Chapter 47: Chapter 47: The Key Ingredient — Hashirama Cells

Konoha Hospital.

Natsuki raised his hand and knocked on the door.

After receiving permission, he walked into Tsunade’s office.

"What is it?"

Seeing him, Tsunade set down the documents in her hand and stretched casually.

The movement accentuated her figure, her clothes conforming to her contours.

Natsuki was half her student, as well as Nawaki’s friend and future teammate. There was no need for formality around him.

With her personality, staying serious all the time was difficult anyway.

Unless she encountered a major incident.

"Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki stated his purpose immediately.

"It’s not suitable for Kushina to go on missions."

Tsunade considered briefly and refused.

Missions and visiting relatives were entirely different matters.

Even a C-Rank mission could encounter unexpected situations and escalate to A-Rank.

"If you’re worried, Teacher Tsunade, you could come along."

Natsuki wasn’t surprised. He continued.

"Me too?"

Tsunade paused, mildly taken aback.

"Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki presented his reasoning. "I’ve recently been researching a new healing potion. Its effect far exceeds the Blue Healing Potion."

"Do you have the formula?"

Tsunade’s expression immediately grew serious.

Since its rollout, the Blue Healing Potion had already played a significant role.

According to rough statistics, the mortality rate of Konoha ninjas on missions had decreased considerably.

If a more effective healing potion appeared, its significance would be self-evident.

Moreover, the ninja world was unstable. With Hanzo of Amegakure declaring war, Konoha could be dragged into conflict at any moment.

One more healing potion meant higher chances of winning the war.

"I do—but it’s not complete yet."

Natsuki stepped forward, produced the formula for the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God, and said, "I’ve attempted it several times. None succeeded."

Tsunade took the formula and studied it.

She soon frowned, falling into thought.

Although she didn’t know the specific effects of the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God, she recognized these herbs and their uses.

Simply combining herbs didn’t necessarily bring out their full effects. It required finding the connections—or reactions—between them.

"Come. Let’s go to the laboratory."

Tsunade stood abruptly.

Standing before her, Natsuki felt a shadow block him.

He glanced up instinctively. Her heavily burdened clothes filled his vision.

Tsunade impatiently dragged him toward Konoha Hospital’s laboratory.

Natsuki was still young. He couldn’t match her long strides and had to jog to keep pace.

Arriving at the laboratory, Tsunade began producing the medicine according to the formula.

After some time, a vial of potion appeared in her hand.

She took a sip and closed her eyes.

"It is indeed missing something."

Tsunade spoke slowly. "Logically, with so many precious herbs extracted, its effect shouldn’t be poor. Instead, it has no effect at all."

"I believe it’s missing a catalyst—or rather, an active medicinal component."

Natsuki said pointedly.

"Active? That word is quite fitting."

Tsunade agreed.

"Teacher Tsunade, I’m about to leave on a mission."

Natsuki coughed lightly and changed the subject.

"I’ll go with you."

Tsunade glanced at him. "You little brat. You’re quite slippery—much sharper than Nawaki."

"I’ll take that as praise."

Natsuki smiled.

"It is praise."

Tsunade removed her gloves, flicked his forehead, and asked, "When do we leave?"

"Gather at the village entrance at 9 AM tomorrow."

Natsuki replied.

"I’ll bring Kushina and Nawaki on time."

Tsunade nodded, then asked again, "Do you have anything else today?"

"No."

Natsuki paused. "Do you need me for something, Teacher Tsunade?"

"Naturally—to continue testing your formula."

Tsunade smiled. "Let’s figure out what can be added to it."

"Yes, Teacher Tsunade."

Natsuki nodded.

The next day arrived.

Although Natsuki and Tsunade had worked hard all day yesterday, every experiment had ended in failure.

"Natsuki!"

Uzumaki Kushina jogged up to him.

She caught her breath, red strands of hair fluttering in the wind.

"Orochimaru."

Tsunade, wearing a Jonin flak jacket, approached with a broad smile. "It’s rare we get to do a mission together again."

The three members of a ninja squad would automatically separate once they reached Jonin.

Unless it was an extremely difficult S-Rank mission, there was no need for three Jonin to act together.

Moreover, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru were not ordinary Jonin.

"The last time we worked together was three years ago."

Orochimaru nodded.

"What a shame. With Teacher and Sister here, we should have taken an S-Rank mission!"

Nawaki said with great regret.

"You three are doing the mission, not us."

Tsunade glared at him. "Don’t aim too high."

"I know!"

Nawaki pouted.

"Let’s go."

After the pleasantries concluded, Orochimaru was first to walk out.

Tsunade stepped forward, positioning herself at Natsuki’s side.

She had agreed to join for two purposes: protecting Kushina, and researching the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God.

At this point, she wasn’t the drinking, gambling, wandering Tsunade from the original story. She was still active—and still cared deeply about Konoha.

Kushina wanted to speak but hesitated.

She had originally planned to chat with Natsuki while traveling—but Tsunade had monopolized his attention.

She couldn’t understand the formulas the two were discussing. She could only follow behind them, sulking. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Orochimaru listened to their conversation and soon showed an interested expression.

Although he wasn’t yet the mad scientist from the original story, he already possessed deep understanding of the human body and medicine.

But he wasn’t talkative. He simply listened and thought.

The day passed quickly.

Night fell.

Two tents were set up.

Sleeping during a mission naturally couldn’t be as comfortable as sleeping in the village.

To handle unexpected situations and enemies at any moment, they slept in sleeping bags with their clothes on.

After dinner, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Natsuki discussed the Red Healing Potion: Blood of God again.

Kushina sat beside Natsuki, feeling that going on missions wasn’t all that great after all.

"Perhaps what’s missing isn’t an herb."

Orochimaru suddenly spoke.

"Then what is it?"

Tsunade asked, confused.

"In the ninja world, what is the most active substance?"

Orochimaru asked in return.

Hearing this, Tsunade showed a thoughtful expression.

"Yang Release chakra."

Orochimaru quickly provided the answer.

Tsunade’s heart jolted. She felt suddenly enlightened.

Natsuki couldn’t help but silently praise Orochimaru. He had easily identified the crux of the problem.

Hashirama cells or White Zetsu cells—as parts of a body—were essentially Yang Release chakra.

Just a very special kind of Yang Release chakra.

"Then I can try."

Tsunade said immediately.

When it came to Yang Release chakra, as a medical ninja, she naturally didn’t lack it.

<><><><><><>

Read Advanced Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247

~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!

~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]