A short while later, inside the Hokage's office.
"Kakashi, take a look at this."
"Hokage-sama…"
Dressed in ANBU attire, Kakashi Hatake accepted the application form and frowned slightly.
"I'm the one assessing him?"
"He's a diligent and responsible teacher," Hiruzen replied calmly. "And he's worked hard to improve himself."
"…"
Kakashi frowned, clearly wanting to say something—but hesitating.
Hiruzen seemed to read his thoughts and chuckled.
"No need to worry. Just conduct a normal assessment."
Hearing that, Kakashi finally relaxed.
Then he frowned again.
"But what if I don't hold back…"
"It's an assessment," Hiruzen said with a smile. "The goal is to demonstrate ability. Victory or defeat isn't the point."
With no other choice, Kakashi nodded.
Two nights later
A note appeared beside Masahiko's bed.
The examiner is most likely Kakashi Hatake. Prepare yourself.
"Kakashi Hatake…?"
Masahiko froze when he read the name.
For a moment, the thought crossed his mind: If you didn't want me to pass, you could've just said so.
But he quickly steadied himself.
The title of Special Jonin mattered too much.
Masahiko had already determined that the core storyline of this "prologue" would culminate in the Uchiha Clan's downfall.
On the surface, becoming Naruto and Sasuke's teacher made him a supporting character in this arc.
But that wasn't enough.
To increase his presence, he had to go further.
Joining Root, earning Danzo's trust, and taking part in the night the Uchiha fell—this was a critical step.
However—
Danzo never truly trusted loyalty alone.
Even loyalty needed strength to back it up.
A mere Chunin had no standing among the decision-makers.
Becoming a Special Jonin would at least put Masahiko on their radar.
He burned the note and sank into thought.
"Kakashi Hatake…"
An elite Jonin known throughout the ninja world.
Aside from limited chakra reserves, Kakashi had almost no weaknesses.
And chakra—
The gap between them was enormous.
There was no realistic way Masahiko could force Kakashi into a corner through raw power.
After long consideration, he formed a plan.
The next day, Masahiko prepared thoroughly.
Four explosive tags.One smoke bomb.His Aota blade, kunai, and other ninja tools.
Everything he had accumulated.
In addition, he packed two animal-skin flasks—one filled with flammable oil, the other with water.
"Whether I can pull this off…" he muttered, "depends on this."
Konoha Training Grounds
Hiruzen Sarutobi had arrived, along with Homura Mitokado.
Several high-ranking jonin were also present—among them Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka.
"Inoichi, two assessments today?" Homura asked.
"Yes," Inoichi replied. "One is Ebisu—fairly well-known in the village. The other…"
He paused, his expression odd.
"…Yagyū Masahiko. The Ninja Academy's taijutsu instructor."
"Ebisu… the teaching specialist?" Shikaku frowned.
Inoichi nodded. "He's excellent at instruction, but his views are… unconventional. Otherwise, he would've been promoted long ago."
"Personal beliefs aside," Shikaku said calmly, "this year should be enough."
Then he thought for a moment and turned to Inoichi.
"Isn't this Masahiko the teacher of those two kids?"
"Yes."
Inoichi's expression darkened.
Ever since Masahiko took over taijutsu class, when Ino returned home, the name she mentioned most wasn't Sasuke or Sakura—but Masahiko.
As a father, Inoichi's feelings were complicated.
Seeing this, Shikaku swallowed what he was about to say.
Since Masahiko arrived, Shikamaru had clearly changed for the better.
Shikaku, at least, was pleased.
Inoichi glanced down at the documents in his hand, then folded them away.
"On paper, his fundamentals are solid, but he lacks exposure to higher-level ninjutsu. Still… both candidates are teachers. Fortunately, their specialties don't overlap."
"They're here."
Inoichi straightened and looked ahead.
At the entrance to the training ground, Ebisu and Yagyū Masahiko had arrived.
"Ebisu-senpai."
Masahiko bowed politely.
Ebisu adjusted his glasses and returned the gesture—though a trace of unconscious arrogance lingered in his expression.
Masahiko smiled, unbothered.
Among ninja, strength spoke louder than manners.
He glanced toward the field, then toward the Hokage and the others observing from a distance.
He won't be late… right?
Fortunately—
A moment later, a figure burst from the forest and landed squarely in the clearing.
A fox mask covered his face.
"I'll be conducting the practical assessment," the man said calmly."Ebisu, you go first."
"Yes!"
Ebisu swallowed nervously and stepped forward.
Kakashi stood still, making no move to attack.
Masahiko narrowed his eyes.
Kakashi isn't taking the initiative…
He was giving Ebisu time to observe the terrain.
A deliberate chance.
Masahiko studied the surroundings, silently hoping Ebisu wouldn't lose too quickly.
He needed time to watch.
Ebisu looked serious—careful.
Then he attacked.
Masahiko immediately covered his face and sighed.
That was a mistake.
Ebisu opened with ninja tools, attempting to probe Kakashi's defenses.
In theory, it was sound.
In reality—
Disappointment flashed through Kakashi's eye.
The next instant, Kakashi vanished—replaced by a log.
Ebisu leapt backward, forming hand signs.
Too late.
Boom!
The ground exploded upward as Kakashi burst from beneath, his fist smashing cleanly into Ebisu's chin.
Earth Release: Cracking Fang!
A follow-up kick—
And Ebisu dispersed like a bubble.
But—
Swish!
Kakashi reappeared instantly behind him, the sheathed blade striking Ebisu's neck.
"I lost," Ebisu said softly.
Losing to Kakashi wasn't shameful.
He bowed and formed the Seal of Reconciliation.
Kakashi returned the gesture, then turned his gaze to Masahiko.
"Your turn."
Masahiko flashed forward, putting distance between them.
"Do you need time to prepare?" Kakashi asked flatly.
"I've been preparing since I was scheduled second."
Kakashi nodded.
"Then begin."
In the next instant—
Hand signs.
Clone Jutsu.
Perfect ordinary clones—indistinguishable from the original.
Four figures scattered in different directions.
Off the field, Ebisu stared in shock.
That level of Clone Jutsu… no visible flaws at all!
But—
Running away?
Even perfect clones disturbed the environment.
Dust. Leaves.
The real body would reveal itself eventually.
Kakashi identified the true Masahiko almost immediately and gave chase.
But—
In the next second, Masahiko formed seals again.
This time—
Nine figures split off in rapid succession, flooding the forest in chaos.
Kakashi frowned, eyes darting between multiple paths.
"…At least two of those are real."
Now—
This was getting interesting.