Borrowing Money for Research

After obtaining the key to the Konoha Hospital Laboratory, Hyuga Mirai did not stay with Tsunade any longer and left after excusing himself.

Doctor Nakano then led him to the Konoha Hospital laboratory.

"Mirai-kun, the equipment here is very valuable. Be extremely careful when conducting experiments."

Before leaving, Nakano patted Hyuga Mirai on the shoulder and reminded him.

"Although I do not really understand what you said to Tsunade-sama earlier, with your talent, Mirai-kun, you will definitely succeed."

Hyuga Mirai smiled. "Then thank you for your kind words, Senior Nakano."

After Doctor Nakano left, Hyuga Mirai entered the laboratory alone.

The room was fairly spacious and filled with valuable equipment. Two rows of cabinets stood on the left, stocked with all sorts of materials. The laboratory looked as though no one had ever used it.

Hyuga Mirai carefully surveyed the surroundings with his Byakugan. Only after finding no surveillance devices did he relax.

"If it is brand-new, then I really hit the jackpot."

Hyuga Mirai smiled faintly to himself. Konoha Hospital had been built less than ten years ago, and not long after its construction, Tsunade's boyfriend had died in the war. As a result, she had developed hemophobia.

Other than Tsunade, almost no one had any use for research, so it all benefited Hyuga Mirai. Many of the items inside had been purchased by Tsunade back then, and the selection was exceptionally complete.

"The research into Byakugan genes and the analysis of Yang Release Chakra can proceed at the same time. I wonder whether Orochimaru is interested in genetic cytology right now. I can test the waters a little."

Hyuga Mirai pondered inwardly. He had to produce something worthwhile and show the higher-ups his value. Only then could he obtain a steady stream of future investment.

Otherwise, the laboratory would not simply be opened to him for free. Even within Konoha Hospital, only Chief Physicians were qualified to apply for access.

Hyuga Mirai had obtained this opportunity only because his team had brought back an Iwa-nin.

Shadow Clone Technique.

Bang!

Hyuga Mirai created two clones. His strength had improved considerably, and this was not training, so the Shadow Clones could last a long time. That was why he made two of them.

"Calibrate the equipment first, then we begin."

Hyuga Mirai's original body spoke. The Shadow Clones responded and went off to handle their respective tasks.

Although technological development in the Ninja World had gone in a strange direction, its medical equipment was still quite advanced. While it could not compare to the One-Punch Man world, it was enough for Hyuga Mirai for now.

After calibrating the equipment, Hyuga Mirai began researching from several angles at once.

Whenever the laboratory lacked something, he sent a Shadow Clone out to buy it.

Research was incredibly tedious, especially since there were differences between the Human Cells of the One-Punch Man world and those of Ninja World ninjas. Hyuga Mirai had to keep trying and repeatedly experimenting to find the point where the two could be combined.

Kaminari Kaede had given them a long break. They would not need to take missions for a full half month. As for training, that depended entirely on personal initiative.

That was also because they had taken too many missions recently. Their first mission had been a C-rank Mission, and they had taken missions continuously for several months. In the end, they had even completed an A-rank Mission because of the Iwa-nin.

After obtaining access to the laboratory, Hyuga Mirai had practically vanished from the team. Without him acting as a mediator, Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai had not gathered together either. One trained in the Gentle Fist at the Main Family, while the other studied Illusion Techniques with her father.

Having inherited Dr. Genus's knowledge and memories, Hyuga Mirai found a solution to some of the strange cellular differences after much thought and experimentation.

"There are traces of alterations in the Molecular Structure of the cell genes, but once the cells die, those traces disappear. Is this the effect of the Caged Bird Seal?"

Hyuga Mirai pondered as he continuously tested the genes in his own cells. At last, he discovered something unusual.

"There are too few samples. It seems I need to get some Cell Samples from Hyuga Kiyomi."

One of the Shadow Clones spoke as well. "Original body, we are also running low on materials. Many materials cannot withstand Yang Release Chakra. I need Special Chakra Paper."

Hyuga Mirai immediately felt a headache coming on. "Chakra Paper is not cheap. It seems experiments really are not something ordinary poor people can afford."

In only three days, he had spent all his savings. Aside from enough money for his upcoming meals, Hyuga Mirai was completely penniless.

Although the Shadow Clone's side had made some progress, it now lacked knowledge related to Sealing Techniques. Relying solely on material-based experimentation made it difficult to achieve any further major breakthroughs.

At present, Yang Release Chakra could remain attached to paper for no more than two minutes. Once that time passed, the Chakra would slowly dissipate.

He needed to raise the retention time of Yang Release Chakra to at least four minutes before he could present a Semi-finished Product to the Hyūga Clan or the Third Hokage, make demands, and obtain advanced knowledge of Sealing Techniques.

"You two record the experiments here. I am going to borrow money."

Hyuga Mirai then left the Konoha Hospital Laboratory.

He knew quite a few people in Konoha, but the only ones he could bring himself to borrow money from were Hyuga Kiyomi and Yuhi Kurenai. He could also borrow from Doctor Nakano, but Nakano had a family, so Hyuga Mirai did not consider him.

His chances of success were probably higher with Yuhi Kurenai, so Hyuga Mirai went to her home first.

When he arrived, Yuhi Kurenai happened to be home. She was both surprised and delighted by Hyuga Mirai's visit.

"Kurenai, I will not go in. I came to see you because I need something." Hyuga Mirai lowered his voice awkwardly. "Could you lend me some money? I urgently need a lot of money lately. I will pay you back afterward."

Although Yuhi Kurenai was curious about why Hyuga Mirai needed to borrow money, she agreed.

Between her childhood savings and her mission earnings, Yuhi Kurenai later even asked her father, Yūhi Kurenai, for some money. She gathered nearly One Million Ryo before handing it all to Hyuga Mirai.

After leaving Yuhi Kurenai's home, Hyuga Mirai returned to the Hyuga compound, found Hyuga Kiyomi, and explained his purpose.

Although Hyuga Kiyomi was very dissatisfied that Hyuga Mirai had disappeared for several days in a row, after scolding him, she still lent him a sum of money.

With the money in hand, Hyuga Mirai immediately bought many experimental supplies before returning to the laboratory.

After handing everything over to the Shadow Clones, he began conducting research and experiments day and night without pause.

This time, Hyuga Mirai had not obtained Hyuga Kiyomi's cells when he left the laboratory. Mainly, he did not know how to ask and lacked a suitable excuse.

Should he ask for blood or hair? Asking casually would make others think he was offending the Main Family. At best, he would receive a scolding, and Hyuga Kiyomi might even mistake him for a pervert.

There would be opportunities later. As long as he had some time alone with her, was it not easy to fool a child?

Hyuga Mirai stayed in the laboratory for another seven days. During that time, Nakano came by several times, but upon seeing how busy Hyuga Mirai was, he merely took a look and left.

It was not until the materials worth over two million ryo were nearly used up that Hyuga Mirai's Shadow Clone finally brought him some good news.