The next morning.
Masahiko was out jogging when he spotted Might Guy up ahead; his heart skipped a beat and he instinctively tried to use the 'Low-Level Skill Copy Card'.
"Use 'Low-Level Skill Copy Card' on 'Might Guy'?"
Uh… no.
Afraid he wouldn't be able to undo it, Masahiko cancelled the activation.
Might Guy didn't even pause.
Plenty of people ran laps around Konoha at dawn; bumping into a few Ninja was nothing unusual.
Around eight o'clock, after breakfast, Masahiko headed for the Ninja Academy… At the gate, a familiar figure sat on a swing, sketch-board balanced on her knees, a pencil racing across the paper.
In moments, the scene at the gate had taken shape before her eyes.
A bright smile blossomed on her face.
"How does it feel?"
"Ah?"
Startled, Kurama Yakumo spun around; seeing who it was, she relaxed. "Teacher Masahiko…"
"Your parents didn't come with you?"
Masahiko asked gently.
He'd finished breakfast and come straight to school; the girl had stood out the moment he reached the gate.
Yakumo shook her head, a delighted smile appearing. "I told them I could come by myself, so they let me."
She swung her feet idly as she gazed at the building.
"Before I left the hospital, I never imagined that going to school could make me this happy…"
She was only eight or nine, yet her words carried a heartbreaking maturity.
Masahiko showed no reaction; he simply smiled. "All the paperwork done?"
"Yes. Kurenai-sensei said Hokage-sama has already transferred me to your class, so… please take good care of me!"
Yakumo's fingers twisted a strand of her hair nervously.
Masahiko chuckled. "Come on. First period this morning is mine; I'll take you to the classroom and introduce you."
"Thank you!"
Yakumo stood and bowed politely.
Masahiko waved his hands. "No need for that—just treat me as a friend."
"Okay."
Yakumo gave a sweet smile.
He led her inside. While signing in at the gate he casually glanced into the distance.
As expected… though Yakumo had come alone, an Anbu shadow tailed her from the rooftops, guaranteeing her safety.
That suited him fine.
Once inside, he headed straight for the classroom—though he didn't walk quickly.
After a while Yakumo couldn't help saying, "Sensei, you don't have to slow down for me; I can keep a normal pace."
Masahiko looked back and stifled a laugh. "You've got it wrong. I'm not looking after you—I'm looking after everyone else."
He swallowed a chuckle. "Some kids in class are always late. If I arrive a bit later, they still have a chance to sneak in."
"Ah?"
Yakumo's face flushed; she lowered her head in silence.
At the classroom door Masahiko raised a finger to his lips for silence.
Instantly the room fell dead quiet.
Sweeping his gaze across the rows, he gave a faint cold smile. "Naruto, Kiba—not here… fine, we'll deal with them later."
He turned to the doorway.
"Everyone, we have a new classmate."
Yakumo stepped in and bowed lightly. "Hello, my name is Kurama Yakumo."
Her complexion was an unhealthy pale, but nervousness now tinged her cheeks with colour, making her look almost robust.
Silence—then enthusiastic applause and cheers.
After all, she was pretty.
Besides, mid-term transfers were rare at the Academy.
Masahiko smiled slightly.
"Ino, there's an empty seat next to you. Mind if she sits there?"
"O-of course not!"
Caught off-guard by being singled out, Ino Yamanaka hesitated before standing.
Yakumo walked down the aisle, sketch-board in arms, bowed gratefully, and sat.
"We're all classmates. Look after one another. If I ever hear of bullying…"
Masahiko's eyes swept the room, glinting sharp.
The original students shook their heads frantically, but outside the door Naruto had a different opinion.
He'd dashed over just in time to hear that line; it didn't sound promising.
While he wondered how to slip in unnoticed, a voice rang out:
"Naruto, Kiba—don't bother coming in. Ten laps around the training ground, now."
Bullying? Yagyū Masahiko is the biggest bully of all!
Naruto grumbled inwardly, but still trotted off; seeing him obey, Inuzuka Kiba followed with drooping shoulders.
Masahiko beamed and led the rest to the yard.
Taijutsu training required daily accumulation; there were no shortcuts.
He kept a close eye on a few stand-outs, yet didn't neglect the others—everyone received attention.
His persona had to stay consistent.
However…
Yakumo was clearly struggling.
Fortunately, he had a solution.
He smiled. "Yakumo, you don't have to run."
Yakumo hesitated.
She hated special treatment, yet she knew her body couldn't take that kind of exertion.
Masahiko grinned. "How about you walk alongside and sketch the others while they run?"
"Absolutely!"
Her eyes lit up; she quickly clasped sketch-board and pencil.
The rest of the class stared.
Especially Ino.
"You can draw?"
"Mm."
Yakumo held out her board. "I did this on the way here."
"Wow, that's amazing!"
Ino's eyes sparkled.
Nara Shikamaru glanced over—and couldn't look away.
The familiar school gate, parents escorting their kids inside.
Yet…
A moment later he frowned.
The angle and composition gave him a lonely, yearning feeling.
Shikamaru studied Yakumo, thoughtful.
"All right, off we go."
Masahiko clapped, signalling the start.
On the track, Yakumo held the board in one hand and tried to draw with the other.
So hard!
she thought.
The others, seeing her actually sketch while walking, were stunned.
Even Sasuke.
Everyone shared the same thought—
That actually works?
…Inside the Third Hokage's office.
Kurenai Yuhi leaned over the crystal ball, saw Masahiko's assignment, and her face first showed surprise, then delight:
"So that's how it can be done!"
"Hmm…"
Third Hokage pondered, then looked at Kurenai. "If I recall, she likes to cast genjutsu through her paintings?"
"Exactly. If she can draw while moving, it'll help her in combat later, and she won't feel left out at school—brilliant!"
Kurenai was elated.
She had never imagined Yakumo's school problem could be solved this way.
A perfect solution all around!
"I'd also overlooked the fact that to make Yakumo a Ninja, what she needs isn't one-on-one genjutsu lessons, but a way to become a normal Ninja…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly exhaled.
He had trusted Masahiko's teaching ability, yet had still worried whether the man could guide Yakumo in the right direction.
Now… there was no doubt.
Hiruzen looked up and smiled. "Still worried?"
"Not at all. Thank you—and thank Teacher Masahiko!"
Kurenai said excitedly.
At the same time she couldn't help wondering—
How should she thank Masahiko?
After thinking it over, she decided… perhaps she could share some genjutsu insights with him.
For 25 advanced chapters check patreon.com/zeezboy