After returning home from school, Taiichi couldn't wait to check on the test subjects: the chickens and the fish.
He first compared the two chickens and found that the wounds on both had significantly improved. The one that had ingested the Allicin didn't even show signs of redness or swelling anymore; the inflammation was clearly gone.
Then he checked the three fish. Similarly, all showed clear improvement. Based on the concentration of Allicin, the fish in the highest concentration solution already showed signs of healing.
"My god, is Allicin this effective? Or is the garlic in the ninja world just this potent?" Taiichi exclaimed to himself. Regardless, his grand money-making plan was finally taking off.
After celebrating internally for a while, Taiichi picked up his tools from yesterday. He spent a good amount of time processing the fresh garlic he bought today, eventually producing a small vial of garlic oil.
Looking at the garlic oil in his hand, he could practically see piles of banknotes waving at him. But after a second thought, he realized it wasn't secure enough. If he handed it over like this, anyone could tell what it was just by sniffing it!
So, Taiichi rummaged through his house and found various harmless but pungent substances. He poured them into the vial, shook it to mix everything evenly, and then opened it to take a whiff.
How to describe it? The smell was a chaotic mix of weird odors. If you asked someone to identify specific ingredients from the stench, they wouldn't be able to pick out a single thing.
Perfect. Tomorrow, he didn't have classes at the Ninja Academy, so he could go to the orphanage to discuss his money-making plan with Nono.
But first, his daily training couldn't be skipped.
...
The next day, after finishing his morning workout as usual, Taiichi went home, grabbed the vial of Allicin, and hurried to the orphanage.
When he arrived, he found that Nono had taken some of the older kids out to buy supplies. So, Taiichi gathered the younger brothers and sisters still at the orphanage and started telling them stories.
...
The morning sunlight bathed the small courtyard of the orphanage. Taiichi sat cross-legged by the old tree, surrounded by a dozen wide-eyed children.
"And then, Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, somersaulted 108,000 miles in a single leap!" Taiichi waved his hand dramatically, causing the children to gasp with mouths wide open.
"Does he run faster than a ninja?" asked little Masami, tugging at her pigtails.
"Way faster! And he can pluck a hair from his body and turn it into tons of little monkeys!" Taiichi laughed, mimicking a monkey scratching its head and ears, which made the children giggle uncontrollably.
"But... if a demon is eating a kid, can he get there in time to save them?" asked Kota, the youngest, clutching the hem of his shirt and whispering.
"Of course!" Taiichi rubbed his head. "He smashes down with his Golden Staff—boom!—and the demon is down for the count." Taiichi suddenly stood up and mimed a sweeping strike. The children leaned back with gasps of amazement, then started peppering him with questions: "What happened next?" "Did the monk scold him?"
The morning breeze rustled the leaves, and Taiichi's voice mingled with the children's laughter, startling a small bird dozing under the eaves.
...
The sound of the courtyard gate opening made Taiichi look up. He saw Nono leading a few kids back, all carrying large and small bags into the yard.
"Alright, go play for now. I'll continue the story next time," Taiichi said, dismissing the reluctant children and walking toward the gate.
"Big Sister Nono, why did you buy so much stuff?" he asked as he took a bag from her hand.
"Taiichi, you're here early," Nono smiled. "The orphanage funds were running low, and the store happened to have a sale today, so I bought a little extra."
Hearing this, Taiichi's heart sank. Usually, when the orphanage was short on money, Nono would disappear for a while. Taiichi knew she went on missions for Root.
However, remembering the reason for his visit, his mood lifted again.
"Big Sister Nono, I actually came to talk to you about something today. It might solve our orphanage's funding problem."
"Oh, really?" Nono looked surprised.
It made sense. Anyone would find it hard to believe that a six-year-old could solve such a problem.
Nono put the groceries away, led Taiichi to her office, and closed the door.
Seeing the door shut, Taiichi took the small vial out of his pocket and began the pitch he had prepared.
"You're saying the stuff in here works better than the current antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs in the hospital?" Nono asked in disbelief.
"To be precise, much better. I did an experiment. A chicken with a bacterial infection was cured of inflammation within a day using this."
Nono looked at the small vial in her hand, speechless for a long time.
...
"Taiichi, what do you want to do?" Nono looked at him.
"Sister, do you think the orphanage can manufacture this ourselves?"
"Definitely not. If this works, the value is too immense. We wouldn't be able to protect it," Nono said with certainty.
"I knew it. So we have to find a big shot to partner with. Someone with a good reputation who is trustworthy," Taiichi analyzed. "Do you know anyone like that?"
Nono thought for a long time but couldn't think of anyone she knew personally who fit the bill.
"Sister, what about Lady Tsunade?" Taiichi suggested. "She's not only the Third Hokage's student but also an incredible medical ninja. She would definitely understand the value of this Allicin."
Nono thought about it and nodded in agreement. "But neither of us knows Lady Tsunade, and we don't know where to find her."
"I might know where..."
After handling some orphanage matters, Taiichi dragged Nono to the entrance of Konoha's biggest gambling den. The two found a suitable spot and began their stakeout.
"Taiichi, is Lady Tsunade really in there?" Nono asked uncertainly.
"Just wait. If we're lucky, we'll catch her today," Taiichi said, though he wasn't entirely sure himself. "Sister Nono, do you remember what we discussed?"
"Yes."
"Then you'll handle the negotiation with Lady Tsunade. I'll just be there for support," Taiichi said.
...
Before they knew it, it was noon. A beautiful blonde woman walked out of the gambling den. Seeing her ample bosom and iconic attire, Taiichi and Nono exchanged a look, nodded to each other, and followed.
They trailed Tsunade into a small alley. As soon as they turned the corner, they saw Tsunade standing there, arms crossed, waiting for them.
"Hey, you two. You've been following me since I left the gambling den. Don't tell me you're afraid I'll skip out on a debt?" Tsunade said with an unfriendly expression.
Taiichi had black lines over his head. Looks like Tsunade lost a lot in there. She won't swallow our "invention" whole, will she? Taiichi thought cynically.
At this point, Nono stepped forward. "Lady Tsunade, I am Nono Yakushi, director of the orphanage. This is Taiichi Matsushita, a child from our orphanage."
"Here is the situation..."
"So, you want me to pull some strings and recommend this miracle drug to the Hokage," Tsunade said expressionlessly.
The current Tsunade was at the lowest point of her life, suffering from hemophobia after the deaths of her brother and lover. She couldn't care less about village affairs.
"Find someone else." Leaving that sentence behind, Tsunade turned to leave.
"This..." Nono was speechless, unsure how to respond.
Taiichi stepped forward. "Lady Tsunade! As the granddaughter of the First Hokage and one of the Sannin, are you going to watch helplessly as patients who could be saved die because of inadequate medicine? Is this really what Lord First would have wanted to see?"
If an adult had said this, Tsunade probably would have dismissed it as hot air. But looking back at Taiichi saying these words, she seemed to see Nawaki... just as... "annoying."
"Bring me that 'miracle drug' you talked about. Let me see it."
Taiichi nudged Nono, who was standing frozen beside him.
Snapping out of it, Nono took the small vial from her pocket and handed it to Tsunade.
Tsunade took the vial, uncorked it, and took a sniff. Immediately, an indescribable stench shot up her nose. She quickly recorked it and held it away from her face, looking at Taiichi speechlessly. "Kid, you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve."
Taiichi smiled sheepishly. He knew his little trick couldn't fool Tsunade.
"Fine. I'll test its efficacy. If it works, I'll come find you."
"Yes! Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Taiichi and Nono bowed in gratitude.
When they looked up, Tsunade was already gone. As expected of a Sannin.
"Taiichi, that was too bold. I was really worried Lady Tsunade would beat you up," Nono said, patting Taiichi's head.
"Haha, I was just desperate in the moment. I didn't think too much about it." Taiichi admitted, feeling a bit of retrospective fear.
"Now we just go back and wait. Alright, Sister Nono, I'm heading home too. I have training this afternoon."
"Okay!"