After distancing himself from the crowd, Shinsuke stopped on a quiet path leading toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
He focused his consciousness into his mind.
‘Lottery draw!’
The moment the thought flashed through his mind, a roulette wheel appeared before him.
[ D Rank Reward: 40%, C Rank Reward: 50%, B Rank Reward: 10% ]
The wheel began spinning.
[ Ding!
Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a C Rank Reward: C Rank Special Military Ration Pill Formula.
]
Immediately afterward, a stream of information poured into Shinsuke’s mind.
[ Name: C Rank Special Military Ration Pill Formula
Description: A specially optimized military ration pill formula with improved taste and nutrition that increases Chakra recovery speed by 10% to 15% while relieving fatigue to a certain extent.
Ingredients: 10 ml of purified water, 10 g of refined oat flour, 10 g of royal honey, 2 g of dried sour plum…
]
“Only a C Rank this time…”
Shinsuke felt slightly disappointed.
However, he quickly realized the practical value of this formula.
Not bad at all.
These specially made military ration pills would be perfect for use in the upcoming war.
…
At the Uchiha Clan compound, inside Elder Sōen’s residence.
Shinsuke handed a detailed supply list to Sōen.
“Elder, this is the list of standard supplies required at the front lines.
Please arrange for someone to submit it to the Hokage’s Office so the materials can be allocated as soon as possible.”
Sōen accepted the list and quickly scanned through the various entries of ninja tools, medicine, and other supplies.
He nodded.
“Don’t worry.
I’ll handle it immediately.”
Then Shinsuke took out another carefully folded sheet of paper and handed it over with a solemn expression.
“In addition, this is a slightly improved military ration pill formula I developed.
Please arrange for absolutely trustworthy and highly skilled clan members to produce it in secret on a large scale.”
Sōen accepted the paper and unfolded it, raising an eyebrow after only a few glances.
“Military ration pills?
The village already provides those uniformly, so why make them ourselves?
Besides, these ingredients…
don’t seem particularly special.”
Looking at the ordinary ingredients, he sounded rather puzzled.
“This isn’t an ordinary military ration pill formula.”
Shinsuke deliberately emphasized his words.
“You’ll understand its effects after it’s made.
Also, this formula must remain strictly confidential.
It absolutely cannot be leaked.”
Seeing Shinsuke treating the matter so seriously, Sōen remained half convinced and half doubtful.
He carefully put away the paper before speaking in a deep voice.
“I understand.
I’ll personally supervise this matter.”
After Shinsuke left, Sōen pondered for a while before getting up and walking toward a secluded traditional medicinal workshop within the clan compound that was run by one of the clan’s elderly members.
The workshop owner was an elderly Uchiha who rarely spoke, whose craftsmanship had been passed down through generations.
Seeing the Elder arrive personally, he hurriedly bowed respectfully.
“No need for formalities.
Can you make it?”
Sōen handed over the formula.
The old craftsman adjusted his glasses and carefully studied it before looking up a moment later.
“This appears to be…
a military ration pill?”
“Hmm…
the ingredients seem somewhat different from ordinary ones…”
“But I have all the necessary materials here, so producing them shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Then make a batch.”
Sōen instructed.
“Please wait a moment.”
The old craftsman immediately got to work, skillfully weighing, grinding, mixing, and shaping the ingredients.
About fifteen minutes later, five uniformly sized, glossy black military ration pills were neatly presented on a porcelain plate.
Sōen carefully examined them before frowning.
“They don’t seem…
any different from ordinary military ration pills.”
He picked one up.
It felt slightly heavier than expected, with a smooth surface.
After putting it into his mouth, the usual dry texture and strange taste of ordinary military ration pills never appeared.
Instead, it had a pleasantly sweet and slightly sour flavor with a lingering aftertaste, while the pill itself dissolved easily and smoothly.
“Hmm, the taste has indeed improved considerably.
It’ll certainly be much easier to consume over long periods.”
Sōen nodded slightly, believing Shinsuke’s improvement mainly enhanced the pill’s usability.
However, a short while later, his expression suddenly changed.
A warm current rose from his abdomen and slowly spread throughout his entire body, greatly easing the fatigue that had accumulated throughout the day.
Immediately afterward, he also noticed that his Chakra was recovering noticeably faster.
“This…!”
A brilliant light flashed through Sōen’s eyes.
He naturally understood that during prolonged battles or consecutive missions, recovering Chakra even slightly faster while maintaining a better physical condition could mean the difference between life and death.
His gaze immediately shifted to the remaining military ration pills before looking toward the respectful old craftsman standing nearby.
At that moment, he completely understood why Shinsuke had treated this formula so seriously.
This wasn’t merely a slight improvement.
It was a precious battlefield supply capable of significantly enhancing a ninja’s sustained combat ability.
If every elite member of the Uchiha Clan were equipped with it, the advantage they gained on the battlefield would remain hidden, yet could very well become decisive.
The value of this formula alone might even attract the greed of other forces.
“This formula is hereby classified as one of the clan’s highest level secrets!”
Sōen’s voice carried unquestionable authority as he stared directly at the old craftsman.
“You will personally oversee its production.
I’ll arrange for all required materials to be purchased separately through trusted channels.
No outsiders are allowed anywhere near the production process, and every finished batch is to be sealed and stored until further orders.
Do you understand?”
Feeling the Elder’s unprecedented seriousness, the old craftsman immediately straightened himself before bowing deeply.
“Yes!
I swear upon the name of the Uchiha Clan that not a single word of this matter will ever be revealed!”
…
Night had fallen.
Kurenai Yūhi lay on her bed, tossing and turning without being able to fall asleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, everything that had happened inside the cave that night uncontrollably resurfaced in her mind.
Their scorching breaths intertwined, along with his endless whispered demands…
Every memory made her cheeks burn while her heartbeat accelerated.
Even recalling it now still caused her legs to weaken slightly.
The more she remembered how rough he had been with her that night, the more impossible it became for her to sleep.
Suddenly, she recalled what Shinsuke had said before they parted.
As if possessed by some unseen force, she quietly got out of bed and made her way toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
…
At the edge of the Uchiha Clan compound stood Shinsuke’s private courtyard.
Knock.
Knock.
A gentle knock sounded at the door.
Shinsuke opened it to find Kurenai Yūhi standing outside, looking somewhat nervous.
She appeared to have carefully dressed herself, her long hair hanging smoothly behind her shoulders.
She wore a fitted dark outfit suitable for movement that outlined her slender yet graceful figure.
“Shinsuke…
I…”
A knowing smile flashed across Shinsuke’s eyes.
Before she could finish speaking, he reached out, gently wrapped an arm around her waist, drew her inside, then closed the door with a bang before locking it.
The crisp sound of the lock clicking into place caused Kurenai’s heart to skip a beat.
She instinctively took half a step backward until her back rested against the door, her eyes widening.
“Y…
Why did you lock the door?”
Instead of answering immediately, Shinsuke leisurely stepped closer, shortening the distance between them.
With a mischievous grin, he asked in return,
“It’s already so late.
Why did you come to see me?”
Kurenai’s breathing became slightly hurried.
Biting her lower lip, she took a deep breath.
“Shinsuke…
I’ve made up my mind.”
“I…
I’m willing to date you.”
The smile on Shinsuke’s face deepened as though he had already expected that answer.
He leaned closer to her flushed ear, his warm breath brushing across her sensitive skin as he whispered in a low voice only the two of them could hear.
“I knew you’d come looking for me.”
“Huh?
Why?”
Kurenai asked instinctively, her heartbeat quickening.
“Because the taste of forbidden fruit is always unforgettable.
It makes people unable to resist…
wanting another taste.”
Those straightforward words instantly turned the tips of Kurenai’s ears bright red.
Watching her adorable expression, shy yet unable to deny his words, Shinsuke’s gaze briefly swept over her chest as it rose and fell from nervousness.
His hand naturally lifted and rested around her slender waist.
His hand gradually became more and more restless.
“Mmm…
Shinsuke…
d…
don’t…”
Kurenai’s body trembled slightly as she offered only a token resistance, her voice so soft that it carried no strength at all.
Shinsuke’s lips hovered close to her ear as his deep, magnetic voice whispered,
“A senior once told me that when a girl says don’t…
sometimes she actually means she really wants it.”
Before his words had fully faded, he tightened his arms and effortlessly lifted the already limp Kurenai into a princess carry.
Kurenai let out a brief cry of surprise, yet her arms instinctively wrapped themselves around his neck.