The next morning.
Masahiko was out for his usual jog when he spotted Might Guy running ahead of him.
His heart skipped.
Instinctively, he tried to activate the Low-Level Skill Copy Card.
"Use Low-Level Skill Copy Card on Might Guy?"
…Nope.
Masahiko immediately canceled it.
If something went wrong, there'd be no undoing that.
Might Guy didn't even notice him.
Plenty of people ran laps around Konoha at dawn. Running into other ninja was perfectly normal.
Around eight o'clock, after breakfast, Masahiko headed to the Ninja Academy.
At the front gate, a familiar figure sat quietly on a swing. A sketchbook rested on her knees, pencil moving swiftly across the page.
In just a few moments, the academy gate took shape on the paper.
A bright smile bloomed on her face.
"How does it feel?"
"Ah?!"
Startled, Kurama Yakumo spun around. When she saw him, she relaxed at once.
"Teacher Masahiko…"
"Did your parents not come with you?" he asked gently.
Masahiko had come straight from breakfast. Yakumo had stood out the moment he arrived.
Yakumo shook her head, smiling happily."I told them I could come on my own… so they agreed."
Her feet swayed lightly as she gazed at the school building.
"Before I left the hospital, I never imagined that coming to school could make me this happy…"
She was only eight or nine, yet her words carried a quiet weight.
Masahiko simply smiled. "All the paperwork finished?"
"Yes! Kurenai-sensei said Hokage-sama already transferred me to your class, so… please take care of me."
She nervously twisted a lock of hair around her finger.
Masahiko laughed softly. "Come on. First period is mine. I'll take you to the classroom and introduce you."
"Thank you!"
Yakumo stood and bowed politely.
"No need for that," Masahiko said, waving it off. "Just treat me like a friend."
"…Okay."
She smiled.
As they entered the academy grounds, Masahiko casually glanced toward the rooftops.
As expected—even though Yakumo had come alone, an ANBU shadow followed from above, silently ensuring her safety.
That was fine by him.
They walked toward the classroom at an unhurried pace.
After a while, Yakumo spoke up hesitantly.
"Sensei… you don't have to slow down for me. I can walk normally."
Masahiko looked back and barely held in a laugh.
"You've got it wrong. I'm not slowing down for you—I'm slowing down for everyone else."
He grinned. "Some kids are always late. If I arrive a little later, they still have a chance to sneak in."
"Ah…"
Yakumo's face reddened, and she lowered her head.
At the classroom door, Masahiko raised a finger to his lips.
The room fell silent instantly.
He swept his gaze across the desks and smiled faintly.
"Naruto, Kiba—not here. Fine. We'll deal with them later."
Then he stepped aside.
"Everyone, we have a new classmate."
Yakumo entered and bowed lightly.
"Hello. My name is Kurama Yakumo."
Her complexion was pale, but nervous color warmed her cheeks, making her look healthier than usual.
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then applause and cheers erupted.
She was pretty—and transfers mid-term were rare.
Masahiko nodded.
"Ino, there's an empty seat next to you. Mind if she sits there?"
"Uh—of course not!"
Caught off guard, Ino quickly stood.
Yakumo walked down the aisle, sketchbook in hand, bowed in thanks, and sat beside her.
Masahiko's eyes swept the room.
"We're all classmates. Look after one another. If I hear about bullying—"
His gaze sharpened.
Every student shook their head vigorously.
Outside the door, Naruto felt very differently.
He had arrived just in time to hear that line—and it didn't sound good.
While he debated sneaking in, a voice rang out:
"Naruto. Kiba. Don't bother coming in. Ten laps around the training field. Now."
Bullying?Yagyū Masahiko is the real bully here!
Naruto grumbled internally but ran anyway. Kiba followed, shoulders slumped.
Masahiko smiled brightly and led the class to the training grounds.
Taijutsu training demanded daily effort—there were no shortcuts.
Masahiko watched everyone carefully, giving guidance where needed.
His teaching style had to remain consistent.
But one problem stood out.
Yakumo was struggling.
Thankfully, he already had a solution.
"Yakumo, you don't need to run," he said.
She hesitated.
She hated special treatment—but she also knew her body couldn't handle it.
Masahiko smiled. "How about walking alongside the track and sketching everyone while they run?"
"Yes!"
Her eyes lit up. She immediately clutched her sketchbook and pencil.
The class stared.
Especially Ino.
"You can draw?"
"Mm." Yakumo held out her sketchbook. "I drew this on the way here."
"Whoa—that's incredible!"
Ino's eyes sparkled.
Shikamaru glanced over—and froze.
The familiar academy gate. Parents walking their children inside.
Yet something about the angle felt lonely… yearning.
Shikamaru studied Yakumo thoughtfully.
"All right," Masahiko clapped his hands. "Let's begin."
As the class ran, Yakumo walked along the track, sketchbook in one hand, pencil in the other.
This is hard…
The others were stunned.
Even Sasuke paused.
Everyone shared the same thought.
That actually works?
Inside the Hokage's office.
Kurenai Yuhi leaned over the crystal ball, watching the scene unfold.
Her expression shifted from surprise to delight.
"So that's how he did it!"
"Hm…" the Third Hokage murmured. "If I remember correctly, she casts genjutsu through her paintings?"
"Yes," Kurenai replied excitedly. "If she can draw while moving, it will help her in combat—and she won't feel isolated at school. It's perfect!"
She was genuinely moved.
She had never imagined Yakumo's problem could be solved this way.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled softly.
"I overlooked something important," he said. "What Yakumo needs isn't isolated training—it's learning how to be a normal ninja."
He smiled.
"I trusted Masahiko's teaching ability… but now, there's no doubt."
He looked at Kurenai. "Still worried?"
"Not at all," she said firmly. "Thank you—and please thank Teacher Masahiko for me."
Even as she spoke, a thought crossed her mind.
How should I repay him?
After some consideration, she decided—
Perhaps she could share some of her genjutsu knowledge with him.