"That might have been a misunderstanding."
Kakashi didn't dwell on it and took the soldier pills he had just bought from the counter.
He was heading to another small country for a mission and needed emergency rations for the journey.
Soldier pills were the best choice. Their special ingredients made the protein easily digestible, and they had calming and stimulating effects to help stabilize a shinobi's mind in battle.
Most importantly, soldier pills restored chakra!
Of course, the restoration wasn't instantaneous.
It was a gradual process, slowly increasing temporary chakra reserves.
Overuse placed a heavy burden on the body.
"Soldier pills…"
Having learned a lot about medical knowledge, Nohara Rin knew the side effects well.
She glanced at the ones Kakashi bought—thankfully, they were the highest quality.
Rin wanted to say more, but a figure in a white coat approached.
"Raizen."
Rin couldn't help but speak.
"Kakashi, Rin."
Raizen nodded slightly in greeting.
"So the person Teacher Nonou mentioned is you, Rin."
Raizen said.
He had already guessed before coming.
In terms of medical talent, Rin was actually superior to him.
She had mastered medical ninjutsu by the time she became a chūnin.
Even Sakura, who later became Tsunade's student, took longer and was older when she mastered Palm Sage Technique.
How could such talent go unnoticed?
It was only her early death that prevented her from shining brighter.
"It's probably me."
Rin nodded lightly.
She studied Raizen in his white coat with curiosity.
He was the only male medical ninja in their class besides herself.
"Kakashi, want to try the soldier pills I made?"
Raizen smiled and handed him a bag.
This was his first batch.
"Three days' worth. I'll give you a 10% discount—friendship price."
Raizen patted Kakashi's shoulder.
Seeing Raizen's enthusiastic sales pitch, Kakashi opened the bag to check.
They looked standard on the outside. He didn't know about the effect yet.
"Sure."
Kakashi nodded. It was no big deal.
White Fang had left him plenty of money. Kakashi wasn't stingy.
Raizen's smile grew brighter as he accepted the money from Kakashi.
More funds—enough to buy some high-quality special rubber cord.
This recipe came from Yakushi Nonou's teachings.
It wasn't difficult.
Raizen had mastered it quickly. This was his first batch.
Regular soldier pills had simple formulas. Even Sakura in the original story could make them—just that she added too many extra ingredients, making them taste terrible.
Even the stoic Sai turned green after eating them.
"Rin, have you learned to make soldier pills yet?"
Kakashi turned to Rin.
Both of them seemed to be learning medical ninjutsu. If Raizen could, Rin probably could too.
"Ah… I still can't."
Rin clenched her hands.
She really hadn't learned that yet.
She had started at the hospital earlier than Raizen, but the soldier pill formula wasn't taught casually.
It was a side business that could earn extra money.
"That's fine. I was hoping to try Rin's cooking."
Kakashi stored both Raizen's and his own soldier pills in his pouch.
A serious girl like Rin would probably make them taste decent.
…
"Heh heh, Nonou. I heard you took Uchiha Raizen as your disciple?"
A figure suddenly appeared in Nonou's office.
His skin was sickly pale, golden slit pupils giving the impression of a venomous snake.
"Orochimaru, that's my disciple. I hope you won't interfere too much."
Yakushi Nonou's brows furrowed slightly.
She knew Orochimaru had ties to her superior, Danzō Shimura.
The two secretly researched forbidden knowledge together.
That was the "Hashirama Cells" obtained from the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
After Hashirama's death, Konoha had spent years trying to revive his Wood Release.
But every adult volunteer who received the transplant died, unable to withstand the cells.
Yet under Danzō's funding, Orochimaru continued human experiments.
He eventually succeeded in creating a child with Hashirama Cells—Root's codename: "A."
Nonou even suspected Danzō himself had transplanted Hashirama Cells.
His life force had surged dramatically for a time, and she—being highly perceptive—had noticed.
Her sensory abilities were no small thing.
All this only strengthened her resolve to leave Root and Konoha.
"Heh heh, looks like you're a good teacher, Nonou."
Orochimaru smiled.
But Nonou saw no warmth in it—only coldness.
That child Raizen shouldn't be limited to medical ninjutsu. He has far more potential. If one day you decide to leave Konoha, hand him over to me. I'll give him everything he desires."
With that, Orochimaru vanished from the spot—using Body Flicker to exit through the window.
Looking at the marks left on the windowsill, Nonou bit her lower lip.
Unlock 200+ Chapters via My Patreon Collection
✨ Available in Shop Now
patreon.com/HeavenlyYinYang