The team arrived at the border camp three days later. The reinforcement group was scheduled to rest there for one night before heading to the new camp being set up in the Rain Country. The border camp was too small to accommodate all the reinforcements and was primarily a transit point for supplies.
Continuous rain drummed heavily on the tents, adding to the general irritation. The wooden shelters were overcrowded, so most people had to cram into tents. Even Shinki couldn't rest in the medical room; it was already full of wounded from the Rain Country.
Orochimaru had the misfortune of being assigned to share a tent with Jiraiya, while Shinki had one to himself. Casting a sympathetic glance at Orochimaru, Shinki entered his own tent.
After several days of travel, Shinki understood that being alone with Jiraiya was an ordeal. At this stage, Jiraiya was a relentless chatterbox, always finding something to say or do to annoy.
That night, sleep was impossible. The tent was stuffy, and the persistent rain drummed noisily on the fabric. Anyone unaccustomed to the sound couldn't rest properly.
The next day, Shinki yawned through most of the morning as the team, after resupplying, set off for the Rain Country at dawn. Their destination camp was under construction, surrounded by wooden walls but lacking proper buildings. Most had to use tents, and conditions were even more cramped than at the border.
Fortunately for Shinki, as the lead in the medical division, he was given an independent lounge and didn't need to share space. However, this also meant he had to get to work immediately.
"Clean the wound and suture it," he instructed. "Bring me two type-two antidotes. Prepare the herbs on this list—I need to create some antidotes."
From the moment he stepped into the medical area, Shinki was busy. Many of the wounded were poisoned, requiring the formulation of new antidotes. The Sand Village's expertise with poisons had evolved, rendering many of the antidotes Shinki brought from Konoha ineffective.
"Clear out the lounge and make sure I'm not disturbed," he ordered. He needed quiet to focus on cracking the poison formulas.
The medical team quickly complied, clearing the largest lounge and equipping it with all the herbs and tools he needed.
"Oh, and call Orochimaru. I need his help," Shinki added.
Within moments, Orochimaru arrived. "You called?"
"Yes, I need your expertise in analyzing these poison samples," Shinki replied, nodding at the vials of venom. "Many of these are mixtures of desert snake venoms, which should be your specialty."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest as he examined the samples. "The Sand Village hasn't changed much in that regard," he said, a smirk forming.
Without looking up, Shinki added, "Help me identify these components. I need accurate data to create effective antidotes."
"Of course, but on one condition: let me be your assistant," Orochimaru proposed, his voice laced with both eagerness and calculation.
Orochimaru was more interested in staying in the camp, working on his own projects like puppet-making, than going out to fight. The morgue, with its enemy corpses, was a treasure trove for his research.
Shinki glanced at Orochimaru while shaking an antidote. *So that's your game, huh? Fine by me.*
"Suit yourself," Shinki said. Orochimaru staying could save Shinki a lot of time and effort. He was versatile and skilled; having him as an assistant was a boon.
With a grin, Orochimaru donned rubber gloves and began analyzing the samples. "Desert vipers, toxic lizards, water lizards, sea vipers, and a mix of plant-based toxins… they've been thorough," he noted, eyes glinting as he worked.
While Orochimaru worked on identifying the poisons, Shinki focused on crafting antidotes. The Sand Village had indeed gone to great lengths, using toxins from both flora and fauna. Without the right antidotes, Konoha's ninjas would face severe losses. Injuring an enemy was easier than killing them, and poisoning was almost always fatal if not treated promptly.
After some time, Orochimaru leaned back. "Well, Shinki, I've completed my part."
*This guy is eager to start experimenting,* Shinki thought, watching as Orochimaru's gaze drifted toward the morgue. Knowing Orochimaru's tendencies, Shinki added a warning:
"Orochimaru, I don't care if you use enemy corpses for your puppets or experiments, but remember one thing: never touch the bodies of our own. They are heroes of Konoha and deserve respect."
"Understood. I'll adhere to our agreement," Orochimaru said with a slight nod before eagerly heading toward the morgue.
*I hope he stays true to his word,* Shinki thought. To be safe, he called out, "Ensure the antidotes are distributed. And send word to Nara Shikaku to place more guards around the morgue. Our fallen need to be sealed away properly."
Respecting the dead was paramount, especially those who had given their lives for the village.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 150 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
Gimme power stonesssss