"Thank you, Teacher Kitazawa."
Kurama Yakumo stood up and bowed deeply.
The gloom that once clouded her eyes was gone, replaced by blazing determination.
"It's still too early to thank me."
Kitazawa smiled lightly.
"I came today to help you return to the Ninja Academy."
"Really?!"
Yakumo froze for a moment, then asked excitedly.
"It's true."
Kurenai Yūhi stepped forward.
"I had my reservations before, but after hearing what Kitazawa said just now, I support you as well."
"Thank you, Teacher Kurenai!"
Yakumo couldn't suppress her smile—it bloomed brightly across her face.
Kurenai paused slightly.
This was the first time she had ever seen Yakumo so happy.
Before this, she had always been a gloomy little girl, weighed down by constant worry.
"The idea of a psychological medical ninja is really eye-opening."
Kurenai asked curiously,
"How did you come up with it?"
"You could call it a moment of inspiration."
Kitazawa answered casually.
In truth, it came from the concept of psychologists in his previous life—but such a profession didn't exist in the shinobi world.
In a world where people lived and died on the battlefield, few had the luxury to care about mental health.
"You don't arrive at such inspiration without knowledge."
Kurenai sighed.
"Even as a genjutsu specialist, it never crossed my mind."
"It's just a concept for now."
Kitazawa replied modestly.
"Actually becoming a psychological medical ninja will be a long and difficult road."
"I'm not afraid!"
Yakumo said firmly.
Her parents and even Kurenai had tried to dissuade her from becoming a ninja.
Now that hope finally existed, she refused to let go.
"Besides, you still have Teacher Kitazawa, don't you?"
Kurenai smiled warmly.
"He'll help you."
Yakumo immediately turned to look at Kitazawa.
She hadn't known him before today—but his words had already earned her respect… no, admiration.
For someone who had long been trapped in despair, this felt like salvation.
"When it comes to Yin Release, I'm not your match."
Kitazawa corrected gently.
"When the time comes, I'll be relying on you."
"No problem."
Kurenai patted her chest confidently.
"You can come to me anytime."
Yakumo glanced between the two of them.
For some reason, she felt that these two teachers were unusually close.
"Let's go back."
Kurenai rubbed Yakumo's head.
"Don't worry—your parents will agree."
"Mm!"
Yakumo took a deep breath, suppressing both excitement and nervousness.
She packed away her art supplies and followed Kurenai and Kitazawa back to Satomi Hill Estate.
"You want Yakumo to return to the Ninja Academy?"
Kurama Sōun frowned when he heard Kitazawa's proposal.
"Clan Head Kurama,"
Kurenai stepped in and carefully repeated Kitazawa's explanation.
Kurama Sōun froze.
A special genjutsu ninja.
A psychological medical ninja.
The concepts were completely unfamiliar to him.
But soon, excitement began to stir.
If this was true, Yakumo might be able to restore the Kurama clan's former glory.
"Then I'll leave her in your care, Teacher Kitazawa."
Kurama Sōun said solemnly.
Whether it was true or not, trying cost nothing—because hope existed.
"Thank you, Father!"
Yakumo said gratefully.
After everything was settled, Kitazawa and Kurenai left the estate.
"This matter should be reported to the Hokage."
Kurenai suddenly said.
Kitazawa paused, then understood immediately.
As a clan with a kekkei genkai, the Kurama clan was naturally under Sarutobi's watch.
Especially since Yakumo's frail health had been abnormal since childhood.
Her awakening of a bloodline limit was something Hiruzen definitely knew about.
"And it's a good thing."
Kurenai added.
"You might even receive a reward."
"Then I'll take your blessing."
Kitazawa smiled.
"I'll treat you to a meal if that happens."
"I won't hold back."
Kurenai waved her hand, smiling brightly.
"See you Monday."
Kitazawa watched her leave.
[Current Task: Help your classmate Kurama Yakumo return to the Ninja Academy.]
[Task Reward: Demonic Illusion · Tree Binding Death.]
[Task Complete. Reward Issued.]
Demonic Illusion · Tree Binding Death was a genjutsu unrelated to the Sharingan.
In canon, Kurenai once used it against Uchiha Itachi.
Its effect caused the target to hallucinate being bound by a tree, while the caster emerged from the trunk to attack.
Interestingly, the technique was designed to make enemies believe they were facing Hashirama Senju's Wood Release—instilling instinctive fear.
Kitazawa withdrew his gaze and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
Teachers had weekends off.
The Hokage did not.
In the original story, when Naruto finally became Hokage, he was worked to the bone—
the ultimate overworked laborer.
After receiving permission, Kitazawa entered the Hokage's office.
"Ah, Kitazawa."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"It's good to see you."
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
He had only met Hiruzen a few times, but thanks to Naruto, he was certain his background had already been investigated thoroughly.
Pure roots. Absolute loyalty.
That was what the village valued.
"I went to see Kurama Yakumo today."
Kitazawa went straight to the point.
"I've already spoken with her parents. She'll be returning to the Ninja Academy."
"How did you come to know Kurama Yakumo?"
Hiruzen asked calmly.
"I'm classmates with Kurenai."
Kitazawa explained.
"She asked me for help."
"Ah, right."
Hiruzen nodded, then asked,
"So you came just to tell me this?"
From his perspective, a student returning to the academy wasn't something worth troubling the Hokage over.
After all, he was extremely busy.
"I have an idea regarding Kurama Yakumo's kekkei genkai."
Kitazawa then recounted his conversation with Yakumo in full.
At first, Hiruzen didn't pay much attention.
Given the circumstances, whether Yakumo could even realize her talent was uncertain.
But when Kitazawa mentioned psychological medical ninja—
Hiruzen's heart jolted.
He subconsciously straightened in his chair.
Medical ninjutsu healed the body—an application of Yang Release.
Now Kitazawa was telling him that medical ninjas could also utilize Yin Release.
Even as the Hokage—known as the Professor of Ninjutsu—Hiruzen was genuinely shocked.
More importantly, he sensed the potential for revolution.
Hiruzen thought of Tsunade's hemophobia.
Her importance to Konoha was beyond question.
If her condition could be cured—
it would be an immeasurable gain.
But then another thought surfaced.
The Uchiha clan.
A clan practically overflowing with extreme emotions and psychological instability.
If psychological medical ninja could heal mental trauma—
or even absorb negative emotions…
After all, Id itself was a Yin Release monster born from negativity.
And when it came to negative or extreme emotions—
the Uchiha clan was second to none.
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