Yakumo Kurama (Seeking Votes! Seeking Investment!)

The woman who opened the door was Kurama Murakumo's wife. Sōken remembered her former maiden name was Aoyama, now changed to Rin Kurama. He had crossed paths with her on the battlefield five or six years ago; if memory served, her name back then was Rin Aoyama, a Medical Ninja responsible for emergency field care.

"Murakumo..."

Seeing Sōken in his hospital gown, she hesitated for two seconds before recognizing him. A faint glimmer of hope appeared on her face, which bore an indelible trace of sorrow. Clearly, the invitation for Sōken to come had been discussed between the couple, or perhaps within the clan.

"Rin, what are the test results?" Kurama Murakumo asked urgently.

"Still no improvement, about the same as last time,"

Rin Kurama said softly.

"Sigh!"

Hearing his wife's answer, Kurama Murakumo let out a disappointed sigh. As expected, ordinary methods couldn't solve his daughter's problem. Now, he could only place his hopes on unconventional means. As this thought crossed his mind, his gaze fell on Sōken.

"Let me take a look first."

Sōken pointed at the half-open door. "Can I go in now?"

"Yes! Please, come in!!"

Rin Kurama immediately opened the door and made an inviting gesture. Sōken stepped inside. The room's layout was much the same as any other doctor's. A gray-haired female physician, likely in her fifties or sixties, was crouched in front of a wheelchair, speaking to the little girl seated in it.

"Whoa!!"

Sōken's eyes widened.

His pupils turned crimson, piercing through flesh and surface to see a spiritual energy as vast and surging as an ocean.

"No wonder... This isn't so much an illness as being too favored by the world. Heaven bestowed too much affection, to the point of being overwhelmed... It's almost like a joke!!!"

The female doctor was led aside by Rin Kurama, but honestly, the moment she saw Sōken's Sharingan, the elderly physician obediently made way. After all, Shimura Danzō, the Hokage Assistant, was still in the hospital undergoing consultations with specialists!

The Uchiha of today were even more fearsome than before!

"Sōken, is there... a way for Yakumo's illness?" Kurama Murakumo's heart clenched. The more hope he held, the more he feared disappointment, even though he had tried his best to prepare himself for bad news!

In truth, he still couldn't truly stay calm.

"Calling an outsider like me to treat an illness? Isn't that a joke?"

"No hope?"

The light of hope dimmed in Kurama Murakumo's eyes.

Not just him, but Rin Kurama, Kurama Yunhai, and even the female doctor all showed disappointment.

"I told you, for healing, find a doctor; for killing, find a ninja; for eating meat, find a butcher. You called an outsider like me to treat an illness... Well! You're in luck! If it were some terminal disease, I might not have a way, but..."

"Huh? Sōken, do you... do you have a way or not?"

Kurama Murakumo interrupted Sōken in frustration.

"Let me finish! I said I'm no good at healing, but the problem with this child isn't some rare disease. To be precise, it's not a disease at all. You... already know that deep down, don't you, Murakumo-senpai? Otherwise, you wouldn't have specifically called me."

With that, Sōken shot a sidelong glance at Kurama Murakumo.

"Sōken, you really have a way?" Kurama Murakumo grabbed Sōken's sleeve excitedly.

"...Sigh! How many times do I have to say it?" Sōken sighed, flicking his sleeve to shake off Kurama Murakumo's sweaty hand. "I told you, this isn't a disease. The problem falls within my area of expertise. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to resolve it."

"As long as it can be resolved, that's good, that's good."

His emotions had been on a roller coaster, but hearing the definitive answer, Kurama Murakumo breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't think Sōken would make empty promises. If he couldn't solve Yakumo's trouble, not only would they fail to gain the Kurama Clan's friendship, they might even create enmity.

Calming down, his reasoning restored, Kurama Murakumo realized he had just been toyed with by Sōken's wordplay.

But at this moment, he couldn't muster any anger. As long as Sōken truly had a way to resolve his daughter's trouble, even if he was being teased... well, he couldn't give Sōken an opening. That guy had always been sly since the old days; who knew what mischief he could cook up!

"Big brother, can I really walk and run like everyone else?"

The little girl in the wheelchair was named Yakumo Kurama.

She was the daughter of Kurama Murakumo, the clan head of the Kurama Clan. This five-year-old child had inherited the Kurama Clan's [Five Senses Control] genjutsu, passed down every few generations. Yet it was this very power, inherited through blood, that had tormented the little one since birth.

Her overwhelmingly powerful spiritual energy had thrown her body and mind out of balance. Her undeveloped physique was crushed under the weight of her own talent, leaving her so weak that even walking was a struggle. Two steps would leave her dizzy with exhaustion, forcing her to sit in a wheelchair, moving like a puppet at others' whims.

"Shouldn't be a big problem."

Sōken crouched down, looking at the frail little girl, so thin she was nearly skin and bones, her pale, bluish face making one wonder if she might faint at any second. He answered softly.

"Then can I become a ninja too?"

Yakumo Kurama's eyes were wide open. Perhaps because she was so thin, her dark eyes sparkled like gems.

"A ninja?"

Sōken raised an eyebrow, curious. "Why do you want to become a ninja?"

"Because everyone loves playing ninja games, and I'm the only one who can't join!"

"I see! A ninja shouldn't be a problem. With your talent, you'll definitely become a ninja someday, but... there's a condition." A kind smile spread across Sōken's face, the same one he used when coaxing snacks out of his little sister.

"What?"

Yakumo Kurama was weak in body, but her mind was sharp.

And because she couldn't go out and play with the other children, she spent most of her time at home listening to her father or mother read storybooks and looking at picture books together, so she understood the meaning of the word "premise."

"I want to take you as my disciple!"

Sōken said with a smile.

"Sōken?"

Kurama Murakumo beside him exclaimed in shock.

But Sōken ignored him. All the hundreds of people in the Kurama Clan combined weren't as precious as Yakumo Kurama alone. Letting such fine jade and beautiful gem go to waste would be a real pity. The Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai, [Five Senses Control], touched the essence of Yin Release techniques and possessed the power of 'bringing illusions to life,' making it an excellent subject for observing the study of Yin Release techniques.

"How about it, little sister? Do you want to become my disciple? Don't let my youth fool you—even your father is no match for me!"

"Okay! As long as big brother really can make me a ninja!"

The little girl agreed quickly, without even consulting her parents.

"Don't worry! Don't worry! I always keep my promises!" A cheerful smile hung on Sōken's face as he reached out and ruffled the little girl's head. "And remember, from now on, you have to call me Master!!"