Materials

"Alright, you'll be back to normal in three days at most."

It took Shita Genichi ten minutes to treat Uchiha Namiichi's wounds.

"Thanks."

Uchiha Namiichi got off the bed and moved around; although his side still ached, it no longer hindered his mobility.

Shita Genichi cautioned, "Stay away from training and combat for the next few days."

"Don't worry. The enemy suffered heavy losses this time; they shouldn't be back anytime soon."

Uchiha Namiichi nodded.

The two stepped outside and saw Hatake Sakumo and the others returning.

As the Shadow Clone dissipated, Yamanaka En and Yamanaka Jing took the captives away for interrogation, while Hatake Sakumo gathered the rest in his room.

Everyone took their seats.

Hatake Sakumo said, "Everyone performed brilliantly on this mission. We successfully thwarted the enemy's assault and wiped them out entirely."

"However, even though we likely won't face such attacks in the near future, we must not let our guard down."

"I will speak with the mine manager and request reinforcements from the village."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Hatake Sakumo continued, "Rest for an hour, then split into two groups to reset the traps."

"Understood!"

The group responded in unison.

After being dismissed, Shita Genichi didn't go to rest; instead, he followed Hatake Sakumo to the interrogation room.

At that moment, Yamanaka En and his partner were working together to infiltrate the Mist Ninja's mind to extract information.

In this regard, the Yamanaka Clan had always been the best.

After waiting a moment, the two finished their intrusion.

"Captain Sakumo, we couldn't find any information on the employer. This guy likely doesn't know."

Hatake Sakumo nodded, unsurprised. "Good work."

"Any other findings?"

Yamanaka En looked at Shita Genichi and smiled. "We got the hand seal sequences for a few Water Release ninjutsu and some Ice Release secret techniques. But to get more, we can't rely on just us; we'll need to send this guy back to the village."

Shita Genichi's eyes lit up. "Water Release is useful to me. As for the Ice Release, you need to possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai for the secret techniques to be of any use."

That Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death from earlier was quite impressive.

Even if just having the hand seal sequence didn't guarantee he could learn it, he was confident in his talent for Water Release.

Hatake Sakumo said, "Keep him for now; we'll send him back to the village when the time comes."

Yamanaka Jing added, "Perhaps the Mist Ninja will come to rescue him."

Shita Genichi remarked, "It might not be a rescue; it could be an assassination."

Hatake Sakumo agreed, "Jing is right. Whether they come to save him or kill him, everyone must remain vigilant."

He turned to Shita Genichi. "Genichi, can you seal his chakra?"

Shita Genichi nodded. "I can."

The Evil Sealing Method could be used to seal an enemy's chakra.

Hatake Sakumo nodded. "Then you handle the sealing, Genichi. We can leave the guarding to the samurai at the mine."

Their manpower was limited; they couldn't spare anyone to watch the prisoner, and they didn't have enough sedatives to go around.

With the arrangements made, Hatake Sakumo and the others left.

Shita Genichi first applied the Evil Sealing Method to the captive, then returned to his room to grab his backpack before heading back to the prisoner's room.

Opening the bag, Shita Genichi took out a small sealing scroll, unrolled it, and pressed his hand down, causing a variety of medical instruments to appear.

Syringes for blood, needles for bone marrow, containers for preservation... everything was there.

Ever since he started thinking about conducting experiments and cell transplantation, Shita Genichi had prepared these items, carrying them in his backpack on every mission with the supplies sealed inside the scroll.

Now, they were finally being put to use.

An Ice Release Kekkei Genkai ninja was worth harvesting.

He started with blood, performing a maximum extraction—as long as the subject didn't die.

Next came the bone marrow, extracted directly from the spine.

Everything was then sealed into the scroll, as that was the only way to preserve them long-term.

Once finished, Shita Genichi shouldered his backpack and left.

The next two days passed without incident.

On the third day, two squads arrived from Konoha.

Shita Genichi and his team felt a sudden sense of relief.

On this same day, Shita Genichi drew more blood from the captive.

The more, the better.

Once this guy was taken back to Konoha, he would no longer be available for his experiments.

Three days later, another squad arrived from Konoha.

They were all wearing masks.

Anbu!

"It's Root!"

Yamanaka En whispered in Shita Genichi's ear.

Danzo's men...

Shita Genichi narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched them take the captive away.

Fortunately, he had drawn blood three times and gathered plenty of samples; otherwise, he would have been heartbroken, especially since the person was being taken by Danzo.

Mine!

It's mine!

Regrettably, Shita Genichi could only watch as the Root members led the captive away.

"Rest assured, the Hokage will not forget your contributions."

"You can start thinking about which ninjutsu you want to choose now."

Hatake Sakumo patted Shita Genichi on the shoulder.

Shita Genichi smiled: "I've already decided."

Water Severing Wave was his first choice.

He needed a sharp, offensive Water Release that could achieve a one-hit kill.

Time flew by, and three months had passed.

Before they knew it, half a month had gone by since the start of this mission.

On this day, Shita Genichi and the others packed their gear and left the mine.

Yes, the mission had finally ended.

On the third day.

Shita Genichi and the others returned to Konoha.

"Finally back!"

Yamanaka En stretched and laughed: "How about we all go soak in a hot spring?"

Shita Genichi raised his hand: "Count me in."

"Sakumo-sensei, Namiichi, Shinnosuke-senpai, why don't we all go together!"

Everyone turned to look at Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo smiled: "Sure, let's meet at Hot Spring Street in an hour."

Everyone laughed: "Yes!"

Hatake Sakumo waved his hand: "Then, dismissed!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Figures vanished from the spot.

Hatake Sakumo also set off immediately for the Hokage Building.

As the captain, he needed to submit the mission report and brief the Hokage.

Back home, Shita Genichi took a quick shower and filled his stomach before slowly making his way to Hot Spring Street.

However, upon arriving, he discovered that Uchiha Namiichi had actually arrived first.

After exchanging greetings, Uchiha Namiichi asked: "Genichi, the Chunin Exams are in about two months. Do you plan on participating?"

Chunin Exams?

Shita Genichi raised an eyebrow slightly, thought for a moment, and said: "If possible, of course I plan to participate."

"But, what format will the Chunin Exams take?"

Uchiha Namiichi said: "Usually, the entire squad participates. There's a written exam, team battles, and individual matches."

Shita Genichi nodded: "But, Namiichi, you and En are already Chunin. Does that mean I have to form a temporary team with others?"

"Of course not."

It wasn't Uchiha Namiichi who spoke, but Yamanaka En.

This guy landed beside Shita Genichi, slung an arm around the latter's shoulder, and laughed, "Namiichi and I will just accompany you when the time comes."

Shita Genichi asked, "Wouldn't that... be unfair?"

Yamanaka En chuckled, "Not at all."

"Whether you are promoted depends primarily on your performance, not purely on the outcome of the matches."

Shita Genichi had an epiphany.

No wonder Kakashi was promoted to Chunin at seven, yet participated in the Chunin Exams again a few years later alongside Uchiha Obito and the others.

If it's this year, Kakashi should be participating as well.