At the end of December in Konoha's 42nd year, several consecutive days of snowfall gave the village a different kind of scenery.
Small-scale battles occasionally breaking out at border outposts kept the Jonin busy with missions, indirectly causing newly graduated Genin to frequently change squad leaders.
The somewhat turbulent situation did not affect the atmosphere at the Ninja Academy. When the afternoon tactics class ended, many people in the classroom happily gossiped:
"Huh?! Kakashi has a chance to take next year's Chunin Ninja Exams?"
"Can he take the exam at six years old?"
"Being a ninja depends on talent! Without talent, you might stay a Genin your whole life."
"That's too incredible. If he passes, he'll be a six-year-old Chunin and can participate in actual combat, right?"
"I heard he's already been through battle recently..."
"..."
Many girls liked discussing such things during breaks, and Kakashi, who had graduated early, was the object of their admiration.
Rin Nohara was no different from the other girls in that regard. Whenever Kakashi was mentioned, a look of longing appeared on her face.
Whenever that happened, Obito Uchiha, who had leaned over, wore an unhappy expression. He used to seize the opportunity to loudly refute them, but after being rejected by the girls, he had recently just sulked in silence.
"What's so great about being a Chunin? He's already graduated, so why are you still talking about him..."
"Once I awaken the Sharingan, I'll definitely surpass him easily!"
"Do you think Kakashi will pass the Chunin Ninja Exams too?"
After talking to himself for so long, Obito Uchiha could not help asking Shu Furukawa, who was flipping through his notes in the back. He did not get the answer he wanted. Instead, Shizune blinked and gave a simple reply:
"There's a very high chance he'll pass! Kakashi has already mastered some C-rank ninjutsu, and his swordsmanship is impressive too."
"Even the Hokage praised his outstanding ninja talent."
The more he heard, the worse Obito felt. He scratched his head in frustration. The gap between people was just too great; even if he trained hard, he still could not catch up to a genius.
"You have the old ladies' approval too. That isn't something just anyone can achieve."
Shu Furukawa, who was checking his experimental data again, saw Obito still muttering and could not help teasing him. At the mention of "old ladies," Might Guy behind them unusually gave a serious complaint:
"Every time you say you're coming to train with us, you end up late because of old ladies."
"Self-discipline means keeping your word."
Even his usual talk of "youth" was gone. After being stood up several times, Might Guy truly did not know how to judge this "hot-blooded" Uchiha.
"Ha... Yesterday, I helped an old lady carry her luggage."
Obito gave a brief, awkward explanation before quickly leaving. He did not want to admit that Might Guy's "youth training method" had dealt him a blow—his stamina simply could not keep up.
"Is this guy really from the Uchiha Clan? His shuriken skills don't seem that great either."
Turning to look at the "fleeing" Obito, Genma Shiranui, with a bandana wrapped around his head, raised the question again. The Uchiha in the neighboring class was the top student, completely unlike Class A.
Ebisu could understand Obito's situation. His small sunglasses seemed to glint as he analyzed it seriously:
"You can't put it that way. Not every Uchiha is an elite."
"Ninjas need inheritance too. Obito probably never received much guidance before."
The Uchiha Clan was famous for its shuriken techniques and Fire Release. This had led many youngsters to assume everyone born into that clan excelled at those things, but Obito had thoroughly shattered that illusion.
When several of them planned to train in the snow that afternoon, Shizune saw Shu Furukawa sink into his usual state of deep thought again and softly said with concern:
"Shu, it's still too difficult to make a secret medicine right now. Tsunade-sensei only made that request casually."
A few days ago, the pharmacology class had been taught by the Jonin Tsunade. While teaching them how to make Military Ration Pills, she had casually praised the secret medicines of the Akimichi Clan and Inuzuka Clan.
Her original intention had been to keep everyone from underestimating Military Ration Pills, but after class, Shu Furukawa had wanted to improve them based on the existing formula.
"I just want to apply what I've learned in practice. Don't worry."
Seeing the worry on the girl's face, Shu Furukawa gave a simple reply. Then, as usual, he invited Shizune to preview the afternoon Medical Corps lesson with him.
When their homeroom teacher, Ryosuke Kimura, appeared at the podium, Shu Furukawa listened to the lecture while his thoughts wandered. The "essence" obtained through Collection was most likely Natural Energy, and that gave him many ideas:
"Can Senjutsu Chakra be created even without sensing Natural Energy?"
--
During the final days of Konoha's 42nd year, the weather finally cleared, and the commercial district became lively again.
The New Year was approaching. For everyone in the village, it was a joyous occasion, and all of them looked forward to a peaceful, comfortable new year.
For once, he did not go out to train during the rare holiday. Shu Furukawa stayed in his home's basement to conduct simple experiments while observing the drug reactions of his test subjects.
After carefully examining Rabbit No. 6, he saw no outward mutations. Just as he was about to smile, he suddenly noticed that the rabbit's mouth had become filled with sharp teeth...
"Did it fail again?"
Dressed in casual clothes, Shu Furukawa frowned slightly. After examining it carefully, he sighed helplessly, casually used [Collection], and recorded the results in his notebook after receiving nothing:
"The optimized Formula No. 6 failed. Suspected Natural Energy leakage."
"..."
Unlike the petrification caused by absorbing Natural Energy in his memories, the "essence" gathered from trees seemed much gentler. The mutations did not endanger life.
The "essence" could not be used directly and would completely dissipate in less than half a day. While studying pharmacology, Shu Furukawa had accidentally discovered that it could be fused with certain medicinal herbs, which led to these "pharmacological" experiments.
The Military Ration Pills from class were pills rich in protein. After being consumed, they could restore stamina, increase chakra, and have a certain stimulating effect.
Shu Furukawa did not seek any of that. He only hoped the medicinal herbs could effectively suppress the side effects of mutation. After two months of exploration, he had already made considerable progress.
After continuously observing and recording, he confirmed the most effective medicine once more. Looking at the information he had recorded, Shu Furukawa could not help feeling pained for his wallet:
"I hope it really works."
Snow began falling early on the first day of the New Year. Though the weather was uncooperative, the commercial district was especially lively today.
Shu Furukawa received invitations from Shizune and Tsunade. To his surprise, this teacher, who was strict and serious in class, ended up drinking herself into a stupor at home.
Tsunade lived in Konoha's "second ring," not far from Konoha Hospital. Her two-story apartment was spacious but somewhat desolate, clearly showing that its owner had not put much effort into maintaining it.
Looking at the spotless dishes on the heated table, Shizune explained somewhat embarrassedly:
"Lady Tsunade isn't usually like this. She may have run into some trouble recently. I originally wanted to give these to you myself."
The girl handed him a scroll. Shu Furukawa smiled warmly. After exchanging gifts, before he could thank her, the half-conscious Tsunade suddenly raised her head, leaning sideways as she looked at the two of them and said:
"Having ninja talent isn't necessarily a good thing either, kid. Outstanding people always pursue some great goal."
"And you? You're studying all this so hard that Shizune has become less cute..."
Unlike her usual Jonin attire, Tsunade was wearing a kimono for once. Her golden hair draped over her shoulders, and her eyes became clear as she looked at Shu Furukawa.
"For now, I just want to live better and protect a few important people."
"How uncute! I want a bowl of plain noodles..."
After hearing that, Tsunade muttered and slipped back into her drunken state.
When Shizune saw Shu Furukawa nod and stand up, she looked somewhat embarrassed. Just as she was about to speak, Tsunade pulled her into her arms.
Noticing that this teacher had started dragging the girl into more "nonsense," Shu Furukawa glanced over and sighed inwardly:
As expected of one of the "great" Sannin!