Chapter 41: The All-Embracing Formula! (Please Keep Reading and Cast Your Monthly Votes)

Time flew by as spring gave way to summer.

The Hidden Leaf Village was filled with the cheerful jingling of bicycle bells.

Bicycles weaved through the streets, and many children called out to their friends, racing on smaller bikes.

Bicycles had quickly become their new favorite toys.

At home, Genichi Shimoki, poring over the accounts, was very pleased—now he had enough money to buy a chakra blade.

Whether the blades he had before or the current two were ordinary knives at best; the new ones were of slightly better quality but still couldn’t conduct chakra effectively.

They couldn't compare to the White Fang short blades wielded by his teacher, Sakumo Hatake.

Materials that could conduct chakra well were extremely rare and expensive, costing anywhere from hundreds of thousands to even tens of millions of ryō.

Genichi had completed two S-rank missions, each paying at least a million ryō, but the earnings had to be shared with the village and his teammates.

Besides, Genichi ate well and often, purchasing the best ration pills that quickly replenished his stamina.

Even though he could use equipment at the Hidden Leaf Hospital, consumables still had to be bought out of his own pocket.

So previously, Genichi simply couldn’t afford a chakra blade.

Now, though the bicycle business hadn’t exploded, sales in Hidden Leaf were strong, and demand had spread to major cities like Daimyōfu in the Land of Fire.

With a steady, substantial income flowing in, it far surpassed the profits of his family’s dumpling shop.

Moreover, the next step was to expand sales beyond the Land of Fire, collaborating with merchants from other countries or transporting goods overseas—promising even greater profits.

And best of all, Genichi didn’t have to manage this himself.

He had enlisted the Hatake family and partnered with a local carriage company—the very shop where he had first custom-ordered bicycles.

So he was free from the daily grind of bookkeeping, which his parents handled.

“Maybe I can even change the technological development of the ninja world!” he mused with a faint smile as he closed the ledger, then set the matter aside.

Compared to technology, he preferred the greatness that came from mastering strength.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage’s office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up in surprise as Tsunade entered.

Since the end of the ninja war, Tsunade hadn’t come here; she didn’t respond when he sought her out.

She spent her days drinking or gambling.

Sarutobi was helpless, watching his outstanding disciple slowly fall into decline.

Yet there was nothing he could do but let her be.

He also knew Tsunade harbored resentment toward him, but that knot was impossible to untie.

He was aware that recently she had been visiting the Hidden Leaf Hospital with Genichi Shimoki and Shizune, but hadn’t paid much attention, given her special relationship with Shizune.

So was this visit for Shizune? Was she planning to take Shizune away from Hidden Leaf?

Sighing quietly, Sarutobi put down his pipe. “Tsunade, is there something you need?”

Tsunade replied calmly, “Give me the Hidden Leaf Hospital.”

“And fund me. I want to train more medical-nin, innovate medical techniques, and build better laboratories.”

Sarutobi was stunned.

Wasn’t she planning to leave?

Tsunade frowned as she watched Sarutobi’s silence. “Is there no money?”

“That’s impossible. Old man, I know the village just made a considerable profit!”

Snapping back to attention, Sarutobi coughed. “Well… Tsunade, submit a proposal, and I’ll approve it immediately.”

“Then hurry up!” Tsunade said, already prepared, tossing him a report.

Sarutobi took a deep pull of smoke, quickly scanning the document.

Tsunade was serious!

He had even suspected she might have lost money gambling and was trying to scam funds.

But now…

Looking up at Tsunade, he noticed something different in her demeanor—she seemed revitalized.

He flipped to the last page and signed.

Tsunade grabbed the report and left briskly.

Watching her go, Sarutobi felt the Tsunade he once knew might be returning.

What had happened during this time?

He was puzzled but glad to see her change.

Jiraiya was a fool, always troublesome, but thankfully he had trained Minato, an exceptional ninja.

As for Orochimaru…

Thinking of Orochimaru, Sarutobi frowned slightly.

Recently, that disciple had been close to Danzo, who had been making many covert moves.

At home, Genichi Shimoki, after reviewing the accounts, resumed his training.

The Chunin exams were approaching, and with no missions recently, he could focus entirely on his practice.

In the past few months, he had fully mastered the Wind Release breakthrough technique.

He had grasped Water Severing Wave but still sought to increase its power.

He had perfected the Water Killing Thousand Flight technique, but like Water Severing Wave, its power was still lacking and needed further strengthening.

As for changes to the Wind Release nature, Genichi found it very difficult to cultivate without innate aptitude.

Though progress was steady, he still couldn’t cut through a waterfall.

He had considered Ice Release but hadn’t acted on it yet and hadn’t made any breakthroughs.

However, spending time with Tsunade had enriched his knowledge considerably over the past months.

In short, these months had not been wasted.

Most notably, Genichi had finally crossed the threshold with the “Kai” hand seal, enabling him to dispel genjutsu.

Thus, he added the “Kai” technique to his repertoire.

Previously, he had named the “Zai” and “Mae” hand seals as “Zai” and “Mae” techniques, respectively.

These were unique secret arts of his own!

The “Hei” technique accelerated his speed, the “Kai” technique countered illusions, while the “Zai” and “Mae” techniques were currently applied only to Water Release.

According to the profound meaning behind the “Zai” technique, Genichi believed it could one day be applied to all ninjutsu and beyond.

He had once deciphered the Nine Character True Word hand seals, learning that the “Zai” seal allowed free use of all supernatural powers.

Unfortunately, he could currently only apply it to Water Release.

“Thankfully, I have more time than others, and since I have talent in this area, I’ll master it bit by bit,” Genichi mused.

He performed the “Hei” technique and resumed studying the “Kai” technique.

“Hei” quickened his thinking; though it didn’t make one smarter, it allowed his mind to work faster.

Perhaps that was a form of intelligence.

The more he trained, the more Genichi appreciated the importance of innate talent—not just in potential but in training speed.

Hence, he used the “Hei” technique in his daily practice.

“Genichi!”

Suddenly, a clear voice called from outside.

Annoyed at the interruption, he frowned slightly but quickly composed himself and leaned out the window.

“Shizune, wait for me!”

He retracted his head, changed clothes, grabbed his ninja pouch, and slipped out the window.

“Are we training together?” he asked after landing.

Shizune was currently on summer break and often came to train with him.

“No,” Shizune shook her head, smiling mysteriously. “You’ll see once we get there. Let’s go!”

She took his hand and led him to a bicycle parked by the roadside.

“Hop on!”

Genichi smiled, climbed onto the back seat, and wrapped his arms around Shizune’s waist.

Her cheeks flushed as she pushed off, the bicycle ringing its bell as they sped through the streets.

Genichi had given her that bike!

The jingling bells echoed through every alley as Shizune pedaled toward the Hidden Leaf Hospital.

Once inside, they walked purposefully to a spacious new laboratory.

Genichi saw Tsunade and several others busily setting things up.

Shizune whispered, “Genichi, this is the new lab Lady Tsunade is preparing.”

Genichi blinked.

Tsunade was… not planning to leave Hidden Leaf after all?