Agreeing to the Commission

"Lady Tsunade came looking for you?"

"Yeah. She discovered the special nature of my Chakra and wanted me to go live at the Senju Clan Compound, but I turned her down. Life here is pretty good."

After saying that, Uzumaki Mina secretly glanced up at Uchiha Yoichi.

That morning, Lady Tsunade had told her that she liked Lord Yoichi. Haha, how could that be possible? She was two or three years older than Lord Yoichi. She should only feel grateful to him for saving her from Kusagakure!

That was what she told herself, but when Uzumaki Mina stole another glance, she noticed the perfect, streamlined muscles on Uchiha Yoichi's body and quietly swallowed.

If Lord Yoichi weren't wearing any clothes, the muscles on his lower abdomen would probably look even better, right?

"Mina?"

A hand suddenly landed on Uzumaki Mina's shoulder, startling her into answering, "Yes! Lord Yoichi, what is it?"

Uchiha Yoichi glanced at her and said, "I called you several times just now, but you didn't respond. We should get going. It's almost time to meet Doctor Ikemoto."

"I understand."

Uzumaki Mina hurriedly nodded. Then, while Uchiha Yoichi turned and walked outside, she slapped both cheeks with her hands. How could I think about something like that? It's so embarrassing!

By the time Uchiha Yoichi and Uzumaki Mina arrived, Ikemoto had just gotten there as well. After the three exchanged greetings, they went inside.

Uchiha Yoichi really wanted to recruit Ikemoto into the Uchiha Clan. Leaving someone else to develop the medicine always carried the risk of leaks. But he did not have the status to do that yet, and the Uchiha Clan would have trouble attracting outsiders unless he became Clan Head.

Once the sake and appetizers were served, the two exchanged a few pleasantries before Ikemoto asked, "Yoichi-san, is there something you wanted to see me about?"

"Yes. I heard that you're highly skilled at compounding medicine, so I wanted to commission you privately to help formulate some medicines."

"Poison?"

After hearing Uchiha Yoichi, Ikemoto instinctively thought of poison. Konoha Ninja rarely used poison in their battles because there were few poison-makers, but some Ninja still smeared poison on their weapons because it was highly effective for killing enemies.

"Not poison. They're supplements for ordinary people. The effects don't need to be particularly strong. It'll be fine as long as they show results after long-term use. As for the cost, the lower the better."

Uchiha Yoichi briefly explained his requirements. He wanted to develop three medicines in total. Two of them were Health Supplements with different effects, while the last was a medicine to restore a man's vigor.

When she heard the last part, Uzumaki Mina immediately lowered her head, her face flushing red. She finally understood why Lord Yoichi had asked her to sit at another table. She had not gone yet because he had intended to discuss something like this.

"Medicine like that? I haven't researched it before, but it shouldn't be difficult. Young Yoichi, what are you making these medicines for?"

Ikemoto stroked his chin as he asked. These medicines were not poison and posed no danger, so there was no need to report them to the village. He asked only out of curiosity.

"The clan needs them. However, the Uchiha Clan doesn't have anyone skilled in this area, so I sought out Jonin Ikemoto."

Uchiha Yoichi spoke half-jokingly, then continued more seriously, "Ikemoto-san, I wonder if you're willing to accept this commission. I'm willing to pay you according to the standard for an S-rank mission."

"Is that so?"

After hearing the payment for an S-rank mission, Ikemoto was indeed tempted. Most importantly, the commission was not difficult for him and did not violate any regulations.

"Kid, how about I help you?"

Just as Ikemoto was about to agree, a voice suddenly came from behind Uchiha Yoichi. When he turned around, he immediately saw that eye-catching, full and snowy-white sight.

Tsunade carried a bottle of liquor, her face faintly flushed. She sat down across from Uchiha Yoichi with great familiarity.

When Uzumaki Mina saw Tsunade, she asked in surprise, "Lady Tsunade, what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean, what am I doing here? I come here to have a couple of drinks almost every day. If I drink at home, I have to clean up afterward. It's such a hassle."

As Tsunade spoke, she suddenly realized that she had seemingly revealed that she never did housework. She hurriedly changed the subject.

"So, kid? I can research and make everything you mentioned. You only need to let Mina follow me."

"."

Uchiha Yoichi was somewhat tempted when he first heard the proposal. After all, it had come from Tsunade, the Ninja World's foremost Medical Saint. But after thinking it over, Uchiha Yoichi still did not want to agree.

This was not a cure for cancer. They were merely Health Supplements and a medicine for male vigor. Letting her research them would be like using a cannon to swat a fly. Jonin Ikemoto was more than enough.

"No need, Lady Tsunade. Mina has her own choice to make. Besides, I'm currently negotiating with Jonin Ikemoto. Unless he refuses, I won't abandon him midway to go to you."

Hearing Uchiha Yoichi, Jonin Ikemoto felt a warmth in his heart. Although he had no intention of competing with Lady Tsunade at all, he could not help feeling pleased that Uchiha Yoichi valued his presence so highly.

"I didn't mean to disregard Ikemoto, either. Forget it, forget it. If you don't want to, then so be it. But if there's anything you don't understand about Medical Ninjutsu in the future, you can come ask me—as long as I'm at the hospital."

Seeing that Uzumaki Mina showed no interest at all, Tsunade completely gave up on the idea. She had only wanted to take Mina as her Disciple because Mina's talent was so suited to Medical Ninjutsu, and because she belonged to the Uzumaki Clan.

"You two go ahead."

After saying that, Tsunade carried her bottle back to her own table.

Ever since developing a fear of blood, she had stopped performing surgeries. She had even stopped taking missions. Whenever she had money, she drank and gambled, completely losing any desire to remain a Ninja.

Uchiha Yoichi had tried to persuade Tsunade to take Uzumaki Mina as her Disciple precisely so she could train the next Medical Saint for Konoha. Then she could leave Konoha without any worries and wander through the Ninja World.

"Jonin Ikemoto, let's return to what we were discussing. What do you think of my proposal?"

Hearing Uchiha Yoichi's question, Ikemoto thought for a moment before answering, "It shouldn't be difficult. I should be able to research them in my free time. Yoichi-san, I accept the commission."

Uchiha Yoichi smiled when he heard that. "Thank you, Jonin Ikemoto."

Afterward, the two discussed some further details. To make everything more formal, Uchiha Yoichi even signed a contract with Jonin Ikemoto. If either side made a mistake afterward, there would at least be a contract to refer to.

It might not have any binding power, but at least it would provide a reasonable excuse for retaliation.

For the three medicines, Uchiha Yoichi paid another three million ryo. These were not merely single medicines; if he was dissatisfied later, Uchiha Yoichi could ask Jonin Ikemoto to research and modify them as he pleased.

The several million and tens of millions of ryo he had received earlier made Uchiha Yoichi feel that he could never spend such a huge sum in half a lifetime. But once he really started spending it, it might not even last a few months.

On the way back, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly remembered, "I recall Elder Kenji saying that the Shimura clan still has businesses outside. They should have quite a lot of goods and money. The medicines seized from the Shimura clan last time can be sold as well, though half will have to be given to the Security Force."

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