"Its effects have worn off. You can come out now."
Aoba looked at the medicinal liquid, which had already faded in color, and slowly nodded.
Whether this would succeed or fail would depend on...
Bang!
Might Guy felt the vitality surging through his body again and immediately let out an excited, bizarre cry. Then, unable to restrain himself, he jumped straight out of the wooden tub, splashing water everywhere.
"I feel like my body is filled with strength! I can still do another thousand fingertip push-ups. If I can't finish them, I'll frog-jump around the village a thousand times..."
Looking at the invigorated Might Guy standing there and shouting wildly while planting countless training flags, everyone developed three black lines on their foreheads.
"Put your clothes on first!"
In the end, Minato couldn't stand it anymore and directly tossed over the clothes Might Guy had taken off.
Might Guy froze for a moment before realizing that he was completely naked. He hurriedly pulled on his clothes, all the while keeping his legs clamped together as he hid behind the wooden tub.
That scene had really been an assault on the eyes!
"Let's go back first."
Once Might Guy had put his clothes back on, he emerged with an embarrassed expression, somewhat awkward and fidgety. Seeing this, Minato couldn't help shaking his head with a laugh before leading everyone back to the Hokage's office.
"Tell us. How exactly do you feel?"
Might Guy shot up a thumbs-up, revealing his pearly white teeth. Under the sunlight, they even seemed to reflect light...
"It's absolutely fantastic! There was a little pain during the process, but it was completely fine!"
"I'm asking about the specific effects." Minato looked somewhat exasperatedly at Might Guy, who had inexplicably entered a state of burning passion.
"Er, I can't really describe it too precisely, but I could feel a warm current flowing all over my body. The places that occasionally hurt in daily life became especially hot, almost scorching. Once it was over, I felt like my body was filled with strength. Most of the stamina I'd previously expended had also been replenished, and my body felt as light as a feather, as though I could jump higher. I can't wait to begin a new round of special training!"
Might Guy couldn't use those precise terms, but he still truthfully described every one of his feelings in detail. As he spoke, he kept jumping in place, nearly bumping his head against the ceiling, as if he wanted to make Lord Hokage believe what he was saying.
After briefly recording Might Guy's impressions, Minato couldn't help revealing a bright smile.
It seemed this thing really was effective. Straightforward as he was, Might Guy would never exaggerate or embellish anything.
Moreover, the medicinal bath had even alleviated to some extent the hidden injuries that had accumulated in Might Guy's body over so many years. That alone was enough to prove its value.
"All right, Might Guy. You can go out first. Someone will ask you about it again later. Just answer truthfully."
"Yes, Lord Hokage... But, um..."
Might Guy rarely found himself embarrassed. The last time had been when he'd been seen in the nude. Seeing that he still wasn't leaving, Minato couldn't help feeling curious.
"Is there anything else you need to report?"
"Lord Hokage, that medicinal bath just now was truly amazing. I'd like to know where I can buy it."
Minato looked at him helplessly. "Not yet. But it should be ready for distribution after some time. You'll know then."
Might Guy couldn't help feeling disappointed. For a training fanatic like him, this was practically an essential item!
He wished he could buy a thousand packets right now and store them at home!
However, since Lord Hokage had said so, he didn't dare ask any further and could only leave obediently.
Once Might Guy had left, only Minato, Jonin Mikawa, and Aoba remained in the Hokage's office.
"I now believe that the thing you brought really is that miraculous. Now, let's get to the main point. What do you want? Or rather, what do you want in exchange for this formula? A ninjutsu? Cultivation resources? Or perhaps... money?"
Personal feelings were personal feelings, but when the village's interests were involved, he was first and foremost the Hokage!
Therefore, Minato's expression immediately turned solemn as he looked seriously at Aoba. He knew that this clever little brat was the one truly calling the shots.
Moreover, his countless experiences fighting and killing on the battlefield had constantly warned him: never look down on someone just because they were young!
No one could guarantee how many lives the little brat who had suddenly appeared before them had personally taken!
Otherwise, how else could one explain Kakashi becoming a Jonin at the age of twelve?
Clearly, at this moment, Minato had temporarily placed Aoba on an equal footing with himself.
Aoba also saw this from the change in Minato's attitude. He didn't sense any contempt or perfunctory treatment from the other man, and that was very important!
However, he had never intended to squeeze too much profit out of this medicinal-bath formula in the first place. As the saying went, there was no point in having money if you didn't live long enough to spend it!
Knowing when to be content and when to advance or retreat was his greatest protection at present!
Thus, he immediately laid out the method of cooperation he had long since planned. "I want to donate this medicinal-bath formula directly to the village!"
Minato had been mentally prepared to a certain extent, but he was still stunned by Aoba's sudden display of selfless righteousness.
If he hadn't been so thorough in his precautions earlier, he might truly have been fooled.
Minato looked at Aoba with an expression that was not quite a smile and said, "If you're really that generous, why did you take so many precautions earlier? All right, I understand your desire to contribute to the village. However, taking a child's things for nothing isn't Konoha's way. Tell me, after going around such a huge circle, what is it you actually want? A friendly warning: next time, I'll take you seriously."
With his little scheme exposed to his face, Aoba couldn't help blushing under Minato's gaze. Then he seemed to say somewhat sheepishly, "I really do want to contribute to the village. But if Lord Hokage feels bad about it, could I make a few small requests?"
Minato couldn't help being amused by this interesting little fellow. He nodded and said, "Go ahead. What small requests?"
Aoba knew that the plan he had gone to such lengths to arrange had finally reached the moment of harvest. Thus, he pretended to be bashful and said, "It's really nothing. It's just... could my monthly allowance be increased a little? And could I also receive a few more cultivation resources? Also, I don't want a single coin for the medicinal-bath formula I'm contributing, but could you provide me with a sufficient supply? It doesn't need to be much—two doses a day would be enough. And..."
Minato had initially thought this child was quite sensible. But as Aoba's list of conditions grew longer, he gradually went from embarrassed to increasingly excited, and his expression began to darken.
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