Tsunade's Hesitation

Tsunade had always been decisive. She immediately opened the Summoning Storage Scroll and took out a batch of medicinal ingredients and extraction equipment.

Once all the medicinal ingredients had been extracted into essence, she held out her hand.

A large amount of Yang Release Chakra poured into the medicinal essence.

But she quickly discovered a problem.

There was a limit to how much Yang Release Chakra the medicinal essence could contain.

Once Tsunate could no longer pour in any Yang Release Chakra, she withdrew her hand.

"About one-tenth of the Chakra required for the Mystical Palm Technique."

Orochimaru made his assessment.

The Mystical Palm Technique was an A-rank Medical Ninjutsu. It was extremely difficult to learn, and anyone who mastered it could be called a medical Jonin.

Its effects were also comprehensive, capable of treating most internal and external injuries.

Only injuries such as lost limbs, near-death conditions, or extensive organ damage could not be treated.

"With one-tenth of the Mystical Palm Technique's effect, it's stronger than the Blue Healing Potion, but only by a limited amount."

Tsunade sighed.

"If it's only somewhat stronger than the Blue Healing Potion, then it can't be widely promoted."

Orochimaru shook his head. "Its cost is much higher. Promoting it would not be worth the loss."

"Mm."

Tsunade agreed.

"But the limit of Yang Release Chakra that medicinal essence can hold is fixed. It would be difficult to raise."

Orochimaru frowned.

"Then is there some item that can contain a large amount of Yang Release Chakra?"

Natsuki asked at the right moment.

Tsunade subconsciously lowered her head.

Beneath her snow-white skin, a necklace was hidden.

It was Senju Hashirama's relic.

A Chakra Crystal was set into the necklace, sealing Senju Hashirama's Chakra within it.

"A Chakra Crystal would work."

Orochimaru immediately thought of it as well. "But it's far too rare. There's only one in all of Konoha."

As its name implied, a Chakra Crystal was Chakra condensed into a physical crystal.

It was rare because, aside from Senju Hashirama, it was difficult to find a second Ninja with that much Chakra.

Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru, but even Senju Tobirama would have found it difficult.

Orochimaru suddenly paused.

He thought of something comparable to a Chakra Crystal: Senju Hashirama's cells.

He had participated in the Hashirama Cells experiments overseen by Hiruzen Sarutobi back then.

After learning about Hashirama Cells at the time, he had been deeply shocked.

He could not understand why, after a man had been dead for so long, his cells had not died and instead possessed such terrifying vitality.

It was this vitality that gave Konoha the idea of creating artificial Wood Release Ninja.

Simply put, they transplanted Hashirama Cells into Ninja.

But success came from that vitality, and failure did as well.

The Hashirama Cells' seemingly living nature caused them to violently conflict with other people's bodies, resulting in no survivors.

What if Hashirama Cells were placed into medicinal essence?

Medicinal essence was not human. In theory, it would not conflict with Hashirama Cells.

Moreover, the amount of Hashirama Cells could be controlled. There was no need to use excessive quantities as with transplantation; only a tiny amount was needed.

The only question was whether Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade would agree.

After all, Senju Hashirama was dead. Extracting his Hashirama Cells was no different from desecrating the dead.

Konoha's Hashirama Cells experiments had only been possible back then because Uzumaki Mito and Tsunade had agreed.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had only barely persuaded them to accept it by invoking the greater good of Konoha.

Could the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God really achieve that level of effect?

Orochimaru was highly doubtful.

"I'll think about what items might work."

Tsunade came back to her senses.

Hashirama Cells had not been the first thing she thought of, but her idea was somewhat similar to Orochimaru's.

If the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God was effective enough, she could use the Chakra Crystal from the First Hokage's Necklace.

But there was also a problem: once the Chakra Crystal was used up, it would not regenerate.

Still, she could first use the Chakra Crystal to make one potion and see whether the effect was truly worth it.

The Chakra Crystal contained quite a bit of Senju Hashirama's Chakra. Making one potion would not cause much loss.

There was no rush for now. They would see whether they could find a substitute.

"Mm."

Orochimaru nodded. "I'll think about it too."

Hashirama Cells were too special. Unless Tsunade brought them up herself, he would not mention them.

Although Natsuki found it somewhat regrettable, he could guess what Orochimaru was thinking.

You won't say it, and neither will I.

Natsuki ended the discussion with them and went off to train with Nawaki and Uzumaki Kushina.

The night passed without incident.

The next day, everyone continued on their journey.

By dusk, they finally reached the southeastern coast of the Land of Fire.

"It's my first time seeing the sea!"

Nawaki excitedly ran toward the shore.

"There's nothing special about the sea."

Uzumaki Kushina said without much interest.

The Land of Whirlpools was surrounded by the sea, so she had seen far too much of it since childhood.

Natsuki had seen the sea in his previous life, but this was his first time seeing it in this life.

But having lived two lives, he was not as excited as Nawaki and remained calm.

Tsunade looked at Natsuki, then at Nawaki, and could not help shaking her head.

Luckily, there were no enemies nearby. Otherwise, Nawaki's behavior would have been no different from seeking death.

He was simply too young and reckless.

Natsuki, on the other hand, satisfied her greatly.

If he had the same personality as Nawaki, the future of their team would truly be worrying.

"Begin the mission."

After Nawaki returned, Orochimaru spoke. "Unless absolutely necessary, Tsunade and I will not intervene."

"Kushina, do you know any sensory Ninjutsu?"

Natsuki looked at Uzumaki Kushina.

"I do."

Uzumaki Kushina nodded.

Although the Uzumaki Clan excelled most at Sealing Jutsu, their sensory Ninjutsu was also formidable.

Mind's Eye of the Kagura, in particular, could be called the strongest sensory Ninjutsu in the Ninja World, even stronger than the Byakugan.

Of course, Uzumaki Kushina did not yet know Mind's Eye of the Kagura.

"Then let's find our targets first."

After speaking, Natsuki formed hand seals and summoned his Summoning Beast, Crow Black Feather.

Nawaki summoned his Ninja Dog, Saburo.

Sea, land, and air—only the sea was missing.

Natsuki felt that he could find a Summoning Beast from the sea.

But sea-dwelling Summoning Beasts were quite rare, and he could not think of one he could form a contract with for the moment.

"Let's take this route."

Natsuki took out a map. "There are many places to hide along this route, and it isn't far from the coast."

"That's a good route."

Tsunade glanced at it.

Natsuki's group immediately began scouting along the selected route.

Tsunade and Orochimaru followed them in secret.

But clearly, finding a roaming group of Rogue Ninja was not an easy task.

Bored from following them, Tsunade continued thinking about the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God.

Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. Like Orochimaru, she thought of Hashirama Cells.

Hashirama Cells contained a massive amount of Chakra and perfectly met the requirements.

But... Tsunade hesitated.