monster, but his instincts were razor sharp.

He'd nailed it completely.

"Mutual exploitation—that's how people work. Deidara and Sasori have the artistic skill to reshape this world. I have the vision and foresight to spread this new culture. And all of you have the power to make sure this plan actually succeeds. Honestly~ this kind of partnership makes way more sense than your current scraps-for-cash bounty hunting."

Hinata didn't mind Kisame's take. If she'd been facing someone like Naruto, this would've sounded evil. But these guys? The most jaded, power-hungry, and cynical people in the entire Naruto world?

This was exactly how you earned their respect.

"Heh. You might really be a saint—but a selfish one."

Pain's tone finally eased. Clearly, he was reassured that Hinata wasn't trying to compete with his whole "saving the world as a god" thing. With no ideological conflict, there was no reason not to talk business.

"Go on. Tell us—how do you plan to use us? And how can we use you?"

Now that was as close to a green light as she was going to get.

"Simple. First, we need a professional factory capable of mass-producing figurines. As for the funding and location, I suggest you find a temporary site and gather workers and equipment. By the next launch event—two months from now—I want enough product to completely dominate the current market."

Hinata laid it all out, no secrets. Since they were working together, Akatsuki needed to meet these infrastructure demands.

Without a proper assembly line, mass production would be impossible. Even if Deidara and Sasori worked nonstop, they could only make a few pieces—great for exclusivity, sure, but without mass-market goods, no industry could thrive.

"I see. You want Sasori and Deidara to be your figurine crafters, while you sit back and collect the profits. Pretty efficient setup."

Kakuzu, as always, was the first to comment when money was involved. But he still sounded skeptical.

"Sure, today's sales hit the millions. But you don't really think all future products will be that expensive, do you? People have spending limits."

"Exactly why we need tiered products. Supreme Editions for nobles and rich collectors. Platinum Editions for the middle class. And Affordable Editions for commoners. With the right production line, we can guarantee supply. And remember—figurines are only one aspect of otaku culture."

Spreading her hands, Hinata scanned the room.

"Any more questions?"

"Heh, selfish saint indeed. Using that level of cunning for money... speaks volumes about humanity. But fine—if you can deliver real profit, Akatsuki will support you."

Pain let out a quiet chuckle. Now he understood—Hinata just wanted to start a business. A strange one, sure, but still business.

Whether it succeeded... they'd find out in two months.

"And what about artisans and tools?"

"No need to worry. Deidara, Sasori—prepare to use that technique. Zetsu, bring out the backups."

Pain's casual command made Deidara and Sasori freeze for a moment. Deidara scowled.

"That one, huh?"

Zetsu chuckled creepily as he crouched down. With a touch to the floor, several unconscious ninja were spat out from underground—poor saps who'd clearly been captured and sealed earlier.

"Hehehe~ Still nice and fresh~"

"Perfect for the technique."

Hinata raised an eyebrow. She wasn't quite sure what Pain had planned.

"Sasori and Deidara are our best craftsmen—you agree, don't you? So, at least for the next two months, we don't need ordinary people involved."

There was a hint of a warning in Pain's voice. As Deidara and Sasori each placed a hand on one of the unconscious ninja, Pain began forming hand signs.

"Forbidden Technique: Shōten no Jutsu."

A strange chakra surged as Hinata watched the two captured ninja morph into exact copies of Deidara and Sasori. Even the mouths on Deidara's hands were duplicated.

"What is this…?"

Hinata narrowed her eyes. She recognized the move—it was the technique used during the Gaara rescue arc in the original story. A forbidden jutsu that allowed someone to become an exact copy of another, even replicating bloodline traits. But once the chakra ran out, the clone died immediately. Only those Six-Path level power could cast it.

"This Shōten no Jutsu creates mirror copies of Deidara and Sasori. They'll produce the figurines you need over the next two months. And after that—I'll be expecting results."

Pain must have noticed her unease, because his tone softened slightly.

"Don't worry. These clones last only until their chakra runs out. Even with soldier pills, they won't last more than a week. You can't replace people with them. So don't get any ideas."

The subtext was clear—a veiled threat. Stick to the deal, or else.

Understanding that, Hinata let her expression ease. She gave a small nod.

"Then I'll be looking forward to the good news. I'll keep sending The Fox's Tales artbooks to help you design new figurines. Now—may I leave?"

Flicking her hair with a hint of annoyance, Hinata's little gesture didn't escape Pain's eyes. But it only reassured him further—if she had any cards left to play, she wouldn't be acting so naturally.

"Of course. Deidara, escort Suigin Tou. From today forward, she and Akatsuki—"

"Are true partners."

---

Today was a major event for Konoha Village: the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Konoha Publishing Factory, built in just six days.

As a functioning factory, it provided jobs—something always welcome. For villagers, this was great news. For Konoha's ninja, it signaled something even more significant.

"Allowing active-duty shinobi to invest... Hiruzen, don't you think that's a bit reckless?"

Standing beside the Third Hokage was Koharu Utatane, one of the village elders. Though now elderly, she was once the Second Hokage's disciple—and her words still carried serious weight.

"We understand your intentions—to give shinobi better livelihoods—but too much comfort can dull their edge."

Homura Mitokado added from the other side. Clearly, this wasn't just a friendly visit for tea.

As high-risk professionals, ninja received support from the village if they were wounded or retired. But this was still a major strain on Konoha's finances. The Third had long sought ways to ease that burden.

Asuma's investment in the publishing house wasn't just nepotism—it was a pilot program. Hiruzen wanted to test whether Konoha's ninja could invest in village-controlled businesses and generate income to support themselves.

That way, ninjas on dangerous missions would at least have a financial safety net. And if they died, their families would still receive some ongoing support.

"I know your concerns, but I've made my decision. We do compensate orphans and fallen heroes' families, but over the years, I've realized it's not enough. Too many who've given their lives for Konoha—we've failed their loved ones. I want to ease that pain, even if just a little."

Staring at the portraits of past Hokage, Hiruzen's voice was tinged with nostalgia. His eyes lingered on the blond-haired figure of Minato, and guilt seeped into his tone.

"We've shortchanged some people in the past. I want to at least make it right by giving them something in return."

Koharu and Homura didn't look convinced. Sighing, Hiruzen handed them a report.

"If nothing else, consider the village's economic growth. This is the actual revenue from the launch event outside Konoha a few days ago—"

---

Meanwhile, in a dim Root underground chamber, Danzo was holding the exact same report.

"So... she's made contact with the Akatsuki?"

Danzo's eyes flickered in the candlelight. As the leader of Root, he was well aware of how dangerous the Akatsuki were—and exactly who their members were.

"Yes. The Akatsuki leader, Pain, intends to leverage her methods to earn massive profits. He's already agreed to collaborate with her—by the next event, they'll be selling figurines on a massive scale."

Kneeling in a maid outfit, Sai calmly delivered his report to Danzo. As Danzo's agent, placed to monitor Hinata, it was his duty to keep tabs on everything she did.