Chapter 23

Uchiha Chisato personally screened a batch of candidates, taking particular note of a Genin named Might Duy. Xunjing had mentioned that name, so she checked him off as well.

Uchiha Chisato handed the list to the Third Elder and gave him a few instructions. "These are my picks. Fill the remaining spots as you see fit."

"Remember, include more civilians and members of small and medium-sized ninja clans."

"Try to make sure more of the smaller clans get a share of the spots."

"This is a good opportunity for us to build closer ties with those small and medium-sized clans, as well as ordinary ninja."

"Don't mess it up."

It never hurt to prepare in advance.

"Understood!"

The Third Elder took the list and immediately agreed.

Only then did Uchiha Chisato turn and leave.

Early the next morning, the roster for the Third Battalion was posted.

The patrol assignments and the Police Force's new rules and regulations were announced at the same time.

Everyone selected was beaming.

Those who hadn't made the cut could only sigh and accept it.

After returning home from the Police Department that day, Uchiha Chisato left a Shadow Clone in the house and went to the Pirate World herself to find Xunjing.

She gave him a full account of her arrangements and progress over the past few days.

"Is there anything you'd like to add, or anything you think is wrong?"

"Oh, and when I was choosing people from outside the clan, I made a point of selecting that Might Duy fellow."

"I remember you saying he had good character and a real talent for Taijutsu. He'd be ideal to train as muscle, right?"

Uchiha Chisato asked.

"No, Mom, you've already covered everything."

"In a word, awesome!"

Xunjing smiled and gave her a thumbs-up before continuing, "As for Might Duy, this is enough for now."

"Later, we can find opportunities to do him a few favors, help get his body into shape, and give him some resources for physical training."

"Once I've fully recovered and shifted my focus back to the village, I'll handle those things personally."

"That way, I can build up his goodwill toward me more effectively."

"With someone like him, I'll only feel comfortable pouring resources into him once he's signed a contract with me."

"When that happens, we might as well bring him to the Pirate World and use the resources here to speed up his Taijutsu training."

"With his talent and drive, he'll probably reach Kage Level or even higher in just a few years."

The environment in the Pirate World was practically tailor-made for a Taijutsu prodigy like Might Duy.

"All right, we'll do it your way."

Uchiha Chisato nodded and said nothing more.

Then something occurred to her, and she spoke again. "Oh, right. The clan's reforms have been burning through money lately. We need to find new sources of income soon."

"We can't count on Sky Island for now, so get those Nutrient Pills ready as soon as you can."

"Keep their potency down. Stop at thirty percent stronger than the clan's best Military Rations Pills formula."

"And use the conditioning formula Dr. Kureha gave you to make a weakened version with just ten percent of the original effect."

"We can sell both of those. What do you think?"

"Sure."

Uchiha Xunjing nodded, his tone confident. "Easy enough. I should have them ready by the day after tomorrow."

"And not just those two. Dr. Kureha is also working on the Super Nutritional Potion and the Body-Tempering Potion. They're almost finished."

"Once those are done, I'll make an extremely diluted version of each and put them up for sale too."

"Don't worry. There'll be no shortage of buyers."

As for whether medicine and pharmaceuticals in the Naruto World were advanced, they certainly had their strengths.

But in other respects, they really were backward.

The gaps were especially glaring when it came to medicinal pills and potions.

"That's a good idea."

Uchiha Chisato's eyes lit up.

Both products were sure to be in high demand.

They could make money without worrying about strengthening their enemies.

"Oh, and I'm planning to speak with Uzumaki Mito soon. I want to find a way to ally with her so we can keep Hiruzen Sarutobi's faction in check."

"Can you make a gentler potion that replenishes vitality?"

"If you can, how long would it take?"

"Replenishes vitality?"

Uchiha Xunjing rubbed his chin in thought. "Actually, the Conditioning Medicine we're taking, Sea King meat, and the Nutrient Pills and Super Nutritional Potion we're working on all have that effect."

"But Uzumaki Mito's situation is different. I'll need to examine her in person before I can give you a definite answer and a specific treatment plan."

"If nothing else works, highly concentrated Nutrient Pills made from Sea King meat will definitely do the job. She'd just need to take quite a lot."

Although he had fragments of memories from his previous life, he couldn't rely entirely on them to assess a Jinchuriki's unusual constitution.

"I see..."

Uchiha Chisato considered it for a moment, then decided. "All right. You'll come with me to meet her when the time comes."

"Let's set a date once you're fully recovered. How does that sound?"

Only then would their offer be convincing enough.

Otherwise, if Xunjing still looked sickly himself, who would believe he could solve Uzumaki Mito's problem?

That would make the negotiations twice as difficult.

For now, she only wanted to win Uzumaki Mito over while revealing as few of Xunjing's trump cards as possible.

As for letting Xunjing demonstrate his medical abilities, that wasn't a bad thing.

"Who knows? You might even get the chance to learn Tsunade's entire repertoire of medicine and Medical Ninjutsu."

Uchiha Chisato winked at Xunjing, amusement in her voice.

"Heh, I was thinking the same thing!"

Uchiha Xunjing grinned. "All right, we'll add that to our terms."

"I've really had my eye on the Ninja World's medical techniques, especially Tsunade's specialties."

"If I can combine the medical knowledge from both worlds, I can take my own skills a step further and gain something tangible."

"Besides, I might even use this opportunity to become Tsunade's apprentice and get closer to her circle."

"That would give me a connection to the Senju Clan."

"And I could establish myself as part of the Hokage's inner circle in the meantime. That would make getting around and getting things done in the village much easier."

"It would also mean fewer obstacles if I want to compete for the Hokage position and take control of Konoha someday."

Hmm, who knows? I might even have a chance to win Tsunade herself over completely.

"Tsk, tsk. You little rascal. You're up to no good, aren't you?"

Noticing the expression on his face, Uchiha Chisato teased him with a smile.

"Ahem! Of course not!"

Xunjing hurriedly reined in his thoughts and waved both hands in denial, forcibly steering the conversation elsewhere. "Ma, just tell me. Will this plan work?"

"Ma?"

At this new form of address, Uchiha Chisato's eyebrows twitched. Then she furrowed her brow, reached out, pinched both of Xunjing's cheeks, and pulled them apart.

Her words were soft as could be, but her tone sent a chill down his spine. "Oh my, so Mommy already looks that old to you? Sigh... I suppose little Xunjing doesn't love Mommy anymore. He's tired of her."

"Mmph..."

Xunjing shuddered and hurriedly waved his hands, scrambling to defend himself. "N-no, that's not true!" His voice cracked. "I swear! Mom, you'll always be young and beautiful. I was wrong..."

Please let me off!

All Xunjing could do now was sigh inwardly. Sure enough, every woman cares about her age and looks.

The old saying really hadn't lied.

"Hmph. At least you know what's good for you. I'll let you off this time, but you won't get off so easily next time, Xunjing-chan."

Only after hearing that did Uchiha Chisato release him, delivering a smiling warning.

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Rubbing his reddened cheeks, Xunjing nodded repeatedly and promised, "I won't do it again. Really!"

"All right."

Uchiha Chisato waved a hand in satisfaction. "Then it's settled. Try to get the medicine for Uzumaki Mito ready before you've fully recovered."

"That way, we'll have a bargaining chip in hand."