"Mm."
Sasuke answered softly.
Yakumo Kurama continued, her voice steady. "You once told me that shinobi see too much death. War. Missions. Loss. That even if the body heals, the mind doesn't."
She paused, choosing her words.
"You called it trauma. Injuries can be treated by medical-nin, but the wounds people carry inside are different."
Her eyes lifted.
"That's why I want to become a medical shinobi. No… the first shinobi in the world who can heal the mind."
There was no excitement in her tone. No dramatics. Only resolve.
"Maybe this is why I was born with this talent," she said. "Not for combat. But for this."
For a moment, Sasuke simply looked at her.
The girl in front of him was nothing like the fragile child from before. The hesitation was gone. In its place stood something solid, almost sacred.
"You want to leave the village," Sasuke said at last.
Yakumo nodded. "You told me once that knowledge from books only goes so far. If I want to understand people, I need to see them. Outside Konoha. Different lives. Different suffering."
She smiled faintly. "If I'm going to walk this path, I can't stay sheltered."
Then she tilted her head. "Though I do wonder. You always say those sayings came from books, but I've searched plenty. I've never seen them written anywhere. Did you come up with them yourself?"
Sasuke smiled slightly. "They were written. Just not by anyone in this world."
"I see," Yakumo said, accepting it without further question.
Silence settled between them.
"Be careful out there," Sasuke said. "Even if things seem calm, the world isn't gentle."
"I will be," Yakumo replied. "My parents agreed. My uncle will travel with me."
She clenched her fist lightly, confidence showing through. "And don't worry. I'm not helpless."
Sasuke nodded.
He had met her uncle before. A retired jōnin. More than capable.
"Do it," Sasuke said. "I believe you can build something new. A different kind of medical system."
Yakumo covered her mouth as she laughed quietly. "Then I'll take that as a blessing."
Time passed quickly.
One month later.
Konoha Year 61, early spring.
The Ninja Academy held its graduation exams.
Nothing unusual. The standard tests. The basic techniques Sasuke had mastered long ago.
When it was over, Iruka handed him a forehead protector.
"Congratulations, Sasuke," he said, his expression complicated. "You ranked first."
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
"From tomorrow on, you're officially a shinobi," Iruka added. "Keep going."
"I will."
"Come visit the Academy sometimes," Mizuki said suddenly, smiling brightly from the side.
Sasuke nodded. "I will, Mizuki-sensei."
If you're still here, he thought.
"I'll take him to register the records," Mizuki continued. "Top rank deserves special treatment, right?"
Iruka hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But come back quickly."
"Of course."
Mizuki gestured. "This way, Sasuke."
They left together.
Inside the exam room, Iruka raised his voice.
"Next. Uzumaki Naruto."
"Yes!"
Naruto sprang up and rushed inside.
Iruka barely had time to explain before Naruto formed hand seals.
Ten shadow clones filled the room.
Naruto grinned. "So? I passed, right?"
Iruka smiled warmly.
"Congratulations, Naruto."