Chapter 27

That was why Akimichi Clan ninja were not particularly strong during the early and middle stages.

During those two stages, their taijutsu and physical abilities were only average.

What about the late stage?

Being a ninja was a profession that relied on staying alive. Who knew when they might die on a mission? There was no guarantee they would even reach the late stage.

So when he heard that the Body-Tempering Pills had such miraculous effects, how could he possibly sit still?

"If the medicine is really that potent, then it's practically a divine medicine. It would be greatly beneficial even to our Yamanaka Clan. I just wonder whether it has any side effects?"

At that moment, Yamanaka Arashi could not help but add his opinion.

Although they made their living through Yin Release secret techniques, taijutsu had always been their weak point.

If they could improve their taijutsu, it would not only greatly increase their clansmen's chances of survival.

Their physical abilities would improve rapidly, and their mental strength would rise along with them. Their Yin Release secret techniques would naturally become even stronger.

"I tested the medicine's effects myself. There's not the slightest problem. It basically has no side effects. The only limitation is that you can take just one pill a day."

Nara Shikayama gave them a direct answer.

Akimichi Shigeyama's eyes widened. "**Damn, this stuff really is a divine medicine? Shikayama, hurry up and connect us with him. We want to place a bulk order!"

Yamanaka Arashi nodded along, his voice filled with impatience. "Exactly. Hurry up and let us meet Uchiha Yan!"

The corners of Nara Shikayama's mouth lifted as he smiled leisurely. "I knew you would react like this, which is why I went out of my way to call you here."

He paused, then added, "However, you'll have to wait four days. Four days from now, Uchiha Yan will come here to deliver the first batch of medicinal materials. We can place our orders with him together then. He'll at least give me that much face."

"Other than the Uchiha clan themselves, I doubt anyone else can get their hands on this batch before us."

He was confident. The last time they had met, Uchiha Yan had treated him quite warmly. Besides, Uchiha Yan still had to obtain medicinal materials from him, so Nara Shikayama was in no hurry.

When Akimichi Shigeyama heard this, he grinned. "Then it's settled. I'll leave this matter to you!"

Yamanaka Arashi also cupped his hands. "Sorry for the trouble, Shikayama."

Nara Shikayama waved his hand. "Why are you being so formal? The three of our clans are tied together. How could we leave you out of such a profitable deal?"

"Hahaha, well said, brother!"

"Brother!"

Inside the Hokage Office, the Third Hokage puffed on his pipe and frowned slightly.

He set down the intelligence scroll in his hand and muttered, "That brat Uchiha Senichi took Uchiha Yan to the Nara Clan?"

His heart skipped a beat. His first reaction was that the Uchiha clan was about to cause trouble again. After all, the Nara Clan had always been his staunchest supporter, so he could not help but think too much into it.

But only after reading further did the stone in his heart finally fall. He let out a relieved breath and said in realization, "Oh, so they went to buy medicinal materials. And they didn't just approach the Nara Clan—they also asked other medicinal-material merchants?"

"Uchiha Yan came up with several secret medicines and plans to produce them in bulk, then open a shop to sell them?"

"That boy... He's really that confident?"

The Third Hokage did not believe this was mere fooling around. Uchiha Senichi had personally made a move, which meant they were taking the matter seriously.

He narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "What exactly is special about these secret medicines? I'll have to ask Shikayama about them."

With that thought, the Third Hokage raised a hand and beckoned. An Anbu ninja instantly appeared in front of him. He ordered, "Go invite the Nara Clan's clan head, Shikayama. Tell him I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes!"

The Anbu ninja acknowledged the order, blurred, and vanished from the spot.

Before long, Nara Shikayama pushed open the door and entered the Hokage Office.

He saluted the Third Hokage. "Lord Hokage, you summoned me?"

The Third Hokage nodded and pointed to the sofa beside him, smiling warmly. "Have a seat."

After Nara Shikayama sat down, the Third Hokage leisurely began, "I heard Uchiha Yan visited you a few days ago?"

Nara Shikayama's heart tightened, and he hurriedly nodded. "Yes. He came to buy a batch of medicinal materials from me and said he wanted a long-term supply arrangement in the future."

"In addition, he left me samples of six secret medicines. He said he was planning to open a shop to sell them."

Nara Shikayama lined up the six porcelain bottles on the table.

"Lord Hokage, I personally verified all of them. Their effects are beyond question." As he spoke, he pushed them forward. "I saved one of each for you. Take a look."

The Third Hokage raised his brows and reached for one of the bottles.

"Oh? Secret medicines?" His tone held a hint of interest. "For you to make a special trip here, this stuff must be quite extraordinary, right?"

"Of course." Nara Shikayama nodded and began his introduction. "This bottle contains a hemostatic medicine, and the one beside it heals wounds. Both are fifty percent more effective than the medicines sold on the market."

He paused, then pointed at two other bottles.

"This one is an antidote. It can neutralize most common poisons, and it works quickly. That one contains specially made Military Ration Pills. They're twice as effective as ordinary ones, and the key point is that they taste especially good. Shigeyama tried them once and has been thinking about them ever since. He's already planning to place a bulk order."

After saying that, Nara Shikayama's expression turned serious as he picked up the final two medicine bottles.

"Lord Hokage, these two are the main event."

He placed the bottles in front of the Third Hokage and spoke solemnly.

"Both of these are called Body-Tempering Pills. Their effects are the same—they can increase the efficiency of taijutsu training by two to three times."

"One is specifically for children between six and twelve years old. The other is for young and middle-aged adults over twelve and under fifty."

The Third Hokage's pupils suddenly contracted.

"What?"

He snatched the medicine bottles from Nara Shikayama, his voice changing pitch. "Two to three times? Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

Nara Shikayama's tone was firm and decisive.

But inside, he was already calculating. Judging by the Third Hokage's reaction, he had clearly realized the importance of this batch. They had to sign a long-term agreement with Uchiha Yan as soon as possible, or they would be waiting in line until who knew when.

There was only so much of a good thing to go around. Whoever got there first would get it.

The Third Hokage took a deep breath, his expression turning solemn.

He tucked the two bottles of Body-Tempering Pills into his robes and forced a professional smile at Nara Shikayama. "Thanks for making the trip. I have nothing else for you."

"All right."

Nara Shikayama understood immediately. He rose and took his leave.

After he left, the Third Hokage took out the two porcelain bottles again, twisted open their caps, poured out a few pills, and brought them beneath his nose to smell them carefully.

After pondering for a moment, he took all six bottles of medicine and left the office.

He hurried all the way to the Ninja Hospital and found Tsunade.

Tsunade was busy at work. When she saw the Third Hokage enter, surprise appeared on her face.

"Old man?" She curled her lips. "What brings you here?"

This was unusual. The last time the Third Hokage had come to the Ninja Hospital, it had been to deceive that brat Uchiha Yan.

Recently, Yan had stopped coming, and the Third Hokage could not be bothered to visit again.

He had turned on them faster than one could turn a page.

"Look over these medicines first."

The Third Hokage could not be bothered to explain himself to Tsunade. Her attitude had always been like that anyway.

He placed the six bottles on the table and pushed them toward Tsunade.

"Oh?"

Tsunade casually opened each bottle, smelled them one by one, then glanced at the labels on the bottles. She raised her brows. "The medicines are indeed quite good. The secrecy measures are also fairly meticulous. Still, I can tell from the smell alone that they're all top-quality."

She took another look at the writing on the labels. "I recognize this handwriting. Yan wrote it. So these are new formulas he came up with? How did they end up in your hands?"

Seeing the suspicion in Tsunade's eyes, the Third Hokage's expression darkened. He said irritably, "What are you thinking? No matter what, I wouldn't stoop to snatching a child's things."

"I got these from Shikayama. Yan gave them to him as samples."

"Looks like Yan is planning to open a shop specifically to sell these medicines."

Tsunade nodded and gave a soft "Oh."

"That's all?" Seeing how calm she was, the Third Hokage felt helpless. "You don't plan to say anything?"

"Sure."

Tsunade shrugged. "It's a good idea. These medicines are high quality, so he should be able to make quite a bit of money selling them."