"Deer-Land wants to attend the research institute's opening ceremony?"
The Third Hokage stared blankly at the letter.
It had been sent from the Fire Temple through official Konoha channels—
not slipped in through Asuma like before.
But the real issue was…
Konoha hadn't even planned an "opening ceremony" yet.
Hiruzen frowned at the letter, sinking into thought.
There must be a reason.
Something must have pushed Deer-Land to make this request personally.
"…Is it because of Souma?"
He read the letter again, his expression shifting.
The last time Deer-Land visited Konoha, it had been to discuss cooperation with Yagyū Souma, and afterward he had even passed on knowledge about the "Immortal Talent of the Sage Clan."
This had to be because of Souma.
The Third Hokage decided to ask Asuma.
When he returned home and questioned his son, he learned—
Souma had quietly caused yet another major event.
"Sage Transformation?"
Hiruzen had heard of it, yes—
but never in detail.
How did Souma learn something so advanced?
After more questioning, he learned the truth:
Yagyū Souma invented it himself.
Even the Fire Temple no longer had a surviving Sage Transformation method—their lineage had already been severed.
That fact carried enormous weight.
Status.
Authority.
Influence.
If Souma agreed to join the Fire Temple, Deer-Land would probably hand over his position willingly.
The Third pondered for a long time.
Souma…
He really was growing frighteningly fast.
Was he a suitable successor?
No.
Hiruzen shook his head.
He was too young.
Placing him in a leadership position would create pressure and political chaos.
Especially from Danzo.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
He knew Danzo far too well. Even if Kakashi were chosen, Danzo wouldn't accept it. And if either Souma or Kakashi gained the ability to cultivate ANBU-level forces…
It complicated everything.
Asuma, meanwhile, didn't want to talk much.
He still had Sage training to do.
He wished he had fifty percent more hours in a day—just enough to keep up his "teacher persona" while also cramming in more training.
Still, before leaving, he asked:
"…Why are you asking me this?"
"The Fire Temple sent a letter. They want to attend Yagyū Souma's research institute opening ceremony. But we aren't planning one yet."
The Third passed him the letter.
Asuma took one look and froze slightly.
He immediately realized Deer-Land's intentions.
After a moment of thought—
"Give this to Souma. Let him decide."
"Very well."
That was the Third's thought as well.
If Souma wanted to hold an opening ceremony, he could simply file a request.
After all, the institute would be registered under Konoha.
The Third also instructed Asuma to deliver the letter properly. Asuma headed off immediately—
and, while at it, asked Souma to supervise his Sage training.
Souma, of course, was extremely busy.
But without his help, Asuma might actually turn into stone one day… or mutate.
Luckily, progress was near.
Asuma had already reached the threshold, even experiencing Sage Mode twice. If he still couldn't succeed…
That would be embarrassing.
The next day, Asuma felt deeply guilty.
He hadn't mastered it yet. Sometimes his state destabilized, and without Souma right there, he definitely would've lost control.
Fortunately—
After a full night of guidance, Asuma still hadn't perfected Sage Mode, but he had learned the pattern of natural energy and could stop himself before mutation.
A huge step forward.
And for Souma, the harvest was equally great.
His own situation was unique and couldn't serve as a universal model—but Asuma represented the typical monk's condition at the Fire Temple.
Going from zero to one was the hardest part.
With Asuma halfway there, the temple's future teaching would be much easier.
Souma silently thanked him for the precious reference data.
Without it, babysitting Asuma this long would've made him cough blood.
Back home, he wrote notes:
"When mutation begins, both chakra and mental state destabilize…"
"By this logic, my visualization method should also work… but applicability unknown. Needs observation."
Of course—
Even if it worked widely, the visualization method belonged to the Yamanaka clan. He couldn't spread it without their approval.
At best, like with the Fire Temple's exchange, he could teach it only under formal permission.
Still—better than nothing.
He wrote another line:
"Two days now. I wonder how the research institute is progressing. Did they finish laying the power lines?"
The next day, Souma visited the Medical Corps.
He had already received the Akimichi clan's secret medicine formula, but didn't plan to produce it en masse. Today was only to have Kitayama Oki prepare some ingredients for future research.
But—
When he walked in, he saw someone unexpected yet somehow unsurprising.
"Souma-kun! I'm so happy to see you again!"
Yakushi Kabuto practically sparkled, bowing deeply as if meeting his idol.
If Souma didn't know Kabuto's real identity, he might actually believe the enthusiasm.
But knowing…
Everything looked like a performance.
Real or not, Souma couldn't tell.
Nor would he trust him.
Still—surface courtesy was necessary.
"Kabuto-senpai?"
"Yes. I'm not very gifted as a combat ninja, so I thought I'd try becoming a medical ninja."
Kabuto smiled kindly, pushing up his glasses.
Baicao added:
"Kabuto's quite talented. And hardworking. He'll make a fine medical ninja."
"Thank you… though I still feel inadequate," Kabuto said shyly.
Souma sighed inwardly but offered encouragement anyway.
"Don't underestimate yourself. Everyone has their strengths. Maybe medical work suits you."
"If that's true… I'd be so grateful."
He wanted to talk more, but Kitayama Oki called Souma over.
Kabuto watched him leave, disappointed.
Baicao laughed.
"Souma built a research institute recently. He's been recruiting. If you're gifted in research, you might become his assistant."
"Really?"
"Of course. It's no secret. You'll hear news soon."
Kabuto bowed gratefully and left.
Then pushed up his glasses again.
So the intel was correct.
Konoha was building a research institute around Yagyū Souma.
What a massive move.
Even Orochimaru had never been treated this generously.
What expression would Orochimaru make when he learned this?
Kabuto smirked at the thought.
After finishing his business, Souma spoke briefly with Kabuto.
"Kabuto-senpai, your teammate—Akadō Yoroi, yes?"
"That's right. I'm surprised you remember."
Souma nodded.
"I recall he used a chakra-absorption technique in the Chunin Exams."
Kabuto sighed.
"It only works on direct contact. And it can't absorb chakra formed into jutsu. Very impractical."
A blunt, honest evaluation.
"I'm somewhat interested in that technique. If he agrees, I can trade one of my jutsu."
Kabuto blinked, then nodded.
"I'll pass the message. But I can't guarantee what he'll think."
"That's fine."
Souma smiled.
After saying farewell, he went directly to the research institute in the Forest of Death.
Kabuto stood still for a moment.
Maybe he should ask Orochimaru what technique he wanted in exchange.
"Who would've thought a failed technique could still be traded. Waste recycling, I suppose."
Forest of Death – Research Institute
Two days later, the place had transformed.
A small river had been fully connected, now running straight through the entire forest and rejoining the old waterway.
A waterwheel turned steadily at the bank, powering a forge beside it.
A brilliantly efficient layout.
Except—
They had electricity now, so why was the forging process still stuck in the previous era?
Such was the ninja world's bizarre technology tree.
Souma often wanted to complain, but he didn't understand enough to help. At best he could provide conceptual suggestions.
Besides—
Compared to world-shaking ninjutsu, civilian technology wasn't exactly useful in battle.
Better to study ninjutsu.
Souma's Sage Mode now lasted over thirty seconds.
Only a ten-second increase, but relative to his original baseline, it was significant.
Asuma, meanwhile, barely endured a little over ten seconds—
So Souma was essentially "one whole Asuma."
He fed the Parasitic Rot Bugs, visited the giant ant colony at Yellow Earth Hill, and used up all his stored natural energy in one training circuit.
Very effective.
By afternoon, Aburame Muta—the Guard Squad Captain—came rushing excitedly.
"Souma-kun! They evolved—again!"
"The Parasitic Rot Bugs?"
"Yes! Come quickly!"
Souma followed him to one of the bug colonies.
Up in the trees, over a dozen Aburame clan members observed quietly. Souma found a vantage point and looked where Muta pointed.
Then he saw—
Several Parasitic Rot Bugs clustered together, violently tearing into the others.
A brutal, frenzied melee.
A battle for dominance?
Souma's eyes sharpened.
"Have your Parasitic Rot Bugs ever done this before?"
"Never!"
Muta shook her head.
They had always been peaceful.
This was completely new.
But—
From a social-structure perspective, internal conflict could indicate increased intelligence.
So she considered it evolution.
"Any med-nin here with medical chakra?"
"I am!"
Muta raised her hand.
Souma nodded. "Good. When the time comes, we may need to step in—or not."
"What do you mean?"
But the fight escalated.
Bugs tore at each other viciously.
Gradually, a victor emerged—
A beetle-like bug.
"It's eating the others?!"
Muta went pale. "Should we stop it?!"
"No. It's evolving. Observe."
Souma focused his sensory ability to the limit.
He could feel it clearly—
The victor's shell was changing, its sheen intensifying with every bug it consumed.
Muta's eyes lit up.
Evolution.
"They're choosing an Insect King," Souma explained. "The victor gains everything. Devouring the others strengthens the king. Intervening could disrupt its metamorphosis."
Muta swallowed, torn between duty and logic.
These bugs had taken effort to raise.
But—
For a stronger species, she forced herself to watch.
By the end—
The beetle's shell dulled, like it had fallen asleep. Only one injured bug with a missing claw remained, trembling.
"Let's go."
Souma jumped down.
He dispelled his shadow clone, absorbing the stored natural energy, then—
Sage Chakra.
The dormant beetle reacted instantly, hungrily drawing in the rich Sage Chakra surrounding Souma.
Moments later—
Crack—
The shell split open.
A newly molted beetle climbed out, lifting its head toward Souma and chirping softly.
Muta's heart twisted with envy.
The new king had chosen Souma.
Naturally—
The Aburame didn't possess Sage energy.
Souma did.
She couldn't help feeling a wave of unease.
Would the Aburame's authority over the Parasitic Rot Bugs be threatened?
"Souma-kun… its condition?"
"Like a juvenile stage," Souma said. "But right now, it's the king of this colony. Look—it's terrifying."
He pointed at the injured survivor.
It trembled on the ground—the hierarchy had fully shifted.
Muta hesitated.
"Should we consider this… good or bad?"
"Likely good," Souma said. "A strong king leads to a stronger colony."
He addressed the new king:
"You'll train in this forest from now on. Do not go to Yellow Earth Hill. Those ants are also my subordinates, understand?"
"Buzz…"
It chirped obediently.
Satisfied, Souma left.
Muta checked the clan contract link—still intact.
She let out a deep breath of relief.
Then quickly followed after Souma.
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