Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 19: Kasumi’s Request

"Tch, with talent like yours, if I weren't a few years older, I'd have married you myself."

"If it's you, Sensei, I'd totally say yes!"

"Pfft, shut it!" Kitayama hadn't expected Garou to shoot back so casually. Her ears turned pink from the sudden flirty exchange, and she lightly tapped him on the head with her hand, pretending to scold him.

"Your formula is really making waves. Several clan representatives even came by in secret, trying to sniff out whether you've got anything stronger."

"What do you think?"

"You and the others can handle that kind of thing, Sensei. I won't get involved. Just make sure I get a fair cut of the profits and I'm good."

Garou smiled, casually leaning back in his chair.

Kitayama let out a breath of relief and nodded. "Then I'll submit it formally to be reviewed by Lord Hokage."

"But I do have a suggestion," Garou added, rubbing the back of his neck.

He explained how the line of customers had started trailing outside the medical center, forming a disorderly crowd that disrupted both traffic and people's schedules. "It's honestly a mess. Instead of that, how about we hand out numbered slips based on need? People can come back at their allocated times to purchase."

"Hm, that's... actually a solid idea."

Sho tapped her fingers against her notebook thoughtfully, quickly realizing the merit.

"We're low on supply anyway. Once we hand out the day's quota of tickets, we can ask the rest to disperse. No point in wasting anyone's time."

"Right, and we should limit purchases per person. Otherwise, the rich folks might just buy it all up and leave the rest with nothing."

"Exactly."

She nodded earnestly.

The demand had far exceeded their expectations. And that wasn't even counting the backdoor deals being made by powerful clans. If they didn't impose some new rules, the system would collapse.

After thinking for a moment, she stepped outside and had a few words with the medical staff handling distribution. Shortly after, they began issuing handwritten tickets, and the crowd that had built up outside began to thin out dramatically.

Curious, Garou peeked through the door. No more chaos, no more people pushing and shoving.

"Hey, kid! Are you married yet? Want me to set you up with someone?"

Garou stiffened at the sudden voice. But then, hearing how young it sounded, he quickly realized it wasn't from an old aunt or uncle.

Turning his head, he spotted Tenten crouched near the entrance, grinning mischievously.

"Got it?" he asked.

"Yep," she said with a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry about earlier, by the way."

"It's fine. Everyone was just joking around."

He gave her a friendly smile, but before he could say more, another figure stepped into view.

"Kasumi? What brings you here?"

"I... I came to thank you," said Kasumi, giving a shy bow, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Thank me?"

Garou tilted his head, a little confused.

She carried the Gekko surname, probably related to Hayate Gekko, he guessed. But her timid manner was a far cry from what he'd expect.

"I wanted to ask you something important!"

She bowed again, her voice trembling slightly.

"There's no need for formality. We're classmates and friends, right? Just say what's on your mind."

Garou gently lifted her back up.

"I heard your formula helps strengthen the body, so I bought some for my uncle. He's not well. But also, I was wondering... could you take a look at him?"

She looked at him with a hopeful, almost pleading gaze.

"Your uncle is...?"

"Sorry! I forgot to introduce him. Gekko Hayate. He's a Tokubetsu Jōnin, but he's been sick for a long time."

Tenten tilted her head in confusion. She didn't recognize the name.

Garou, however, nodded. He'd seen Hayate a few times at the hospital. He always looked worn down, never quite recovered.

Thinking back, Garou said, "He's got two main issues. First, congenital weakness. Second, a long-standing pulmonary condition. The former's tough to fix. The latter, I don't know the details."

"Yes, that's exactly right!"

Kasumi's eyes sparkled as his assessment was precise. She leaned forward, hopeful. "Is there anything you can do?"

Garou shook his head. "No. And I'd advise against using the formula casually. He needs to be monitored under medical supervision. If there's no negative reaction, then maybe it can help."

He patiently explained the ingredients and their effects.

Some herbs worked wonders on healthy people, but in those with weaker constitutions, the results could easily backfire.

"I see... I was really hoping..." Kasumi looked crestfallen.

"I mean, I've studied medical ninjutsu and pharmacology, sure, but I'm no expert yet. Lord Hokage is out of reach for someone like me. Honestly, if there's anyone who might help... it's Lady Tsunade."

Garou offered gently.

In the original series, Hayate Gekko didn't live long enough to see Tsunade return. So even in this world, whether she could cure him was uncertain. Even if she could help, congenital conditions were notoriously hard to treat.

Perhaps only manageable, not curable.

Kasumi's shoulders slumped, her face quiet with disappointment.

Tenten, trying to lighten the mood, asked, "So this stuff really works?"

"It does," Garou nodded. "I actually developed stronger formulas too, but the ingredients are rare or too costly. What you bought is the best balance of price and performance."

"Seriously impressive. If it were me, just thinking of one decent formula would've been a miracle."

Tenten admired sincerely.

Kasumi didn't speak. She just stared quietly at Garou, a mix of admiration and warmth in her gaze.

"I should get to training. I thought I'd be done after exams, but turns out we've got another assessment coming. May as well test this stuff while I'm at it."

Tenten lifted her bag with the medicine inside and waved goodbye.

Garou gave a small nod.

No matter how good the medicine was, it could only support effort. It couldn't replace it. If one relied too much on shortcuts, even the best medicine was meaningless.

After she left, Kasumi turned slightly, fiddling with her fingers. "Garou-kun... we're friends now, right? P-please take care of me in the future!"

"Uh, yeah... of course."

To be honest, Garou wasn't sure what was going on in this girl's head, but being polite was always a safe bet.

He didn't dwell too much on the interaction. Once she left, he returned to the infirmary, sat down, and opened a book.

But his thoughts drifted to the buzz outside.

'So many people are drawn in by the medicine... Would that affect the Bodhi Seed?'

He closed his eyes and focused inward.

The patterns on the ethereal seed within his mind had grown deeper.

'Wait... something feels different.'

He'd expected a boost to his mental strength again, but this time... it wasn't that.

His stamina... his physical energy... was recovering at an unusual pace.

No, not just stamina. Even his vitality.

Garou's heart leapt.

Chakra was formed from both physical and spiritual energy. Restoring physical energy was easy, but mental energy was way harder.

If the Bodhi Seed could now help with both, then maybe, one day, he could reach a level comparable to someone with the Sage Body.

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