The deeper groove represented the Chakra Needle.
'The shallower one… Chakra Thread?'
'And the shortest would be the military ration pills.'
Different depths must reflect how much each contribution impacts the world.
'So the more knowledge I share, the more the Bodhi Seed is nourished, helping it evolve.'
The three grooves were clear proof of that.
Garou exhaled, slowly calming his thoughts.
With the pattern more or less understood, his path forward became much clearer.
He started analyzing the techniques he'd shared so far.
In terms of sheer potential, the Chakra Needle clearly topped the list, but its difficulty was brutal.
A+ rank meant most ninja wouldn't even attempt it.
Even simplified, it would still be a high-A rank technique.
By contrast, the Chakra Thread wasn't as groundbreaking. After all, the Sand Village had been mastering puppet-based control techniques for generations. But precisely because of that, its simplicity and ease of use made it far more accessible.
"So, the technique best suited for wide-scale adoption is actually the Chakra Thread. But how many grooves do I need before the Bodhi Seed evolves again?"
Garou wasn't under any illusions.
Taijutsu and ninjutsu all had ceilings. Even if he somehow managed to master Sage Mode one day, facing monsters like Madara or Kaguya would still be near impossible.
If he ever wanted real security in this world, it would have to come from the thing he'd crossed over with.
The Bodhi Seed.
"Let's start with the Chakra Thread, then. It's simple enough."
Puppet control, tool manipulation… all of it had long been refined by the Sand ninjas.
Reproducing the basics wasn't hard.
Garou now had a second target.
"Thankfully I'm exempt from classes now. Otherwise, not even I could juggle all this."
He sighed.
Taijutsu still needed work.
In medical knowledge, he was barely past the basics, at least by his own standards.
And now there were puppet techniques to learn too.
He stood up, stretched his limbs, and did a few warmups.
He had hoped that giving back two techniques and the military ration pill formula would trigger some noticeable benefits, but physically, he didn't feel much different.
Mentally, he felt refreshed after waking up, but it was hard to say if that was spiritual growth or just a good nap.
Mental energy was strange like that.
Only the Yamanaka clan really studied it deeply, and their techniques were mostly kept secret. Nothing helpful could be found in Konoha's public archives.
Well, I can test my chakra reserves later. That should give me a clue.
But there was no rush.
Situations where he had to expend chakra like yesterday were rare. For now, his reserves were more than enough.
---
"Heh… you're awake."
'Hmm? That voice…?'
Garou blinked. 'Wait, why is HE here?!'
"Lord Hokage."
"Ahem," the Third Hokage said with a polite cough. "I was just dropping by. That boy from the Nara clan… you saved him. Shikaku and I were already visiting the hospital, so I figured I'd check in on you while I was here."
Garou followed the sound and noticed someone standing just behind Hiruzen.
A moment later, Shikaku stepped forward with a nod.
"If it weren't for you, Takeshi wouldn't have a future as a shinobi. The Nara clan owes you a great debt."
"Please, Lord Shikaku," Garou replied quickly. "I only did what I could."
But Shikaku wasn't letting it go. He bowed deeply.
Then, turning to Hiruzen, he said, "Lord Hokage, I'll go check on Takeshi."
"Go ahead," the Third said.
Garou watched him leave, a thoughtful expression on his face.
'Wait a minute... they already saw him earlier, didn't they?'
'Which means… Lord Third wants to speak to me alone?'
He tilted his head, then asked, "Did the surgery save him, Lord Hokage?"
"Mm, barely. His hand was saved, though taijutsu will be harder for him from now on. Fortunately, the Nara clan doesn't rely much on physical combat. He'll still make a fine shinobi."
Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"Glad to hear it," Garou said, relieved.
The whole reason he'd gone through all that effort was to save the guy. If he'd failed, it would've been a gut punch.
The reality was clear. Explosive tags weren't just flashy. They were deadly. Even someone as skilled as Nawaki hadn't survived one.
"Hanpo told me your technique was crucial. That without your jutsu, the surgery would've failed. Konoha owes you."
The Third Hokage's expression grew serious. "You haven't asked for anything yet. So I'll ask. Is there something you want?"
Garou didn't hesitate.
"I've heard you have a vast private library. I'd like to borrow a few volumes."
He'd been eyeing the Hokage's personal archives for a while now.
When he had Guy pass a message before, that was the goal, to find a way into that collection. Now that the opportunity had arrived, he wasn't about to miss it.
No reason to be subtle. Asking openly was better than sneaking around.
The Third's eyes twinkled. "Of course. You're welcome to study at Hokage Office anytime."
"Some of the scrolls on nature transformation might help, even if it's not your strength. Practice can overcome a lot."
"Thank you for your guidance," Garou replied sincerely.
He knew the Third meant well.
But… his struggles with nature transformation had nothing to do with talent.
It was the Bodhi Seed.
That strange construct in his mind seemed to interfere with nature transformation, though he still didn't fully understand how or why.
Still, the Hokage was right.
Even if he couldn't manipulate chakra nature now, he could still learn techniques based on untyped chakra. The right strategy and application mattered more than raw power.
"If you ever get stuck or want to talk through what you're reading," the Third added, "come visit me directly. Don't be shy. I'm old, and my memory's fading, but I still remember a thing or two."
They chatted a bit longer before Hiruzen finally left.
Garou watched him go… feeling a bit weird.
'Does the old man… have an eye on me?'
He considered it. Honestly, it wasn't that strange.
Genius like his was rare in any era.
If the Third Hokage wanted to foster him as the next generation's pillar, that would make perfect sense.
Still… he shook his head.
No point reading into it. Better to focus on myself.
---
"I've been lying around too long," he muttered. "No reading today. Time to rest properly. Maybe a light run after lunch."
It was midday. He could still catch a meal at the hospital cafeteria. On the way, several people greeted him with warm nods and curious smiles.
After asking around a bit, Garou realized something that made him wince.
He'd become famous in the hospital.
A twelve-year-old taking the lead in surgery was unbelievable.
So, rumors spread fast.
Some staff had even begun comparing him to Lady Tsunade, much to his embarrassment.
Sure, his hand was steady and his technique sharp, but he didn't know nearly enough medical ninjutsu to deserve that kind of praise.
The successful operation had been thanks to precision and speed, not depth of knowledge.
At first, he tried to explain. Eventually, he just gave up.
Guess it doesn't matter what world you're in. Gossip is inevitable in the workplace.
He chuckled quietly at the thought.
While eating, he ran into Kitayama and took the opportunity to mention he was taking the day off. She readily agreed.
After lunch, he stepped outside for some fresh air and a light workout. After lying down for half a day, the feeling of movement, blood pumping, muscles stretching, was pure bliss.
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