That night, Sasuke was trapped in nightmares he couldn't wake from.
Hyakka, too, had a brutal shift.
The entire Medical Squad had been called out.
Although other medical Ninja remained, injuries ordinary medics couldn't handle were passed to Hyakka.
Fortunately, Masahiko was there as well.
The next morning, when Hyakka finally clocked off, she thanked Masahiko over and over.
'Thank you so much for your help, Masahiko-sama—otherwise…'
He didn't dare imagine.
There had been a flood of patients the night before.
Without Masahiko handling several trauma cases, he might have collapsed on the spot.
'I need to get some rest too.'
Masahiko rubbed his temples.
Doctors—
—truly had it rough.
Pulling an overnight, then rushing into emergency surgery.
Compared with this, he preferred teaching at the Ninja Academy.
Masahiko left and detoured past Sasuke's ward.
It was only meant to be a quick look.
He pushed the door and took two quiet steps inside; Sasuke sat on the bed, staring blankly at the curtains.
Footsteps made him turn.
Seeing Masahiko, life and grief finally flickered across Sasuke's pale, numb face.
'Sensei.'
'Sasuke, you—'
Masahiko hesitated.
They lapsed into silence. Then: 'Rest these next few days; I'll get you excused.'
'Sensei, I'm not taking leave.'
Sasuke's eyes refocused, burning with hatred. 'I'll grow stronger. I'll kill him—kill that man!'
He'd only just felt his father's love, tasted happiness—
—and it had all been shattered.
Sasuke covered his eyes; something inside him strained to burst free yet stayed caged.
'No rush.'
Masahiko sat. 'Strength comes step by step, not overnight.'
'How do I take those steps?'
Sasuke looked up, hatred and bewilderment warring in his gaze.
He loathed Itachi, yet had no idea how to surpass him.
After all—
for seven years he'd idolised Uchiha Itachi.
To him, Itachi had been invincible.
Masahiko lowered his gaze. 'Will you give up?'
'Give up?'
Sasuke clenched his fists. 'No! Never!'
'Bid farewell to who you were.'
Masahiko patted his shoulder. 'Starting tomorrow, you won't have it easy.'
He rose and walked out.
Sasuke stared at the door until it shut, then broke into silent sobs.
Outside, Masahiko told the arriving medic: 'He's awake. Leave him alone for a while.'
'Yes, sir!'
Back home, Masahiko took out the jar holding the Sharingan.
While helping at the hospital he'd pocketed preservative fluid for organs; it would keep the two pairs of eyes viable.
To him, the Sharingan were of little use for now.
Though he possessed Shikotsumyaku, it shared ancestry with the Byakugan, not the Sharingan; there was no synergy.
Transplanting them would be hard to conceal, costly, and low-return—pointless at present.
Once stored, Masahiko kept the sealing scroll on him.
Bugs infested the house; he dared not leave anything lying around.
After a shower he had barely lain down—
—
'Is Masahiko-sensei in?'
Masahiko opened his eyes, went downstairs and opened the door.
The visitor wore Anbu gear. Polite, he bowed. 'Sorry to disturb you. The Hokage-sama summons you.'
'One moment—change of clothes.'
Masahiko went back in.
Soon he reappeared in outdoor clothes and a flak jacket, following the messenger toward the Hokage Building.
'Hokage-sama.'
'Sit.'
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were blood-shot, face haggard—clearly sleepless.
After something so big, sleep had been impossible.
Masahiko bowed and sat.
Hiruzen waved; the Anbu left, closing the door.
Then he asked about the previous night.
Masahiko recounted everything in detail, including Watanabe Shōji's last-minute "evening party."
Hiruzen lapsed into silence.
The Academy was technically under the Hokage's direct control, but his energy was failing; sometimes he delegated to Homura Mitokado—
He puffed his pipe, saying nothing for a while.
At last he looked up: 'Masahiko, with my backing, could you take Root from Danzo?'
Masahiko's head snapped up, stunned.
Instead of delight, his face grew graver.
'Sir, my current strength and standing aren't enough for such a task, let alone wresting it from Lord Danzo—'
He paused.
Hiruzen exhaled wearily.
Then, forcing a smile: 'You're right; I was hasty. Yet your tone tells me you have the nerve.'
He lifted his pipe, took several drags, then calmed. 'You've probably guessed what happened last night?'
'Yes, I've pieced some of it together.'
Masahiko nodded, hiding nothing.
After a moment: 'The Uchiha are a problem, but also an asset. They contributed heavily in past wars; this move is too rash to satisfy the Village.'
'Exactly. Even a youngster like you sees it, yet they—' Hiruzen broke into racking coughs, face reddening.
'Hokage-sama!'
Ignoring protocol, Masahiko stepped forward, channeling medical Chakra until Hiruzen spat bloody phlegm.
'Hokage-sama, the Village is in crisis; you must guard your health.'
His tone was respectful yet genuinely concerned.
It worked; Hiruzen's exhaustion eased. Suppressing his rage, he said gently: 'Good child, thank you. I'm better.'
'As for your proposal—' Masahiko continued, '—I'd need to become a Jonin first, then slowly earn their trust before I could hope to succeed.'
Hiruzen nodded, then frowned slightly.
'With your record, the Jonin exam will be tough—win trust first. No rush; I'm patient.'
He pondered.
'Keep last night secret. Reassure Sasuke.'
'I follow your orders.'
Masahiko wore perfect loyalty.
Hiruzen nodded tiredly. 'Go rest. I heard you helped at the hospital; you must be exhausted. This afternoon I'll have Mizuki cover your class.'
'Very well. Please rest too, sir.'
Masahiko bowed and left.
Once he was gone, an Anbu stepped from the hidden room.
'Kakashi, your view?'
'Hard to say if he's loyal, but he's dedicated to his students, capable, steady—he has a chance,'
Kakashi replied.
Hiruzen puffed smoke. 'There's trouble in Kyoto; I'm worried, yet can't easily send anyone. His status and skills fit.'
'You want to send him?'
Kakashi was surprised.
After thought: 'We'll need a solid excuse, or the daimyo and nobles will object—things are chaotic there.'
'Mm.'
Hiruzen closed his eyes, mind racing.
Then, straightening: 'What of that Kaguya Ninja from yesterday?'
'Powerful. If you don't know his style, you'll suffer.'
Kakashi assessed.
He added: 'He knew my habits; every time I tried to counter, he'd open distance early.'
'Knows you, and from the Kaguya Clan—'
Hiruzen frowned.
No one matched that profile at present.
His face darkened: 'Could he be one of Madara's men?'
'Unknown. I tried to probe, but he disengaged at first contact—no chance to learn more.'
'Investigate Hidden Mist.'
Hiruzen ordered.
One Second later he added: 'Check Danzo's side too.'
'Yes, sir!'