Rewards

Once Healing Tags could be mass-produced, they would change the way Konoha's existing squads fought. During the Second Shinobi World War, Konoha's four-man squads had the strongest overall combat capability among the Five Great Nations.

However, casualties had remained high, and the ninja forces of other countries were no different. But Tsunade had established the medical system, vigorously trained medical-nin, and taught battlefield first-aid knowledge.

Even those without the talent to become medical-nin learned emergency bandaging and injury treatment as part of the Ninja Academy curriculum.

This reform had greatly reduced Konoha's mission casualties after the Second Shinobi World War. Even when many ninja were injured, they could receive treatment from medical-nin. It was because of this that Tsunade's reputation in Konoha had suddenly surpassed that of the other two Sannin.

But now that there were Healing Tags, future mission squads could undergo another transformation. Medical-nin were not strong fighters; if not for ensuring the survival rate of the others in a mission squad, medical-nin would never accompany them to the front line.

If everyone were equipped with several Healing Tags, they could return to the four-man combat squad model from before the Second Shinobi World War. With Healing Tags, it was equivalent to each of the four having a medical-nin assigned to them.

Just imagining such a situation made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel that Konoha would no longer need to fear any war in the future.

"Kimura, how many Healing Tags can be made in a day now?"

After hearing Sarutobi Hiruzen's question, Vice-Director Kimura considered the difficulty of producing Healing Tags before saying, "There are currently around eleven medical-nin at Konoha Hospital capable of independently making Healing Tags. But if we mobilize members of the Sealing Team to assist, we can produce around two hundred Healing Tags per day."

If each jonin were allocated three Healing Tags, Konoha's monthly output would be enough to support a small-scale war.

Moreover, this could not possibly be supported by Konoha Hospital alone. Every ninja clan would have to cooperate as well. Those without medical-nin could exchange funds for Healing Tags.

In a short time, Sarutobi Hiruzen thought of many uses for Healing Tags.

"Mirai, you've done very well. Healing Tags are of immense importance to Konoha. With them, many comrades will be saved."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and praised Hyuga Mirai with a kindly expression.

"As expected of a genius of the Hyuga Clan. If the noble clan's elders weren't so unwilling to let you go, I would truly like to have you join the Anbu."

"Hokage-sama."

Vice-Director Kimura spoke with a hint of urgency on her face. "Mirai-kun's talent in Medical Ninjutsu is even greater."

"Hahaha, Kimura, that will still depend on Mirai's own choice."

Sarutobi Hiruzen smoothly shifted the topic. Transferring a Hyuga Branch Family ninja required discussion with the Main Family. Even as Hokage, he could not easily break the rules established with the major ninja clans, or he would lose their support.

"Then let's discuss your reward. This Healing Tag is of great importance to Konoha. I'll count it as the merit of four S-rank missions. Mirai, you can exchange it for money or ninjutsu."

Four S-rank missions was roughly what Vice-Director Kimura had mentioned.

Hyuga Mirai did not answer immediately, instead silently considering it in his heart.

There was no need to think about the Forbidden Techniques in the Book of Seals. Sarutobi Hiruzen definitely would not give those to him. The most Hyuga Mirai could likely exchange for were B-rank to S-rank Five Elements Ninjutsu, but his combat style simply did not suit ninjutsu.

Hyuga Mirai had already planned the path he would take in the future. He would not practice ninjutsu.

Looking at it that way, his best choice would be Sealing Techniques and some other ninjutsu that required especially high Chakra control.

"Hokage-sama, I hope to use this merit to exchange for the right to use a Laboratory and some Sealing Techniques."

"A Laboratory?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward Kimura beside him. Konoha Hospital's affairs were all managed by Kimura, so he wanted to ask her.

Kimura stepped half a pace forward and replied, "Hokage-sama, aside from Tsunade-sama, only Mirai-kun has used the Laboratory so far."

To put it bluntly, that Laboratory had been created by Tsunade for her own use. But after she developed hemophobia and stopped managing the village's affairs, it had remained unused ever since.

"I see. From now on, Mirai, you may use that Laboratory however you wish. As for the Sealing Techniques, I'll send Anbu to deliver them to you shortly."

With that, this report was considered finished. Afterward, Sarutobi Hiruzen still needed to discuss the Healing Tags with the council of elders.

Hyuga Mirai and Vice-Director Kimura also left the Hokage Tower. However, Hyuga Mirai did not immediately return to Konoha Hospital. He needed to return to the clan and inform the Main Family about this matter.

Otherwise, it would be troublesome once the Main Family came looking for him on their own.

The Caged Bird Seal truly lived up to its name as a Curse Mark!

When Hyuga Mirai returned to the Main Family residence, Hyuga Kiyomi was training with Hyuga Sosuke. Her strength had improved considerably as well. Even if Hyuga Sosuke went all out, Hyuga Kiyomi could endure more than a dozen exchanges without being defeated.

It seemed that Hyuga Kiyomi had not slacked off during this time.

Thinking about it, he himself had wasted quite a bit of time researching Healing Tags and Cell Genes. It seemed he would have to balance both in the future, or Hyuga Kiyomi's strength would soon catch up to his.

After telling the Fourth Elder about the Healing Tags, Hyuga Mirai left behind a method for producing them before taking his leave.

When he left, Hyuga Kiyomi had not yet finished training, so Hyuga Mirai did not ask how the Cell Sample collection was going.

With Hyuga Kiyomi's status, she should be able to collect many samples. Hyuga Mirai did not worry too much about it. Given the girl's personality, since she had promised him, she would naturally get it done.

I can't slack off on daily training. The original body will train, while Shadow Clones research Cell Genes and Sealing Techniques. That should work.

After making his decision, Hyuga Mirai headed toward the ninja tool shop.

The weights on his body had become somewhat too light. Hyuga Mirai planned to ask the ninja tool shop whether he could commission a piece of weighted gear that could be worn over his body. Physical training had always been something he kept secret. Even when buying weights, Hyuga Mirai had disguised himself, used his Byakugan to inspect his surroundings several times, and only entered the ninja tool shop after confirming that no one was following him.

After receiving an answer at the ninja tool shop, Hyuga Mirai left a deposit and departed directly. He was not short on money for the time being. While perfecting the Healing Tags, Konoha Hospital had given him an allowance based on the standards for a Medical Jonin.

"I'll have a Shadow Clone go to Konoha Hospital while the original body goes train."

Hyuga Mirai felt that his research would not make a breakthrough anytime soon, so he could not neglect his Taijutsu training. He could begin today.

Having made up his mind, he gave more than half of his Chakra to a Shadow Clone and had it create two more Shadow Clones for research after reaching the Laboratory at Konoha Hospital.

As for the original body, it headed directly to the secret training ground he had often used before.

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