Three days later. The outskirts of Konoha, near the Root base.
A swarm of parasitic insects congregated, coalescing into the form of Toge.
"You haven't emerged much these past two days. What have you been doing?"
"Apologies, Toge-sama. I was absorbed in researching Puppet Jutsu and neglected to leave my quarters or report in. However, I've achieved some results today and came specifically to brief you," Masahiko explained, handing over a scroll.
Toge accepted it, looking slightly surprised. "Puppet Jutsu? Why research that?"
Neither Konoha nor Root lacked secret techniques; they certainly had no shortage of Suna's Puppet Jutsu scrolls. For years, however, the village had only studied these techniques to counter them, never to adopt the art itself.
Masahiko repeated the explanation he had given the Third Hokage.
Hearing this, Toge nodded and returned the scroll. "Come with me. The organization has little need for such things, but as you said, it might indeed be useful for the village."
His tone was amiable, devoid of the irritation or slight wariness he had shown previously.
Masahiko let out a breath of relief. "I was afraid you might misunderstand my intentions."
"Loyalty to the village is equivalent to loyalty to Lord Danzō. Why would we misunderstand you?" Toge replied with a smile.
He led Masahiko into the base, where they soon met with Danzō to report the situation.
Danzō did not blame him. In fact, he even brought out some of Root's treasured collections—scrolls and books seized from Sunagakure over the years. Most were fragmentary and unable to form a complete system, but as research material, they were invaluable.
This had been one of Masahiko's goals all along.
Sasori had taught him a great deal. After three days of cultivation and experimentation, he had mastered a portion of it.
[Human Puppet Creation: Entry (Incomplete)]
An hour of lecture and instruction was naturally insufficient to explain everything, but Masahiko had memorized the core knowledge perfectly. All that remained was practical application and mastery.
Moreover, Masahiko wasn't worried about the missing pieces. He could research and ponder the incomplete sections himself, perhaps even forging his own path. If worst came to worst, he could always summon Sasori of the Red Sand again.
Having secured funding and demonstrated his loyalty, Masahiko departed the Root base.
"Lord Danzō..."
"It is a token of his sincerity. Let us take a look," Danzō said, signaling for Toge to unseal the scroll Masahiko had left behind.
Toge nodded, released the seal, and removed the contents. He looked up, perplexed.
It didn't look like a standard puppet formed into a complete entity. Instead, it resembled... a suit of armor? Or perhaps clothing?
Toge had never seen a puppet like this.
Danzō read the manual included in the sealing scroll. "He wasn't lying. This is a puppet custom-made for the Kurama girl, Yakumo."
He gestured for Toge to call in a subordinate.
Soon, the puppet mechanism was strapped onto the subordinate. Once worn, its function became clear to Toge.
This puppet acted as an external "skeleton." Through the assistance of this external structure, the body could exert greater force with less effort. It was crude and simple, lacking any hidden weapons or intricate gimmicks. For an ordinary person, it might be useless, but for a ninja like Yakumo Kurama, whose body was frail and defective...
This device was enough to make her a qualified ninja.
Undoubtedly, its greatest value lay in the "design" rather than the puppet itself.
Danzō scanned the end of the manual. It listed several defects and directions for future improvement. Yakumo Kurama's abilities were certainly worthy of his investment.
His expression indifferent, he handed the manual to Toge. "Keep an eye out for materials of this type. Return this item to him; we have no use for it."
"Yes, sir!"
Returning to the village proper, Masahiko's smile grew brighter.
Halfway back, Toge had intercepted him to return the prototype and promised Root's assistance in finding better materials.
Masahiko immediately went to the Hokage's Office.
After a demonstration, he received high praise from Hiruzen Sarutobi. The old man was high-spirited and visibly excited by the innovation. Naturally, Hiruzen agreed to help with the materials without hesitation.
It was the weekend. After bidding farewell to the Hokage, Masahiko headed to the Kurama clan estate. However, Yakumo was out meeting with Kurenai Yuhi.
Konoha Village. A forest near the mountains.
Kurenai Yuhi's kunai stopped right at Yakumo Kurama's throat once again, interrupting the girl's attempt to draw a seal.
"Yakumo, you've actually made a lot of progress."
"..."
Yakumo pursed her lips in silence. She looked at the sketchbook in her hands, her expression bleak. "Even though Masahiko-sensei planned a direction for me and created specific training... am I truly unable to become a ninja?"
"How can you say that? Didn't he say your condition just needs to be supplemented by Puppet Jutsu?" Kurenai said hurriedly.
In the past, she might not have offered such reassurance, but lately, she had noticed Yakumo's mental state deteriorating. The girl needed affirmation to stabilize her mind.
Kurenai wanted to say more, but Yakumo shook her head.
"I've read some texts on Puppet Jutsu. It is useful, but puppeteers themselves still have physical requirements..."
Her mood was hitting rock bottom.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the air.
"That is because their Puppet Jutsu does not suit us. If we want it to serve us, we must walk our own path."
Kurenai and Yakumo's eyes lit up simultaneously as they snapped their heads toward the source of the sound.
Masahiko stood on a tree branch, a confident smile on his face. Seeing that face and that expression, Kurenai instantly felt at ease, as if no problem in the world could stump this man.
Whoosh!
With a soft sound, Masahiko flickered down to stand before them.
He pulled out a scroll. "I originally thought it might take a few more days because the Hokage felt it needed improvement, but..."
"I thought I should let you see it first."
Masahiko formed hand seals and pressed his palms onto the unfurled scroll.
A pile of scattered, strange ninja tools appeared before them.
Yakumo was bewildered at first, then walked over curiously, inspecting them closely before looking up. "Sensei, is this the puppet you mentioned?"
"Yes. Kurenai, help her put it on. I'll teach you how to use it."
Masahiko handed the instruction manual to Kurenai. Since Yakumo was a young girl, it wasn't appropriate for him to be too hands-on with the fitting.
Kurenai read through the manual and quickly understood. This device was custom-tailored for Yakumo, designed primarily to alleviate her Taijutsu deficiencies. She glanced at Masahiko with gratitude before helping Yakumo install the device.
Moments later.
"Ah?! It feels so light!"
"I can move!"
"Hahaha! Sensei! Kurenai-sensei! Look, I'm running so fast!"
Yakumo sprinted through the forest.
The mechanical structure and spring assistance, driven by her chakra, allowed her to run with ease and speed she had never known.
Kurenai watched through teary eyes. Since she had known the girl, never had there been a moment where Yakumo looked so free, so joyous—as if this forest, this world, belonged to her, allowing her to soar wherever she pleased.
As she ran, Yakumo gradually slowed down, wiping tears from her face.
"Yakumo!"
Worried, Kurenai stepped forward.
Yakumo turned around, a pained smile on her face.
"Sensei, I'm fine... I was just so scared recently. I had nightmares every day that I couldn't be a ninja."
"I was so afraid to wake up and hear that... my dream of being a ninja was just that—a dream."
She sobbed quietly.
Masahiko sighed softly, his tone gentle. "It is my fault. I should have waited until I had the solution in hand before telling you, rather than making a promise beforehand."
Yakumo shook her head frantically. "How can you say that? Sensei, it was you who helped me! You gave me hope and let me know that it's still possible for me to become a ninja!"
"Hope is a power, but a hope that cannot be realized is a disaster," Masahiko said in a low voice.
Then, he smiled and reached out, patting Yakumo on the head. "Fortunately... I did it. In the future, it will become even more perfect!"
"Thank you, Sensei! Thank you!"
Yakumo bowed, overwhelmed with gratitude.
To the side, Kurenai stood stunned, deeply moved by the scene.
Evening. On the road back to the village.
Kurenai carried the sleeping Yakumo on her back, heading toward the Kurama estate.
After dropping the girl off safely, she couldn't help but sigh. "Masahiko, you really are an extraordinary, gentle person."
"Hm?"
Masahiko tilted his head, looking slightly puzzled.
Kurenai smiled warmly. "Who else helps someone so much and then apologizes for not doing enough?"
"When you give someone hope, you must take responsibility for it. I truly didn't consider it thoroughly enough," Masahiko replied sincerely.
Kurenai turned her head away, her face flushing slightly. "To celebrate the breakthrough with Yakumo... shall we go to the Izakaya? My treat."
"Sounds good."