NOVEL NEXT Chapter 325: Chapter 325
The evening after dinner was usually a time for family bonding before heading to bed.
Ino emerged from the bathroom, her fair skin glowing. Despite having a six- or seven-year-old son, her appearance and figure remained impeccable. Strangers wouldn't believe she was a mother.
"Sai, today I went with Sakura to a new pharmacy in Konoha. She sold the herbs Sasuke brought back. Do you think Sakura's having financial difficulties?"
Ino, dressed in her nightwear, gracefully settled on the sofa as she addressed her husband, who was engrossed in paperwork.
Sai, without looking up, replied, "Sakura? I'm not sure. As the head of the medical department, she should have a decent salary. It doesn't seem like she's struggling."
Ino frowned. "You're so dense. Sakura's house is under mortgage. She's juggling loan payments, work, and taking care of Sarada's schooling. Do you even know if the village is paying Sasuke?"
"Sasuke's salary?" Sai paused, lifting his head to think before shaking it. "Not sure. Naruto handles Sasuke's affairs. I only help relay information occasionally. I doubt he's being paid."
Ino sighed, leaning back. She considered asking Sai to bring this up with Naruto but quickly realized it would only backfire.
Naruto would likely confront Sakura directly, and her prideful friend would insist she was fine. If Sakura really needed help, she would have sold the herbs to the Nara family, who specialized in medicinal trades.
...
"By the way, Sai, the pharmacy we visited today had some very expensive remedies. They claimed to have incredible effects," Ino said, recounting the shop's offerings and their alleged benefits.
Hearing this, Sai set down his paperwork, his expression turning serious. "If what you're saying is true, the village needs to investigate this pharmacy. Remedies with those effects are exceedingly rare, even in Konoha."
As a former member of Root, Sai was familiar with the intricacies of secret medicines. If the pharmacy's claims were legitimate, it couldn't be the work of a lone individual. There had to be a powerful organization supporting it.
"It's true! The shopkeeper even said they'd refund double the price if the remedies didn't work," Ino said indignantly. "Sakura's planning to report it to Naruto and have the village test the medicines. If they're effective, the village might procure them for dangerous missions. But they're so expensive—even the cheapest costs tens of thousands of ryo!"
Ino grumbled about the exorbitant prices. If they were cheaper, she might have bought some out of curiosity. However, spending tens of thousands of ryo—nearly the payout of an A-rank mission—was no small decision, especially with the decline in high-ranking missions
...
The next morning, after Sarada left for school, Sakura prepared for work.
After making her rounds at the hospital and finding nothing urgent, she headed to the Hokage's office.
"Naruto," she called after knocking twice and entering. She was greeted by the sight of her old friend buried in paperwork, with empty ramen cups from the previous night still on his desk.
"Ugh, Naruto! Clean up after yourself! You're Hokage now—you can't keep living like a slob!"
Naruto scratched his head sheepishly. "Ahaha, sorry, Sakura. Too much work, and I forgot. What brings you here?"
Sakura explained her visit to the pharmacy, recounting its offerings and the conversation with the shopkeeper. Both Naruto and Shikamaru immediately became serious.
After exchanging a glance, Shikamaru asked, "Sakura, how effective are these remedies?"
"They're too expensive for me to afford. If the village wants to verify their effectiveness, you'll need to purchase some for testing," Sakura admitted.
Naruto leaned forward, resting his chin on his hands. "If they're as good as advertised, they could reduce the risks of missions. Alright, we'll allocate village funds to buy some. Sakura, we'll leave it to you to analyze their effects."
Just as Naruto was about to continue, he frowned, sensing something. Forming a quick seal, he summoned a toad with a puff of smoke.
"Naruto-sama, I'm Gamakichi's son, Gamajiro. It's an honor to meet you!" the young toad announced.
Naruto smiled warmly. "Ah, Gamakichi has a son now? What brings you here?"
"Father asked me to inform you that Fukasaku-sama wishes to speak with you. Are you available?"
Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "Fukasaku-sama? Did he say what it's about?"
"No, he only said it was important."
Naruto turned to Shikamaru, who shrugged. "I'll handle things here. If it's urgent, you should go."
Naruto grinned. "Thanks, Shikamaru!"
To Gamajiro, he said, "Let your father know to summon me with Reverse Summoning."
With a puff of smoke, Gamajiro disappeared, and Naruto turned back to Sakura. "Sakura, proceed with the plan. I'll leave the testing to you."
Moments later, with another puff of smoke, Naruto vanished, transported to Mount Myōboku.
...
Mount Myōboku
Naruto materialized amidst the familiar sights of Mount Myōboku. Spotting Gamakichi, he waved enthusiastically. "Gamakichi! Long time no see! I can't believe you're a dad now!"
"Of course, you idiot! Toads grow faster than humans. I have four kids now!" Gamakichi replied with a chuckle.
Naruto laughed. "Last time I saw you, you could sit on my head. Guess those days are long gone. So, what does Fukasaku-sama need?"
"I'm not sure. You'd better ask him yourself," Gamakichi said, gesturing toward the elder's dwelling.
Naruto headed inside, where Fukasaku greeted him warmly. "Naruto, it's been a while! I thought you'd be too busy to visit."
"What's the matter, Fukasaku-sama?"
"The Great Toad Sage had a troubling dream and wishes to speak with you," Fukasaku explained, leading Naruto to the sage's chamber.
"Little Naruto," the Great Toad Sage rumbled after being roused from its slumber. "It's been a long time. What news do you bring from the ninja world?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary—just bandits and rogue ninjas. Nothing major," Naruto replied.
The sage furrowed its brow. "I had a strange dream—a prophecy. A being with a tail and scales, a human-like figure, will bring destruction. Even Mount Myōboku will not be spared."
Naruto frowned. "A person with a tail and scales? Sounds like a monster. Are you sure it's human?"
The sage nodded gravely. "It was human, but with these features. This enemy is dangerous and may cause irreversible harm to the ninja world."
Naruto's expression hardened. "I understand, Sage. I'll investigate and have the village look into this immediately."
(End of Chapter)
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