After using the Upgrade Card, Masahiko entered an extraordinary state.
A massive influx of knowledge and ninjutsu theory surged through his mind, colliding, breaking apart, and reorganizing. Countless possibilities flashed into existence, only to vanish an instant later.
In the end, several clear and workable paths remained.
They were all specialized Limit Break directions—Water Release fused with the Body Flicker,Lightning Release Body Flicker,Monstrous Strength-enhanced Flicker, and more.
But—
Most of these ideas required knowledge and abilities Masahiko simply didn't possess yet. The only reason he could even conceptualize so many variations was because of memories from watching the anime in his previous life.
Fortunately, the Upgrade Card wasn't forcing him to choose.
Instead, it laid out every possible direction—every theoretical improvement—like a blueprint library. As long as he mastered the corresponding abilities in the future, he could refine and perfect them himself.
Right now, only one path was immediately usable.
Combining Clone Jutsu with the Body Flicker Technique.
This method resembled Shisui's legendary Body Flicker—but it wasn't the same.
Masahiko had never personally witnessed Shisui's technique, but judging from the Upgrade Card's projections, his version lacked the overwhelming "omnipresence" effect Shisui was famous for.
Masahiko suspected that Shisui's true technique likely incorporated advanced genjutsu, possibly tied to the Sharingan.
"…If my Body Flicker reaches a full Limit Break," Masahiko muttered, "will it cause side effects like Kakashi suffered before he mastered the Sharingan?"
After a brief hesitation, he entered the acting instance once more.
The familiar training ground reappeared.
Kakashi stood opposite him.
Masahiko drew his blade. His speed exploded to its current limit as multiple "clones" materialized mid-motion, slashing toward Kakashi from different angles.
This version of Kakashi was locked to their previous assessment. He wasn't using the Sharingan—
But the moment Masahiko attacked, Kakashi's hands flashed through seals.
A Lightning Wolf erupted forward, silver-white electricity tearing through the space ahead as it looped and snapped like a living predator.
Masahiko instantly shifted position.
But—
At that exact moment, Kakashi drew his blade and struck directly at Masahiko's true body.
Clang!
The collision sent shockwaves through Masahiko's arms. He barely kept hold of his sword, redirecting the force just enough to retreat safely.
As he flew backward, his mind rapidly analyzed the exchange.
The next instant, Masahiko twisted midair, planted a foot against a tree trunk, and launched himself forward again.
This time—
His speed deliberately dropped.
Kakashi surged to meet him, blade precise and ruthless, moving like a lightning bolt.
Just before they collided, Masahiko's speed spiked sharply.
Three—four clones burst into existence, striking simultaneously.
The blade cut through—
Nothing.
The Kakashi in front of him dissolved into an afterimage.
Lightning Release chakra surged through Kakashi's body, forcibly accelerating his movements as he vanished from sight.
Masahiko's attack landed cleanly.
On empty air.
"So that's it," Masahiko thought."Without the Sharingan, sudden speed shifts are the real killing blow."
"But against someone who can read movement perfectly… failure means death."
"…Unfortunately, this version of Kakashi won't activate the Sharingan."
He sighed softly and attacked again.
Even without it, this Kakashi was still an elite jonin—more than enough to expose flaws in Masahiko's combat style.
But reality called.
He still had class to teach.
At the Ninja Academy training field, Masahiko's gaze swept across the running students.
Naruto, Kiba, and Sasuke were leading the pack, the competition between them fierce and unrelenting.
At the back, several students struggled, gasping for breath as they forced themselves onward.
Inside the field, Yakumo Kurama walked calmly, sketching on her drawing board as she moved. Even compared to a few days ago, her control had noticeably improved.
Only three or four days had passed.
"The gap between geniuses and everyone else…" Masahiko thought.
A trace of envy flickered in his chest.
Then his gaze settled on Sasuke.
"Building a connection with the Uchiha fits perfectly with my plan."
But—
How to approach it?
Masahiko glanced at Naruto—and suddenly, an idea formed.
After the run, the class lined up.
Sasuke's eyes kept drifting toward Naruto. Naruto's recent improvement was clearly bothering him.
Masahiko clapped his hands.
"Alright. Today's combat practice will be a little different."
He scanned the group.
"Many of you come from ninja families. Some of you trained long before enrolling here."
No one spoke.
The gap in backgrounds—and ability—was obvious.
They didn't understand what he was getting at.
Even Sasuke looked uncertain.
Masahiko smiled.
"So today, you're forbidden from using anything not taught at the Ninja Academy."
"…What?"
The class froze.
"Hahaha! If we're only using academy taijutsu, Sasuke, I've totally got you!" Naruto laughed, brimming with confidence.
He even thought—
Sensei really does look out for me!
Sasuke, however, caught the hidden meaning.
They couldn't use skills learned outside the academy.
Which meant—
Everything taught inside the academy was fair game.
This was a full-spectrum combat test.
Confidence returned to his eyes.
"Sensei," Sasuke asked, "can we use the Body Flicker?"
Though it wasn't formally taught, its fundamentals were covered. Any newly promoted genin could learn it from their squad leader.
Masahiko nodded.
"You can."
Sasuke said nothing more.
"Sasuke! I'm beating you this time!" Naruto declared loudly.
Masahiko's gaze turned cold.
"Naruto. You really want to fight him that badly?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Fine," Masahiko said calmly. "If you win, I'll teach you a ninjutsu. If you lose?"
Naruto hesitated, then clenched his fists.
"If I lose… I'll run a hundred laps around Konoha!"
"S-sensei, what about me?" Sasuke asked quickly.
Masahiko laughed.
"If you win, I'll teach you a practical technique. If you lose, same punishment."
"Really?"
Sasuke's eyes lit up.
"Deal."
The students stepped aside.
At the signal, Naruto charged.
Immediately—
Sasuke formed seals.
Two clones appeared.
Naruto froze.
"He can still use ninjutsu?!"
"That's cheating!"
"Idiot," Sasuke scoffed as the three figures advanced.
Naruto rushed one—
Flash.
Body Flicker.
Bam!
Naruto hit the ground.
He scrambled up. Sasuke split again. A kunai flew past.
The figures blurred.
Naruto lost track completely.
He threw a shuriken—
It passed through all three.
None were real.
Before he could react, cold steel pressed against his neck.
"You lose."
Naruto exploded. "That's not fair!"
"Sensei never banned ninjutsu," Sasuke replied coldly. "You misunderstood."
He turned to Masahiko.
Masahiko's gaze was sharp.
"The textbook states that intelligence determines victory."
"If you can't read information or assess the battlefield, yet you dream of becoming Hokage—"
"You're not even qualified to call yourself a ninja."
"In addition to your laps, copy the Intelligence Chapter ten times. Due in one week."
Naruto's face burned with anger and shame.
Eventually, he lowered his head.
Masahiko looked to the rest of the class.
"Everyone except Yakumo will spar in pairs."
He created a Shadow Clone.
"Sasuke," he said calmly,"come with me."