Makoto picked up the scroll at his feet, it felt heavy in his hand. A brilliant smile instantly bloomed on his face.
Brighter than the sunlight reflecting off the snow, even the curve of his eyes brimmed with delight: "Don't worry, I definitely won't let you down!"
"It won't be long before Shisui and Itachi reach their peak. Once they take control of the Uchiha, you'll have all the money you want, and we'll do our utmost to support you as the Godaime Hokage."
"And this time definitely won't be too long, believe me."
Orochimaru glanced at him sideways, didn't respond, turned and walked towards the stone gate, seemingly somewhat worried that Makoto would continue asking him for money.
The small snakes coiled in the rock crevices seemed to receive a silent command, hissing as they retracted into the shadows, disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"Oh, right!"
Makoto suddenly spoke up, his voice clear and bright, overriding the mournful sound of the wind and snow scraping against the stone gate.
Hearing Makoto's voice, Orochimaru's steps halted by the stone gate. Right now, he even felt a little like running away. He didn't turn around, just squeezed an 'Hmm' from his throat, his golden pupils glowing faintly in the shadows.
"I recently encountered a promising seedling and want to recommend him to you, to add another force to our team!"
Makoto leaned forward a bit, his black eyes sparkling with an air of 'loyalty', his tone even carrying an excitement that screamed 'it's all for your own good'.
"Absolutely an uncut gem! With a little polishing, he'll definitely achieve great things!"
Hearing this, Orochimaru's furrowed brows relaxed slightly, 'As long as it wasn't about borrowing more money'
Then interest flickered in his golden pupils. He loved talent the most. With keen interest, he asked: "Who?"
"Yakushi Kabuto!"
Makoto said. He hadn't forgotten about encountering Kabuto today. Sending Kabuto to the renowned teacher Orochimaru for training earlier meant he could graduate sooner, and they might reap unexpected benefits in the future.
Following the Blame Kage Danzo was purely a waste of time.
Hearing this name, Orochimaru's back stiffened for a fleeting moment. Kabuto's face surfaced in his mind. He had seen Kabuto before, even tried to recruit him.
He had been refused, though. Now he seemed to have entered Root as a spy. He could probably ask Danzo for him, but it shouldn't be too difficult, and it seemed quite worthwhile.
"I have some impression," Orochimaru's voice held a trace more amusement. "You have a good eye for someone so young."
Hearing this, Makoto urged: "I saw him in the village today. You should get him over as soon as possible, in case he's not in the village later."
"This person really is a talent. Please don't let down my sincere intentions. Be sure to keep this matter in mind and get it settled as soon as possible."
He specifically pressed Orochimaru, his mind clear as day. Orochimaru's explosion was a matter of days away, as he would defect from Konoha then. They better not miss each other.
Silence condensed in the wind and snow for a moment before Orochimaru responded: "Fine."
Orochimaru's personal charm was quite considerable. Otherwise, in the original work, so many people wouldn't have followed him so devotedly. Makoto was certain that he would take the matter of Kabuto to heart.
Seeing this situation, Makoto didn't continue with the matter. Saying more would seem deliberate and could easily have the opposite effect. It was best to quit while ahead.
Makoto shot Shisui and Itachi a look, signaling "Mission accomplished, pack up!"
He had only taken two steps, crunching the snow, when Orochimaru's laughter-laced voice drifted from behind: "Oh, and this money… remember, ten times back."
Hearing this, Makoto's steps halted in the snow. When he turned back, he was smiling so much the corners of his eyes crinkled: "You name it. Forget ten times, a hundred times would be fine."
As the words fell, Makoto chuckled inwardly, 'Once you defect, are you really going to come back to Konoha specifically to collect the debt?'
Hearing this, Orochimaru's tongue flicked over his lower lip. He stepped into the stone gate. The heavy stone gate slowly closed behind him with a 'click', and the barrier reopened, completely shutting out the wind, snow, and the figures of the three outside.
After Orochimaru entered, the snowflakes falling on the trio's shoulders didn't feel as cold anymore.
Itachi and Shisui exchanged a glance, both seeing deep helplessness in the other's eyes, 'This Makoto, even in such serious matters, could still mix in some unexpected drama.'
'But, fortunately, our initial plan was accomplished.'
As they walked in the direction of the clan's compound, the corner of Makoto's mouth simply wouldn't stay down. This time, he had managed to con a considerable amount of money from Orochimaru. This round was a bloody profit. He'd go back and use the money to get stronger.
Another solid win-win situation, but this time, he, Uchiha Makoto, won twice. He realized the core of win-win.
The wind and snow in the wilderness gradually subsided. The moon emerged from the clouds, stretching the trio's shadows long, like three ink lines drawn towards Konoha.
In an extremely good mood, Makoto said to the two beside him: "We're returning fully loaded today. I'll treat you to dango."
As for the money extorted from Orochimaru, Makoto naturally kept it all for himself.
Treating them to one serving of dango would count as mission payment. He couldn't let them run around for nothing… he still had a bottom line, though not much...
Hearing this, Itachi's pace noticeably quickened by half a step, his black eyes hiding a barely perceptible delight. Makoto had never treated him to anything before.
Shisui, seeing this, smiled and shook his head, also quickening his pace.
At the dango shop, a large pile of tri-color dango was soon finished. When the bill came,
Makoto thought for a moment and finally put it on Fugaku's tab. The intention to treat was what mattered.
When they returned to the clan's compound, remnants of snow had frozen into icicles under the eaves.
Shisui turned into his own alley, while Makoto and Itachi walked side by side towards the Clan Head's residence.
Right at the entrance, Makoto bumped into Yamanaka Ino, who had come to deliver flowers.
She was surrounded by flowers, pink roses, yellow daisies, red roses... all bunched together, making her small frame look like a newly sprouted flower bud.
Her skin was as white as freshly melted snow, yet tinged with a healthy pink glow, like peach petals kissed by the spring breeze. Her jade-green eyes seemed soaked in spring water, so bright they could reflect a person's image.
She was panting slightly, holding the bouquet. The snowflakes clinging to her eyelashes sparkled in the sunlight, like scattered crushed diamonds.
Her short, golden hair was fluffy and soft, the very image of a breathing doll.
Ino looked up and saw Makoto, her eyes instantly lighting up. It wasn't in vain that she had made a special trip to deliver them.
Gathering her courage, she pulled out the most vibrant bunch of roses from the flower pile and handed it to him.
"This is for you, Makoto-nii."
Itachi, who was ignored, abruptly stopped in his tracks. A flash of astonishment passed through his black eyes, followed by a faint smile, even the corners of his mouth softening a little.
Makoto took the roses and casually called towards the house: "Sunny Pillar, come out and work!"
After a moment, Sasuke peeked out from behind the doorframe, his small face scrunched up like a bun, clearly written with 'unwillingness'.
He kept muttering under his breath, but meeting Makoto's gaze, he still obediently walked out and picked up the heaviest bunch of sunflowers.
He watched Makoto and that unfamiliar blonde girl huddle together talking, petals falling all over them, and muttered quietly: "Boring!"
As the words fell, he couldn't help but conjure Naruto's face in his mind, 'He was blonde too.'
Ino glanced at Sasuke, 'He was also very handsome, just his face was icy cold, like a frozen rice cake. Compared to Makoto-nii, who was like a little sun, he was far worse.'
She simply nodded at Sasuke and then turned back to talk to Makoto, ignoring Sasuke as well.
Makoto directly led Ino into the courtyard, then turned and jerked his chin at Sasuke: "Put them in the living room. Thank you."
Hearing this, Sasuke snorted and walked inside carrying the flowers, deliberately making his steps heavy, still wanting Makoto to praise him.
Unfortunately, he didn't get it, making him puff up his little mouth like a pufferfish.
When Makoto brought Ino to find Fugaku in the study, the latter was frowning.
'This kid had even taken Sasuke to make contact with the Kyubi's Jinchuriki today.'
Just as he was about to scold him, Makoto forcibly interrupted:
"Clan Head, I bought some flowers... pay up!"
As the words fell, he just looked at him. Fugaku looked at Makoto, his frown deepening, 'This kid, when he needed something it was 'Clan Head-sama', when he didn't, it was just 'Clan Head'.'
'Sometimes he couldn't even be bothered to call me that! How outrageous!'
But looking at the cute Ino beside him, he quickly got up to get the money. He couldn't let Makoto lose his honor in front of the girl. He'd find an opportunity to deal with him later.
…
When Makoto and Ino, carrying the flowers, went to find Mikoto, the latter was tidying up in the courtyard.
"Ino, long time no see, you're getting more and more adorable," Mikoto immediately welcomed them with a smile, reaching out to pinch Ino's little cheek.
Mikoto and her mother, Yamanaka Lea, were old acquaintances.
Ino handed the carnations in her arms to Mikoto, her little face blushing.
Mikoto took the flowers, overjoyed. She then reached out and patted Makoto's head. Makoto didn't dodge, letting her palm rest on his crown, carrying a familiar warmth.
Mikoto also stroked Ino's golden hair, her gaze so tender it could drip water, as if looking at her own future daughter-in-law: "Thank you for your hard work, Ino. Why didn't your mother come?"
Ino pinched the corner of her clothes and said softly: "I wanted to deliver them with Makoto-nii myself... Mom is minding the shop..."
Her voice grew softer and softer, the trailing tone carrying a hint of shy sweetness.
"Stay for dinner before you go back. Auntie will make you something delicious." Mikoto took Ino's hand and walked into the house, her steps as light as if treading on cotton.
During dinner, the low table in the living room was filled to the brim.
Mikoto occasionally served food to Ino, and the little girl's bowl was piled up like a small mountain.
The always bold Ino mustered her courage, scooped a piece of grilled fish with a small spoon, and tremblingly placed it into Makoto's bowl: "Makoto-nii, eat this."
Mikoto, watching this scene, directly revealed an auntie's smile.
Beside them, Sasuke grumpily shoveled rice, his cheeks puffed out like a little frog. He had been exhausted moving the flowers earlier, and Makoto still hadn't praised him yet! Just thinking about it made him angry!
After the meal, Makoto walked Ino home.
The streetlights stretched their shadows long. Ino, clutching the candy Makoto had given her, said softly: "Come find me to play when you have time..."
Makoto smiled and said: "Okay!"
'Sigh, this little girl was quite interesting.' After returning home, Makoto quickly ran back to his room, ignoring Sasuke who was waiting for him at the main gate.
Locking the door behind him, he couldn't wait to take out the scroll Orochimaru had given him, ready to use the money to get stronger!