Verifying the Medicine's Effects

Verifying the Medicine's Effects

Mikawa savored the implications for a moment. Compared to when he had first met Aoba, both his speed and strength had improved dramatically.

Back then, Aoba's physical abilities had not stood out at all. They had been utterly ordinary.

But looking at him now, the difference was obvious!

His hard work and rigorous training certainly played a major part, but perhaps this medicinal bath really was as miraculous as he claimed?

Jonin Mikawa began to take the matter seriously.

"Before we go see Lord Hokage, are you sure you know what you're doing? If this is just a prank, then I admit you've fooled me. But Lord Hokage's office isn't somewhere you can act recklessly just because you're young."

Aoba knew that Jonin Mikawa was warning him, and was also worried that he might cause trouble again.

But he was confident this time, so he nodded just as seriously. "I'll take responsibility for every word I've said!"

Jonin Mikawa gave him a deep look, then stopped asking questions. "Come with me."

Inside the Hokage's office, Minato was diligently reviewing the documents in his hands.

Only after taking this position had he truly felt what the name Hokage represented, and how immense the pressure was.

On top of that, after Teacher Hiruzen stepped down, he had suddenly vanished off somewhere to enjoy his retirement. As a result, Minato didn't even have anyone to ask for advice or share the burden with.

What? You mean Konoha's High-Level Advisors?

It would have been better not to mention them. Those two advisors had been among the people who initially opposed him becoming Hokage. Even now, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura remained cold toward him, as if he were still under observation.

Danzo went without saying. That ambitious man had coveted the Hokage's position for years. Not tripping him up was already asking a lot. Help? Dream on!

Fortunately, Minato had a strong heart. Instead of crushing him, the enormous pressure had helped him grow rapidly, and he had begun handling the Hokage's work quite capably.

Not only had he avoided any major blunders, he had also started cultivating a force of his own.

Kakashi, whose state of mind had already collapsed, had been transferred directly into the Anbu, becoming Minato's trusted right-hand man.

What made him even happier was that with each passing day, he was drawing closer to the day he would become a father.

After finishing a full day's work, returning home, and eating with his wife and the child in her belly was probably the happiest time of his day.

If only Kushina weren't so irritable during her pregnancy...

He had just set down the documents he had finished processing and rubbed his head when the door opened. His assistant reported, "Lord Hokage, Special Jonin Mikawa Hirohiko requests an audience. He's also brought a child and says he has something very important to report."

"Something very important...? Then let them in."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Although he still had plenty of work left, taking a break to listen to someone else's important report would be a good idea.

As a Hokage born a commoner, Minato had no airs about him, much less any habit of looking down on others.

Besides, Special Jonin Mikawa had always been conscientious, mature, and steady. Calling him one of Konoha's cornerstones would not be an exaggeration. Or rather, it was the many people like Mikawa who silently contributed to the village and built Konoha's foundation together!

Soon, there was another knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Mikawa and Aoba finally entered the Hokage's office.

"Special Jonin Mikawa Hirohiko has an important matter to report to Lord Hokage!"

Minato first smiled and nodded at Jonin Mikawa and the young Aoba, whom he had not seen in some time, before asking, "What exactly is the matter?"

Jonin Mikawa first gave a rough explanation of the medicinal bath's effects and vouched for it before turning around and signaling that Aoba could speak.

To be honest, Aoba was a little moved. Jonin Mikawa could clearly have pushed everything onto him and avoided taking responsibility.

Instead, Jonin Mikawa had chosen to stake his own reputation on it, paving the way for everything Aoba was about to say and making it more credible.

After all, compared with a mature adult, the words of a five-year-old child carried no weight whatsoever.

At the same time, this meant that if Aoba was merely playing a prank, or if what he had brought out failed to produce satisfactory results, Jonin Mikawa might not face any punishment, but he would still leave people with the impression that he was frivolous and prone to boasting.

To repay Jonin Mikawa's trust, Aoba took a deep breath and began focusing on the medicinal bath's true effects. He explained everything factually, without exaggerating or understating anything.

He also used himself as an example to strengthen his credibility. After all, trying to sell something to others when he had never used it himself would be treating them like idiots.

As for how he had obtained the formula, he simply glossed over it by saying, "I picked it up from a corpse while I was fleeing."

Only a handful of people, such as Obito, knew what he had gone through during that period. He could make up whatever story he wanted; there was practically no chance of anyone verifying it.

Besides, so many people had died during that time. There was no one left to contradict him, so he had nothing to worry about.

After listening carefully to the accounts given by the adult and child before him, Minato did not dismiss them. Instead, he tapped the desk and said, "This formula needs to be tested. If its effects are truly as you claim, the village will purchase it and grant you an appropriate reward."

Minato was not a heartless man like Danzo. He could not bring himself to seize something from a child by force.

However, everything would have to be determined by the results. If the formula was ultimately proven false, not only would there be no reward, they would also receive a certain punishment.

The trials of this period had already turned Minato into a qualified Hokage. He had also instinctively learned how to balance kindness with authority.

"No problem. We can test it right now. I happen to have brought a packet of medicinal powder. Lord Hokage, please find someone whose body has been exhausted by overtraining. That way, the effects will be much more obvious."

Aoba confidently placed a packet of medicinal powder on the desk.

When he saw this, Minato froze for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter. "I'm starting to have even more confidence in your formula now, you little wise guy."

Aoba flushed slightly at the teasing. But it was always better to be cautious and clarify everything beforehand.

If he was too thin-skinned, how could he do business at all?

Fortunately, Minato was cheerful and open-minded, and did not care about such minor details. As long as this thing could be proven to help the village train talent effectively, he would not be stingy.

Soon, someone was sent to make preparations according to Minato's instructions...