"The categorization into standard and emergency types… Very logical. Are you saying this was all Garou's idea?"
The Third Hokage set the report down, his expression unreadable but tinged with surprise.
"Yes, Lord Third," Kitayama nodded. "The rest of us merely assisted."
"He came up with the classification system himself. Standard types are for regular missions, boosting stamina and energy steadily. Emergency types are more for high-intensity combat, rapid recovery and some satiety, but they're easier on the body."
"Implement it immediately," the Third Hokage exhaled slowly, a rare smile forming beneath his pipe.
Kitayama bowed respectfully and took her leave.
A moment later, a figure shimmered into existence beside the desk.
"Kakashi," the Third Hokage said without looking up, "what's your opinion?"
"Of the boy, or the report?" Kakashi asked, raising his eye from the novel in his hand.
"Both," Hiruzen replied, smoke curling around his face, shadowing his expression.
Kakashi pondered for a moment. "Not mastering nature transformation doesn't mean much at this age. As for the rations, categorizing them does make sense. It could cut operational costs by a third or more. That level of innovation… is impressive."
"Three days," the Third murmured, more to himself than to Kakashi. "In just three days, he learned, researched, and developed this. That's not just talent, it's insight."
"He only joined the medical team to study medical ninjutsu and basic chakra theory. These new ration pills are probably an afterthought to him."
"Are you interested in taking him under your wing?"
"Ah…sorry, Lord Third," Kakashi said after a brief pause. "I'll help monitor him in the meantime, but I don't think I'm the right teacher for him. Someone like Lady Tsunade or Master Jiraiya would be a better fit."
The Third sighed. Of course, he already knew that. But neither of them were in the village anymore.
Silence settled thickly between them.
"I'll watch over him while he's without a team," Kakashi added, slipping his book back into his pocket. "But I can't be his sensei. I… have my own reasons."
The Third Hokage didn't argue. With an elite jonin like Kakashi, even the Hokage needed to respect personal boundaries.
He quietly relit his pipe, the embers glowing like fading stars.
---
"Hmm? What's this?"
Garou lay in the hospital during his lunch break, attempting to meditate and mentally consolidate all he'd learned.
As his thoughts quieted, a familiar presence resurfaced in his mind.
The glowing orb. But this time, it had changed.
It was smaller. Or rather, condensed. The glow had shrunk inward, creating a rough, uneven surface that shimmered with strange, shifting patterns.
'Wait…'
Those patterns, those ridges and grooves…felt familiar to him.
Garou's eyes widened as memories surged from his past life. Before he'd been reborn in this world, he'd once owned a bodhi seed, a real one. And the patterns etched into that seed were identical to the ones now radiating from the orb in his mind.
This was the bodhi seed.
Or… it had become it.
Garou took a breath, steadied himself. There'd be time to puzzle out its origins later.
What mattered now was that this orb, this seed, was the foundation of his survival here. If it had changed, there was a reason.
No longer tired, he sprang up and grabbed pen and paper, letting his thoughts spill out while his hand absentmindedly scrawled symbols.
Several minutes passed.
The pen punctured the paper, stopping his hand.
'Ration pills!'
He'd redesigned them a few days ago and submitted the final report today. If they'd already been approved and released, then...
"I give knowledge, understanding, and the seed responds in turn."
He whispered aloud, the theory clicking into place. "That means… Whenever I teach or improve the system in a way that benefits others, the bodhi seed reacts."
"But what did I gain in return?"
The appearance of the seed had to come with some benefit. He ran a few tests on himself and quickly noticed a distinct enhancement in his sensory awareness.
Not just chakra. He could now feel a presence… a gaze.
Someone was watching him.
He didn't turn immediately. Instead, he used the excuse of changing books to glance around.
He barely caught a flash of silver hair and the edge of a pair of glasses.
'Kabuto?'
Had to be. No one else matched that description. Besides, considering his teacher was Mizuki, Kabuto's attention was… predictable.
Still, Garou didn't overreact. If anything, having Kabuto observe him might open up opportunities later. That guy knew how to get things done.
With that, he quietly headed to Kitayama's office.
The door was open.
She was asleep at her desk.
Garou tiptoed in, swapped out his book, and was about to leave when something caught his eye.
'Uh… Sensei… Adults have their interests, sure. But maybe close the door next time if you're reading that kind of novel?'
"Ah!"
A rustle. Papers were being hastily shuffled. Her voice, trying to sound composed, called out, "Ch—Garou! Are you done with the book already?"
"Yes," he said with a perfectly neutral face. "I was hoping to read something on the nervous system."
"Ah, good, yes, very good. Go ahead, you can read here if the hallway's too noisy."
"No need. Oh, and Sensei, could I get a head start on learning the Chakra Scalpel?"
Kitayama hesitated. "That technique is… well, it's not simple. Actually, you know what, here."
She handed over the scroll, giving up on explaining its difficulty. After all, this was the kid who had recreated the Rasengan from theory.
People like him made others feel entirely unaccomplished.
"Thank you, Sensei."
Yep. When someone was experiencing personal embarrassment, the chances of getting what you want were much higher.
Garou scanned the scroll quickly, then handed it back for safekeeping.
After he left, Kitayama buried her face in her arms.
'He definitely saw that book. Gods, please don't let him recognize it…'
Her last shred of teacherly dignity might just have vanished.
---
Outside, Garou walked with one hand holding a medical text, the other making slow, deliberate hand signs.
His first attempt at the Chakra Scalpel failed. The Chakra Scalpel wasn't flashy. It was classified as a B-rank medical ninjutsu, and difficult to use in combat.
Few ever bothered to master it for battle, since maintaining its precision mid-fight was brutally demanding.
Only a few, like Tsunade or Granny Chiyo, could make it practical.
Kabuto was an exception. His control was abnormal.
But for Garou, it was promising.
He tried compressing the chakra blade into a narrower shape, just the width of a kunai.
"In a fight, maybe not that useful… but this control is giving me ideas."
He started sketching out chakra needle formations in his mind, realizing the scalpel technique had opened a new door in chakra manipulation.
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