Chapter 131:- Third session

Ino stood, brushing her hands off and flashing Kenshin a bright smile. "Come on, Kenshin, lunch is ready. We've just been waiting for you and Mom to finish up."

She led him into the house, weaving through the hallways until they reached the dining room. "Take a seat," she said cheerfully. "I'll finish up the last touches."

Kenshin stepped inside and saw Ino's father, Inoichi, already seated at the table. Straightening up, Kenshin greeted him with a respectful bow. "Inoichi-san, it's good to meet you."

Inoichi's expression remained neutral, though his sharp eyes scanned Kenshin briefly. "So, you're the client my wife stayed up all night for?" he said, his tone calm but mildly curious.

"I'll admit, I'm surprised someone like you would have mental health issues. But I suppose it's not my place to pry. Let's leave it at that." He motioned toward the table. "Go ahead, sit. My daughter's been looking forward to this."

Kenshin nodded, taking a seat across from Inoichi. The room fell into silence as the clinking sounds of Ino preparing the food filled the air.

A few moments later, Suu came downstairs, looking slightly more rested after her earlier coffee. She smiled at Kenshin as she joined the table.

"Ino, let me help." Kenshin offered, starting to rise.

Suu raised a hand, stopping him. "Sit, Kenshin. Let Ino handle this."

Reluctantly, Kenshin sat back down, watching as Ino brought over dish after dish.

The first was the main course: perfectly seared salmon, its glossy teriyaki glaze catching the light as she placed it over bowls of steaming white rice. The scent was warm and inviting, making Kenshin's stomach growl softly.

Next, Ino brought out a salad made of fresh spinach leaves tossed with toasted sesame seeds and a light, fragrant soy dressing. The nutty aroma mingled with the richer scent of the salmon, creating an enticing combination.

Finally, she served bowls of miso soup, dotted with green onions and small cubes of tofu floating alongside pieces of seaweed.

"Here we go," Ino said proudly, taking her seat after serving everyone. "Teriyaki salmon bowl, spinach and sesame salad, and miso soup. Enjoy!"

Kenshin glanced at her, clearly impressed. "You made all this, Ino? You didn't have to do this much."

She grinned, brushing off the compliment. "It's no big deal. Just eat up before it gets cold."

As the family began their meal, the dining room filled with the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of chopsticks.

Kenshin sat quietly, finishing the last bite of his second serving, when Ino leaned over with a smile. "You want more?" she asked, already picking up the serving bowl.

He hesitated, as politeness dictated, but Ino quickly reassured him. "Don't be shy. I made extra, knowing you'd probably want more. You're our guest, after all, and we know you have quite the appetite."

Encouraged by her words, Kenshin nodded. "Thank you, Ino," he said softly, letting her add another helping to his plate. As he continued eating, he couldn't help but compare Ino's cooking to his own. It wasn't just the flavor—though it was excellent—but the care behind it.

'Maybe there's a difference between cooking out of necessity and cooking because you want to,' he thought. 'I could probably learn a thing or two from them.'

As if reading his thoughts, Suu smiled and said, "Don't beat yourself up, Kenshin. Ino's cooking might be good, but she's only good at a handful of dishes. Most things she makes? Absolutely terrible."

Ino's smile faltered as her face turned bright red. "Mom!" she exclaimed, mortified, while Inoichi barely stifled a laugh behind his hand.

Suu continued, unfazed, "Unlike Ino, you've managed to do almost anything. It's pretty impressive how you've juggled housework, cooking, taking care of your mother, and still found the time to create your own ninjutsu."

Inoichi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Ninjutsu, huh? What kind of jutsu have you made, Kenshin?"

Kenshin shrugged, trying to dismiss the attention. "Just a few wind release techniques. Honestly, with the Sharingan and Uzumaki chakra reserves, anyone could develop them. They're not that special."

Suu frowned, clearly unimpressed by his modesty. "There's no way they're 'nothing special,' Kenshin. You're way too humble for someone who claims they can't die."

She leaned back, crossing her arms. "Your jutsu are at least A-rank, like your Wind Burst. And Gust Bullet? Even if we lowball, that's still A-rank. Personally, I'd say it's closer to S-rank with its range and potential power. Not to mention the amount of control you'd need to maintain it for a prolonged period of time."

She gave him a pointed look, her voice growing more serious. "And let's not forget your Wind Chakra Mode. That's easily an S-rank technique. You can maintain it for hours if not more. Honestly, it's near the top of the scale. So stop downplaying your skills, alright?"

Kenshin blinked, surprised by her sudden critique. He opened his mouth to respond, but found himself at a loss for words, her words lingering in his mind.

He instead blushed slightly at Suu's enthusiastic evaluation of his abilities, feeling a mix of embarrassment and pride. Meanwhile, Inoichi was left momentarily stunned, stuttering as he tried to respond.

"Suu, you might be overestimating him," Inoichi began. "Even the Fourth Hokage—"

Suu cut him off mid-sentence. "I know what Minato did," she said almost casually, her tone lacking the reverence most people reserved for the name. Suu had been close friends with Minato, and it showed in how she spoke of him.

"Minato developed an A-rank jutsu, sure. But that's pure chakra control. It's not the same as incorporating nature releases, which is what Kenshin did. The Rasengan might be the pinnacle of chakra control, but it's still unfinished.

Kenshin's Gust Bullet and Chakra Mode, on the other hand, require immense control over not just chakra but also nature transformation. And wind release is rare, so he didn't even have much oversight. In that sense, they're even more impressive than the Rasengan, especially when you consider his age."

Kenshin finally interrupted, his voice tinged with curiosity and confusion. "Wait, Suu-san, how do you even know so much about my jutsu?"

Suu gave him a playful wink. "I might've peeked into your memories a little bit more than necessary during our sessions," she admitted shamelessly.

Kenshin's eyes widened, caught off guard. Ino patted him on the back in a comforting gesture. "Don't take it personally," she said with a small laugh. "It's a habit of hers. Since her treatment relies on memory, she sometimes accesses bits without permission. It's how she works."

Inoichi joined in with a knowing chuckle. "Kenshin, you've let my wife into your mind twice now. Trust me, depending on how much she's peeked, she probably knows more about certain things than your own mother does."

Kenshin slumped slightly in his chair, groaning, "There goes my privacy."

Inoichi leaned forward, intrigued. "Well then, Kenshin, tell me—how did you come up with the idea for this 'Chakra Mode' and your other jutsu? Surely you had some inspiration?"

Kenshin shrugged nonchalantly. "Honestly, it just popped into my head one day. I didn't think too much about it at the time."

Inoichi raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Even so, if this Chakra Mode really is an S-rank jutsu, that's remarkable. Not many Shinobi in history have created something like that. You must be very talented."

Kenshin rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, refusing the compliment. "That's not the case. I basically brute-forced the Chakra Mode. I built the foundation over years of trial and error, but it barely went beyond baby steps.

When I did complete it, it was like 10% talent, 20% hard work, and 70% adrenaline. Honestly speaking, I was lucky the final result was manageable enough to refine later."

Suu leaned back in her chair, a knowing smile on her face. "Adrenaline or not, Kenshin, you can't deny that talent played a part. Luck favors those who seize it. It doesn't just come to anyone—it comes to those who deserve it. And trust me, Kenshin, you deserve every bit of that success."

Kenshin looked away, slightly flustered by her words but unable to suppress the small smile forming on his lips. For the first time in a while, he felt a sense of validation he didn't know he needed.

Ino clapped her hands with enthusiasm, interrupting the conversation. "Alright, that's enough talking for now!" she said cheerfully. "I'm bringing out dessert!"

She darted off to the kitchen, returning moments later with a plate of freshly prepared anko-filled mochi. The soft, round sweets were neatly arranged on a tray, lightly dusted with roasted soybean flour for a touch of nuttiness.

Ino set the plate down on the table and began serving the mochi, her pride evident in the way she presented them.

"Go ahead, try some. Ino's mochi are really good." Inoichi said, gesturing for him to try one.

Kenshin picked up a piece and took a bite, the soft and chewy texture yielding to the sweet red bean paste inside. The subtle nuttiness of the soybean flour complemented the sweetness perfectly, making each bite both satisfying and balanced.

"These are amazing," Kenshin said sincerely, looking at Ino. "You made these yourself?"

"Of course!" Ino replied, grinning. "I figured you might enjoy something light and sweet after lunch."

To accompany the dessert, Ino also served steaming cups of ginger tea. The warm, mildly spiced aroma filled the room, blending harmoniously with the nutty and sweet scent of the mochi. Kenshin took a sip, the gentle heat and spice of the ginger tea perfectly balancing the sweetness of the mochi.

"This is really thoughtful," Kenshin admitted after a moment, looking at the tea and the dessert. "Thank you, Ino."

Ino waved him off, her cheeks slightly pink. "It's no big deal. I just thought you'd appreciate something nice after your therapy session. Besides, Mom and I like to treat our guests well."

Inoichi, now enjoying his own cup of tea, leaned back in his chair with a smile. "Ino's been showing off a bit today," he teased, earning a playful glare from his daughter.

Suu chuckled softly. "It's a good thing she did. A sweet end to the meal always lifts the mood."

Kenshin felt a warm sense of gratitude settle over him as he continued to enjoy the mochi and tea.

After finishing the tea and mochi, Kenshin rose to take his leave, bowing slightly. "Thank you for the meal, and for everything today. I should take my leave—"

Before he could finish, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.

"Kenshin!" Ino was at his side in an instant, catching him before he could fall completely. She guided him back into his seat, her worry evident. Moments later, Kenshin stirred, rubbing his temples and muttering under his breath.

"How can my own shadow clone be dumber than me?" he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.

"What happened?" Suu asked, her tone calm but concerned.

Kenshin sighed, leaning back into the chair. "Before coming here for therapy, I left a shadow clone at the training grounds to work on that new wind release jutsu I was trying to develop this morning. That idiot decided it'd be a good idea to make 800 more clones to speed things up.

When they dispelled, the chakra feedback and all the memories hit me at once. My brain just... overloaded. Now I have the worst headache imaginable."

Suu let out a long sigh, crossing her arms. "I don't know whether to be impressed or disappointed. Kenshin, you don't need to rush. You have your whole life to perfect your jutsu. Unless a war breaks out tomorrow—which it won't—you've got plenty of time. Stop being so reckless."

Ino stood up abruptly, her concern now edged with frustration. "I'm getting something for that headache," she said sternly. "But you're not leaving anytime soon. You're resting. Or else a headache will be the least of your worries." She disappeared into another room, her no-nonsense attitude leaving no room for argument.

Kenshin rubbed the back of his neck, his expression sheepish. "Sorry for the trouble."

Suu reached over and flicked his forehead lightly. "You seriously need to stop apologizing all the time. Instead, try thanking people more. It's much less irritating."

Kenshin nodded, offering a quiet, "Thank you."

Meanwhile, Inoichi remained silent, his thoughts racing as he processed everything he had learned today. 'A self-developed S-rank jutsu, two self-developed A-rank jutsu, and another in development? At 16?'

He mulled over the implications. 'If Kenshin had stayed in the Hidden Rain, what could he have become? Perhaps it's fortunate he ended up here in the Leaf. But if he ever turns against us, who could stop him?'

Inoichi's thoughts darkened as he began analyzing possible counters. 'Kakashi? He'd struggle if he couldn't engage up close. Guy? He might deal significant damage, but Kenshin can heal and fight from a distance. The Hokage might be able to outlast him, but even that's questionable.

Jiraiya-sama? As a Sage, he might have the best chance, but then there's Kaede. That cat's regeneration is a nightmare. And who knows what else she's capable of. And Naruto isn't an option because that might unleash the nine tails itself.'

His gaze drifted toward Kenshin, who was now sipping the ginger tea Ino had brought earlier, unaware of the calculations running through Inoichi's mind.

Inoichi's thoughts grew darker. The only real option would be an all-out attack with the Leaf's strongest Shinobi, exploiting his inexperience. Even then, it's risky. Mental attacks? He's mentally ill now, which might make him vulnerable, but that could backfire too. It might make my mental attacks less effective, and that'd make the situation worse.

The Sharingan alone makes him an overwhelming force against most Shinobi. Combine that with his humility, and he becomes a hidden danger. Those who don't know him well could easily underestimate him, which could prove fatal.'

Inoichi's thoughts shifted. 'If we can make Kenshin feel that the Leaf is truly his home, then maybe this won't become an issue. Suu's therapy might also help in the long term, ensuring we have some insight into his mindset. But for now, the best approach is to foster his loyalty through kindness and trust.'

Ino returned, handing Kenshin some medicine. "Here. Have this. It'll help with the headache."

Kenshin accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, Ino. I'll make sure to rest."

As Kenshin leaned back, allowing the medicine to work, Inoichi silently resolved to keep a close eye on him—not out of suspicion, but out of hope that the young Shinobi would find peace in the Leaf and never have reason to turn against it.

'Maybe I should meet up with Shikaku someday to discuss this. Just in case. But I hope that it won't come to it.' Inoichi thought, his gaze drifting to his daughter who was talking to her mother about how Kenshin is so reckless he kind of reminds her of Naruto.

After about an hour of rest under Ino's watchful eye, Kenshin was finally allowed to leave. She walked him to the door, waving him off with a firm reminder to take care of himself. Kenshin nodded and made his way home, where he took a nap to recharge.

Later that evening, feeling somewhat refreshed, Kenshin headed to a nearby training ground to resume his work on the wind clone jutsu.

The earlier overload had given him some new ideas, and he practiced for several hours, but his progress was minimal.

The best he could manage was a faint, unstable, and barely humanoid figure before calling it quits for the day.

When he returned home, Akane was waiting for him. They exchanged a few words about Kana and how she must be faring on her evaluation mission.

Afterward, Kenshin, Akane, and Yukari took a relaxing bath together, sharing light conversation before dinner. The atmosphere was peaceful, and Kenshin felt a sense of normalcy that he very much needed.

Once dinner was finished, they all retired for the night. Akane didn't initiate anything that evening, and Kenshin figured she was simply too tired. Although it did feel a bit empty without Akane trying to have sex, he quickly fell asleep, as tomorrow would be his third day of therapy.

The next morning, Kenshin was gently awakened by Akane's usual kiss. After a quick breakfast, he went out to continue his training.

Later in the day, as scheduled, Kenshin made his way to the Yamanaka residence for his third therapy session with Suu.

Kenshin stepped into the Yamanaka residence, immediately noticing Ino helping a customer select a bouquet. She flashed him a bright smile and gave him a nod.

"She's upstairs, waiting for you," Ino said cheerfully.

Kenshin nodded in thanks before making his way upstairs. Entering Suu's office, he found her nursing a cup of coffee with a tired expression. It was clear she had been working late into the night.

"You stayed up all night again?" Kenshin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Suu shook her head, a faint smile on her lips. "Not all night. Just until about four." She gestured to the seat across from her and handed him a mug of hot chocolate.

"Ino made this for you earlier. I just added the whipped cream," she said as Kenshin accepted it.

They drank in comfortable silence, Suu looking more refreshed as the caffeine began to take effect. Once the drinks were finished, Suu gestured to the floor, signaling for Kenshin to take his usual seat.

He settled down and extended his hands. Suu took them, closed her eyes, and activated her jutsu.

The familiar cherry blossom garden of the mindscape materialized around them, vibrant and serene. Kenshin and Suu stood at its center as the session began.

As planned, Suu began showing Kenshin simulations of Akane—training, fighting, and occasionally getting injured.

The injuries were minor: light scrapes on her arms and legs, or shallow cuts on her torso, all of which barely bled before closing up thanks to her Uzumaki genes.

Kenshin's reactions were subdued. He showed slight discomfort at first but gradually eased into it as he watched Akane overcome every challenge. It was reassuring to see her capability in scenarios like this.

Hours passed as Suu guided him through the simulations. Finally, it was time for the last one for the day.

As the last simulation began, Suu projected a scene of Akane in a battle against a skilled Jonin from her past. The enemy's superior skill and experience began to overwhelm her as the fight progressed.

Kenshin's eyes widened at the sight, his heartbeat accelerating. The air in the mindscape grew heavy, and Suu noticed the shift immediately.

Akane was thrown to the ground in the simulation, and the scene flickered unnaturally. The enemy shinobi's image warped, distorting into something else entirely.

Suu's stomach sank as she turned to Kenshin, whose breathing had become uneven. The enemy's form shifted, transforming into Kenshin himself, standing over Akane with his katana in hand.

The vibrant cherry blossom garden darkened, the colors replaced by ominous shades of red. A blood-red aura enveloped the simulated Kenshin, thick and menacing. Long, curved horns began to form from this energy, twisting grotesquely on his forehead.

His simulated counterpart's face was cold and emotionless as he raised his sword, preparing to strike Akane.

Suu gritted her teeth, struggling to regain control of the mindscape. She turned to Kenshin, her voice urgent. "Kenshin! Calm down! This isn't real—it's all fake! It didn't happen! You're not like this!"

But Kenshin didn't hear her. His breathing grew erratic, his steps faltering as he instinctively stepped back. The words of Tetsuya echoed in his mind: "They called you the 'blood-red devil.' Fitting for someone like you, don't you think?"

The word devil rang repeatedly, each utterance like a hammer striking his psyche.

The cherry blossom garden began to crumble, the petals burning into ash as flames erupted around them. Suu winced, blood trickling from her nose. The strain Kenshin's unstable mind was putting on hers was immense.

Though this was her jutsu, something she had mastered over decades, Kenshin's sheer mental force was overriding her control.

The mindscape finally shattered, throwing Kenshin back into reality. He found himself sitting on the floor of Suu's office, disoriented. His breath hitched as he noticed Suu lying on the floor, blood pooling beside her head.

Panic surged through him as his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan activated instinctively. With his right eye's ability, he focused on healing the damage to Suu's brain. The faint blue glow surrounded her as the injury repaired itself, her labored breathing easing slightly.

Without hesitation, Kenshin stood and bolted out of the office. As he stumbled down the stairs, Ino turned to him, alarmed.

"Kenshin! What happened?! Talk to me!" she called, rushing toward him.

But Kenshin, consumed by panic and guilt, pushed her aside with more force than intended. Ino was thrown back, landing in a flower bed with a startled cry.

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Once again, thank you everyone for your continued support and power stones. And as always, please give me your power stones and comment your opinions. They make a big difference and motivate me to write more.