The weather was pleasant. The sun hung high in the sky, but its rays were neither harsh nor overly warm. A gentle breeze swept across the rooftop, lightly lifting a hat.

Pah!

A slender, slightly youthful hand gently pressed down on the hat, keeping it in place against the breeze.

Nara Kagetsu's face was hidden beneath the hat, his eyes tightly shut as he focused intently on the card that appeared in his mind.

On the card, a man dressed in strange clothes and heavy makeup grinned widely, revealing a mouthful of golden teeth.

[Talent Card: Kurotsuchi Mayuri]

World: Bleach

Quality: Blue (77/1000)

Effect: Growing Research Talent (You are a natural scientist and researcher, and your talent will shine in the fields of research and development.)

Field: Your talent in biology and neuroscience far surpasses that in other fields of research!

Passive: Biological Transformation!

Accumulation: Any research you conduct will require extensive knowledge and material experimentation. All the knowledge you acquire will be understood and retained more efficiently, with alternative knowledge feedback given as rewards!

Achievement: Every time you create a work that gains recognition, the higher the recognition, the more your physical fitness and strength will improve.

Obsession: To become a scientist who surpasses Urahara Kisuke.

Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the Soul Reaper.

As soon as Nara Kagetsu saw the figure on the card, he recognized him instantly.

How could he be so sure? 

It was due to the memories that lingered after his journey through time following his death.

Among the three great scientific minds in the Bleach world, Kurotsuchi Mayuri might not be as powerful as the other two geniuses, and his greatest achievements may fall slightly short. 

But in critical battles, he could still contend for the MVP title with his exceptional research and development skills.

Though Kagetsu felt a bit disappointed that his special ability didn't come from someone like Aizen or Urahara, who were both powerful and brilliant, he found comfort in Mayuri's dedication to science and research.

Yet, this card had a profound impact on his mind. He often found his thoughts drifting into unsettling, twisted paths—just like the character it represented.

Nara Kagetsu lazily propped himself up with his hands and sat up from the roof eaves. At six years old, his limbs were thin like a small bean sprout, and his hair had the distinctive spiky style of the Nara clan.

He was reluctant to leave the warm spot where he had been lying, which was his only place of relaxation. But unfortunately, his relaxation time was over.

Nara Kagetsu sighed. In his previous life, he had been a newly graduated doctor, neither outstanding nor terrible, and he died while working. It seemed like he got a second chance after traveling through time.

Even though this world is unstable and dangerous, at least he's not an orphan with no one to rely on—he has a clan to depend on.

Otherwise, it would be extremely hard for an orphan to deal with a special power that needs a lot of knowledge and resources.

If he's lucky, he might survive the battlefield, get promoted based on his achievements, and learn some basic or intermediate ninjutsu. 

If he's unlucky, he could end up as cannon fodder on the front lines and be wiped out quickly. Finding a good teacher also requires a lot of luck.

Since he had a relatively good start, he needed to make the most of it. Although the Nara clan's bloodline made him feel lazy and want to give up, he still pushed himself to absorb knowledge today.

He jumped down from the roof easily, bent down, and landed on the ground with his hands. He stood up, brushed off his hands, and, after checking the direction, walked towards his house.

The Nara clan, with its long history, has many secret techniques and collected ninjutsu, though most of it is related to pharmacology and the Chakra Pathway.

As one of the three clans—Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi -- that has a renowned Jonin team known as Ino-Shika-Cho—besides their own secret techniques, they share a lot of knowledge and resources. 

The Akimichi clan has excellent knowledge about the Chakra Pathway and pharmacology for body strengthening. In this time when medical ninjas are still rare, the three clans—Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi — that focused on pharmacology and the Chakra Pathway, have quietly supported the newly established medical department.

This knowledge is exactly what Nara Kagetsu needs. At his current age, and with his body's talent, he can't match the real geniuses who quickly gain power. 

He can only build a strong foundation in other areas. Just like Mayuri Kurotsuchi, who doesn't rely purely on his own strength in another world, Kagetsu knows that the Nara clan also relies on their intelligence, even if it's used in different ways.

Nara Kagetsu's small room was cluttered with open books. Some of them had detailed diagrams of Chakra Pathway and anatomy. By the window, a fat green caterpillar rested motionless in a flower pot, looking like it was dead.

Nara Shikagane picked up the book he had been studying and began his usual lessons for the day.

Thanks to the Nara clan's high intelligence and his ability to apply what he learns like Kurotsuchi Mayuri, even complex and dull material is easy for him to grasp and enjoy, even as a six-year-old.

Woof!

While he was reading, he was interrupted by the sound of a happy dog barking. Looking up, he saw a snow-white puppy, not quite fully grown, standing on its head with its front paws, trying to stay upright and bark cheerfully at him.

When the puppy saw Kagetsu looking over, its tail wagged furiously, hitting its head and making a popping sound.

Two hands then reached up from below, picking up the overly excited puppy, revealing a familiar face with camouflage stripes.

"Kagetsu, it's time for feeding today," said Inuzuka Yama, holding the puppy in one hand and waving to Kagetsu with the other. He then hopped over the guardrail and jumped into the room.

Woof woof!

The puppy in Inuzuka Yama's arms wriggled excitedly upon hearing his owner's words.

"It seems Yamamaru really likes the new food," Kagetsu said, standing up and taking the puppy into his arms. He held it up and examined it closely.

Yamamaru, feeling Kagetsu's intense gaze, curled up and his excitement quickly faded. He licked his lips and stayed still.

"After trying the new dog food at your place last time, my father noticed a big improvement in Yamamaru's health and energy. He mentioned he'll come visit your parents in a few days," Inuzuka Yama explained, excitedly detailing Yamamaru's progress and repeating what his father had told him.

****

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