"What happened?"
In the classroom, the students' curiosity was piqued.
The booming explosions echoed through half the school; those closer could see the surging flames and the rising water and earth walls.
Actually—
The teachers were also very curious.
However, as teachers, they couldn't crane their necks like the students; they had to pretend to be serious and quiet everyone down.
Inside the school building.
Watanabe Shōji, who was packing his things, jumped in fright at the sound of the explosion.
Immediately after—
Even from the front school building, he saw the sky-illuminating flames and the shockingly powerful Chakra fluctuations. Was Masahiko fighting Hokage-sama?
Looking out the window—
Behind, billowing steam shot into the sky, forming a dark cloud overhead.
What scale of Ninjutsu collision could create such a spectacle?
Watanabe Shōji's eyes widened, filled with shock and astonishment, followed by a slight sense of relief.
Before, although he had told Masahiko "it's none of your business," he still felt some resistance in his heart.
He believed he only had minor issues, not enough to be stripped of his position as education class monitor.
Watanabe Shōji speculated that he was probably making way for someone, which led to this outcome.
But seeing Masahiko's strength—
His resentment vanished instantly.
Strength is the ultimate truth!
"A seventeen-year-old education class monitor!"
"Sigh!"
Watanabe Shōji was left with only envy and an indescribable admiration.
The world is not short of talented people.
But like Masahiko, who truly erupted and rose at seventeen, is indeed rare.
He finished packing and, as he left, coincidentally ran into a teacher.
"Senior Shōji, what's this?"
"Ah, Teacher Mizuki."
Watanabe Shōji smiled, lifting the things in his hands, and said, "A job transfer, to assist in guiding Chunin."
"Then who will arrange our future work?"
Mizuki was surprised.
Watanabe Shōji smiled mysteriously and said, "You'll find out when the time comes."
He quickly left.
Mizuki was bewildered, but then, his eyes lit up as he realized—
This might be an opportunity.
He waited right there.
A while later, Mizuki saw Yagyu Masahiko coming from the other end of the corridor.
He was slightly taken aback, then looked around, pretending to be busy, but from the corner of his eye, he saw Masahiko locking the office.
??
Mizuki immediately approached.
"Masahiko-kun, why are you locking this place?"
"Not sure, I'm just acting on behalf."
Masahiko shook his head.
Mizuki watched him leave in confusion.
Afterward, he turned back to look at the office and suddenly realized something was off.
Acting on behalf?
Watanabe Shōji had just left, and Masahiko already had the key to lock the door—what a coincidence!
No way?!
Mizuki thought of this possibility and felt a sour taste in his mouth.
"What gives him the right?"
The Ninja Academy isn't large, and Konoha is only so big.
Soon, the appointment was announced.
Many people knew that a young Ninja had risen to power.
Yagyu Masahiko.
Even before being promoted to Jonin, he had taken on the role of Acting education class monitor, able to appoint many education-related tasks and activities at the Ninja Academy.
Not just Mizuki, but even many Jonin at the Ninja Academy felt sour, unable to understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's response was simple—who solved the previous problem?
Who proposed the sparring activity?
Who could duel with him and satisfy him?
For the first and second, some still thought "I can do it," but no one dared answer the third.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, but not dead.
He still had Kage-level combat power; even holding back, not just anyone could face him.
The scale of Ninjutsu from that morning was something few at the Ninja Academy, aside from Masahiko, could achieve.
Everyone was waiting for the "big stick" to fall, but as the day passed, Masahiko showed no signs of calling a meeting to discipline or
establish authority.
He spent the entire day in the school library.
After temporarily taking the education class monitor position, Masahiko learned that even among teachers, borrowing privileges in the library differed.
Most Chunin teachers could borrow basic books or apply for some C-rank and B-rank Ninjutsu.
Jonin were different.
Besides being able to directly view research and notes on C-rank and some B-rank Ninjutsu, they could also directly view the Ninjutsu scrolls treasured in the school library.
Use it or lose it.
After finishing the cleanup work at the Training Ground, Masahiko stayed in the upper level of the Ninja Academy library until the dismissal bell rang.
In the library, there weren't many B-rank Ninjutsu, only a few types, mostly like Water Release: Water Wall, Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, and such.
Wind Release didn't even have any B-rank Ninjutsu preserved.
But it's free!
What more could you ask for?
Night, at home.
Sasuke returned from outside, looking exhausted, but when he saw Masahiko, he hesitated, as if wanting to say something.
"If you have a question, ask."
Masahiko wiped his face.
Sasuke said, "I heard you got promoted, congratulations."
"Temporary appointment, no different from before, still have to teach classes."
He pulled a chair and sat down, "Strength is the prerequisite for everything. When your strength reaches a certain level, you'll inevitably move to a higher position."
Hearing this, Sasuke's expression darkened.
Masahiko asked calmly, "Sasuke, do you still want revenge?"
"Of course!"
Sasuke's eyes turned serious.
"Asking others for help is easy, but it also makes you easily controlled by them."
Masahiko's tone was calm, "Sasuke, you can learn from others, but don't walk their path."
"Teacher—"
Sasuke was stunned.
"Go to bed early, rest well, so you'll have strength tomorrow."
Masahiko smiled.
Sasuke nodded silently, got up, and headed downstairs.
Turning back, Masahiko's smile faded as he looked out the window, created a Shadow Clone, and silently slipped out.
In just a moment, he arrived at the outskirts.
Insects gathered, forming a human shape.
Kiba appeared.
Then, his tone icy, "Congratulations, Leader Masahiko."
"Just a temporary appointment, and what does such a small position amount to? They can put me up, and they can easily bring me down."
Masahiko's tone was calm, "Just like Watanabe Shōji."
Kiba finally forced a smile, "As the Lord predicted, you are indeed a smart person."
"I trust the Lord's judgment, just as I trust myself."
Masahiko replied.
Kiba's expression turned serious, "The Lord has found out the mission the Hokage might give you."
"The Capital?"
"Correct, it seems you've already guessed."
Kiba nodded.
As he spoke, he threw over a scroll with intelligence information.
"The Twelve Guardian Ninja, have you heard of them?"
"Heard a bit."
Masahiko took it.
After a quick read, he pondered, "Under the guise of educational exchange, to interact with the schools of the Daimyo and Nobles?"
"Probably so."
Kiba nodded.
Masahiko put away the scroll and asked, "What does the Lord mean?"
"Complete it fully. This is a mission beneficial to Konoha. Best to kill all the radicals without exposing our identities as Konoha Ninja."
"I understand."