It was the middle of the school year. Tensions were rising throughout the elemental nations, and there were whispers of war on the horizon. I sat in my room, curled up in blankets and stewing in a particularly nasty mood
I was getting increasingly nervous and making no real progress in either medical ninjutsu or the Kaguya bloodline, and I was hesitant to dedicate more time to either. As it was, I spent very little time actually learning medical jutsu. Most of my so-called "medical ninjutsu training" was just memorizing bone, artery, vein, and tendon placement.
I only had three actual medical jutsu to my name. Anything beyond that was beyond Haruto, and to learn more I'd have to intern or apprentice at the hospital—something I had no intention of doing. I didn't want to get stuck there permanently, and I also worried about what the clan elders might do once I stopped impressing them and furthering the Hyuga name.
So I decided to go back to brain enhancements. Incredibly risky, without a doubt dangerous—but something I needed. I didn't want to waste time learning time-consuming skills I could later memorize instantly with my (still theoretical) memory enhancements.
With my course of action decided, I left my room in search of books on the brain—or more specifically, memory.
…
I had little to no luck finding anything, so I sent my favorite teacher on a mission to track them down. With that handled, I bumbled around looking for something else to do with my time.
…
I sat cross-legged in front of a mirror the branch members had recently put in my room, winking at myself and admiring my good looks. I had originally been sending chakra to my eyes in small bursts—varying both size and density and trying different paths—hoping to discover something new about the Byakugan, maybe even awaken the Tenseigan. But alas, no luck.
I'd gotten distracted and ended up admiring my exotic looks instead. Give or take 10 years, and I would be the heartbreak of many a young women, I wagered. Not that I wasn't already one, but children don't count, and I prefer Milf over young girls like a proper man.
Thick thighs save lives is the motto that I try to live by.
Naturally, my mother chose this exact moment to walk in… It would have been better if I was watching–Or I guess reading–porn instead to be honest.
"Shiro, Haruto brought the books you asked for…"
Well, this is embarrassing.
We stared at each other in silence for a moment. Before my thick skin took effect.
"Thanks, I was just admiring my good looks."
More silent eye contact.
"The books are on the table."
Would it have been less awkward if I'd made an excuse? Maybe honesty isn't always the answer.
…
I was sitting on my bed, a stack of brain-related books next to me, trying to summon the mental strength for a possible eight-plus-hour study session. Sadly, it wasn't working, and I was once again staring at myself in the mirror.
I took the mirror off the wall and turned it around so I couldn't see my reflection anymore. That done, I went back to my bed and cracked open the first book in the pile—Genjutsu and the Brain Made Easy.
Probably not what I need, but I'll take a look.
'Are memories stored in just one part of the brain, or in many different parts? Inojin Yamanaka began exploring this problem about 160 years ago by making lesions in the brains of animals…'
Finally getting somewhere after going through half the books, I was overjoyed and kept reading.
'Bla-bla-bla… short-term memory occurs in the prefrontal cortex. It stores information for about one minute and its capacity is limited to about seven items…'
Now we're cooking.
'Long-term memory is processed in the hippocampus of the temporal lobe and is activated when you want to memorize something for longer. This memory has unlimited content and duration capacity. Skill memory is processed in the cerebellum, which relays information to the basal ganglia. It stores motor skills, like using hand signs, throwing a kunai, and disemboweling your enemies.'
On the next page was a diagram detailing different parts of the brain.
Jackpot!
I couldn't keep the grin off my face. This was exactly what I needed. I spent the rest of the day flipping through the remaining books in case I'd missed anything.
AN: That's it for now. Been stocking chaps up for a mass release. Might keep doing so, until I've reached at least 20 chapters. Dunno how long that'll take tho. Also give me stones if you like my story.