Chapter 83: A Gentle Person

Suppressing all negative emotions, Shinji meticulously planned his next steps. Even if one aspires to reach the top, they must first focus on the present and take it one step at a time.

The path must be traversed step by step, and every step must be taken steadily and firmly.

"Karin."

Soon, Karin occupied his thoughts.

Karin was the key to everything. Whether those half-damaged or completely damaged Mangekyō Sharingan could be restored depended entirely on her.

So before that, Shinji had one crucial task.

He bit his finger and began to form seals. With a bang, a burst of white smoke erupted, and Yukimaru appeared.

Yukimaru licked his fur and asked, "What are you going to steal this time?"

"..."

Shinji was speechless.

Yukimaru immediately understood and sighed, "You're not stealing something? Then you must want me to spy on someone, right? Oh, it's such a tiring job again!"

Shinji was a little embarrassed. "Ahem, this time it's something else!"

Yukimaru fixed his gaze on Shinji.

Shinji said, "I need to go to Kusagakure Village to handle something, but I can't go there openly. So, I need you to go to Kusagakure Village first and then bring me there through reverse summons."

"Kusagakure Village? Doesn't that mean we have to go abroad?"

Yukimaru sounded hesitant.

Shinji frowned. "What's wrong? Don't you know the way?"

"How is that possible!" Yukimaru puffed out his chest. "Don't worry, leave it to me!"

Shinji felt a twinge of doubt about relying on Yukimaru, but after considering his options, he had no other choice.

With Yukimaru's speed, even if he set out immediately and nothing unexpected occurred, it would still take at least a week to reach the vicinity of Kusagakure Village. After agreeing on the approximate timing with Yukimaru, Shinji ended the summons and let Yukimaru return to prepare his luggage.

After Yukimaru departed, Shinji began to ponder the White Zetsu cells.

He had instructed Deidara to collect White Zetsu cells, which, although safer than the first-generation cells, still posed significant risks if transplanted.

To gain Karin's cooperation, he needed to show sincerity.

"Once I rescue Karin's mother and Deidara acquires the White Zetsu cells, I can discuss the possibility of a White Zetsu cell transplant with Karin."

Shinji guessed that Karin would not refuse.

Firstly, the powerful vitality of Karin's Uzumaki clan and her extremely rare self-healing physique ensured that the risk of transplanting White Zetsu cells was much smaller for her than for ordinary people.

Secondly, this would be a tremendous improvement for her.

If the transplant succeeded, her body would effectively combine the immortal body of the Uzumaki clan, the immortal body of the Thousand Hands clan, and some characteristics of the sacred tree.

If she could fully tap into her physique's potential, she could rival Ashura Otsutsuki, who inherited the sage body of the Six Paths Sage.

Shinji also found a way to stimulate her potential through "Wood Release."

'Wood Release' can activate the sacred tree's characteristics in the blood, and to support 'Wood Release,' one needs a strong sage body. Therefore, while studying 'Wood Release,' Karin would instinctively access the power of the sage body hidden in her blood.

This was similar to how Shinji used the 'Susano primordial light' to control other people's Mangekyō Sharingan eyes.

Controlling this technique itself was a form of chakra control training, which also explained why Shinji mastered medical ninjutsu so quickly; he was continually training his chakra control.

As he thought about it, his eyelids grew heavy.

That night, he had sparred with Sasuke, rushed to repel an invasion, and witnessed the destruction of a world.

By now, exhaustion overwhelmed him, and he fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, Shinji arrived at the ninja school, yawning.

After completing the morning cultural courses, he hurried to the laboratory to assist Kusa Kaoru with two operations. His superb chakra control, combined with his mature mental age, impressed the entire medical class.

Even Kusa Kaoru, who had initially been critical of him, was now proud and praised him to everyone she met.

However, Shinji remained aware of his own limitations.

In medical ninjutsu, he was still a novice. Compared to Tsunade, the expert in medical ninjutsu, and even ordinary medical ninjas, he had many areas to improve.

Therefore, he was not swayed by the praise but focused intensely on absorbing all the knowledge within the medical class.

That evening, he walked alone to his usual practice ground.

Upon entering the practice field, he heard the sounds of intense metal clashing.

"Huh?"

Shinji was surprised to find people in such a remote location.

As he walked in, he saw Haku and Karin sparring.

Seeing Shinji, Haku and Karin quickly halted.

Haku stepped forward and explained, "Shinji-san, Karin-san and I met by chance!"

Karin nodded at Shinji and turned to leave.

Clearly, they had come to see this place as Shinji's private training ground and were concerned that he might be displeased, so one explained while the other sought to leave.

"Aren't you even more suspicious?" Shinji thought.

Their behavior made it seem as though he was there to catch them in some misdeed, leaving him puzzled.

"Stop!"

Shinji halted Karin, who was attempting to sneak away.

Karin froze in her tracks.

Shinji scrutinized her carefully. Though it was unusual for her to wear dark goggles so late at night, such was the way of ninjas—some even wore masks for their entire lives.

A small bag hung from her waist, likely containing loot from the Drum Demon.

Noticing Shinji's scrutiny, Haku grew nervous and quickly said, "Shinji-san, let's practice sparring!"

Shinji asked, "Why did you run away when you saw me?"

"Ah?!" Karin was stunned.

"Stay!"

Shinji's calm command stopped Karin in her tracks, and he strode towards the center of the practice field.

Karin looked at Haku with a questioning gaze.

Haku smiled and nodded. "Shinji-san is actually a very gentle person. Please stay!"

Shinji allowing Karin to stay indicated his approval of her joining his small team.

Especially with Shinji's current reputation as a 'genius' in the Ninja School, joining such a small group was a significant opportunity, especially for a loner like Karin.

Throwing his coat on a bench, Shinji turned to Haku and said, "Stop talking nonsense and get started!"

Haku grinned. "Here we go!"

End of Chapter