Testing the Medicines

"These are medical supplies-and medicines too?"

Bandages, wound dressings, and the like were fairly easy to recognize, but the capsules and granular medicines were harder to identify, as were some of the sprays.

They all came with instructions, though, so the ninja in the tent picked them up to read them carefully. Everyone present was an elite Jonin with a say in battlefield decisions.

Tsunade explained to those who had not gotten any medicines to examine, "These are all emergency medicines we can use on the battlefield. They can stop bleeding, reduce inflammation, bring down fevers, and more. With these medicines, we can greatly ease our shortage of Medical Ninjas. Combined with some simple emergency suturing techniques, they could cut our current casualty rate severalfold!"

The Jonin from the Nara Clan asked, "Do these medicines really work as well as the instructions say?"

"We're not sure yet. These are all samples for us to try. If they work as described, I recommend buying them in bulk. Otherwise, with our current number of Medical Ninjas, the wounded in camp..."

Tsunade did not finish, but everyone in the tent knew what she meant. Lately, the Medical Ninjas in camp had been working almost nonstop, treating patients as soon as they recovered enough to do so. They exhausted their chakra every day, yet many wounded still died because they could not receive treatment in time.

Quite a few of those were ninja from Ninja Clans. If these medicines really worked as described, far fewer wounded would have to go without timely treatment.

Shimura Danzō asked in a low voice, "What is that man's background?"

"I don't know. He said he came from the United States, across the sea, but who knows what's on the other side of the ocean? Besides, there's no way another Ninja Village developed these medicines. If they had, Konoha couldn't possibly have heard nothing about them."

Tsunade shook her head at his question, then continued, "Still, he seems to have some way of escaping danger. He isn't carrying many medicines, and he isn't a ninja. He really does seem like someone looking for people to trade with."

"He appeared near a battlefield out of nowhere. What ordinary merchant would do something so foolish? Jonin Yamanaka Ryo..."

Before Danzo could finish, Orochimaru interrupted from beside him, speaking with a smile.

"Lord Danzo, I would advise against that. This man is clearly only testing the waters. He probably doesn't carry many secrets himself. Besides, he appeared in the Land of Rain and only ran into us because of three children. If you act against him and fail to uncover any secrets, Amegakure may be the one to benefit."

The other Jonin fell into thought after hearing Orochimaru's words, then realized that he did indeed have a point.

Their priority now should be testing the medicines. If they really worked as claimed, Konoha should buy them in bulk. That would save many ninja lives.

They should not be fixating on the man's origins and background. His background certainly warranted attention, but it was less important than these medicines.

If Amegakure acquired the same medicines and logistical supplies, the war might well continue, and Konoha could very easily go from victor to loser.

Danzo also thought of the Rain Ninja, who had only just conceded defeat. If they really went after this man and drove the people behind him to approach the Rain Ninja, it would change the course of the war.

"Tsunade, first go verify how well these medicines work. If they work as described, then..."

"Then we'll send the report and the list to Teacher Sarutobi and the other two elders. After all, we need their approval to make a bulk purchase. Besides, this list doesn't just include medicines. There's food and other supplies too."

Tsunade cut in first. Her answer was entirely reasonable, but it still angered Shimura Danzō a little. He had no grounds to object, though, because this was the logistics department's responsibility in the first place.

"That will be all. Meeting adjourned."

After Shimura Danzō finished speaking, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the other ninja left the tent. Once outside, Tsunade felt thoroughly refreshed. Seeing Shimura Danzō forced to swallow his frustration always cheered her up.

"Orochimaru, what are you planning to do next?"

Orochimaru thought for a moment, then said, "Unless something unexpected happens, I'll probably be sent to deal with the Sand Ninja."

Thinking of her younger brother, Tsunade asked, "I'll probably have to stay in camp a little longer. Orochimaru, when you get back, will you become Nawaki's instructor? He's always wanted to be your student."

"If he can pass my test. Still, he didn't choose Jiraiya, so he's already more than halfway there when it comes to judgment."

By saying that, Orochimaru had essentially agreed.

Tsunade then returned to her own tent and told Karn, "Everything's settled. If the medicines work as described, Konoha will buy them in bulk. You don't mind waiting a while, do you?"

"Of course not. Inspecting the goods is a necessary part of any transaction."

Karn shrugged as he spoke. Things had gone very smoothly so far. Next, he only needed to steadily build up his influence in the Hokage Universe, acquire businesses and property, secure a legitimate public identity, and develop an armed force of his own along the way.

He also needed to gather some precious metal resources. Buying medicines in bulk required money, after all, and his stock market earnings would hardly be enough to sustain his trade in supplies between two worlds.

Perhaps Karn would have to establish some front companies in other countries. Once he returned, he would need to hire a professional private attorney, or the issue of heavy metals would be difficult to resolve.

Perhaps he could also commission Tsunade to develop drugs for illnesses his own world could not cure. Given how much Medical Ninjas knew about the human body, they might be able to develop such medicines.

If that worked, Karn would make a fortune. With the advanced Medical Ninjutsu of the Hokage Universe, he could establish a pharmaceutical giant in the Marvel Universe.

A few decades later, biotechnology in the Hokage Universe would be advanced enough to create human clones. If Karn made a deliberate effort to push it forward, his idea really could become reality ahead of time.

The medical camp

The camp was filled with wounded. Even though Konoha had defeated the Rain Ninja in the battle, its own casualties had been considerable. Most importantly, there were only eight Medical Ninjas for more than two hundred wounded.

Konoha had been founded only a little over thirty years ago, and Konoha Hospital had been established under the Second Hokage. In the past, Konoha had prioritized resources for the ANBU, the Ninja Academy, and similar institutions, leaving too little to train personnel for Konoha Hospital. Apart from the Medical Ninjas who remained in Konoha, two squads of Medical Ninjas had also been sent to the battlefield in the Land of Grass. Even knowing how heavy the casualties were on the Land of Rain front, Konoha had no one else to send.

That was why Tsunade had taken Karn's medicines so seriously when she learned about them.

Karn was now in the medical camp as well. After helping stitch up the wounds of three patients and applying medicine, he walked out with a slight frown.

After washing the blood from his hands, Karn took a deep breath. Then, expressionless, he said to Tsunade as she came up beside him, "You've more or less verified how well the medicines work now, haven't you, Tsunade-san? Let me repeat myself: I'm a merchant, not a doctor."