Chapter 5: Improving the Soldier Ration Pills

Chapter 5: Improving the Military Ration Pill

Chiba was not privy to the situation at the Ninja Academy.

However, a week later, when he returned to submit his reports, Tenten mentioned it to him—the school had organized exams that day for both them and the students a year below.

The Third Hokage had laid down the gauntlet: if anyone could score a perfect grade and pass the second round, he would allow them to graduate early and begin their training. In truth, however, not a single person succeeded.

Even Neji.

And so, everything went quiet.

Chiba returned to the Medical Division.

"Teacher, I have finished reading the fundamentals of pharmacology. I would like to move on to more advanced material."

"So soon?"

Kitayama緒 was stunned for a moment. She looked Chiba up and down, somewhat skeptical. "You didn't just skim through them, did you?"

"I memorized everything."

"That’s a bold claim. Hmph, let me test you."

Kitayama緒 took the book on pharmacology fundamentals, then, with a playful glint in her eye, set it aside and picked up the textbook titled *Medical Foundations*. She placed both books on the table, opened them to random pages, and began firing off questions.

Chiba reflected for a moment, recalling the information instantly.

As he answered each question accurately, Kitayama緒’s eyes widened in astonishment. She began to mix up topics from both books, abandoning any logical order, yet Chiba remained unfazed.

Half an hour later, she was clicking her tongue in amazement, though tinged with a hint of regret. If only he could learn ninjutsu, she thought. With his talent, he would certainly become an extraordinary medical ninja.

Chiba, however, was indifferent. The orb had stripped away his ability to learn ninjutsu, but it had granted him even greater capabilities in return. And perhaps it wasn't just his imagination—the orb seemed to have grown smaller.

"You’re quite the stoic one. Very well, let me find some books suitable for you."

Kitayama緒 turned around and retrieved a book on anatomy. After a moment's thought, she opened a drawer, took out a box, and removed a scroll from within.

"What is this?"

"The recipe for military ration pills. Starting next week, while you continue your studies, try your hand at crafting them."

Kitayama緒 smiled. Chiba was pleasantly surprised and took the scroll to examine it closely. The formula was not difficult; he memorized it quickly.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

...

"Although it is still anatomy, it is indeed quite different from what I remember in my past life."

Chiba finished reading it once through. Having completed all three books, he now had a general understanding of Konoha’s medical practices. While pharmacological treatments existed, the majority of their work focused on medical ninjutsu, and surgical procedures were similarly influenced by it. Consequently, the knowledge and surgical protocols were distinct from those of his previous life.

However, he did have some new ideas regarding the military ration pills.

Currently, the ration pills were too generic. They were expected to handle everything—satiating hunger and restoring physical stamina simultaneously. While functional, they were both overused and expensive. Sometimes, one didn't necessarily need a massive restoration of stamina in a short burst, while other times, it was absolutely critical.

They should be refined into specialized categories.

Chiba shared his thoughts with Kitayama緒. She smiled, not taking them seriously, but encouraged him to experiment boldly and granted him permission to consult any books in the office.

Thus, for the next three days, he immersed himself in books on ration pills and pharmacology.

On the fourth day, he entered the laboratory.

"Hyakuso."

"Yes, Kitayama-sama? Is there something you need?"

"That child is making ration pills for the first time. Keep an eye on him; if he runs into trouble, please assist."

"Understood!"

Hyakuso glanced over. The boy looked to be about twelve years old—very young. A few years ago, that wouldn't have been unusual. In times of war, twelve-year-old Chunin were common, but in times of peace, it was different.

*So, that is Yagyu Chiba?*

Hyakuso walked closer with curiosity and then said in surprise, "Kitayama-sama."

"What is it?" Kitayama緒, who had been about to instruct other juniors learning medical ninjutsu, was called back by Hyakuso, fearing that Chiba had encountered a problem.

"No, his movements are very precise, but his choice of medicinal herbs seems incorrect. It deviates from the formula."

Hyakuso was twenty-six, eight years older than Kitayama緒. Although her medical ninjutsu was not as refined as Kitayama緒's, she was a standout in the Medical Division. She was intimately familiar with medical ninjutsu and the crafting of ration pills; she could spot even the slightest deviation.

Kitayama緒 frowned. "That child is being too reckless."

"His hands are very steady, though," Hyakuso added in praise.

Every step Chiba took was perfection; his technique and movements were flawless. The only problem was that he wasn't following the recipe.

"Let's go take a look."

Kitayama緒 frowned and walked toward Chiba. Before they reached him, Chiba had already finished. He picked up the ration pill and moved to put it in his mouth.

"Wait!"

"Hm?" Chiba turned and saw Kitayama緒 and Hyakuso, immediately understanding their intent. "Teacher, Hyakuso-senpai."

"Did you alter the recipe?"

"Yes. Since I’m not yet fully accustomed to the process, I decided to reduce the rapid stamina recovery effect and instead focus on enhancing the satiation and caloric content. I intend to compare the results to see if we can improve upon them."

He explained his reasoning in detail.

Kitayama緒 frowned. "You are being far too reckless!"

"Well, all the ingredients are non-toxic, so I decided to test it," he said, and without waiting for her to object, he took a small bite.

After tasting it carefully...

"It’s not quite perfect yet. Let me think... yes, these two ingredients were added in insufficient amounts."

He immediately began to readjust the mix.

"You!" Kitayama緒 was speechless.

Hyakuso, however, picked up the bitten ration pill, tore off half, and tasted it. Her eyes lit up. "Kitayama-sama, this pill is indeed much more filling, and it doesn't trigger a massive, unnecessary burst of stamina recovery."

"Let me see."

Kitayama緒 tasted it as well, then sensed the effects, falling into deep thought. Indeed, the satiation effect was superior.

"What is the cost?"

"I removed the two herbs meant for rapid stamina recovery and replaced them with chakra-compressed grains and dried meat. The cost is less than half of the previous version. However, a total lack of stamina recovery isn't ideal either; we should add a moderate amount..."

Chiba answered quickly, his hands never stopping. Before long, another ration pill was produced. This one was definitely right.

"Please try this one."

"Yes."

Kitayama緒 grew serious. She took it, broke it in half, then broke one half into two pieces—the satiation effect of the previous one had been quite potent.

After tasting it, her eyes brightened.

This ration pill... the balance between satiation and recovery was excellent. It was truly better than the previous version.

"The cost is fifty percent of the original. We can further adjust the quotas to develop a specialized pill meant strictly for rapid stamina recovery with low satiation, and we could sell that one at a higher price," Chiba suggested. "This way, everyone’s expenses could be significantly reduced."

Kitayama緒 and Hyakuso exchanged looks, their expressions a mix of shock and complexity. These weren't difficult concepts; they could have thought of them themselves.

But... how long had this boy been studying? He had only been exposed to ration pills for three days.

Yet, not only had he mastered the manufacturing process, but he had also devised a superior strategy. His research was entirely practical, and splitting the product into two types was logically sound.

It wasn't difficult, but they hadn't thought of it.

Kitayama緒 pondered for a moment before saying, "Hyakuso, assist him with the research. Develop a pill for rapid stamina recovery with low satiation as soon as possible. Once completed, Chiba will write the report, and you will help him refine it."

"Understood!"