The Curiosity of the Senju
It wasn't just Mito who was intrigued—Tsunade, standing beside her grandmother, was equally fascinated by what she had just heard.
The transformation Ethan and Sarah had undergone was nothing short of miraculous.
"If I could get my hands on this method to enhance my vitality and physical strength, my combat ability would skyrocket!" Tsunade thought to herself, excitement bubbling within her.
But more importantly—this could be the key to saving her grandmother!
She clenched her fists, barely restraining herself from demanding answers. If it weren't for the memory of Sarah's earlier warning demonstration, and the risk of causing unnecessary misunderstandings, she might have asked outright.
Sarah's Calm Explanation
"Nothing is hidden," Sarah responded casually, taking a slow sip of tea before offering a faint smile. "I anticipated something like this when I agreed to come here. I'm prepared to make a deal."
Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, as if what she was about to reveal was no more remarkable than a simple weather report.
"It's really nothing complicated. My son recently became enlightened—he's shown great aptitude in medical research and pharmacology. Through his studies, he discovered a method to replenish life energy, restoring lost vitality and healing damaged life sources."
She set her cup down, letting the words settle before continuing. "He also developed a way to nurture and heal the eyes, repairing strain on the ocular tendons. That's all."
Mito and Tsunade's Doubt
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Uzumaki Mito's expression twitched slightly.
Tsunade's face was a mix of disbelief and exasperation. Both women shared a glance, their expressions clearly screaming—
Do we look like fools?
Sarah, however, remained utterly composed, her eyes reflecting only amusement at their skepticism.
But ultimately, it didn't matter whether they believed her or not.
What mattered was that the method existed. And if it worked, then nothing else mattered.
Getting to the Point
Mito exhaled, dropping all pretense. There was no time for games.
"Let me be clear." Her voice was firm, unwavering. "Because of my role as the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, my vitality has been gradually consumed over the years. If nothing changes, I will have only a few years left."
She leaned forward, locking eyes with Sarah. "What will it take for you to give me this method to restore my life energy? What do you want in exchange?"
Tsunade stiffened slightly, her heart pounding.
This was the critical moment.
Sarah smirked slightly, nodding in approval. "As expected of Uzumaki Mito. Direct and to the point."
She swirled her tea absently before responding. "However, there's no rush to discuss the terms of our deal. First—let Ethan examine you. He needs to assess your exact condition before we proceed."
The Examination Begins
Mito blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?"
She glanced at Ethan, then back at Sarah. "Are you serious?"
It was hard to suppress her skepticism.
Sarah, however, remained unfazed, her smirk deepening slightly. "You tell me. Try it and see."
Mito studied her for a few moments before finally sighing.
"Fine. Let's test this, then."
Tsunade watched the exchange with barely concealed curiosity, her fingers twitching at the prospect of seeing something unprecedented.
Could Ethan really do what his mother claimed?
Mito turned her gaze toward Ethan, assessing him critically.
"Alright then, kid." Her voice carried a hint of challenge. "What do you need me to do?"
Ethan, unfazed by the legendary woman's imposing presence, simply raised his hand and gestured toward the table.
"Just place your hand here," he said confidently.
And with that, the true test began.
"Alright."
Uzumaki Mito placed her hand on the table as instructed, extending her palm toward Ethan, a mix of curiosity and skepticism flashing in her deep, knowing eyes.
Ethan, calm and composed, reached out, lightly pressing his fingers against her wrist. With his refined medical skills, he let his chakra flow into her system, analyzing her condition carefully.
The answer became clear almost immediately—just as he had hypothesized.
Her ailment wasn't some deep, mysterious affliction. Rather, it was a continuous and extreme loss of vitality, a side effect of being the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki for so many years. Her body had exhausted itself, pouring vast amounts of energy into sealing the beast and keeping it in check.
She had simply lost too much of her life force.
Fortunately, the solution was just as simple—restore the lost vitality.
However, due to the sheer amount she had expended over the years, an ordinary remedy wouldn't suffice. She would require something more potent, something that could provide an instant and substantial replenishment of her life force. The Life Potion.
Of course, this would not permanently stop her from losing vitality in the future—as long as she remained the Nine-Tails' vessel, she would continue to burn away her own energy to suppress the beast. Regular treatment and maintenance would still be necessary.
"It's done."
Ethan withdrew his hand and gave a slight nod toward Sarah, silently confirming what they had expected.
Then, in the expectant silence, he spoke confidently. "I've assessed your condition. Your body is in excellent shape, apart from one major issue—your vitality loss is severe."
He looked Mito in the eye, his tone unwavering. "The good news is that it's fully treatable. With the right medicine, your lost vitality can be restored in one go."
He paused briefly before clarifying, "Of course, this does not include the vitality lost due to natural aging. That is an entirely different matter."
Mito narrowed her eyes slightly. "And why is that?"
Ethan shrugged. "Because aging isn't just about vitality depletion. It's tied to cell division, the essence of life, and the fundamental limits of the body. If my Life Potion could counteract that, it wouldn't just be medicine—it would be an elixir of immortality."
Mito and Tsunade exchanged glances, absorbing this revelation.
A Cure Unlike Any Other
"Life Potion?"
Mito and Tsunade spoke almost in unison.
Tsunade, in particular, leaned forward, her golden eyes glimmering with interest. "What exactly is that?"
Mito, however, was more direct. "Is this the same potion that restored you?" She turned toward Sarah, her gaze sharp and calculating.
Sarah smiled, shaking her head. "Not exactly. My condition was far more complex than yours, Mito. What you're experiencing is a straightforward depletion of life force. My case involved severe soul and ocular damage, which required a much more intricate treatment process."
She set down her tea, her expression calm. "If I had access to the Life Potion back then, my recovery would have been much faster. But at the time, the formula hadn't been perfected yet."
Mito nodded, processing the information.
Tsunade, still reeling from everything she was learning, finally spoke up again. "So, what's the catch? What do you want in exchange?"
Mito folded her hands in front of her, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. "Let's not waste time. You already know I don't have many years left if this condition isn't treated. If you truly have a way to restore my life force, what do I need to offer in return?"
Sarah let out a small chuckle, her respect for Mito growing. Direct and shrewd—just as expected.
"I appreciate your straightforwardness," Sarah admitted. "But before we discuss conditions, Ethan needs to explain one more thing."
She gestured toward her son, giving him the floor.
Ethan looked toward Mito. "The Life Potion can fully restore your depleted vitality, but it won't stop the constant loss caused by suppressing the Nine-Tails."
Mito nodded grimly. "I assumed as much."
Ethan continued, "For that, you'll need to regularly take Nutritional Pills to counteract the gradual drain."
Tsunade frowned. "Nutritional Pills?"
Ethan nodded. "Another formula I developed. They provide high-quality nutrition, restore physical stamina, boost chakra recovery, and even replenish minor vitality loss. Think of them as a superior version of military ration pills, but without the negative side effects."
He added, "They will be available for purchase soon through Uchiha's new medical division, so you can easily acquire them as needed."
Mito absorbed the information, contemplating the offer.
Then Ethan turned to Sarah. "Mom, you can start the negotiations."
The Three Conditions
Sarah took a slow sip of tea before placing her cup down and speaking calmly. "Three conditions."
Mito met her gaze unwaveringly. "Go on."
Sarah raised one finger. "First—an alliance between Senju and Uchiha. From this moment onward, our two clans will stand together, protecting each other's interests and advancing together."
Her voice remained steady. "You've seen it yourself, Mito. The so-called followers of Tobirama are not our allies. The Third Hokage and his council have been working behind the scenes to weaken both of our clans, testing our limits, pushing us into corners."
Mito's expression darkened. "That, I do not deny."
Sarah leaned forward. "Which is why this alliance is not just an option—it's necessary. Senju and Uchiha have always been viewed as two opposing forces, but in truth, we share a common enemy. If we do nothing, both our clans will continue to be eroded by those who wish to control Konoha for their own gain."
Mito exhaled, then nodded. "Agreed. The alliance is acceptable."
Sarah raised a second finger. "Second—once the treatment is complete, you will publicly endorse our medical advancements. With your influence, our medical division will gain credibility immediately."
Mito chuckled. "You want my name attached to your work? Smart. That alone will ensure people trust it."
Sarah smirked. "Exactly. And third—Uzumaki survivors who flee to Konoha will be placed under Uchiha's protection."
Mito's expression turned serious. "You're expecting the fall of Uzushio?"
Sarah didn't answer, but the silence spoke volumes.
Mito closed her eyes for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. I accept the third condition as well."
Sarah extended a hand. "Then we have a deal?"
Mito looked at the offered hand, then grasped it firmly. "We do."
And with that handshake, a historic alliance was born—one that would change the fate of Konoha forever.
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