Chapter 87: Striving for the Future of Shinobi!

Of the three, Kyohiko and Kakashi fully understood the harsh reality of their mission. A being capable of instantly killing a group of ninja was no ordinary opponent. If they had stubbornly followed, they not only wouldn’t have been able to help, but might have actually become a burden instead. As for Might Gai— He understood his own weaknesses better than anyone. Specializing in pure taijutsu meant facing more hardships—only through constant effort and progress could he compensate for the gap between himself and others. That’s why— On the return journey, he increased his training weights yet again. As they approached Konoha’s gates, the three finally allowed themselves to relax somewhat. Suddenly, Gai executed a perfect kip-up from his handstand position and looked directly at Kyohiko. "Hey Kyohiko, do you think I should learn some ninjutsu?" Kakashi thought for a moment and immediately grasped why Gai asked this question. Both Kakashi and Kyohiko were well-rounded generalists. They had trained in taijutsu, ninjutsu and genjutsu to varying degrees, able to adapt to any battlefield situation. Gai was different—while he technically knew some ninjutsu and could theoretically learn genjutsu, he had no real talent for either. All his true ability was concentrated in taijutsu alone, leaving him helpless when facing opponents that couldn’t be defeated through physical combat alone. Compared to his teammates, it was only natural he questioned himself every day. Kakashi wanted to say something comforting, but struggled to find the right words. Kyohiko didn’t hesitate even slightly as he continued running. "Every person has limited energy and different talents. Kakashi and I can master ninjutsu techniques with minimal investment—can you say the same?" "Ah—!" Kakashi immediately shot Kyohiko a look. That kind of blunt response was too harsh on Gai! After consideration, Might Gai slowly shook his head. "No." "Furthermore," Kyohiko continued, "I personally don’t plan to delve deeper into the Eight Gates technique—I likely won’t progress past the Third Gate. Even if I did research it, my approach wouldn’t involve simply forcing the gates open, because my focus requires precise chakra control for ninjutsu. What about you?" Kyohiko knew full well that Gai’s willpower was unshakable—no words could truly deter him. The difficulty level of A-rank missions required truly well-rounded capabilities—something Gai in his current state naturally lacked. This very realization was making Gai doubt himself, exactly the issue Jiraiya had been worried about all along. Thus— Kyohiko needed Gai to genuinely believe he didn’t need to waste time on ninjutsu or genjutsu training! Gai fell into deep contemplation. Hearing this exchange, Kakashi’s previously tense posture relaxed. So... Kyohiko wasn’t just criticizing—he wanted Gai to recognize his own strengths and reach his own conclusions. Kakashi knew better than anyone how ineffective simple words of comfort could be—having once been trapped in his own spiral of doubt, he understood better than most that certain realizations had to come from within. Only self-realization could truly help! After a long silence, Gai finally spoke. "So what you’re saying is—even specializing entirely in taijutsu, I can become as well-rounded as you two?" "With ordinary taijutsu? Impossible. But with the Eight Gates technique—absolutely." Kyohiko patiently explained, "The Eight Gates are like locks on the human body, and the technique is the key to breaking them open—releasing unimaginable power. At that level, technical ninjutsu becomes meaningless because no one could possibly control such wild surges of chakra anyway." He deliberately paused here, giving Gai time to process the concept. After careful consideration, Gai recalled, "You once suggested I should research and develop new taijutsu techniques specifically for use with the Eight Gates..." "Exactly." Kyohiko nodded firmly before continuing, "The path of mastering the Eight Gates will naturally be harder and slower than normal. Your true strength isn’t about the present—it lies in the future." After a brief moment of thought, Kyohiko asked a different question. "Gai—how many gates can your father currently open?" "I’m not certain, but he has opened the Sixth Gate directly before. He told me entering the Sixth Gate places you in a unique physical state that actually reduces bodily damage rather than increasing it." Gai answered honestly—he trusted Kyohiko and Kakashi completely. "The Sixth Gate..." Kyohiko mused. "I don’t fully understand that state yet, but reaching it must enhance abilities to terrifying new levels. Physical attacks might become completely different from normal taijutsu—no need for direct contact at all." Suddenly stopping mid-run, Kyohiko threw a punch in Gai’s direction without actually striking him. "What did you feel just now?" "Wind pressure," Gai answered instantly. Kakashi immediately grasped Kyohiko’s meaning. The force of a punch! An ordinary person’s punch might create some wind, but nothing powerful enough to harm anyone. However— Could someone who’d opened multiple Eight Gates still be considered "ordinary"? Absolutely not. At that level, even the shockwaves from a punch could become deadly weapons in their own right. If that were true, then pure taijutsu specialists could become extraordinarily versatile—even overwhelmingly powerful—through the Eight Gates alone! He suddenly understood— Kyohiko’s declaration about Gai’s "strength lying in the future" wasn’t empty encouragement at all—it was the literal truth! Having researched the subject himself, Kyohiko had clearly recognized the Eight Gates’ terrifying potential. The realization made Kakashi silently impressed. "The wind from a punch..." Gai muttered to himself, beginning to practice rapid punches mid-sprint as his eyes gradually lit up with understanding. ----- "We’re back." The gates of Konoha came into view up ahead. "Hyah! Last one to the gate runs 300 laps!" Gai suddenly shouted, his earlier pensiveness replaced by burning enthusiasm as he surged forward. In moments— He went from thoughtful to full sprint, desperate to return home and share these revelations with his father. Kyohiko and Kakashi easily overtook him with Body Flicker techniques. "Gai, you’re still wearing training weights. If you want extra running practice, just say so—no need for excuses." Kyohiko teased as they reached the gates first. At the checkpoint, Kyohiko presented their mission scroll. "Mission completed and documented, Kakashi." "Where’s Minato?" the gate guard asked, noting the team’s incomplete return. "On another assignment. I’ll report directly to the Hokage." Kyohiko replied professionally. The guard’s expression turned serious—some matters were above his clearance level. After verifying their identities, he waved them through without further questions. Hokage’s Office The first thing Kyohiko did upon returning was head to the Hokage’s office to formally report on Minato’s mission to protect the Daimyo. Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression grew grave upon hearing the details. An entity capable of annihilating an entire group of ninja in mere moments—within the Land of Fire, such power existed only in a select few. Setting aside known rogue ninja who might wander through, only one individual came to mind. Rubbing his temples wearily, Hiruzen declared, "Both the Daimyo and Minato should remain unharmed." "Are you suggesting...?" "Just know they’re safe. That’s all." Hiruzen deliberately avoided elaborating further. Kyohiko nodded in understanding and exited without pressing the matter. The Hokage promptly issued orders to his covert guard units. Soon after, an ANBU operative materialized, presenting a sealed intelligence scroll. "Latest field report." "Well done." Hiruzen’s gaze contained paternal warmth before examining the contents. As predicted: The scroll confirmed Danzo had eliminated a group of rogue ninja near the capital. Cross-referencing Danzo’s records with Intelligence Division analysis suggested Iwagakure infiltration among their ranks. "Iwagakure..." Hiruzen’s mind raced through recent political maneuvers by Onoki. The conclusion aligned with Danzo’s assessment—using rogue ninja as cover for espionage was standard practice. Typically, just one agent would embed as leader rather than deploying multiple ninja as spies. But near the Daimyo’s inner circle...? Hiruzen’s eyes hardened, recalling the three youths Kyohiko mentioned. Chiriku, being a Fire Temple monk, couldn’t be an Iwa plant. The other two—Kazuma and Takemasa—while perhaps not direct spies, likely harboring agendas detrimental to Konoha and Fire Country. The complication? They were now officially appointed as the Daimyo’s guardians. Hiruzen exhaled a world-weary sigh. "I truly am getting old." In his prime, after completing mountains of paperwork, he’d still have energy to monitor affairs through his crystal ball. But lately, even routine matters overwhelmed him—his aging mind struggling with complexity. He immediately summoned Tsunade, Jiraiya, and elders Koharu and Homura for emergency counsel. ----- The usually lively Tea Street bustled with even greater energy these days. But something felt different now—conversations everywhere revolved around Konoha Hospital’s mysterious new department. "Some kind of...mental medicine division?" "What’s that supposed to be?" "No idea. Just rumors about some strange new healing art—too complicated for common folk..." Kyohiko paused his stroll, eavesdropping on these exchanges. So Tsunade had already launched the psychology division? Impressively fast. After listening longer, he identified the core issue—while people discussed it endlessly, they fundamentally didn’t comprehend psychology’s nature or purpose. He quickened his pace toward the hospital. The main wards revealed no sign of Tsunade or Kurenai. As Kyohiko prepared to use chakra sensing, a familiar figure approached. "Looking for Tsunade-sama? They’ve relocated—new temporary structures out back." The voice belonged to Hebiyasume—foremost disciple of Sarutobi Biwako who’d handled Konoha’s most complex surgeries before Tsunade’s return. "My thanks." Kyohiko immediately headed toward the rear compound. Sure enough— Behind the main hospital sprawled a newly erected temporary facility, alive with medic-nin activity. Kyohiko’s senses immediately detected Kurenai’s chakra signature. Tsunade’s presence registered too—though just a shadow clone currently. The sheer volume of patients explained the expansion. At least five full medic teams moved between tents, with perhaps twenty additional personnel supporting. Not all were medical specialists though. Inside the largest tent, Tsunade’s clone was mid-instruction when she noticed Kyohiko’s arrival. Wrapping up her lecture, she stepped outside. "Mission report filed already?" "Later. Came straight here after hearing street gossip about your new division." Tsunade’s face lit with understanding. "While you were gone, I formalized our genjutsu therapy research into a full proposal. The old man couldn’t obstruct approval this time." She gestured proudly at the bustling tents. "Our inaugural patients!" Kyohiko’s eyes widened slightly—so many? Then realization struck: battlefield veterans suffering combat trauma. No wonder Hiruzen greenlit the project. Successful treatment meant restoring dozens of seasoned warriors to active duty—an undeniable tactical advantage. Tsunade’s voice dropped solemnly. "Some never escaped their nightmares—took their own lives. Others transformed completely—brave soldiers reduced to trembling shadows..." She sighed heavily. "We never realized the scale before researching. So many warriors despise themselves for surviving when dying honorably would’ve been simpler..." Kyohiko studied the patients. "They all share combat experience?" "Back then? What ninja avoided the frontlines?" Even her own younger brother... Tsunade shook away painful memories. "War’s hidden toll went ignored for generations—countless elite lost to needless suffering..." She outlined their treatment methodology—using genjutsu to carefully recreate battlefield scenarios while simultaneously applying emotional stabilization techniques. Still experimental after just days. Kyohiko frowned thoughtfully. "Have you considered hypnotic genjutsu variants?" "Hypnosis?" Tsunade tapped her chin. "Worried our current approach could overwhelm fragile patients?" "Precisely. Survivors coping normally have sturdier psyches. But those already suicidal might react unpredictably to vivid trauma recall—potentially worsening conditions." Tsunade’s brow furrowed as she weighed this. "Initially I planned pharmaceutical support, but you’re right—an alternative gentler than exposure therapy would be prudent..." Her expression gradually brightened. "Other suggestions?" "Capitalize on current public interest. People discuss your department constantly but comprehend nothing—perfect opportunity for education outreach." Tsunade immediately grasped his meaning—strike while the iron’s hot. "I intended waiting for demonstrable successes before publicity..." Kyohiko nodded—understandable given Tsunade’s celebrity status within Konoha ensured attention regardless. "But proven results should be showcased immediately!" Tsunade concluded enthusiastically before posing the critical question: "Which patient makes the ideal success story?" "That depends—who shows most dramatic improvement?" Tsunade instantly identified her candidate. "Taji—former combat medic who developed such severe surgical trauma he couldn’t enter hospitals without panic attacks. Reduced to D-ranks for years..." She guided Kyohiko to observe through a tent flap. Inside, a middle-aged man moved confidently between medicine cabinets while instructing a younger apprentice—the very same Hanabi that Kyohiko had met previously during his hospital visits. "Now he supervises pharmacy rotations. Next phase involves observing actual surgeries—gradually rebuilding his tolerance." Kyohiko approved. "Perfect candidate—provided he consents voluntarily." "Easily arranged." Tsunade called Taji over. The medic approached obediently. "Tsunade-sama?" "Meet Kyohiko—you’ve likely heard of him." Taji’s polite nod conveyed respectful indifference—an eight-year-old jonin might impress civilians, but medical professionals cared little for such things. Until Tsunade added, "He actually proposed the psychology division’s foundational concepts—including genjutsu therapy protocols." Taji’s professional detachment evaporated. "This child designed our treatment framework?" Kyohiko waved dismissively. "Minor contributions really..." As Tsunade outlined their publicity strategy—showcasing his recovery to promote mental health awareness—Taji’s initial shock transformed into solemn determination. "For the advancement of medical science—for all suffering ninja—I’ll gladly serve as your example!" --- I mistakenly translated Aburame Tatsuma’s name as Aburame Torune on Chapter 68, 69, 73, 83, 84. It’s fixed now. ????????????