"Souma-kun, this technique… I think I—"
Ino was still riding her excitement when, the moment she finished casting the jutsu, a wave of exhaustion crashed over her. She barely managed a few words before her body went limp.
Souma reacted instantly, catching her before she fell.
Only then did Inoichi rush over.
"What happened?"
"This technique places an extremely heavy demand on mental energy," Souma said solemnly.
"Her mental reserves are still too weak. After using it once, she's suffering from mental exhaustion."
Then his tone sharpened.
"You must remember this—mental exhaustion is far more dangerous than physical fatigue. Never drain your mental energy recklessly."
Inoichi glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Last time you fought Danzō, several of my clansmen were drained unconscious from mental extraction.
And who was the mastermind behind that?
But—
Considering how much the Yamanaka clan had gained this time, Inoichi really had no face to complain.
"Souma-kun, I'll take Ino inside. Let's talk properly indoors."
Inoichi lifted Ino and carried her into the house.
Souma followed.
Once inside, Inoichi invited Souma to sit, then took Ino into the inner room. When he returned, he bowed deeply.
"Inoichi-senpai, there's no need for this. We're just helping each other—"
"No," Inoichi interrupted seriously.
"You may not realize what this technique means to the Yamanaka clan. This bow is necessary. And it's my personal thanks, as clan head."
The Yamanaka clan had struck gold.
On the surface, Mind Disturbance Technique seemed ordinary, with little direct lethality. But it was closely linked to the advanced form of Mind Body Switch, the evolved Mind Chaos Technique.
More than that—
In certain situations, it could even create a secondary personality within the user.
The Mind Body Switch shared a fatal flaw with the Spirit Transformation Technique—once activated, the user's consciousness left the body, leaving it defenseless.
But with a secondary personality, that problem vanished entirely.
In other words—
Souma's idea had opened an entirely new path for Yamanaka clan secret techniques.
Compared to that, everything else was insignificant.
Inoichi finally understood how Aburame Shibi must have felt back then.
One word—
Amazing.
Compared to tangible benefits, pride and "secret techniques must not be shared" were nothing but nonsense.
"Souma-kun, the Yamanaka clan will never forget this favor," Inoichi said earnestly.
"We discussed your previous request internally. It's impossible for us to fully open our secret techniques—please understand."
He apologized first, then took out a scroll and handed it over.
Souma accepted it, glanced once, and set it aside.
Having seen the original versions, he could tell at a glance how much content was included—
About sixty percent.
What he'd been given were the simpler, more superficial portions. The true core and advanced techniques were excluded.
Which was perfectly reasonable.
Every clan had to consider its legacy. The fact that the Yamanaka were willing to share even this much already exceeded his expectations.
"Do you have any conditions?" Souma asked.
"Restricted to dissemination within the Research Division," Inoichi replied.
"And the mental energy cultivation methods must remain confidential. If your friends need them, you can tell us. As long as they're capable of keeping secrets, the Yamanaka clan won't be stingy."
The same terms as the Fire Temple.
…
Souma thought briefly, then nodded.
"Alright."
"Oh, Souma-kun," Inoichi added.
"There's something else I'd like to ask. Ino has been improving rapidly lately, but I'm still uncertain about her future training direction. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Ino?"
Souma considered for a moment.
Compared to Sakura, Ino's chakra control talent was slightly weaker. But she made up for it with diligence and persistence—especially after the changes Souma had brought about.
At present, among the Konoha Twelve—aside from Tenten and Kazusa—Ino was easily one of the most hardworking kunoichi.
Otherwise, her progress wouldn't be this fast.
As for her future—
After some thought, Souma said,
"I have a rather immature idea. I'd like to hear your thoughts as well."
"Go on."
Inoichi straightened.
"The cases of Yakumo and Lady Tsunade show that shinobi don't just suffer physical illnesses—there are also mental ones. Would you agree?"
"…Yes."
Inoichi had discussed this with Tsunade before, but they hadn't found any good solutions.
Could it be—
"You have an idea?"
"I wouldn't call it a solution. More of a concept," Souma replied.
"If the Mind Disturbance Technique can disrupt the mind, then it should also have a positive application."
"You mean—developing a technique that soothes the mind?"
Inoichi blurted it out in shock and delight, then immediately realized his impropriety and stood up to apologize.
Souma waved it off.
He didn't mind. In fact, Inoichi's ability to follow the logic so quickly genuinely pleased him.
It seemed—
While Inoichi wasn't great at teaching, his ninjutsu development mindset had improved drastically.
"That's exactly what I mean," Souma said.
"Beyond physical medical treatment, mental healing shouldn't be overlooked. Someone like Kakashi-sensei, for instance—that's a kind of illness too, in its own way."
He gave another example.
Inoichi frowned, then sighed.
"In wartime, if half the shinobi who go to the battlefield survive, that's already considered lucky. The rest live on carrying the expectations and regrets of their comrades."
"Yes."
Souma nodded, choosing not to elaborate further.
He hadn't experienced true war. Inoichi's generation understood this far better.
"But even Lady Tsunade may not fully grasp this field," Inoichi said after a pause.
"Mental conditions require a vast number of cases to develop treatments. Do you think Ino is suited for this path?"
"Generally speaking, women tend to be more meticulous," Souma replied.
Inoichi nodded.
"That's true. Ino's ikebana is famous even within our clan. When it comes to attention to detail, no one surpasses her."
Souma nodded in agreement.
The more Inoichi thought about it, the more promising Souma's proposal seemed—
Rather than merely finding a path for Ino, it was like carving out an entirely new track for the Yamanaka clan.
After all, in the mental domain—
No one rivaled the Yamanaka.
"Souma-kun, you've given us another tremendous gift. I don't even know how to repay you anymore."
…
Inoichi gave a bitter smile.
"There's no need to be so precise," Souma said lightly.
"It was just a suggestion. Whether it works out is up to you."
"After all, no benefit in this world belongs to one person alone. Even if your clan moves first, you won't be able to monopolize the entire field."
"That's true."
After careful consideration, Inoichi nodded.
He felt—
Those words were both reflection and warning.
The mental domain was vast. Souma had only studied it for a few months, yet his understanding already surpassed theirs.
If Souma truly wanted to surpass or reinvent the field, his talent made it entirely possible.
And this proposal showed he already had plans in motion.
Mind Disturbance.
Mental healing.
And after that?
If the Yamanaka had refused to share even part of their secret techniques with the Research Division, there was no reason for Souma to hand them such opportunities.
This time was the same.
There was no need to cling to small profits and risk losing greater gains.
Inoichi made his decision quickly.
"In that case, some of our clan members already serve as guards and intelligence staff within the Research Division. We'll have them formally join."
"And if researchers wish to learn these techniques, the Yamanaka clan will not withhold anything."
He made the promise firmly.
Souma was momentarily stunned.
That… really wasn't his intention.
But—
Whatever.
If they misunderstood, they misunderstood.
He didn't dwell on it and simply nodded.
"Do as you see fit. This is your clan's internal affair—I won't interfere."
"Then it's settled."
Inoichi finally let out a quiet breath.
"Shall we?"
"Get everyone to master this technique as soon as possible," Souma said.
"There's a lot more to handle afterward. I've got other matters too."
"Safe travels."
Inoichi escorted him to the door, then hurried back to supervise training—
And promptly wrote up a report.
That afternoon, Tsunade received most of what Souma and Inoichi had discussed.
Mental illness?
Her first thought was naturally her own hemophobia.
The truth was—
Souma's guess was right. It wasn't true hemophobia at all, but psychological trauma.
By their definition, it indeed counted as a mental illness.
As for Kurama Yakumo—
Tsunade couldn't help thinking of the current ANBU Training Corps.
Yes.
Yakumo was now one of the instructors there, responsible for constructing genjutsu scenarios for ANBU trainees.
The process was dull—but Yakumo enjoyed it immensely.
Because she finally felt like a real shinobi.
And as a result, her physical condition had been improving.
"This guy's ideas never run dry…"
Tsunade shook her head, not thinking too deeply about it.
Souma and Inoichi had already agreed—this matter only required the Hokage's approval. If Tsunade's help was needed, Souma would definitely ask.
What really concerned her was—
Naruto.
And that child from Sunagakure…
Tsunade frowned, then picked up the report again. After some thought, she formed hand seals and summoned an ANBU messenger.
Not long after—
"Tsunade-sama!"
"Go bring Souma here. If he's busy, report back. I'll go find him tonight."
"Yes!"
Uzuki Yūgao clicked her tongue inwardly.
Tsunade truly treated Souma as one of her own.
However—
The moment Yūgao left the Hokage Tower grounds, she spotted a boy on the street, chewing on skewered meat as he walked, with two kids about his age beside him.
One was Sasuke.
The other—Neji.
Yūgao hesitated for a second, then stepped forward.
"Souma-kun, are you busy?"
"No," Souma replied casually.
"I'm just talking to two brats and preparing to tell them to get lost as far as possible."
Neji's mouth twitched.
Sasuke aside—he was a year younger.
But Neji and Souma were the same age. Strictly speaking, Neji might even be older.
Still—
Souma was stronger. And Neji needed his help.
So he said nothing, bowed lightly, and left.
Sasuke did the same.
Yūgao was curious, but she knew better than to ask.
"Please—"
"You can go about your duties," Souma said.
"I'll go see Lady Tsunade myself. I can guess why she's looking for me."
"Yes!"
Recalling Tsunade's tone, Yūgao didn't refuse.
Souma went upstairs alone and pushed open the office door.
"The Third Hokage is getting lazier and lazier. He doesn't even come to the office anymore."
"Heh. If it weren't for keeping Jiraiya around, I'd already be the Fifth Hokage," Tsunade sneered.
Clearly—
The Third's absence had something to do with her attitude.
Souma chuckled.
"You called me here because of what happened at the Yamanaka clan?"
"Yes—and no," Tsunade said, gesturing for him to sit.
"Do you remember the One-Tail Jinchūriki?"
"I observed him. Gaara looks cruel and violent, but deep down, he seems to long for friendships like Naruto's—especially after learning Naruto is also a Jinchūriki."
"I don't think he's beyond saving."
They sat facing each other as Tsunade laid out her thoughts.
Souma was slightly surprised.
After a moment of silence, he said,
"You want me to help him?"
"Yes. A stable Jinchūriki is far easier to communicate with than a mad one."
Tsunade frowned.
"And more importantly—I'm worried about Akatsuki. They have nine members. Two of them already dared to come after the Nine-Tails…"
"If all nine gather, it's definitely not for world peace. Every tailed beast is probably on their list."
Souma didn't know how to respond.
Because—
Nagato and Akatsuki's original goal really was peace.
Their methods were just… somewhat extreme.
After thinking it over, Souma said simply:
"I'll give it a try."
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