Half a Year Later

Unbeknownst to them, half a year had passed since Jiraiya decided to stay.

During these six months, the war raged on in the outside world, but for this small, special training class of Jiraiya's, it was a rare period of leisure.

Inside the makeshift laboratory that Nishikawa Tetsu had specifically set up not far from the wooden house.

"This is what you called... startup capital?"

Yahiko's eyes widened as he looked at the rows of neatly arranged glass test tubes before him.

The test tubes contained a pale yellow transparent liquid that shimmered like gold in the candlelight.

"That's right."

Nishikawa Tetsu, wearing a homemade mask and gloves, was carefully portioning out the extracted liquid.

"This is an improved, high-purity penicillin. Over the past six months of experimentation, I've cultivated an extremely stable strain by utilizing the Land of Rain's unique high-humidity environment."

Nishikawa Tetsu picked up a test tube, his eyes flashing with a merchant's shrewdness:

"The Ninja World has just ended a major war. Although the great nations have withdrawn their troops, small-scale conflicts and rampant banditry are still serious problems. Wound infections are one of the biggest causes of death for both ninjas and civilians. This single dose is estimated to fetch ten Explosive Tags on the black market, or enough food for a family of three for a month."

"This... it's that valuable?!" Konan exclaimed, covering her mouth in surprise.

"In this day and age, lives are cheap, but things that save lives are the most expensive."

At this moment, Konan was no longer the timid girl who only hid behind Yahiko.

"Konan," Nishikawa Tetsu handed her a test tube, "how's your Paper Release coming along?"

"It's very proficient now."

Konan extended her hand, and several specially made oil papers danced in her palm, instantly folding into a sealed paper box that perfectly encased the test tube, providing both shock and moisture protection.

"I can now strengthen the toughness of paper with Chakra."

Jiraiya truly was a good teacher; he always helped his disciples find their own paths.

Over the past six months, under Jiraiya's guidance, Konan had developed ninjutsu such as Paper Shuriken and Paper Clone.

This talent even surprised Nishikawa Tetsu a little, but he quickly came to terms with it.

Although the anime didn't specifically detail Konan's talent, being the "right hand" of a "God" was already telling.

"Very good," Nishikawa Tetsu nodded. "You handle the packaging. As for sales..."

He looked at Yahiko: "Establish a united front as I suggested. You don't need to rob or beg. Utilize the Land of Rain's transportation advantages to sell these medicines to passing merchant caravans, or even through underground channels to the major nations."

"As long as you control this financial pipeline, you'll have bread. With bread, you can recruit more people and have the right to talk about ideals."

Yahiko's tone carried a boldness not just of youth: "I will establish a secure underground trade route. This isn't just for money, but also to build an intelligence network. Over the past six months, I've contacted people in three nearby villages who are willing to join us."

"I want to use this money to buy food and ninja tools, to arm everyone."

Yahiko looked in the direction of the entrance, the direction of the future: "You're right, when you have food, you won't panic. We need to make this medicine our blood."

"Our organization shall be called 'Akatsuki,' signifying the dawn before the break of day!"

Just as I thought, Nishikawa Tetsu mused inwardly, it fits. The name really is Akatsuki.

"Tetsu, you're a... monster," Yahiko said with genuine admiration. "You're about the same age as me, so why do you think so much more profoundly than even Master Jiraiya?"

"Because I read more," Nishikawa Tetsu replied calmly. "Also, don't let Master Jiraiya hear you say that, or he'll hit you."

In addition to laying the economic foundation for the Akatsuki, Nishikawa Tetsu's own research had not been neglected.

Under the waterfall.

"Hngh!"

Namikaze Minato held a rubber ball, pouring Chakra into it with all his might.

The rubber ball contorted and twisted in his hand, emitting creaking sounds of unbearable strain, but it just wouldn't explode.

"Damn it... failed again."

Minato released his grip, panting slightly, and the rubber ball returned to its original shape.

"Still stuck at the second stage?"

Nishikawa Tetsu emerged from the woods, holding a strange metal device.

"Yeah," Minato wiped the sweat from his brow, looking troubled. "I've mastered the simple rotation, but to maintain such high intensity while also having great power, my Chakra control is still a bit lacking."

"Don't rush it. You've only been training for half a year. According to my calculations, it would be genius if you could complete the second stage within a year," Nishikawa Tetsu comforted him. "After all, this is an S-rank ninjutsu without hand seals."

"What about you? Is your new toy ready?" Minato looked at the device in Tetsu's hand.

It was a metal ring resembling a belt, inlaid with three crystals etched with complex sealing formulas.

"Mhm, Scientific Ninja Tools 3.0 – the Chakra Accumulation Core."

Nishikawa Tetsu fastened the belt around his waist, connecting a tube that led to his arm guard.

"You know, although my Chakra reserves have increased thanks to Senior Fugaku's special training, compared to monsters like you and Nagato, it's still just a drop in the bucket."

Nishikawa Tetsu pointed to the crystal on his belt. "So, I combined fuinjutsu theory with Kazama Sousuke's puppet's energy storage mechanism to create this."

Jiraiya truly was good to his disciples; he had taught Nishikawa Tetsu all about fuinjutsu without holding back.

"Normally, I can slowly inject excess chakra, or... cough, chakra borrowed from others, into these crystals to store it."

"Borrowed?" Minato raised an eyebrow.

"Nagato!" Nishikawa Tetsu suddenly waved to the red-haired boy practicing ninjutsu not far away.

"Coming!" Nagato obediently ran over. He was much stronger now than he had been six months ago. Although still introverted, there was a newfound confidence in his eyes.

"Fill it up," Nishikawa Tetsu pointed to an interface on his belt.

"Oh, okay."

Without any further words, Nagato reached out and placed his hand on the interface.

The Uzumaki Clan's terrifyingly vast chakra surged in instantly.

"Buzzzz—"

The crystals on the belt immediately lit up with a blinding glow. In just a few seconds, the previously dim crystals were filled with a blue, chakra-infused radiance.

"This..." Minato stared, dumbfounded. "This is practically a chakra storage device!"

"Exactly."

Nishikawa Tetsu felt the surging energy within his belt, a smile spreading across his lips. "With this, I can unleash an amount of chakra far exceeding my own limits in battle. Whether it's activating large-scale ninjutsu or powering my Stinger Armguard, I'll no longer be limited by my chakra reserves."

He raised his hand and aimed at the waterfall.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"

This time, he didn't perform any hand seals, instead directly drawing upon the chakra stored in the energy core.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Several high-pressure air spheres, like bullets, shot out from his mouth. Their power was so immense that they actually created several holes in the waterfall's flow that took a long time to close.

"Although it's a single-use item and needs to be recharged after use, in a critical moment, this is a trump card that can turn the tide."

Nishikawa Tetsu patted his belt with satisfaction.

This was his understanding of Ninjutsu Science: If you lack talent, create tools; if you lack chakra, store chakra.

As long as your thinking doesn't falter, there will always be more solutions than difficulties.

"So amazing..." Nagato watched the display, his eyes filled with envy. "Tetsu can always think of ways to get stronger, but I can't."

"Don't underestimate yourself, Nagato."

Nishikawa Tetsu ruffled Nagato's red hair. "Your eyes are a gift from the gods, while my science is the struggle of mortals. We are both climbing towards the top in our own ways."

On this day, the Land of Rain's sunset, rarely, pierced through the clouds.

Three youths stood before the waterfall, each gazing at their own hands.

Minato held the rubber ball representing ultimate form transformation.

Nishikawa Tetsu touched the energy-storing belt, the crystallization of his intellect.

Nagato felt the Rinnegan within his eyes, containing all of creation.

Though their paths were different, they were all growing stronger.

And all this tranquility also heralded the final countdown to their parting, which was finally about to reach zero.

Six months had passed. A Konoha messenger hawk had been delivered to Jiraiya the previous night.