"For Konoha? Hahaha, well said!"
In the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed, but not in anger. "If there were more people like him, I might only have to work half a day."
Kakashi remained silent.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at him and stopped smiling. "What's the situation with the Uchiha? Any news on Shisui's whereabouts?"
"No."
Kakashi shook his head and reported one by one, "The Uchiha all believe Shisui is dead. Itachi is in a very bad state, but things changed after he came into contact with Yagyu Masahiko a few days ago..."
[Remember this site's domain name: Taiwan Novel Network. Great experience, super powerful!]
Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in thought.
Afterward, he looked at Kakashi: "Why did Masahiko go to see Itachi?"
"I heard it was at Sasuke's request. Besides, he also had interactions with Shisui; they were former classmates, so he went to pay his respects."
Kakashi replied, "Currently, based on brief surveillance by my subordinates, it seems he really just wants to help Sasuke."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded slightly after hearing this but didn't answer for a moment.
He tapped his pipe with his finger, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "Continue monitoring the Uchiha. Their current situation is very precarious; we must prepare for the worst."
"Yes."
Kakashi bowed, preparing to leave.
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out to him.
"Kakashi, wait a moment."
"Hmm?"
Kakashi turned his head to look at the Hokage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated, but finally, he closed his eyes and said:
"Don't let certain things cloud your judgment. For the sake of Konoha, there are things we all must do."
Kakashi was silent for a few seconds before nodding slightly: "I understand."
He walked out of the office and was about to return to the Anbu when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. He immediately used Body Flicker to hide in the shadows.
Before long, a man dressed as a medical Ninja arrived at the Hokage Office door from the stairs.
It was Goszen.
A Medical Jonin from Konoha Hospital.
"Hokage-sama, this is an employment invitation from our Research Department. Because the subject is special, we need your approval."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took it, scanned it, and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
Yagyu Masahiko again?
He sat up straight and read the invitation carefully before asking, "I recall he only just started in the medical field, right? Is he that important?"
"Masahiko-kun's technique has been initially completed. Next is the fusion with Water Release. Although it's difficult, I believe it's not insurmountable."
Goszen answered frankly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then picked up a pen to sign.
"A part-time position will do, with the benefits of a Jonin's part-time status."
"Yes!"
...The next day.
Konoha Hospital, Research Department.
"So, I have Jonin-level authority in the Research Department?"
Masahiko was somewhat surprised.
Goszen nodded with a smile: "Yes, that's what Hokage-sama said."
"Then can I look into our hospital's research on kekkei sickness?"
Masahiko asked.
He then explained Yakumo's situation.
"I think these kekkei sicknesses are likely related to physical functions and power imbalances. Currently, I'm making adjustments in this direction."
"kekkei sickness is very complex. The Kurama Clan..."
Goszen recalled for a moment and nodded, "There is one case, but you have to sign a confidentiality agreement before viewing it."
"Understood."
Masahiko nodded and signed quickly.
Looking at the Kurama Clan's kekkei sickness was just a pretext.
There weren't many cases—just one book, and the related materials were scarce. After all, Konoha's research in the mental field wasn't deep; it only noted that the subject had an extreme personality and a suspected tendency to seek revenge against society.
The final outcome wasn't written, but using one's imagination, it probably wasn't good.
Masahiko pondered for a bit and looked at Goszen: "This is too little. Is there research on other kekkei sicknesses?"
"Others... are quite rare."
Goszen shook his head.
"What about kekkei sicknesses from other hidden villages? Maybe we can cross-reference them."
Masahiko's brow furrowed in worry.
Goszen thought carefully, his face showing a complicated expression:
"There is some data on the Kaguya Clan's kekkei sickness, salvaged from back then. But those lunatics didn't even study it themselves; the notes are fragmented."
"Let me take a look first."
Masahiko suppressed his emotions.
Goszen couldn't help but sigh: "Nowadays, a teacher as serious, responsible, and kind as you is truly rare."
"Kindness is one aspect; on the other hand, she is actually very dangerous."
Masahiko didn't elaborate.
Goszen understood—
He had also seen the case files and knew that the Kurama Clan's Bloodline Limit and kekkei sickness were both very eerie.
Because of this... Goszen admired him even more.
He went to the secret room of the library, searched for a while, and pulled several booklets from a corner.
Just as he said.
The Kaguya Clan was indeed a bunch of killers who had no idea how to research or record; the things written inside were scattered and looked more like diaries.
Judging from the diaries, the incidence rate was quite high.
But, without exception—
They were all the "strongest warriors" in the clan.
Masahiko was thoughtful and said, "Senior Goszen, for this kind of kekkei sickness... could it be that the more the ability is used, the more likely it is to manifest?"
"We can't generalize. Regarding the Shikotsumyaku, we speculate it might be related to their habit of retracting bones, or perhaps how bone development affects bodily organs and functions..."
Goszen shared the medical Ninjas' hypotheses, "The Kurama Clan, on the other hand, seems more like a mental mutation... oh, what you call a mental illness."
"I see. What about Dojutsu types?"
Masahiko asked.
Goszen hesitated, then cleared his throat: "Let's skip that for now."
Masahiko didn't push.
In fact, he already had a plan in mind.
Overall, the problem with the Shikotsumyaku lay in the improper use of abilities or the abuse of the Bloodline Limit, leading to physical issues.
He wanted to pioneer another way to use it!
"Maybe I can reference the All-Killing Ash Bones. Kaguya's technique is a higher-level Kekkei Mora; the Shikotsumyaku cannot be perfectly replicated, but I can learn its principles..."
Masahiko was lost in thought.
He wasn't like those fools in the Kaguya Clan; he wouldn't be stuck in his ways and blindly follow old techniques without any flexibility.
After having an idea, Masahiko focused his thoughts.
"Thank you, Senior Goszen. I'll think about it some more and put together a plan."
"I've heard about Yakumo's situation; it's actually much better now."
Goszen couldn't help but say.
Masahiko shook his head and said, "She is very dependent on me and Senior Kurenai right now. I'm still worried... in the Ninja profession, no one knows what tomorrow will bring."
Goszen sighed and nodded upon hearing this.
Ninjas live with danger. Teachers and doctors are logistics personnel and are relatively safe, but as Masahiko's abilities grow stronger, he won't be a teacher forever.
No one can say for sure what will happen in the future.
Masahiko found an excuse to bid him farewell. After returning home, he immediately entered the "acting instance"—
The acting instance was the best training scenario!
Inside the instance—
Swish!
Masahiko burst out with full power, his figure instantly vanishing from the spot.
The projection of "Kakashi" narrowed his eyes.
Clang!
He drew his blade to block, but the force of the strike made the web of his hand throb with pain.
Before he could recover, the figure from before had already vanished, and three Yagyu Masahikos leaped from three directions to attack simultaneously.
The clones were difficult to track in mid-air... "Kakashi" had no choice but to use Lightning Beast Tracking Fang.
But this time—
Two "Masahikos" joined their palms, each using one hand to cooperate in forming seals, while their other hands pressed against the ground.
Massive waves of water surged, cutting off the lightning.
Bang!
"Kakashi" was kicked flying by another person, but he turned into a puff of smoke in mid-air.
The next second, Kakashi burst out from the ground, also striking with a blade. It didn't hit Masahiko's vitals, but grazed past him precariously.
Masahiko formed seals with his hands, and Chakra formed a translucent sphere of water, covering the area around the wound.
Then he launched another attack.
A few seconds later, he was injured again.
Masahiko frowned, lost in thought:
"My body is improving too fast, and I'm actually a bit unaccustomed; I can't master it perfectly..."
Practice again!
He had to try to mobilize the power of the Shikotsumyaku during battle and unearth the power of the bloodline within his body.