The next morning.
Deep within the Uchiha Clan district was Orochimaru's underground base.
After passing through layer upon layer of barriers, Chiya entered the cold passage filled with the mixed scent of disinfectant and strange medicinal herbs.
The lights in the laboratory were still brightly lit. Orochimaru seemed to never know fatigue.
At this moment, he was not immersed in front of a barrier model. Instead, he stood before a huge observation window.
His golden snake eyes flashed with excitement and curiosity as he stared intently at the scene inside.
Chiya quietly approached and followed his gaze.
Inside a specially constructed room engraved with calming and suppressing seals, Jugo was sleeping peacefully.
Several tubes were connected to his body, monitoring the fluctuations of natural energy within him.
Compared to his previous violent and uncontrollable state, he now looked completely different. His expression was peaceful, his breathing steady, and he looked like an ordinary, healthy child.
"Looks like things are progressing smoothly on your end."
Chiya spoke calmly.
Hearing his voice, Orochimaru did not turn around. His voice carried barely restrained excitement.
"Chiya, this child you brought me... he's practically a natural miracle! His affinity with natural energy and his ability to absorb it on his own far exceed anything I had previously imagined! This provides an unprecedented living specimen for my research into the Sage Body!"
He suddenly turned around and looked at Chiya, speaking extremely quickly.
"I've already made a preliminary analysis of the causes and patterns behind the energy going out of control inside his body. I've also begun trying to combine complex sealing techniques with medication to guide him and help him establish an initial awareness of control. Look."
He pointed toward a complicated chakra fluctuation chart beside him.
"This is the path of the natural energy flowing through his body while he sleeps. Although the amount remains enormous, it has already become more orderly. If we guide it properly, given enough time, he may be able to truly control this gift like the First Hokage instead of being controlled by it."
Chiya's gaze fell on Jugo's sleeping face. There seemed to be less struggle between his brows and more peace.
"Remember what I told you, Orochimaru."
Chiya's voice was not loud, but it carried an unmistakably cold authority.
"He is a collaborator and a source of future strength, not a disposable subject on your laboratory table. Any experiment that could cause irreversible damage to him is strictly forbidden. I want to see a healthy Jugo who can control his own power, not a corpse dissected for analysis or a mindless monster."
The excitement on Orochimaru's face faded slightly. He spread his hands and gave a helpless yet knowing smile.
"Chiya, you're still as cautious as ever. Don't worry. I understand his value. A sustainable and healthy miracle is far more meaningful than a brief set of data. I'll maintain the proper boundaries, and all research will be conducted with his safety as the priority. After all, I also want to see just how brilliantly this treasure can eventually shine."
After receiving Orochimaru's renewed assurance, Chiya nodded.
He understood that once clear boundaries had been established and he possessed absolute power to enforce them, Orochimaru's obsession with research would become an extremely efficient tool.
"Good. Report Jugo's condition to me regularly."
Chiya took one last look at Jugo before saying nothing more and turning to leave the laboratory.
Chiya did not return to his residence. Instead, he went directly to the Hokage's Office.
The office was still lit late at night, with a small number of documents waiting for him to review.
He had barely sat down when someone knocked on the door.
"Come in."
An ANBU shinobi on duty entered and respectfully reported, "Lord Hokage, Kurama Sōun, the head of the Kurama Clan, has sent someone to convey that he wishes to invite you to visit the clan when you are available in the next few days."
"Kurama Sōun?"
Chiya put down his pen, somewhat surprised.
Although the Kurama Clan was also a prestigious clan of Konoha, it had few members and extremely strict conditions for awakening its bloodline ability. In recent years, the clan had remained rather low profile within the village.
Ever since the Third Shinobi World War, when the Uchiha and Kurama Clans had cooperated tacitly on the battlefield, the relationship between the two clans had remained fairly close.
Still, it was unusual for Kurama Sōun to personally invite him over.
"Did the messenger say what it was about?"
The ANBU shinobi answered, "He said that the Kurama Clan head has recently welcomed a little princess named Kurama Yakumo. Sōun is overjoyed and wants to share the happiness with you. At the same time, there are also some matters he wishes to discuss with you in person."
Kurama Yakumo?
A look of understanding flashed through Chiya's eyes.
'So this child has been born.'
The girl who, in the original timeline, possessed extremely powerful spiritual energy and an extraordinary talent for genjutsu, yet whose frail body could not withstand it, ultimately leading to tragedy.
"Tell the Kurama Clan that I'll personally visit tomorrow afternoon. I'll congratulate Clan Head Sōun on the birth of his daughter."
"Yes!"
The ANBU shinobi accepted the order and quietly withdrew.
Silence returned to the office.
Chiya lightly tapped his fingers against the desk, his gaze deep and thoughtful.
The birth of Kurama Yakumo meant that the most gifted member of this generation of the Kurama Clan had arrived.
Her ability, 'Genjutsu Realization', which could almost use genjutsu to interfere with reality, would undoubtedly become an extremely terrifying power if properly guided.
However, the conflict between her fragile body and enormous spiritual energy was also a tremendous hidden danger.
Perhaps this visit would be more than a simple congratulatory visit.
The following afternoon, after finishing his morning duties, Chiya went alone to the Kurama Clan's settlement.
The Kurama Clan district was not as vast or impressive as the Uchiha district. Instead, it was more secluded and traditional, carrying the refined atmosphere of an artistic family.
Kurama Sōun, the clan head, was already waiting at the entrance.
He was an elegant middle aged man with a slightly lean scholarly appearance, while his eyes were gentle and wise.
When he saw Chiya, a sincere and enthusiastic smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Lord Hokage, having you come here personally is truly an honor!"
Kurama Sōun stepped forward several paces and respectfully bowed.
Chiya raised a hand to support him and smiled.
"There's no need to be so formal, Clan Head Sōun. I heard your clan has been blessed with a daughter. Such a happy occasion deserves a personal visit so I can share in the joy and offer my congratulations."
"Please, come in! Come in!"
Kurama Sōun hurriedly led Chiya inside.
The living room was simply yet warmly decorated, and the faint scent of ink filled the air.
After a maid served them tea, Kurama Sōun could barely conceal his happiness and the excitement of becoming a father for the first time.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage. My daughter, Yakumo, was born just two days ago. Both mother and daughter are safe."
As he spoke, he gestured for the wet nurse beside him to bring the baby over.
The wet nurse carefully carried a baby wrapped in soft silk and brought her before Chiya.
The tiny baby had her eyes closed. Her skin was fair, and her delicate features made her look like a little porcelain doll. Her breathing was faint but steady, and she looked extremely adorable.
However, there seemed to be a faint trace of fatigue between her brows.
Chiya gently touched the baby's little hand.
He immediately sensed an extremely weak but exceptionally pure and enormous fluctuation of spiritual energy.
'As expected, she has extraordinary talent, but... the hidden danger is also severe.'
"She's a very adorable child. Congratulations, Clan Head Sōun."
Chiya withdrew his hand and spoke gently.
Kurama Sōun looked at his daughter with deep affection, but beneath his joy was also a trace of worry that he could barely conceal.
He waved for the wet nurse to take Yakumo away to rest, then looked at Chiya, his expression becoming more serious.
"Lord Hokage, to be honest, there is indeed another reason I took the liberty of inviting you here besides sharing our happiness."
Kurama Sōun sighed.
"Yakumo inherited the purest bloodline of our clan. The strength of her spiritual talent is something I have never seen in my entire life. However, her body is extremely frail and seems unable to bear this power she was born with. The clan physicians are helpless as well. They only said that she needs to rest and recuperate, but my wife and I are both extremely worried..."
He raised his head and looked at Chiya earnestly.
"Lord Hokage, you are highly knowledgeable and immensely powerful. I wonder... could you take a look at Yakumo's condition? Or perhaps the Konoha Hospital, or even the village itself, has some way to help strengthen this child's body? Although my Kurama Clan is small in number, we are willing to do everything we can for the village. We only ask that you help ensure this child grows up safely."
Looking at the hope and anxiety in Kurama Sōun's eyes, Chiya understood.
This was the true reason he had invited him today.
For the sake of his daughter, this usually low profile clan head was willing to set aside his pride and ask Chiya, who now controlled Konoha, for help.
After pondering for a moment, Chiya slowly spoke.
"Her spiritual power is indeed far beyond that of an ordinary person. This creates a sharp conflict with the weakness of her body. Forcing her spiritual power down could damage her foundation, while leaving it unchecked would place too much strain on her body."
Kurama Sōun nodded repeatedly. This was exactly what worried him most.
Chiya continued, "Conventional medical ninjutsu may not be enough to completely cure her. But that doesn't mean there is no hope. A strong body is the foundation for carrying any kind of power. We can perhaps begin by gently nourishing her body while gradually guiding her to learn how to control her own spiritual power. I'll speak with Konoha Hospital and arrange for a medical shinobi specializing in caring for young children's constitutions to check on her regularly. In addition..."
He paused and looked at Kurama Sōun.
"We can have Tsunade come and examine Yakumo. She can develop a long term, gentle treatment plan for her."
Hearing this, hope instantly burst into Kurama Sōun's eyes.
He excitedly stood up and bowed deeply to Chiya.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
"Please rise, Clan Head Sōun."
Chiya raised his hand.
"Yakumo is one of Konoha's future flowers. The village naturally won't stand by and do nothing. I'll make the arrangements, so put your mind at ease."
After reassuring him and speaking for a while longer, Chiya learned more details about Yakumo's birth and her current condition before getting up to leave.
Kurama Sōun thanked Chiya repeatedly as he personally escorted him out of the clan district.
Only after Chiya's figure disappeared did he return inside and look at his sleeping daughter in the cradle.
His tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed somewhat, as though he had seen a glimmer of hope.
After leaving the Kurama Clan district, Chiya walked back toward the Hokage Building while thinking.
If Kurama Yakumo's talent could be preserved by solving her physical problems, she would definitely become a major force in the future.
Aside from Tsunade, Orochimaru would probably also be extremely interested in a case involving an imbalance between the body and energy.
If Tsunade could not find a solution, he could have Orochimaru participate as well.
Under the condition that Yakumo's safety was guaranteed, they might be able to strengthen her body and achieve two goals at once.
However, all of this would require careful arrangements and strict monitoring.
He looked up at Konoha's clear sky and smiled slightly.
'Konoha's next generation really is filled with talent.'
Haku, Kimimaro, Jugo, Itachi, the soon to be born Sasuke, and now Kurama Yakumo...
According to the timeline, Naruto and the others would also be born one after another.
'If I firmly keep these potential future powerhouses under my control and carefully nurture them, Konoha's foundation will become impossible to shake.'
Chiya returned to the Hokage's Office.
He began reviewing a proposal submitted by the Cabinet concerning preparations for the Chunin Exams.
The office door was gently knocked.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing a striking figure dressed in red.
Yūhi Kurenai stood at the doorway holding a carefully tended pot of purple bellflowers in full bloom.
She was not wearing her usual ninja vest today. Instead, she wore a simple light purple outfit that outlined her graceful figure. Her long black hair fell smoothly over her shoulders, making her already bright face look even more attractive.
Her red eyes, inherited from her father, were fixed on Chiya without blinking. There was a trace of nervousness and expectation hidden within them.
"Kurenai?"
Chiya was somewhat surprised, then smiled.
"What brings you here today?"
"Am I disturbing you, Lord Hokage?"
Kurenai's voice was softer than usual. She walked inside and carefully placed the pot of fragrant bellflowers on the windowsill, adding a little color to the otherwise serious office.
"No."
Chiya walked over to the window and looked at the purple bellflowers. Their petals overlapped in layers, and their surface seemed to glow softly beneath the sunlight.
"They're beautiful. You're getting better and better at growing flowers."
The praise brought a faint blush to Kurenai's face. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes as if gathering the courage to speak.
The office fell silent for a moment. Only the faint sounds of birds outside and the rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard.
Chiya did not urge her. He simply watched her quietly and waited for what she wanted to say.
Kurenai took a deep breath as though she had finally made up her mind.
She suddenly raised her head and looked directly at Chiya with her red eyes, which held both determination and shyness.
"Lord Hokage... no, Chiya."
Her voice carried a barely noticeable tremble, but it rang clearly through the quiet office.
"I... I like you!"
Those words seemed to consume all her strength. Her cheeks instantly turned bright red, and even her ears flushed.
Yet she did not look away. She continued staring stubbornly at Chiya, waiting for his response.
Seeing her like this, Chiya was not particularly surprised. Instead, he felt somewhat emotional.
Yūhi Kurenai, who had once been a timid little girl following Yūhi Shinku around, had now grown into an elegant young woman who was already showing considerable talent in genjutsu.
Her feelings were pure and passionate, like the beautiful flowers she loved so much.
Chiya remained silent for a moment. He did not answer immediately.
Instead, he turned to the tea table, poured a cup of warm water, and handed it to Kurenai.
"Have some water first."
His voice remained calm and gentle, without much emotional fluctuation.
Kurenai accepted the cup blankly.
When her fingertips touched his slightly cool skin, her heart began beating even faster.
She obediently took a small sip.
The warm water passed through her throat and slightly eased her nervousness, but it also made her even more anxious.
'Lord Chiya's reaction is too calm.'
"Kurenai."
Chiya looked at her, his gaze deep.
"You're still young, and you have a bright future ahead of you with endless possibilities. I'm grateful for your feelings, but..."
Hearing the word "but", Kurenai's heart sank.
The light in her eyes instantly dimmed, and her fingers tightened slightly around the cup.
"But!"
Chiya continued, his tone carrying the gentleness and guidance of an elder.
"Feelings like this often come from admiration and distance. What you see is me as the Hokage, the me standing at the top of the village. Perhaps you've simply mistaken your admiration for a strong person for romantic feelings."
"That's not true!"
Kurenai hurriedly argued back, her voice rising slightly.
She put down the cup and stepped forward, eager to prove herself.
"I know the difference! I started paying attention to you a long time ago! It wasn't after you became Hokage. It was much earlier! I saw how patient you were when guiding Shisui. I saw you standing alone before the memorial stone in silence. I saw how you remained calm no matter what difficulties you faced... What I saw was Uchiha Chiya himself!"
Her eyes reddened slightly, and her voice carried both grievance and stubbornness.
"I know I may not be mature enough yet, and my strength is far inferior to Tsunade and Mikoto, who are by your side... But my feelings for you are real! I... I just wanted to tell you. I wanted you to know..."
Looking at her emotional expression and undeniable sincerity, Chiya sighed inwardly.
'This damned charm of mine really has nowhere to go.'
He reached out and gently patted her shoulder, speaking seriously.
"Kurenai, wait until you become a Jonin who can stand on your own!"
"Then, when that time comes, we'll continue this conversation!"
'The System may be shameless, but i am not.'
'I still have morals and a bottom line!'
'I still needs to wait and... cultivate her for a few more years!'
Yūhi Kurenai stared at him blankly.
Then, suddenly, a brilliant smile appeared on her face.
"Chiya! I understand!"
"I'll definitely work hard at my training! When that time comes..."
Yūhi Kurenai stopped there, her face turning slightly red as she gave him a coquettish look.
She quickly turned around and excitedly ran out.
Chiya stood there blankly, breathing in the faint fragrance she had left behind.
?
'She understands?'
'No, what exactly did she understand?'