A new merchant guild named [Spider Lily] recently opened in the Hidden Sand Village within the Land of Wind. In just half a month, it has caused a sensation throughout the village, becoming a sensation among civilians and ninjas alike. The entrance is constantly packed with long, winding queues, making the area almost impassable.
As Kawanishi arrived, he overheard several ninjas nearby engaged in a heated discussion.
"I'm telling you, the Food Pills from this guild are genuinely useful. Not only do they greatly restore the chakra in your body, but they also effectively heal physical injuries."
This claim was immediately met with agreement from other ninjas.
"Yeah, exactly! We were just saying that carrying a few [Spider Lily] Food Pills is like having a medical ninja traveling with you at all times."
"That's just the Food Pills. Their [Rebirth Pill] is even more ridiculous. I was ambushed by a swarm of Wind Scorpions in the desert last time; I only kept my life because I used a [Rebirth Pill]."
"And there's more! Their weapons are also top-tier..."
Listening to the extravagant praise from everyone around him, Kawanishi felt a bit dazed. Where did this shop come from? Was it truly that powerful?
My Food Pills at home just ran out. I might as well see what kind of medicine they're really selling here, Kawanishi thought. He tugged at his gloves. Despite it being the height of summer, he preferred wearing gloves to protect himself from the sun. After waiting in line for over an hour, he finally gained entry into the shop.
The owner of the shop appeared to be a man in his thirties, wearing a button-down shirt and square-framed glasses, giving off an air of refined elegance.
"Sir, how can I help you today?"
Seeing Kawanishi enter, the owner stood up enthusiastically to greet him.
"Um... it's my first time here. Could I see the Food Pills first?"
Kawanishi was naturally shy, and the owner's direct inquiry left him slightly flustered.
The owner gently adjusted his glasses and gave a faint smile. "For Food Pills, I recommend our [Power God] line. It effectively replenishes your chakra, and the Yang Style power contained within can promote rapid healing in your body."
Food Pills containing Yang Style chakra?
Kawanishi was surprised by the innovation. Traditional Food Pills were typically made from herbs and compressed grains; they usually tasted terrible and had limited chakra-replenishing effects. However, the pill before him was perfectly smooth. As he held it, it released a faint, refreshing fragrance—like a piece of ripe, tempting fruit that made one want to take a bite.
Captivated by the enticing aroma of the pill, Kawanishi couldn't help but swallow hard.
"Um, how much does one of these Food Pills cost?"
Kawanishi inquired. Although he desperately wanted to taste it, he didn't want to face the embarrassment of being unable to pay after eating it.
"This particular model is 5,000 Ryo," the owner replied, his face maintaining a warm, gentle smile. He showed no trace of impatience despite the long hours of serving customers.
"5,000 Ryo..."
While this price was twice as expensive as ordinary Food Pills, if the effects were as miraculous as others described, it wasn't unacceptable. Noticing the customer's hesitation, the owner pointed toward other varieties of Food Pills with great understanding.
"If the guest doesn't require such an expensive pill, you can also try our standard model. Those are only 1,000 Ryo."
"No, I'll take this one."
Kawanishi chose the more expensive option, not out of a desire to save face, but because the ordinary pills lacked the specific scent that drew him in.
The owner paused for a fraction of a second, then a passionate smile quickly flooded his face. "And how many would you like?"
Kawanishi hesitated again. To be honest, his current financial situation was not very stable. Sensing Kawanishi's distress once more, the owner offered another considerate suggestion.
"You may try one first."
"Thank you, boss."
Kawanishi looked at the refined man in the square-framed glasses. He felt a nagging sense of familiarity, as if he had seen this person somewhere before. But he just couldn't place it.
Whatever, I'll try the pill first.
Because of the constant influx of new customers, the owner couldn't continue providing one-on-one service to Kawanishi. He directed him to a side area to taste the sample. Once he decided, he could report the quantity to the front desk for payment.
Kawanishi took the Food Pill to a table the guild had prepared in the corner. His hands trembled slightly with anticipation as he quickly unwrapped the pill. He pinched it delicately between his thumb and forefinger and popped it into his mouth. To ensure nothing went to waste, he even licked his fingers.
He gently bit through the outer shell of the Food Pill. Immediately, he was hit by a wave of pure bliss. A natural fragrance, reminiscent of grass and fruit, exploded the moment his teeth broke the casing, instantly filling his entire mouth. The cooling, refreshing sensation spread to his brain, making him feel significantly more alert.
He could clearly feel his entire body coming to life under the stimulation of the pill. A massive amount of chakra was automatically being refined within him at a steady pace. Furthermore, the Yang Style chakra within the pill surged through his meridians, circulating through his body and mending every hidden injury. Though Kawanishi had no major wounds, he still felt a comfortable, warm sensation, as if he were being cradled by a gentle ocean.
Just as he was about to swallow the pill completely, the Jashin Religion mark covered by his glove suddenly flared with a searing, white-hot pain. The mental images of blue skies and vast forests were instantly devoured and shredded by a sudden, terrifying tide of insects!
No! This isn't just an illusion!
Kawanishi's eyes widened. He could clearly feel a plump, fleshy bug slowly wriggling at the point where he had bitten into the pill. It felt as if it had just hatched from its egg.
The grotesque texture almost made Kawanishi vomit. He covered his mouth, intending to denounce this unscrupulous merchant guild, but as he looked around, he saw everyone else savoring the powerful pills and praising them endlessly.
Kawanishi felt the world spinning. His face went pale as he looked up, meeting the eyes of the refined guild owner. In that instant, the man's face overlapped perfectly with a figure from his memories.
"This Food Pill... the effect is really not bad..."
Kawanishi swallowed hard and spoke the honest truth.