Masahiko was surprised for a moment, but quickly calmed down.
Investigation does not necessarily mean recruitment.
Even if he recruits, they would at most be peripheral spies. The subordinates Danzo relies on must be trained by him personally; he wouldn't recruit them externally.
However, this is indeed a path.
Maintaining a relationship with Danzo better highlights his identity as a "villain"... Today's comments prove that.
Masahiko relaxed and quickly focused his attention on the reward this time.
The reward for the first episode was the Taijutsu Chapter of the Basic Advanced Study.
This time, no new Advanced Study Module was opened, but he was directly rewarded with a Ninjutsu Promotion Card, allowing him to immediately reach the Proficient Level.
With just one look, he made a decision.
"Upgrade Shadow Clone Jutsu."
[Consuming Ninjutsu Proficient Promotion Card...]
[Shadow Clone Jutsu has been upgraded!]
On the panel, the proficiency of Shadow Clone Jutsu changed from 'Beginner' to 'Proficient'.
A flood of insights poured into his mind, all concerning the techniques of the Shadow Clone.
"Chakra Refinement still needs optimization..."
"So that's it. The biggest difference when the Shadow Clone reaches the Proficient Level is in the clone's thinking, abilities, and other aspects."
"Also, the main body can handle the influx of information more easily and skillfully, without being delayed for a second or two like before."
Masahiko understood.
For Ninjutsu proficiency, Beginner and Skilled levels can be gradually figured out through painstaking practice over time, but Proficient Level is slightly more difficult.
However, the hardest part is what lies beyond Proficient.
Above Proficient are Perfect and Limit Break.
The Perfect level symbolizes that a Ninja has mastered all the techniques of the Ninjutsu itself, while Limit Break surpasses the Ninja's understanding of that technique.
For example, Shisui's Body Flicker Technique.
White Fang's Kenjutsu.
However.
Masahiko recalled the various techniques of the Shadow Clone and had some ideas for the technique's future development—
Chakra Nature Transformation!
Like Kakashi, who added Lightning Release Nature Transformation to the basis of the Shadow Clone, evolving it into the Lightning Release Shadow Clone.
Uchiha Itachi also has a similar Clone Great Explosion.
But essentially, these techniques are still Shadow Clones.
"It's difficult!"
Masahiko sighed softly.
Nature Transformation... As of now, his Great Fireball Technique, the only one that counts as an Elemental Ninjutsu, isn't even Beginner level, and he hasn't gained any techniques from it.
Furthermore, the Shadow Clone technique is far from Perfect.
"I'll focus on Taijutsu first!"
Masahiko cast aside distracting thoughts, and with a shift of his mind, entered the Training Space... Inside the space.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Two figures constantly crossed paths. Their inherent speed wasn't fast, but their hand and foot reactions were sharp.
After sparring for a while, Young Might Guy stopped.
"Without using the Body Flicker Technique, your skills are nearly sufficient."
"So, is the advanced study over?"
Masahiko was slightly stunned.
Young Might Guy shook his head and said, "No, or rather, it's only just begun."
The next second, the green jumpsuit appeared on Young Might Guy's body.
Masahiko, full of confidence, stepped forward to fight fiercely.
After a few moves, he took two kicks and nearly passed out.
The gap is this huge?
Therefore.
The reason they were evenly matched before was purely because the other party was holding back?
Is this really Basic Advanced Study?
The corner of Masahiko's mouth twitched, but he refused to admit defeat. Since he was immortal in the Training Space, he could recover instantly.
If he can improve, what does getting beaten up matter?
...The next morning.
Masahiko slowly opened his eyes, sat up, looked around, and finally focused on the time on the alarm clock.
5:50 AM.
He had been cultivating in the Training Space all last night. He only remembered getting beaten up badly at the end, feeling mentally and physically exhausted, and didn't know when he fell asleep.
Never mind, time to get up!
The daily mission cannot be wasted.
Ten minutes later, seeing Naruto's face contorted in pain, Masahiko's frustration from his beating last night immediately dissipated.
A few minutes later, he once again spotted Uchiha Sasuke in the jungle.
This kid is also serious now.
However, mutual competition and progress are ultimately good things... In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
"Damn it! When I get stronger, I'm definitely going to get back everything that happened today!"
Naruto was furious and exasperated.
"I look forward to it."
Masahiko's tone was indifferent.
Beside them, Sasuke secretly clenched his fist, then snorted coldly and walked toward the school gate.
While Naruto spoke harsh words, his body honestly stood by the gate waiting.
Seeing that Masahiko hadn't arrived, he turned his head and asked, "Not running today?"
"I have something to do; later."
Masahiko didn't explain much and walked toward the office.
"Oh."
Naruto sat on the swing by the gate and waited.
After a moment, seeing Masahiko emerge, he resumed his cold-faced demeanor.
The two, as usual, ran toward the outskirts of the village.
For the past half month, Masahiko maintained the same rhythm of life as before, occasionally taking time to practice the Great Fireball Technique and study Chakra Nature Transformation.
But.
News of the third episode was slow to arrive.
While Masahiko didn't neglect his cultivation, he was also contemplating the method of "acting" and the reason why the third episode hadn't progressed.
After half a month of deliberation and observation, Masahiko slowly formed an idea and calmed down.
The timing chosen for naruto: prequel is undoubtedly related to two factors.
One is Naruto's situation.
Although Naruto's attitude is still poor, Masahiko can actually see that—
The boy is slowly adapting and has developed a certain level of dependence.
The other is the Uchiha Clan Massacre Night.
In that case... maintaining the current relationship with Naruto and Sasuke, and simultaneously following the Danzo storyline, will definitely allow him to participate in the 'prequel' Main Plot!
Secondly.
With his connection to Danzo, he no longer needs to play the role of a genuine "villain" in front of Naruto; he can appropriately lift a layer of his mask.
Therefore.
He was waiting for the right opportunity... And on this day, the opportunity arrived.
It was another Friday.
After school in the afternoon, Naruto sat on the swing by the school gate waiting, but after a long wait, no one came out.
He sat on the swing, swaying back and forth, his face gradually becoming sullen.
Just as Naruto stood up, preparing to leave—
"Snap!"
A crisp sound came from behind.
"The weather hasn't warmed up yet, but eating popsicles is still refreshing."
Masahiko handed over the other half of the popsicle.
He specifically looked for the same type of popsicle!
Naruto widened his eyes, took it with a surprised expression, then looked him up and down and said in astonishment, "You're not... not running anymore?"
"You've kept it up for over half a month, and you haven't pulled any pranks, so no running today. What do you want to eat? I'll treat you to a meal."
Masahiko smiled.
Naruto blinked, his expression shifting from surprise to one of seeing a ghost.
Is this really the Yagyu Masahiko he knows?
"You don't want the meal I'm treating you to?"
"No! I want Ichiraku's ramen, Uncle! Add all the toppings! I'm going to eat you into poverty!"
...Ichiraku Ramen Shop.
Steam rose from the bowls.
After Masahiko finished his soup, a glance from the corner of his eye made his eyelid twitch violently.
Next to Naruto's ramen bowl, two empty bowls were already stacked, and he had another fresh bowl in front of him.
This guy really came for revenge!
Slurp!
After frantically eating his ramen, Naruto let out a sigh of satisfaction: "Ah!! Ramen with all the toppings is so delicious!"
"Full?"
"Yep!"
Naruto nodded.
Afterward, he tilted his head curiously, his gaze containing a hidden intent to probe.
Masahiko patted his head.
"Don't cause trouble anymore. A Hokage is chosen after being acknowledged by everyone; don't get the order reversed."