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End of Konoha Year 39

In the Senju compound—

Akio looked on with satisfaction as Nagato moved about freely.

On each of Nagato's hands was a ring made from paralysis grass, specially modified by Akio. He had altered the plant's numbing effect to turn inward, making the sensation even more unbearable than direct contact.

It had taken nearly three months of gradual adaptation, but Nagato could finally move around normally while wearing them. Of course, he still couldn't endure the sensation with sheer physical resistance—his wrists were still coated in a thick layer of chakra for protection.

As for Konan and Kushina, Akio hadn't insisted they wear the rings. Physically speaking, Nagato still had the edge. If the girls tried to wear them now, they probably wouldn't even be able to stand.

"Keep practicing. Enduring this numbness will help your Sage Body develop faster."

Although Nagato was born with the Uzumaki clan's innate Sage Body, Akio had observed that he would likely fall well short of Hashirama's level. That's why he was looking to make up the difference through external methods.

Frowning, Akio stepped out of the Senju compound and glanced at his stats panel.

Witness Points: 672

"Tch... Took me forever to save these up, and now I've got to waste ten more. Nawaki, I really must owe you."

With a sigh, Akio reluctantly invested ten points into Pharmacology.

Pharmacology (00/100000)

"Soldier Pills, Qi-Tonic Pills, Supplement Pills…"

"Hmm. Supplement Pills."

Suddenly, his mind was flooded with knowledge—new techniques and recipes, all part of reaching Pharmacology Level 10.

After skimming through the new information, Akio felt both disappointment and relief.

Disappointment because even at Level 10, there was no overpowered, fantastical pill like a "Body-Tempering Pill" to instantly boost one's physique, or some "Chakra-Boosting Pill." Those kinds of miracle medicines had crossed his mind before spending the points—a bad habit leftover from his past life's obsession with cultivation novels, even after more than a hundred years.

Still, he felt a measure of relief because he had achieved his actual goal: unlocking a Supplement Pill recipe.

Just a quick glance at the pill's description was enough. It could be summarized in four words: Nourish Yin, Strengthen the Kidneys!

Akio didn't need it himself. He was thinking entirely of Nawaki. It had been almost two years since Mikoto married in, and there was still no sign of pregnancy. That wasn't something you could just blame on Nawaki being "shy." Akio had no choice but to step in.

After thinking it over, he figured the Pharmacology skill he had previously unlocked might help. So, gritting his teeth, he'd spent ten Witness Points on it.

"Well, it's not a complete waste. I can just list it as a new product in the Kiboku-dō store."

With that, Akio used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise himself as the store's owner, then strolled off to the Yamanaka clan's herb shop to buy ingredients.

In addition to their well-known flower shop, the Yamanaka clan also held a near-monopoly on the herb trade in Konoha. The other herb shops were small and family-run. Naturally, Akio preferred to go big.

"These are all kidney supplements. Isn't it kinda weird for someone my age to be buying this stuff?"

When he arrived at the Yamanaka herb shop, his expression darkened. "Damn it. Of all people…"

Inside was Yamanaka Haiichi—the same man who had bought a wood carving from him a couple of years ago.

Haiichi recognized him instantly and came out to greet him, even offering an arm for support.

"Boss Hagoromo! Here to buy medicine? Are you not feeling well?"

"I'm fine, haha. Just browsing," Akio replied with a forced smile. No way he could say what kind of herbs he was really after.

"Browsing, huh?" Haiichi had never met someone who casually browsed a herbal medicine shop, but he didn't press. "Take your time. We've got a wide selection."

"You really do."

Akio did a lap around the store. Just about every ingredient in his formula was available.

After a brief pause, he nodded. "Looks good. I'll take some home to try."

Haiichi: "…"

"Two pounds of each, please."

"You giving up on carving and trying to steal our herbal business now?" Haiichi said with a wry smile. Akio really looked like he was here to restock a storefront.

Akio waved it off. "Nah, I'm not selling herbs. I just need to compound a few pills."

"I see…" Haiichi nodded, not bothering to ask what kind of pills required so many ingredients. It was business, after all. And considering how much Akio had overcharged him for that wood carving—fifty thousand ryo more than it was worth—he wasn't about to complain.

Of course, not every herb was available in two-pound quantities. Some were in limited supply. In the end, Akio left with what amounted to half the shop's inventory.

After everything was packed up, Haiichi looked concerned.

"So many ingredients—how are you planning to carry them all?"

Akio smiled, pulled out a sealing scroll, and stored all the herbs right in front of the stunned Haiichi.

"You're… a shinobi?"

The Yamanaka clan were naturally sensitive to chakra, but Haiichi had never detected a trace of it from "Boss Hagoromo."

"Nothing worth mentioning." Akio's expression said I'm kind of a big deal.

Haiichi: "…"

"That'll be eight million, seven hundred and thirty thousand ryo."

Akio paid up without complaint. He knew exactly how much he'd bought—the price was fair.

With the sealing scroll full of herbs, Akio made his way straight back to the Kiboku-dō shop to begin pill crafting.

As for the tools he needed, he carved them from two blocks of wood on the spot.

Even though he'd gained Level 10 Pharmacology from spending Witness Points, just like with wood carving, he still needed to build hands-on experience.

After wasting two full batches of herbs, he finally succeeded—producing several dozen dark brown medicinal pills.

"So these are the Supplement Pills?" Akio examined them, turning one over in his hand before breaking into a smile.

"A brand-new product for the Kiboku-dō shop. Gotta give it a proper, elegant name."

Nourish yin, strengthen kidneys…

"I'll call them 'Seikigan.' No one in this world will have a clue what it means."

"Now how do I get these to Nawaki?"

He couldn't just walk up and say, "Here, take this—it's good for your body…"

"Guess I'll just list it in the store. He'll probably—hopefully—come buy it on his own."

Akio figured Nawaki had enough self-awareness.

"Better make a few more kinds of pills too. Can't just sell this one or people will call me a dirty old man."

Even in his Kiboku-dō store owner persona, Akio still had a reputation to maintain…

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