After distancing himself from the crowd, Gento stopped on a secluded path leading to the Uchiha clan compound.
He sank his consciousness into his mind.
"Draw!"
The moment the thought flashed, a lottery wheel appeared in his mind.
[D-rank rewards 40%, C-rank rewards 50%, B-rank rewards 10%]
The wheel spun.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a C-rank reward: C-rank Special Soldier Pills Formula]
A stream of information poured into Gento's mind:
[Name: C-rank Special Soldier Pills Formula]
⟩ Description: A specially supplied Soldier Pills formula with optimized taste and nutrition, increasing Chakra recovery speed by 10%-15% and alleviating a certain degree of fatigue. Ingredients: purified water 10ml, refined oat flour 10g, royal honey 10g, dried sour plum 2g…]
"C-rank this time…"
Gento felt a bit disappointed.
However, he quickly realized the practical value of this formula.
Not bad. These special Soldier Pills could be put into good use in the upcoming war.
…
Uchiha clan compound, residence of Great Elder Soen.
Gento handed a detailed list of supplies to Soen.
"Great Elder, this is the list of standard supplies needed for the frontlines. Please arrange for it to be submitted to the Hokage's office so they can be allocated as soon as possible."
Soen took the list and skimmed through it. It contained various items such as ninja tools and medicines.
He nodded.
"Understood. I will handle it as soon as possible."
Gento took out another carefully folded slip of paper and handed it over with a serious expression.
"In addition, this is a slightly improved Soldier Pills formula I developed. Please be sure to arrange for absolutely reliable and highly skilled clan members to produce it in secret and in batches."
Soen took the paper and unfolded it, glancing at it twice as his brows lifted slightly.
"Soldier Pills? The village already supplies these uniformly. Why go through the trouble of making them ourselves?
"And these ingredients… they don't seem particularly special."
Looking at the ordinary ingredients, his tone carried some confusion.
"This is not an ordinary Soldier Pills formula."
Gento emphasized.
"You'll understand the effect once it's made and tested. Also, this formula must be kept strictly confidential. It must not be leaked."
Seeing how serious Gento was, doubt flickered in Soen's eyes.
He folded the paper and said in a deep voice:
"I understand. I will personally oversee this matter."
After Gento left, Soen pondered for a moment before getting up and heading toward a secluded traditional medicinal workshop within the clan compound, operated by an elder of the clan.
The workshop owner was a taciturn old Uchiha whose craft had been passed down for generations. Upon seeing the Great Elder arrive in person, he immediately bowed respectfully.
"No need for formalities. Take a look at this. Can it be made?"
Soen handed over the formula.
The old workshop owner adjusted his glasses and examined it carefully.
After a moment, he looked up.
"This appears to be… Soldier Pills?
"Hmm… the ingredients do seem somewhat different from ordinary ones…
"However, I have all the materials here. It shouldn't be difficult to make."
"Then produce some."
Soen instructed.
"Please wait a moment."
The old workshop owner got to work, measuring, grinding, mixing, shaping… his movements skilled and fluid.
After about a quarter of an hour, five uniformly sized, glossy black Soldier Pills were presented on a porcelain dish.
Soen examined them carefully, and frowned.
"They seem… no different from ordinary Soldier Pills."
He picked one up. It felt a little heavy in his hand, its surface smooth.
He put it into his mouth. The expected dry and strange taste of ordinary Soldier Pills did not appear.
Instead, there was a mildly sour yet sweet, lingering flavor. The pill was moist and easy to dissolve, swallowing effortlessly.
"Mm, the taste is indeed much improved. More suitable for long-term consumption."
Soen nodded, gaining a preliminary recognition of Gento's "improvement," believing it mainly enhanced usability.
A moment later, his expression changed.
He felt a warm current rise from his abdomen, slowly flowing through his limbs and entire body, even alleviating much of the fatigue he had accumulated throughout the day.
The recovery speed of his Chakra also increased somewhat.
"This…!"
A sharp gleam flashed in Soen's eyes.
He naturally knew that in prolonged battles or consecutive missions, even a slightly faster Chakra recovery and better sustained condition could sometimes mean the difference between life and death!
He abruptly looked at the remaining Soldier Pills on the plate, then raised his eyes to the old workshop owner standing respectfully at the side.
In an instant, he fully understood why Gento had been so solemn.
How could this be merely a slight improvement?
This was clearly a precious supply capable of affecting a Shinobi's sustained combat ability!
If it could be equipped in large quantities for the Uchiha elites, the advantage established on the battlefield would be subtle, yet potentially decisive!
The value of this formula might even attract the covetous attention of other forces.
"This formula is to be listed as one of the clan's highest secrets!"
Soen's voice carried unquestionable authority as he stared intently at the old workshop owner.
"You will personally take charge of its production. I will arrange for the required materials to be procured through reliable channels separately.
"The production process must be isolated from outsiders. The finished products are to be sealed and await deployment.
"Understood?"
Sensing the Great Elder's unprecedented seriousness, the old workshop owner's heart tightened.
He bowed deeply.
"Yes! I swear in the name of the Uchiha that not a single detail will be leaked!"
…
Night.
Kurenai lay on the bed, tossing and turning.
The moment she closed her eyes, everything that had happened in the cave that night uncontrollably surfaced in her mind.
The scorching breaths intertwined, the words of constant asking…
Every image made her cheeks burn, and her heartbeat quicken.
Even now, recalling it left her legs feeling somewhat weak.
Gento's aggressive, well-built body was also deeply imprinted in her mind, impossible to shake off.
Thinking of how rough he had been with her that night only made it harder for her to fall asleep.
Suddenly, she recalled what Gento had said when they parted.
As if possessed, she actually got up and walked toward the Uchiha clan compound.
…
At the edge of the Uchiha clan compound, Gento's private courtyard.
Knock Knock.
A soft knocking sound rang out.
Gento opened the door, and outside stood Kurenai, looking slightly uneasy.
She seemed to have carefully tidied herself; her long hair draped smoothly over her shoulders.
She wore a dark, form-fitting outfit suited for movement, outlining her slender yet strong waist.
"Gento-kun… I…"
A knowing smile flashed through Gento's eyes. Before she could finish speaking, he extended his arm, gently pulling her into the room. With a bang, he closed the door and neatly locked it.
The crisp sound of the lock made Kurenai's heart jump.
She instinctively took half a step back, her back pressing against the door, her eyes widening.
"You… why did you lock the door?"
Gento did not answer. He leisurely stepped forward, closing the distance between them.
With a mischievous smile, he asked in return:
"It's so late. Why did you come to find me?"
Kurenai's breathing grew hurried.
She bit her lower lip and took a deep breath.
"Gento-kun, I've thought it through.
"I… I'm willing to be with you."
The smile on Gento's face deepened, as if he had long expected this answer.
He leaned closer, his lips near her flushed ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin as he spoke in a low voice only the two of them could hear:
"I knew you would come find me."
"Eh? Why?"
Kurenai asked instinctively, her heart beating faster.
"Because the taste of the forbidden fruit, once tasted, is always unforgettable. It makes people unable to resist… wanting to savor it again."
Such blunt words instantly made Kurenai's ears turn red.
Looking at her shy yet unable-to-refute expression, Gento's gaze swept over her slightly rising and falling chest from nervousness.
His hand naturally lifted, climbing onto her slender waist.
His hands had already begun to wander.
"Mm~ Gento-kun, no… don't do this…"
Kurenai's body trembled as she made a token attempt to push him away, her voice soft and lacking any real strength.
Gento's lips were almost against her ear as his low voice carried a magnetic quality and said:
"A Senpai once taught me that when girls say 'don't'… sometimes they actually want it very much."
Before his words had even fully hit her, his arm tightened, effortlessly lifting Kurenai—whose body had already gone limp—into his arms.
Kurenai let out a short cry of surprise, while her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck.
...
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