"Why am I the one doing this? I thought I was still in training?" I asked.
"You are but you are more then capable of speaking about and demonstrating Iryõ-Ninjutsu," said the medical Shinobi.
"Alright, so what exactly am I supposed to be doing?"
"You'll be going to the Academy to speak about Iryõ-Ninjutsu. Try and get them interested in pursuing a career as a medical Shinobi.
"Why me?"
"With the war we are already short staffed as it is."
That… actually makes sense.
"Alright and how often am I expected to do this?"
"I don't know."
"Ok so when am I supposed to be there?" I ask.
"Three minutes ago," they say before giving me a folder and shoving me out the door.
Arriving at the Academy I quickly make my way to the correct class. Opening the door I entered the class.
"Hel- Obito? What are you doing here?"
Obito was probably the last person I'd expect to be interested in Iryõ-Ninjutsu or even curious.
"Sozo what are you doing here?" Obito said.
"I'm supposed to be teaching this class now. What are you doing here?"
"To learn about… um,"
"Iryõ-Ninjutsu."
"Yes!"
"Sure you are," I say not believing him in the slightest.
"I'm here for Iryõ-Ninjutsu," he says, doubling down on his lie.
"Yeah and I'm an adult in the body of a six year old."
Oh wait I actually am…
Looking around at the rest of the class some look familiar, others not so much.
Oh... Rin's here. So that's why Obito's here.
Walking over to the podium I realize a little too late I'm not tall enough to use it. The students find this amusing, especially one vocal girl in the back who I don't know.
"Having trouble short stuff," she says elesiting another laugh from the class.
Ignoring her, I wait for the class to settle down, "you done?"
"I am Sozo Akinori, unfortunately the hospital couldn't spare anyone more qualified to come speak to you today so I was sent."
The only reason I'm not certified yet is because I don't have enough hours at the hospital yet.
"You're not even qualified," the girl said again.
"What's your name?"
"Anko, Mitarashi Anko," she said proudly.
"Well Mitarashi-kun it is true I am not certified as a medical Shinobi. I am more than capable of using Iryõ-Ninjutsu," I can finally use kun on someone.
Oh seems she didn't like a six year old using kun on her. Well tough shit I'm the Gennin here. Given she didn't speak up about it she understands my use of kun is accurate.
"Anyways as I was saying Iryõ-Ninjutsu," wait how am I supposed to demonstrate this?
"Obito, come here I need a someone to demonstrate Iryõ-Ninjutsu on," I say
Obito to his credit jumps up before joining me in front of the class.
Wrapping an arm around Obito I pull him slightly down to my height before whispering, "Obito I'm going to cut your arm."
"Wha-," he gets out before I silence him.
"I'll bring you to a restaurant of your choosing."
Obito looked as he was considering it but was still looked hesitant
"You can invite Rin."
"Deal!"
"All right, class, come on down I'm going to stab Obito!"
Immediately the students crowded around as I had Obito lay his arms down on the table.
"Sozo-san, are you sure about this is a good idea," Rin said with concern clearly in her eyes.
"No need to worry, I know what I'm doing."
Quickly and carefully i cut Obito's arm. To his credit he doesn't yelp out in pain but he does tense up.
Settings the Kunai down, I take a moment to calm my chakra. I need absolute control. Placing my hands above the cut the familiar sensation of Iryõ-Ninjutsu washes over me. Carefully I mend the flesh back together. It was just a simple cut so it didn't take long.
"And… there we go, good as new," I say moving my hands to show off Obito arm.
"Alright back to your seat it's time for the boring part of class." Grabbing the folder I see what exactly I'm supposed to cover.
Wait… who took my kunai?
…
Outside of the Academy I was waiting for Obito and Rin if she decides to come.
"Hey short stuff."
"Mitarashi-kun."
"Stop saying that! You're younger than me."
"And yet I'm the one wearing a forehead protector," I say pointing to the leaf headband.
"I'll have my own soon."
"Oh you're in your final year of the Academy?"
"I'll qualify for early graduation then I'll kick your ass," she proclaims.
Perfect timing.
Obito with Rin showed up.
Hopping down from the fence I was standing on i land and… have to tilt my head up to look Anko in the eyes.
Shes not that much taller than me but its enough to get a smirk out of her.
"I'll be waiting."
And with that I left with Obito and Rin.
…
"Oh hey Kakashi you got mandatory therapy as well sucks huh."
Kakashi just walks right past me, his chakra clearly agitated.
Guess his session didn't go well.
Pushing my way through the door Kakashi just left and I entered the lion's den.
"Sozo Akinori, take a seat please."
Plopping myself down i seat across from my therapist.
"I'm Yamanaka Kumo, nice go meet you," she says.
"Likewise," I reply.
Another Yamanaka?
"Quick question does Kakashi know I'm the reason we have therapy?"
"No."
Oh thank God.
"That's a relief."
"And why is that?"
Here we go.
"I'd rather not deal with Kakashi trying to push me out of his life again."
"You believe Kakashi would do this?"
"Like I said he's done it in the past but I wasn't the one he was trying to avoid so he eventually let me back in," even if it was on the worst possible night.
"I see," she said before writing a few things down.
"So do Yamanaka's tend to work in the department of mental health?"
"Yes, my clan tends to specialize in matters conserving the mind."
"Why is that?"
"You don't know?" She said inquisitively
"Am I supposed to?"
"No I guess not, it's just most know the Yamanaka and their mind-technique's."
"Mind-technique's?" I say curious.
"We're getting off topic. You can do your own research latter if your that curious."
"Come on who better to ask than a member of the Yamanaka clan."
"How about this i'll ask you a question then you can ask me a question."
"Deal."
Taking off my forehead protector, cloak, and tool pouch I set them off to the side before making myself comfortable.
"You were close to Hatake Sakumo, correct?"
"Yep."
"Would yo-."
"It's my turn," I say, interrupting her.
"That wasn't my question I was just-."
"Hey we had a deal."
Kumo lets out a sigh before writing some more things down.
"You say the Yamanaka clan is known for its mind related techniques, could you explain?"
"Certainly, Yamanaka can use various mind jutsu to read minds, speak telepathically, or even transform their mind and take over another body," she explains.
"That's terrifying," I say, my words a complete contest to the look of fascination I have on my face.
"Did you see Sakumo as a father?"
"No. More like a cool uncle if I had to put a label on our relationship."
"I see."
Once again she writes down some more stuff.
I should bring my own notebook next time.
"Can you use any of these mind jutsu's?"
"Yes I can."
"Form your file Sozo you seem to be quite the unique six year old, enough to even attract the attention of one of the legendary Sannin. But this behavior is something new, you've been like this ever since you no longer needed to be in the hospital. What brought about this shift is behavior? You were a quiet child before."
Quite the file they have in me.
"I don't care about a lot of minor things anymore."
"Would you mind elaborating."
"I'm not gonna let things bog me down. I refuse to let others' view of me dictate how I act and present myself. I refuse to not be me."
"My turn," I say quickly moving past the subject before she can ask anymore.
"Can you use one of these jutsus on me?"
"No."
"Oh come on please?"
She ignores me moving on to the next question.
"Is this the real you," she says.
"Can you reiterate your question," I ask, unsure what exactly she's asking.
"People always keep parts of themselves secret only showing those they are closest to a glimpse of their true selves. What I am asking is who are you truly because I do not believe you are as genuine as you claim to be."
No wonder Kakashi left agitated.
"I'll answer this question truthfully on one condition."
"And what is that?"
"You use a mind jutsu on me!"
"..."
Come on.
"Fine."
This ill be interesting.
"But I'm not going to use mind transfer or read your memory; those are incredibly invasive."
"Ok. So how dose this work?"
"Just sit there and relax," she said as she placed her hand on my forehead.
"Did it work nothing happening?"
"Hello?"
Within an instant I was no longer in Kumo office, instead I was laying in my room.
"What the… how did I get here? Did I lose consciousness?"
I was laying in something wet. Getting up I see I was laying in blood, Sakumo's blood.
"..."
Backing away I go to leave the room only to end up in my short lived apartment.
This isn't right
Once again I try to leave but this time I'm in a hospital room.
I'm not alone.
On the bed is… well me or Akinori the real Akinori.
He's looks quite frail like he's moments away from dying.
Turning around I look at the hospital room door. Walking up to it I reach out to open it but hesitate pulling my hand back.
I know exactly what's behind this door.
Something I'd rather not go through again.
"Sozo Akinori!"
I hear someone call my name but it sounds like it's coming from quite far away. Ignoring the voice I turn to jump out the window. I don't know how but I know the window dosen't lead to the same place as the door.
Landing i am in a forest.
How am I supposed to keep going form here? There are no doors.
Wait where am I going?
As I look around something slams into me with a monstrous amount of force sending me through a tree. Dispite getting hit hard enough I should be dead. I get up no problem, don't even feel a thing. Turning I see the beast, the one responsible for killing everyone on my first mission. Laughing he charges me again. Closing my eyes I wait for him to hit me again… but he never does. Opening my eyes I'm somewhere else but I don't recognize this place. The trees are all different colors and types. Some are a normal green, others not so normal like purple.
What is this place?
Why do I feel like I've been here before?
Is this the place I was going to?
"Sozo Akinori!"
Once again a voice yells out my name trying to get my attention.
I pay it not mind tracking forward.
I walk with purpose turning every now and again following directions I shouldn't know.
Eventually I came across a clearing.
Standing in the clearing is a man.
Approaching the man everything else fades away all that matters is the man.
He turns to face me.
He's old. Much older than the Hokage.
I don't know him and yet I can't help but feel comfortable around him as if nothing wrong can happen.
He reaches out to me offering his hand.
I grab it smiling up at him.
He returns the smile.
We begin to walk towards a large tree.
Its leaves are all sorts of colors.
Its beautiful.
"Sozo!"
Kakashi.
That's Kakashi's voice.
Letting go of the man's hand I turn around.
Immediately I'm back in Konoha, back in the therapist office. It's no longer just kumo and myself. A whole bunch of other people are here.
Some more Yamanaka's I think.
Minato.
Some guy with white hair I don't know.
My Sensei.
The Hokage.
And most importantly Kakashi.
One of the Yamanaka's had his hand one both of our heads.
Letting go of our heads Kakashi opened his eyes.
He flinched back as he looked me in the eyes.
"What's wrong," I ask.
"Your eye."
"What about it?"
Someone grabbed a mirror showing me my reflection.
My right eye was bright yellow, it almost looked golden.
Reaching up I go to touch my eye.
But I stop looking down at my hand.
It's petrified.
My hand and some of my arm looked like they were made out of some kind of stone.
My right hand.
That hand I used to grab the man's hand.