After a brief trek, Genkei and his mother finally arrived at the courtyard of Dr. Kureha's home and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
A somewhat raspy, weathered woman's voice called out from inside.
Creaaak—
The door swung open to reveal a tall, stylishly dressed elderly woman—Dr. Kureha herself.
The moment she laid eyes on Genkei and Chiri, her sharp gaze swept over them, and she immediately picked up on their conditions.
"A congenital defect... and a damaged essence? But I can tell you're already healing fast," she commented, brow arching slightly. "Seems you don't really need my treatment, do you?"
Genkei couldn't help but praise her. "As expected of the great Dr. Kureha. One glance and you could already assess our conditions. Remarkable!"
"Haha!"
Kureha let out a hearty laugh. "Don't think flattery's gonna win you any favors, brat! You clearly don't need my help. Off you go!"
She was already beginning to shut the door.
"Wait!"
Genkei quickly stepped forward and offered a stack of medical notes.
"Please, at least take a look at this first!"
In truth, he and his mother were already well on their way to recovery. With the Sea King's meat, the Life-Nurturing Art, and his steadily improving medical knowledge, their bodies were healing rapidly.
Even their soul injuries would gradually mend through the restoration of life essence—and, soon, through the eventual advancement of his meditation technique.
But ignoring a world-class doctor like Kureha would be foolish.
Not only could she potentially accelerate their recovery, but her knowledge could also refine his own medical expertise.
He'd come to learn from her—ideally, even acquire her rumoured longevity elixir.
"Oh?"
Kureha paused, intrigued by the bundle of medical pages.
"Heh. You've got my attention, brat. Let's see what you think is so impressive."
She took the offered papers and began reading.
Within minutes, her demeanour shifted.
The playful smirk faded. Her focus intensified. She was completely immersed.
When she finally looked up, she waved her chin toward the house and said curtly, "Come inside."
She turned and walked off without another word.
Genkei and Chiri exchanged a quick glance and followed her in—making sure to shut the door behind them.
They soon entered the living room—which doubled as Kureha's workspace.
Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with thick tomes and scrolls. Medical instruments lay scattered about. There was even a hospital bed tucked into the corner.
She poured the two guests tea but kept a bottle of plum wine for herself. After a hearty swig, she turned to Genkei.
"Kid," she said, lifting the papers. "Where did you get this? The theory here is nothing like anything I've ever seen. Not just different from other countries—this doesn't even match this era."
Genkei blinked in mild surprise.
He hadn't expected her to pick up on that so quickly, especially with just a partial manuscript.
Still, he wasn't about to reveal his secrets—not unless she qualified for a contract bond.
He smiled calmly. "What makes you so sure it's not from this era? Maybe it's just a forgotten Uchiha clan heirloom. After all, you haven't read every medical book in the world, have you?"
"Ha!"
Kureha snorted. "Kid, I haven't read every book, but I've read more than damn near anyone alive."
"And this?" she lifted the manuscript, tapping it. "This isn't just rare. It doesn't belong to this world as we know it."
"But whatever. Let's not get bogged down in that."
She grinned.
"You've caught my interest. I'll treat you."
"But in exchange, I want everything you're willing to give me from this body of medical theory."
"And to make it fair, I'll let you study all of my personal collection in return. Every book."
"What do you say? Deal?"
Genkei's eyes lit up slightly.
Kureha's collection was legendary—thousands of books, many of them rare or ancient, covering medicine from all corners of the world.
And Kureha wasn't in this for free. She had her reasons.
She'd seen something in his materials. A chance to break through her current limitations.
Maybe even a path to a higher state of life.
She'd lived over a century, and yet her passion for medicine and the pursuit of life's mysteries hadn't dimmed at all.
If not for the opportunity to make a fair trade, she might've been tempted to steal his secrets outright.
The nickname "Witch" didn't come from nowhere.
"Deal—on one condition," Genkei said. "Actually, three."
He raised three fingers.
"First: Besides curing us, you'll also help develop—or at least formulate—a supplement or tonic to enhance body-strengthening and physical cultivation."
"Second: I want to study under you, formally. You'll teach me medical techniques, no refusal."
"Third: I want the recipe for your longevity potion. If you're unwilling to give it, I'll supply the ingredients and you'll brew it for us."
He had no doubt that, with time, he could reverse-engineer the recipe anyway.
But getting it directly was much faster.
And if she turned down the recipe, at least he had the fallback.
Kureha raised an eyebrow.
"Hundreds—no, thousands of books like this?"
She laughed loudly.
"Brat, you drive a hard bargain. But you know what? I accept all three terms."
"Nutritive tonic? No problem. Body-enhancing elixir? Easy. Sharing my medical knowledge? I insist."
"And the longevity potion? Fine by me."
"But a heads-up—it needs dragonbone. Millennium Dragonbone, to be precise."
"It's essential. Non-negotiable."
"I'm aware," Genkei nodded calmly. "I knew that already."
Millennium Dragonbone…
Not a problem for him. He knew where to get it.
There was an entire graveyard of them beneath Warship Island. And even a live one.
"Heh. You really did your homework."
Kureha was impressed, then smiled slyly. "So… anything else you want to ask for? Speak up now. Let's get this trade squared away."
"Nope."
Genkei shook his head. "This is more than enough. I'm satisfied."
"Best not to get too greedy."