They didn’t want to die on a mission because of some minor health issue.
If it could be treated, then it was better to get it treated.
A huge crowd came rushing over as if they were afraid of being one step too late.
More and more shinobi emerged from the surrounding streets.
A rough count put the number at more than a hundred.
“How can there possibly be so many people? Have they all gone crazy? Don’t they know how bitter this stuff is?”
Uchiha Obito looked at the crowd in disbelief.
The herbal tea he hadn’t thought highly of was actually selling like hotcakes.
The result had completely shocked him.
Shibu shrugged and smiled.
“It’s just because you don’t know good stuff when you see it. This is excellent medicine. If you weren’t my friend, I wouldn’t have given you a free bowl.”
“Just thinking about it makes my heart ache. That was worth one hundred ryō!”
Shibu hadn’t originally cared much about money.
After all, he had a powerful father, and his own talent wasn’t bad either.
As long as he had enough money to use, that was all he needed.
But after awakening the system, he realized that money was going to be indispensable to his future.
Looks like I’ll have to become an evil capitalist.
Otherwise, I’ll never have enough money to spend.
The people who arrived at the stall clearly hadn’t expected medicine capable of treating their symptoms to taste this bitter.
Fortunately, they had mentally prepared themselves before coming.
It was medicine, after all.
It was normal for medicine to be bitter.
…
Time passed quickly.
Before they knew it, evening had arrived.
Shibu counted one banknote after another in his hands.
He had clearly made a fortune this time.
All the herbal tea had been sold.
Although every customer left with a miserable expression, as if they had just drunk something indescribable, they were all extremely satisfied with the effects.
So they paid without hesitation.
After all, it was only one hundred ryō.
That was much cheaper than going to Konoha Hospital.
Doctors were scarce these days.
And medical ninja capable of using chakra for treatment were even rarer.
Their treatment fees were naturally even more outrageous.
One hundred ryō?
That wasn’t expensive at all.
It was worth every ryō.
Without exception, all of them were scheduled to go on missions the following day.
By treating their symptoms, Shibu had effectively saved their lives.
Beside him, Uchiha Obito watched Shibu count his money with obvious envy.
They had already sold ten thousand ryō in a single day.
Then Obito seemed to remember something.
He picked up the empty takeaway container beside him and tried to shove it into his mouth.
Shibu was startled.
He thought Obito had gone crazy from the shock.
“Smack!”
“Ow! Shibu, what are you doing?!”
Shibu walked over and slapped Obito across the face.
Only after seeing Obito’s irritated reaction did Shibu breathe a sigh of relief.
“Have you gone crazy? Why are you eating that thing?”
Although Uchiha Obito might very well become a major villain behind the scenes in the future, and although his brain wasn’t exactly the sharpest, right now, at this very moment, he was Shibu’s friend.
Whatever happened in the future, Shibu would deal with it.
If he had come to this world only to change nothing, then his entire life would have been meaningless.
He believed that fate had brought him here for a reason.
There had to be something he was meant to change.
Obito froze for a moment.
Then he hurriedly threw the container aside.
He had clearly realized that the oath he had made earlier had only been spoken inside his own head.
Nobody had actually heard it.
The realization made him want to slap himself.
I’m such an idiot.
Seriously.
Shibu looked at Obito’s expression as it shifted between delight and anguish.
He couldn’t understand what was wrong with his dim-witted best friend.
After scratching his head, Shibu handed him an envelope.
“This is your pay for today. One thousand ryō.”
Obito was still lost in his own thoughts.
But the moment he felt the thickness of the envelope in his hand, he immediately snapped back to reality.
As the child of a poor family, he had never seen this much money before.
And, more importantly, this money belonged to him.
It was far more than his monthly allowance.
All of his previous unhappiness instantly disappeared.
Following Shibu really does have a bright financial future!
Inside, an Anbu shinobi was reporting the strange events of the day to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
“You’re saying a strange disease has appeared in Konoha?”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
The Anbu nodded respectfully before continuing.
“The specific symptoms are red and swollen eyes, sores around the mouth, toothaches, and sore throats. At present, nearly one thousand people have been affected.”
Hiruzen’s expression became solemn.
In a society like this, an epidemic was one of the most terrifying disasters imaginable.
It could cause massive casualties.
And until a new vaccine or effective medicine was developed, there might be no way to stop it.
That was why Hiruzen looked so serious.
He picked up his smoking pipe and took a few puffs.
It was a habit of his.
Whenever he encountered something troublesome, he would smoke a little to clear his mind and regain his composure.
“How does Tsunade see it?”
Something like this would normally be reported directly to the director of Konoha Hospital—Tsunade.
Hiruzen could still lead a charge into battle.
But when it came to dealing with unfamiliar diseases, he really had no idea what to do.
“Tsunade-sama has already investigated it. At present, there doesn’t appear to be any danger to life. It simply makes people feel very uncomfortable.”
The Anbu continued,
“According to Tsunade-sama’s assessment, even without treatment, there shouldn’t be any serious consequences. As long as people maintain a light diet, the symptoms should improve after several days.”
The Anbu had clearly done his homework beforehand and compiled all the available information.
Only then did Hiruzen relax.
As long as it wasn’t fatal, there was no major problem.
He looked at the Anbu in front of him.
Clearly, this Anbu shouldn’t remain by his side.
Why?
Because he had a habit of taking far too long to get to the point and deliberately building suspense.
Hiruzen had already decided that this man’s career was over.
“Although this is only an ordinary epidemic, we absolutely cannot let our guard down.”
“Investigate its spread carefully. Determine where it originated and how it is being transmitted.”
“And tell Tsunade to hurry up and develop an effective treatment.”
Hiruzen issued his orders.
After the Anbu left, Hiruzen stood by the window and gazed at the setting sun.
A hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.
This had better not be the work of any of the other four great nations.
Otherwise, even if I’m a pacifist, I won’t hesitate to start a war.