Chapter 6: The Light Orb, The Bodhi Seed

"Everyday use, emergency use... It's a very logical categorization. Did Kai really come up with all this on his own?" The Third Hokage found it hard to believe as he read through the report.

"Yes, the rest of us only provided minimal support," Kitayama nodded. "The everyday-use pills are for regular missions, while the emergency-use pills are for rapid recovery after intense battles. They're less filling but easier on the body."

"Implement it as soon as possible," the Third Hokage exhaled and smiled slightly.

Kitayama bowed and left the room.

"Kakashi, what do you think?" After a moment, a shadowy figure appeared.

"Are you asking about him or about the report?" Kakashi looked up.

"Both."

The Third Hokage smoked his pipe, his expression hidden behind a veil of smoke.

Kakashi thought for a moment. "The fact that he can't learn nature transformation doesn't mean much. As for the ration pills, categorizing them is indeed more practical. It should reduce the cost of missions by at least a third."

"Three days!" The Third Hokage sighed.

Three days. It had only taken Kai three days to learn, research, and master the entire process. Such talent was incredible. The Hokage remembered that Kai had joined the medical division to study both ninjutsu and medical knowledge. In Kai's eyes, reworking the ration pills was likely just a side project.

"Interested in mentoring him?" the Third Hokage asked.

"Uh, sorry, Lord Third. I think I'll pass for now," Kakashi hesitated for a moment before declining. "I don't think I'm the right teacher for him. I believe Lady Tsunade or Lord Jiraiya would be better suited."

The Third Hokage knew this well enough, but neither of them was in Konoha at the moment. Silence fell over the room.

"In any case, I'll keep an eye on the boy for you. Until he's assigned a team leader, I'll look out for him. But as for being his instructor, I'll have to decline."

Kakashi bowed and left, taking his book with him.

The Third Hokage didn't stop him. As an elite jounin, even the Hokage had to respect Kakashi's decisions. Besides, Kakashi's reluctance to take on a team was largely due to the fact that he was keeping an eye on the Fourth Hokage's son.

The Hokage quietly lit his pipe again.

...

"Hmm? What's this?" Kai was taking a midday break at the hospital, resting and reflecting on what he had learned. As he meditated, the familiar light orb suddenly appeared in his consciousness, but this time there was something different about it—it seemed smaller.

No, not smaller. It seemed condensed, the light compressed. The surface now had strange, irregular patterns of light and dark. It almost looked like… some kind of intricate design.

Wait. This pattern, this shape… it looks familiar.

Kai was startled as he tried to recall where he had seen something similar. He thought back through his past-life memories until it finally hit him. Before his transmigration, he had obtained a bodhi seed, and the patterns on the light orb were identical to that seed.

It *was* the bodhi seed!

Kai's eyes widened in disbelief. But soon after, he calmed himself down. This wasn't the time to dwell on its origins.

Whether it was a bodhi seed or some mysterious light orb, this thing was undoubtedly the foundation of his abilities in this ninja world. The fact that it had changed must have some significance.

Abandoning the thought of rest, Kai sat up, grabbed some paper and a pen, and began jotting down his thoughts. Minutes passed…

*Thud!*

Kai accidentally poked a hole in the paper with his pen.

Military ration pills!

A realization struck him. A few days ago, he had altered the formula for the military ration pills, and just today, he had submitted his report. It was likely already being implemented.

"I have to learn and gain insights, then share those insights with others. That's how the bodhi seed changes and gives me feedback."

"But what did I gain?"

The bodhi seed must have granted him some new ability as a result of his work. Kai tested himself for a while and eventually concluded that the feedback he received this time was an enhanced sensory ability—not ordinary sensory perception, but the ability to sense more than just chakra. He could now perceive when people were watching him.

For example, he could tell someone was observing him at that very moment.

Kai didn't react immediately. Instead, he casually stood up as if he was going to grab a book, and glanced around. The observer moved quickly, but Kai caught a glimpse of silver hair and the edge of glasses.

Kabuto?

After thinking it over, Kai deduced the likely culprit. No one else fit the description. He wasn't particularly surprised; after all, his mentor was Mizuki, so Kabuto's attention was to be expected.

No need to alarm him. Who knows? We might be able to cooperate in the future.

Kai quietly made his way to Kitayama's office. The door was open, but Kitayama was napping inside. Kai slipped in, grabbed a new book, and was about to leave when something caught his eye.

Uh… Kitayama-sensei…

It's normal for adults to have an interest in… certain materials. But seriously, you could at least close the door.

Kai quietly turned to leave, but before he could slip out, there was a sudden gasp behind him, followed by the hurried sound of shuffling papers.

"Ahem, K-Kai, borrowing a book again? Finished the last one already?" Kitayama stammered.

"Yes," Kai nodded. "I'm looking into something related to the nervous system."

Kitayama's face flushed slightly. "Good, good. If it's too noisy outside, feel free to read here."

"Thank you, but I'll manage. By the way, Sensei, could I start learning the Chakra Scalpel technique?"

Kitayama hesitated. "That's a fairly advanced jutsu... ah, forget it. Here, take it."

She had been about to explain that the Chakra Scalpel was an A-rank jutsu with a high difficulty level but then remembered Kai had already learned the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan on his own, no less.

Comparisons were infuriating!

"Thank you, Sensei."

As Kai had suspected, when someone was caught in an embarrassing moment, they were much more likely to grant requests.

Kai skimmed through the technique and returned the book shortly afterward. Once he left, Kitayama buried her head in her hands, silently groaning.

That boy *definitely* saw it! I just hope he doesn't know what that book was about. Otherwise, I'll have no shred of dignity left as a teacher.

Kai, oblivious to her turmoil, walked out of the office, reading as he went, and began forming hand signs to practice the Chakra Scalpel.

The first attempt? Failure.

Hyakuso, who had been secretly observing Kai since he left the office, sighed in relief at the sight. At least he's not that...

The second attempt? Success.

Hyakuso quietly stood up, deciding to move to a different spot to rest. The sight was simply too frustrating.

Kai, completely unaware of Hyakuso's internal struggle, was thoroughly enjoying himself as he tested the effects of the Chakra Scalpel. It was indeed a B-rank jutsu; mastering it in one go was no easy feat.

No wonder it's rarely used in combat.

For most people, just maintaining the scalpel was difficult enough. Using it effectively in a heated battle required an extraordinary level of chakra control. Those who could do so often had far more efficient methods of attack, like Tsunade's monstrous strength or Chiyo's puppet techniques. Kabuto was an exception.

But for Kai, this technique had potential.

After some thought, he began experimenting with modifications—compressing the chakra into a much thinner and sharper blade, about the width of a dagger.

"In real combat, this might not be as useful. But it does give me some ideas for improving chakra manipulation, especially when it comes to forming chakra needles."