Masahiko took his leave.
Mitarashi Anko didn't try to keep him. Instead, she stepped out of the establishment, turned a corner, and headed toward a nearby flower shop. Outside the shop, a kunoichi with raven hair and distinct ruby-red eyes was carefully selecting a potted plant.
"Hey!"
"Oh." Yūhi Kurenai sighed softly, picking up a small bonsai. She tilted her head, glancing at her friend. "Didn't you say you had something to do today?"
"Yeah, I went to catch up with an old classmate."
Anko nodded, then let out a sigh of her own. "He's changed so much. It honestly felt like I was talking to a stranger." She proceeded to recount their earlier conversation, mixing in the few fragmented memories she had of him from their academy days.
Listening to the story, Kurenai's expression softened into melancholy. "When I was a child, I wanted to be a great kunoichi like Lady Tsunade. But now?"
"Huh?" Anko blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in tone.
Kurenai glanced at Anko, her voice quiet. "He's a civilian. He graduated without showing any exceptional talent..."
Compared to the boisterous Anko, Kurenai observed the world with a finer eye and a more sensitive heart. She felt she understood Masahiko's mindset better. After all, in this world, geniuses were rare. Ordinary people were the majority.
Anko looked thoughtful, but remained silent.
"Everyone has their own aspirations," Kurenai murmured, gazing at the plant in her hands. "Besides, he hasn't given up. He's cultivating his skills while working hard to educate the next generation. I heard he even managed to rein in a problem student recently."
"Hmm? Oh, sorry," Anko said, snapping back to reality. "I was just thinking that teaching kids actually sounds kind of fun."
Kurenai laughed helplessly, long accustomed to her best friend's erratic attention span. As she cradled the bonsai and began walking toward her home, her thoughts lingered on Masahiko with a mild curiosity.
'Taijutsu...' she mused. 'Is he trying to become another Might Duy?'
But a moment later, her own troubles resurfaced, extinguishing her interest in others. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. Everyone had their own fate to contend with, and her own problem was far from solved.
She took a few more steps before freezing in place. A thought struck her like a bolt of lightning.
Yanagi Masahiko is a proper Academy instructor.
Regarding the matter with Yakumo... could he offer some professional guidance?
That's right! When it comes to professional matters, one should consult a professional!
Her eyes brightened, and she turned sharply to Anko. "Did he say what he was doing this afternoon?"
"Huh? Who?" Anko looked completely blank. She was the type to move on quickly; Masahiko had already been purged from her immediate memory.
"Yagyu Masahiko. Your classmate," Kurenai pressed.
"Oh." Anko scratched her cheek. "He's a teacher, so he probably went back to the Academy, right?"
"Never mind. Take this bonsai back for me. I have urgent business to attend to."
"I'll come with you!"
"No," Kurenai said firmly. "This is important, and it's not convenient for you to tag along."
"Eh?"
[Konoha Academy – Office]
Masahiko sat at his desk, the Third Hokage's booklet in hand, continuing his meticulous research and transcription.
His natural talent might be mediocre, but he possessed the disciplined study habits of a soul from another world. After transcribing and analyzing the entire book, Masahiko compared it against his own notes, pondering the theories and occasionally mimicking the hand movements described in the text.
This notebook didn't contain complete Taijutsu, Kenjutsu (Sword Techniques), or Ninjutsu. Instead, it contained something far more valuable: raw theory and combat philosophy. As he connected the dots between the excerpts, the underlying message of the notebook became clear.
The combination of the Clone Technique, Kenjutsu, and the Body Flicker Technique... isn't this the core philosophy behind the Dance of the Crescent Moon?
Furthermore, the notes contained subsequent variations, ideological extensions, and techniques for suppressing one's chakra signature to achieve stealth. This was effectively a complete blueprint and conceptual guide for the Dance of the Crescent Moon.
'I specialize in Taijutsu and speed. The Dance of the Crescent Moon can link together all the techniques I currently possess. It's arguably the most suitable style for me right now.'
'The Third Hokage...'
Masahiko looked between the two booklets, emotion swelling in his chest. Sarutobi Hiruzen had a sharp eye. It was no wonder he was known as "The Professor" and had raised top-tier students like the Sannin.
However, this gift proved one thing definitively: 'Sarutobi Hiruzen has been watching me'.
It was a touching gesture. But unfortunately for the path of a normal shinobi, now that Masahiko had the [System], how could he be content with a life of mediocrity?
He studied the notes intently, losing track of time, until a new idea regarding the basic Clone Technique began to form in his mind.
'Initiate Ninjutsu Training!'
Masahiko's consciousness shifted into the training space, and he immediately began drilling the Clone Technique.
The essence of the Clone Technique was using chakra to create afterimages or illusions. Both chakra control and chakra volume influenced the effectiveness of the illusion. He had already mastered these fundamentals.
But... The Third's notes contained a concept he hadn't considered.
For instance—if one were to inject more chakra into the base Clone Technique and manipulate the chakra's form, could it create a partial physical effect?
From this hypothesis, Masahiko saw the shadow of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu. According to the notes, he guessed the Third Hokage originally had this idea for the Dance of the Crescent Moon but had abandoned it for some reason.
He attempted to communicate his theory to the training partner, 'Kakashi'.
[Apologies. This exceeds my current cognitive range. Please increase the Template Level.]
"Fine."
Masahiko sighed. He would have to experiment and research it himself.
He practiced for a while longer until the training space suddenly dissolved around him. He opened his eyes in the real world just as a knock sounded at his door.
"Is Instructor Masahiko in?"
The voice was unfamiliar. Masahiko rubbed his eyes, stood up, and carefully covered the two notebooks on his desk before walking to the door.
When he opened it, he froze for a split second.
That outfit...
"Senior Yūhi Kurenai?"
"Please, no need for 'Senior.' I'm not that much older than you; you're making me feel ancient." Kurenai smiled gently. "Is this a bad time?"
"Not at all. Please, come in. I was just taking a rest, so I didn't hear you immediately."
Masahiko hurriedly ushered her inside.
Kurenai gave a polite bow. "Excuse the intrusion."
She scanned the room, a hint of hesitation on her face, but eventually walked in and sat at the guest table in the office. Masahiko brewed a fresh cup of tea and placed it before her. She accepted it with both hands and began to stand up to return the bow.
"Please, don't stand on ceremony. Sit," Masahiko said warmly.
"Thank you."
Kurenai held the teacup, her fingers tracing the rim. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke. "Masahiko-kun, I heard some things about you from Anko and others. To be honest, I came here specifically to ask for your advice."
"Please, go ahead," Masahiko replied, his demeanor gentle and courteous. "My abilities are limited, but I will do my best to help if I can."
"I have never worked as a formal teacher," Kurenai began, looking relieved by his welcoming attitude. His handsome face and calm smile helped settle her nerves. "Recently, I've been troubled regarding a student. After hearing about you today, I thought I should seek your perspective."
She took a small sip of tea. "Have you heard of a student named Kurama Yakumo?"
"Kurama Yakumo?"
Masahiko put on a mask of deep contemplation, acting as if he were searching his memory, before gently shaking his head. "I apologize. I'm new here, so I don't have much of an impression of that student."
In reality, as a new teacher, he shouldn't know her.
Kurenai wasn't surprised. She set down her cup. "Yakumo is technically a student of the Academy, but her health is very poor. She's considered unfit to be a ninja. But..."
She paused for a long time, eventually letting out a soft sigh.
"But the Kurama Clan... currently, she is the only one who has inherited their Kekkei Genkai."
"I see..." Masahiko followed the logic. "So, her clansmen and her parents... they expect her to become a ninja?"
Kurenai nodded slightly. "That is the current situation."
Masahiko hummed thoughtfully. "And what about Kurama Yakumo herself?"
"She naturally wants to—"
"No," Masahiko interrupted gently but firmly. "Children are easily influenced by outsiders. Setting aside the expectations of her family and clan... does she truly want to become a ninja?"
Kurenai opened her mouth to speak, but the words died in her throat. Her expression turned from certainty to bewilderment.
Masahiko's expression remained calm and encouraging. He smiled, offering reassurance. "It's alright. It's a detail many people overlook, and you are only her private tutor, not her guardian... May I meet her?"
"Of course!"