Hearing Daichi's words, the Third Hokage and Kakashi paid closer attention to the small test tube in his hand and the contents inside it.
The glass vial contained a potion that had a deep yellow-orange hue. The glass itself was engraved with a medical symbol that kept the mixture steady and safe.
"The storm huh? What does it do?" Hiruzen's curiosity was aroused. He knew the medical concoctions Daichi creates would be of a much higher grade than what the medics in the Leaf's hospital could.
"The primary effect of this potion is to flood the subject's endocrine organs with a controlled pulse of synthetic chakra hormones. It'll boost their strength and chakra by about 25 to 30 percent for about 30 to 50 minutes depending on the constitution of the person using this. It will also give the body a controlled adrenaline spike that will boost the speed and reaction time."
Both the Jonin and the Kage were shocked hearing those words. Hiruzen clasped his hands as he immediately understood the true power of the potion. 'This could change the outcome of a battle if used correctly.'
Daichi continued. "It's also a metabolic overclock. The stamina costs for physical techniques will be nearly halved while the effects of this are active. Then there's the secondary effect. Rapid metabolic priming. Nutrients consumed within the next hour would be absorbed at 100% efficiency and it will accelerate post battle recovery and muscle growth."
"What about chakra recovery after battle? Is this like the military ration pill?" Kakashi asked.
"My potion is made with completely different components from the ration pill. What this does is convert excess blood sugar into chakra at a 3:1 ratio, boosting chakra regeneration by about 15 to 20 percent."
"What about the side effects? Surely something like this must have some side effects?" Hiruzen asked while keeping a calm face.
"Yes." Daichi nodded. "There will be a Hormonal backlash. But nothing too dangerous. Once the effects of this serum wears off, the subject will feel fatigue and mild tremors for about an hour. That's about it."
Hiruzen nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Daichi, while this is impressive, you should know there are techniques out there and rare pills that help achieve similar effects. What makes your serum different from them?"
Daichi had a small smile on his face as he expected that question. "Because this can also be paired with Booster shot and Life Blood."
Hiruzen's eyes slightly widened as he recalled the two serums Daichi administered to Tsunade earlier. 'With those the effects of this would be much greater.'
"I see you're starting to get it. It's a medium risk but high reward burst of raw power. I made this mainly for short high-intensity engagements, emergency escapes, or last-ditch pushes where raw physical output matters more than long-term stamina."
Daichi held the vial in his hand a bit higher between his thumb and index finger. "You'll feel every heartbeat echo like a war-drum as your body roars past its limits."
"A storm… In a syringe. I get why you gave it that name." Kakashi was impressed as he looked at the new item his student created.
"Yes. But while this is all very interesting, let's get back to the original topic. How does this help Tsunade in her current condition?" Hiruzen asked the Genin.
"I'm going to repurpose 'The Storm' from a short term combat enhancer to a stabilizing agent for sensei."
"How?" The Hokage asked as he narrowed his eyes. "Can that serum be used like that?"
Daichi nodded. "I created this by studying the hormones of the body and manipulating them in specific ways. Once I modify this specific serum to sensei's genetic structure, it will become a buffer and slow down the metamorphosis she's currently in and make it less aggressive."
Hiruzen crossed his arms and nodded as he understood the purpose of the new potion. "So if the original storm was thunder and fire then this is the calm before it huh."
"Yes. In a manner of speaking. After my modification it becomes something that lets the body survive the war instead of fueling it for battle."
"But this isn't a cure, is it?" Kakashi asked his student. He had a feeling that this was just a stop gap measure.
The Genin shook his head and sighed. "This will enhance her natural healing and let her chakra work with the injected cells. It will slow down and regulate the genetic rewriting but… No. This isn't a cure."
"You're buying time for her." Hiruzen spoke as he suddenly figured out the true purpose of this modified Storm serum.
"Yes." Daichi agreed. "I need time to study the cells of the first Hokage and what's inside sensei. This will temporarily slow down the DNA rewriting process without her body going into shock, chakra exhaustion or cellular burnout."
"So the new serum will act like a biological buffer and let Life Blood and Booster shot do the heavy lifting of restoring her tissues." Hiruzen clasped his hands and thought about the procedure. 'This might be the only way.'
"How much time will this serum of yours buy us?" Hiruzen asked. The concern in his voice was evident to everyone.
Daichi was silent for a few moments before he gave his answer. "Based on my assessment… 3… maybe 5 days. It all depends on how well her body responds."
"And what happens after that?"
"Nothing good." The Hokage was taken aback by the boy's short answer. He gazed at the Genin's face and could see the heavy responsibility weighing on him in his eyes.
The Hokage was silent for a few more minutes and then spoke. "Very well. I'll have two of the medics work with you in the lab and-"
"Lord Hokage." Daichi interrupted him. He wore a serious expression as he spoke. "With all due respect, I'd like to work alone on this. They will only slow me down and get in the way."
Kakashi's visible eye widened as he turned to his student but he wasn't too surprised. 'I had a feeling he would want to work alone.' He then looked at the old kage and wondered if he would accept Daichi's demand.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed hearing the Genin's response. "Surely you're not serious. You're the one who just said we have less than 5 days if that. To study Lord First's cells, you need time and a lot of help. And then coming up with a cure for Tsunade…"
"That might be the case for someone else but not for me. Any additional personal working in the lab would only hinder me. Even if it's just an assistant." Daichi replied in a tone that suggested he wouldn't be budging on this matter.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed and he spoke with a somewhat harder tone. "Daichi. You understand what she means to this village, yes?"
"I do." The Genin nodded. "More than anyone. She is the future of the Hidden Leaf."
"If you know that then why are you insisting on working alone on this matter? What is the real reason?" The Hokage asked in a somewhat harsher tone than he intended to.
Daichi clenched his fist and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the old leader. Kakashi and the few guards in the room could feel the tension rising between the Genin and veteran kage.
'You want to know the real reason? Fine.' Seconds went by in silence and then Daichi spoke. "I don't trust anyone else with sensei's blood samples. Especially now that it's been modified. That's why! I don't care if you say you trust them. I don't. The only person I would trust is Shizune. And I need her to keep monitoring sensei at all times. I won't be able to do my job properly if I have to keep an eye on the people working near me."
Hiruzen looked at the boy for several moments, stunned. He also heard the unspoken words in the boy's answer. 'He doesn't trust me. Does this have anything to do with the decision I made regarding Naruto?'
[Reputation slightly decreases with the Hokage.]
Kakashi and the few hidden guards were also stunned by the boy's answer and soon they also figured out the hidden words. Everyone was shocked at this turn of events.
[Reputation decreases slightly with Raido Namiashi, Iwashi Tatami and Genma Shiranui.]
Daichi glanced at the notifications but didn't pay them much attention. 'After everything that's happened, I don't feel comfortable having this guy be the Hokage. I know he's not the bad guy but still… The sooner sensei takes over, the better. Especially now with Danzo gone.'
After several moments of heavy uncomfortable silence, the Hokage asked Daichi a question. "Are you absolutely certain you can find a cure for Tsunade and save her in time all on your own?"
"I am!" Daichi's resolute answer made the old man nod his head.
"Very well. I'm counting on you Daichi."
"I won't let you down." Daichi answered and gave a small bow.
"That being said, Genma!" The old kage called out and the special Jonin dropped down from the ceiling. "Genma will be by your side. If you need anything you can ask him."
Daichi knew that this wasn't a request but an order. "Of course Lord Hokage." He looked at the special Jonin and gave a small nod as well.
"Your lab is ready. Everything you asked for has been arranged. Genma will take you there. But before you go, will you need anything else from me?" Hiruzen asked, changing the topic.
"Yes. If it's possible, I'd like to borrow the Nara clan's medical encyclopedia."
The old man raised an eyebrow in doubt.
"While I did study extensively about medical herbs, I want to make sure I didn't miss anything." Daichi gave his reasoning.
Hiruzen nodded in understanding. "I'll ask Shikaku as soon as possible. I'm sure he'll be able to spare it for a few days."
"I appreciate it."
"There is something else that I want to inform you about. I wanted to wait but since you'll be busy from now on, I figured I'll tell you now."
Hiruzen's words made him pause but soon Daichi had an idea as to what this was about.
The old kage continued. "I've thought about what you said and considering the situation, I've decided to have Kakashi take on a new team 7."
Daichi smiled hearing that. 'That's good news. One less thing to worry about.' "Lemme guess. Naruto and Sasuke are part of the new team."
"I see you're quick on the uptake. Good. You don't have a problem with my decision do you?" Hiruzen asked the boy.
Daichi smiled and shook his head. "No. Sensei taught me everything he could. This is the best choice." He turned and looked towards Kakashi. "I am gonna miss waiting for hours wondering when you'd show up though."
"Really?" The Jonin asked with fake enthusiasm.
"No." Daichi answered with a deadpan. He then looked at the kage. "When is the graduation ceremony going to be held?"
"It was originally supposed to be today but I've postponed it to the 28th. That way some of the Jonins returning from their missions can recuperate before taking on their teams."
"Have you decided who will take over as Daichi's team leader?" Kakashi asked and the Hokage nodded.
He waved his hand to the special Jonin standing near them. "Genma will be taking over your position. From now on he's your new team leader, Daichi."
Daichi looked at the man and nodded with a small smile. Kakashi was also satisfied with the choice.
"Now, if there's nothing else, Genma will show you to your lab. Remember Daichi. We're all counting on you." Despite the unpleasantness a minute ago, Hiruzen still trusted the boy a great deal.
"I know. I promise I won't let you down."
With those words the Genin and the special Jonin left the room.
Kakashi turned to the old leader. "I'm sorry Lord Hokage. I don't know why he said that." Everyone knew what Kakashi was referring to.
Hiruzen waved his hand. "Forget it Kakashi. He's understandably angry and frustrated with the whole situation. I don't blame him. Besides, if he can save Tsunade's life then that's all that matters."
Hearing those words Kakashi inwardly let out a breath of relief. "Will you be needing me for any new missions?" The silver haired Jonin asked.
"I'll need to pay a visit to the Daimyo in the afternoon. He should be updated on this matter. Especially the situation concerning the Earth country's Finance minister and his plans. You'll need to accompany me, Kakashi. I'll also need to visit the minister and thank him in person. His help was vital to us. I'll send someone when I'm ready to leave."
"Yes, I understand." Kakashi soon left the room and Hiruzen was left to his thoughts. 'Good luck Daichi. I sincerely hope you won't come to regret your decision today.'
The old man sighed and went back to work.
—-
Hidden Rain Village.
In the tallest tower of the village, the plant-like creature Zetsu appeared out of the ground near a group of 4 people. Madara, Konan and two of the six Paths of Pain were present.
"Did you bring her?" Madara asked as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Oh yeah." Zetsu replied and opened its fly trap extension and a woman slipped out of it onto the ground. "Tomomi Michinori. The wife of the Finance minister of the Land of Earth."
"She is one of the few people who came in contact with Dragon, so she must have valuable intelligence. Let's see what that man did." One of the Pain spoke and came near her.
Madara's eyes narrowed. 'With the Human path, we'll be able to find out more about him. What he talked about with the minister, what he did… maybe even a clue as to where he is…'
The Human path Pain touched her head and inserted his chakra into her body. Within a fraction of a second he found the memory of her interaction with the mysterious man Dragon.
But just at that moment, a seal spread across the forehead of the woman. "Nagato!" The disguised Obito quickly called out in alarm.
The other Pain in the room quickly stepped forward but suddenly,
Boom! Splat!
Tomomi's head exploded all around the small room. Her lifeless, headless body fell to the floor with a thud as the Human path was covered in brain matter.
"Well, that was messy." The white Zetsu spoke with a joking tone.
"Were you able to find anything?" Madara asked the mind reading Pain.
"I saw her memories. I know what they were planning. Dragon interrogated them and he got a confession out of the minister. But before I could see any further…"
"He must have put some kind of trigger in her head." Konan, who was nearby, made an assumption. "Could he have known about Pain?"
"No. That's not possible. I think he did this in the event anyone from the Land of Earth went looking inside her head." Madara gave his reply. 'There is no way he would know about Nagato or the Rinnegan. Dragon didn't have any contact or come anywhere near this land. So he must have taken precautions against others.'
"Since his wife went splat, should we get the minister?" The white half of the Zetsu asked in a childish tone.
"You idiot. Taking the minister is completely different from abducting his wife. For now we'll have to forget about him." Black Zetsu replied.
"He's right. Right now, we'll study the interaction he had with the minister. In the meantime, try to dig up more information on his origin as much as possible." Pain gave the order and Zetsu disappeared.
—-
Hidden Leaf.
Daichi paused for a split second as he and Genma made their way to his new laboratory.
"Everything alright?"
"It's nothing. Everything's fine." Daichi replied with a small smile and continued on his way. 'The trigger seal in Tomomi's head activated. Someone must have gotten to her. It's a good thing I put a contingency when I crippled her. Parallel processing and Brain Augmentation skills help a lot when I have to consider all possible possibilities. Only a few people would invade her mind and so quickly too… My bet would be Nagato and his human path followed by the intelligence minister's men. If it's Nagato then the question remains… How much did he learn about Monkey D Dragon?'
-------------------
Author's Note:
Parallel Processing: Passive/Active(LV. MAX) - A passive/active skill given to the player when Intelligence has reached 300. This skill gives the user the ability to carry out multiple thought processes and calculations at the same time. In active state this skill helps the user in consciously focusing and being fully aware of multiple targets, tasks, locations, dangers, etc without any trouble or confusion.
Brain Augmentation: Passive (LV. MAX) - A passive skill given to the player when Wisdom stat has reached 300. This skill gives the player the ability to increase his brain capabilities. The user has enhanced thinking capabilities beyond ordinary but this isn't achieved by increasing intelligence but instead by enhancing the ability to use already existing knowledge and abilities to their maximum potential.
Effects:
Skill helps with intuitive leaps and imaginations.
Highly efficient memory and cognitive capacities.
Gives the ability to use knowledge in new ways.