Three days later, in the outskirts of Konoha Village, near the Root Organization base.
Ji formed from a gathering of insects.
"You haven't been out much the last couple of days. What have you been doing?"
"My apologies, sir. I've been studying the Puppet Technique these past few days, so I haven't gone out much and forgot to report to you. Today, I've made some progress and came specifically to inform you."
As he spoke, Masahiko handed over a scroll.
[Remember this site domain Taiwan Novel Website accompanies your reading, super thoughtful]
Ji was somewhat surprised. Taking it, he asked curiously, "The Puppet Technique? Why are you studying that?"
Konoha and the Root Organization have no shortage of secret techniques; they certainly don't lack the Hidden Sand Village's Puppet Technique.
Therefore.
For all these years, they've only researched how to counter and suppress it, not the Puppet Technique itself.
Masahiko truthfully repeated what he had said to the Third Hokage.
After hearing it, Ji nodded and handed the scroll back.
"Let's go together. Our organization doesn't have much need for this, but as you said, it might indeed be useful for the Village."
His tone was amiable, without any anger or the slight wariness from before.
Masahiko breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I was just afraid you might misunderstand."
"If you are loyal to the Village, you are loyal to me. How could I misunderstand you?"
Ji said with a smile.
He led Masahiko to the base, where they soon met Danzo and reported the situation.
Danzo indeed didn't blame him; he even took out some of the Root Organization's treasured items—
Among these were many scrolls and books seized from the Hidden Sand Village, mostly incomplete and not forming a coherent system.
However, as research materials, these things were quite useful.
This was also one of Masahiko's goals for this trip.
Sasori had taught him a lot.
After three days of cultivation and experimentation, he had already grasped a part of it—
[Human Puppet Creation: Beginner (Incomplete)]
Naturally, an hour of explanation and instruction couldn't make everything clear, but he had fully memorized the core knowledge, only lacking practice and mastery.
Moreover.
Masahiko wasn't worried about the follow-up.
He could research and ponder first, supplementing and perfecting the incomplete parts, perhaps forging his own path.
At worst, he could simply summon Sasori of the Red Sand again.
Having obtained support and reaffirmed his loyalty, he then left the Root Organization base.
"Sir..."
"It's his good intention. Let's take a look."
Danzo signaled him to unseal it.
Ji nodded, unsealed it, and took out the contents of the scroll, then looked up in surprise.
It wasn't like many puppets that form a complete entity; it was more like... a piece of clothing?
Ji had never seen a puppet like this.
Danzo looked at the instruction manual included with the sealing scroll and said, "He really wasn't lying. This puppet is tailor-made for Yakumo."
As he spoke, he signaled Ji to call in a subordinate.
Soon.
The puppet was put on.
After putting it on, Ji also began to understand.
This puppet resembled an external'skeleton.' Through the assistance of the external puppet structure, it allowed the body to exert greater strength with less effort.
It was very crude and simple, with no internal mechanisms embedded.
For ordinary people, it might be somewhat useless, but for a Ninja like Kurama Yakumo with a weak, defective body... this thing was enough to make her a qualified Ninja.
Without a doubt, its greatest value lay in its 'design,' not the puppet itself.
Danzo glanced at the end of the instruction manual.
Some defects and directions for improvement were written there.
Kurama Yakumo's ability was worthy of his investment.
With an indifferent expression, he handed it to Ji:
"Keep an eye out for materials of this type. Return this to him; we have no use for it."
"Yes!"
...Back in the Village, Masahiko's smile grew even brighter.
Halfway there, Ji returned the item to him and even promised to help look for materials.
He immediately went to the Hokage Office.
After demonstrating it to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Masahiko received his enthusiastic praise. The old man was beaming with excitement.
Regarding the materials, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally agreed without hesitation.
It happened to be the weekend.
After bidding farewell to the Hokage, Masahiko went to Kurama Yakumo's house.
However.
Today, Kurama Yakumo had gone to find Kurenai Yuhi... In the forest by the mountain in Konoha Village.
Kurenai Yuhi's Kunai once again appeared at Kurama Yakumo's throat, interrupting her drawing motion.
"Yakumo, you've actually improved a lot."
"..."
Yakumo pursed her lips, silent.
Looking at the drawing paper in her hand, her expression darkened. "Even though Teacher Masahiko has planned a direction for me and provided corresponding training, I guess I still can't become a Ninja, can I?"
"How could that be? Didn't he say your situation still needs the Puppet Technique to compensate?"
Kurenai Yuhi said urgently.
In the past, she might not have said this, but recently, she had also noticed Yakumo's mental state was very poor.
The current Yakumo needed affirmation to stabilize her mental state.
She was about to say more, but Yakumo shook her head:
"I've read some knowledge about the Puppet Technique. That thing is indeed useful, but puppet masters themselves also have problems in this area..."
Her mood was low.
Just as she was speaking, a voice suddenly rang out.
"That's because their Puppet Technique isn't suitable for us. To make it work for us, we must forge our own path."
Kurenai Yuhi and Yakumo's eyes lit up simultaneously, and they swiftly looked towards the source of the voice.
On a tree branch stood Masahiko, a confident smile on his face.
Seeing that face and that confident expression, Kurenai Yuhi immediately felt at ease, as if nothing could trouble him.
Whoosh!
A soft sound.
Masahiko appeared before the two of them.
Then, he took out a scroll and said, "Originally, I thought it might take a few more days, because the Hokage-sama believes this thing still needs improvement, but..."
"I thought I'd let you see it first."
As he spoke.
Masahiko formed hand seals and quickly pressed them onto the unfurled scroll.
A pile of scattered, strange Ninja tools appeared before the two of them.
Kurama Yakumo was first bewildered, then walked over curiously. After examining them carefully, she looked up. "Teacher, is this the puppet you mentioned?"
"Yes. Kurenai, please help put it on. I'll teach you how to use it."
Masahiko handed the instruction manual to Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurama Yakumo was a girl; it wasn't appropriate for him to be too intimate.
Kurenai Yuhi read it carefully and roughly understood. This thing was tailor-made for Yakumo, mainly to alleviate her taijutsu problems.
She looked at Masahiko gratefully, then helped Yakumo put it on.
A moment later.
"Ah?! It's so easy?"
"I can do it!"
"Hahaha, Teacher, Teacher Kurenai, look, I can run so fast!"
Kurama Yakumo ran through the forest.
The mechanical structure, spring assistance, and Chakra drive allowed her to run faster with less effort.
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes welled up with tears.
Since they had met, never had there been a moment when Yakumo was so free and joyful, as if this forest, this world, were hers to come and go, to soar through.
Running and running, Yakumo slowed down, wiping her tears.
"Yakumo!"
Kurenai Yuhi worriedly stepped forward.
Kurama Yakumo turned her head, an awkward smile on her face.
"Teacher, I'm fine... I've been so scared lately. I have nightmares every day, dreaming that I can't become a Ninja."
"I'm so afraid of waking up and hearing that... it was just a beautiful dream about being a Ninja."
She sobbed softly.
Masahiko sighed softly, his tone gentle. "It's my fault. I should have told you after having a plan, not promised beforehand."
But Kurama Yakumo quickly shook her head, saying urgently, "How could it be? Teacher, you helped me, gave me hope, let me know I still have a chance to become a Ninja!"
"Hope is a kind of power, but hope that cannot be realized is a disaster."
Masahiko's voice was low.
Then, he smiled and reached out, placing his hand on Kurama Yakumo's head. "Fortunately... I did it. In the future, it will be more complete, more perfect!"
"Thank you, Teacher! Thank you!"
Kurama Yakumo bowed deeply, extremely grateful.
Kurenai Yuhi, standing to the side, was stunned, quite moved... On the road in the evening, Kurenai Yuhi carried the sleeping Yakumo back to the Kurama house.
Arriving at the Kurama house and returning the person, she couldn't help but sigh. "Masahiko, you really are a miraculous and gentle person."
"Hmm?"
Masahiko tilted his head, seeming somewhat puzzled.
Kurenai Yuhi smiled and said, "Who else apologizes for not doing well enough after helping someone so greatly?"
"When giving someone hope, one should still take responsibility. It really was my lack of thorough consideration."
Masahiko answered sincerely.
Kurenai Yuhi turned her head away, her face slightly red. "To celebrate that Yakumo's situation has taken a turn for the better, shall we go to the Izakaya? My treat."
"Sure."