Chapter 35: Cheers

Dr. Sato leaned back in his seat, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he savoured his food in the quiet of the restaurant. The soft clink of chopsticks against ceramic plates and the gentle hum of conversation from nearby tables created a soothing ambiance. The aroma of grilled meat and fragrant spices wafted through the air, tickling their senses and adding to the overall pleasant atmosphere.

"What is Ryu doing now?" Dr. Sato asked, his curiosity piqued. "Not that I doubt you; I want to see the results of the experiments myself. I'm just too curious." He paused, taking a sip of his tea, the steam rising in delicate wisps before his face.

Dr. Yuki set down her chopsticks, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "They've been meticulously sketching out designs," she explained, leaning forward slightly, "for a full-fledged manufacturing unit specifically for this new medicine." Her voice carried a mix of pride and anticipation, clearly impressed by Ryu's foresight.

A beat of surprised silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the sizzle of meat on the grill. Then, a slow grin spread across Dr. Sato's face. "The cheeky brat," he chuckled, the fondness in his voice unmistakable. His eyes crinkled at the corners, a rare display of genuine amusement.

Dr. Yuki, taken aback by his unexpected reaction, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "Cheeky, Sato? I don't quite understand." She tilted her head slightly, her expression a mix of confusion and intrigue.

Dr. Sato's smile widened, a knowing glint in his eye. "Think about it, Yuki. If this were just a personal project for Ryu, a small-scale operation would suffice. But he's aiming for mass production." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The boy's not after accolades or recognition; that much is clear. He wants this medicine out there, in the hands of those who need it.

He's scaling up production so that the vaccine can be produced soon for everyone. Perhaps this manufacturing unit is his way of sweetening the deal, a guarantee that even a stubborn old coot like me wouldn't be able to refuse."

Dr. Yuki stared at him, a new layer of understanding dawning on her. In her excitement, she hadn't seen the bigger picture—the depth of Ryu's strategic thinking. She blinked rapidly, processing this new perspective. "I never thought about it this way," she admitted, her voice soft with realisation. "Or maybe I was too excited. But you saw right through it."

"A clever move," Dr. Sato conceded, his voice tinged with admiration. He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "Yuki, do me a favour as a friend and never send your boy for negotiation with me. The boy's got a silver tongue and a mind like a steel trap. No one stands a chance against him in negotiating a deal."

A genuine smile broke across Dr. Sato's face, a stark contrast to his usual seriousness. Dr. Yuki couldn't help but return a small smile at his playful jab. There was a newfound warmth in their interaction, a sense of camaraderie forged in shared purpose.

Dr. Sato's expression turned serious once more, his eyes meeting Dr. Yuki's with intensity. "I accept your terms, Dr. Yuki," he continued, his voice now firm and decisive. "The hospital will provide the necessary supplies and resources for the research. In return, we'll be granted access to the medicine for clinical trials and patient use. This agreement extends to the production unit that young Ryu is so diligently designing. It seems he's well on his way to ensuring this medicine reaches those who need it most."

Relief washed over Dr. Yuki, a wave that swept away the anxieties that had been plaguing her. Her shoulders visibly relaxed; tension she hadn't even realised she was carrying was melting away. With Dr. Sato's backing, they were no longer facing a daunting uphill battle. They had a formidable ally in their corner, a man who recognised the potential of Ryu's discovery and the significance of their mission.

Dr. Yuki extended her hand across the table, a genuine smile gracing her lips.

"Deal," she declared, her voice resonating with confidence and gratitude. This handshake wasn't just a confirmation of an agreement; it was the start of a partnership that could revolutionise the fight against a deadly disease.

Dr. Sato, ever the strategist, contemplated their next moves. His brow furrowed in concentration as he spoke. "A dedicated lab would certainly expedite things. But a manufacturing unit? That's a significant undertaking," he remarked, his mind already formulating a plan.

"The makeshift setup, no matter how ingenious Ryu might be, will have limitations. It will be improvised at best, considering a lack of funds. We require a suitable area for testing and manufacturing, furnished with cutting-edge technology," Dr. Sato stated, staring at Dr. Yuki.

Dr. Yuki nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. With proper funding, we could truly optimise the process." Her eyes sparkled with the possibilities that proper resources could bring to their research.

A glint appeared in Dr. Sato's eyes. "Funding is no obstacle, my dear friend. Consider it arranged. I'll even dispatch my most capable assistant to finalise the agreement. In the meantime, don't hesitate to outline your needs. Equipment, supplies, whatever it takes to expedite your research. I will arrange it for you so that you can focus on important stuff."

As Dr. Yuki delved into the specifics, outlining the need for advanced sterilisation procedures and specialised equipment, Dr. Sato listened intently. He nodded along, occasionally jotting down notes on a small pad he pulled from his pocket. He understood the challenges they faced and the delicate dance between secrecy and progress.

"Securing funding while protecting Ryu's identity will require a certain finesse, as there are too many eyes on him now," he acknowledged, stroking his chin thoughtfully. His eyes narrowed, already considering potential strategies. "But I will manage somehow. You better start the next stage of experiments soon."

Dr. Sato's expression softened, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "Dr. Yuki, tell me about the boy. How is his condition holding up?"

Dr. Yuki's face was clouded with worry. She clasped her hands tightly on the table, her knuckles turning white. "His body is failing him. After he awakened his chakra, it stabilised for a while, but now it's worsening day by day. I can clearly see the symptoms manifesting on his face. I don't think he has much time left."

The weight of Dr. Sato's words hung heavy in the air. "Then you better hurry with your work, Dr. Yuki. There's no time to waste."

Dr. Yuki nodded resolutely. "Indeed. I am not planning to waste time. But what if the product didn't complete all the trials before?" Her voice trailed off, unable to voice the unthinkable.

"Are you considering administering the vaccine before it clears all the trials?" Dr. Sato asked, his voice laced with concern. His eyes searched Dr. Yuki's face, understanding the ethical dilemma she faced.

Dr. Yuki shook her head, her eyes filled with despair. "No, not ideally. But as a last resort, I will consider it. The boy has already lost so much. It's simply too early for him to meet his end. You've seen his intellect and his brilliance, Dr. Sato. When he grows up, he has the potential to change the world."

Dr. Sato chuckled softly. "There's no doubt about that. But last time, you said he was planning to be a ninja. He is more suited to be a medical researcher."

A wry smile played on Dr. Yuki's lips. "He can be whatever he wants. He can also be a medical ninja like Tsunade."

Dr. Sato's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the legendary kunoichi. "Ah, Lady Tsunade, your last protégé. She also changed the world. The medical world advanced when she was active. Unfortunately, she couldn't change her fate. Ryu will face the same hardship if he follows the path of a ninja."

Dr. Yuki sighed. Her gaze drifted to the window, watching the bustling street outside. "I know, and Ryu knows that too. But he's already chosen his path. All we can do now is ensure he survives long enough to face the challenges that lie ahead."

Dr. Sato reached for his glass, raising it in a toast. The light caught the liquid, sending golden reflections dancing across the table. "Yes, let's make sure he does. Not just hope, but action. We will make sure he survives."

A glimmer of hope flickered in Dr. Yuki's eyes as she clinked her glass against his. "Cheers to that," she murmured, the weight of their shared responsibility settling on their shoulders. The soft chime of their glasses meeting seemed to seal their pact. They were united by a desperate hope—to save Ryu's life and unleash the potential of the medicine that could change the world.

As they lowered their glasses, a determined silence fell between them. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but in that moment, their resolve was unshakeable. The future of a brilliant young mind and countless lives hung in the balance, and they were ready to face whatever obstacles lay ahead.

[

## Author's Note

Dear Readers,

Exciting news! In the coming days, I'll be doing another mass release to wrap up the Sick Ryu storyline. I know many of you are eager to get to the good stuff, and I want to make sure we move forward swiftly!

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Best, 

PJ

[## Author's Note:

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