The next day, inside the Hokage Office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, his brow furrowed with worry, contemplating how to resolve the Uchiha crisis.
Negotiations... Shisui was the most suitable bridge, but now with Shisui missing, everything had become impossible.
Does it really have to come to clan annihilation?
He remained silent, unsure how to proceed, when a figure entered his office directly through a special passage.
The Anbu Ninja saluted:
"Hokage-sama, urgent news."
"Kakashi, no need for formalities, just speak directly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, not wanting to dwell on matters of etiquette.
Kakashi stood up.
"Lord Hokage, Shisui is dead, but I cannot confirm if it is truly him, as he was burned to a crisp, and his eyes were completely gouged out."
"What?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up, his face filled with astonishment. "Where did this news come from?"
"The Uchiha Clan. The first to discover him was Itachi. Now, the Uchiha Clan is in chaos, and many suspect Itachi killed Shisui."
Kakashi continued.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned, not expecting such a development, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
He sat back in his chair, unsure whether to feel relieved or sad.
Or... perhaps the deceased wasn't the real Shisui; the body was just a disguise.
He remained silent for a long time, then said: "I understand. Continue to monitor the Uchiha Clan, but do not let them detect you."
"Yes!"
Kakashi departed through the special passage.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his chair, smoking, lost in thought.
He didn't quite believe Shisui would die.
But.
If the person who saved Shisui also targeted Shisui's Sharingan... could it be Danzo's people?
With the assassination attempt preceding this, he found it hard to trust his old friend one hundred percent.
As the Third Hokage was deep in thought, a knock came at the door.
He snapped out of it: "Come in."
The door opened, and Yagyu Masahiko entered, first bowing, then handing over an application: "Please review this."
"Another application?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, taking the application from Masahiko's hand, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes. "You want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Yes, I have already stated the reason."
Masahiko pointed to the application.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down, then his eyes flashed with surprise and anger, and he looked up at Masahiko, his tone very stern:
"Do you know how many people have had accidents while researching Ninjutsu and can no longer serve as Ninja?"
"Researching and developing new techniques is inherently treading on the unknown. If one dares not take this step, there can be no gains."
Masahiko was respectful, yet stubborn.
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth slightly, then sighed helplessly, saying: "Alright, show me this technique, and I will evaluate it."
"Yes!"
Masahiko nodded and followed Hiruzen Sarutobi to the rooftop.
Afterward, he used Body Flicker to appear in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the Chakra refined in advance on his arm quickly formed a swirling current of water.
The water current flowed along his arm, converging on his fist, forming a highly concentrated, conical tip.
Water Release: Collapsing Flow.
Hiruzen Sarutobi formed hand seals, and Chakra assembled into an earth wall in front of him.
But.
In just an instant, a small, swift stream of water appeared on the thick wall, and immediately afterward, cracks erupted from that tiny point in the earth wall.
The water stream continuously impacted, and the Earth-Style Wall finally collapsed!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brows furrowed tightly.
Undoubtedly, this technique was incomplete; in fact, it could be said to be quite crude.
After seeing it once, he could replicate most of it.
But.
"This technique damages muscles and should be classified as a forbidden jutsu!"
"Hokage-sama, I have a way to solve it!"
Masahiko said eagerly, "These past few days, I've already conceived the prototype of a technique that can solve this problem."
"Is that why you applied to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.
Masahiko nodded:
"Yes, the human body contains a large amount of fluid. So, if I can create Water Release with healing effects, it can achieve continuous, slow healing..."
As he spoke, a genuine excitement and ecstasy appeared on his face.
"This way, the dangers of this technique can be controlled, and it can be applied in actual combat!"
"That's too reckless!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was annoyed and helpless, yet his eyes held joy and a hint of recollection.
Somehow... in that instant, he had thought of Orochimaru, which was why his tone had been particularly stern.
But now.
The light in his eyes couldn't lie; this child genuinely loved research!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a few seconds, then said: "First, go to the hospital for recuperation and treatment, so you don't leave any hidden injuries."
"But..."
Masahiko hesitated, as if he had something difficult to say.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled in exasperation, saying: "You won't miss out. Once you return with the medical report, I'll sign off on it and teach you how to refine your current technique!"
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Masahiko was overjoyed and immediately used Body Flicker to rush from the Hokage Building rooftop to Konoha Hospital.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his retreating figure, sighing with emotion.
Afterward, he shook his head and walked downstairs... to Konoha Hospital.
Masahiko underwent a check-up and quickly found out—
His body had no major issues, only minor muscle damage in his hands caused by high-concentration Chakra, which could be healed with Medical Ninjutsu.
Holding the examination report, he eagerly went to the Hokage Building to get Hiruzen Sarutobi's signature.
But.
In the Hokage's office, he met someone else.
Watanabe Shōji.
At this moment, Watanabe Shōji heard the commotion, turned back helplessly, looked at Masahiko, and sighed softly: "Masahiko-kun, did you forget something?"
"No! I have the report!"
Masahiko was bewildered.
Watanabe Shōji was speechless and said: "It's Monday today, you have class!"
"Huh?"
Masahiko was startled, looked at the calendar nearby, then realized, and quickly apologized, "I'm sorry, I'll go right away!"
Watanabe Shōji waved his hand, saying: "It's fine, Iruka is already substituting."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled upon hearing this.
"When is Iruka's next class?"
"This afternoon."
Watanabe Shōji replied.
Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled:
"Let Masahiko substitute for the class. Even though he's a taijutsu teacher, his Three Basic Jutsu are very impressive, especially his Clone Jutsu. It'll be a good opportunity for him to teach the students."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Masahiko nodded in agreement, a look of relief on his face.
Upon seeing this, Watanabe Shōji realized that Masahiko was highly regarded by the Third Hokage, so why would he object?
After he left, Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "Is this technique of yours meant to complement your Body Flicker Technique?"
"Yes."
Masahiko nodded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a puff from his pipe, then said:
"This is due to your insufficient Chakra control. Learning Medical Ninjutsu first is indeed a solution, but on the other hand, your Chakra compression technique is too crude."
"Then what should I do?"
Masahiko immediately interjected.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, stood up, and took a treasured notebook from a cabinet nearby.
"You have many ideas, but too little knowledge. Read more books, learn more, practice more, and you'll gradually get there."
"Yes, I will study it carefully!"
Masahiko happily accepted it, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, motioned for him to leave, and didn't forget to remind him to teach Ninjutsu class to the students that afternoon.
Stepping out of the office, Masahiko's joy grew even more intense.
It's done!
After this severing of ties, Hiruzen Sarutobi's suspicion of him would be at its lowest.
Next up is Danzo!
...
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