"Tsk tsk… With talent like yours, if I weren't so much older than you, I'd want to marry you myself."
"If it's Sensei, I'd definitely agree!"
"P—p—ptui!"
North Mountain Shuu never expected the kid to follow along so naturally.
Her ears instantly turned red, and she flicked Souma lightly on the forehead.
"Your formula's made quite a name for itself. Oh—some clan members even sent people asking whether there's an even better version. What do you think?"
"You all can handle that. I won't interfere.
Just don't forget to give me my fair share of the benefits."
Souma smiled lightly.
Shuu exhaled in relief. "Then I'll submit it to the Hokage for review."
"But—I do have one thing to bring up."
Souma explained the situation outside—the long line stretching into the street—and added:
"That kind of crowding isn't good for the hospital's image. And it wastes everyone's time.
We should issue numbered tickets and let people come when it's their turn."
"Mm… that's a good approach."
Shuu nodded thoughtfully.
"Also," she added, "our production is limited. Once a certain ticket quota is given out, we can send the rest home so they don't waste their day waiting."
"Right, and we should set a purchase limit.
Otherwise some rich folks will buy ten doses at once."
"Yes, yes!"
Shuu nodded vigorously.
The medicine was so popular that buyers surged like never before—and that wasn't even counting the portions clan representatives had collected secretly.
Old methods clearly wouldn't cut it.
After some planning, she headed out to instruct the selling team.
Within minutes, slips were prepared and handed out.
The massive queue outside finally dissipated.
Souma peeked outside—things looked calmer now.
But when the door opened—
"Hey! Boy! Are you single? Want me to introduce you to someone!?"
Souma flinched—but the voice was high and immature.
A kid?
He turned his head and sighed in relief.
Sure enough—it was Tenten, crouching by the doorway like a gossiping auntie.
"You got your purchase?"
"Yep! Hehehe. About earlier—sorry!"
"It's fine. They were just joking."
Souma smiled, then looked toward a figure hiding behind her.
"Satsuki—Kasumi? What brings you here?"
Tsukiko Kasumi bowed shakily, cheeks bright red.
"I—I wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?" Souma blinked.
Her surname Tsukiko likely meant she was related to Moonlight Hayate…
Just that her personality was… extremely introverted.
"I—I have a request!"
Kasumi bent down again.
"We're classmates and friends. You can just ask. No need to bow like that."
Souma hurriedly helped her up.
"I heard the medicine strengthens the body, so I came to buy it for my uncle…
And also… I want to ask if you could… look at his condition…"
She peeked up nervously.
"Your uncle is…?"
"Oh! S-sorry! I forgot to introduce him.
My uncle is Moonlight Hayate, a tokubetsu jōnin, but he's been in poor health for a long time."
Tenten tilted her head—it seemed she didn't really know the name.
But Souma had seen Hayate several times at the hospital.
He thought for a moment before answering:
"His case is a bit complicated. One—he's naturally weak. You can make up for it later, but only to a degree.
Second—his lungs are diseased. I don't know the deeper details, though."
Kasumi's eyes widened.
That was exactly right.
"You… you really know! Souma-kun, do you have a way to treat him?"
"No.
And I advise him not to use the medicine casually.
He must be monitored to ensure it won't harm him."
Souma explained its pharmacology.
Some medicines were harmless to healthy people—but for someone severely weakened, they could be dangerous.
Kasumi lowered her head.
"Even Souma-kun can't…"
"I've only studied medical theory for a short time. I'm nowhere near a real medical ninja.
Hayate-san's condition is complicated. Only Lady Tsunade might have a chance."
Souma added that last part because he saw her despair.
In canon, Hayate never lived to see Tsunade's return—so whether she could heal him was unknown.
Chronic congenital issues were notoriously hard to cure.
Kasumi had heard Tsunade's name before—
but the Sannin had been gone from the village for years.
Reality crushed hope quickly.
On the side, Tenten finally chimed in:
"Is the medicine really that good?"
"It works. I actually have more potent formulas, but the ingredients are rare or too expensive.
Right now the sold version is the best balance of cost and effect."
Souma said calmly.
"You're amazing. I'd be proud just to invent one of these," Tenten sighed.
Kasumi watched silently.
"I'm going to train now," Tenten said. "I thought we were done after the exam, but since there's another one… I'd better test the medicine's effect while training!"
She lifted the two packets and dashed off.
Souma nodded.
Medicine only supported—effort was what truly mattered.
After Tenten left, Kasumi mustered her courage:
"Souma-kun… we're friends now, right?
P-please take care of me from now on!"
"Er… sure."
Souma felt a little lost.
He didn't understand this girl's emotional rhythm, but courtesy was courtesy.
Once she left, he returned to the Medical Corps office, sat down with a book, and eventually remembered the big commotion outside.
So many people using the formula now should mean—
The Bodhi Seed had grown again.
He closed his eyes and observed.
"The markings are deeper…
Hm?
This feeling…"
He expected another boost to mental power—but after concentrating…
His physical stamina was recovering faster.
Not just that—
his mental energy too.
Souma's eyes widened in delight.
Chakra was made of both physical and spiritual energy.
Physical energy was easy to replenish—food, pills, rest.
But spiritual energy?
Aside from sleeping, there were almost no methods.
This gift from the Bodhi Seed wasn't direct strengthening—
but for him, it was incredibly important.
If it kept improving…
One day he might actually reach something like the Sage Body.
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