A moment later, in the Hokage Office.
"Kakashi, take a look."
"Hokage-sama..."
Kakashi Hatake, dressed in Anbu attire, picked up the application form and frowned slightly. "I'm to assess him?"
"He is an excellent and responsible teacher, and he is very hardworking himself."
"..."
Kakashi frowned, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to know what he was thinking and chuckled. "No need for concerns, just conduct a normal assessment."
Hearing this, Kakashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
But then, he frowned again. "What if I can't hold back..."
"It's an assessment; the focus is on demonstrating one's own abilities. Winning or losing isn't the key."
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled.
Kakashi had no choice but to nod and accept... Two nights later.
A note appeared by Masahiko's bedside.
On it was written:
"The person responsible for your assessment is most likely Kakashi Hatake. Be prepared."
Kakashi Hatake?
Masahiko was truly stunned when he saw the name, and the thought "if you don't want me to pass, you could just refuse" crossed his mind.
But afterwards, he pulled himself together.
The title of Special Jonin was very important to him!
Masahiko had basically confirmed that the main plot line of the "prologue" was the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night.
On the surface, by becoming the teacher of Sasuke and Naruto, he had become a supporting character in this season.
However.
To increase his screen time, he had to do more.
Joining "Root," becoming Danzo's confidant, and then participating in the Uchiha Clan Downfall Night was a crucial step.
But.
Setting aside the fact that Danzo didn't believe in loyalty, even if he were loyal enough, loyalty alone wasn't enough; he also needed sufficient strength.
A Chunin simply wasn't qualified to participate in the decisions of the higher-ups.
Becoming a Special Jonin would at least count as making a slight appearance before the higher-ups, providing more opportunities.
He burned the note and fell into deep thought.
"Kakashi Hatake..."
As an Elite Jonin famous in the Ninja World, the opponent had almost no weaknesses except for the shortcoming of Chakra.
And Chakra... the gap in strength between him and the opponent was too large; it was simply impossible for him to drive Kakashi into such a corner.
After much consideration, Masahiko came up with some plans.
The next day, he brought four explosive tags and a smoke bomb, and carried his Aota Blade, Kunai, and other Ninja tools on his back.
These were all the Ninja tools he had accumulated.
In addition to the Ninja tools, he also prepared two animal skin bags, one containing flammable oil and the other containing water.
"Whether I can make it big depends on this move!"
...A Training Ground in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Homura Mitokado had both arrived.
Besides them, there were also several Jonin holding important positions, such as Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka.
"Inoichi, assessing two today?"
"Yes, one is Ebisu, who is quite famous in Konoha, and the other..."
Inoichi Yamanaka said this with a slightly strange expression, pausing for a moment before saying, "The other is Yagyu Masahiko, the taijutsu teacher at the Ninja Academy."
"Ebisu... is he an education specialist?"
Shikaku Nara frowned.
Inoichi Yamanaka nodded. "He is indeed good at teaching, it's just... his views are somewhat problematic; otherwise, he would have been promoted to Special Jonin long ago."
"Personal choices vary, but this year should be enough."
Shikaku Nara replied.
Then, he recalled for a moment and suddenly turned to his old friend. "Is this Yagyu Masahiko the teacher for those two children?"
"Yes."
Inoichi's face soured.
Ever since Masahiko became the taijutsu teacher, when Ino went home, the person she mentioned the most wasn't Sasuke Uchiha or Sakura Haruno, but Masahiko.
As a father, his feelings were extremely complicated.
After hearing this, Shikaku Nara swallowed the words he was about to say.
Since this teacher arrived, Shikamaru had undergone some positive changes.
He was actually quite happy in his heart.
But Inoichi didn't seem to think so... He looked at the documents in his hand, then folded them and put them away.
"On paper, his foundation is very solid, but he hasn't been exposed to many Ninjutsu. Let's see; both are teachers... fortunately, in different directions."
"They're here."
Inoichi Yamanaka composed himself and looked toward the Training Ground ahead.
At the entrance of the Training Ground, Ebisu and Yagyu Masahiko had both arrived.
"Ebisu-senpai."
Masahiko bowed upon meeting, showing perfect etiquette.
Ebisu adjusted his glasses and returned the bow, but his face carried a trace of arrogance he didn't even notice.
Masahiko smiled, not at all annoyed.
As a Ninja, in the end, strength is what speaks.
He looked into the field, unsure of what the procedure would be, while glancing at the Third Hokage and the others not far away.
On an occasion like this... Kakashi wouldn't be late, would he?
He thought to himself.
Fortunately.
The next moment, a figure dashed out from the forest and suddenly landed in the center of the clearing ahead.
He wore a fox mask and scanned the two of them.
"I am in charge of the practical assessment. Ebisu, you go first."
"Yes!"
Ebisu swallowed hard, feeling nervous and uneasy.
After taking a deep breath, he walked forward.
Kakashi stood in the middle, waiting for Ebisu to move first, without taking the initiative to attack.
Masahiko was lost in thought.
Not taking the initiative to attack... this was giving Ebisu a chance to observe the terrain and arrange his tactics.
Letting Ebisu strike first was giving him an opportunity.
Masahiko observed the surroundings, only praying that Ebisu wouldn't lose too quickly, so he would have some time to observe.
In the field, Ebisu looked solemn and serious, appearing to be carefully considering the match.
However.
The moment he launched his attack, Masahiko couldn't help but cover his face and sigh.
So stupid!
Ebisu threw out Ninja tools immediately, attempting to test the waters with them first.
Theoretically, this was a good strategy.
But—
Reality is not theory.
The moment he launched his attack, disappointment flashed in Kakashi's eyes.
Then... Kakashi turned into a log and disappeared from the spot.
Ebisu flickered backward while forming hand signs.
The next moment.
Bang!
The ground cracked open, and Kakashi flew out from the earth, his fist striking upward, hitting him square on the chin.
Earth Release: Cracking Piercing Fang!
Following that, a flying kick, and "Ebisu" vanished like a bubble.
However.
"Swish!"
Kakashi was incredibly fast, catching up to Ebisu in the blink of an eye, and his sheathed blade struck Ebisu's neck.
Ebisu sighed softly. "I lost."
But.
He didn't think losing to Kakashi was particularly embarrassing.
Ebisu bowed and formed the "Seal of Reconciliation."
Kakashi said nothing; after forming the seal, his gaze swept toward Masahiko.
"Swish!"
Masahiko flickered over, and the two of them distanced themselves.
Kakashi's gaze was indifferent. "Do you need to prepare?"
"Since I'm scheduled for the second match, I've already been prepared long enough."
Masahiko replied.
Kakashi nodded. "Then let's begin."
The next instant—
Hand signs, Clone Jutsu.
Perfect ordinary clones; from their appearance, they were almost identical to the real body. Four figures fled in four different directions.
Off the field, Ebisu was stunned for a moment at the sight.
What a powerful Clone Jutsu; no flaws can be seen from the appearance!
But his first choice is... to flee?
No matter how perfect the Clone Jutsu is, dust and leaves will still reveal the real body's movements. The time gained by fleeing must be quite limited.
In just an instant, Kakashi identified the position of the real body and gave chase.
But.
In the next second, Masahiko used the Clone Jutsu again, and this time he split into nine in succession, fleeing into the woods one by one in a chaotic manner.
Kakashi frowned; while dashing, his gaze darted back and forth between two directions.
There are at least two real bodies!