Renya stepped forward to examine the injuries on the wounded ninja.
From the very beginning, he hadn't witnessed the poison's effects directly—he had only made a deduction based on its appearance.
Now, upon closer inspection, it was just as he had expected.
"Renya-san, how is it? Do you have a solution?" Nara Mikage asked anxiously.
"This isn't a big deal..."
Renya calmly took out a small porcelain bottle from his ninja pouch and poured out a red pill.
He handed the pill to the poisoned ninja in front of him.
"Take it."
The ninja on the sickbed struggled to receive the pill and, without any hesitation, placed it in his mouth.
Moments after swallowing it, the pained expression on his face began to ease, and he stopped groaning in agony.
"How do you feel?" Renya asked.
"I... I feel much better! The pain is gone," the ninja said, the bluish pallor on his face giving way to a healthy flush.
These past few days, he had been tormented by the poison to the point of wishing for death, helplessly watching his own flesh rot away.
It was an agony that nearly drove him to the brink of collapse, desperate to end his suffering.
Seeing this, Nara Mikage grasped Renya's hand excitedly.
"Renya-san, I'll leave these wounded in your care!"
He had only been holding onto a sliver of hope, never expecting Renya to actually have a cure.
"I understand," Renya replied flatly as he withdrew his hand.
Nara Mikage scratched his head awkwardly and chuckled.
"Sorry, I got a little carried away."
Renya handed the porcelain bottle to Nara Mikage.
"Distribute these antidotes to the ones in most critical condition. For the rest, wait until I've refined a new batch."
Nara Mikage took the bottle, puzzled.
"Isn't this the antidote?"
"It is. But using it for something of this level... would be a waste."
This pill was the antidote to the poisons Renya had developed.
Using it to counter Sunagakure's toxins was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
Although the poisons Renya had crafted were lethal upon contact—rendering antidotes mostly pointless—he had still instinctively created counteragents for them.
Nara Mikage, thrilled, took the antidote to continue treating the wounded.
...
Haigu Minne, who had been working on antidotes, heard the commotion and thought the treatment had failed.
She put down the herbs in her hands, preparing to suppress the spread of the toxin.
But instead, she saw the once deathly ill patients—previously writhing in agony—now smiling with relief, their complexions returning to normal.
She stood frozen in place, eyes full of disbelief.
Just then, the medical ninja from before ran up to her, eyes wide with excitement.
"Minne-senpai, the antidote has been developed!"
It was only then that Haigu Minne snapped out of her daze.
"You mean... that young man from earlier made the antidote?!"
Before the ninja could reply, she had already rushed to a nearby bed and began inspecting the wounded. She was stunned to find the toxin had completely vanished.
"This... this is impossible!"
She immediately went to look for that young man, but he was no longer anywhere in the medical tent.
...
Inside the command tent.
"Renya-san, the medicinal ingredients you requested are ready." Nara Mikage laid out dozens of herbs on the table.
Renya nodded and began concocting the antidote.
Shimura Danzo and Koharu Utatane stood nearby, assisting with preparations.
Both of them stared at Renya in amazement.
They hadn't expected him to be telling the truth—he really could make the antidote!
With Renya around, Sunagakure's poisons were no longer a threat.
Their survival rate on the battlefield would skyrocket...
Danzo couldn't help but feel moved—this guy really was a genius!
But his admiration quickly turned to anxiety.
Renya had developed an antidote and saved numerous lives—he was bound to earn a mountain of merit!
He had only just arrived at the front lines, and already he was gaining recognition.
With his strength, once the war was over, the merit he'd accumulate would far surpass Danzo's.
With Renya around... could he even become Hokage?
As the thought took root, Danzo's expression darkened. A flicker of jealousy flashed through his eyes as he clenched his fists tightly.
No! I can't let him outpace me!
Earning merit on the battlefield isn't hard—as long as I kill enough enemies, I can close the gap... maybe even surpass him...
Unaware of Danzo's inner conflict, Renya focused intently on refining the antidote.
If he knew what Danzo was thinking, he'd definitely scoff in contempt.
What's so great about becoming Hokage?
Power means nothing in the face of true strength.
As long as you're strong enough, the entire ninja world will bow before you.
Just like Senju Hashirama once did—when he wanted peace, there was peace.
As for the ones who didn't comply? They were already dead.
Before long, Renya had produced hundreds of antidotes.
Nara Mikage's jaw nearly dropped from joy.
With these antidotes, Konoha would no longer have to fight with caution and fear.
"Renya-san, I'll report your contributions on the battlefield directly to Hokage-sama!"
With that, he hurried out of the tent carrying the antidotes.
"Renya-kun, what should we do next?" Koharu asked.
It seemed Nara Mikage hadn't assigned them any further tasks from the start.
Danzo looked at Renya and said righteously:
"Our comrades are out there fighting and dying. We can't just sit around! I propose we head to the front lines and support them!"
Renya raised an eyebrow. When did Danzo's sense of duty get so strong?!
Was this really the same selfish, scheming man he knew as the infamous "Konoha Shadow"?
For a second, Renya almost thought he was under a genjutsu from how upright Danzo sounded.
Koharu looked equally shocked at Danzo, as if she were meeting him for the first time.
Seeing their expressions, Danzo clenched his fists.
"Our teacher taught us that protecting the village and our comrades is our duty!"
Of course, he'd never admit he was just trying to kill enemies and rack up merit so he could qualify as Hokage in the future...
Hearing Danzo's declaration, Renya suddenly understood.
So that's why his resolve sounded so noble—he'd been brainwashed by Tobirama!
You had to admit, the Hokage line was disturbingly good at indoctrination.
None more so than Hiruzen Sarutobi with his Will of Fire propaganda.
Even Senju Hashirama probably never imagined his theories would spread so widely after his death.
Danzo grew increasingly anxious as Renya remained silent.
You already have battlefield merit—I don't!
Without merit, even if I do become Hokage, no one will accept me!
Thinking this, he urged,
"Renya, hurry up and decide!"
Seeing how persistent he was, Renya sighed inwardly.
This guy really had been thoroughly brainwashed by Tobirama...
Still, since Danzo had said so much already, there was no reason to refuse.
"In that case, let's head to the front lines and provide support!"