Chapter 75

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Three days later, as soon as his ability refreshed, Yōichi left the village. His luck was relatively good; out of three attempts with the Pickpocket ability, he managed to steal the ability to absorb natural energy twice, with the unlucky draw being a smelly sock just once.

The enhancement from the two physiques significantly improved Yōichi's perception, absorption, and control over natural energy.

The first time he absorbed natural energy, Yōichi felt its overwhelming force constantly trying to erode his body. Only by balancing it with his chakra could he avoid being consumed by the natural energy.

However, after successively stealing the ability to absorb natural energy twice more, Yōichi's control over and affinity with natural energy significantly increased. He could now freely control the absorption of natural energy.

He speculated that if he managed to steal the ability to absorb natural energy five times, he could perfectly control natural energy, just like the ancestor of that clan from six hundred years ago.

As for this month's refreshed ability, Yōichi was somewhat looking forward to it.

[Lucky Scratch Off]: Can randomly get an item every day.]

The ability's description was brief, suggesting it worked similarly to a random lottery.

After leaving the village, Yōichi tried out the Lucky Scratch Off ability.

[Ability activated successfully, congratulations on winning a salmon meal set. Would you like to retrieve it?]

"Alright, alright, this is what you give me, huh!"

Yōichi's lips twitched. He should have known better. The ability's upper limit was infinite, and so was its lower limit.

It could draw something as valuable as a two-dimensional foil weapon, or something as worthless as a pile of dung. With no limit on the items, what one could draw depended entirely on luck.

A salmon meal set was, at least, better than dung.

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In the following period, Yōichi didn't rush back to the Land of Rivers but took a detour to the Uchiha Pharmaceutical Factory while passing through the Land of Fire.

The factory had signed contracts with thirteen merchants supplying medicinal herbs, allowing the Uchiha clan to permit price increases every three years, provided the herbs were supplied to the Uchiha first.

This thirty-year contract essentially monopolized the future business of medicinal herb merchants in the Land of Fire and surrounding countries.

Seeing a long-term stable business deal, the merchants were naturally willing to sign.

Once the trading contract was signed, these people would have to think twice before reneging, lest their heads become harder than the Uchiha clan's shuriken.

"Yōichi-kun, we have enough medicinal herbs stocked to keep the factory running for four months. And in three months, they'll deliver another batch. If we produce too much and can't sell it all..."

"Don't worry, it will definitely sell, Junshu-kun."

Yōichi was not concerned about this, assuring Junshu, "This comes recommended by Tsunade. When you advertise, focus on a few key points: the top medical sage in the ninja world spent five years, pouring her heart and soul into these health products.

Whose recommendation is this? The medical sage, the first in medical skills in the ninja world. Hearing this, wouldn't you be tempted?"

Junshu thought for a moment. Just Tsunade's name alone was very persuasive, plus the mention of five years and heartfelt effort, he indeed felt tempted, "I might actually buy it, just for Lady Tsunade's reputation, to give it a try."

"Merchants, nobles, and officials all think like you. After all, Tsunade has stopped taking surgeries for the past two years. You can also release news that the medical sage Tsunade has devoted all her effort to researching these three medicines."

Yōichi taught Junshu a few tricks, essentially to fully leverage Tsunade's reputation; after all, even rival villages admired her medical skills.

Tsunade was unlikely to see the ads, and these products weren't meant for ninjas anyway. They'd avoid targeting ninjas when releasing them.

Yōichi stayed at the pharmaceutical factory for nearly twenty days, relaxing and watching the time. Only when it was about time did he head to the underground exchange in the Land of Wind.

As for the items drawn in the past ten days, Yōichi was somewhat at a loss for words.

[Senzu Beans], [Yixing Teapot], [A half-smoked cigarette discarded], [Master Roshi's Sunglasses], [300 pounds of Sea King beast belly meat], [Three pounds of sunflower seeds], [A manual for making Saiyan battle armor], [Three pounds of carp], [An empty turtle shell].

Among the items drawn in the past twenty days, only [Senzu Beans] and [A manual for making Saiyan battle armor] were considered lucky breaks.

[300 pounds of Sea King beast belly meat] was also not bad; he could try cooking it when he got back.

After retrieving these three items, Yōichi carefully stored them away, considering the rest to disappear with the next ability refresh as they held no value.

Yōichi didn't hold out much hope. Getting a Senzu Bean was rare enough; just one could bring someone back to full health as if given a second life, provided they hadn't died.

He wasn't in a hurry while traveling. Having confirmed the Third Kazekage's death, finding Sasori's whereabouts would be a bonus, but not finding him wouldn't be an issue.

The other six reconnaissance squads spent a month on a fruitless endeavor. They should have realized that information about a village leader wouldn't be easy to obtain.

Four days later.

Yōichi arrived at the underground exchange in the Land of Wind, right on the monthly mark.

Seeing Yōichi, the old man at the exchange fetched a scroll, placing it on the table with a heh-heh laugh, "Your timing is perfect. Just as you wanted, we found information on that genius puppeteer who posted a request with us.

Half a month ago, he was seen in the Land of Craftsmen. We can't be sure where he is now, but this is what we've gathered and speculated about his whereabouts over the last half-month."

Yōichi took the scroll and asked, "What kind of request did he post?"

"We don't disclose our clients' information. All I can tell you is that the genius puppeteer was looking for someone."

After speaking, the old man at the exchange sized up Yōichi and then asked, "Interested in becoming a bounty hunter? There's a high-value bounty recently, worth eighty million ryō, attracting quite a few hunters."

Eighty million ryō was roughly equivalent to two elite Jōnin renowned across the ninja world. Yōichi, curious, asked, "What's the bounty for? It's quite high."

"It's for a bounty hunter, but that bastard, I don't know what got into his head, he killed the client. Now, our top priority is to find him and take him out to salvage our reputation."

"I don't have time, find someone else!"

[End of Chapter]