"Arai-sensei."
The next day, Arai met Yubi, who had returned from outside the Village, at the hospital.
Yubi greeted him warmly.
Both of their expressions were very natural.
Although they hadn't operated as a squad for several years, Yubi's way of addressing Arai as 'teacher' had never changed.
"Yubi, do you need something from me?"
Arai laughed softly.
"Come, I'll take you to see something good." Yubi stood up and pulled Arai toward the hospital's Research Lab.
After a moment, the two stepped into an empty room. It was called a Research Lab, but its furnishings were actually very simple, mostly consisting of various jars and bottles. Upon entering, one could smell the pungent scent of various medicines.
On the shelves, many raw medicinal materials were also piled up and categorized.
Some looked like herbal plants, while others looked like the flesh or organs of certain animals.
In short, there was a bit of everything.
In the corner, there were also several tanks that looked like culture dishes.
At this time, Saori and the others seemed to be busy mixing potions and had no time to pay attention to the two.
The Village had always known about Yubi's research, but the sudden outbreak of a series of conflict events meant that others, including the higher-ups, simply had no extra energy to focus on it. Combined with the Village's limited funds and inability to provide support... the specifics of Yubi's research results remained unclear.
They only knew that Yubi had borrowed several people with a certain level of expertise in pharmacological research to act as helpers.
Once inside, Yubi opened a box on the table and took out several white tablets.
"This is?"
Arai asked curiously.
"A type of antibiotic..." Yubi chuckled.
"Antibiotics?" Arai had never heard the word.
"You can simply understand it as something that boosts the body's immunity. Although the Ninja World has similar Antibiotics, which I've used before, their effects are poor. They can't completely clear wound infections or bacteria that have invaded the body..." Yubi explained.
"It seems the pharmacological research direction of all Ninja Villages, or what they care about... is more inclined towards killing or becoming stronger, rather than saving people in the true sense... They aren't willing to settle down and do this kind of thing, perhaps feeling it's of little significance. Of course, the Ninja World has never been peaceful, and there's too much going on. Even if some people have the idea, they don't have enough time and energy..."
"However, you could also say their knowledge in this field simply can't compare to mine."
Yubi rubbed his nose and said with a bit of pride.
"Isn't it a potion?"
Arai's eyelids jumped.
The tablet Yubi held in his hand was only the size of a fingernail.
It looked like a very small amount. Although he didn't know much about medicine... could this tiny thing's efficacy exceed an entire bottle of potion?
Even some pills were several times larger than this tablet.
"These solid tablets are easy to carry and package, making them better for selling to the outside world... They also have a long shelf life. As for the effects, they are at least dozens of times more effective than similar drugs currently on the market... This is only because current technology and tools are limited, and we're just preparing for mass production. Many aspects are still immature, but this is the best that can be achieved."
"In the future, it will only get better."
Yubi said very casually.
"..."
Arai swallowed hard.
"Dozens of times?"
From Yubi's tone, it seemed he wasn't very satisfied with the current research results?
Was this the reason he had traveled the Ninja World for over a year, collecting data related to medicinal materials?
"This powdered medicine, which looks grayish, is for external use... It can repair cells and flesh. Of course... the effect isn't as direct as Medical Ninjutsu and takes some time; a course of treatment takes at least a few days to see results. But its advantage is convenience. In situations where emergency aid is needed but no Medical Ninja is present, it can provide some relief."
"This... this is for pain relief, it takes effect with just one pill... haha."
"And this... this can stimulate bone growth. Even if there's an injury with broken bones, taking a certain amount can ensure recovery in a relatively short time."
"And this..."
"Wait a minute... you researched all of this?"
Arai subconsciously looked at Saori not far away. Why didn't the Village know about any of this?
"Don't look at me... he's the Director, I just follow his orders." Saori noticed Arai's gaze, looked back at him, and said calmly.
It was no wonder Arai was so shocked... as Medical Ninjas, the moment Yubi's formulas were tested and their efficacy was verified, the entire Research Lab erupted in excitement!
As a layman, Arai didn't understand what this meant at all.
He didn't understand just how great Yubi was as a Medical Ninja.
"The Village has had a lot going on lately, so I've heard... Haha, my thought was not to inform the higher-ups and Lord Kazekage before succeeding, to avoid giving them false hope if it failed." Seeing Arai's stunned expression, Yubi explained.
"What I'm showing you are only part of the Finished medicines, mainly developed for battlefield situations... During my year of traveling outside, I also learned about the main types and directions of diseases among the lower classes of the Ninja World and developed some medicines suitable for ordinary people to use in their daily lives."
Speaking to this point, Yubi paused and stopped smiling.
He met Arai's gaze. "You should understand what this means, right?"
At this moment, besides shock, Arai felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.
Then, a surge of wild joy emerged from within.
Under everyone's noses, Yubi had actually accomplished such a massive feat silently!
Just the few medicines Yubi had introduced were enough to greatly reduce the Village's medical pressure... Even on the battlefield, without the treatment of a Medical Ninja, those fighting could allow their injuries to recover somewhat in a short time.
Once these medicines hit the market, every Ninja Village would definitely scramble for them.
With a massive reserve of medicine, any Village's demand for Medical Ninjas would be greatly reduced.
One could say it solves the 'pain point' that all Ninja Villages, including the Hidden Sand Village, must face during wartime.
Furthermore, it allows the Village's Ninjas to avoid being quickly consumed or replaced on the battlefield, thereby unleashing more sustained combat power.
And then there were those medicines Yubi mentioned for civilians.
Although Arai hadn't seen them... he knew they were definitely not something currently available in the Ninja World that could be easily replaced.
The civilians of every country would need them... and would buy them.
Once the market opened... their Hidden Sand Village would obtain a continuous stream of wealth.
They would even have the means to contain other Ninja Villages or hostile forces!
They hit it big!
Their Hidden Sand Village had unearthed... no, that's not right. Yubi had unearthed a massive Treasure Trove for the Village!
What made Arai's mind go even more blank was that he also thought of another aspect.
With these medicines... not only the Hidden Sand Village, but the survival rates and lifespans of people throughout the entire Ninja World would be increased.
One must know that many of the common people at the bottom... die from disease, not from the flames of war.
From now on, the Hidden Sand Village will take on a completely new look and usher in a brand-new era.
...
After a while, a somewhat dazed Arai was pulled out of the Research Lab by Yubi.
He still hadn't come to his senses.
The two returned to the office where Yubi served as Director.
It was just the two of them.
After entering the room, Yubi turned and locked the door.
Then, he looked at Arai.
"Arai-sensei..."
"Can I... trust you?"
"Huh?"
Arai was stunned.
From Yubi's eyes, he felt an indescribable meaning.
This made his heart skip a beat.
A premonition he didn't want to accept was about to come true.