Bai Lin said calmly, "Whether it's true or not, you can find someone to test it. But this Hero Water has extremely potent side effects. When ordinary people drink it, it burns through their life force, and they may even have their bodies burst from the strain of the Chakra.
"It's best to be at least Jonin level to use it safely. You can take it when an emergency calls for it."
Don't underestimate Hero Water. Though it wasn't as useful as Bai Lin's Cursed Seal, it was far stronger than ordinary Military Ration Pills. In a pinch, it could instantly replenish someone's Chakra and let them unleash a burst of power to save their life.
At that, the village chief immediately called toward the door, "Someone!"
A Kusagakure Jonin with a steady presence hurried in and bowed. "Chief, what are your orders?"
"Come test the effects of this potion." The chief pointed at the glass bottle in Bai Lin's hand, his voice edged with urgency. "Don't worry, it isn't poison."
"Yes." The Jonin hesitated, but still respectfully stepped forward.
Bai Lin poured the liquid from the thumb-sized glass bottle into the Jonin's mouth.
As soon as he swallowed, an extremely violent surge of Chakra exploded from within him. A powerful wave of Chakra erupted from the Jonin's body.
"This... this is!" The Jonin stared in shock, sensing the amount of Chakra within him.
"I feel like my Chakra has doubled."
Seeing this, the chief and the two elders stared at Bai Lin, their eyes asking: How come this isn't what you told us?
"Heh, this bottle was only for testing. You need a larger quantity to achieve the effect I described. Lord Orochimaru has plenty more."
"They cost 100,000 ryo per bottle. I only brought ten with me. How much money does Kusagakure have? I'll come back every month to trade with you. We have not only Hero Water, but also the ninja tools and Military Ration Pills I mentioned earlier—everything you could need. However, those supplies won't be available for trade until a month from now."
The chief and the two elders exchanged a glance, and both saw the same eager excitement in the other's eyes.
100,000 ryo a bottle! Ten bottles came to one million ryo!
One million ryo wasn't a large sum for Kusagakure. But exchanging it for ten bottles that could replenish a Jonin's Chakra meant that, with enough of them, the village could temporarily field a Kage Level fighter against a powerful enemy. It was an incredible bargain!
"Good! We'll buy them!" The chief agreed without the slightest hesitation. "Ten bottles of this so-called Hero Water, for one million ryo! We'll pay you right now."
The elder on the left quickly chimed in. "That's right! We also want to purchase a large amount of the ninja tools and Military Ration Pills you mentioned! We'll pay the price you quoted, with just a fifty percent markup!"
"Pleasure doing business." Bai Lin's lips curled into a satisfied smile as he laughed inwardly. The fish has taken the bait completely.
Before long, the chief had an attendant bring a million ryo in banknotes and lay them neatly on the table.
[ Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing a transaction. You have received 1 million ryo in spending funds.]
Bai Lin unceremoniously put the banknotes into the System Space, then took out ten identical thumb-sized glass bottles and set them on the table.
"I look forward to working with you again! Please give Lord Orochimaru our regards, young man!" the chief said politely.
"Of course! I won't stay in Kusagakure any longer. From now on, I'll handle the transactions with you personally. This is Lord Orochimaru's arrangement." Bai Lin smiled and announced his departure.
The deal was done, and Bai Lin had no reason to stay in Kusagakure any longer.
He had accomplished all his goals in leaving the village. Though he hadn't found any news about the Uzumaki Clan, he was already very satisfied with the outcome—especially the Hero Water and the trade channel he'd established with Kusagakure.
"My two main objectives in leaving the village are complete, and I've established a trade channel. It's time to head to the battlefield." A sharp glint flashed in Bai Lin's eyes. "Hanzo, Sunagakure... just you wait!"
Bai Lin put the matter out of his mind and sped toward Orochimaru's camp.
[Host: Bai Lin] [Age: 12 (October 21)] [Template: Sasuke Uchiha (Snake Sasuke)] [Kekkei Genkai: Three-Tomoe Sharingan] [Ninjutsu: Cursed Seal, Body Flicker Technique, Lightning Style: Chidori, Chidori Blade, Chidori Current, Kirin...] [Weapons: Kusanagi Sword] [System Space: Hero Water, Shuriken, Kunai, Explosive Tags, Food] [Spending Funds: 21.55 million ryo] [Combat Strength: Elite Jonin]
At the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.
Bai Lin's figure darted through the forest like an arrow loosed from a bow. Some distance behind him, a charred heap marked where a body had burned to ash.
In the space of half a day, he had already encountered three squads of Amegakure patrol ninja. He had swiftly taken them all out with Lightning Release, leaving no survivors.
"Looks like the conflict is getting worse. I've run into three squads of Amegakure ninja in half a day."
"I wonder how things are going on Orochimaru's end."
"I hope Kushina, Mikoto, and Nawaki haven't run into danger. Nothing must happen to them!"
As he drew closer to the camp where Orochimaru was stationed, Bai Lin heard the faint sounds of ninjutsu combat in the distance. Someone was clearly fighting up ahead.
He picked up the pace. Lightning Release Chakra burst beneath his feet, and his body became a streak of blue lightning as he sped toward the source of the noise.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
Just as he emerged from the forest, flames shot into the sky. Four Konoha Ninja were using the Great Fireball Technique to clean up the battlefield.
By the time Bai Lin arrived, the battle was already over. Several Amegakure ninja lay burning on the ground, and the air was thick with smoke and the stench of blood.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
The four Konoha Ninja immediately turned around and took defensive stances. The man in front held a Ninja Blade, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. He pointed the blade toward Bai Lin.
Bai Lin slowly stepped out of the shadows and raised a hand to reveal the Konoha Forehead Protector on his brow. "I'm one of you. Bai Lin, Tsunade's student."
"Bai Lin?"
There were four Konoha Ninja present. After seeing the Forehead Protector on Bai Lin's head, they frowned.
Seeing them frown, Bai Lin couldn't help frowning too.
What was that reaction?
Why were they frowning?
Was something wrong?
"We're the unit responsible for patrolling the perimeter. Those Amegakure ninja tried to ambush us, but we dealt with them."
"Since you're a Konoha Ninja and Tsunade's student, why are you here alone?"
The Ninja Blade wielder at the front looked Bai Lin up and down, his voice carrying a note of scrutiny.
All ninja knew the basic Transformation Technique, so their wariness was only natural.
Once Bai Lin understood, he didn't mind the questioning. He smiled and said, "I had another mission, so I didn't arrive with Lord Orochimaru's unit."
"I've completed the mission and returned to report to Lord Orochimaru."
"I see."
The Ninja Blade wielder's expression relaxed slightly, but he remained wary. "In that case, we'll take you to see Lord Orochimaru. He can verify your identity himself."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other three ninja moved in without drawing attention to themselves, keeping a moderate distance from Bai Lin as they formed a loose encirclement.
It looked like an escort, but also like a precaution. If Bai Lin made any suspicious move, they could immediately attack.
They had never met Bai Lin before, so they had to remain on guard. If any ninja wearing a Konoha Forehead Protector could easily enter the camp, they might as well be treating them like fools.
Bai Lin understood. He didn't resist and replied calmly, "That's only proper. Sorry for the trouble."