"What in the world is happening?"
Inside the classrooms, the students' curiosity had reached a fever pitch. The thunderous roar of explosions echoed through half the campus. Those seated near the windows could see surging flashes of fire, followed by the rising fortifications of water and earth walls.
The teachers were equally intrigued. However, maintaining their professional dignity prevented them from craning their necks out the windows like excited children. They were forced to feign solemnity and order everyone to remain seated.
Inside the faculty building, Watanabe Shōji, who was in the middle of packing his personal effects, shuddered at the sound of the blast.
Even from his position in the front building, he witnessed the sky being illuminated by the blaze and felt the shockwaves of chakra—powerful enough to be genuinely unnerving.
'Masahiko is actually fighting the Hokage-sama?'
He glanced out the window. Towards the rear of the training grounds, billowing steam rose into the heavens, forming a localized cloud layer. What scale of ninjutsu collision was required to create such a phenomenon?
Watanabe's eyes widened in shock and bewilderment, but slowly, a sense of relief washed over him.
Previously, when he had told Masahiko that the demotion "wasn't his fault," he had still harbored a seed of resentment deep in his heart. He believed his only failing was a few minor administrative errors, certainly not enough to warrant being stripped of his position as Head of the Education Unit. He had assumed he was merely being pushed aside to make way for someone with better connections.
But seeing Masahiko's true strength displayed like this… his resentment vanished instantly.
Strength is the only truth that matters.
'A seventeen-year-old Acting Head of the Education Unit…'
Watanabe let out a heavy sigh. All that remained in his heart was envy and an indescribable sense of respect. The world was never short of talented individuals, but late bloomers like Masahiko—who truly exploded onto the scene at seventeen—were a rare breed indeed.
He finished packing his box and stepped out of the office, bumping into another teacher in the hallway.
"Shōji-senpai? You are…"
"Ah, Mizuki-sensei." Watanabe smiled, lifting the box in his hands slightly. "Personnel transfer. I'm heading out to assist with the Chūnin guidance program."
"Then who will be arranging our work schedules moving forward?" Mizuki asked, surprised.
Watanabe gave a mysterious smile. "You'll find out soon enough."
He walked away briskly, leaving Mizuki standing there with a confused expression. However, Mizuki's eyes quickly darted around as a realization hit him.
'This… this might be an opportunity.'
He decided to wait right there.
After a while, Mizuki saw Yagyu Masahiko approaching from the other end of the corridor. He paused for a moment, then pretended to be busy examining a notice on the wall. Out of the corner of his eye, however, he watched as Masahiko took out a key and locked the Head's office.
Mizuki immediately sidled up to him.
"Masahiko-kun, why are you locking up this office?"
"I'm not sure. I'm just filling in for now," Masahiko replied, shaking his head.
Mizuki watched blankly as the young man walked away. He turned back to look at the locked office door, and the reality of the situation finally sank in.
'Filling in? Watanabe-senpai just left, and Masahiko immediately has the keys to lock up? There's no way that's a coincidence!'
'It can't be… right?!'
The thought left a sour taste in Mizuki's mouth.
'Why him? On what grounds?'
The Ninja Academy wasn't large, and Konoha itself was a village where news traveled fast. Before long, the official appointment came down.
Everyone learned that a young ninja had ascended to power.
Yagyu Masahiko.
Despite not yet being promoted to Jōnin, he had assumed the position of Acting Head of the Education Unit. This role granted him authority over numerous educational assignments and activities within the Academy.
It wasn't just Mizuki; even many of the Jōnin instructors felt a sting of jealousy, unable to comprehend Sarutobi Hiruzen's reasoning.
But the Third Hokage's logic was simple.
Who had solved the previous disciplinary crisis? Who had proposed the practical combat exchange? And, most importantly, who was capable of dueling him to a standstill and earning his satisfaction?
While some might have claimed they could handle the first two points, no one dared to answer the third.
Sarutobi Hiruzen might have been old, but he was not dead. He still possessed Kage-level combat prowess. Even if he held back, standing against him was not something just anyone could do. The scale of ninjutsu displayed that morning was something practically no one in the Academy, aside from Masahiko, could replicate.
Everyone waited for the hammer to drop. They expected the new Acting Head to call a meeting, flex his authority, or make an example of someone to establish dominance. Yet, the day passed without incident.
Masahiko spent the entire day in the school library.
Upon assuming the post, Masahiko discovered that even among teachers, library clearance varied significantly. Chūnin instructors could mostly access basic theory or apply for specific C-Rank and B-Rank jutsu.
The clearance for a Jōnin—or an administrative head—was different. aside from viewing research notes on C and B-Rank techniques, they had direct access to the Academy's collection of treasured ninjutsu scrolls.
Authority unused is authority wasted.
After overseeing the cleanup of the training grounds, Masahiko camped out on the upper floor of the library until the final bell rang. The library didn't house many B-Rank jutsu—mostly standard elemental defenses like Water Style: Water Wall or Earth Style: Mud Wall. There weren't even any B-Rank Wind Style techniques remaining.
But they were free.
What more could he ask for?
That night, at home.
Sasuke returned home looking thoroughly exhausted. However, upon seeing Masahiko, he hesitated, clearly wanting to say something.
"If you have a question, ask," Masahiko said, wiping his face with a towel.
"I heard you were promoted," Sasuke said. "Congratulations."
"It's just a temporary appointment. It's no different from before; I still have to teach classes." Masahiko pulled out a chair and sat down. "Strength is the prerequisite for everything. When your power reaches a certain level, you will inevitably move toward a higher position."
Hearing this, Sasuke's expression darkened slightly.
Masahiko looked at him calmly. "Sasuke, do you still desire revenge?"
"Of course!" Sasuke's gaze sharpened instantly.
"Seeking help from others is simple, but it makes it easy to be controlled by them," Masahiko said, his tone indifferent yet carrying a subtle weight. "Sasuke, you can learn from others, but do not walk on their path."
"Sensei…" Sasuke froze, processing the words.
"Go to sleep early. Only by resting well will you have the strength for tomorrow." Masahiko offered a gentle smile.
Sasuke nodded silently and headed downstairs to his room.
As he turned away, the smile vanished from Masahiko's face. He glanced out the window, created a Shadow Clone to cover his absence, and then slipped out of the house without a sound.
Moments later, he arrived in the outskirts of the village.
A swarm of insects coalesced in the darkness, forming a human silhouette.
Toge appeared.
"Congratulations, Head Masahiko," the Root agent said, his voice cold.
"It is merely a temporary post. Besides, what is a title like that worth? The higher-ups can lift me up, but they can just as easily bring me down," Masahiko replied calmly. "Just like Watanabe Shōji."
A rare, stiff smile forced its way onto Toge's face. "As Lord Danzō predicted, you are indeed a clever man."
"I trust in Lord Danzō's judgment, just as I trust in myself," Masahiko answered smoothly.
Toge's expression turned serious. "Lord Danzō has already determined the mission the Hokage is likely to assign you."
" The Capital?"
"Correct. It seems you've already guessed it." Toge nodded. He tossed a scroll containing intelligence reports toward Masahiko. "Have you heard of the Twelve Guardian Ninja?"
"I've heard a little," Masahiko said, catching the scroll.
After quickly scanning the contents, he looked up thoughtfully. "So, under the guise of an academic exchange, I am to interact with the schools patronized by the Daimyō and the nobility?"
"That is the cover, yes," Toge confirmed.
Masahiko tucked the scroll away. "And what is Lord Danzō's will?"
"Complete the mission with full effort. This task benefits Konoha. However," Toge's voice dropped an octave, "your objective is to kill all the radicals within the Twelve Guardian Ninja. And you must do so without exposing your identity as a Konoha shinobi."
"I understand."