"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Yakumo Kurama stood up and bowed.
Her eyes burned with determination, sweeping away the shadows that had clouded her before.
"It's too early to thank me."
Kitazawa smiled. "I came here today to help you return to the Ninja Academy."
"Really?"
Yakumo froze for a moment, then asked excitedly.
"It's true."
Kurenai stepped forward. "Before, I still had my doubts. But after hearing what Kitazawa just said, I also support you."
"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei!"
Yakumo couldn't hold back her grin—the brightest smile Kurenai had ever seen from her.
Until now, Yakumo had always been a gloomy girl, her face shadowed by constant worry.
"The idea of a psychological medical ninja really opened my eyes," Kurenai said curiously. "How did you even come up with that?"
"It just… came to me," Kitazawa replied casually.
In truth, it was knowledge from his previous life as a psychologist. But in the ninja world, such a profession didn't exist.
Shinobi lived with death on their doorstep every day. Who had the luxury of worrying about their mental health?
"Without the right knowledge, even inspiration wouldn't be possible."
Kurenai sighed. "Even as a genjutsu specialist, it never once occurred to me."
"It's just a concept."
Kitazawa stayed humble. "Actually becoming a psychological medical ninja will be a long, difficult road."
"I'm not afraid!"
Yakumo's answer was firm.
Her parents and even Kurenai had once tried to dissuade her from becoming a ninja.
Now that hope was before her, she would never let it slip away.
"And you've got Kitazawa-sensei to guide you," Kurenai added with a teasing smile. "He'll help you."
Yakumo immediately turned to Kitazawa.
She hadn't known him well before, but just from his words today, admiration—or perhaps even reverence—had taken root in her heart.
For someone who had long suffered in silence, this was nothing short of salvation.
"When it comes to Yin Release, I can't compare to you," Kitazawa said to Kurenai. "I'll be relying on your help too."
"No problem."
Kurenai thumped her chest lightly. "Come to me anytime."
Yakumo glanced between the two of them. They seemed to get along surprisingly well.
"Let's go back," Kurenai said, ruffling Yakumo's hair. "Don't worry, your parents will agree."
"Mm!"
Yakumo took a deep breath, trying to steady her excitement and nerves.
She packed up her drawing tools and followed them back to the Kurama estate.
"You're saying Yakumo should return to the Academy?"
Kurama Unkai frowned after hearing Kitazawa's intentions.
"Clan Leader Kurama," Kurenai repeated Kitazawa's words for him.
Unkai froze.
A special genjutsu user? A psychological medical ninja?
To him, it all sounded far too novel.
But soon excitement stirred within him.
If Yakumo truly succeeded, she might one day restore the Kurama clan's former glory.
"Then I'll be counting on you, Kitazawa-sensei."
Unkai spoke with solemn gravity.
True or not, it was worth the attempt—because it meant hope.
"Thank you, Father!"
Yakumo said gratefully.
Once the matter was settled, Kitazawa and Kurenai left the estate.
"You should report this to Lord Hokage," Kurenai suddenly said.
Kitazawa paused, then understood.
The Kurama clan, possessing a kekkei genkai, naturally drew Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention.
Especially Yakumo, whose frailty since childhood had been an abnormality impossible to overlook.
Her awakening of a kekkei genkai would not escape Hiruzen's notice.
"And it's a good thing, too," Kurenai added. "You might even be rewarded."
"I'll borrow your good omen."
Kitazawa chuckled. "I'll treat you to dinner when that happens."
"Don't expect me to hold back."
Kurenai waved and smiled brightly. "See you Monday."
Kitazawa watched her leave.
[Quest complete: Help Kurama Yakumo return to the Ninja Academy.]
[Reward granted: Demonic Illusion · Tree Bind Death.]
Tree Bind Death was a genjutsu unrelated to the Sharingan.
In the original story, Kurenai had once used it against Uchiha Itachi.
It forced the enemy into an illusion of being bound by a tree, while the caster emerged from the tree to strike.
It was originally devised to make foes think they were facing Hashirama Senju's Wood Release—instilling fear through deception.
Kitazawa turned his gaze back and headed toward the Hokage's office.
As a teacher, he had weekends. The Hokage, however, did not—working year-round without rest.
In the original story, when Naruto became Hokage, he was practically worked to death—an absolute beast of labor.
Granted permission to enter, Kitazawa stepped into the office.
"Ah, Kitazawa," Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted him warmly with a smile.
"Lord Hokage."
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
Though he'd only met Hiruzen a few times, thanks to his connection with Naruto, he was certain the Third Hokage had already investigated him down to his ancestors.
All to ensure his loyalty and background were unquestionable.
"Today I met with Kurama Yakumo," Kitazawa said directly. "I've spoken with her parents. She'll be returning to the Academy."
"You know Kurama Yakumo?" Hiruzen asked curiously.
"Kurenai and I are classmates," Kitazawa explained. "She asked me to help."
"Ah, I'd forgotten that," Hiruzen said with mild surprise. "But is that all you came to tell me?"
In his eyes, Yakumo's return to the Academy was too trivial to warrant a personal report.
After all, he was a Hokage, burdened with countless duties.
"It's about Yakumo's kekkei genkai," Kitazawa continued, recounting his earlier conversation with her.
At first, Hiruzen wasn't particularly concerned.
Given Yakumo's frailty, her potential was still uncertain.
But when Kitazawa mentioned the idea of a psychological medical ninja, Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly and he unconsciously straightened in his chair.
Medical ninjutsu healed the body through Yang Release.
Now Kitazawa was suggesting that medicine could also exist through Yin Release.
Even for the Professor of Ninjutsu himself, this was astonishing.
More importantly, he realized such a field could spark a revolution.
Hiruzen thought immediately of Tsunade's hemophobia.
Her importance to Konoha was beyond measure.
If her condition could be cured, it would be a tremendous blessing.
But then another thought struck him—Uchiha. The clan of trauma and extreme emotions.
If psychological medical ninjutsu could heal mental wounds, could it be applied even to them?
After all, the genjutsu beast Idō grew by devouring negative emotions.
And no one carried heavier negative emotions than the Uchiha.