Chapter 70

"Again!"

Surrounded by the Slug Sage and countless little slugs, there was no risk of permanent petrification as long as he didn't absorb too much natural energy at once. Shinki gritted his teeth and persisted.

Petrified.

"Again!"

Petrified.

"Again!"

"Damn it, again!"

Whoever said I had great talent? How many times have I petrified tonight?

Shinki cursed silently, unaware that the Slug Sage was watching him with astonishment.

Is little Shinki truly this determined?

Why does he remind me so much of young Hashirama?

No, no, this progress is even faster than Hashirama's.

Shinki may have petrified more times than Senju Hashirama ever did, but the speed at which he absorbed natural energy was far more impressive. 

The Slug Sage didn't comment, silently observing Shinki's growing frustration.

I don't get it. Why is he so anxious when his progress is already exceptional? Is this just human nature?

When the Slug Sage finally released the reverse summoning, Shinki found himself back in the medical room's resting quarters.

Seeing the dim pre-dawn sky, Shinki collapsed onto his bed.

"I'm exhausted."

Sage training is brutal.

Reflecting on the night's ordeal, Shinki's eyes began to close, heavy with fatigue.

Despite the embarrassment and exhaustion, he had to admit it was better than Naruto's ordeal. At least he didn't have to risk splitting himself on sharp rocks or endure a disgusting insect banquet. A little mucus was uncomfortable but harmless, and it even helped moisturize the skin—something many would envy.

Fortunately, there weren't too many new patients that day. The medical staff and other ninjas in the ward were sufficient for monitoring the treated patients.

Shinki's main responsibility was to develop antidotes and handle the most severe cases. If he kept this pace up, he'd burn out quickly.

"Is the workload here really this heavy?" 

Nara Shikako, who had come to check on him, looked surprised to see Shinki with dark circles under his eyes, appearing more worn out than the older ninja himself.

Kid, what's wrong with you? You're so young, yet you look more tired than me, an old man.

If it weren't for the quiet professionalism of the medical ward and the known relationship between Shinki and Tsunade, Shikako might have suspected some late-night rendezvous with the medical staff.

"Don't ask—it's all Tsunade's doing," Shinki muttered, yawning.

Day shifts filled with patient care and sleepless nights of Sage training had reduced his sleep to less than four hours. No one could sustain that without showing signs of exhaustion.

"Lady Tsunade?" Shikako blinked in confusion.

Shinki waved a tired hand. "There are things I can't explain. Just know I'm working during the day and training late at night."

"Alright."

Nara Shikako wasn't one to pry further if someone didn't want to talk.

"I came by to let you know that Chiyo, one of Sand Village's elder council members, has led reinforcements into the Land of Rain. Things are about to get more intense."

Chiyo, the old puppet master? That meant the medical ward was going to get even busier.

Shinki knew he'd be spending more time cracking poisons and developing antidotes. Chiyo was ruthless with her poisons and fast at creating new ones. Falling behind meant risking significant losses.

Nara Shikako's visit was to give Shinki a heads-up to be prepared.

Failing in this role would make life hard for everyone, especially Tsunade.

"Ha~"

Yawning again, Shinki replied, "Don't worry, sir. With Orochimaru's help, we should be fine. If Orochimaru and I can't handle it, we'll get samples to Tsunade as quickly as possible."

In the ninja world, there were various ways to transmit information and items.

Even if Shinki couldn't manage the new poison himself, he could have the Slug Sage transport it back to the village for Tsunade to analyze and create an antidote before sending it back.

The speed was remarkable, thanks to the slugs' teleportation abilities.

"That's a relief."

Nara Shikako could handle most aspects of the battlefield, but Chiyo's poisons were always a significant threat. As long as they could crack her poisons and produce antidotes, her effectiveness would be greatly reduced.

This wasn't an exaggeration, but a hard fact.

For ninja skilled in poisons, neutralizing their toxins with an antidote would severely diminish their power. Take Hanzo of the Salamander, for instance—though proficient in taijutsu, kenjutsu, and the Body Flicker Technique, what made him truly fearsome was his salamander's venom.

Without that venom or his summon, Hanzo would be downgraded from a "demigod" to a regular Kage-level ninja, albeit still formidable.

There was an astonishing range of power even within the Kage level.

Unfortunately, Salamander's poison was potent enough that no antidote existed yet. Even its body was toxic, making it untouchable to most.

With his message delivered, Nara Shikako stood to leave.

"By the way, the village is sending additional medical staff and supplies, including more equipment and medicinal herbs. This should help ease your workload."

What a joke.

Most of the patients Shinki treated were so severely injured that other medical ninjas dared not attempt it. Unless the incoming medical staff were highly skilled, they wouldn't be much help.

"I hope so." Shinki didn't have high expectations.

He knew most of the village's medical ninjas, and only a few could truly share his burden.

He would continue focusing on the most severe cases and preparing antidotes, leaving the rest to the others.

Given the current situation in the Land of Rain, this war showed no signs of ending soon.

It was ironic how the Land of Rain had become a battleground. The major villages—Konoha, Sand, and Rock—fought within its borders, dragging the Rain Village into their conflict, yet none of them officially declared war.

An undeclared war meant silent engagement and leaving it at that. No formal declarations.

Despite being the instigators, Sand Village wanted to avoid the stigma of starting a war. Konoha, being the reactive party, was even less inclined to formally declare war on Sand Village.

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Gimme power stonesssss