On the way to Kanpō's private office.
"Holding positions in both the Medical Corps and the Research Department simultaneously—that must be exhausting, isn't it?" Masahiko asked casually as they walked.
"I serve as a Squad Leader in the Medical Corps, primarily handling the more difficult cases," Kanpō replied with a modest smile. "I don't have to worry about general ailments, so it's actually quite manageable."
Upon reaching his office, Kanpō opened the door and eagerly invited Masahiko inside.
Several young shinobi were already waiting within. Kanpō introduced them one by one, and they responded with enthusiastic greetings. Among them were two who caught Masahiko's attention: Mogusa and Kusushi.
Hearing their names grouped together sparked a faint memory in Masahiko's mind.
Mogusa, in particular, was hard to miss—the thick black markings covering the area around his eyes were distinctive.
'They were in the anime in my past life,' Masahiko noted inwardly.
To have left even a vague impression on him meant that, within the context of the wider ninja world, these were the elite of the elite. Regardless of their specific roles, they held value. They were worth winning over.
"These are my comrades-in-arms," Kanpō explained warmly.
Masahiko's expression remained calm, betraying none of his internal calculations, though he maintained a polite demeanor as he greeted each of them in turn.
By now, he had also deduced Kanpō's future trajectory. If his guess was correct, this man was destined to become the Head of the Konoha Medical Corps in the canon timeline.
He was no ordinary extra.
Wearing a genial smile, Masahiko began, "Captain Kanpō..."
"Please, allow me to examine you first," Kanpō interrupted gently, raising his hands. He formed a seal, concentrating chakra into his palms.
There was no pain, no strange sensation. It felt as though nothing was happening at all, yet Masahiko could clearly perceive the chakra circulating through his arm.
'Such high-level chakra control!' Masahiko marveled silently.
And this was merely the future Head of the Medical Corps. If it were Tsunade... just how terrifying would her control be? The path of a medical ninja was indeed arduous.
A glint of sharp intellect flashed in Masahiko's eyes. He quickly analyzed Kanpō's mindset and came to a realization.
The Head of the Medical Corps.
While Masahiko didn't know the intricate politics of the hospital, it stood to reason that Kanpō wasn't the only Squad Leader. There was undoubtedly an unspoken competition for the top position.
Understanding the man's ambition, Masahiko waited patiently.
Moments later, Kanpō withdrew his chakra. "Did you utilize some form of Kinjutsu? The damage resembles the aftereffects of a specific technique."
"Yes. In fact, the so-called 'Medical Water Release' was a concept I devised to mitigate the defects of that technique. However, it is not yet perfected," Masahiko answered smoothly.
"So that's how it is!"
Kanpō's face took on a thoughtful expression. It seemed a spark of inspiration had flashed through his mind, but he failed to grasp it immediately. He scratched his head, visibly anxious.
A few seconds later, Kanpō stopped abruptly and asked, "But why haven't you considered standard Medical Ninjutsu? Those techniques are already established. You could learn them directly."
Hearing this, a strange expression crossed Masahiko's face.
Seeing the look, Kanpō became flustered. He looked up at Masahiko cautiously, his tone tentative. "Did... did I say something wrong?"
"How long have you been in the Research Department?" Masahiko asked, ignoring the question with one of his own.
Kanpō hesitated. "Over a year now."
"And has your department produced any results?"
Kanpō paused for a few seconds before shaking his head, answering truthfully. "To be honest... not many."
Saying "not many" was actually gilding the lily.
Their research mostly consisted of optimizing existing ninjutsu or making minor improvements to established theories. It had been a long, long time since anything truly new had emerged. This stagnation was precisely why Kanpō treated Masahiko like a treasure.
"I do not understand Medical Ninjutsu, but I understand the nature of research," Masahiko said, his voice taking on a didactic cadence. "Research is often born of necessity. It is only when demand cannot be met that one seeks to create something new."
He continued, his tone pragmatic yet sounding profoundly philosophical to the listeners. "My chakra control capabilities are insufficient to quickly master existing Medical Ninjutsu. Furthermore, the existing techniques did not meet my specific needs. Therefore, I had no choice but to create."
He looked at Kanpō.
At that moment, the expression on Kanpō's face was spectacular.
He looked as though he had attained enlightenment, only to plunge into a deeper confusion. He frowned, his expression shifting rapidly between clarity and doubt.
"Then... how should we change?" Kanpō asked earnestly.
He understood now. What Masahiko was teaching wasn't just an idea for a specific jutsu, or a way of thinking—it was the very philosophy of creation.
Creation stems from necessity.
Direct. Simple.
Yet, he still couldn't understand why the Medical Research Department failed to produce new techniques.
Masahiko replied calmly, "It comes down to a few categories: wanting to do what is beyond your reach, failing to think of what is within your reach, and refusing to do what you have already thought of..."
The office was already quiet. But after Masahiko spoke these words, the silence deepened until one could hear a pin drop.
Kanpō muttered the words over and over to himself.
He thought of the projects proposed by the Research Department and fell into a heavy silence. They didn't lack ideas. But just as Masahiko said, everyone wanted to create things they couldn't achieve, while dismissing the things they could achieve as too simple or useless to warrant the effort.
"We have been too impetuous," Kanpō exhaled, finally identifying the root of the problem.
Masahiko smiled and nodded. "Everyone wants to develop top-tier ninjutsu, perhaps even a great Kinjutsu that will be remembered by history. But can they do it? Be pragmatic. Research isn't actually that difficult if you keep your feet on the ground."
Kanpō stood up and bowed deeply.
"Thank you for your guidance!"
He was five years older than Masahiko and a Squad Leader in the Medical Corps, yet this bow was incredibly earnest, filled with genuine gratitude.
"There is no need for this..." Masahiko stepped aside to avoid the full weight of the bow.
Kanpō shook his head, his face serious. "That single sentence is enough to change the course of my life!"
He realized that Masahiko must have seen through his ambitions from the start and had deliberately spoken those words to enlighten him.
And now, he knew which path to take.
His path wasn't in the creation or refinement of ninjutsu. It was in management—in mastering the ability to identify problems, solve them, and lead the Medical Corps to greatness.
A single sentence, worth a thousand gold pieces.
Mogusa and the others looked at each other, bewildered, unsure of what had just transpired between the two men.
Kanpō cleared his throat lightly. "Please excuse me for a moment. I would like to invite Yagyu-sensei..."
He was about to invite Masahiko to dinner when a knock sounded at the door.
The next moment, a security ninja from the Konoha Hospital entered.
"Sir Kanpō, is Yagyu Masahiko here?"
"Yes," Kanpō nodded.
Masahiko raised his hand. "I am he."
The guard let out a sigh of relief. "We caught a sneaky child trying to drill their way in toward this direction. We have detained her."
Masahiko was initially surprised, but after checking the time, he asked, "Is it Uzumaki Naruto?"
The guard shook his head and pulled the captive into view.
Ino Yamanaka stood there, her face flushed with embarrassment. She called out timidly, "Sensei."
Masahiko fell silent.
This was truly unexpected.
"Apologies, it seems I am occupied for the time being," Masahiko said, looking at Kanpō.
Kanpō smiled and shook his head. "It is no matter. If you do not mind, I have some rough notes here. I hope we can arrange another time this weekend to exchange ideas."
"Many thanks. I actually have great need of these."
Having finally established a connection with a valuable asset, Masahiko wasn't about to refuse.
As Masahiko accepted the notes, Kanpō visibly relaxed.
Watching Masahiko leave with Ino, Kanpō wore a look of deep regret, as if missing out on that meal was a colossal loss.
"Captain, is it really that serious?" Mogusa couldn't help but ask.
Kanpō shook his head slowly.
"You don't understand. Yagyu-sensei is a teacher of immense wisdom and educational ability. In the future... he will be absolutely extraordinary."