'Then again, this sparring session was intermittent, focusing more on exchanging insights on the Body Flicker Technique and Clone Jutsu; we didn't truly go all out.'
Masahiko sighed softly in his heart, knowing he was being greedy.
He and Shisui didn't part ways until after the second period—
If he hadn't had a class and Shisui hadn't received a sudden mission, they might have even had lunch together.
During class, he didn't make things too difficult for Naruto, only having him demonstrate the Three Basic Jutsu.
Naruto, who had just been lectured in Ninjutsu class and then had to relive the humiliating scenes of the first period, felt completely miserable.
Masahiko wasn't some kind of villain; he just made him run a few extra laps.
After class.
He had originally planned to head to the outskirts after eating to see if he could encounter any of Danzo's people.
But.
"Masahiko-sensei!"
A shout stopped him in his tracks.
Masahiko turned to look, a flash of surprise crossing his face, which quickly gave way to a polite smile: "Mizuki-sensei, is something the matter?"
"Masahiko-sensei, the Vice-Principal asked me to bring this to you. I couldn't find you all morning. Phew, I finally caught up with you."
Mizuki breathed a sigh of relief and solemnly handed a letter to Masahiko. "I couldn't afford to lose this!"
Masahiko took it, and surprise immediately flashed in his eyes.
An appointment letter?
He nodded slightly and smiled. "Thank you, Mizuki-sensei."
"It's nothing, just helping out."
Mizuki smiled kindly, then said enviously, "I heard the announcement—you've been promoted to Special Jonin? Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
Masahiko took it, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then bid Mizuki farewell.
He didn't have much interest in Mizuki.
Although Mizuki was one of Orochimaru's people, he wasn't important to Orochimaru. Relying on Mizuki to enter Orochimaru's field of vision was basically a pipe dream.
Furthermore.
As a taijutsu teacher, his range of activity was limited to the Konoha area.
Being one of Danzo's people, Masahiko understood he was likely under semi-surveillance.
So... he would let nature take its course.
If he could get in touch with Orochimaru and gain some benefits, that would certainly be for the best.
If not, it didn't matter.
He took the appointment letter and walked quickly back to his office.
He pulled out the document inside.
"Teaching Advisor?"
Masahiko was somewhat surprised and sat down to read it carefully.
A few seconds later, after reading it through, he roughly understood the duties of a "Teaching Advisor."
Simply put, he could teach anything, might be sent on missions when needed, and his status and benefits were much higher than those of ordinary teachers.
Moreover, unlike other positions, the Teaching Advisor role didn't have many rigid requirements or constraints; it was relatively free and flexible.
"In the short term, my duties haven't changed, but my salary has increased..."
Masahiko was quite satisfied. He took out another piece of paper from the envelope, which had the hand seals and Chakra refinement tips for Water Style: Wave of Raging Water written on it.
"Uh, a legacy Ninjutsu is just on a scrap of paper?"
It was a bit sloppy.
However, as the most basic Water Release Ninjutsu, Wave of Raging Water really wasn't that difficult, especially since he had already mastered the Water Clone Technique.
He shook his head and looked at the slip of paper.
Three hand seals, and the Chakra refinement was also very simple... He memorized it after one look, then wetted the paper to destroy the handwriting.
Afterward, he sat down and entered the training space.
Only a moment later.
[Water Release: Wave of Raging Water: Proficient]
"With the foundation of a Perfect-level Water Clone, practicing Wave of Raging Water is indeed very simple."
It was just that creating a large amount of water would consume a fair amount of Chakra.
Unless there was already abundant moisture in the environment or a specific tactical need, the Chakra cost-effectiveness wasn't as good as other Ninjutsu.
No wonder Kakashi preferred using Earth Release.
Masahiko could more or less understand now.
In this world, unless one was a descendant of powerful bloodlines like Naruto or Sasuke, most could only rely on mutations.
Orochimaru... 'Forget it, now is not the time to think about that.'
Masahiko shook his head.
Without enough value, even if he rushed to approach, he would only end up like Mizuki.
Improve, get stronger!
...Since there were no classes in the afternoon, Masahiko left the Ninja Academy and went for a run around Konoha.
Running past an old spot, he looked up and saw a strange bird circling in the woods.
Masahiko's heart stirred, and he followed the bird.
As he followed, the bird also flew outward, stopping and starting, always maintaining a distance.
Until he reached the riverbank, where he saw a familiar figure standing. He hurriedly stepped forward to salute: "Lord Danzo!"
Danzo turned his head slightly with a smile: "Did you receive the appointment?"
"Yes, thank you for your help!"
Masahiko didn't know the specifics, but hearing the other's opening line, he immediately thanked him to show his loyalty.
Danzo shook his head with a smile: "It was just a word. You were already very suitable for this position."
"Without your promotion, even if there was a suitable position, it might not have come to me."
Masahiko replied sincerely.
Danzo chuckled a few times, not dwelling on the issue, but instead said: "Uchiha Shisui went to find you today?"
"Yes. My Lord ordered me to get close to the Uchiha, so I used a technique, hoping to use Sasuke as a springboard to meet people from the Uchiha. I didn't expect it would be him who came."
Masahiko replied "truthfully," briefly explaining his technique along the way.
Danzo looked back and said playfully: "You should have expected it, right?"
"Yes, this technique itself was modeled after his Body Flicker Technique."
Masahiko nodded.
Danzo nodded: "Your next mission is only one thing: get close to him and Itachi, and then... report on their situation."
"Yes!"
Masahiko lowered his head.
Danzo gave a low, light laugh:
"Ambition is a good thing. Work hard. With me, as long as you have the ability, you will surely receive sufficient rewards."
"I do indeed have one thing I need your help with."
Masahiko looked up respectfully and cautiously.
Danzo raised an eyebrow and nodded slightly: "What do you want?"
"In my exchange with Shisui, we mentioned an idea..."
Masahiko explained the concept of Light and Shadow Genjutsu and Sound Genjutsu to Danzo in detail, and stated the reason for his request:
"I saw the concept of combining Genjutsu with the Dance of the Crescent Moon in Lord Third's notes, so I wanted to ask if you have any similar research?"
"I do. I will have the relevant notes given to you tonight," Danzo replied.
He was about to leave, but paused at the last moment.
"If your research yields results, you should know how to handle it, right?"
"I will never leak any secrets!"
"Good."
Danzo's figure vanished.
A Shadow Clone... He really is cautious!
Masahiko didn't show any other emotions. Seeing he was by the river, he simply began practicing Wave of Raging Water, which incidentally allowed him to use Water Release to clear away his footprints in the vicinity.
After exercising until his stamina and mental energy were half-depleted, he ate a soldier pill and continued running.
Training was tedious.
However, seeing the abilities on his panel increase one by one, and his sparring results with the projection 'Kakashi' improve time after time,
The slight boredom seemed like nothing at all.
At night, back at his residence, Masahiko found a manual left by Danzo's men at a familiar spot.
Masahiko put away the manual, not rushing to read it, but instead went into the bathroom to wash up as usual.
While showering, the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
In the bathroom, the fine strand of hair wedged in the window had already vanished without a trace.
"To think they actually came in through the bathroom window..."
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