Hidden Leaf.
In a secluded training ground.
Two figures clashed in a fierce taijutsu spar, moving with astonishing speed and power. Each collision of their fists sent out shockwaves strong enough to ripple the air visibly.
Thud.
With another muffled impact, the two finally broke apart.
"Lady Tsunade, your speed and strength are incredible. Even with the Koryugan's power, I can barely keep up with you!" Yakumo said, panting heavily.
Tsunade, however, smiled with satisfaction: "Yakumo, your taijutsu's improving fast!"
Due to her innate physical frailty, taijutsu had always been Yakumo's biggest weakness.
That's why, despite the Koryugan's insight and the First Hokage's cells fixing her body's flaws, Shinji's ambush had caught her off guard, leading to her defeat in their match.
At the academy, when it came to taijutsu alone, she was undeniably the dead-last.
Of course…
Being that bad also meant there was plenty of room to grow.
Like now—by simply adapting to the Koryugan and her new body, Yakumo's progress was enough to impress Tsunade, one of the "Sannin."
Pleased by Tsunade's approval, Yakumo asked: "Lady Tsunade, can I go to the ninja academy tomorrow?"
"What, eager to challenge Uchiha Shinji again?" Tsunade chuckled: "Don't worry about last time's loss. If you faced him now, you'd definitely win!"
Yakumo shook her head: "I don't want to challenge him anymore."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Why not?"
"He hasn't even awakened his Sharingan yet. Challenging him now, even if I won, wouldn't be anything to brag about. I'd rather wait until he awakens his Sharingan, then take him on and beat him fair and square!"
Yakumo shared her plan.
Tsunade nodded approvingly: "Good thinking—worthy of my disciple!"
For the current Yakumo to challenge an Uchiha who hadn't awakened his Sharingan would be beneath her, win or lose.
Yakumo asked again: "So, can I go to the academy tomorrow?"
Tsunade shook her head: "Not yet."
"Why not?"
Tsunade explained: "The reappearance of 'Wood Release' has caused a big stir. The other villages might not show strong reactions outwardly, but they'll definitely make moves in secret. Plus, we need to stay wary of the Akatsuki. Until the situation clarifies, it's best you don't show yourself too much."
She didn't have to tell Yakumo any of this.
But Tsunade now saw her as a true disciple, so she didn't hide the shinobi world's dynamics—instead, she explained them in detail, hoping to broaden Yakumo's perspective.
Hearing the "Akatsuki" mentioned, Yakumo's eyes narrowed briefly.
She could feel Tsunade's kindness toward her, which made her even less willing to open up fully—because she'd already joined the Akatsuki.
Noticing Yakumo lower her head in silence, Tsunade assumed she was upset about not going to the academy. Patting her shoulder, she said: "You're my disciple—I won't keep you hidden in the shadows forever, out of the sunlight!"
Yakumo looked up at Tsunade: "Lady Tsunade, you…"
Tsunade smiled: "Don't worry!"
She'd already discussed this with the Third. Though the other four great villages seemed calm about "Wood Release" resurfacing, they'd undoubtedly try to seize it at any cost behind closed doors.
So instead of staying on guard and risking infighting among the five villages, why not openly invite them to send volunteers for First Hokage cell transplants?
Having performed Yakumo's surgery, Tsunade was certain of one thing.
Its success wasn't due to her improved medical ninjutsu overcoming the First's cells—it was Yakumo's unique traits.
Anyone else attempting it would still die, no matter how many tried!
That night, under an Anbu escort, Yakumo returned to the Kurama main family estate.
In the dead of night, a voice sounded in her ear: "How'd today go?"
Hearing it, Yakumo shot up, her expression respectful: "Leader, today's training focused mainly on taijutsu."
No doubt about it.
The voice in her ear was Shinji, contacting her via "Jikibi."
After hearing about her training, Shinji said: "Hmm, taijutsu's definitely your weak spot. Tsunade's judgment is spot-on."
Yakumo quickly assured him: "Leader, I'll work hard!"
After a moment's pause, Shinji said: "I'll wait at the usual spot. Send Ido over."
With that, he cut off the "Jikibi" connection.
In Yakumo's inner world, Ido chirped excitedly: "Hurry, hurry! The Leader's spoken—let me out already!"
Yakumo relinquished her control over Ido, cautioning: "Behave yourself and don't defy the Leader, okay?"
"I know, I'm not stupid—why would I defy him!?"
Brushing her off, Ido zipped out of Yakumo's mind with a whoosh. In spirit form, she soared into the air, leaving Hidden Leaf in an instant.
Soon, Ido landed in a forest dozens of miles from the village, facing a figure in a red-cloud cloak and mask.
"Leader!"
Ido bowed neatly, her usual defiance nowhere to be seen.
Waiting there, of course, was Shinji.
This wasn't his first time summoning Ido. He'd met her here a few days prior too, with a simple goal: to help Yakumo unlock the Koryugan's potential.
Shinji tossed a small vial and ordered: "Begin!"
The vial spun through the air, spilling its contents—blood—that splashed onto Ido's spirit form.
Ido didn't hesitate, forming seals: "Secret Technique: Blood Clone Jutsu!"
Boom.
In a puff of white smoke, Ido emerged in physical form.
Shinji sized her up, nodding inwardly.
Since Ido reconciled with Yakumo, her appearance had shifted from a wrathful demon to Yakumo's own likeness. But unlike Yakumo, her eyes always glinted with a dangerous edge. Though they looked identical, anyone familiar with them could tell them apart instantly.
The vial Shinji had tossed contained Yakumo's blood.
Tonight, he aimed to test the Koryugan's blood manipulation abilities—and what kind of power Ido, Yakumo's inner demon, could unleash when combined with it.