[Naruto: Prequel — Episode 4 Filming Complete]
[Post-production in progress…][Final cut rendered successfully]
Total runtime: 11 minutes, 12 secondsOn-screen presence: 52.9%
[Notice: As a villain-role character, exceeding 50% screen time has significantly increased your compensation.]
[Broadcast Notice: Naruto: Prequel will air tonight at 8:00 PM. Playback and live comment features will be unlocked at that time.]
[Please adjust your performance and character direction based on viewer feedback.]
So… the climax of this episode really was my conversation with Danzo.
Masahiko thought to himself.
He quickly composed his expression and smiled.
"It's only because I possess a bit of insight that I've earned your attention."
"You are clever," Danzo replied calmly. "In addition to the Nine-Tails and Sasuke, you will also guide Kurama Yakumo. Make sure her value to the Village is fully realized."
"Of course," Masahiko said at once, standing and bowing. "Everything is for the Village."
A faint smile finally appeared on Danzo's otherwise cold face.
"Good. Everything is for the Village."
His gaze sharpened.
"I do not mistreat those loyal to me. But traitors—Village-born or not—will never be forgiven."
"I've investigated you," Danzo continued. "Your way of thinking aligns well with mine."
Masahiko answered respectfully.
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Everyone praises the Will of Fire and longs to stand in the light," Masahiko said evenly,"yet they forget that shadows are unavoidable. A towering tree cannot exist without deep roots."
"Without sacrifice in darkness, there can be no heroes in daylight."
He stopped there—no flattery, no excess emotion.
Danzo had seen countless manipulators in his lifetime. Cheap passion meant nothing to him.
After a moment of silence, Danzo chuckled.
"And you, a mere Chunin, believe you understand light and darkness?"
He turned away.
"Remember this—your rewards will always match your value."
"Ibara, take him back."
A figure appeared.
Feathers drifted down as Masahiko's vision blurred. A genjutsu-induced sleep claimed him—not true unconsciousness, but a heavy, disordered half-awareness.
He felt himself being carried.
Some time later, he was set down.
Masahiko focused his chakra—
—and opened his eyes.
"I'm already home?" he muttered. "That was fast."
As he pushed himself up, his hand brushed against something cold.
Metal.
"…Oh?"
A katana lay beside him.
Masahiko stared.
He practiced sword techniques, but had never owned a proper blade.
The reason was simple.
They were expensive.
This one was different.
Anything issued by Root was never ordinary.
He drew the blade. It gleamed sharply, perfectly balanced, with a blood groove carved into its length. Near the hilt, a name was engraved:
Aota.
"A blade from the Aota workshop…"
"A top-tier piece."
Even as a Ninja Academy instructor, he would have needed four or five years of savings to afford one like this.
He sheathed it and noticed something beneath.
Three explosive tags. One smoke bomb.
"…They're generous."
Explosive tags were notoriously expensive. Masahiko normally carried just one, for emergencies.
Danzo had given him three.
He stored everything carefully, then checked the time.
Almost eight o'clock.
In another world, Kishimoto sat in front of his computer, refreshing the page.
When the clock hit eight, he pressed F5.
Excitement—and unease—mixed in his chest.
Something told him tonight's episode would be big.
Then—
"It's up!"
At first, only a few comments drifted across the screen.
Seconds later, the flood began.
"Damn it, Masahiko punched Naruto and still got rewarded by the Third Hokage—this guy's living large!"
"Don't forget Danzo."
"Serving three masters at once?!"
Kishimoto smiled faintly.
Spies like that weren't uncommon in the ninja world.
Kabuto was proof of that.
But then—
Wait.
A thought struck him.
Could Yagyū Masahiko eventually intersect with Orochimaru's path, just like Kabuto did?
As he kept watching, his expression tightened.
A completely new character.
A completely new faction.
Can this series even keep going like this?
Then—
Wait…
Yes. With him, I can draw this out longer.
The comments kept pouring in.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Yakumo—why is this guy collecting problem children like Pokémon?"
"He hasn't even finished the assessment phase?! Is this the warlords arc already?"
"Smooth move. He definitely planned that connection."
By the time Anko Mitarashi, Kurenai Yuhi, and Kurama Yakumo appeared, viewers had unanimously settled on a nickname:
Masahiko the Old Thief.
Masahiko endured an entire episode's worth of ruthless online roasting.
He wasn't bothered.
After all, they were worlds apart.
When the episode ended, new notifications appeared:
[Popularity Rating: S][Comprehensive Evaluation Complete][Rank: S-Class Supporting Character]
[Rewards Acquired: Low-Grade Skill Copy Card ×1][Low-Grade Skill Upgrade Card ×1]
The moment the rewards arrived, Masahiko understood their functions.
The Skill Copy Card could replicate a target's technique—and proficiency—up to C-Rank.
Limited in scope, but devastating if used correctly.
"Most C-Rank techniques are standard jutsu…" he muttered.
Genjutsu was out.
Taijutsu could be refined through training.
That left ninjutsu.
"…Hidden Mist Technique."
"…Water Clone Technique."
His decision quickly solidified.
Hidden Mist was powerful, but chakra-intensive.
Water Clone, on the other hand, would accelerate his Water Release mastery and synergize well with his sword techniques.
More importantly, it was a C-Rank technique with extensive written analysis available in Konoha.
As a Ninja Academy instructor, borrowing those texts would be easy.
His choice was made.
As for the Skill Upgrade Card…
He would save it—for a future moment when it truly mattered.
A trump card should never be wasted.
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