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"Hmm… there shouldn't be any Zetsu nearby…"
Qianyu withdrew his finger from the ground, thinking to himself with some uncertainty.
His chakra sensing was sharp, but Black and White Zetsu's Spore Technique was too covert. He couldn't guarantee it one hundred percent.
Another week passed.
During the day, the three kids trained with Kosuke and Nawaki. At night, they studied psychology with Qianyu and underwent ideological education.
Perhaps years from now, when "Madara Uchiha" came looking for Nagato again…
He'd be utterly baffled to find Nagato had become a staunch, faith-filled Red Warrior. No amount of persuasion could shake him.
"Just thinking about it is fun." A wicked smile spread across Qianyu's face.
After the nightly psychology sessions, Konan would come to Qianyu's room alone to learn medical ninjutsu.
But this kid's thirst for knowledge was just too intense…
"Alright, Konan, that's enough for today."
Looking at Konan's pleading face, Qianyu refused wearily. He was so tired. He just wanted to collapse and sleep.
"Aww, Qianyu-nii~~ Just indulge me a little more, please~~"
Konan wrapped her arms around Qianyu's, leaning her whole body against him as she wheedled.
Before, she, Nagato, and Yahiko lived day to day, never knowing if tomorrow would come. Now that she finally had a chance to learn, to change their fates, of course she was desperate for it.
"You're still young. I'm afraid you can't handle the more advanced material," Qianyu said helplessly.
"Hmph, Konan isn't little! Qianyu-nii, just let me try!" Konan blinked her big eyes.
"Fine, fine… Ah, I really can't deal with you…"
Qianyu let out a long sigh. He knew it. He was probably pulling another all-nighter.
…
Another day.
After teaching the kids, Kosuke went to the nearby river to fish.
Nawaki stayed behind with Qianyu, watching him conduct the psychological counseling session for the trio. He secretly memorized some of the guiding methods, planning to try them on Tsunade when he got back.
After all, with how easily she flies off the handle, who'd believe my sister doesn't have some psychological issues? Nawaki grumbled inwardly.
"Alright, let's continue to the next step," Qianyu said softly.
"Try to recall those painful memories once more. Identify the negative beliefs and emotions within them, and follow my finger with your eyes."
This time, Qianyu was gradually employing Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.
Watching the three kids follow his guidance, meditating seriously, a wave of secret delight washed over Qianyu.
So far, the treatment was progressing smoothly. At this rate, he'd get his rewards from them soon.
But right then—
Something went wrong.
"GAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Nagato's calm face suddenly twisted. He clutched his head, howling uncontrollably.
"Nani?!"
Qianyu's pupils contracted sharply. He hadn't expected Nagato's emotions to still breach their threshold instantly after so many counseling sessions. A rampage was imminent!
Ding—!
In an instant, the red hair covering half of Nagato's face suddenly lifted, revealing a pair of purple eyes glowing with utter madness!
"Not good, everyone, get ba—!"
Qianyu didn't even have time to finish.
The next moment, accompanied by Nagato's pained, guttural roar, a terrifying repulsive force exploded outward with him at its center.
BOOM!
The shockwave hit like a paper bomb exploding right in their faces.
Qianyu and the others were sent flying. They blasted through the wooden walls of the hut, which crumbled under the strain, hurtling backwards before crashing heavily into the distance.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Qianyu forcibly suppressed the chakra surging inside him. His fingers flew, forming two seals mid-air. It was the Water Style technique he'd secretly learned from Kosuke.
Swoosh—
A circular wall of water rose instantly, enveloping the four of them. The gentle current softened their fall, lowering them slowly to the ground.
"Those eyes! Qianyu, did you see those eyes just now?!"
The moment he landed, Nawaki grabbed Qianyu's shoulders, letting out a monkey-like screech.
"Purple! They were purple! And with rings! Rings within rings!"
Nagato had always kept his bangs down. This was the first time Nawaki had seen his eyes. The shock was inevitable.
"Nagato, are you okay?!"
Konan and Yahiko, ignoring everything else, rushed towards Nagato, who was kneeling in the hut's ruins, his face twisted in pain.
Qianyu and Nawaki exchanged a glance and walked over too, though the shock hadn't left Nawaki's face.
"What the hell was that power just now? A dōjutsu? No… how could a dōjutsu be that terrifying?!" Nawaki muttered under his breath.
"I'm sorry… I lost control again. I almost hurt everyone. I'm sorry, I'm…" Nagato hung his head, his bangs covering his eyes again. His voice was thick with guilt.
"What are you apologizing for, Nagato? This is a good thing!"
Right then, a hand landed on Nagato's shoulder. The gentle words made Nagato freeze.
"A… good thing?"
Nagato looked up, confused. Qianyu was smiling at him.
"Yeah. A good thing."
Qianyu nodded, plopping down beside Nagato and slinging an arm around his shoulders.
"Human emotions are like a great river. Controlling them is like managing that river. Blocking it is worse than channeling it. The more you suppress, the more likely it is to burst."
"What we need to do is build a dam in that river. Make sure we're not drowned by our emotions. Let the river flow steadily, so the emotions can be controlled by us."
The three kids, including Nagato, nodded repeatedly. Only Nawaki, off to the side, smirked, thinking, This Qianyu guy sure knows how to fool kids.
"Emotions hold immense power. Remember that feeling of anger just now, Nagato. Don't fear it. Try to wield it. Make it work for you."
"When you can control your anger freely, that astonishing power from before… it'll become your strongest weapon to protect your comrades."
Qianyu patted Nagato's shoulder, then pointed at the other three, speaking earnestly.
"Don't carry any psychological burden, Nagato. Look. No one blames you. They're only worried. They trust you. We all believe you can do it."
"Minna…"
Nagato's nose stung.
He looked up, his gaze slowly sweeping over the three. Just as Qianyu said, their faces held only concern. Not a trace of fear or blame.
"Keep working hard, Nagato. I have high hopes for you."
Qianyu patted his shoulder again, smiling. "Those who've known pain treat others with kindness. Understanding pain brings maturity. It lets you protect others better."
"Mm! I understand, Qianyu-nii!"
Nagato nodded firmly. Under Qianyu's talk-no-jutsu, he quickly adjusted his mental state, seeming even more optimistic than before the rampage.
"Phew…"
Seeing this, Qianyu secretly sighed in relief, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow.
Being a psychiatrist in this world is dangerous. Your patients are all ticking time bombs. One slip and it's death by occupational hazard, he thought.
Sitting next to Nagato just now… the pressure was real. He was genuinely afraid the guy would suddenly hit him with a Shinra Tensei.
"Hm?"
Just then, Kosuke returned with two big fish. He stared at the empty space where the hut used to be, lost in thought.
"Getting old… memory's going. I remember the hut was… in this direction… right?"
…
After they ate dinner together, Qianyu gave Nagato another solo session.
Nagato had already identified the trigger for his traumatic pain. If Qianyu could help him finish the desensitization and rebuild positive cognition and emotional feedback, Nagato's PTSD would be effectively cured.
The reward was within sight. Qianyu planned to push harder.
But just then, Nawaki came running over, his face serious, interrupting them.
"Qianyu. There are changes on the front lines. We need to head back. Now."
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