Then, when everyone was racking their brains and thought that he probably couldn't crack the poison in a short time, he finally found a breakthrough in a certain detail and deduced the complete formula step by step by following that clue.
Sometimes it takes two hours, sometimes three hours, and the longest it ever took was almost four hours.
But each time, he produced the antidote within what seemed like a reasonable timeframe.
Before this, it's inevitable that some people won't be able to endure it. To this, Shinichi can only apologize. After all, if he no longer personally tests the poison, but can still instantly analyze the composition of the poison as before, some people will inevitably suspect that his previous behavior was just a show.
It wasn't me who harmed you, it was the Village Hidden in the Sand who harmed you! It was this chaotic world that harmed you!
Shinichi sighed inwardly and continued his rounds in the wards.
Just then, Shinichi suddenly sensed something, paused slightly, and focused his mind on the system panel that only he could see.
The words Medical Expertise (Green) trembled slightly, then emitted a warm light. The light grew brighter and brighter, gradually changing from emerald green to deep azure, and finally forming a new talent that floated steadily in the talent bar, radiating a unique halo of blue quality.
[Medical Specialist (Blue): Your medical knowledge and practical skills have reached an exceptional level. You can draw inferences from similar cases and, based on your extensive knowledge base, independently deduce and experiment with better treatment plans or techniques. In emergency situations, your judgment and actions are efficient and accurate.]
"Oh?"
Seeing this, Shinichi was slightly surprised, but not so much.
Surprise, because the recognition of these people on the southwest front should not have been enough to push the green talent to the blue level.
What did not surprise him was that, in the strategic report he had previously submitted to Konoha's higher-ups, he had specifically mentioned the importance of publicity.
He had suggested that if there were any commendable good news on the front line, as long as it did not involve military secrets, it could be appropriately relayed to the rear and properly publicized to boost morale.
It seems that the higher-ups in Konoha have listened to this advice, and he's the first one to benefit from it.
Shinichi withdrew his gaze, a barely perceptible curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, and continued walking forward at a leisurely pace, his face still bearing that gentle expression.
...
Day 21 of the war between Konoha and the Village Hidden in the Sand.
Konoha's southwest headquarters, staff department.
Suzaku Nara sat at a wooden table piled high with intelligence documents, his brow slightly furrowed.
Suzaku Nara is an outstanding member of the younger generation of the Nara Clan. He is not only proficient in the Shadow Jutsu passed down through generations of his clan, but also shows extraordinary talent in strategy. In this respect, he and Shikaku Nara are recognized as the younger generation who have surpassed their predecessors.
This time, however, the two brothers were unable to fight side by side.
Shikaku Nara followed Orochimaru to the northeastern border of the Land of Fire, serving as the strategist for the northeastern front and dealing with the impending threat from the Village Hidden in the Cloud.
He remained here as the chief of staff of the southwestern front, assisting Commander Jiraiya in handling the complex and multifaceted battle situation and coordinating intelligence analysis and strategic planning for this front.
Suzaku Nara put down the intelligence report he had just finished reading, rubbed his temples, and picked up another one.
The Village Hidden in the Sand's movements have been somewhat strange these past two days.
The offensive, which had been intensifying, has noticeably weakened since two days ago.
Normally, there are at least a dozen skirmishes of varying sizes every day, but only four happened yesterday, and there has been no activity so far today. Reports from the frontline reconnaissance units also indicate that the Village Hidden in the Sand outposts have retreated about five kilometers, and the patrols that were previously very active have become much quieter.
Abnormal.
This is too abnormal.
This silence is more unsettling than the noise.
Suzaku Nara picked up another intelligence report, which was a report sent back this morning by the elite reconnaissance team that was dispatched last night. The report stated that the various teams of the Village Hidden in the Sand had begun to retreat and gather in the direction of the Village Hidden in the Sand's main camp.
He stared at the report, a multitude of possibilities flashing through his mind.
Was their intensified offensive thwarted, forcing them to adjust strategy?
Or… a thought suddenly popped into his head, sending a slight chill down his back.
This means the Village Hidden in the Sand is preparing for a full-scale offensive!
Chiyo had repeatedly changed poisons but suffered setbacks each time; the Village Hidden in the Sand's morale would inevitably be affected.
Rasa, eager to secure achievements to stabilize his position as Kazekage, could not possibly be willing to continue dragging things out like this.
Pakura was tightly restrained by Lady Tsunade and unable to carry out harassment operations.
With these factors combined, Rasa's options were actually quite limited.
Suzaku Nara tapped his fingers lightly on the table, reviewing all the information from the past few days in his mind.
He immediately stood up, grabbed the key intelligence documents, and strode towards the command post.
He moved quickly, his mind rapidly calculating the possible direction of the Village Hidden in the Sand's all-out attack, troop deployment, and time window.
He needed to convey these analyses to Jiraiya, the commander, as soon as possible so that he could prepare in advance.
The command post was right next to the staff office, just a few steps away.
Suzaku Nara lifted the curtain, and a young, steady voice came from inside.
"Therefore, Jiraiya-sama, based on the above, the Village Hidden in the Sand is preparing for a full-scale attack."
Suzaku Nara: "…?"
Suzaku Nara stopped in his tracks, frozen in place, still clutching the intelligence reports in his hand, his mouth slightly agape.
Inside the tent, the boy who had been standing in front of the map was withdrawing his finger from a certain location and turning around.
It's Shinichi Higashino.
With his usual gentle expression, he nodded slightly when he saw Suzaku Nara at the door.
Suzaku Nara shifted his gaze from Shinichi's face to the map behind him.
There were several marks made there, and he only vaguely felt that the location of each mark, and even several locations, was suspicious, but he had not yet had time to deduce it in depth.
At this moment, however, Shinichi had clearly marked it with different colored pens, and next to it were notes on troop strength estimates, possible attack routes, and countermeasures.
"Suzaku?"
Jiraiya's voice pulled him back from his daze.