Uchiha Izumi's Change of Heart, Physical Examination

Uchiha Izumi's face lit up with joy.

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

After all, Elder Nobuhiko was the most revered elder in the Uchiha clan.

Besides his seniority, qualifications, and highest status, what mattered most was that he had overseen the clan's academy and jutsu archives since Konoha's founding, tirelessly offering help and guidance to young Uchiha members for decades, which earned him the clan's respect.

Other elders, including the clan head, could only meekly endure his lectures in his presence!

Receiving guidance from such a highly respected elder made Uchiha Izumi overjoyed!

Of course, along with the surprise came some pressure.

She worried about her own dullness, about not performing well enough, and about disappointing Sasuke and the elder's expectations.

Noticing Izumi's anxiety and unease, Sasuke gently patted her thigh to comfort her, then clenched his fist in an encouraging gesture: "Izumi, believe in yourself, you've got this, go for it!"

Deeply moved, Uchiha Izumi suddenly pulled Sasuke tightly into her embrace: "Thank you... thank you, Sasuke."

She knew it was all because of Sasuke that Elder Nobuhiko had agreed and given her this opportunity for guidance.

Otherwise, as an outsider with impure bloodline, ignored by the clan, and even shunned by her peers, what right did she have to receive Elder Nobuhiko's guidance?

After all, in the months since returning to the clan, she had made no friends besides Sasuke and Itachi.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to spend every day running to the clan head's house, playing with Sasuke, who had been a baby that couldn't even speak at first.

Her freedom from cold stares and bullying was also thanks to Sasuke; by frequently visiting the clan head's home, the clan peers dared not cause trouble.

Though it seemed she was the one taking care of Sasuke, she had to admit that while doing so, she had gained quite a few hidden benefits.

Now, for her sake, Sasuke had even shared his greatest secret and found her the best teacher, stirring her heart deeply.

Wait!

A sudden idea struck her.

Sasuke had previously said that the Soul Space could only contain the souls of the recently deceased, and before taking in Elder Nobuhiko's soul, he had needed to personally confirm the time of his death.

She had been focused on verifying that afterward.

Then, the Fourth...

Not only that!

Recently, they had even been bathing together...

Sleeping together...

And while sleeping, they had also...

Recalling Aunt Mikoto's earlier teasing...

Uchiha Izumi suddenly felt her cheeks burn hot!

With the maturity Sasuke had shown today, she could no longer treat him as a child...

Yet his appearance, height, and age were undeniably those of a little child!

???

Feeling Izumi's body growing warmer, Sasuke, held in her arms, looked up and said: "Izumi, why is your body getting hotter and hotter? Are you... running a fever?"

Snapping out of her wild thoughts, Izumi jolted, quickly releasing Sasuke, stepping back, clenching her fists, and retorting fiercely: "You're the one with a fever!"

Seeing her flushed face, Sasuke asked blankly: "Then why is your face so red?"

!!!

"None of your business?!" Uchiha Izumi snapped angrily: "You little brat who acts all grown up! Hmph!"

???

Sasuke, completely baffled, twitched his lips and couldn't help but sigh that women were truly unpredictable.

Ignoring Sasuke, Izumi patted her cheeks, gathered her thoughts, then looked firmly at Elder Nobuhiko, who had at some point started admiring the scenery nearby: "Elder, if possible, please begin my training right away. I will do my best to fulfill your expectations and become a powerful kunoichi!"

"Hmm?" Elder Nobuhiko stroked his beard as he turned around, smiling: "Already can't wait?"

"But becoming a powerful ninja isn't just about talent; what's more important is unwavering conviction. Are you prepared?"

"Mm!"

"Good, before we start training, I need to assess your physical condition first." With that, Elder Nobuhiko looked at Sasuke: "Can Izumi's real body enter here?"

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

Elder Nobuhiko frowned: "That makes things a bit troublesome."

Since her body couldn't enter, he couldn't determine Uchiha Izumi's physical condition, making it impossible to devise an efficient training plan.

At that moment, Sasuke smiled and said: "Although Izumi's body can't come in, I can. Elder Nobuhiko, just teach me how to check."

"Not bad!" Elder Nobuhiko's eyes lit up, but Uchiha Izumi blurted out in surprise: "What? Sasuke, you?"

Checking the body basically meant examining bone structure, or more bluntly, running hands all over and pinching here and there.

Just thinking about it made her, who could no longer see Sasuke as a child, feel embarrassed...

"Hmm?" Elder Nobuhiko asked, puzzled. "Is there a problem?"

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

"Izumi-chan, what is wrong with you? Why are you reacting so strongly?" Sasuke found it strange; she had been perfectly fine just a moment ago, but now, he had no idea what was going on.

"..." Looking at his innocent expression, Izumi felt a sudden urge to grit her teeth.

"Alright." Elder Nobuhiko's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Let us begin."

In the real world.

After communicating with Elder Nobuhiko, Sasuke said to Uchiha Izumi, who was standing to the side:

"Izumi, lie down first."

Hearing this, Uchiha Izumi bit her lower lip and lay down on Sasuke's bed.

For some reason, she seemed a bit nervous, keeping her eyes tightly shut.

Sasuke simply assumed she was worried about her aptitude, so he didn't think much of it.

Under Elder Nobuhiko's guidance, Sasuke first gripped Izumi's calf.

The moment they made contact, her muscles immediately stiffened.

Sasuke frowned and said, "Don't be nervous. Relax."

How is anyone supposed to relax like this... Izumi screamed internally, forced to take a deep breath to calm her chaotic thoughts.

She had intended to let out a soft "Mm" to signal that she was ready.

But she hadn't expected Sasuke to give a sudden, light squeeze, causing the sound that escaped her to turn into a low, drawn-out: "Nn~"

??? Sasuke froze.

!!! Realizing what had happened, she turned bright red, instinctively covered her mouth, and screamed in her heart!

Oh heavens, what am I doing?

At this moment, Elder Nobuhiko said with a beaming smile, "It seems little Izumi is indeed quite nervous and unable to let go."

"How about this... Sasuke, why don't you pull her entire consciousness into the Soul Space and then examine her slowly?"

Pull her entire consciousness into the Soul Space?

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

"What?" Uchiha Izumi's eyes widened, and she sat up abruptly, crossing her arms over her chest. "No! I don't want to!"

"Alright, alright, Izumi-chan, it'll be quick. Here we go!" Sasuke couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Uchiha Izumi's sudden neurotic behavior; he simply moved his intent and pulled her entire consciousness into the Soul Space.

Looking at her now completely relaxed body, he chuckled, "Heh heh," and curled his fingers into claws!

Finally, he could properly examine her body!