At eight o'clock in the evening, the new episode was broadcast on time.
On the Aikawa page, a pile of bullet chat comments quickly refreshed, densely filling the narrow playback frame.
But Masahiko didn't watch it immediately; instead, he continued his practical training in the "acting instance."
As for bullet chat feedback, he could just wait until more accumulated and scan through them all at once to see the reaction; the priority was still to improve his strength—
No matter how much the bullet chat from another world hyped him up, the netizens couldn't help him seize more benefits on the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
To forge iron, one must be strong themselves!
Within the "acting instance"... around Kakashi, six clones launched a cross-attack, while Masahiko's original body moved like a ghost among the six figures.
Through continuous training and combat, his Limit Break-level Body Flicker Technique had become increasingly refined and powerful.
But—
'Kakashi' leapt out of the fray, forming hand seals mid-air, and instantly produced two Shadow Clones.
Immediately after... Lightning Release: Tracking Fang, Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!
The two Ninjutsu intersected in a joint strangulation, instantly obliterating the clones that only possessed slight illusory capabilities.
In the next instant, 'Kakashi's' speed suddenly surged as he charged toward Masahiko's original body with his blade.
After a clash of blades, two lightning wolves crossed paths, cutting off Masahiko's other escape routes and forcing him into a one-on-one confrontation.
He was forced to attempt a breakthrough, but with his tactics countered, he was quickly defeated.
"The Limit Break-level Body Flicker Technique can compensate for my lack of offensive capability, but having such a one-dimensional skill set is still a serious problem."
Masahiko sighed regretfully.
This was only Kakashi in his normal state, without using Lightning Blade or the Sharingan.
If he used his trump cards, Masahiko would likely be killed the moment he made a move.
The Sharingan... now, he could truly understand Orochimaru and Hiruko.
This clan's Bloodline Limit really makes civilian Ninjas jealous!
Masahiko exited the "acting instance" and opened the light screen to browse quickly.
He didn't have much screen time in this episode.
His conversation with Danzo had been edited down to just "Everything is for the Village."
The slogan sounded grand and righteous, but the shots were dark and somber; one look and it was obvious the two didn't seem like good people.
Additionally, a relatively important scene was him sending a message to Danzo around the time he submitted his application for Special Jonin.
Afterward, he received a message back from Danzo... Fortunately, the final plotlines involving Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui helped boost his reputation and popularity.
"Although his words are harsh, Naruto actually gains real benefits from them, and he's very dedicated to Sasuke and the others... He really is a good teacher."
"I can understand. It's so incredibly hard for an ordinary person to rise up. After siding with the Hokage and Danzo, he quickly obtained resources."
"The 'oxen and horses' can't get resources, while those with good backgrounds... I'm triggered, damn it!"
"Can such a handsome character really not be redeemed?"
"Sigh, I'll wait for the later plot. I hope it's not too tragic."
With Masahiko's acting and guidance, the audience's impression and view of him were relatively positive, and his popularity increased instead of decreasing.
He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much more relaxed.
The direction was correct!
Masahiko had been thinking about how to be a villain while maintaining high popularity and earning enough screen time.
First, one had to be handsome.
In this regard, he was more than qualified in this life.
Second, the personality had to be good, the experiences had to be sufficiently helpless with no other choice, and there had to be a grand goal.
He was currently laying the groundwork for the second stage—
Experiences that are sufficiently helpless.
As a civilian with no backing, he had already worked very hard, but to go further, he had to use some special channels.
Masahiko fell silent for a moment before continuing to watch the rest.
After carefully watching the segment with Sasuke, Itachi, and Shisui, he suddenly had some ideas and took out his notebook to look through the records of his exchange with Kurenai Yuhi.
"Genjutsu, Clone Jutsu, Body Flicker Technique..."
"Using the Body Flicker Technique to replace clones, using Genjutsu to conceal movements and subtle flaws, and leaving the opponent in a state of panic and confusion."
"Shisui's Body Flicker is a combination of multiple abilities!"
"Limit Break" is not the absolute limit of a technique; as long as there is enough knowledge, a "Limit Break" level technique can still be continuously modified and perfected.
Until it becomes another technique entirely.
Masahiko was wondering if he could learn from Shisui's Body Flicker and similarly integrate Genjutsu effects.
But... it was difficult.
He continued watching; the progress bar finally reached the end, and the ending song began.
Simultaneously.
[Popularity Rating: S]
[Comprehensive Evaluation...]
[S-rank Golden Supporting Character]
[Reward Received: Intermediate Random Ninjutsu Card.]
This reward... Masahiko glanced at it and quickly understood.
A 'Random Ninjutsu Card' allows for the random drawing of a Ninjutsu from among the Chakra natures already mastered, with a proficiency level of 'Beginner'.
A 'Low-level Random Ninjutsu Card' has only a 10% chance of drawing a B-rank or higher Ninjutsu, whereas an Intermediate card increases the B-rank probability to 50%, with a 10% chance of drawing an A-rank Ninjutsu.
There was no need to save this kind of item.
Masahiko casually drew—
Soon.
[Water Release: Wave Riding Strike: Beginner]
Seeing the name of the Ninjutsu, Masahiko was stunned for a second.
After merging memories and repeatedly researching, he was certain he hadn't remembered incorrectly.
It was a technique of the Second Hokage.
A B-rank Ninjutsu.
Although its difficulty level was only Jonin-rank, it was extremely useful—
Sliding and sneaking rapidly across water, when combined with other Water Release Ninjutsu or aquatic environments, it had a very powerful effect.
Once he mastered this technique, Masahiko's offensive style in aquatic environments would become much more flexible and versatile.
The only problem was... he currently lacked the ability to create water on a large scale.
Even if he mastered similar Ninjutsu, he didn't have such abundant Chakra.
"I still need to train my body!"
Masahiko lamented.
While spatial training could certainly help him master Ninjutsu quickly, the improvements in strength, speed, and Chakra brought by physical conditioning were the foundation of everything.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll step up my physical training."
Masahiko thought to himself.
Just then, a soft, apprehensive call came from the first floor outside: "Masahiko-kun, are you asleep?"
Masahiko poked his head out of the window.
Under the moonlight, Kurenai Yuhi was wearing a long dress, holding a paper bag in her hands, and looking up at the window.
Upon seeing him, a smile appeared on her face as she gently waved the item in her hand.
Masahiko jumped out of the window and landed on the first floor in the blink of an eye.
"It's so late, is there something important?"
"It's nothing. I made some floral tea and originally planned to give you some to taste tomorrow, but I received a sudden mission and have to leave the Village tomorrow morning, so I brought it over tonight."
Kurenai Yuhi handed over the paper package and smiled, "I heard you got promoted. Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Masahiko took the floral tea and felt a bit embarrassed after thanking her.
Kurenai had given him quite a lot, but he didn't seem to have anything to give in return... After a moment's thought, he said, "By the way, I carefully studied your notes after I got back and had an idea... Is it possible to use Genjutsu to enhance the Clone Jutsu?"
"Use Genjutsu to enhance the Clone Jutsu?"
Kurenai Yuhi was slightly startled.
Masahiko nodded.
"Yes. The Clone Jutsu itself creates illusions made of Chakra. If Genjutsu could be used to enhance the expressive power of the clones, combined with the Body Flicker Technique, it might have a miraculous effect..."
He shared the same technique he had shared with Sasuke.
"Clone Jutsu, Genjutsu, Body Flicker Technique..."
Kurenai Yuhi fell into deep thought.
"Indeed. Also, I've been thinking recently that if I could integrate Genjutsu into the sound of clashes when fighting an opponent with a Kunai or blade, I might be able to trigger Genjutsu silently..."
Masahiko continued.
Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi frowned for a long while before her brow smoothed out, and she said, "It's a wonderful idea. I hadn't thought of it at all before."
"Two heads are better than one. Isn't the point of exchanging insights to research together and grow stronger together?"
Masahiko smiled brightly.
Kurenai Yuhi nodded with a complicated expression.
When she took out the notes, it was purely to repay Masahiko for helping her and Yakumo, saving her important student.
She hadn't expected Masahiko to have any suggestions.
But now—
The first idea Masahiko provided was clearly a feasible plan; moreover, she happened to have a type of Genjutsu Clone.
As for the second one.
Sound Genjutsu... She fell into deep thought.