S-Rank Top Secret Mission

"Itachi, do you know what the Sharingan is?"

"The Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha, the Eye of Insight, the Copy Wheel Eye, the Hypnotic Eye..."

"Incorrect." Doctor Kazuhiko interrupted Itachi:

"The Sharingan is a mirror into the deepest parts of an Uchiha's heart."

He looked at the mother and son sitting on the sofa.

"It does not reflect your enemies; it reflects the fears hidden deep within you."

"Some fear loss, and so they awaken the Sharingan to protect."

"Some wish to change the status quo, and so the Sharingan becomes the power with which they overturn everything."

"Some feel helpless, and the Sharingan allows them to take their fate into their own hands."

"What about you? For what purpose did you awaken your Sharingan?"

After a brief moment of thought, Itachi blurted out:

"I want to protect my family, protect Konoha, and protect peace."

Doctor Kazuhiko looked at Itachi, lost in thought.

Of the options he had presented in his question, two were metaphors for Itachi's future Mangekyo abilities.

Amaterasu represented power—the ultimate strength Itachi would desire to change the status quo of the Uchiha.

Tsukuyomi represented control—the pinnacle of genjutsu that Itachi would use to hold his fate in his own hands.

It was precisely because of these obsessions that Itachi would awaken these two ocular powers after witnessing the death of Shisui.

Right now, what Itachi wanted to obtain was the power to protect.

If he continued to guide him in this direction, would the ocular powers he awakened upon achieving the Mangekyo change?

Clearly, this was a case worthy of deep study.

If he could truly alter Itachi's Mangekyo abilities...

"Doctor Kazuhiko? Is there a problem?"

Doctor Kazuhiko shook his head and smiled:

"Of course there is no problem. Your answer was good—very good."

Knock, knock!

The door to the Psychology Clinic was suddenly knocked upon.

"Doctor Kazuhiko!"

"Enter."

An Anbu member wearing an animal mask walked into the office, looked at Doctor Kazuhiko, and spoke with a respectful tone:

"Doctor Kazuhiko, the Hokage requests your presence."

"I understand. Wait a moment; I will be out shortly."

Doctor Kazuhiko frowned slightly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Why would he want to see him at a time like this?

He glanced at Mikoto and Itachi, offering an apologetic smile:

"It seems our conversation must end here for today."

Mikoto stood up and smoothed out her kimono:

"It is no trouble. Since the Hokage has summoned you, please attend to your business, Doctor Kazuhiko. Itachi and I will visit another day."

Doctor Kazuhiko took out Itachi's Psychological Diagnosis Report and handed it to him.

"Itachi, I understand you better than you might imagine, which is why I have high hopes for you."

He reached out and placed a hand on Itachi's shoulder.

"Because you are willing to protect your family, your Sharingan will be very strong—strong enough to awaken the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan."

"So, you must always remember why you wanted to obtain the power of the Sharingan in the first place."

Itachi looked at him, his face full of surprise and bewilderment.

For a seven-year-old Itachi, the Sharingan was still a distant concept.

Did the legendary ocular power known as the Mangekyo Sharingan truly exist?

Doctor Kazuhiko nodded at Mikoto and turned to leave.

Outside the door, the Anbu ninja was waiting in silence.

"Please lead the way."

Judging by the Kage-level entries Sarutobi Hiruzen had contributed previously, this summons was certainly not a bad thing.

You can go ahead with confidence.

Hokage Building, Third Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, his brow furrowed as he looked over a document.

"Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage finally looked up, sizing up Uchiha Kazuhiko.

"Uchiha Kazuhiko, is it? Sit."

Kazuhiko sat down neither humbly nor arrogantly, meeting the Third Hokage's gaze with a calm expression.

"I have looked into your psychological medicine; it is highly innovative. I am quite interested in the Placebo Therapy mentioned within. Tell me about it in detail."

The Third Hokage got straight to the point.

His time was precious; he certainly wouldn't have summoned Kazuhiko without a specific purpose.

Kazuhiko smiled slightly:

"Positive belief can cure illness, while negative belief can be fatal. As for the placebo, simply put, if you believe 'this medicine can cure me,' your brain and body will genuinely alter their physiological indicators, steering you in a positive direction—or at the very least, preventing things from getting worse."

The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes:

"This method seems applicable to more than just psychological treatment..."

"Of course," Kazuhiko admitted candidly:

"Even for ordinary ailments, this therapy is equally effective."

The Third Hokage's eyes brightened as he saw the potential of this treatment philosophy.

War meant massive consumption, and one could never have too many medical resources.

Placebo Therapy seemed capable of producing miraculous effects when medical supplies were scarce.

He looked at Kazuhiko, his previous judgment solidified.

In truth, the Third Hokage's summons was certainly not because of some Placebo Therapy.

It was because Kazuhiko had helped Shota awaken the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, proving the potential of psychological treatment.

The Placebo Therapy was merely an unexpected bonus.

"Kazuhiko, are you interested in coming to the Konoha Medical Headquarters to establish a psychological medical system?"

Here it comes.

This was the true purpose of the Third Hokage's summons.

Kazuhiko felt a jolt in his heart, but his expression remained unchanged:

"Lord Hokage seems to think very highly of my psychological medical philosophy."

"Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have been in such a hurry to see you in person. What, are you unwilling?"

Kazuhiko spoke his mind:

"Unwilling. The Konoha Medical Headquarters holds prejudices against Uchiha ninjas; it wouldn't be as free as the Clan Clinic. However, Lord Hokage can designate ninjas to study at my Psychology Clinic, and I will certainly teach them everything I know."

The Third Hokage was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter:

"Hahaha... Kazuhiko, you are certainly blunt."

[Sarutobi Hiruzen's favorability toward you has increased]

"I am merely speaking the truth."

Kazuhiko also smiled; the Third Hokage clearly liked people who spoke their minds.

Naruto, wouldn't you agree?

The Third Hokage stood up and walked to the window, turning his back to Kazuhiko:

"When the firelight kisses the fertile soil, when the cold wind blows through the woods, when war takes away those we love, our hearts still beat in rhythm for Konoha!"

He turned around, his gaze burning:

"These words were spoken by you, were they not?"

Kazuhiko nodded, "Yes."

So, my loyalty to Konoha has indeed been noticed by you all.

"Very good! Kazuhiko, come and take a look at this."

The Third Hokage picked up a scroll from the desk marked with an S-rank secret seal.

He broke the seal and showed the contents to Kazuhiko.

The recorded information was easy to summarize:

[Tsunade, one of the Sannin, suffers from hemophobia and can no longer perform combat missions.]

"Tsunade's condition is very serious."

The Third Hokage's smile vanished, his expression becoming incomparably grave.

"Tsunade, you should know that her hemophobia is clearly caused by psychological issues."

"It is precisely for this reason that she has remained in seclusion until now."

"With Konoha's current medical technology, it is completely impossible to resolve Tsunade's psychological trauma."

"Therefore, I have a presumptuous request today: I hope you will use your psychological therapy to attempt to cure Tsunade's hemophobia."

"Of course, given that this concerns Tsunade, this mission will be classified as S-rank top secret."

The Third Hokage looked at Kazuhiko, his expression incredibly solemn:

"Kazuhiko."

"You founded psychological therapy clearly to address these kinds of genuine psychological problems."

"Regardless of whether you succeed or not, I will support you in establishing a 'Psychology Clinic' at the Konoha Medical Headquarters."

"If you have any needs, report them directly to me."

"Do you accept this mission?"