"Even the combined effect of multiple drugs is weakening."
Tsunade calmly shook her head. "You've taken too many. You can't possibly return to that same rate of improvement any time soon."
Inside, she felt quite astonished. Initially, her plan was for Link to take all those medicines in two to three years—ensuring there'd be no real problems—then gradually increase the dosage. After around ten years, once he was an adult, he would reach his peak through steady medicinal training. By then, every aspect of his physical attributes would match Kage-level standards.
But she hadn't expected this kid to be so decisive, spending only half a month confirming that his technique could erase side effects before immediately consuming the largest possible doses without fear that the technique might fail.
At such a crazy dosage, a normal person should have instantly keeled over, and even if the technique somehow saved them, they'd spend the rest of their days in a hospital bed—
Well, given how bizarre he is, maybe they'd just become a valuable lab specimen…
she thought, then spoke aloud: "I'll need some time to develop new medicines. Don't expect too much in the short run."
"I understand," Link answered, not exactly disappointed—just slightly regretful. He'd already prepared himself for this possibility. "Thank you for your trouble."
Tsunade seemed somewhat absent-minded, glancing out the window. "If there's nothing else—"
"It's about Orochimaru's experiments, right?" Link didn't tactfully leave. Instead he paused and said, "If there's anything I can do, just let me know."
"Mm." Tsunade's gaze shifted to him. Perhaps because her body truly was getting younger, lately she felt her own mindset becoming younger, too. In the old days, she'd never have hesitated or worried so much about whether or not to do something—she'd just charge right in. Many of her medical-nin developments came about that way.
"Well then, I'll be off." Without further words, Link left the Medical Corps building, returning to his usual training routine.
He first headed to Training Ground Seven for his daily Wind Release nature transformation training.
Previously, he had completed the first stage of that nature transformation—cleanly slicing leaves using wind chakra. Now he was in the second stage, trying to instantly expand his cutting power—cutting down waterfalls. He'd consulted Asuma for advice. Thanks to Link's decent chakra control, his progress was fast enough. He figured he'd finish within the year and be able to unleash Wind Release.
It's such a pity I can't use standard Shadow Clones for that "experience hack."
He trained until sunset, then said goodbye to Sasuke (who was still working hard) and went off for a meal. Later, in his home's training room, he continued practicing Summoning and Stand (Substitute) techniques before bed.
For the hour before sleep, Link studied the scroll for Shishi Heiko (Lion's Closing Roar). Sealing jutsu tended to be complicated, and he needed time to learn them. The Five-Element Seal only disrupted chakra, but Shishi Heiko would fully seal it. Far more complex. He guessed it would take a while—still, he was almost there.
Although the potency of his superdrugs was declining, it was still better than normal training. He continued to take them. He just scaled back his all-day body training to mornings only.
The village higher-ups placed no special demands on him. They let him remain in the village, nominally serving as "Assistant" in the Medical Corps while actually focusing on self-improvement.
Meanwhile, Konoha ninjas were busy exchanging blows with Ame shinobi along the borders of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain. Kakashi's team had already done missions in the Land of Rivers, hindering Ame-nin. But even so, nobody ordered Link out there.
Days went by without anything special. Half a month later, Link finally drew Purple Hermit again.
"Nikkō Shuka (Inn Town)…"
He eyed the photo of the figure from Purple Hermit. His shadows were already prepped to depart.
…
Dusk, in the forest outside Nikkō Inn Town.
"Hup!" The Mountain Drake flapped its wings and landed, toppling several large trees as it did, then lowered its head for its master to jump down.
Link, carrying a giant scroll on his back, leapt onto a tree trunk. He dispelled the Mountain Drake's concealment technique and ran toward the Nikko Shukuba. The shadows, released from the dragon's back, melted onto the ground as two-dimensional forms, chasing after him.
A shukuba (in historical Japan) was effectively a post station. In an older Earth context, it'd be called a relay station; in modern times, maybe like a rest stop on a highway. Settlements formed around these stations were called "shukuba town." In this Naruto-like world, they remained vital transportation hubs.
Lots of people here…
At the gateway to the shukuba, Link blended in with the crowd. A short kid lugging a huge scroll, concealing his forehead protector this time (since he was here to tangle with a jinchūriki), still drew curious looks. The street was jammed with travelers, and stores were everywhere—teahouses, pubs, restaurants, entertainment spots, and inns. Shadows slithered among the crowd and buildings, staying watchful.
They had low intelligence, so they couldn't do the searching themselves. Link had to look around in person. The short summoning duration of Purple Hermit was a pain; once it locked onto a location, he had to come in person to find the target.
Last time, finding Tsunade was simple—she stood out near the casinos. But now, searching for the Six-Tails Jinchūriki, Utakata—who was perpetually hunted—would be much more trouble. He wouldn't just parade around in broad daylight, and the difference between his anime appearance and real life might be huge. The Purple Hermit photo was only a rear view, so Link couldn't be certain. Unless they fought, verifying might be difficult.
His only assets were his chakra sensing and Uchiha Fugaku's Sharingan. He'd have to check every strong chakra signature around, hoping to find his target.
I doubt many ninja stay here…
It's already late. Let's get lodging first.
Seeing only a bit of red hue left in the sky, Link decided to postpone searching until the evening. On this trip, Shizune had arranged a mission for him to "gather valuable herbs." No time limit—essentially an excuse for him to wander outside the village.
He'd informed the Third Hokage beforehand. The old man simply smiled and agreed, not objecting. With no time constraints, Link planned to spend up to a month searching for the target, returning after the upcoming Chūnin Exams if needed. He knew there was no way to instantly find Utakata. Purple Hermit had only indicated he was somewhere in this vicinity, so Link would carefully comb around. And if he couldn't find him, oh well—nobody succeeds on the first try every time.
They're so lenient about letting me leave—aren't they worried I could just become a rogue ninja at will?
Link mused idly. Wandering around a bit, he picked an inn near the gate, ate a quick supper, then left Nikkō Inn Town to use Rashōmon and summon Uchiha Fugaku. Together, they began searching for the figure in the photo or anyone with strong chakra.
Nighttime, inside Nikkō Inn Town, at a hot-spring inn—outside the women's bath.
"Crack—"
"Who's there?!" A Suna forehead-protector–wearing jōnin shouted.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Three teenagers from Sunagakure hopped over. One scanned the area anxiously.
"Mukade-sensei, where's the enemy?"
"But that sound just now—"
The Suna jōnin called Mukade furrowed his brow, checking around. "Stay on guard, Shari. Go tell Miss Nae to come out."
At his words, he suddenly turned to sand.
"Don't move, you—" The real Mukade appeared on the rooftop, pressing a kunai to the neck of a short figure carrying a giant scroll. Before he could finish, his whole body lurched backward.
"Thud! Crash—"
He misplaced his footing and slammed into the ground, uncontrollably launching himself across the pavement. His momentum propelled him into a wall, knocking out a large chunk. Feeling dizzy, he managed to recover a second later, only to see two pitch-black human shapes pinning him on either side.
This is…?!
His eyes widened, recalling a certain intel from his village about "that person."
Link hopped down and glanced at the three tense Suna genin. Letting his shadows slip back into the ground, he spoke: "My apologies, this was a misunderstanding. I had no intention of attacking you—I was only passing by."
"You're Link from Konoha, right?" Mukade rubbed his sore neck. "I'm Sunagakure jōnin, Mukade."
So he recognized me, Link thought, face calm. "Sorry—I was merely passing through and inadvertently interfered in your mission."
In reality, the whole mishap occurred because Rashōmon's duration ended, and as Uchiha Fugaku was pulled back, he accidentally brushed the roof, making a slight noise and revealing Link's position. Despite being taken out in a flash, the Suna jōnin's perception and reaction were quite good. His hand-seals and jutsu were also decent. In close quarters, if one wasn't a top-tier beast, it was over the moment Link touched you, thanks to either his Five-Element Seal or, as just now, his newly mastered Ranshinshō (Body Pathway Derangement). Face-to-face, he had too big of an advantage.
"Hey, what happened?" A woman wearing only a towel stepped out from the women's bath, curiosity in her voice.
"It's nothing." Mukade forced a smile. He was about to exchange words with the Konoha's famed "young special jōnin," but then saw Link instantly vanish with a Shunshin.
Link had no time for chit-chat with strangers. He'd planned to keep a low profile; being recognized, he had to bail on the spot.
Bad luck.
He sighed inwardly. He hadn't expected to be recognized. Of course, Transformation Jutsu couldn't alter his real face enough to fool experienced ninja, so that was that.
He also didn't bother re-summoning Uchiha Fugaku. It was already late. He'd just do a bit more scouting before retiring for the night.
He extended his chakra sense over the surroundings.
Huh—?
~~~
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