5 Chapter 5: Improving Soldier Rations Pill
Chapter 5: Improving Soldier Rations Pill
Chiba was not clear about the situation in the ninja school.
However, a week later, when he returned to report, the topic was mentioned to him every day—on that day, the school organized an exam for them and the students in the lower grade.
The Third Hokage had said that as long as someone could achieve a perfect score and pass the second round, he would allow them to graduate early and participate in further studies. But in reality, no one could achieve that.
And so, everything settled down.
Chiba returned to the Medical Department.
"Teacher, I've finished reading the basics of pharmacology, and I want to delve deeper."
"So soon?"
Yamanaka Sato was a little surprised.
She looked Chiba up and down, somewhat incredulous. "You didn't just skim through it, did you?"
"I remember it all."
"You're quite confident. Hmph, let me test you."
Yamanaka Sato took the book on basic pharmacology, then smiled slightly and put it down, picking up another book titled "Medical Fundamentals."
With two books on the table, she casually opened a page and began to randomly quiz Chiba on the content.
Chiba pondered for a moment and quickly recalled the information.
Answering one question after another, Yamanaka Sato's eyes widened in surprise and then became somewhat disorganized. She randomly quizzed him on topics from both books, not following their order, but Chiba still managed to answer everything correctly.
After half an hour, Yamanaka Sato couldn't help but exclaim in amazement and a little regret.
If only this kid could learn ninjutsu.
With his talent, he would undoubtedly become an excellent medical ninja.
That's what Yamanaka Sato thought.
Chiba didn't mind.
The light ball took away his ability to learn ninjutsu, but it also granted him stronger abilities, and he couldn't help but wonder if the light ball had shrunk a bit.
"You are quite broad-minded. Fine, let me find you a more suitable book."
Yamanaka Sato turned around, took out a book titled "Anatomy," and then retrieved a scroll from a drawer.
"What's this?"
"The recipe for Soldier Rations Pills. Starting next week, study the book and try making the Soldier Rations Pills while you're at it."
Yamanaka Sato smiled.
Chiba was overjoyed and carefully examined the scroll.
The recipe wasn't difficult, and he quickly memorized it.
"Thank you, Teacher!"
...
"Although it's also anatomy, it seems to be different from my previous life."
Chiba finished reading.
After going through the three books, he gained a general understanding of medical techniques in Konoha. Although there were pharmacology-assisted treatments, medical ninjutsu remained the primary method. The surgical procedures were also different from his previous life.
However, regarding Soldier Rations Pills, he had some new ideas.
The current Soldier Rations Pills were very singular in their function.
They were used for both satiety and energy recovery, combining multiple functions in one.
While this was good, it led to wasteful usage and high costs.
Sometimes, there might not be a need to recover a large amount of energy quickly, while other times, rapid energy recovery might be essential.
It should be further refined.
Chiba shared his ideas with Yamanaka Sato, who smiled slightly and didn't take it too seriously. However, she still encouraged him to try it out boldly and allowed him to freely browse through the books in her office.
As a result, for the next three days, Chiba was constantly working with Soldier Rations Pills, pharmacology, and other books.
On the fourth day, he entered the laboratory.
"Baika."
"Yamanaka-sama, is there something you need?"
"That child is making Soldier Rations Pills for the first time. Keep an eye on him and help if he encounters any difficulties."
"Understood!"
Baika took a glance.
He was around twelve years old, quite young.
In the past few years, this wouldn't have been uncommon, especially during the war era, where it was normal for a twelve-year-old to become a Chunin. But things were different in peacetime.
Is he Yoshino Chiba?
Baika approached curiously, then said in surprise, "Yamanaka-sama."
"What's wrong?"
Yamanaka Sato was about to go to guide other juniors learning medical ninjutsu when Baika stopped her, thinking that something was wrong with Chiba.
"No, his actions are very standard, but the choice of herbs seems to be off. It's like it deviates from the recipe."
Baika was 26 years old, eight years older than Yamanaka Sato.
Although he was not as skilled in medical ninjutsu as Yamanaka Sato, he was still one of the top students in the Medical Department. He was familiar with medical ninjutsu and Soldier Rations Pills, and could easily spot any differences.
Yamanaka Sato frowned, "This child is so impulsive."
"His hand is very steady, though."
Baika praised.
Chiba's every step was almost perfect, his technique and movements were flawless—
The only issue was that the choice of herbs didn't seem to match the recipe.
"Let me take a look."
Yamanaka Sato walked toward Chiba.
By the time she reached halfway, Chiba had already finished and was about to put the Soldier Rations Pill in his mouth.
"Wait!"
"Hmm?"
Chiba turned his head to see Yamanaka Sato and Baika and immediately understood their intentions. "Teacher, Senior Baika."
"Did you change the recipe?"
"Yes, because I'm not very familiar with it, I decided to reduce the rapid energy recovery effect first, strengthen the satiety effect and calories, and then make adjustments according to the results."
He explained and continued to adjust the mixture.
"You!"
Yamanaka Sato was momentarily speechless.
"Um, all the materials are non-toxic, so I plan to try it first."
Chiba said and didn't wait for her to speak, lightly biting the Soldier Rations Pill.
After savoring it carefully...
"Indeed, it's not very perfect. Let me think, ah yes, I should use a little less of these two ingredients."
He said and began to adjust again.
"You!"
Yamanaka Sato was at a loss for words.
It was true that the half of the pill Chiba had just eaten had a slightly stronger satiety effect.
"Let me try."
Yamanaka Sato took a bite and then carefully felt the taste, lost in thought.
Indeed.
The satiety effect was better.
"It costs less than before?"
"I removed two types of herbs used for rapid energy recovery and replaced them with compressed food and dried meat using chakra. So, the cost is less than half of before. However, not completely recovering energy won't work either. I should add a little..."
Chiba quickly answered while continuing to work.
Not long after, another Soldier Rations Pill was completed.
This time, it was definitely right!
"Try it again."
"Mhm."
Yamanaka Sato got serious, took the pill, broke it in half, and then broke one half into two pieces—
There was no way around it. The satiety effect of the previous
half-pill was a bit too strong.
After tasting it, her eyes lit up.
This kind of Soldier Rations Pill...
It achieved a good balance between satiety and recovery effects, indeed better than before.
"The cost is fifty percent of the previous one. We can further adjust the formula to develop a special Soldier Rations Pill with a lower satiety effect and faster energy recovery, and we can sell that one at a higher price."
"This way, people would spend much less money."
Chiba said.
Yamanaka Sato and Baika exchanged glances, showing a mix of shock and complexity.
It wasn't difficult, and they might have thought of it eventually.
But...
How long has it been since this child started learning?
He only started dealing with Soldier Rations Pills three days ago.
Yet, not only did he master the manufacturing method, but he also came up with an adjustment plan. His research was entirely practical and dividing it into two types indeed made more sense.
It wasn't difficult, but they hadn't thought of it.
Yamanaka Sato pondered for a moment and said, "Baika, help him study a quicker energy recovery, lower satiety Soldier Rations Pill. Once it's done, Chiba will write the report, and you can help correct it."
"Yes!"
