"Tsk, tsk. With talent like yours—if I weren't that much older than you, I'd want to marry you myself."
"If it were Sensei, I'd definitely agree!"
"Pfft! Don't talk nonsense."
Kitayama Xu hadn't expected this brat to answer her so straightforwardly. Her ears flushed red, and she couldn't help but swat Chiba lightly on the head.
"Your formula's really made a name for itself this time. Oh right—quite a few clans sent people to quietly ask whether you've got a better version. What do you think?"
"Sensei, you and the others can decide. I won't interfere—as long as I don't miss out on my share of the benefits."
Chiba smiled faintly.
Kitayama Xu let out a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. "Alright then, I'll help you submit it. The Hokage will make the final decision."
"Though, there is one thing," Chiba said.
He explained the situation outside—the long line of people waiting—and then added, "The queue's gotten so long it's spilling into the street. It doesn't look good, and it's wasting their time too. Why not issue numbered tickets instead? They can just come buy it when it's their turn."
"Hmm… that's a good idea."
Kitayama Xu thought for a moment, realizing the merit of his plan.
She nodded and added, "Since our production is limited right now, we can stop distributing tickets once a certain number's reached. That way, people don't waste hours waiting for nothing."
"And we should probably set a purchase limit too. Otherwise, if the rich ones buy ten portions at once, there'll be nothing left for the others."
"Right, right."
Kitayama Xu nodded quickly.
The medicine had become incredibly popular—so much so that demand was unprecedented. And that wasn't even counting what some clans had taken secretly. Otherwise, the total would've been even higher.
Clearly, the old rules no longer worked.
After a moment's thought, she went outside, spoke a few words to the medical-nin in charge of sales, and soon had people writing and distributing the numbered slips. The line outside the door thinned by more than half almost immediately.
Chiba peeked out quietly—sure enough, the chaos from earlier had subsided.
But then—
"Hey! kid, are you married yet? Want me to introduce someone to you?"
Chiba shuddered, but quickly realized the voice was too young to belong to one of those aunties or uncles.
He turned around—and sure enough, Tenten was peeking at him from the doorway.
"Got what you came for?"
"Yep! Hehehe. About earlier—sorry!"
"It's fine. Everyone was just joking around."
Chiba smiled, then turned his head. "Tsukikage Kaza? What brings you here?"
"I… I came to thank you."
Tsukikage Tsukikage Kaza bowed slightly, her face tinged red.
"Thank me?"
Chiba looked at her, puzzled.
Her surname was Tsukikage, so she was probably related to Tsukikage Hayate. But her personality… was much softer.
"I wanted to ask you something, Chiba-kun!"
Tsukikage Kaza bowed deeply .
"We're classmates and friends. No need to be so formal—just ask."
Chiba hurriedly held her up.
"I heard your medicine can strengthen the body, so I bought some for my uncle. He's been in poor health. I also wanted to ask… could you take a look at his condition?"
She lifted her head, eyes full of hope.
"Your uncle is…?"
"Oh! Sorry, I forgot to introduce him—his name's Tsukikage Hayate. He's a special jōnin, but he's always been sickly."
She apologized quickly.
Tenten tilted her head, trying to recall the name, but then shook her head—she didn't seem to recognize it.
Chiba, however, did.
He'd seen Tsukikage Hayate at the hospital a few times—always frail and coughing.
Thinking for a moment, he said, "His case is a bit special. First, he's congenitally weak. Even if he compensates for it later, he'll still have shortcomings. second, he has a lung condition—but I don't know the full details."
"Yes, that's right!"
Tsukikage Kaza's eyes brightened. Chiba clearly knew who her uncle was, and his description was spot-on.
She asked eagerly, "Then, Chiba-kun—do you have a way to help him?"
"No. And I'd advise st using this medicine recklessly. He should be monitored by a medical-nin while using it—make sure there's no harm before continuing."
Chiba went on to explain the pharmacology behind it.
Some medicines benefited healthy people but could harm those with frail bodies.
"I understand… sigh. If even you can't help him…"
"Uh, well—I've only studied medicine and pharmacology for a short time. I'm nowhere near a real medical-nin. Hayate-san's condition is very complicated—maybe only Lady Tsunade could cure it."
Seeing her disappointment, Chiba gently pointed her toward another option.
(In the original Naruto storyline, Tsukikage Hayate never lived long enough to meet Tsunade. Whether she could've cured him is unknown, but congenital diseases are notoriously difficult—Tsunade might only have been able to alleviate it.)
Tsukikage Kaza had heard of Tsunade's reputation, of course.
But… that woman hadn't returned to Konoha in years. Even if she could cure him—
She sighed silently, eyes dim.
Tenten, sensing the gloom, quickly changed the subject. "So, this medicine—it really works?"
"It does. I even have better versions, but those require rarer and pricier ingredients. For now, the one you bought has the best cost-performance ratio."
Chiba explained patiently.
"Wow, that's amazing! If it were me, I'd be thrilled to invent even one formula!"
Tenten couldn't help but exclaim.
Tsukikage Kaza remained quiet, just watching from the side.
"I'm off to train," Tenten said, lifting the two packets she'd bought. "I thought the exams were over and we'd get our team assignments—but turns out there's another test! Gotta prepare hard. Might as well test this medicine while I'm at it."
Chiba nodded lightly.
Medicine could only assist—it was still effort that truly mattered. Without that, even the best drugs were useless.
Once Tenten left, Tsukikage Kaza said softly, "Chiba-kun… we're friends now, right? P-please take care of me from now on!"
"Uh… sure."
To be honest, Chiba was a bit confused. He didn't really understand what was going on in this girl's head. But politeness was always the safest option.
He didn't think much of the little episode. After seeing her off, he returned to the medical unit, sat down, and read for a while. Then his mind drifted to the scene outside—
With so many people benefiting from his formula, the Bodhi Seed within him must have improved as well, right?
The thought made him close his eyes and focus inward, observing the "Bodhi."
"The patterns have deepened…"
"Huh?"
He frowned slightly. Something felt different this time.
It wasn't just a boost to his mental energy—his physical recovery had improved as well.
No—more than that—his stamina, his vitality itself.
A grin spread across his face.
Chakra was formed from both physical and spiritual energy. There were many ways to restore physical energy—food pills, meals, rest—but almost no direct method to replenish the mind.
So this gift from the Bodhi Seed, though indirect, was immensely valuable to him.
If this continued…
Someday, he might even reach the level of the Sage Body.
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