On Monday of the ninth week, Chisen completed the first batch of the improved Awakening Agent in the laboratory.
The improved formula incorporated the thermosensitive targeting enzyme mentioned in Orochimaru's notes-an enzyme that lay dormant at room temperature but activated upon entering an environment at body temperature, beginning the targeted breakdown of the immunosuppressive factor.
Chisen named the improved version "Type A Awakening Agent" and the first version "Awakening Agent Alpha."
Under a microscope, countless tiny enzyme molecules could be seen suspended in the beta version's antibody solution. Each molecule resembled a minuscule naval mine waiting for a change in temperature to trigger it.
On the last page of his laboratory notebook, he wrote down the beta formula and preparation procedure, then drew a line beneath the formula and wrote below it: "The conditions for clinical trials are unavailable.
It must be tested in actual combat."
That afternoon, Tsunade summoned every member of Team Guy to the Hokage's Office.
The office window stood open, and autumn sunlight fell across Tsunade's desk. Three documents lay spread across it:
One was the review of Guy's recovery clearance-restrictions on high-intensity training lifted; one was Neji's follow-up chakra pathway examination-complete recovery from the aftereffects of his low-chakra period; one was Chisen's Awakening Agent development report-beta stock solution completed, awaiting combat testing.
"Kirigakure's Anbu in the Land of Water sent new intelligence three days ago." Tsunade took a fourth document from her drawer and placed it on the desk.
The document was sealed with red wax bearing the stamp of Kirigakure's Anbu. "They found signs of Kabuto in the Crescent Archipelago, farther out in the eastern waters.
The Crescent Archipelago lies approximately three hundred kilometers east of Nameless Island. It's a volcanic island chain, with an active volcano on its main island.
Kirigakure's Anbu reconnaissance