Masahiko had left.
Anko Mitarashi didn't try to stop him; instead she stepped outside, turned the corner, and headed for the flower shop nearby.
Outside the shop a black-haired, red-eyed kunoichi was choosing a potted plant.
"Hey!"
"Ah."
Kurenai Yuhi sighed softly, lifted the pot, 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; he feels like a stranger."
She recounted their conversation and the few memories she still had of him.
Kurenai listened and sighed. "When I was little I wanted to become a great Ninja like Lady Tsunade, but look at me now."
Hmm?
Anko froze.
Kurenai glanced at her. "He's a civilian, and after graduation he never showed any outstanding talent…"
She had seen more of the world than Anko, was more perceptive, and could better grasp Masahiko's thinking.
Ordinary people were the majority.
Anko pondered.
Kurenai glanced over and said softly, "Everyone has their own path; besides, he hasn't given up—he trains and teaches the kids, and I hear he even straightened out a problem student recently."
"Hmm? Oh—sorry, I was just thinking that teaching actually sounds fun."
Anko said.
Kurenai laughed despite herself; she was used to her friend's leaps in logic. Cradling the plant, she started home, yet she was a bit curious about Masahiko.
Taijutsu… another Might Duy?
But her own troubles surfaced and she lost interest in other people's business, leaving only a quiet sigh.
Each person has their own fate.
Her own problem was still unsolved.
After a few steps Kurenai suddenly thought—
Yagyū Masahiko was a proper Ninja Academy teacher; could he help her with Yakumo's situation?
Right!
For professional matters, ask a professional!
Her eyes brightened and she turned to Anko: "Did he say where he was going this afternoon?"
"Huh? Who?"
Anko looked blank.
She was the type who moved on quickly; Masahiko had already slipped from her mind.
"Yagyū Masahiko—your classmate."
Kurenai said.
Anko shrugged. "He's a teacher; probably went back to school."
"Forget it. Take the plant home for me—I need to find him."
"I'm coming too!"
"No, it's important; you can't tag along."
"Eh?"
…In the office Masahiko held the Third Hokage's notebook, studying and taking notes.
His talent was indeed mediocre.
But over the years he'd kept the study habits of his previous life.
After copying and analyzing the whole book, he compared the two volumes, pondering every move.
The notes contained no complete taijutsu, kenjutsu, or Ninjutsu, but their theory and concepts were extraordinary.
He extracted and linked each point until he saw what the volume emphasized.
Clone Jutsu, kenjutsu, and Body Flicker Technique combined—that was the core idea of Dance of the Crescent Moon.
There were also follow-up variations, conceptual extensions, and Chakra-control tricks for concealing presence.
It was a full set of notes and concepts for Dance of the Crescent Moon!
"I excel at taijutsu and speed; Dance of the Crescent Moon can weave every technique I know together—it's perfect for me."
"Third Hokage…"
Comparing the two books, Masahiko was filled with admiration.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's insight was sharp; no wonder they called him the "Professor of Ninjutsu" and produced legends like the Sannin.
Still,
it proved one thing—
Hiruzen had been watching him all along!
Sadly, now that he had the "System," how could he settle for an ordinary life?
He studied carefully; time slipped by, and he gradually formed a new idea about Clone Jutsu.
"Activate Ninjutsu training!"
He entered the training space and began practicing Clone Jutsu.
Clone Jutsu creates after-images with Chakra; both control and quantity affect the result.
He had already mastered that.
But
the Third's notes mentioned something he hadn't considered—
for instance,
adding more Chakra and shaping it on top of a clone might give it partial substance.
From that idea he saw the shadow of the Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
He guessed the Third had originally meant it for Dance of the Crescent Moon but had dropped it for some reason.
He discussed his idea with "Kakashi," but… "Sorry, that's beyond my scope; please upgrade the module level."
Fine.
Masahiko sighed and had to experiment on his own.
After a short while the space suddenly shattered.
He opened his eyes to a knock: "Teacher Masahiko, are you there?"
The voice was unfamiliar.
Rubbing his eyes, he closed the two notebooks and went to open the door.
He froze for a second.
That outfit… "You're Kurenai Yuhi, senior?"
"No 'senior'—I'm not that much older; you're making me sound ancient."
Kurenai smiled gently. "Is this a good time?"
"Please come in—I was resting and didn't hear you at first."
Masahiko invited her inside.
She gave a small bow. "Sorry to intrude."
She glanced around, hesitated slightly, then sat at the guest table.
Masahiko brewed her tea; as he set it down she took it with both hands and began to rise in thanks.
"No need for formalities—please sit."
"Thank you!"
Kurenai thanked him again.
Cup in hand, she hesitated. "Masahiko-kun, I've heard about you from Anko and others. Honestly, I've come to ask for advice."
"Go ahead. My ability is limited, but I'll do whatever I can."
Masahiko was polite and warm.
"I've never been a teacher, and one student has me at my wits' end. After hearing about you today, I hoped you might have suggestions."
His smile and handsome face calmed her nerves.
She sipped her tea. "Have you heard of a student named Kurama Yakumo?"
"Kurama Yakumo?"
Masahiko pretended to think, then shook his head. "Sorry, I'm new here; I don't recall that name."
He really shouldn't know Kurama Yakumo.
Kurenai wasn't surprised. She set her cup down. "Yakumo is also an academy student, but her health is poor and everyone says she can't become a Ninja—yet…"
She paused, then sighed.
"…the Kurama Clan's Bloodline Limit now resides only in her."
"So… her family and parents want her to become a Ninja?"
Masahiko followed.
Kurenai nodded. "That's the current situation."
Masahiko pondered. "And Yakumo herself?"
"Of course she wants to…"
"No—children are easily influenced. Setting family expectations aside, does she want to be a Ninja?"
Masahiko interrupted.
Kurenai started to answer, then looked lost.
Masahiko smiled gently. "It's all right; many people overlook that—and you're only her home tutor… May I meet her?"
"Of course!"
Get 40 more chapters at Patreon.com/Zeezboy