Kurama Murakumo: What Do You Do When Someone Steals Your Daughter?

Kurama Yakumo's condition could be treated.

But he wasn't the one who could treat it.

Kekkei Genkai Disease...

To Shinji Uchiha, it was simply a case of inheriting genes so powerful that developing and using their abilities too early and too often drained the body's life force.

People with Kekkei Genkai Disease carried that burden from childhood.

As they grew older, their abilities continued to develop and see use, naturally growing stronger.

Their already frail bodies became less and less able to bear that immense power.

They ended up like Kurama Yakumo before him.

She was out of breath after just a few steps.

At its core, Yakumo's "illness" was her extraordinary talent for Genjutsu—her vast mental energy—draining her ordinary body dry!

Nagato was a simple example.

He didn't have Kekkei Genkai Disease, and his Uzumaki Clan heritage made him strong. Even so, the Rinnegan had taken its toll on him.

It had left him looking neither human nor ghost.

The true example of Kekkei Genkai Disease, though...

Was Uchiha Itachi!

He had awakened his Sharingan at six and gained the Mangekyo Sharingan at twelve or thirteen. Developing and overusing his inherited power so early had left his health in steady decline, his body constantly being drained.

So...

How could it be fixed?

Perhaps there was only one way. The only way...

Alter the body!

Seeing Shinji Uchiha deep in thought, Kurama Murakumo couldn't help interrupting him.

"Shinji?"

"...Oh, it's nothing."

Shinji Uchiha smiled. "I'm no doctor, but leave this to me. I'll let you know when I have news."

Altering a body...

Shinji Uchiha knew nothing about it.

But the Shinobi World had no shortage of people skilled in biotechnology...

Uchiha Itachi's condition was another looming problem. He needed to deal with it soon.

It seemed...

He had less and less time to remain in the village.

"...Thank you so much!"

Kurama Murakumo's face lit up. "Yakumo, thank Shinji!"

"Thank you, big brother!"

Kurama Yakumo smiled. "But... does this mean I can't keep learning Genjutsu from Ms. Kurenai Yuhi?"

Shinji Uchiha stroked her head.

His expression turned wistful.

"You're clever. One quick explanation was enough for you to understand the problem. That's right: your main job now is to eat well, sleep well, and exercise in moderation to strengthen your body. You absolutely must not use Genjutsu again!"

"Oh..."

Yakumo had guessed as much, but she still lowered her head in disappointment.

"Then... when can I become a ninja?"

Shinji Uchiha smiled. "Why do you want to become one?"

"Because... because everyone my age goes to the Ninja Academy, and even younger children play ninja games... But I can only stay in the art room by myself every day. I..."

Yakumo lowered her head as she spoke.

Her voice dwindled to almost nothing.

Shinji Uchiha gave Kurama Murakumo a puzzled look. "Murakumo, why do you keep Yakumo in the art room?"

Kurama Murakumo's expression grew complicated. "She's frail..."

"That's exactly why she needs to go outside and enjoy the sunlight, the fresh air, and everything nature has to offer." Shinji sighed. "You really don't know how to raise a child."

"Well..."

Kurama Murakumo's mouth twitched.

Being told he didn't know how to raise a child by a seventeen-year-old junior was...

"Hmm... How about this?"

An idea struck Shinji Uchiha. "Why not let little Yakumo come with me? You've seen my eyes, so you should know I'm capable of teaching her Genjutsu."

Kurama Murakumo's expression changed.

He hurriedly waved his hands.

"No, no, no! That wouldn't be... appropriate, would it?"

Then he saw the look Shinji Uchiha gave him. His voice faded, and he gritted his teeth. "Though I suppose it could work!"

Little Yakumo looked from one to the other.

She still had no idea what her father and this big brother were talking around.

A delighted smile spread across Shinji Uchiha's face. "Murakumo, you won't regret the decision you made today. I guarantee it on the Uchiha name!"

Kurama Murakumo shook his head bitterly.

He'd been forced to choose a side...

The Kurama Clan had only around a hundred members. That made it all the more important for a small clan like theirs to be careful about choosing sides.

Would ties to the Uchiha prove a blessing or a curse?

He sighed inwardly.

Originally...

He had only wanted Shinji Uchiha to treat Yakumo. Nothing more.

After all... the Uchiha Clan was the foremost Genjutsu clan in the Shinobi World.

And Shinji Uchiha was currently its strongest member.

"There's one more problem. The girl can't stay by my side without any official connection. We need to give it a name so we can explain it to others."

Shinji Uchiha frowned.

Kurama Murakumo froze, a bad feeling rising in his chest.

Surely not... The Uchiha are famously proud!

Just then...

Little Yakumo looked up with shining eyes. "Big brother, can I become your student?"

That's it!

Shinji Uchiha was delighted.

This girl really is clever. She knows exactly when to chime in!

He looked at her with approval. "Of course. Then from now on, we're teacher and student?"

"Mm-hmm!!!"

Little Yakumo nodded vigorously.

Kurama Murakumo stared blankly at the exchange. All he could do was accept it.

Frail as she was, Kurama Yakumo grew sleepy after only three minutes of getting to know Shinji Uchiha as her teacher. Her eyelids began to droop.

Shinji sent someone to take her back to the Konoha Military Police Force to rest.

Only Kurama Murakumo and Shinji Uchiha remained in the Tea Room.

"Shinji... are you serious?"

Shinji sipped his tea and glanced at him sidelong.

"Does Murakumo doubt I'm strong enough to teach little Yakumo? Or that I can help her become an excellent ninja?"

"No... I believe you. But that isn't what I mean!"

As a clan head, Kurama Murakumo had at least some political instincts.

When it came to surviving and keeping his clan intact...

He was far wiser than certain stubborn, conservative Byakugan users.

Shinji Uchiha had caught him off guard and backed him into a corner today. Murakumo needed some reassurance, something he could tell his clan!

Couldn't Shinji at least give him a hint?

"Then what do you mean?" Shinji asked, watching him with a faint smile.

Kurama Murakumo fell silent for a moment.

He sighed helplessly. "Shinji, the Kurama are only a small clan. There's very little we can do... I'm afraid. I don't want to—and can't—let the clan fall into grave danger while I'm its head..."

"Who said the Kurama had to do anything?"

Shinji Uchiha grew serious. "You don't need to do a thing! Yakumo alone is enough! I genuinely want to take her as my student. With your grasp of Yin Release... you can't begin to understand how extraordinary her talent is!"

"She's a once-in-a-generation genius!"

Kurama Murakumo stared at him. "Yakumo... a genius?"

Shinji clicked his tongue.

"See? You don't even believe in your own daughter. How can I trust you to look after my student? It's settled!"

"From now on, Yakumo stays with me!"

Kurama Murakumo stared blankly.

His daughter...

Had been stolen?!