"What are you looking at?" Utatane Koharu saw Uchiha Dan stop working and glared at him, scolding, "Just as I thought. You evil Uchiha brat."
"Elder Utatane, from the day I left the Uchiha Clan Compound, I've had nothing to do with the Uchiha Clan." Uchiha Dan wanted to turn on her and kill the wretch, but he held back and explained.
"Even if you have nothing to do with the Uchiha Clan, you can't erase the evil in your blood." Utatane Koharu said cuttingly. "You're destined to be an evil brat."
"Elder Utatane, don't you think you're going too far?"
"After all these years, can you even count how many times I've helped you?"
"I've never asked for anything in return, but you keep asking me for help while doing everything you can to insult me with all kinds of nasty words. Do you really think that's acceptable?"
"Evil brat, you dare to have an attitude?" Utatane Koharu's eyes turned instantly sinister. "You really think I wouldn't dare kill you? Someone like you could die and no one would care."
"So what if I have an attitude? Even a clay figurine has a temper. Is this how you treat someone you're asking for help?"
"You want to kill me, don't you? Fine. Go ahead!"
Uchiha Dan spread his arms, looking like he was ready to let her do as she pleased.
But what he was thinking was, I bet you won't do it, you old hag.
If you really do, I won't hold back. I'll kill you on the spot.
I've had more than enough of this damn life.
Of course, killing Utatane Koharu wasn't part of Uchiha Dan's plan. He couldn't handle Konoha hunting him down without end—not yet.
"Brat, listen carefully!" Utatane Koharu had no intention of striking him. She snarled, "This batch of Antidote is still going to the front lines. If you dare delay it, you'll face consequences you can't handle."
"Hmph. I'll say this one last time, too. I'll help you, but you need to show me some respect. Otherwise, do the research yourself!"
"Hmph!" Utatane Koharu turned and left, unwilling to deal with Uchiha Dan any longer.
But she was angry. Truly angry.
You evil Uchiha brat. You dare bare your teeth at me? Just you wait!
Uchiha Dan knew exactly what Utatane Koharu was thinking. But this was part of his plan.
The reason he was taking such a dangerous gamble was that the danger came from this old hag.
But as long as this plan succeeded, Tsunade would listen to whatever he said from then on—at least for a while.
After all these years of knowing each other, his observations during their time as colleagues, and the subtle hints and influence he'd occasionally worked in, all that remained was to give the plan one final push.
He believed it wouldn't be long before he was truly free at last.
At Konoha Hospital, Tsunade had gone the whole morning without seeing Uchiha Dan, and she couldn't concentrate.
Over the past three months, her relationship with Uchiha Dan had grown closer. They still bickered often, but when they were in sync, they were really in sync.
Especially when they discussed Medical Ninjutsu. As long as there were no patients, the two of them could keep at it for hours.
In just three months, they'd come up with the basic framework for three more medical techniques.
She was sure it wouldn't be long before they fully developed them.
"That guy!"
Seeing that Uchiha Dan had skipped work without a word, Tsunade was a little annoyed.
Why hadn't he even told her? Did he still not consider her a friend?
"Lord Tsunade, why haven't you gone to eat?" A pretty nurse named Kawaina passed the office and saw Tsunade still sitting at her desk. She asked, "You're still here?"
Lately, Tsunade had always dragged Uchiha Dan along to eat, so everyone was used to seeing them together. That was why Kawaina asked.
"I can't eat. I'm not hungry," Tsunade replied, forcing down her feelings.
"Are you waiting for Doctor Dan?" Kawaina asked with a smile. "You don't need to wait for him today. He won't be coming to the hospital until much later."
"You know where he went?" Tsunade asked curiously, growing even more irritated.
Why does everyone know except me?
"He went to the Pharmaceutical Department," Kawaina replied. "Every so often, Elder Utatane borrows Doctor Dan to help out. It's been going on for years, so everyone's used to it."
"The Pharmaceutical Department? What's he doing there?"
"Helping the village develop new medicine," Kawaina answered honestly. "Over the years, Doctor Dan has helped make a lot of the village's effective medicines, as well as the Antidote needed at the front lines."
"But..." Kawaina hesitated for a moment. Seeing that no one else was around, she lowered her voice.
"But Doctor Dan always comes back from the Pharmaceutical Department in a terrible mood. He gets really irritable for the next few days, so we usually steer clear of him."
"That guy's usually got a great attitude. What could make him so angry?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
"We wouldn't dare speculate. We're just ordinary nurses. We don't dare ask about the higher-ups' affairs."
"All right, go eat."
After sending Kawaina off, Tsunade fell into thought.
She knew that Utatane Koharu was in charge of Konoha's Medical Department, and the Pharmaceutical Department was part of it.
So every time Uchiha Dan went to the Pharmaceutical Department, he had to deal with Utatane Koharu?
That made sense. Developing a new Antidote was a secret matter. Utatane Koharu would never entrust it to anyone else.
But Utatane Koharu was notorious for her bad temper. She was difficult to deal with and loved making things hard for people. These past few years, even dogs went out of their way to avoid her.
The answer was easy enough to guess.
Uchiha Dan must have been given a hard time by Utatane Koharu at the Pharmaceutical Department. And knowing Utatane Koharu, she probably hurled every nasty insult she could think of at him.
That must have been why he came back so furious every time.
At the thought, Tsunade wondered if there was something she could do to help Uchiha Dan.
Utatane Koharu might make things difficult for Uchiha Dan and insult him in every possible way.
But the old woman wouldn't dare treat Tsunade like that. If she tried, Tsunade could give as good as she got. Who was afraid of whom?
If Tsunade went to the Pharmaceutical Department in Uchiha Dan's place, would he be spared all that?
That's settled!
Tsunade had made up her mind, but she planned to keep it a secret for now and surprise Uchiha Dan.
That was what he got for suddenly disappearing without telling her. She wasn't going to tell him.
In a secret room in the Pharmaceutical Department, five hours later, the latest Antidote had been developed.
Uchiha Dan took out a scroll and recorded the formula for the Antidote, the proportions of each ingredient, and the detailed preparation steps.
Once he was done, Uchiha Dan didn't say goodbye to anyone. He went straight home.
I hope Tsunade has some sense!
It can't be that hard to ask around and find out where I went, can it?
And once she finds out, asking me about it shouldn't be hard either, right?
Then I can lead Tsunade right into it. That's perfectly reasonable, isn't it?
After skipping work for three straight days, Uchiha Dan finally returned to the hospital.
To his surprise, Tsunade asked where he'd been and seemed quite concerned, but she didn't say a word about his trip to the Pharmaceutical Department.
Since Tsunade didn't bring it up, Uchiha Dan didn't feel comfortable mentioning it first.
Tsunade might have a terrible temper, but she was perceptive and clever.
If Uchiha Dan brought it up himself and made her suspect he had an ulterior motive, all his efforts could go to waste.
Fine. If you don't ask, I won't tell you. Let's see if you can keep holding back next time.
Another month passed.
Uchiha Dan went to work as usual every day, but one day, for the first time ever, Tsunade didn't show up.
After asking around, Uchiha Dan was told that Tsunade had something to take care of at home and had called in the night before.
It was only natural for her to have something to do at home now and then, so Uchiha Dan didn't think much of it.
What he didn't know was that Tsunade was keeping something from him—something she was doing right now that would soon bring disaster down on him.
Before you continue