Masahiko had already left.
Anko Mitarashi didn't try to stop him. Instead, she stepped outside, turned a corner, and headed toward the nearby flower shop.
Outside the shop, a black-haired, red-eyed kunoichi was carefully selecting a potted plant.
"Hey."
"Ah."
Kurenai Yūhi let out a soft sigh, lifted the pot slightly, and tilted her head."Didn't you say you were busy today?"
"I was—went to see an old classmate."
Anko nodded, then sighed."He's changed so much. Feels like a completely different person."
She briefly recounted their conversation, along with the scattered memories she still had of him.
Kurenai listened quietly before sighing as well."When I was younger, I wanted to become a great ninja like Lady Tsunade. But look at me now."
"Hm?"
Anko froze.
Kurenai glanced at her."He's a civilian. After graduating, he never showed outstanding talent…"
She had seen more of the world than Anko—more missions, more people—and could more easily grasp Masahiko's mindset.
Most people were ordinary.
Anko fell silent, thinking.
Kurenai spoke again, her tone gentle."Everyone walks their own path. Besides, he hasn't given up. He trains, teaches children… and I've heard he even managed to straighten out a troublesome student recently."
"Huh? Oh—sorry, I was just thinking…"Anko scratched her head."Teaching actually sounds kind of fun."
Kurenai laughed softly, already used to her friend's unpredictable train of thought. Cradling the plant, she started home—though she couldn't help feeling a bit curious about Masahiko.
Taijutsu… another Might Duy?
But her own concerns soon surfaced, pushing aside thoughts of others. She sighed quietly.
Everyone has their own fate.
And hers was still unresolved.
After a few steps, Kurenai suddenly stopped.
Wait.
Yagyū Masahiko was a proper Ninja Academy instructor.
Could he help with Yakumo's situation?
Right.
For professional problems—ask a professional.
Her eyes lit up as she turned back."Did he say where he was going this afternoon?"
"Huh? Who?"
Anko looked blank.
She moved on quickly—Masahiko had already slipped her mind.
"Yagyū Masahiko," Kurenai clarified. "Your classmate."
Anko shrugged."He's a teacher. Probably went back to the academy."
"Forget it. Take the plant home for me—I need to find him."
"I'm coming too!"
"No. This is important—you can't tag along."
"Eh?"
Inside the office, Masahiko held the Third Hokage's notebook, deeply absorbed as he read and took notes.
His talent truly was average.
But he had retained the study habits from his previous life.
After carefully copying and analyzing the entire notebook, he compared it with his own notes, pondering every movement and concept.
The notebook didn't contain any complete taijutsu, kenjutsu, or ninjutsu techniques.
But its theory was extraordinary.
As he organized the ideas, a pattern gradually emerged.
Clone Jutsu.Kenjutsu.Body Flicker.
Combined.
That was the core of Dance of the Crescent Moon.
There were even follow-up variations, conceptual extensions, and chakra-control methods for concealing one's presence.
It wasn't just notes—it was a complete theoretical framework for the Dance of the Crescent Moon.
"I specialize in taijutsu and speed. Dance of the Crescent Moon ties everything I know together perfectly…"
Masahiko exhaled slowly.
"Third Hokage…"
Comparing the two volumes, admiration welled up inside him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's insight truly lived up to his reputation as the "Professor of Ninjutsu." No wonder he had trained legends like the Sannin.
At the same time, it confirmed something else.
The Third Hokage had been watching him all along.
Unfortunately—
Now that Masahiko possessed the System, an ordinary life was no longer an option.
He continued studying until a new idea about Clone Jutsu began to take shape.
"Activate Ninjutsu Training."
He entered the training space and began practicing Clone Jutsu.
Clone Jutsu relied on chakra to create afterimages—control and quantity determined the effect.
That much he already knew.
But the Third Hokage's notes mentioned something new.
By layering additional chakra atop a clone and shaping it carefully, it might gain partial substance.
From that idea, Masahiko glimpsed the shadow of Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Perhaps the Third had originally intended this approach for Dance of the Crescent Moon—but abandoned it for some reason.
Masahiko brought the idea to "Kakashi."
"…Sorry," the projection replied."That exceeds my current authorization. Please upgrade the training module."
"Tch."
Masahiko sighed and began experimenting on his own.
Not long after—
The training space abruptly shattered.
He opened his eyes to a knock at the door.
"Teacher Masahiko, are you home?"
The voice was unfamiliar.
He rubbed his eyes, closed both notebooks, and went to open the door.
He froze.
That outfit—
"Kurenai Yūhi… senpai?"
"No 'senpai.'"She smiled gently."You're making me sound ancient."
"Please, come in. I was resting and didn't hear you earlier."
Masahiko stepped aside to let her enter.
"Sorry to intrude."
She glanced around briefly, hesitated, then sat at the guest table.
Masahiko prepared tea. As he set it down, she accepted it with both hands and rose slightly in thanks.
"No need to stand—please sit."
"Thank you."
She took a sip, hesitated, then spoke softly.
"Masahiko-kun… I've heard about you from Anko and others. I came today to ask for advice."
"Please."His tone was warm and polite."My abilities are limited, but I'll help however I can."
"I've never been a teacher before," she admitted."And there's one student I simply don't know how to handle."
His calm demeanor eased her tension.
"Have you heard of a student named Kurama Yakumo?"
"Kurama Yakumo?"
Masahiko pretended to think, then shook his head."I'm sorry. I'm new to the academy—I don't recognize the name."
And truthfully, he shouldn't know it yet.
Kurenai wasn't surprised."Yakumo is an academy student, but her health is extremely poor. Everyone believes she can't become a ninja… yet—"
She paused, then sighed.
"The Kurama Clan's bloodline limit exists only within her now."
"So her family wants her to become a ninja?"
Masahiko followed calmly.
Kurenai nodded."That's the situation."
Masahiko thought for a moment."And Yakumo herself?"
"Of course she wants to—"
He gently interrupted."Children are easily influenced. Setting expectations aside… does she truly want to be a ninja?"
Kurenai opened her mouth—then fell silent.
Masahiko smiled reassuringly."It's all right. Many people overlook that. And you're only her home tutor."
He paused.
"May I meet her?"
"Of course."
Kurenai answered immediately.