Not only was Mito Uzumaki curious about Uchiha Chiri's transformation, but Tsunade was as well.
The changes were astonishing—tantalizing, even.
"If I could gain access to whatever method improved her vitality and physique, I'd see a massive leap in power... and Grandma Mito's issues would be solved, too!"
Tsunade was quietly excited.
If it weren't for the fear of being scolded again—or worse, causing a misunderstanding—she would have asked directly.
But before she could, Chiri took the initiative.
"There's nothing that can't be said."
Sipping her tea calmly, she smiled.
"I anticipated what today's meeting would be about. I'm prepared to make a deal."
"Honestly, there's not much to it. My son recently had a breakthrough. He's made impressive progress in medical techniques and pharmacology."
"He developed a method to replenish and restore life force and vitality."
"He also created a treatment to nourish the eyes and optic meridians. That's all."
"... ..."
Both Mito and Tsunade twitched at the corners of their eyes.
They looked at each other with matching expressions: Do we look like fools to you?
"If you're going to lie, at least make it a good one..."
Still, none of that really mattered.
What was important was that they now believed she truly had a way to restore life force.
Mito didn't waste time.
"I'll be direct. Because of the Nine-Tails seal, my life force is constantly draining. If this continues, I've only got a few years left."
"What do I have to offer to obtain this method of restoring my life force and perhaps even my life essence?"
As expected of Mito Uzumaki—direct and decisive.
She knew full well that negotiating roundabout tactics with Chiri was pointless.
Better to show honesty and earn respect.
"As expected from Mito... so straightforward."
Chiri chuckled in approval.
"But no rush to talk about terms. Let my son Genqing examine your condition first."
"We need to tailor the remedy to your actual symptoms."
"Eh?"
Mito blinked and looked at Genqing, then back at Chiri.
"You're serious? You actually believe that story you made up?"
Chiri could see through the skepticism in her eyes. She only gave a calm smile.
"Try it and see."
Mito stared at her for a few seconds, then nodded.
"Fine. Let's see how you spin this."
There was no way this six-year-old could actually...
"What do you need me to do?"
"Just place your hand on the table," Genqing instructed.
Mito complied, placing her hand before him.
Genqing extended his small fingers and pressed gently on her wrist.
With his intermediate-level medical skills, he quickly diagnosed her condition.
Just as he'd guessed, her issue was relatively straightforward: excessive life force loss due to the Nine-Tails seal.
To fix it, she would need a life-replenishing elixir.
However, the Nine-Tails would continue draining her life over time, so she would need ongoing treatment.
"Done."
Withdrawing his hand, he nodded to his mother.
Then he turned to Mito and Tsunade, both watching with visible skepticism.
"Your body is otherwise fine. It's been well-maintained."
"Your only issue is excessive life force depletion."
"Taking the life-restoring elixir once will fully replenish what you've lost."
"However, it won't reverse aging-related decline."
"That's another matter entirely—this elixir won't grant immortality."
Because aging involves deeper issues: cellular degradation, limits to division, and life essence.
"Life-restoring elixir?"
Mito and Tsunade echoed the term curiously.
"Is that what you used, Chiri?"
Mito was starting to believe it wasn't a bluff.
Maybe Chiri really had been telling the truth all along.
"Could her son really be a medical genius?"
"No."
Chiri shook her head.
"My condition was much worse than yours, so the treatment was far more complex."
"It took over half a month to recover."
"I didn't even use the life elixir—it wouldn't have been enough on its own."
"I see."
Mito nodded thoughtfully.
That matched what she already knew of Chiri's past condition.
"So then, what must I offer in exchange for this life elixir?"
"Will taking it stop the Nine-Tails from draining me in the future?"
"Not quite."
Genqing answered before Chiri could.
"The elixir will restore what you've already lost."
"But you'll still need to periodically take nutrient pills to offset the Nine-Tails' ongoing drain."
"These nutrient pills—another medicine I created—rapidly restore physical and mental energy, reduce fatigue, and offer mild life force supplementation."
"Think of it as a super-charged soldier pill."
"They'll soon be sold at the new Uchiha pharmacy. You can buy them yourself."
"That's the gist."
He then turned back to his mother.
"You can talk terms now, Mom."
Job done, Genqing quietly returned to his seat and stayed silent.
"Mn."
Chiri nodded.
She looked directly at Mito.
"Three conditions."
"First: From today onward, the Senju and Uchiha clans form an alliance—we rise and fall together."
"You've seen it too. Tobirama's disciples are anything but honest or benevolent."
"Senju and Uchiha alike are targets for suppression and eventual elimination."
"We share a common enemy."
"Hmm~"
Mito nodded in agreement.
"That's true. I won't deny it."
"Very well, I agree to the alliance."
She had no illusions.
Joining forces with Uchiha couldn't possibly be worse than the current situation.
And if Genqing's talent was real, combined with Uchiha's bold reforms...
Then the future could hold surprising results.