Chapter 98: Focus Pill
"Yes," Kaida replied.
"Then just give me 200 Contribution points," the receptionist said, trying to be efficient.
Kaida nodded and gave him 200 Contribution points. The receptionist put an entry in the register and then went inside to get the pill.
After some time, he came out with a white bottle, which had various symbols on it.
"Do you know how and when to take this?" the receptionist asked, handing the bottle to Kaida.
"No," Kaida replied.
"It's nothing too complicated. Just take this medicine one hour before you go to sleep. After taking it, meditate for one hour normally, and then go to sleep. And under no circumstances should you use your Sharingan after taking the medicine for at least 8-10 hours. Your brain will need time to adjust to the effects."
"Thank you," Kaida said, heading home as it was time for lunch.
***
"Welcome back. Food is almost ready. Go wash your hands and mouth while I serve," Hae said as she saw Kaida return.
"Okay, Aunty," Kaida said, and he went to wash up, then joined her at the table where the food was already served.
After eating, Kaida went to his room and began practicing Healing Palm Jutsu. Though he'd passed the test, his technique was far from perfect.
Time flew by as he practiced, and evening came. Kaida continued circulating his Yang chakra along the same pathway he'd learned. Since he wasn't projecting it outside his body, the chakra expenditure was low. With his reserves and their replenishing rate, Kaida could continue indefinitely without issue (aside from old age, of course).
During his practice, he heard voices.
"Welcome back, Yomi. How was your day?"
"Exhausting beyond belief. My sensei is a demon. He doesn’t even let me rest for a few minutes during training. He said that if I want to be a good sensor in two years, I have to practice like this. Now I'm rethinking my life choices."
"I didn't know you’d get scared of a little exercise," Kaida said, coming out of his room.
"I never said I was going to stop training! Also, why are you here? Don’t tell me you got rejected!" Yomi asked, her face showing mock shock.
"What can I do? My sensei was very strict and said I could be anything in the world... except a medical ninja," Kaida said, slumping his shoulders a little.
Yomi, thinking Kaida was genuinely upset, patted his back. "Don’t be sad. I’ll ask my sensei to teach us both. He’s really nice. I’m sure he’ll agree."
"Hah! Looks like living with Shisui has rubbed off on you more than I thought. How could you learn so much in just 3-4 days?" Hae remarked, shaking her head.
Yomi realized Kaida had been joking.
"You scoundrel! I was worried for you!" she exclaimed, slapping Kaida on the back.
"I’m sorry, but it was such a perfect chance. How could I resist?" Kaida said, laughing.
"So, you got selected. Why are you here then? Shouldn't you be training?" Yomi asked.
"I got exhausted, so my sensei told me to come home. We’ll start again tomorrow."
"You got such a caring sensei. Why are you so lucky?" Yomi muttered.
"What can I do?" Kaida shrugged.
"Enough, you two. Yomi, you must be hungry. Go freshen up, and I’ll prepare some snacks," Hae said.
"No, Aunty, you should rest. I’ll prepare the snacks," Kaida offered, heading to the kitchen.
Hae, understanding that Kaida wanted to feel more like family, didn't object.
"Aunty, could you teach me how to cook?" Yomi asked shyly.
"Of course, I can," Hae replied with a smile.
Yomi nodded and went to her room while Kaida prepared French fries with mayonnaise and simple burgers.
Once the snacks were ready, Hae and Yomi joined him in the dining area.
"This is good! Kaida, you have the talent to become a famous chef," Hae complimented.
"I agree," Yomi added.
"Thanks, but I’m happy being a ninja," Kaida said, continuing to eat his burger while thinking, 'If a normal burger tastes this good, I wonder how the one with caramelized onions and barbecue sauce will taste.'
"I’ll make a better version of this when Brother comes back from his mission," Kaida said.
"Brother went on a mission?" Yomi asked.
"Yes, an 'urgent' mission from the clan head," Hae explained.
"Oh! When will he come back?" Yomi asked.
"He said in two days," Kaida answered.
After finishing their food, Yomi and Kaida went to their rooms, while Hae went to talk to a friend. Kaida resumed practicing, and Yomi, mentally exhausted from training, went straight to bed.
They both only came out for dinner before returning to their rooms. Kaida was particularly excited.
'The fire room only costs 200 Contribution points, and it was so beneficial. Now, there’s this—a single pill for 300 Contribution points. If the Uchiha clan isn’t swindling its young ones, this pill should noticeably increase my strength,' he thought, looking at the red pill inside the white bottle.
Sitting in a meditative position, Kaida swallowed the pill. It dissolved quickly in his mouth, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Kaida endured the bitterness and began meditating. He felt warmth in his stomach, which soon spread and was absorbed by his body, like a dry sponge soaking up water.
After meditating for an hour, Kaida went straight to sleep without even opening his eyes.
***
The next morning, Kaida woke up feeling completely relaxed, as if he had no worries at all. His mind was calm, without any stray thoughts. Then he remembered he’d taken the Focus Pill the previous night.
'Is this one of the effects of the Focus Pill? Well, my focus has definitely increased. But what about my Sharingan's power?' Kaida thought, activating his Sharingan. Everything looked the same.
'Hah! Of course, the pill wasn't meant to increase the power of my Sharingan, but rather to enhance my mental capacity and ability to process its input.'
Kaida went to the garden and looked at the sky. He saw birds flying high overhead, and to his surprise, he could predict their movements, even if just by a fraction of a second, without trying.
'Holy… this is overpowered! If this pill has such an effect, what will the others do?' Kaida thought excitedly.
After satisfying his curiosity, he checked the time—it was already 6:30 AM.
'Oh no, I should hurry!' he thought, rushing to get ready.