Chapter 27

This meant that Akimichi Clan ninja were not particularly strong in the early and middle stages.

Because during those two stages, both their taijutsu and physical fitness were fairly average.

As for the later stages?

Being a ninja meant making a living with your life on the line. Who knew when you might die on a mission? What late stage was there to speak of?

So the moment he heard that the Body-Tempering Pills had such miraculous effects, how could he remain seated?

"If the effects are really that powerful, then they're practically miracle medicine. Even our Yamanaka Clan would benefit greatly. I just wonder if there are any side effects?"

At that moment, Yamanaka Arashi could not help but chime in as well.

Although they relied on Yin Release secret techniques, taijutsu had always been their weakness.

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

As their physical fitness improved faster, their spiritual power would rise along with it, naturally making their Yin Release secret techniques stronger.

"I tested the effects myself. There's no problem at all. Side effects are basically nonexistent. The only limitation is that you can only take one a day."

Nara Shikayama gave them a direct answer.

Akimichi Shigeyama's eyes went wide. "Damn, this stuff really is miracle medicine? Shikayama, put us in touch with him already. We brothers want to buy a large batch!"

Yamanaka Arashi nodded as well, impatience clear in his voice. "That's right, hurry up and let us meet that Uchiha Yan!"

The corner of Nara Shikayama's mouth curled up as he smiled unhurriedly. "I knew you'd react like this, which was why I specifically called you two over."

After a pause, he added, "But you'll have to wait four days. Four days from now, Uchiha Yan will come here to hand over the first batch of medicinal ingredients. We can place our orders with him together then. He'll give me that much face."

"Other than the Uchiha themselves, probably no one will get their hands on this batch before us."

He was confident. During their last meeting, Uchiha Yan had been quite friendly toward him. On top of that, the other party still needed to buy medicinal ingredients from him, so Nara Shikayama was not worried in the slightest.

Akimichi Shigeyama grinned when he heard that. "Then it's settled. We'll leave this to you!"

Yamanaka Arashi clasped his hands. "Sorry to trouble you, Shikayama."

Nara Shikayama waved him off. "Why be so formal? Our three clans are tied together. If there's a good deal like this, how could I leave you out?"

"Hahaha, well said! Brother!"

"Brother!"

Inside the Hokage Office, the Third Hokage held a pipe between his teeth and frowned slightly.

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

His heart skipped a beat. His first thought was that the Uchiha were up to something again—after all, the Nara Clan had always been his staunch loyalists, so he could not help but be suspicious.

But after reading further, the stone in the Third Hokage's heart finally fell away. He breathed a sigh of relief and realized, "Oh, they went to buy medicinal ingredients. And they didn't just approach the Nara Clan—they also asked other medicinal suppliers?"

"Uchiha Yan developed several secret medicines and plans to mass-produce them, then open a shop to sell them?"

"That kid is that confident?"

The Third Hokage did not believe this was mere fooling around. Uchiha Senichi had personally stepped in, which meant they were serious about it.

He narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself, "What exactly is so special about these secret medicines? I need to ask Shikayama about it."

With that thought, the Third Hokage raised a hand. An Anbu ninja instantly appeared before him. He ordered, "Go invite Clan Head Shikayama of the Nara Clan. Tell him I have something to discuss with him."

"Yes!"

The Anbu ninja answered, then flickered and vanished from the spot.

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

He bowed to the Third Hokage. "Lord Hokage, you sent for me?"

The Third Hokage nodded, pointed to the sofa beside him, and said with a smile, "Have a seat."

Once Nara Shikayama sat down, the Third Hokage slowly asked, "I heard Uchiha Yan came to see you a few days ago?"

Nara Shikayama's heart tightened, and he quickly nodded. "Yes. He came to buy a batch of medicinal ingredients and said he would need a long-term supply in the future."

"Also, he left me samples of six secret medicines, saying he planned to open a shop to sell them."

Nara Shikayama lined up six porcelain bottles on the table.

"Lord Hokage, I personally tested them all. Their effects are excellent." As he spoke, he pushed them forward. "I saved one of each for you. Please take a look."

The Third Hokage raised a brow and picked up one of the bottles.

"Oh? Secret medicine?" There was a trace of interest in his tone. "For you to come all this way specifically, this must not be anything ordinary."

"Of course." Nara Shikayama nodded and began introducing them. "This bottle is 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 more bottles.

"This one detoxifies most common poisons, and it works quickly. That one is a specially made soldier pill. It's twice as effective as ordinary ones, and more importantly, it tastes especially good. Shigeyama tried it once and has been thinking about it ever since. He's planning to place a large order."

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

"Lord Hokage, these two are the important ones."

He placed the bottles before the Third Hokage and spoke solemnly.

"These are both called Body-Tempering Pills, and they have the same effect—they can increase taijutsu training efficiency by two to three times."

"One is specifically for children between six and twelve years old, while the other is intended for young and middle-aged people from twelve to fifty."

The Third Hokage's pupils suddenly contracted.

"What?"

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

"Absolutely."

Nara Shikayama's tone was utterly firm.

But inwardly, he began calculating. Judging by the Third Hokage's reaction, he had clearly realized the value of these medicines as well. He needed to sign a long-term agreement with Uchiha Yan as soon as possible, or he might end up waiting forever in line.

There was only so much good stuff to go around. Whoever got it first won.

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

He tucked the two bottles of Body-Tempering Pills into his robes and gave Nara Shikayama a professional smile. "Thank you for making the trip. That will be all."

"Alright."

Nara Shikayama understood immediately and rose to take his leave.

After he left, the Third Hokage took out the two porcelain bottles again, unscrewed their caps, poured out several pills, and carefully sniffed them.

After pondering for a while, he took all six bottles 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 lip. "What wind blew you here?"

That was not something one heard often. The last time the Third Hokage had come to the Ninja Hospital was to talk Uchiha Yan into something.

Recently, Xuan had not been coming around, and the Third Hokage had not bothered to visit either.

He changed faces faster than flipping through a book.

"Take a look at these medicines first."

The Third Hokage could not be bothered to react to Tsunade's attitude. She had always been like this.

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

"Oh?"

Tsunade casually opened each bottle, smelled them one by one, then glanced at the labels affixed to their bodies. She raised a brow. "The medicines are indeed good. The secrecy measures are quite meticulous too, but just from the smell, I can tell they're all top-quality goods."

She looked at the writing on the labels a few more times. "I recognize this handwriting. Xuan 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 face darkened. He said irritably, "What are you thinking? No matter what, I wouldn't steal a child's things."

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

"Looks like Xuan plans to open a shop specifically to sell these medicines."

Tsunade nodded and gave an acknowledging sound.

"That's all?"

Seeing how indifferent she was, the Third Hokage felt somewhat helpless. "Don't you have anything to say?"

"Sure."

Tsunade shrugged. "It's a good idea. The quality of these medicines is solid, so they should make quite a bit of money once they're sold."