Uchiha Izumi's Change of Heart, Physical Examination

Uchiha Izumi's face lit up.

She had never dreamed she would actually get guidance from Elder Nobuhiko!

After all, Elder Nobuhiko was the most respected elder in the Uchiha Clan.

Aside from being the eldest by generation, the most senior, and the highest-ranking, what mattered more was that he had overseen the clan's academy and ninjutsu library ever since Konoha was founded. For decades, he had tirelessly helped and guided the younger Uchiha, earning their respect.

The other elders—even the clan head—could only stand there and take a scolding from him!

How could Uchiha Izumi not be delighted to receive training from such a venerable elder?

Of course, beneath her delight, she couldn't help feeling a little pressure.

She worried that she wasn't clever enough, that she wouldn't do well, and that she would let Sasuke and the elder down.

Seeing how uncertain and uneasy Izumi looked, Sasuke gently patted her thigh to reassure her. Then he made a fist and gave her an encouraging gesture. "Izumi-chan, believe in yourself. You can do it. Go for it!"

Deeply moved, Uchiha Izumi suddenly pulled Sasuke tight against her. "Thank you... Thank you, Sasuke."

She knew Elder Nobuhiko had only agreed because of Sasuke, and that this was how she had gotten the chance to receive his guidance.

Otherwise, what right did someone like her have to receive Elder Nobuhiko's guidance? Her bloodline wasn't pure, the clan didn't value her, and even her peers avoided her.

In all the months since returning to the clan, she hadn't made a single friend besides Sasuke and Itachi.

That was why she had to go to the clan head's home every day to play with Sasuke, a baby who couldn't even talk at first.

She had avoided the cold looks and bullying only because of Sasuke. Her frequent visits to the clan head's home had kept the other children from daring to give her trouble.

It might have looked like she was the one taking care of Sasuke, but she had to admit that looking after him had brought her quite a few unseen benefits.

And now, for her sake, Sasuke had even shared his greatest secret and found her the best teacher. How could she not be moved?

Wait!

A sudden realization struck her.

Sasuke had said before that the Soul Space could only take in the souls of people who had just died. Before taking in Elder Nobuhiko's soul, he'd even had to visit him in person to find out when he would pass away.

Afterward, Sasuke had stayed completely focused, confirming that this was true.

Then... the Fourth Hokage...

Not only that!

Lately, they'd often bathed together...

And slept together...

And when she was asleep, he'd even...

Then there was Aunt Mikoto's teasing from before...

Uchiha Izumi suddenly felt her cheeks burning!

After seeing how mature Sasuke had been today, she could no longer think of him as a child...

But, no matter how you looked at it—his appearance, height, or age—he really was a child!

???

Feeling Izumi's body grow hotter in his arms, Sasuke looked up at her. "Izumi, why are you getting hotter and hotter? Are you... coming down with a fever?"

Izumi, lost in her thoughts, jolted. She quickly let go of Sasuke and stepped back, then clenched her fists and put on a fierce little glare. "You're the one with a fever!"

Looking at her bright red face, Sasuke blinked. "Then why is your face so red?"

!!!

"None of your business!" Uchiha Izumi snapped. "You little kid who acts all grown-up! Hmph!"

???

Sasuke's mouth twitched in utter confusion. He couldn't help thinking that women were as changeable as eels.

Ignoring him, Izumi patted her cheeks and gathered her thoughts. Then she turned with a resolute expression to Elder Nobuhiko, who had somehow started admiring the scenery. "Elder, if possible, I'd like to begin training right away. I'll work hard to live up to your expectations and become a powerful kunoichi!"

"Oh?" Elder Nobuhiko turned around, stroking his beard with a smile. "You can't wait to get started?"

"But talent alone isn't enough to become a powerful ninja. More important is the determination to persevere. Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Before we begin training, I need to learn about your physical condition." Elder Nobuhiko looked at Sasuke. "Can Izumi's body enter this place?"

"Living people can't." Sasuke shook his head. "Only souls and inanimate objects..."

Elder Nobuhiko frowned. "That does make things a little difficult."

Since her body couldn't enter, he couldn't assess Uchiha Izumi's physical condition, which meant he couldn't design an effective training plan.

But Sasuke smiled. "Izumi's body can't come in, but I can. Elder Nobuhiko, just teach me how to examine her."

"Excellent!" Elder Nobuhiko's eyes lit up. Uchiha Izumi, however, let out a startled cry before she could stop herself. "What? Sasuke, you?"

A physical examination basically meant feeling her bones—in plain terms, touching and squeezing her all over.

Even the thought of it made her embarrassed, now that she could no longer think of Sasuke as a little child...

"Hm?" Elder Nobuhiko looked puzzled. "Is there a problem?"

"No~" Izumi hurriedly waved her hands. How could she dare say there was a problem?

"Izumi-chan, what's gotten into you? Why are you reacting so strongly?" Sasuke wondered. She'd been fine just a moment ago, and now he couldn't figure out what was wrong.

"..." Looking at his innocent expression, Izumi felt her teeth itch.

"Good." A smile tugged at Elder Nobuhiko's eyes. "Then let's begin."

In the real world.

After communicating with Elder Nobuhiko, Sasuke turned to Uchiha Izumi beside him.

"Izumi, lie down first."

At his words, Uchiha Izumi bit her lower lip and lay down on Sasuke's bed.

For some reason, she seemed nervous, her eyes squeezed tightly shut.

Sasuke assumed she was worried her bones weren't suited for training, so he didn't think much of it.

Following Elder Nobuhiko's instructions, Sasuke first took hold of Izumi's lower leg.

The instant he touched her, her muscles stiffened.

Sasuke frowned. "Don't be nervous. Relax."

How was she supposed to relax...? Izumi cried out inwardly. All she could do was take a deep breath and try to calm her turbulent thoughts.

Then she meant to give a soft "Mm" to let him know she was ready.

But Sasuke suddenly gave her a gentle squeeze, and the sound that escaped her was instead a low, drawn-out "Mmm~"

??? Sasuke froze.

!!! Realizing what she'd done, she flushed instantly and instinctively covered her mouth, screaming inwardly!

Oh my god, what am I doing?

Elder Nobuhiko smiled. "It seems Izumi is indeed a little nervous and unable to relax."

"How about this... Sasuke, bring all of her consciousness into the Soul Space, then examine her there at your own pace?"

Bring all of her consciousness into the Soul Space?

"Ah~!" Sasuke's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea!"

"What?" Uchiha Izumi's eyes widened. Then she sat bolt upright and crossed her arms over her chest. "No! Don't!"

"Come on, Izumi-chan. It'll be over soon. Here we go!" Sasuke couldn't be bothered to deal with Uchiha Izumi's sudden odd behavior anymore. With a thought, he pulled all of her consciousness into the Soul Space.

Looking at her completely relaxed body, he chuckled and curled his fingers into claws.

At last, he could give her a proper physical examination!