"Lord Shikaku, I am Chiba Yanagi. Please forgive my unannounced visit," Chiba said with a slight bow.
Shikaku waved off the apology with a smile. "No worries. I wanted to invite you to my home earlier, but you were still recovering, and the hospital was busy. I'm glad you came."
"Sorry to trouble you," Chiba replied politely.
After some small talk, Chiba was led into the courtyard.
"Greetings, I am Shikamaru Nara," said Shikamaru, still looking listless. He greeted Chiba without the usual hostility—his intelligence and personality had long accepted such things.
"Shikamaru, hehe, you might not know, but recently Chiba submitted a new ninja tool manipulation technique. It's already spreading among Chunin ranks," Shikaku said first.
Shikamaru looked surprised but quickly understood.
That chakra thread from that day could control even the three of them. Compared to simple ninja tools, the real goal might be puppetry techniques, he thought.
"It's just a C-rank ninjutsu," Chiba dismissed casually.
Shikaku shook his head gently. "Many have created advanced ninjutsu, but few learn them well. How many mastered the Rasengan you developed with the Fourth Hokage? "
Shikamaru listened quietly, interested to hear Chiba's response.
"That's true, but chakra threads alone don't do much. My power is limited—I need everyone's wisdom combined for Konoha to grow stronger," Chiba agreed.
Shikaku smiled and chatted for a while before asking, "I heard you've been studying muscles, the body, and pharmacology. Are you here for special herbs or books? "
"Well, Lord Shikaku, I couldn't hide it. I heard pharmacology knowledge originally comes from the Nara clan. I have an incomplete formula and want your advice," Chiba explained his ideas and the herbs he had chosen.
Shikaku narrowed his eyes and smiled. "This medicine benefits all ninjas, especially the Akimichi clan. They have secret drugs related to stimulating the body."
This meant…
Chiba's mind raced.
Shikaku implied the Akimichi knew more, but he had some connection to the Nara, none with the Akimichi.
Seeking such secret knowledge from them was unrealistic.
Just as Chiba was about to say more…
"Since you trust me, why not let me lead contacting the Akimichi? If they cooperate, we research better drugs together. If not, our two clans work it out."
Shikaku looked seriously at Chiba, not avoiding Shikamaru. "Though benefits would be shared, think about the advantages."
"Of course, that'd be best! Thank you so much! " Chiba agreed instantly.
Shikaku worried Chiba might overthink the benefits, but Chiba's interest was only in "fame."
Shikaku smiled, nodded, and chatted a bit more before Chiba caught a scent and politely took his leave.
Shikaku sighed softly, watching his back.
"Father, do you regret he can't learn ninjutsu or genjutsu? " Shikamaru asked.
Shikaku glanced at him and replied gruffly, "He's smart for his age, but what I regret is he's not my son."
Though unnamed, it was a harsh insult.
Shikamaru fumed silently.
"Kid, the world has plenty of smart ones. Don't wait till troubles come to regret not working harder. Come on, enough talk, let's eat," Shikaku said.
"Speaking of the Akimichi, I'd forgotten them. Their tricolor secret medicine is strong. Even if you don't learn it all, knowing some helps develop drugs that stimulate the body, stamina, and chakra."
Stimulant drugs shorten lifespan and deplete roots of vitality.
But life is precious; without it, lifespan matters little.
These drugs can save lives when it counts.
"If we can link up with the Akimichi, that means two kinds of medicine."
One visit brought unexpected gains.
Chiba ran, smiling. Suddenly, footsteps behind sounded quick and familiar—Rock Lee.
He slowed down.
"Ch-Chiba, wait for me! "
"Lee, is class over? "
"Yeah. Lately, Tenten and the others study hard; I can't keep up. After trying for days, I'm back to training," Lee sighed, clearly troubled.
Chiba smiled and advised seriously:
"What are you competing for? I graduated early because I needed to. You're out training every day. You don't know how to balance work and rest; you might hurt yourself."
"Really?"
"Did Guy-sensei hit you? "
"Uh, yeah," Lee said honestly.
He wasn't smart, just easily influenced by school vibes. Both Guy and Chiba said it made sense, so he stopped worrying.
Then…
"Whoa! It's true—training with Chiba makes all the difference! My youth and spirit are reignited! Chiba-kun, let's duel: 500 laps running, whoever quits first loses, then 100 handstand laps! "
"Hehe," Chiba ignored him and sped up.
"Hey, wait! "
"Oh yeah, where's Guy-sensei? "
Lee should be training with Might Guy normally.
"Probably on a mission," Lee answered.
"Well then, since I ran into you, I've got a research project needing help. Interested? "
"Me?"
Lee was incredulous but clearly excited, raising his thick eyebrows.
Chiba favored Might Guy most.
The stronger the taijutsu, the better one understands efficient muscle use, spotting and fixing flaws. Lee was purely practical.
Ask him how to punch or kick, and he'd perform perfectly.
Ask about the physics of integrating chakra to maximize power…
He wouldn't get it.
Sure enough, an hour later, Lee looked bewildered, increasingly confused.
"Forget it. Just follow my moves and see if it's stronger than before."
Chiba threw a punch.
Crack!
A sharp crack sounded from the huge tree trunk.