"Lord Third, I wanted to train the boy myself. I even tried inviting him into the ANBU.
But he hasn't come to see me—or to see you—these past few days.
Looks like he's not planning to join."
Kakashi sounded helpless.
The Third Hokage chuckled, eyes narrowing in a pleased arc.
"Kakashi, have a look at this."
He handed him a document.
Not a scroll.
A proposal.
"Project Application: Strengthening Medicinal Bath"
"…What is this?"
Kakashi flipped through it carefully.
Rapid fatigue recovery.
Enhanced bodily absorption.
If such a medicine were successfully produced, training efficiency village-wide would skyrocket.
"This was created by Souma?"
The Third nodded lightly, then leaned back and sighed:
"Kakashi… If I were ten years younger, I wouldn't hesitate.
I'd take him as my student on the spot."
"…"
Kami above… Are you implying something?
Kakashi kept the thought to himself.
He reread the proposal.
"Costs?"
"Souma tested five formulas," the Third explained.
"The two he submitted are the cheapest. Effects are weaker but affordable—even a genin pinching pennies could buy them."
This was what pleased the Third the most.
Souma was a civilian—he didn't just chase efficiency; he considered price.
Just like with the soldier pills earlier.
Kakashi exhaled slowly.
He truly did want the boy as a disciple—Souma's talent, disposition, and intelligence were easily the best he'd seen in years.
The Third smiled knowingly.
"If you're worried about Naruto, you needn't be."
"…Why?"
"I'll grant you certain permissions so you won't have to follow the standard timetable.
Give you one year.
Do you have confidence you could raise Souma to chūnin-level in that time?"
Kakashi fell silent.
He understood instantly.
One year to train Souma → retire from instruction → return later to teach Naruto if needed.
Not a bad arrangement…
And the Third added:
"Though I'm old, I can occasionally guide him as well.
But in the end, you must make sure he doesn't end up like… Orochimaru."
The Third worried Souma might be led astray.
Talent-wise, the boy's shortcomings were only in elemental and genjutsu aptitude.
In all other areas, his gifts rivaled—if not surpassed—Tobirama's.
Guidance was essential.
Might Guy's style… wouldn't suit Souma at all.
Kakashi finally nodded.
"I understand. I'll handle his assessment."
Meanwhile, back in the Medical Corps—
"Senpai, there's a new project! We need to run weeklong observation tests!"
"What project?"
Everyone immediately crowded around.
Kitayama briefly explained.
"A medicinal bath formula. Lord Third approved its trial phase.
If it's stable, it'll hit the market."
"A bath… medicine?"
Most had only heard of noble luxury baths—expensive and largely useless.
But as they read the formula, eyes widened.
So that's why Souma kept visiting the Nara clan…
Does this formula have Nara involvement?
Promising!
They wouldn't earn much from manufacturing, but sales volume would be enormous.
Excitement rapidly spread.
"That kid is too smart. Shame he can't use medical ninjutsu."
"Yeah… it really is a shame."
"People like him make the rest of us look useless."
Fengxiang and Nanshi sighed.
Hyakusa merely chuckled.
Compare?
You want to compare yourselves to him?
The boy's basically a mini-Tobirama. You'll only hurt your own pride.
He turned silently to begin preparing samples.
When Souma arrived, he found the entire Medical Corps already bustling.
The lab reeked more strongly than the changing room yesterday.
Everyone's motivated, huh?
Good. That meant he didn't need to micromanage.
He wandered briefly, then sat down to think about his next project while checking the Bodhi Seed in his consciousness.
One groove.
Two grooves…
A new mark had formed!
It was faint, lighter than the soldier pill line but far longer.
So—
Length equals future potential?
It seemed so.
This groove's potential rivaled the Chakra Needle technique.
He wondered what benefit it would bring.
Souma toured the hospital a bit longer, found nothing needing his attention, and left for his usual run.
The next few days were routine.
Books.
Training.
Sleep.
But he noticed something new—
Even Rock Lee was studying lately.
Could it be exam season?
Passing by the Academy, he stepped inside to check.
Sure enough—the place was silent.
Everyone was taking exams.
Except a handful training outside.
Including Tenten.
But no Neji.
He scanned the area before walking toward her.
"Tenten."
"Eh? Souma? Why are you here? Aren't you at the Medical Corps today?"
She was surprised.
Ever since becoming a special hire, Souma rarely visited the Academy—he didn't even need to submit reports anymore.
He felt halfway graduated.
"I was out running and noticed Lee hasn't been training. Thought maybe exams were coming up. How'd it go?"
"Mm… not bad. I'll definitely pass."
She smiled proudly.
"That's good. Where's Neji?"
Tenten grimaced.
"He graduated early—same as you. Last month. You were probably busy at the time."
Souma thought back.
Oh. That was when he buried himself in medicinal research.
No wonder he didn't notice.
"But honestly… he's weird lately. Every time someone mentions you, he clenches his fists like he wants to crush something.
Let's not talk about him."
Souma blinked.
…Unexpected.
He hadn't targeted Neji at all.
Then again—
Without Souma, Neji would've been the undisputed number one.
Now no one even remembered he was considered a prodigy.
…Okay, that actually made sense.
He shook his head.
"Anyway… I'm free now. Just reading, training, researching. Pretty relaxed these days."
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