Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In mid-January, as the fighting on the front lines contracted significantly, the major ninja clans of Konoha turned their attention back to their own interests:

"The village's budget needs to be changed for the new year!"

This is already a consensus, and even the Uchiha clan strongly agrees with it. For this reason, Fugaku Uchiha even paid a special visit to several clan leaders.

Fugaku Uchiha's actions stunned many, but Danzo saw this as a dangerous sign:

"The evil Uchiha clan is secretly plotting another unseen conspiracy!"

On a bright and sunny morning, Danzo remained huddled at the Root headquarters not far from Shadow Rock.

Danzo was flipping through intelligence files in the dimly lit room when he suddenly paused, realizing something was amiss:

"Uchiha, brain chakra?"

"Is Kyonenmaru Tsunade's talent or Furukawa Osamu's ability?"

Danzo couldn't fully understand the effects of the Kyogenmaru, but he guessed that the Uchiha clan would definitely benefit from it!

"Tell Orochimaru that I'm restarting the Wood Release plan."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!"

The Root ninja, who had been kneeling on the ground, bowed his head in response and quickly left. Danzo squinted, recalling the recent performance of the experimental subject, and after a brief assessment, made his decision:

"We need more incomplete Wood Release techniques."

"Strengthen surveillance on Osamu Furukawa."

-

Inside the Hokage Building, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just finished a meeting with the ninja clan. Seeing that his two companions remained silent, he took the initiative to ask:

What are your thoughts on the proposal to expand the herb laboratory?

Koharu, who was in the dorm, didn't speak, and Homura Mitokado, who was standing next to her, didn't give a direct answer either.

"Hiruzen, the most important thing right now is to prepare supplies. The Land of Fire's funding should be used for the war that could break out again at any time."

"We all know why the ninja clan is seeking the secret medicine. If the current balance is disrupted, it could very well affect the village's development."

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that most ninja clans didn't care about side effects, and that when necessary, someone in the clan had to make a sacrifice.

The unspoken rule that maintaining elite ninjas is essential to sustaining a clan's strength is indeed somewhat dark, but this darkness has also nurtured the village.

"I plan to allocate some of the funds to drug research and development for the medical team."

Koharu Utatane frowned upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision and looked at her old friend, offering her advice:

"Yan is right, there's no need to invest too much in the next few years."

"The Uchiha clan has been making frequent overtures to Tsunade lately; we shouldn't let our guard down at this time."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to get involved in these matters, but considering Tsunade's personality, he took a couple of puffs of his pipe and reminded her:

"The Uchiha clan is also a member of the village, and we have no need to interfere in Tsunade's affairs."

"This funding will be used to improve Kyonenmaru. We cannot waste the sacrifices made by the Konoha ninja."

The two advisors fell silent; since it concerned the Uchiha clan, it was clearly more appropriate to discuss it with Danzo.

-

Although Osamu Furukawa is on vacation, he has been working at Konoha Hospital recently.

In the afternoon, Tsunade told him that the submitted budget had been approved. Furukawa Osamu was somewhat surprised, but seeing Tsunade's nonchalant expression, he could only flatter her.

"As expected of Tsunade-sensei, she even managed to secure funding during wartime!"

Tsunade glanced at it sideways, crossed her arms in her seat, and chuckled to herself:

"This was not my intention. Apart from the Hyuga clan, several major ninja clans in the village came together."

"Moreover, the Uchiha clan rarely bows to their teacher, so the budget is naturally not a problem."

"Don't even think about slacking off. We're going to the herb lab in a bit. Thanks to you, we've received some new herbs."

The pig, deer, and butterfly clans worked together, and recently, relying on their clan's connections, they collected rare herbs from the Land of Tea.

Other ninja clans did the same, actively searching and using connections, regardless of any benefits, just to bring it over first.

Tsunade got up and beckoned Furukawa Osamu to go to the herb laboratory together. Compared to before, it had expanded in size, and the care alone was a troublesome matter.

"Sunagakure should also have a similar laboratory, but I'm certain that their scale is smaller than ours."

"We are temporarily lagging behind in the research of toxins, but fortunately there are no problems with the antidote. Judging from this battle, the other side does not seem to have been able to develop any new toxins either."

When Tsunade arrived at the laboratory, she looked very satisfied. When she talked about Sunagakure, she had a proud look on her face. She had completely left Chiyo behind.

The slug on Furukawa Osamu's shoulder suddenly spoke up to warn him:

"Lady Tsunade, Shikkotsu Forest is also very suitable for cultivating herbs, as its rich natural energy can enhance their efficacy."

Tsunade pondered for a moment, then shook her head and gave a simple reply:

"The current dose of Madness Pills is sufficient. Combined with some medicines that can revitalize the body in a short time, it can reduce the burden on the body."

"Most ninjas cannot control their chakra points to enhance their effects; doing so would only overburden their meridian system."

"Xiu, I'll leave the rest of the work to you. I'll go prepare some snacks."

Furukawa Osamu watched Tsunade's retreating figure as she skipped work, shaking his head helplessly. The slug on his shoulder spat out a pale twig and comforted him in a soft, gentle voice:

"Lord Xiu, I'm here!"

"I've prepared the Divine Tree's energy. Should I mix it with Yang-attribute chakra this time?"

"Let's stick with Yin Release chakra. I'm pretty good at Yang Release, but I still don't have much of a clue about Yin Release, except for genjutsu."

Furukawa Osamu frankly admitted his shortcomings; at present, he could only mobilize the energy in his body.

[Gathering] the energy of the mutated divine tree, then mixing it with chakra and injecting it into herbs, finally completing the mutation, is one of the ways Furukawa Osamu trains his chakra.

-

That evening, after finishing his work, Osamu Furukawa was invited to a dinner gathering with the Uchiha clan.

Uchiha Inahi boasted wildly to the younger members of his clan, exaggerating the situation on the front lines several times over. He claimed that Furukawa Osamu had instantly killed over 50 Iwagakure members with a single Chidori attack...

Exclamations and Uchiha Inahi's smug laughter occasionally drifted from next door. Uchiha Fugaku glanced at Furukawa Osamu and smiled slightly:

"Xiu, the younger generation in the clan needs to learn more from geniuses like you."

"Clan leader, you flatter me! The young people of the Uchiha clan are exceptionally strong."

Furukawa Osamu greeted him with a smile, and the two chatted about their previous experiences on the battlefield in the Land of Rain and their insights into ninjutsu. The atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

When the conversation turned to the progress of Kyonenmaru's development, Fugaku Uchiha suddenly asked a question that caught Osamu Furukawa off guard:

"Xiu, if a child around 5 years old has a strong enough will, can the Madness Pill be used to assist in their training?"

Seeing the clan leader's expectant expression, Furukawa Osamu's eye twitched slightly. After a moment's thought, he gave his response:

"Clan Chief Fugaku, it's difficult for us to ascertain the will of a child of this age. Kyonenmaru is more suitable for use in times of crisis."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded in satisfaction upon hearing the answer. The Uchiha clan's will was not in question. Thinking of his children at home, he silently prayed:

"Itachi, as my son, do not disappoint me."