"Mm."
Sasuke gave a soft acknowledgment, and Kurama Yakumo continued, "Sasuke, you told me before that ninjas experience a great deal of killing during wars and missions, witness countless deaths, and develop... um..."
"Yes, the Post-War Psychological Syndrome you mentioned. Physical injuries can be healed by medical ninjas, but wounds of the mind cannot."
"Bodily illnesses are easy to treat, but illnesses of the heart are difficult to heal. So I want to become the village's—no..."
"The Shinobi World's first medical ninja capable of healing people's hearts and minds."
"Just as you said, Sasuke, everyone is born with a purpose. Perhaps the talent Heaven gave me was meant for me to do this."
Kurama Yakumo spoke with a faint smile. Her tone was calm, but her eyes flashed with an unprecedented sense of resolve and solemnity.
Sasuke stared blankly for a moment, a small ripple stirring within his heart.
He had not expected that the little girl from the original timeline, who had been obsessed with becoming a ninja to the point of developing an inner demon, would undergo such enormous changes after knowing him for several years—and develop such a grand dream.
What Kurama Yakumo wanted to do was essentially an expansion of the ninja profession. It would not be an exaggeration to say she was forging a new path and founding an entirely new school of thought.
If Kurama Yakumo truly succeeded, her accomplishments would be no less than Lady Tsunade's, who had perfected the medical system.
Medical ninjas would also be divided into two branches.
Ninjas who understood the structure of the human body and wielded Yang Release would be physical medical ninjas.
Ninjas who understood the human psyche and wielded Yin Release would be mental medical ninjas.
After falling silent for a while, Sasuke finally said, "So you want to leave the village and see the outside world."
"Mm." Kurama Yakumo nodded and said softly, "Sasuke, you once told me that knowledge gained from books always feels shallow, and true understanding comes only through practice; that one should read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles. Since I have decided to become the Shinobi World's first psychological medical ninja, I naturally need to see the world beyond Konoha, witness all kinds of people and all aspects of life. Only then can I broaden my horizons, combine theory with practice, and put what I learn to use."
At that, Kurama Yakumo could not help complaining, "Although you keep telling me those philosophies came from books, Sasuke, why have I gone through so many books in the Shinobi World without finding them recorded anywhere? Don't tell me you came up with them yourself?"
Sasuke smiled faintly and explained, "I did learn them from books, but the authors of those books are not in this world."
"I see." Kurama Yakumo nodded lightly.
She thought the books Sasuke mentioned had been written by some deceased Uchiha ancestor and had not yet been published.
The two fell silent for a while. Then Sasuke said, "Yakumo, although the Shinobi World is generally at peace and no wars have broken out, you still need to be careful when traveling outside."
"Don't worry. I've already told my parents about it, and they understand me completely. In a few days, my uncle will accompany me outside Konoha."
As she said this, Kurama Yakumo lightly clenched her small fist and declared confidently, "And Sasuke, don't underestimate me. I'm very strong too!"
Sasuke nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
The uncle Kurama Yakumo mentioned was a retired Kurama Clan jonin who had nearly died at her hands in the original timeline. Sasuke himself had met him a few times.
Since he was a jonin, his strength was naturally considered outstanding even in Konoha.
Moreover, Kurama Yakumo herself was exceptionally strong. There was no resentment or darkness in her heart now, only faith and determination. No alternate personality divided her talent and power.
On top of that, after practicing Yoga for more than four years, Kurama Yakumo's body was far healthier than it had been in the original timeline, and the strength she could wield was much greater as well.
Among those her age, only Sasuke could be considered her match.
It could even be said that some of Konoha's jonin were no match for Kurama Yakumo.
If she encountered jonin like Kurenai Yuhi and her uncle, who specialized in genjutsu but were completely countered by it, Yakumo could even kill them in an instant!
So, with Kurama Yakumo's current strength and her uncle's protection, she would face virtually no danger in the Shinobi World as long as she did not run into members of Akatsuki.
"Good luck, Yakumo!"
Sasuke encouraged her, "I look forward to it, and I believe you will definitely create an entirely new medical system—a medical system for Yin Release ninjas—and fulfill your dream!"
After more than four years together, Kurama Yakumo could be said to be the person in all of Konoha who knew the most of Sasuke's secrets.
However, there was little of the romantic ambiguity common between young boys and girls between them.
They were friends, and also kindred spirits. Their friendship was like that of gentlemen—clear as water; like the bond between the wise—plain and unadorned, without any need for empty flourish.
That was probably the best way to describe their friendship.
Kurama Yakumo covered her mouth and laughed. "Then thank you for your kind words, Sasuke."
(I'm not a Yakumo fanboy, but in the anime, Yakumo really was that powerful. Her record included instantly killing two Kurama jonin—her parents—easily severely injuring a Kurama jonin—her uncle—and even Kurenai Yuhi could only wait helplessly for death. You can regard Kurama Yakumo as a genjutsu genius who awakened Mangekyo-level abilities from childhood, though her body was a little frail.)
(By the way, one more thing. Although Kurenai Yuhi had only been promoted to jonin for less than half a year, her performance was far better than that of the Kurama Clan's three nameless jonin. This was also a characteristic of Hokage: some nameless jonin performed worse than even genin, usually becoming background props used to highlight how strong the enemy or protagonist was.)
Time passed in the blink of an eye, and soon a month had gone by.
In March of Konoha Year 61, the Ninja Academy welcomed its new graduates for their graduation exams.
This graduation exam was no different from previous years. It tested the Three Basic Techniques that Sasuke had mastered long ago.
"Congratulations, Sasuke. You ranked first in this graduation exam."
After the assessment ended in the examination room, Iruka handed him a forehead protector with a complicated expression.
"Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
Sasuke accepted the forehead protector and thanked him.
Iruka smiled warmly. "Starting tomorrow, you'll officially become a ninja. Keep working hard!"
The corners of Sasuke's lips lifted slightly as he replied, "I will, Iruka-sensei."
"Sasuke, remember to come back and visit the academy when you have time."
Mizuki, who was sitting nearby, suddenly spoke up and gave Sasuke a sunny smile.
Sasuke nodded faintly. "I will, Mizuki-sensei."
We'll talk about that if you're still around by then.
Mizuki smiled gently and said to Iruka beside him, "Let me personally take Sasuke to the academy archives to register him. First place should receive special treatment, shouldn't it?"
Iruka's mouth twitched. Though he did not agree with Mizuki's claim that first place deserved special treatment, it was not convenient for him to refute him in front of Sasuke.
He could only nod lightly. "All right, then take Sasuke over there. But come back soon. I can't handle everything alone."
"Don't worry." Mizuki smiled slightly, then waved Sasuke over. "Come with me, Sasuke."
The two headed one after the other toward the academy archives.
"Next, Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Alright!"
Outside the examination room, Naruto, who had already been itching to go, immediately shouted excitedly.
Less than a moment after hearing his name, he strode quickly into the classroom.
"This assessment is divided into—"
Before Iruka could finish speaking, Uzumaki Naruto impatiently used the Shadow Clone Technique, creating ten identical clones.
"Well? Well? Iruka-sensei, I passed, right?"
Iruka wore a gratified smile and nodded warmly.
"Congratulations, Naruto!"
Before you continue