Four billion ryo, plus ten Second-Grade Secret Medicine pills and ten Third-Grade Secret Medicine pills, as well as three Fourth-Grade Secret Medicine pills.
This is the price that Uchiha Yoichi has to pay after negotiations, and the corpse of the Exotic Beast and that glowing orb are now his.
It's about the same price as trading a Storage Ring in Konoha, although the Exotic Beast corpse seems worthless, the Hidden Rock Ninjas still want to recoup some costs.
The Hidden Rock Ninjas have been researching for over ten days, but the danger level of studying this Exotic Beast corpse is quite high, being careless could lead to poisoning, which is part of the reason Kurotsuchi wants to get rid of it quickly.
Except for those with a strong curiosity, probably no one would like this toxic Exotic Beast corpse.
As for that orb, the Hidden Rock Ninjas are at a loss, if not for Onoki's advanced age, fearing he wouldn't control the Dust Release well, Kurotsuchi would have asked Onoki to come out and use Dust Release to open an opening in this glowing orb.
There's another Exotic Beast, but Kurotsuchi didn't take Uchiha Yoichi to see it, when Uchiha Yoichi asked, she just made excuses; seeing the situation, Uchiha Yoichi realized the other Exotic Beast might be different from this one, the Hidden Rock Ninjas likely can research many good things from that Exotic Beast.
Time has progressed to the seventy-seventh year in Konoha, and the technological level of the Five Great Ninja Villages is high, especially in military applications. The Hidden Rock Village, though not flashy, can easily create battle-use Artificial People if they exert effort.
Under the gaze of Kurotsuchi and the other ninjas, Uchiha Yoichi used a Storage Ring to take away the corpse of the Exotic Beast and the glowing orb and planned to leave.
Upon hearing that Uchiha Yoichi intended to leave, Kurotsuchi immediately persuaded, "Mr. Yoichi, there are many places in the Hidden Rock Village you haven't been, some of which in a way are not inferior to Konoha, why not stay a bit longer here?"
Uchiha Yoichi shook his head and said, "No need, Tsuchikage, I trust my judgment. Moreover, there are more high-quality women in Konoha than in Hidden Rock Village. At this age, I'm also looking for a better half… In Hidden Rock Village, there's only Tsuchikage, so it's not worth it."
The Hidden Rock Ninjas beside Kurotsuchi thought Uchiha Yoichi was teasing their Tsuchikage and angrily said, "Hey, you…"
But before finishing, Kurotsuchi waved her hand to stop the ninja from speaking, then smiled at Uchiha Yoichi, "If Mr. Yoichi is sincere, I might consider giving Mr. Yoichi a chance…"
"Heh…"
Uchiha Yoichi chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Forget it, if there's nothing else, I'll go back tomorrow, Tsuchikage."
Give him a chance? Who does Uchiha Yoichi think he is?
He's tasted both the Princess of Sand and Konoha's Kosumosu, and there are still many unexplored wives within Konoha. Although Kurotsuchi is nice, most points are concentrated on her legs, not worth Uchiha Yoichi's attention.
In other words, not worth it; he'd rather spend his thoughts on Haruno Sakura, at least her beauty and charm are top-notch.
Besides, it's always been him hooking other women, when has it been a woman's turn to hook him?
Uchiha Yoichi left directly, not caring about Kurotsuchi's words to stay.
"Mr. Yoichi, wait…"
After walking a distance, Uchiha Yoichi suddenly heard a familiar voice, turning his head to see pink hair; although he had noticed Haruno Sakura long before, Uchiha Yoichi still feigned surprise as if just seeing her, "Sakura, how did you come from behind, were you there just now?"
"I've been here since yesterday, no one is better than me at dealing with toxins, so the Hidden Rock Village invited me to help… But Mr. Yoichi, that ring just now, shouldn't it be the one the village traded to you last time."
Haruno Sakura glanced at the ring on Uchiha Yoichi's hand and tested him.
Uchiha Yoichi displayed it and said, "Correct, when spiritual power is high enough, you find the usefulness of this ring, you can freely put and take items."
He has many good things in his own Storage Ring, he can't let the Exotic Beast corpse stain it, so he used that empty ring.
"Eh, looks pretty magical… But Mr. Yoichi, what did the Fourth Generation Tsuchikage say to you just now?"
Haruno Sakura merely looked at the Storage Ring, then shifted her focus elsewhere; though convenient to store items, ninjas also have Storage Scrolls, and even the Six Paths Magical Artifact that can store many items, so the Storage Ring doesn't seem important to her.
"Mostly wanted me to stay in the Hidden Rock Village, but I declined by using the marriage excuse. However, Tsuchikage is willing to give me a chance… I'll go back to Konoha tomorrow, if I don't return soon, other ninja villages might come looking, bothersome…"
Uchiha Yoichi told Haruno Sakura, "Sakura, when I leave, if someone comes looking, please inform them to find me in Konoha."
"Eh? Oh, alright…"
Haruno Sakura was momentarily stunned, then quickly agreed.
Upon hearing Uchiha Yoichi wasn't intending to leave Konoha, Haruno Sakura relaxed slightly, as long as he doesn't join another ninja village, it's fine. A Yin Yang Master skilled in creating secret medicine with many untapped abilities joining another ninja village would be a loss for Konoha.
"...but is he not leaving Konoha because of Ino?"
Haruno Sakura suddenly thought of this possibility, then recalled the strange dreams she often had before, the powerful thrusts of the waist, Yamanaka Ino screaming sharply, and the most primal blending... Once even beside her.
"No, no, it's just a dream, only a dream…"
Haruno Sakura's face flushed, she quickly shook her head to dismiss the images in her mind, during the dream period, she got up every morning to wash her underwear, it's really unbearable.
————————————
Konoha Ninja Village
Uchiha Yoichi quickly returned. He left at great speed, and as anticipated, shortly after his departure, several other ninja villages sent people looking for him. But Sakura helped relay his message.
If they want to buy secret medicine, come to Konoha to find him.
Not long after his return, Uchiha Yoichi went to Yamanaka Flower Shop, where he sensed that Yamanaka Ino happened to be today.
With gifts in hand, Uchiha Yoichi headed to Yamanaka Flower Shop and arrived there shortly.
Inside the shop, a shapely blonde lady was arranging flowers. Yet compared to the brightly blooming flowers beside her, the well-nourished kosumosu was more eye-catching.
"Boss, I'd like to buy a kosumosu!"
"Kosumosu... Yoichi."
Yamanaka Ino turned to see Uchiha Yoichi. Although her tone was reproachful, a sense of joy from a long-awaited encounter welled up inside her.
"I wasn't wrong. Among all these flowers, my favorite is the kosumosu, full of personality, and is the most charming flower in Konoha..."
As Uchiha Yoichi spoke, he took out gifts randomly bought from Hidden Rock Village, placed them on the table, and continued, "A gift from Hidden Rock Village, although just a stone sculpture, this small vase seems perfect for you, Lady Ino."
"I, I really like it…"
Yamanaka Ino blushed with a lover's shyness as she grasped the stone vase like it was the most cherished treasure, "Mr. Yoichi, you..."
"Mom, I'm back."
Just as Yamanaka Ino was about to say something, Yamanaka Ijin's voice suddenly came from outside and quickly walked in.
Upon entering and seeing Uchiha Yoichi, Yamanaka Ijin was surprised and said, "You... why are you here..."
Uchiha Yoichi smiled and said, "Just keeping an eye on you, Ijin. Last time, the Recovery Pill I gave you should not be consumed excessively; one pill at a time is enough."
"Wasn't there just one pill..."
Before Yamanaka Ijin finished speaking, he saw another bottle of medicine placed in his hand.
"There are five pills inside, which can be preserved for a long time. Consider it a second meeting gift, Ijin."
After Uchiha Yoichi finished speaking, he looked at Yamanaka Ino and said, "I'm heading back now, Ino."
"Take care, Mr. Yoichi."
With her son beside her, Yamanaka Ino had to suppress her affectionate feelings.
However, after Uchiha Yoichi left, Yamanaka Ino immediately stopped Yamanaka Ijin, who wanted to leave, and asked coldly, "Explain, Ijin, when did you go looking for Mr. Yoichi, and what was the purpose?"
"Mom... let me explain...."
Yamanaka Ijin swallowed hard but was cornered in the flower shop and couldn't escape.
Eventually, he had to honestly recount the events from last time, including the suggestion by Nara Shikatai.
Upon hearing this, Yamanaka Ino sighed inwardly. She realized she somewhat overlooked Ijin's thoughts. Her impulsive questioning made Ijin uneasy.
But whereas last time was impulsive, today, Yamanaka Ino's thoughts were well-considered. Over two days, she repeatedly reflected, even asking her heart in the dead of night, finally confirming that her feelings for Sai had come to an end.
Yamanaka Ino gently touched Ijin's head and said, "Ijin, don't meddle in adult matters. You'll understand when you grow up."
".... Mom, what about this?"
Though Ijin still wanted to know, he realized he wouldn't get an answer today, so he asked about the pill bottle he received earlier.
Yamanaka Ino glanced and said, "Since it's given to you, you can keep it. It's a Recovery Pill, a secret medicine only he can craft, and one pill costs at least several hundred thousand ryo."
"A pill costing several hundred thousand ryo?"
Yamanaka Ijin swallowed and then carefully tucked the bottle into his pocket, planning to store it in another box at home for safekeeping—his most valuable meeting gift.
Meanwhile
Leaving Yamanaka Flower Shop, Uchiha Yoichi happened to encounter another familiar person on his way back and approached them.
As he passed by, Uchiha Yoichi spoke softly, "Lady Temari, remember I mentioned taking a leave; I'll wait for you outside Konoha the day after tomorrow...."