Kurenai Yuhi Visits Late at Night

After distancing himself from the crowd, Xuandou stopped on a secluded path leading toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

He sank his consciousness into his mind.

"Draw!"

The moment the thought flashed, a lottery wheel appeared in his mind.

[D-rank reward 40%, C-rank reward 50%, B-rank reward 10%]

The wheel spun.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining a C-rank reward: C-rank Special Military Ration Pill Recipe]

Immediately, a stream of information flooded into Xuandou's mind:

[Name: C-rank Special Military Ration Pill Recipe

Description: A specially formulated Military Ration Pill recipe with optimized taste and nutrition. Increases chakra recovery speed by 10%-15% and alleviates fatigue to a certain degree.

Ingredients: 10ml purified water, 10g refined oat flour, 10g royal jelly, 2g dried plum...]

Only a C-rank this time...

Xuandou felt slightly disappointed.

But soon, he realized the practical value of this recipe.

It wasn't bad; this special Military Ration Pill could be put to use in the upcoming war.

Uchiha Clan Grounds, the residence of Elder Zong Yan.

Xuandou handed a detailed list of supplies to Zong Yan.

"Great Elder, this is the list of standard supplies needed for the front lines. Please trouble yourself to arrange for someone to submit it to the Hokage Office so they can be allocated as soon as possible."

Zong Yan took the list and scanned it quickly; it itemized ninja tools, medicine, and various other supplies.

He nodded.

"Rest assured, I will handle it as soon as possible."

Next, Xuandou took out another carefully folded slip of paper and handed it over with a solemn expression.

"Additionally, this is a Military Ration Pill recipe I have slightly improved. Please ensure that absolutely reliable and skilled clansmen are arranged to produce it in secret batches."

Zong Yan took the slip, unfolded it, and glanced at it, his brows arching slightly.

"Military Ration Pill? The village provides a standard supply of these; why go through the trouble of making our own? And these ingredients look... there doesn't seem to be anything special about them."

He looked at the common ingredients, his tone puzzled.

"This is no ordinary Military Ration Pill recipe."

Xuandou emphasized his tone.

"As for the specific effects, you will know once they are produced and you try one. Furthermore, this recipe must be kept strictly confidential; it must never be leaked."

Seeing Xuandou so solemn, Zong Yan looked at him with half-belief.

He put away the slip and said in a deep voice:

"I understand. I will personally oversee this matter."

After Xuandou left, Zong Yan pondered for a moment before rising and heading toward a quiet, traditional medicinal food workshop within the clan grounds, run by an elder of the clan.

The Old Workshop Master was a man of few words, an old Uchiha whose craft had been passed down through generations. Seeing the Great Elder arrive in person, he hurriedly bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities. Take a look at this; can you make it?"

Zong Yan handed over the recipe.

The Old Workshop Master adjusted his glasses and studied it carefully, looking up after a moment.

"This seems to be... a Military Ration Pill?"

"Hmm... it seems to be different from the ingredients of a standard Military Ration Pill..."

"However, I have all the materials here, so it shouldn't be difficult to make."

"Then make some."

Zong Yan instructed.

"Please wait a moment."

The Old Workshop Master immediately went to work, weighing, grinding, mixing, and shaping... his movements were skillful and fluid.

About a quarter of an hour later, five black, glossy, and uniformly sized Military Ration Pills were presented on a porcelain dish.

Zong Yan examined them carefully, then frowned.

"It seems... there is really no difference from ordinary Military Ration Pills."

Zong Yan picked one up; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, its surface smooth.

He placed it in his mouth, but the dry, strange taste he expected from a standard Military Ration Pill did not appear.

Instead, it was replaced by a soft, slightly sour and sweet taste with a pleasant aftertaste. The pill was moist and dissolved easily, sliding down his throat without any effort.

"Hmm, the taste has indeed improved quite a bit, making it more suitable for long-term consumption."

Zong Yan nodded slightly, his heart granting initial approval to Xuandou's "improvements," concluding that it primarily enhanced its practicality.

However, a moment later, Zong Yan's expression shifted.

He felt a warm current rise from his abdomen, flowing slowly into his limbs and bones, even alleviating much of the fatigue from his long day.

Immediately following this, the recovery speed of the chakra within his body accelerated as well.

"This...!"

A sharp glint flashed in Zong Yan's eyes.

He certainly knew that in prolonged battles or consecutive missions, slightly faster chakra recovery and better stamina maintenance could sometimes be the difference between life and death!

He looked sharply at the remaining Military Ration Pill on the plate, then raised his eyes to the Old Workshop Master standing respectfully to the side.

In an instant, he fully understood why Xuandou had been so solemn about this.

This was no mere slight improvement!

This was clearly a precious supply capable of influencing a ninja's sustained combat capability!

If it could be equipped on a large scale for the Uchiha elite, the advantage established on the battlefield would be subtle, yet potentially decisive!

The value of its formula might even incite the covetousness of other factions.

"This formula is to be classified as one of the clan's highest secrets!"

Zong Yan's voice carried unquestionable authority as he stared fixedly at the Old Workshop Master.

"You are to be personally responsible for its production. I will arrange for the necessary materials to be procured through trusted channels. The production process must be isolated from outsiders, and the finished products are to be sealed and held for my orders. Do you understand?"

Sensing the unprecedented seriousness of the Great Elder, the Old Workshop Master felt a jolt to his spirit and bowed deeply.

"Yes! This subordinate swears in the name of Uchiha that I will never leak a single detail!"

Nighttime.

Kurenai Yuhi lay in bed, tossing and turning.

Every time she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but recall everything that had happened in the cave that night.

The intertwining of scorching breaths, the words of constant demand...

Every image made her cheeks burn and her heart race.

So much so that even now, recalling it made her legs feel weak.

Xuandou's aggressive, well-built physique was also deeply branded into her mind, impossible to shake off.

Thinking of his rough behavior toward her that night only made her toss and turn even more, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, she remembered Xuandou's words when they parted.

Driven by an inexplicable impulse, she actually got up and began walking toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

At the edge of the Uchiha Clan Grounds stood Xuandou's small, solitary courtyard.

"Knock, knock."

A light tapping sounded at the door.

Xuandou pulled the door open to find Kurenai Yuhi standing outside, looking slightly uneasy.

She seemed to have groomed herself carefully, her long hair draped smoothly over her shoulders.

She wore dark, form-fitting casual clothes designed for movement, which outlined the curves of her slender yet powerful waist.

"Xuandou-kun... I..."

A knowing smile flashed in Xuandou's eyes. Before she could finish, he reached out, pulled her gently into the room, and then slammed the door shut with a "bang," locking it decisively.

The crisp sound of the latch made Kurenai Yuhi's heart skip a beat.

Subconsciously, she took a half-step back, her back pressing against the door panel, her eyes widening.

"You... why are you locking the door?"

Xuandou did not answer immediately; instead, he stepped forward with composure, closing the distance between them.

With a wicked grin, he countered:

"It's so late, why did you come looking for me?"

Kurenai's breathing grew slightly rapid.

She bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.

"Xuandou-kun, I've thought it over."

"I... I am willing to be with you."

The smile on Xuandou's face deepened, as if he had long anticipated this answer.

He leaned down slightly, moving close to her reddened ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin as he spoke in a low voice that only the two of them could hear:

"I knew you would come for me."

"Eh? Why?"

Kurenai Yuhi asked instinctively, her heart rate quickening.

"Because the taste of the forbidden fruit is always unforgettable; it makes one unable to resist... wanting to savor it once more."

Such blunt words caused the tips of Kurenai Yuhi's ears to turn bright red instantly.

Watching her shy yet unable-to-refute, adorable appearance, Xuandou's gaze swept over her chest, which was rising and falling slightly from nervousness.

His hand rose naturally, climbing onto her slender waist.

His hands had already begun to grow restless.

"Mm~ Xuandou, no... don't do this..."

Kurenai's body trembled slightly, pushing back symbolically, yet her voice was so soft it lacked even a shred of strength.

Xuandou's lips were almost pressed against the shell of her ear, his low voice carrying a magnetic quality:

"A senior once taught me that when a girl says no... she actually wants it very much."

Before the words had even faded, he exerted force with his arms, effortlessly sweeping the now-limp Kurenai up into his arms.

Kurenai Yuhi let out a short gasp of surprise, yet her arms couldn't help but wrap around his neck.