Chapter 33: The Blueprint of Progress

Isao asked Ryu, "So what's the plan?"

Ryu's brow furrowed in concentration as he considered the question. "First things first, we need to conduct in-vivo tests," he began, his voice carrying a note of determination. "Petri dishes have served their purpose admirably, but true progress hinges on in-vivo testing. We need to observe how the medicine reacts within a living organism to truly understand its potential and limitations."

He paused, pursing his lips in thought for a moment. "However, we must approach this with the utmost caution and responsibility," he added, his tone growing serious. "Jumping straight to human trials would be reckless and potentially dangerous. The potential for unforeseen toxicity is far too high, and we cannot, under any circumstances, put anyone at risk."

Even though Ryu knew from his past life that the medicine was safe for humans and had revolutionised medical work, he was careful not to appear careless or overconfident in front of Isao and Dr. Yuki. Their trust and collaboration were crucial to the success of this project.

Isao leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "I see. So, what's the next step, Ryu-san? How do we proceed with these in-vivo tests?"

Ryu's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he outlined his proposal. "Here's what I suggest," he began, his voice firm with conviction. "Our next crucial step is to refine the formula itself. We need to isolate the specific component of the mould extract that exhibits these remarkable antibacterial properties. This will allow us to concentrate its potency and minimise any potential side effects."

He continued, gesturing with his hands to emphasise his points. "Once we've pinpointed this active component, we can then move on to testing its safety and efficacy in live subjects. Rats or rabbits would be ideal choices for this stage of experimentation. Their physiological responses can give us valuable insights into how the medicine might affect humans without putting people at risk."

Dr. Yuki nodded in agreement, her eyes gleaming with scientific curiosity. "I can definitely assist with that aspect of the research," she interjected. "Time is of the essence, so it would be prudent to divide our tasks efficiently. I'll focus on further experiments and animal trials. My research experience will be beneficial in this area, and I'll consult with you, Ryu, on any questions or unexpected results."She turned to Isao. "Perhaps you can collaborate with Ryu on the isolation and production side of things?"

Ryu's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Dr. Yuki. Your expertise will be invaluable in this phase."

Dr. Yuki waved off the thanks with a humble smile. "No need to thank me. This is groundbreaking work we're doing here, and I'm honoured to be a part of it."

Isao scratched his chin thoughtfully. "I'm more than happy to help with the production side of things," he said. "But Dr. Yuki, we can't exactly churn this stuff out in petri dishes forever. Have you given any thought to how we're going to mass-produce it once we're ready for that stage?"

Ryu chuckled, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Indeed, Mr. Isao. We need to think on a much grander scale," he said, his gaze flickering playfully towards Isao. "First things first, though. We need a controlled environment to cultivate the mould—a far cry from the specimen you, ahem, 'acquired' from your kitchen."

Isao's face reddened slightly as he quickly objected, "Hey, it was not from my kitchen!"

Ryu laughed good-naturedly at his response before continuing more seriously. "You're absolutely right, though. Scaling this up from petri dishes to mass production is the next critical hurdle we'll face," he acknowledged. "We'll need to develop a large-scale synthesis process. Petri dishes are perfect for our current stage, allowing us to observe and refine the formula. But for real-world application and distribution, we'll need a proper manufacturing unit."

Dr. Yuki nodded, her expression thoughtful. "That's an excellent point, Ryu. In fact, I've been considering our next steps in that direction," she said. "I plan to approach Director Sato at Leaf Central Hospital. Once I secure his support, I'll negotiate for a larger, better-equipped lab with the necessary infrastructure for scaling up our production. Director Sato is known for being forward-thinking, and I'm confident he'll recognise the immense potential of your discovery."

Her voice took on a note of determination as she continued, "But even if he doesn't, we have options. We can always present our findings to another hospital or research institution willing to back us. The importance of this work speaks for itself."

A spark of hope ignited in Ryu's eyes. He thought, "A dedicated lab... that would be incredible. With proper equipment, we could truly make a difference."

However, he couldn't help but voice some concerns. "A full-scale lab would be amazing, but setting up a manufacturing unit is a whole different challenge, isn't it? We'll need specialised equipment—fermenters, filters, and sterilisation systems. Do we have the resources for that?"

Dr. Yuki pondered for a moment before responding. "You raise valid concerns, Ryu. If Director Sato agrees to our proposal, I'll negotiate for some initial funding as well. I'm optimistic he'll see the value in investing in this project. If not, as I mentioned, we can explore other avenues."

Ryu nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "If funding becomes an issue, we might need to get creative," he suggested. "We could potentially build some of the equipment ourselves, adapting existing tools for fermentation and filtration. Sterilisation is crucial, though, and we'll need to design a robust system for that. It might cost us some valuable time, but it could be a viable alternative if necessary."He paused, then added, "As a last resort, I might be able to borrow some funds from my grandfather."

Dr. Yuki looked at Ryu with a mix of admiration and determination. "Your resourcefulness is impressive, Ryu. For now, I'll go speak with Dr. Sato and present our case. We'll reconvene afterwards to discuss the outcome and our next steps."She stood up, gathering her notes. "Let's aim to have a basic prototype of the manufacturing unit ready within the week. We can then fine-tune the design based on the results of my animal experiments."

As Dr. Yuki prepared to leave, Ryu called out, "Mother Yuki, could you not mention to Dr. Sato that I was the one who made this discovery?"

Dr. Yuki's expression softened with understanding. She knew that if word got out about a young boy making such a groundbreaking discovery, it could attract unwanted attention, possibly even from organisations like the Root Division and its leader, Danzo. "Of course, Ryu. We agreed on that earlier, and I'll honour our arrangement. Your safety and privacy are important."

With their strategy in place and everyone's dedication to the project evident, the team concluded their meeting, ready to tackle the challenges that lay ahead in their quest to make a significant impact through their groundbreaking research. As Dr. Yuki left to seek Dr. Sato's support, Ryu and Isao remained in the makeshift lab, their minds buzzing with ideas and possibilities.

Ryu turned to Isao with a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Mr. Isao, could you get me some large drawing sheets and sketching materials?"

Isao raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Planning out the assembly designs already?

We could bring in professionals if Dr. Sato agrees to our conditions, you know."

Ryu nodded, but his expression remained determined. "True, but the fewer prying eyes, the better for now. Besides, I've already got some ideas mapped out in my head. We need to design an assembly to produce the antibiotics on a larger scale, and I want to get these concepts down on paper."

With the materials in hand, Ryu began sketching out his vision. His pencil flew across the paper, creating detailed diagrams of a fermentation chamber. The designs were surprisingly sophisticated, featuring a heating element, ventilation system, precise gauges, and equipment to separate the desired compound from the mould itself—including filters and a centrifuge.

Isao watched in awe as the designs took shape, his admiration for Ryu's intellect growing with each precise line. "Ryu, you're... you're a genius!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his amazement.

Ryu smiled modestly at the compliment. "These are just rough sketches," he said. "We'll need a bigger board or sheet to elaborate on the designs further."

Inspired by Ryu's preliminary sketches, Isao suggested they use the library's whiteboard to expand their design concepts. Together, they dove into the intricacies of their schematics, meticulously mapping out a comprehensive plan.

Their collaborative effort resulted in an elaborate illustration, complete with arrows depicting the intricate processes of fermentation, compound extraction, and quality control procedures. Ryu and Isao's innovative spirits shone through as they integrated cost-effective solutions into their design, such as a filter constructed from existing spare parts.

As they stepped back to admire their work, both Ryu and Isao felt a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the journey ahead. They had taken the first crucial steps towards turning their groundbreaking discovery into a reality that could save countless lives.

[A/N: 

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