Chapter 37: Materials

"Alright, you’ll be back to normal in three days at most."

It took ten minutes for Genichi Shita to treat Uchiha Namiichi’s wounds.

"Thanks."

Uchiha Namiichi stood up from the bed and moved around. Although his waist still ached a bit, it no longer hindered his movement.

Genichi Shita cautioned, "Avoid any training or combat for the next few days."

"Don't worry. The enemy suffered heavy losses this time; they shouldn't be coming back anytime soon," Uchiha Namiichi replied with a nod.

The two stepped outside and saw Sakumo Hatake and the others returning.

As the shadow clones dispersed, Yan Yamanaka and Jing Yamanaka took the captives away for interrogation, while Sakumo Hatake gathered the rest in his room.

Everyone took their seats.

Sakumo Hatake said, "Everyone performed brilliantly on this mission. We successfully thwarted the enemy's attack and wiped them out completely."

"However, even though we likely won't face such an attack again in the near future, we must not let our guard down. I will communicate with the mine supervisor to request reinforcements from the village."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Sakumo Hatake continued, "Rest for an hour, then split into two groups to reset the traps."

"Understood!" the group responded in unison.

After they were dismissed, Genichi Shita didn't go to rest. Instead, he followed Sakumo Hatake to the room where the captives were being held.

At that moment, Yan and Jing Yamanaka were working together to infiltrate the Mist ninja’s mind to extract information. The Yamanaka clan had always been experts in this field.

After a short wait, they finished their intrusion.

"Captain Sakumo, we couldn't find any information about the employer. This guy probably doesn't know."

Sakumo Hatake nodded, unsurprised. "You’ve worked hard."

"Any other gains?"

Yan Yamanaka looked at Genichi Shita and smiled. "We got the hand seal sequences for a few Water Release ninjutsu, as well as some Ice Release secret techniques. But to get more information, relying on us isn't enough; we need to send this guy back to the village."

Genichi Shita’s eyes lit up. "Water Release is useful to me. As for the Ice Release, one needs to possess the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai for the secret techniques to be effective."

The Thousand Flying Water Needles he had seen earlier were quite impressive. Even if just having the hand seal sequence didn't guarantee he could master it, he was confident in his talent for Water Release.

Sakumo Hatake ordered, "Keep him for now; we'll send him back to the village when the time comes."

Jing Yamanaka added, "Perhaps the Mist ninja will come to rescue him."

Genichi Shita remarked, "It might not be a rescue; it could be an assassination."

Sakumo Hatake said, "Jing is right. Whether they come to save him or kill him, everyone must remain vigilant."

He turned to Genichi Shita. "Genichi, can you seal his chakra?"

Genichi Shita nodded. "I can." The Evil-Sealing Method could be used to suppress an enemy's chakra.

Sakumo Hatake nodded. "Then you handle the sealing. After that, the mine’s samurai can take over the guard duty."

Their manpower was limited, so they couldn't afford to have one of their own watch the prisoner, and they didn't have enough sedatives either.

With the arrangements made, the three of them left.

Genichi Shita first applied the Evil-Sealing Method to the captive, then returned to his room to grab his backpack before heading back to the prisoner's room.

Opening his pack, he took out a small sealing scroll. With a press of his hand, various medical instruments appeared: blood collection needles, bone marrow aspiration needles, and containers for preserving blood and marrow—everything he needed.

Ever since he started planning his experiments on cell transplantation, Genichi Shita had prepared these items, carrying them in his pack on every mission, sealed within the scroll.

Now, they were finally being put to use.

An Ice Release Kekkei Genkai ninja was worth harvesting.

He started with blood, collecting as much as possible without killing the subject. Next came the bone marrow, extracted directly from the spine. Then, he sealed everything into the scroll; it was the only way to ensure long-term preservation.

Once finished, Genichi Shita shouldered his pack and left.

The next two days were peaceful. On the third day, two squads arrived from Konoha, making things much easier for Genichi Shita and his team.

On that day, he drew more blood from the captive. The more, the better—once this guy was taken back to Konoha, he wouldn't be able to use him for experiments anymore.

Three days later, another squad arrived from Konoha, all wearing masks.

Anbu!

"It's the Root," Yan Yamanaka whispered in Genichi Shita’s ear.

Danzo's men...

Genichi Shita narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched them take the captive away. Fortunately, he had drawn blood three times and gathered plenty of materials, or he would have been heartbroken—especially since the prisoner was being taken by Danzo.

*Mine! That was mine!*

Alas, Genichi Shita could only watch as the Root operatives led the captive away.

"Don't worry, the Hokage won't forget your contribution," Sakumo Hatake said, patting Genichi Shita on the shoulder. "You can start thinking about what ninjutsu you'd like to choose as a reward."

Genichi Shita smiled. "I've already decided."

Water Severing Wave was his first choice. He needed a sharp, powerful Water Release technique capable of killing in a single strike.

Time flew by, and three months passed.

Unbeknownst to them, half a month had passed since the mission began. Finally, the mission reached its end.

Three days later, Genichi Shita and the others returned to Konoha.

"We're finally back!" Yan Yamanaka stretched and laughed, "How about we hit the hot springs together?"

Genichi Shita raised his hand. "Count me in. Captain Sakumo, Namiichi, Shinnosuke-senpai, why don't you all join us?"

Everyone looked toward Sakumo Hatake.

Sakumo Hatake smiled. "Sure. Let's meet at the hot spring district in an hour."

"Yes!" everyone cheered.

Sakumo Hatake waved his hand. "Then, dismissed!"

*Whoosh!*

Figure after figure vanished from the spot. Sakumo Hatake then set off toward the Hokage building; as the captain, he needed to report the mission's completion and brief the Hokage.

...

Back home, Genichi Shita took a quick bath and ate his fill before strolling over to the hot spring district.

To his surprise, Uchiha Namiichi had arrived before him.

After greeting him, Uchiha Namiichi asked, "Genichi, the Chunin Exams are in about two months. Are you planning to participate?"

The Chunin Exams?

Genichi Shita arched an eyebrow and thought for a moment. "If possible, of course I plan to participate. But, how are the exams usually conducted?"

Uchiha Namiichi explained, "Usually, the entire squad participates. There's a written test, group combat, and individual matches."

Genichi Shita nodded. "But Namiichi, you and Yan are already Chunin. Does that mean I'll have to form a temporary team with others?"

"Of course not," said Yan Yamanaka, who had just landed beside them. He threw an arm around Genichi's shoulder and laughed, "Namiichi and I will just accompany you when the time comes."

"Is... isn't that unfair?" Genichi Shita asked.

Yan Yamanaka chuckled. "Not at all. Promotion is primarily based on your performance, not just on wins and losses."

Genichi Shita realized. That explained why Kakashi became a Chunin at seven, yet participated in the exams again years later alongside Obito Uchiha and the others.

If that was the case, Kakashi would likely be participating this year too.