Verifying the Potion's Efficacy

Chapter 35: Verifying the Potion's Effects

Mikawa savored it for a moment. Compared to when he first saw Qingyu, both his speed and strength had improved significantly.

Moreover, Qingyu's physical condition back then wasn't outstanding; he was particularly ordinary.

But now, it was clearly different!

This must be inseparable from diligent and arduous training, but perhaps this medicinal bath was as magical as he claimed?

Jonin Mikawa began to take this matter seriously.

"Before you go see Lord Hokage, are you sure you know what you're doing? If this is just a prank, I admit you've fooled me, but the Hokage's office is not a place where you can act recklessly just because you're young."

Qingyu knew Jonin Mikawa was cautioning him, and also worried he might cause more trouble.

But this time, he was confident, so he nodded earnestly, "I will take responsibility for every word I say!"

Jonin Mikawa gave him a deep look, then didn't ask any more questions. "Follow me."

In the Hokage's office, Minato was diligently reviewing documents.

Only after taking this position did he truly understand what the title of Hokage represented and the immense pressure it carried.

Furthermore, after Hiruzen retired, he suddenly disappeared to enjoy his retirement, leaving Minato without anyone to consult or share the burden with.

What about Konoha's senior advisors?

It was better not to mention them. Two of those advisors were among the staunchest opponents of his becoming Hokage. Even now, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura remained lukewarm towards him, as if still in an observation period.

As for Danzō, that ambitious man had long coveted the Hokage position. It would be good enough if he didn't hinder Minato; asking for his help? Dream on!

However, Minato possessed a big heart. This immense pressure didn't crush him; instead, it fueled his rapid growth, and he managed the Hokage's work competently.

Not only were there no major blunders, but he had also begun cultivating his own influence.

Kakashi, whose mentality had already collapsed, was directly transferred to the Anbu by him, becoming his trusted right-hand man.

What made him even happier was that as the days passed, he was getting closer to becoming a father.

After finishing his work each day and returning home to have dinner with his wife and their unborn child was probably his happiest time.

It would be even better if Kushina wasn't so temperamental during her pregnancy...

Just as he put down the documents he had finished and rubbed his head, the door was pushed open, and his assistant reported, "Lord Hokage, Special Jonin Mikawa Hirohiko requests an audience. He's brought a child with him and says it's very important."

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

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Although there was still a lot of work to be done, taking a break to listen to others' important reports was also good.

As a Hokage from a commoner background, Minato didn't put on airs or have the habit of looking down on others.

Moreover, Special Jonin Mikawa had always been diligent, mature, and steady. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a cornerstone of Konoha, or rather, it was people like Mikawa, who contributed silently to the village, that collectively formed Konoha's foundation!

Soon, there was another knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Pushing the door open, Mikawa and Qingyu finally entered the Hokage's office.

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

Minato first smiled at Jonin Mikawa and the little Qingyu, whom he hadn't seen in a while, then asked, "What is it specifically?"

Jonin Mikawa first briefly explained the effects of the medicinal bath and vouched for it before turning to signal Qingyu to speak.

Honestly, Qingyu felt a bit touched. Jonin Mikawa could have pushed everything onto him and avoided responsibility.

But Jonin Mikawa chose to stake his reputation as a guarantee, paving the way for what Qingyu was about to say and increasing its credibility.

After all, a 5-year-old child's words carried little weight compared to those of a mature adult.

This also meant that if Qingyu was just playing a prank, or if the product wasn't satisfactory, Jonin Mikawa, even if he didn't face punishment, would be perceived as frivolous and boastful.

To repay Jonin Mikawa's trust, Qingyu took a deep breath and began to focus on explaining the true effects of this medicinal bath, neither exaggerating nor being overly modest, but stating the facts.

He used himself as an example to increase credibility, as it was too foolish to try and sell something to others that he hadn't even used himself.

As for how he obtained the recipe, he simply glossed over it by saying, "I found it on a corpse while I was fleeing."

After all, only a handful of people like Obito knew about his experiences during that time, so he could make up anything, and there was virtually no way to verify it.

Moreover, with so many people dying during that period, there was no dead witness to contradict him.

After carefully listening to the narration of the adult and the child, Minato didn't dismiss it. Instead, he tapped the table and said, "This formula needs to be verified. If the effects are indeed as you say, the village will fund its purchase and give you corresponding rewards."

Minato, after all, was not like Danzō, who had a black heart and would try to seize a child's belongings. He wouldn't do such a thing.

However, everything depended on the outcome. If the formula turned out to be fake, not only would there be no reward, but there would also be a penalty.

The trials of this period had made Minato a qualified Hokage, and he had intuitively mastered the art of combining benevolence and might.

"No problem, we can verify it now. I happened to bring a packet of the powder. Please, Lord Hokage, find someone who has over-trained and is physically exhausted. This way, the effects can be felt more directly."

Qingyu confidently placed a packet of powder on the table.

Seeing this, Minato was first stunned, then let out a hearty laugh, "I'm even more confident in your recipe now, you sly little Fifth Hokage?"

Qingyu felt a bit of a blush from the teasing, but it was better to be upfront and cautious.

If you're too thin-skinned, you can't do any business at all!

Fortunately, the cheerful and straightforward Minato didn't care about these minor details. As long as it could be proven that this thing was effective enough for the village in cultivating talent, he wouldn't be stingy.

Soon, someone went to prepare things as Minato requested