Chapter 116: Jiraiya Gathers Intelligence

"Research on strengthening the physical body with Sage curse seals? It is indeed a good option for training subordinates, but not right now. Village affairs are too overwhelming; even if I were to spare the chakra to use Shadow Clones, it wouldn't be enough. If you could pull Tsunade in, it would be another story. With her abilities, she should be able to..."

Orochimaru refused without much thought after hearing Kahn’s suggestion. It wasn't that he was intentionally being difficult; many Jonin in the village had already had their missions suspended, and a ninja of his caliber would likely be sent to the front lines again soon. Even if he were interested, he simply had no time for such research.

Kahn shook his head and spoke to Orochimaru via the tablet: "Tsunade isn't like you; there are many things she cannot tolerate. Since you don't have the time, we'll talk about it later. However, don't push back your interviews anymore, or I'll let the newspaper office run wild with their own creative freedom."

With that, he ended the call. Though a bit regretful, he acknowledged that while war could be a great opportunity to make a fortune, it also dragged down many other endeavors. Kahn was certainly not willing to approach Tsunade; unless she was his person, information would leak out quickly.

If not Tsunade, then what about Yakushi Nono? Her medical ninjutsu was outstanding. Even without the status of being Tsunade’s student, her medical skills ranked among the best in the Konoha Hospital. However, she had not yet ventured into human experimentation and was still mastering medical ninjutsu. She didn't meet Kahn's standards yet; perhaps she would be qualified in a few years.

"Right, there are two people who are perfect for this: Shennong and Hiruko."

Kahn suddenly thought of these two individuals. Both had excellent research in human physiology; one had created physical activation and regeneration, while the other could fuse Bloodline Limits. If he could track them down and use the Imperius Curse to control them, he would gain two human researchers. He just wasn't sure if they would still be capable of conducting research after being subjected to the curse.

"Find their tracks first, then I will 'persuade' them personally."

At present, Shennong and Hiruko should only be Jonin. Shennong was weaker; without physical activation and regeneration, he was merely a medical ninja. The former should be easy to track down, as he frequently traveled the ninja world acting as a doctor. As for the latter, it would take some time.

"Shadow Clone Technique."

After spawning a shadow clone, Kahn sent it out of Konoha to the underground exchange to post a mission. With Apparition, he could bypass Konoha’s barriers and reach any place in the ninja world he had clearly visualized. While long distances consumed more magic, with Kahn’s vast reserves, even traveling from the Cloud Village to the Sand Village was no problem at all. Once there was news, Kahn could immediately "invite" Shennong and Hiruko back.

...

Ninja Academy.

Under Tsunade’s medical reforms, a new medical course had been listed as a standard subject in the Ninja Academy. From the second year, everyone had to participate, but only in the fourth year would they be assessed to see who was suited to become a medical ninja.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other high-ranking officials of Konoha had no objections to Tsunade’s proposal. It cost no extra money and allowed Konoha to cultivate more medical ninjas; there was no reason to oppose it. It was just an extra course for the students; playing a little less usually meant a better chance of survival on the battlefield. It was for the students' own good.

Before the medical ninja selection, students learned bandaging, suturing, emergency trauma care, internal injury assessment, as well as how to identify herbs and use the Healing Jutsu. If a student learned the Healing Jutsu, it indicated they had great talent for medical ninjutsu. Generally, a second-year student who could master the Healing Jutsu within a year would go on to become a medical ninja, but they first had to reach an extremely high level of chakra control. Consequently, very few mastered it in the first year; most succeeded in the second or third. Those like Shizune and Rin Nohara, who could successfully perform the technique after only half a year of study, were destined to be medical ninjas.

"Before class ends, I want to remind you all not to treat this medical course lightly. Your grades in this class will be linked to your graduation results. If you perform too poorly, it will have a significant impact on your team assignments after graduation..."

Yakushi Nono said to the students with a calm expression. They didn't realize the importance of medical ninjutsu or battlefield first aid. If a squad didn't have a dedicated medical ninja, they would be assigned a ninja proficient in first aid; that was the configuration of an elite squad. If they had neither, they would be relegated to the so-called "cannon fodder" squads. Calling them cannon fodder might be a bit harsh, but they were certainly not valued by the higher-ups or frontline commanders. When considering mission assignments, they might be sent to act as "bait."

"Nono-sensei."

As Nono left the classroom, Rin Nohara hurried after her. Uchiha Obito reached out to stop her, but before he could speak, Rin had already run out. He had wanted to use the excuse of asking a question to talk to her, but that opportunity was gone.

"Student Nohara, it's you. Is something the matter?" Nono asked with a kind smile. Although she was only sixteen, her role as a teacher and her mature, big-sister temperament gave her a poise beyond her years.

"Nono-sensei, can I follow you to Konoha Hospital for an internship? I've already learned all the second-year medical knowledge, and I don't know how to practice the Healing Jutsu anymore..."

Rin’s implied meaning was that she had no patients to practice on. Konoha Hospital wasn't short-staffed, and Nono could easily arrange for a student to intern, but she wouldn't agree easily.

"You've learned it all? I need to ask Lady Tsunade about interning at the hospital. However, I have a book here on third-year illnesses and prescription compounding. You can learn how to prepare poisons and antidotes; after all, advanced medical ninjas must be proficient in pharmaceutical techniques."

Nono gave Rin some guidance, but upon hearing about the book, Rin looked a bit awkward and whispered, "Nono-sensei, can I go to the hospital and learn to compound medicine from the seniors first..."

Compounding medicine was expensive. If she tried it on her own, her family's savings would soon be exhausted, and there would be no one to guide her.

Nono shook her head and said, "I'm afraid that won't do. With the war approaching, the medical warehouse is under high security. Even if you were on a mission, you wouldn't be allowed near it, let alone as an apprentice."

In truth, if Nono arranged it, no one would refuse her. Seeing Rin’s disappointed expression, Nono patted her head comfortingly and said, "Student Nohara, come see me tonight, and I'll find a way for you."

After giving Rin her address, Nono left. Using authority to pressure and then providing personal help—though young, Nono was already quite skilled at such methods.

...

The First Port of the Land of Waves.

A middle-aged man with white hair looked around the bustling harbor, muttering from time to time: "How did the Land of Waves become so prosperous? It really is an eye-opener..."

This man was none other than Jiraiya, who had left the village in search of the Child of Prophecy. He also bore the responsibility of gathering intelligence, though the mission had no specific direction or timeframe—a privilege granted to him by Sarutobi Hiruzen. After leaving Konoha, Jiraiya first went to the Land of Hot Water, hoping to hear news of the Child of Prophecy from barmaids, but he failed; he gained nothing but pleasure. Later, he visited famous hot springs in the country, hoping for clues, but again, he gained nothing but leisure.

However, while in the Land of Hot Water, Jiraiya saw several merchant ships from Kahn Shipping. Remembering Sarutobi Hiruzen’s instructions, he inquired about the origin of the ships from the locals and followed them to the Land of Waves.

"Old man, give me two skewers of grilled fish, please."

Jiraiya approached a street stall run by an elderly man and, while buying fish, took the opportunity to fish for information. The Land of Waves was a small island nation, and many things could not be hidden from the locals. Jiraiya’s questioning technique was skillful, speaking directly to the old man’s heart, and the two chatted happily. Although the old man mostly praised the actions of Kahn’s merchant guild, he revealed quite a bit of useful information, especially since his two sons worked in Kahn’s factories.

After taking the fish and leaving, a grave look appeared on Jiraiya’s face. "Factories at full production? Does Konoha need this many medicines?"

On the other side, the time for the trade between Kahn and the Hidden Mist Village had arrived. This time, the volume of goods was massive—medicines and various war supplies. Several sealing scrolls couldn't contain it all, requiring ships to transport them.

The Hidden Mist Village paid a high price. They didn't have enough currency for such a large shipment, and Kahn didn't need that much paper money, so he demanded payment in chakra metal. Two fist-sized pieces—the Mist Village had truly bled for this, but the medicines and medical supplies they received were enough to sustain them through a protracted war.

"Mr. Harry, we have finished the inspection. The quantity of goods is correct," Terumi Mei said to Kahn’s shadow clone. Since Kahn had taken the position of a Minister of the Land of Fire, he had changed his appearance. Terumi Mei knew the truth, but she was the only one; her entourage remained unaware.

"This is the agreed-upon payment." Terumi Mei handed Kahn a box containing the chakra metal. Just this small amount was worth nearly a hundred million ryo, and it was hard to buy even with money.

"The goods are fine. The trade is complete. You can have the Fire River ship return on its own."

Kahn tested the metal with his chakra; as soon as he channeled a bit in, he could feel the chakra flowing through the metal without any obstruction.

Terumi Mei smiled and said, "If there are no problems, then we will be heading back..."

"Wait a moment. Is that one of yours?" Kahn pointed to someone who had just stepped off the cargo ship. That person’s eyes were wrong; after getting off, he kept looking around and had glanced at him several times.

The person Kahn pointed to was the one Jiraiya was controlling. He had used the Toad Flat Shadow Manipulation Technique to control a member of the Mist team, but he hadn't expected to be noticed.