Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style

"The categorization into standard and emergency types… Very logical. Are you saying this was all Garou's idea?"

The Third Hokage set the report down, his expression unreadable but tinged with surprise.

"Yes, Lord Third," Kitayama nodded. "The rest of us merely assisted."

"He came up with the classification system himself. Standard types are for regular missions, boosting stamina and energy steadily. Emergency types are more for high-intensity combat, rapid recovery and some satiety, but they're easier on the body."

"Implement it immediately," the Third Hokage exhaled slowly, a rare smile forming beneath his pipe.

Kitayama bowed respectfully and took her leave.

A moment later, a figure shimmered into existence beside the desk.

"Kakashi," the Third Hokage said without looking up, "what's your opinion?"

"Of the boy, or the report?" Kakashi asked, raising his eye from the novel in his hand.

"Both," Hiruzen replied, smoke curling around his face, shadowing his expression.

Kakashi pondered for a moment. "Not mastering nature transformation doesn't mean much at this age. As for the rations, categorizing them does make sense. It could cut operational costs by a third or more. That level of innovation… is impressive."

"Three days," the Third murmured, more to himself than to Kakashi. "In just three days, he learned, researched, and developed this. That's not just talent, it's insight."

"He only joined the medical team to study medical ninjutsu and basic chakra theory. These new ration pills are probably an afterthought to him."

"Are you interested in taking him under your wing?"

"Ah…sorry, Lord Third," Kakashi said after a brief pause. "I'll help monitor him in the meantime, but I don't think I'm the right teacher for him. Someone like Lady Tsunade or Master Jiraiya would be a better fit."

The Third sighed. Of course, he already knew that. But neither of them were in the village anymore.

Silence settled thickly between them.

"I'll watch over him while he's without a team," Kakashi added, slipping his book back into his pocket. "But I can't be his sensei. I… have my own reasons."

The Third Hokage didn't argue. With an elite jonin like Kakashi, even the Hokage needed to respect personal boundaries.

He quietly relit his pipe, the embers glowing like fading stars.

---

"Hmm? What's this?"

Garou lay in the hospital during his lunch break, attempting to meditate and mentally consolidate all he'd learned.

As his thoughts quieted, a familiar presence resurfaced in his mind.

The glowing orb. But this time, it had changed.

It was smaller. Or rather, condensed. The glow had shrunk inward, creating a rough, uneven surface that shimmered with strange, shifting patterns.

'Wait…'

Those patterns, those ridges and grooves…felt familiar to him.

Garou's eyes widened as memories surged from his past life. Before he'd been reborn in this world, he'd once owned a bodhi seed, a real one. And the patterns etched into that seed were identical to the ones now radiating from the orb in his mind.