Downstairs.
Yakumo's Mother sat motionless in her chair, her expression unchanged.
While brewing tea, Kurenai Yuhi had already explained why they had come.
That question… had stumped her as well.
What is Kurama Yakumo's wish?
She didn't know.
They had never asked, never even considered Yakumo's own opinion.
The first person who came to mind was a taijutsu teacher with no family or connections.
"Madam, may I have a word?"
"Ah?"
Yakumo's mother looked up, saw that face, came back to herself, and nodded gently. "Of course! Thank you for your trouble today."
"It's nothing."
Masahiko sat down. "I chatted casually with Yakumo, but I'd also like to speak with you…"
"Please, go ahead."
With her permission, Masahiko asked about their daily attitudes and actions toward Yakumo.
After a while he said, "I won't hide it—Yakumo's condition is quite serious. Left unchecked, it could develop into a mental illness."
"Ah?"
Yakumo's mother's eyes widened in shock. "Mental illness? What do you mean?"
She had never heard of such a thing… Masahiko lowered his voice and, using Yakumo's situation, briefly explained the concept.
As a mother, Lady Kurama naturally didn't want anything to happen to Yakumo. In panic she asked, "Then what should we do?"
"Do nothing. Treat her like an ordinary person whose health is a little weak. Don't load her with excessive hope or pressure, and don't coddle her."
Masahiko replied.
"But her body…"
Lady Kurama hesitated.
Masahiko said, "Compared with her body, her mental state needs fixing first. Besides, mood and mind can affect the body to a certain extent…"
He spoke confidently, at length.
After all, these were medical facts verified in his previous life.
"I never knew you studied medicine!"
Lady Kurama's eyes shone; the young teacher before her seemed truly extraordinary.
Her trust in him deepened.
"I understand. What else can you advise us to do?"
"Let her return to school—not to study, but to mingle with normal peers and become a normal person."
Masahiko paused, then added, "The key is the family. You must treat her as an ordinary child, not as the vessel of a Bloodline Limit."
"I understand."
Lady Kurama nodded.
She bit her lip, torn.
"But she does possess a Bloodline Limit. If the clan still insists…"
"Then perhaps you could consider moving—give Yakumo a change of environment."
Masahiko offered the suggestion sincerely.
Lady Kurama was first surprised and hesitant, then comprehending, and finally resolute.
She stood and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your advice. I understand completely!"
…Evening.
"Thank you!"
Kurenai Yuhi bowed deeply.
Masahiko quickly stepped aside. "No need. I like the child Yakumo too."
Kurenai hesitated. "Then… could you take her under your wing? I'm not at ease sending her to another class."
"Of course."
Masahiko nodded. "One student is teaching; a group is teaching. No difference."
As she spoke, Kurenai began to bow again.
Masahiko stopped her.
"By the way, do mental illnesses really exist?"
Yakumo's problem had troubled her for so long that even the Third Hokage had been at a loss, yet Masahiko had solved it so quickly.
Moreover… his keen insight into the heart of the matter had startled her.
Masahiko nodded.
"They do. In Yakumo's case, burdened with the clan's high hopes from childhood yet physically unable to meet those expectations, the psychological pressure keeps mounting…"
"You know so much!"
Kurenai's eyes sparkled.
She had never imagined the unremarkable Yagyū Masahiko possessed such knowledge.
"My talent is poor, so I dabble in other things."
Masahiko gave a wry smile.
Kurenai shook her head solemnly. "Talent matters, but perseverance day after day matters most."
She walked slowly, lost in thought.
"Do you know Might Guy?"
"Of course. He's the idol of many common-born Ninja."
Masahiko smiled.
That was no lie.
The current Might Guy was no longer the oddball everyone once shunned; people knew he was formidable, one of the village's elite Jonin.
Many civilian Ninja aimed to emulate him, though… few succeeded.
As a Special Jonin specializing in genjutsu, Kurenai knew this well.
"His father was called the eternal Genin, yet through daily accumulation he forged extremely powerful taijutsu…"
She broke off, then laughed softly. "You're not one to feel inferior, Masahiko-kun; I spoke out of turn."
Kurenai bowed lightly.
"I still have to report Yakumo's arrangement to Hokage-sama. Masahiko-kun, let's talk again another day."
"All right."
Masahiko nodded gently.
After watching Kurenai leave, he didn't head home but turned into the woods.
Inside the forest he snapped off a branch and began practicing Dance of the Crescent Moon.
Clone Jutsu… Body Flicker, thrust.
After several repetitions, Masahiko silently produced an extra Shadow Clone and hid it in a blind spot.
Moments later the clone spotted a black-robed, cat-masked figure crouched in the shadows, observing him.
But…
The instant the clone saw him, the man seemed to sense it as well.
In a flash the Anbu Ninja Body-Flickered away.
"Anbu?"
Masahiko frowned.
Danzo's man?
As he pondered, bugs poured from the bushes and swarmed over the Shadow Clone.
Then—
Pop!
The Shadow Clone was drained dry.
Masahiko blinked, sighed in understanding, tossed the branch aside, and ran after the insects…
He didn't know how long it had been.
Masahiko untied the blindfold and opened his eyes—
The familiar dark room, the familiar lamplight, the familiar cane.
He rose and bowed respectfully. "Lord Danzo!"
"Sit."
Danzo leaned on his cane, face impassive.
"Yes, sir!"
Masahiko sat with a smile. "My lord, have I passed your test?"
"Oh? You think this old man was merely testing you?"
Danzo lifted his single eye.
Masahiko smiled. "You're busy with a thousand affairs, yet I—a mere taijutsu teacher—have entered this chamber twice. If you wanted nothing, I'd never have had the chance."
Danzo chuckled softly. "Then tell me: what does this old man want you to do?"
"First, the Nine-Tails."
Masahiko's face turned cold, his gaze detached. "Second…"
He closed his eyes, pretending to think and recall; seconds later he opened them again. "Uchiha Sasuke?"
Danzo's fingers turned, tapping soundlessly on his cane.
"It seems you're more useful than I anticipated."
At that instant… Masahiko saw the familiar subtitle:
[Filming of Episode Four of "naruto: prequel" complete!]