Sarutobi Hiruzen’ Surprise

"Thank you, Mr. Kitazawa." Kurama Yakumo stood up and bowed. Her eyes were now filled with blazing determination, sweeping away the earlier gloom.

"It's too early to thank me now." Kitazawa smiled and said, "I only came today to help you return to the Ninja School."

"Really?" Yakumo froze for a moment, then asked excitedly.

"It's true." Kurenai stepped forward and said, "I had reservations before, but after hearing what Kitazawa just said, I support you fully."

"Thank you, Ms. Kurenai!" Kurama Yakumo couldn't hold back the corners of her lips, breaking into a bright smile.

Kurenai was slightly stunned. It was the first time she had seen Kurama Yakumo so genuinely happy. Before this, she had always been a gloomy child, her brow constantly furrowed.

"This concept of a psychological medical ninja is truly eye-opening." Kurenai asked curiously, "How did you come up with it?"

"It was more like a flash of inspiration," Kitazawa answered casually.

The truth was, he had been a psychologist in his previous life—but such a profession didn't exist in the ninja world.

Ninjas lived in constant danger, never knowing if they'd survive the next battle, so psychological issues were rarely considered.

"Still, without the right knowledge, such inspiration wouldn't come." Yuhi Kurenai said with emotion, "As a genjutsu user myself, I've never even thought of this idea."

"It's just a concept for now." Kitazawa said modestly, "If Yakumo truly wants to become a psychological medical ninja, the road ahead will be difficult."

"I'm not afraid!" Yakumo said firmly.

Her parents and Kurenai had both advised her against becoming a ninja. Now that hope had appeared, she had no intention of letting it slip away.

"Besides, you've got Teacher Kitazawa." Kurenai smiled playfully, "He'll help you."

Kurama Yakumo immediately looked at Kitazawa. Although she hadn't known him before, his words had already earned her admiration and trust.

For someone who had been tormented for so long, this was nothing short of salvation.

"I can't compare to you in Yin Release techniques." Kitazawa corrected, "When the time comes, I'll be counting on your help instead."

"No problem at all." Kurenai patted her chest and said, "You can come to me anytime."

Kurama Yakumo looked at the two teachers and felt like they had a good relationship.

"Let's go back now." Kurenai patted her head gently and said, "Don't worry—your parents will definitely agree."

"Yeah!" Kurama Yakumo took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and nervousness in her heart. She packed her painting tools and followed Kurenai and Kitazawa back to Satomi-gaoka Villa.

"You want Yakumo to return to the Ninja School?" Kurama Murakumo frowned after hearing Kitazawa's request.

"Clan Leader Murakumo." Kurenai took the initiative to relay what Kitazawa had said.

Murakumo was momentarily stunned. Special illusion ninja? Psychological medical ninja?

It all sounded too new and unfamiliar to him. But excitement soon replaced confusion. If this were possible, Yakumo might truly be able to restore the lost glory of the Kurama clan.

"Then I'll leave her in your care, Kitazawa-sensei." Kurama Murakumo said solemnly. Whether the idea was real or not, it was worth trying—because now, there was hope.

"Thank you, Dad!" Yakumo said gratefully.

After finishing their discussion, Kitazawa and Kurenai left Satomigaoka Villa.

----

"You should report this to the Hokage." Kurenai suddenly remembered something.

Kitazawa paused, then understood immediately. As a bloodline-limit clan, the Kurama family was under Sarutobi Hiruzen's attention. Especially since Yakumo had shown signs of extreme physical weakness from a young age.

Her awakening of the bloodline limit would not go unnoticed by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"And it's also good news." Kurenai added, "You might even get rewarded."

"Thanks for the suggestion." Kitazawa smiled, "I'll treat you to a meal when that happens."

"I won't be polite." Kurenai waved and smiled, "See you Monday."

Kitazawa watched her walk away. 

[Task: Help classmate Kurama Yakumo return to the Ninja School.

Task reward: Genjutsu: Tree Binding Death.

The host has completed the task. Reward issued.]

Tree Binding Death is a powerful genjutsu not tied to the Sharingan. In the original story, Yuhi Kurenai used it against Uchiha Itachi.

Its effect causes the target to hallucinate being bound by a massive tree, while the user emerges from the tree to attack them.

Interestingly, this illusion was designed to make enemies believe they'd encountered Hashirama Senju's Wood Release—instilling fear in their hearts.

After retracting his gaze, Kitazawa turned and walked toward the Hokage's Office.

As a teacher, he had Saturdays and Sundays off—but the Hokage did not. In the original timeline, when Naruto became Hokage, he was so busy he might as well have been a superhuman workhorse.

After getting permission, Kitazawa entered the Hokage's office.

"Ah, Kitazawa." Sarutobi Hiruzen greeted him kindly with a smile.

"Hokage-sama." Kitazawa wasn't surprised.

Even though they'd only met a few times, thanks to his connection with Uzumaki Naruto, Hiruzen had probably investigated eighteen generations of his ancestry.

All in the name of being pure and loyal!

"I went to see Kurama Yakumo today." Kitazawa got straight to the point: "I've already spoken to her parents about letting her return to the Ninja School."

"How do you know Kurama Yakumo?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

"Kurenai and I were classmates." Kitazawa explained, "She asked me for help."

"Ah, I forgot about that." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then asked curiously, "Did you come just to tell me that?"

To him, such a small matter didn't warrant a personal report—especially since he was constantly swamped with work.

"I have an idea related to Yakumo Kurama's bloodline limit." Kitazawa then repeated his conversation with Kurama Yakumo.

At first, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't think much of it. Given Yakumo's health, it wasn't certain she could ever use her potential.

But when Kitazawa mentioned the concept of a psychological medical ninja, Hiruzen's expression changed, and he sat up straight.

Medical ninjas typically treated the body using Yang Release. But now, Kitazawa was suggesting that Yin Release could be used to treat the mind.

Even for someone hailed as the Professor of Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen was shocked. More importantly, he realized that this might be revolutionary.

He immediately thought of Tsunade's hemophobia. Tsunade's value to Konoha was unquestionable. If she could be cured, it would be an enormous blessing.

But then... Hiruzen's thoughts turned toward the Uchiha clan. A clan suffering from collective psychological instability.

Kitazawa had said that psychological medical ninjas should treat trauma by absorbing negative emotions. Ido, after all, was a Yin Release construct that thrived on negative energy.

And when it came to negative or extreme emotions, the Uchiha were second to none.