The First Experiment

The debate over the department heads at the Hokage Building dragged on for quite some time, but eventually, both sides reached a compromise.

Konoha was responsible for recruiting genjutsu specialists, and Uchiha Nara, as the initiator, would serve as the Genjutsu Consultant for the Mental Health Department.

Uchiha Fugaku, as a genjutsu user with a Kekkei Genkai, would also serve as a Genjutsu Consultant.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, citing that the two were leaders of the Military Police Force and could not allow their duties there to be neglected due to the affairs of the Mental Health Department, granted them the title of Mental Health Department Genjutsu Consultant in name only.

Under pressure from Nara and Fugaku, he finally relented and agreed to allow two Uchiha genjutsu jonin to serve in the Mental Health Department.

After all, when it came to genjutsu, no clan or jonin in Konoha dared to claim their level was superior to that of the Uchiha clan.

Otherwise, Nara, as the head of the Uchiha, would have sent someone to clash with them in a heartbeat.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a bit weary; after a full day of meetings, even the Shinobi Hero could not help but feel physically and mentally exhausted.

Seeing that the two men below no longer had any objections, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

"The initial personnel for the Mental Health Class are tentatively decided as follows: Tsunade will be in charge as the director, a Kurama jonin will serve as a staff member, and Nara and Fugaku, once you return, dispatch the genjutsu jonin as soon as possible. Remember, do not just fill the quota with incompetent people."

Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but add that final reminder. He truly could not muster any affection for the ninja clans.

"Understood."

"Yes!"

The two men below nodded respectfully in response.

Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand.

"Meeting adjourned."

Konoha Hospital

The project approved by the Hokage was implemented quickly. Within a week, the Mental Health Department at Konoha Hospital had been established, and all types of office supplies were in place.

Today was the first day of consultations for the Mental Health Department. Uchiha Nara, wearing a white lab coat, arrived as the department's consultant to conduct secret experimental treatment on the first batch of patients.

This group of patients undergoing experimental treatment were all ninjas with files in the Military Police Force; their conditions were extremely severe, some even to the point of insanity.

"Alright, I understand your situation. Stay relaxed."

Nara, dressed in his white coat, sat at the consultation desk. Opposite him sat the ninja who had caused destruction with Earth Style ninjutsu last time, a man named Yamamoto Haru.

Because his lover had been killed, this once gentle man often woke up in the middle of the night in a panic. He had suffered immensely from the pain of longing for a long time; if not for his teammates and captain, he might have already ended his own life.

"Yes, Lord Nara. This is a matter deep in my heart. Now that I have spoken it out, I feel much lighter. Please forgive my lack of composure."

Yamamoto Haru was polite and courteous, a stark contrast to the madness he displayed when abusing ninjutsu and attacking indiscriminately.

What remained unchanged were his dark circles, bloodshot eyes, and pale complexion—clear signs of long-term insomnia and high mental stress.

As Yamamoto Haru replied and looked toward Nara, he saw a pair of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and he was instantly stunned, falling into an illusion.

"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"

Taking advantage of Yamamoto Haru's lack of guard, Nara cast the Sharingan genjutsu, then held his index and middle fingers upright before his eyes, meticulously manipulating the illusion.

Inside Yamamoto Haru's illusion.

[At night, Yamamoto Haru was in his bedroom, suddenly waking up with a start. He sat up, gasping for air, and murmured, "Kyoko..."]

["Haru, what's wrong?" A woman's voice came from the bedroom, very gentle.]

["Did you have another nightmare?" The woman smiled warmly. There was a refrigerator in Yamamoto Haru's home, and one in the bedroom as well—it was a habit of his. Kyoko opened the refrigerator and took out a drink.]

Yamamoto Haru's expression shifted, and he looked at the woman named Kyoko in disbelief.

After a long while, Yamamoto Haru's eyes filled with mist.

"Kyoko!"

Yamamoto Haru climbed off the bed, ran over, pulled Kyoko into his arms, and burst into tears.

Kyoko's smile remained warm. She rested her head on Yamamoto Haru's chest and gently patted his back with her hand.

"I came specifically to see you, Haru. You must live on well. I don't want you to be like this anymore."

Kyoko spoke softly and affectionately.

Upon hearing this, Yamamoto Haru's expression clearly shifted, and he froze.

Yamamoto Haru slowly released Kyoko. She still wore the same smile, reaching out a small hand to stroke his cheek.

"Haru, promise me you'll live on well, okay?"

Yamamoto Haru understood what was happening. His mind cleared, and he nodded, answering, "Kyoko, I will."

Kyoko's smile was very warm as she patted Yamamoto Haru's shoulder. "Mm, that's a good boy."

The large-framed Yamamoto Haru, his eyes already filled with mist, felt tears sliding down like a bursting dam.

"Haru, you must pull yourself together. For me, for our squad, for Konoha, live on well..."

Kyoko's body turned into specks of starlight and gradually dissipated. As she faded, she didn't forget to reach out and wipe the tears from Yamamoto Haru's face until the starlight vanished completely.

In Yamamoto Haru's previous dreams, Kyoko had always just been a fleeting glimpse.

Never before had he experienced a dream so vivid as this.

Yamamoto Haru did not chase after Kyoko frantically as he had in his many previous dreams; though tears streamed down his face, his expression remained resolute.

"I will pull myself together! Rest assured, Kyoko!"

Nara had been observing Yamamoto Haru's condition, watching as the vacant look in the man's eyes gradually regained its luster.

Yamamoto Haru stood up and bowed ninety degrees to Nara.

"Thank you, Lord Nara. I will live well and pull myself together. I will never fall into despair again, because this was Kyoko's final wish."

"I hope I could be of help. If you ever feel distressed or in pain, remember to come here in time."

Yamamoto Haru straightened up and said solemnly:

"Hai, I will. But I likely won't need to return; my squad needs me, and Konoha needs me. Thank you once again."

With that, Yamamoto Haru bowed ninety degrees once more, then turned and left.

In the monitoring room, Tsunade, Uchiha Fugaku, Jonin Kurama Ryota, and Jonin Yuhi Shinku watched the footage and listened to the audio, observing the entire genjutsu psychological treatment, which appeared to be quite effective.

Because Uchiha Nara was the one who proposed the Mental Therapy Department, he was responsible for the genjutsu treatments for the first few patients during this initial day of experimental therapy.

Nara mandated that for every patient who came for a consultation, he must clearly understand the root cause of their psychological trauma—what had driven them to madness or despair.

Whether it was a lover, a friend, a family member, or some other cause, he had to understand it clearly before he could cast a targeted genjutsu.

The requirements for mastery in genjutsu were extremely high. First, one had to create the environment and the characters. The characters, in particular, could not have a single flaw; they had to be fabricated exactly according to photographs.

After Nara finished treating his fifth patient, he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Having cast genjutsu continuously over a short period, his body felt somewhat fatigued. He waved at the camera, signaling for someone to come and take over the experiment.

The various genjutsu treatments on this first day appeared to be quite effective.

Many patients, after experiencing the scenes within the genjutsu, showed a distinct glimmer in their eyes, no longer appearing as lifeless or bloodshot as before.

Some even fell into a deep sleep immediately after thanking him for the treatment.

Long-term insomnia, suppression, and mental torment had made it impossible for them to sleep soundly, even with the help of sedatives.

Of the five ninja Nara treated with genjutsu, two collapsed into a deep sleep the moment they stepped outside.

They had set down their mental burdens, felt the onset of exhaustion, and drifted into a deep slumber...