Another Chance

Konoha Hospital, third floor, Experimental Operating Room.

Hanfu and a group of medical staff watched as Shennong ground up various herbs, mixed them together, and spread the mixture evenly over the snakebite victim's wound. Before long, thin streams of black blood began to seep from it.

"I never imagined that grinding these herbs together could draw out snake venom!"

"You're never too old to learn!"

The medical staff beside them stared in amazement, utterly dumbfounded.

"Herbs can neutralize snake venom, but there are countless kinds of snake venom in this world. Accordingly, there are also over a thousand herbal formulas for treating them."

Shennong spoke with a hint of pride. "If you need them, I can give you these formulas and the corresponding first-aid procedures free of charge."

"Really?"

The head of the Medical Department, Kamijima Chusei, brightened. "Doctor Shennong, thank you so much! On behalf of Konoha Hospital's medical staff, I sincerely thank you for your generosity!"

The people in the Medical Department were ordinary civilians. When they encountered poisoning victims, they could only treat mild cases; everyone else had to be transferred to the hospital's Medical Ninjas. But now, with Shennong's herbal formulas and first-aid procedures, the department's capabilities would undoubtedly improve by a whole level!

"Please, there's no need to thank me. I'm doing this because I hope my medical skills can help more people."

Shennong wore a humble expression. His noble character and charm won over everyone in the Medical Department.

Including Hanfu, of course!

What an actor!!

This guy's absolutely an Oscar-level actor!

That performance... If Hanfu hadn't already known Shennong's true nature, he might have fallen for his act too.

But now wasn't the time to admire him.

Hanfu's thoughts raced.

The herbal formulas Shennong had must be able to counter the venom of most snakes in the Shinobi World.

What came to mind when he thought of snake venom?

Orochimaru, naturally!

He had to collect this!

Hanfu remembered the night he'd encountered Orochimaru, and his survival instinct flared.

Collect!!

In an instant, the Green Light Orb in Hanfu's mind churned rapidly, then shot out a azure-blue Light Spot!

Azure blue?

Was it really perfect grade?

Hanfu excitedly wrapped his consciousness around the azure-blue Light Spot.

Snake Venom First Aid Treatment (Perfect)!

Hanfu opened his eyes, thrilled. He had no idea what kind of sparks he'd someday clash with Orochimaru, but with this perfect-grade Medical Kit, he could basically ignore Orochimaru's snake venom.

But before Hanfu could feel proud, Shennong sent him plunging straight into the depths of despair.

"There is one thing everyone should keep in mind. A snake's environment has a huge impact on its growth and can cause it to evolve or regress. My herbal formulas may work against most snake venom found at present, but I'm sure new kinds of venom will appear in the future. When that happens, new antidote formulas will have to be developed." Shennong spoke earnestly.

Hanfu felt awful.

This Medical Kit only worked on the venom of snakes that existed at present?

Damn...

With Orochimaru's abilities, he could probably breed dozens of new kinds of venomous snakes in just half a year. This was... awkward.

Hanfu grimaced, cursing his impulsiveness even as he absorbed the contents of the Medical Kit... Well, actually, this was great!

Kamijima Chusei was deeply moved. He warmly clasped Shennong's hand and said, "Doctor Shennong, your noble character and medical skills have truly impressed me. If possible, I'd like to invite you to join Konoha Hospital!"

Shennong smiled and shook his head. "Director, my dream is to spread medical knowledge throughout the Shinobi World. So I'm sorry, but I can't accept your invitation."

"That's all right, that's all right. Compared with you, Doctor Shennong, our medical skills and knowledge are insignificant. We simply can't compare to you."

Kamijima Chusei showered him with praise.

"Then let's go see the next patient," Shennong said with a smile.

"Right this way."

Kamijima Chusei had turned into a sycophant, eagerly leading the way.

The medical staff followed behind Shennong, looking just like interns trailing a chief physician.

Keiko had taken a couple of steps when she turned and saw Hanfu still standing there. She hurriedly urged him, "Feng-chan, let's go."

"Oh, coming."

Hanfu had nearly finished absorbing the Medical Kit. He felt as though he'd memorized thousands of kinds of snake venom, along with their corresponding first-aid procedures and herbal formulas. But when he tried to recall them, it seemed he hadn't remembered a single one. It was a strange feeling.

At the third Experimental Operating Room, Hanfu stood at the entrance, his expression growing solemn as he silently reminded himself.

My goal is the Forbidden Body Activation Technique!

My goal is the Forbidden Body Activation Technique!

My goal is...

Repeating the mantra to himself, Hanfu entered the Operating Room and saw Shennong bandaging a patient with a broken leg.

"Medical Bandages are very useful. They can help Ninjas train by preventing dislocated joints and injuries, stop bleeding and keep wounds from worsening, and hold the bones of fracture patients in place. Of course, that takes a great deal of experience..."

As Shennong demonstrated, he also shared his knowledge, filling the entire Operating Room with a sacred glow!

Hanfu: My goal is the Forbidden Body Activation Technique! My goal is the Forbidden Body Activation Technique! My... collect!!!

A third azure-blue Light Spot burst out of the Green Light Orb.

It was the perfect-grade Bandage Treatment Technique!

It's over, it's over, it's all over.

Why was his will so weak?

Hanfu regretted it the moment he'd finished collecting the skill. It felt like his Forbidden Body Activation Technique had been a duck in a pot, only to fly away.

This hurts!

Hanfu followed everyone from one Experimental Operating Room to another, listless the whole way.

But at the last one, Hanfu suddenly realized he might still have a chance!

"Director, here's the herbal formula for treating snake venom."

In the last Experimental Operating Room, Shennong opened the brown backpack he'd been carrying behind him, carefully took out a scroll, and handed it to Kamijima Chusei.

Kamijima Chusei quickly bent forward and accepted it respectfully with both hands. "Thank you, Doctor Shennong!"

"You're welcome, Director. Well, that's all for today," Shennong said with a smile.

Standing beside them, Hanfu craned his neck to peer into Shennong's backpack, his eyes glowing like light bulbs.

Scrolls!

There were other scrolls in Shennong's backpack!

Could one of them be about the Forbidden Body Activation Technique?

Hanfu's heart raced as he immediately began analyzing the situation.

As far as Hanfu could tell, the Forbidden Body Activation Technique involved advanced fields such as cell division, Cell Activation, and the stimulation of cells by Chakra. These fields couldn't be explained in a sentence or two. For Shennong to develop the technique from scratch, he'd surely need to record his ideas one by one, then conduct experiments, make corrections, and refine the technique until he succeeded!

Once he succeeded, would he destroy the records of his work?

Perhaps. But it was more likely he'd organize all the experimental records into a scroll!

If that was the case, then aside from Shennong himself, a living "Forbidden Body Activation Technique collection kit," there'd also be a scroll version!

But...

Hanfu frowned. Given Shennong's cautious nature, if he really had such a scroll, would he bring it into Konoha in his backpack?

Hanfu's expression shifted between concern and hope. No matter what, I have to try!

Me, Shennong, am asking for your recommendation votes!

(Thanks to reader Carbon-Based Lifeform for the generous donation!)