Chapter 28

Xunjing nodded in agreement. "It certainly isn't cheap. It takes huge amounts of Sea King meat and precious medicinal herbs."

"The purification and refining process is especially troublesome, too. In terms of Beli, each bottle costs five million to make."

"If I can improve the extraction methods and production process later, that cost will definitely come down."

"But none of that can be done overnight."

At the moment, he had little experience with manufacturing or modifying machinery.

He simply lacked the expertise to improve the process or set up an advanced production line.

What if I got friendly with Orochimaru and brought him on board?

The idea popped into Xunjing's head.

But on second thought, he rejected it. No, his research skills aren't up to scratch yet.

Besides, he's still fiercely loyal to the Third Generation right now. The timing isn't right.

Maybe I should look for a solution in the Pirate World.

For instance, stealing some technology from Germa 66?

Well, with his current strength, that was beyond him.

In the end, he would still have to rely on his mother.

Mom already has enough on her plate, and there's no rush with this Life Potion.

I'll leave it for later.

Ugh, what I really need is a trustworthy helper who can hold their own in a fight.

Xunjing sighed inwardly.

During his time on Drum Island, Xunjing had almost fully recovered.

Right now, he had no need for valuable things like Life Potions. Once his body had recovered completely, some Nutrient Pills and nutritional supplements would be enough to replenish his energy.

"You're already very lucky."

Dr. Kureha smiled dismissively, a hint of instruction in her voice. "The more powerful a potion is, the harder it is to refine. You understand that, don't you?"

She continued, "You'll be fully recovered in a few more days. But you're still a long way from giving me all the medical books you promised."

"You'll still come by often, won't you?"

Altogether, she had received fewer than two hundred medical books so far. There was still a long way to go.

But even those had already taught her a great deal.

"Of course."

Xunjing smiled and nodded. "Don't worry. Even once I'm better, heading out to sea and wandering around with my current abilities would be asking to die."

"Besides, you still have thousands of medical books here that I haven't read, and I haven't mastered everything you can teach me. How could I possibly stop coming?"

He had long since decided to learn every last thing Dr. Kureha knew.

Not only that, he also wanted to raise her favorability toward him to eighty points.

Her favorability toward him had already risen to seventy-two. Victory was in sight.

Given another few months, he should be able to manage it.

The higher it rose, the slower the gains became.

Still, by discussing medicine more and spending more time together, it would gradually improve.

"Hahahaha!"

Dr. Kureha burst into hearty laughter and pointed at Xunjing. "You've got quite an appetite, kid! Learning all my medical skills won't be so easy. You'd better be prepared to stay here for the long haul!"

With that, she returned to her lounge chair and buried herself in her medical books again.

Several more days passed in a flash.

By now, Xunjing had spent nearly a month on Drum Island in total.

Today, he was finally fully recovered.

The congenital deficiency in his life origin had now been completely replenished.

Thanks to practicing the Life-Nourishing Art every day during this time, along with the nourishment that came once the deficit was filled, his life origin was now far greater than an ordinary person's.

His physique was stronger than that of others his age in the Ninja World by no small margin.

[Uchiha Xunjing]

[Talent]: Space-Time Gate, Heaven Rewards Hard Work

[Lifespan]: 95 years, 7 months, 19 days (life origin: 13.2)

[Chakra nature]: Water, wind, fire, earth, yin, yang

[Skills]: Uchiha Chakra Refinement Technique (1/100, beginner), medical arts (7568/50,000, minor accomplishment), Life-Nourishing Art (5145/10,000, major accomplishment), Uchiha Meditation Method (456/1000, proficient), Basic Body Technique (342/500, practiced)

Haha! I'm finally healthy again! My lifespan has even passed ninety-five years. If I keep practicing the Life-Nourishing Art, it probably won't take long to break a hundred, right?

Xunjing glanced at his attribute panel and finally felt much more at ease.

He had truly worked himself to the bone over the past month to get his body into shape.

Next, I can officially start training my chakra. Ninjutsu, taijutsu, Six Powers, haki-I'll work all of them into my schedule.

Of course, many things couldn't be rushed.

For things like Six Powers and haki, he would have to see whether his body could handle them, develop a plan step by step, and make gradual progress.

He also had to control how much chakra he refined each day. Even with Nutrient Pills and Nutritional Potions to support him, he couldn't just train himself into the ground.

Huh? I've actually awakened a yang nature? That's an unexpected bonus.

Looks like learning Medical Ninjutsu and Yang Release will be much easier in the future.

This probably has something to do with all the Sea King meat I've been eating lately, right? It's replenished my vitality, strengthened my physique, and even boosted my life origin.

Xunjing pondered it inwardly.

Whatever the case, he had come out ahead.

Now I'm only missing lightning to complete the full set of natures. Maybe eating the Rumble-Rumble Fruit would take care of that directly?

He couldn't help letting his imagination run wild.

But one question still troubled him-should he really eat a Devil Fruit and saddle himself with a weakness?

Although seawater in the Ninja World wouldn't trigger that weakness, and only seawater from the Pirate World would have an effect.

He would definitely be heading to the Pirate World to stir things up in the future, though, so he couldn't simply ignore that weakness.

I wonder if there's a way to get rid of it?

Forget it. I'll think about that later.

Unable to reach a conclusion, Xunjing simply put the matter aside for now.

He called Mikoto over, said goodbye to Dr. Kureha, and teleported straight home to the Ninja World with her.

Uchiha Chisato was already waiting at home.

Seeing them return, she smiled. "You're back? Any later and I would've gone to pick you up."

"Xunjing, are you completely better? Let Mom take a look."

As she spoke, she stood and walked over, placing a hand on Xunjing's shoulder. She sent her mental energy and chakra into his body together, carefully examining him.

Only after confirming that there were no problems, and even sensing that Xunjing's life origin was considerably stronger than an ordinary person's, did she withdraw her hand in relief. She smiled and stroked his head.

"Wonderful! You're finally all right!"

"I've been waiting so long for this day."

She was overjoyed.

The greatest weight on her heart had finally lifted.

Xunjing grinned too. "Sorry for making you worry, Mom. Things will only get better from now on."

"Now I can officially start training and getting stronger, too."

"Yes." Jiri nodded firmly.

Uchiha Chisato smiled and nodded. "All right, let's fill our stomachs first. We still have an appointment with the Senju later."

She beckoned Xunjing and Mikoto to sit at the dining table. As they ate, she turned to Mikoto and asked, "Do you have classes today?"

"Nope!"

Mikoto answered readily, then added, "But I promised to go shopping with Kushina. Auntie, if you're going to the Senju compound, we can head over together."

As Kushina's best friend, she naturally knew that Kushina lived on the Senju Clan's grounds.

"Oh?"

Uchiha Chisato raised an eyebrow slightly. "Uzumaki Kushina? I've heard of her. Keep getting along with her. You can't go wrong there."

That was what she said, but she knew full well that, given the current situation, Kushina probably wouldn't become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki anytime soon.

If today's deal went through, Uzumaki Mito would be able to live for many more years.

The Uzumaki Clan was naturally long-lived; the Nine-Tails had simply worn her body down. As long as Mito's health problems were cured, much of her lifespan would naturally be restored.

"Mm-hmm! I know! Kushina's really nice!"