"Masahiko, no—"
Seeing him again, Iruka felt a bit flustered and at a loss.
Yesterday, he might have been poorly informed and hadn't heard about Masahiko's promotion, but today there were meetings and new directions being set—
Even the least informed person should know by now.
Perhaps.
He was the last teacher to find out.
Iruka sighed inwardly.
Masahiko didn't take it seriously and said, "Hokage-sama didn't have a candidate for the moment, so he let me take over temporarily, that's all."
Iruka opened his mouth, thinking of the thunderous roar he had heard that day, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.
Ninjutsu of such scale—how could an ordinary person achieve that?
"But you really are amazing!"
In the end, Iruka could only squeeze out that one sentence, his expression full of nothing but admiration and envy.
Masahiko smiled slightly and said, "Everyone has areas they are good and not so good at. What we need to do is play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses, which is why teams exist."
"Do I have strengths too?"
Iruka could tell Masahiko was comforting him, and he felt a bit lost.
Masahiko nodded. "Of course. You treat everyone equally and are very caring and responsible toward all your students. How does that not count as a strength?"
Iruka was left dazed.
Outside, Mizuki was anxious.
As long as Iruka didn't leave, it wasn't convenient for him to go in and try to get close to Masahiko.
But unfortunately—
Even if he waited for an opportunity, Masahiko didn't give him much time.
Because two friends had arrived.
At noon, inside Konoha's Yakiniku Q restaurant.
"I've heard everything! You defeated Hokage-sama?"
"No, I just spent one afternoon reading books. Have the rumors already spread this ridiculously?"
Masahiko was utterly shocked.
Kurenai Yuhi smiled and said, "She's just talking nonsense. Everyone says you used a very powerful technique that impressed both Hokage-sama and the Advisor-sama."
"It's not as amazing as you think."
Hearing this, Masahiko shook his head. "Hokage-sama wasn't serious at all; he was just treating me like a child."
Anko gave him a sideways glance—
In front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, few Ninjas are NOT 'children'.
Masahiko then recounted the sequence of events.
Of course.
He did not mention Hiruzen Sarutobi's so-called 'follow-up mission'.
Anko listened and pondered for a long time before saying, "So, Hokage-sama knew you mastered Water Release Genjutsu, which is why he gave you the chance to show your abilities?"
"Pretty much."
Masahiko sipped his drink.
"That's still very strong. At least your Fire Release Ninjutsu definitely exceeded Hokage-sama's expectations,"
Kurenai Yuhi said.
"I feel like you're just one step away from becoming a Jonin, just needing to build up seniority and pass the assessment."
Anko's eyes were red with envy. "Damn it!"
She had become a Special Jonin a year or two before Masahiko, and she was still a Special Jonin now.
Whereas Masahiko—
If he were promoted again soon, it would be a triple jump within a single year.
This was simply too ridiculous!
Light also flickered in Kurenai Yuhi's beautiful eyes, but she didn't say anything.
"I'm still a long way off."
Masahiko smiled.
Then, he sat up a bit straighter. "I actually have some things I'd like to ask your advice on."
"What is it?"
"I haven't left Konoha much in recent years, so I'm not clear on the situation between the Capital and us. Thinking about the people I know, I figured you two might know more."
Masahiko answered.
Anko Mitarashi sipped her sweet soup and said, "Many nobles in the Capital find us an eyesore. The atmosphere is weird; I don't like going there."
"The situation over there... is not very good."
Kurenai Yuhi clearly knew more.
She hesitated several times before finally asking curiously, "Why are you asking about this?"
"The situation over there has affected the Ninja Academy, so I wanted to ask."
Masahiko replied.
Kurenai Yuhi understood and answered, "It does have an impact."
She pondered for a moment and glanced at Anko.
Anko Mitarashi rolled her eyes and stood up to walk out. "I'll go see what meat they have."
Once she left the private room.
Kurenai Yuhi whispered, "One reason is that we didn't receive much compensation from the previous Great War, and they are somewhat dissatisfied. The other is—"
"After many years of peace, some of them have forgotten the pain and believe there's no need to keep so many Ninjas."
At this point, she sighed softly.
Masahiko looked thoughtful and said, "It's also related to the Guardian Shinobi, isn't it?"
Kurenai Yuhi didn't speak, which was a silent confirmation.
Masahiko didn't say more; he now had a general idea.
Kurenai Yuhi whispered, "These matters involve many sides and aren't something you can solve—you must think carefully!"
"Yeah, although I want to achieve results, I have no way to solve issues at such a high level."
However.
From the moment he stepped up, there was no turning back.
When the meat arrived, the two stopped their discussion.
For several days, Masahiko didn't hear news of 'Episode 14' ending.
But.
He wasn't in a hurry.
During this time, Masahiko had been in the training space improving his Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. He had already mastered and digested a portion of the techniques.
[Water Formation Wall: Proficient]
[Leaf Hurricane: Proficient]
[Dance of the Crescent Moon: Perfect]
At the same time—
"My Lord, this is the research I wrote regarding the Eight Gates."
"Good."
Toge took it.
—
After a moment, he frowned slightly.
The first part was stuff the Root Organization had already researched; there was nothing new.
Just as he was thinking this.
Further down, a hint of surprise appeared on Toge's face. "Inhaling a large amount of oxygen while the Gate of Opening is active?"
"As our organization's research shows, the Eight Gates are difficult to provide much help unless one can quickly master up to the sixth gate or higher."
Masahiko nodded. "Below the fifth gate, the most useful ones are the Gate of Opening and the Gate of Rest."
"The Gate of Opening can release the brain's limits, allowing 100% control over the body. So, I thought, on the basis of 100% body control, inhaling large amounts of oxygen to activate body cells could enhance and prolong the effects of the Gate of Opening—"
He explained his ideas.
Toge nodded repeatedly.
He could understand the text, it was just—
"If this kind of breathing to increase activity is indeed useful, can't it be used independently?"
"It's very, very difficult. One reason is the need for Chakra to assist in control, and the other is that the body can hardly achieve such precision; it could easily damage the internal organs, and the consequences would be even more severe."
Masahiko answered.
The lungs are very hard to repair.
Once injured, at best, combat power is compromised; at worst, one loses the ability to be a Ninja.
Toge held the scroll and pondered for a long time, then sighed with regret. "True, what a pity. If it could be implemented independently, this technique would be very valuable."
"Then I will try again—"
"No need, you've already done your best. Lord Danzo can see your dedication and hard work. Now your focus is on dealing with the Guardian Shinobi."
Toge put away the scroll. "Regarding Sasuke, you've done very well. He trusts you a lot. You must guide him well and make him useful to Konoha."
"Of course, everything I do is for the Lord and for the prosperity of Konoha."
Masahiko responded without hesitation.
Toge nodded with satisfaction, took out a booklet, and said, "This is the information on the Guardian Shinobi. You can take a look; it would be best if you could come up with a plan."
Masahiko took it, and after reading it carefully, he looked up and said, "I believe we should first kill one of these four."
"Oh?"
Toge glanced at it, very surprised. "He is from the protectionist faction."
"I know. That's why afterward, I want to kill one from the radical faction."
Masahiko nodded.
Toge thought for a moment and quickly understood his intention, his eyes lighting up.
"Are you confident?"
"Yes, but I need more detailed information. Furthermore, the radical faction excels in Earth Release; the best choice to assassinate them would be a powerful Lightning Release Ninja."
Masahiko nodded.
Toge was generous. "Within three days, you'll have it. We will also meet your requirements."
Leaving the Root base, the night was already deep.
Masahiko came to the outskirts, and before he had walked a few steps, he saw a familiar figure.
"Orochimaru-sama, it's been a long time."
The other person turned around.
This time, he didn't use the Vanishing Facial Copy Technique, appearing almost openly on the outskirts of Konoha.
Orochimaru laughed softly and said, "Given Masahiko-kun's recent experiences, it certainly has been a long time."