"Masahiko-kun, you received the earlier package, didn't you? What's your answer?"
"What intelligence do you wish to know?"
Masahiko didn't answer directly.
Orochimaru asked, "Danzo's been digging into me lately—what's happening inside Konoha?"
"Nothing major. The Village suspects Shisui of desertion, and you helped fan the flames."
Using the power of Shikotsumyaku, Masahiko quietly reshaped the base of his tongue and throat, disrupting the Chakra flow of the Hyuga cursed seal.
Orochimaru's sharp gaze spotted part of the sealing formula at the root of his tongue.
He really had been branded with a seal.
Yet… in a matter of days Masahiko had broken through its barrier.
He even felt—
If the other party hadn't needed to fool Danzo, they could have dispelled the seal effortlessly.
The longer he looked, the more the man before him seemed like a mirror image.
No!
In theory, more mature than himself.
Suppressing his excitement, Orochimaru calmed his mind, then licked the corner of his mouth:
"So, Uchiha Shisui is truly alive?"
"Yes, but something must have gone wrong, hence the desertion. I'm afraid you'll have to investigate the details yourself."
Masahiko replied.
Orochimaru nodded, unsurprised.
He knew Konoha's system and he knew Danzo; even if Masahiko had joined Root he wouldn't touch core secrets—
not in the short term.
"How much do you know about Shisui?"
"Not much. The Village and the organization gave me little intel, though he and I were classmates once."
Masahiko smiled. "Only for a year or two."
"About the same age, then?"
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth curled. "Watching a well-born prodigy soar while you can't even learn the most basic Ninjutsu—doesn't it infuriate you?"
"Not really. He was a genuine genius."
Masahiko's tone was calm, unmoved by Orochimaru's bait.
Orochimaru chuckled and switched topics. "I hear you're Uchiha Sasuke's instructor and took the initiative to approach both Shisui and Itachi?"
"Yes, though the latter was Danzo's mission. Before I could make real progress everything went sideways."
Masahiko answered "truthfully."
Orochimaru smiled without comment and asked, "Then are you interested in the Sharingan and the Uchiha Clan?"
"Hm?"
Masahiko lifted his head, puzzled.
Orochimaru said, "A chance for cooperation lies before you. It depends on whether you dare."
He grinned.
"Masahiko-kun, I came so that when future opportunities arise you won't feel left out—preserving our partnership."
"Something is going to happen to the Uchiha?"
Masahiko looked thoughtful.
Orochimaru smiled. "Perhaps."
He glanced toward the Uchiha district.
"When a great tree falls it feeds countless creatures. The Uchiha have been suppressed for years, yet their strength runs deep…"
"Are you interested in this collaboration?"
Orochimaru licked his lips.
Masahiko lowered his head. "I'm willing to study and assist you, but I'm afraid I can't help beyond that."
"A pity—such chances don't come often."
Orochimaru said, "Think it over. If you change your mind, contact Kabuto; you already know who he is."
"Understood."
Masahiko nodded.
After Orochimaru left, he walked calmly toward the Ninja Academy.
Orochimaru's offer was tempting, but… he already had allies in the Uchiha affair and couldn't be in two places at once.
If projects concerning the Hyuga or the Ōtsutsuki on the moon arose later, deep cooperation with Orochimaru would be worth considering.
At the gate Orochimaru paused.
"One last piece of advice—a farewell gift."
"Please speak."
Masahiko was respectful.
Orochimaru smiled. "The old man and Danzo aren't like me. When you play with them, be ready to be sold."
"Good luck, Masahiko-kun. May we both soon obtain what we desire."
With a cold laugh Orochimaru vanished… Back at the Academy gate—
the guard told Masahiko that Watanabe Shōji was waiting.
In the office they skipped small talk and discussed the joint training session.
Afterward, Masahiko mulled for a moment and headed for Naruto's classroom.
He had no idea what the next episode held,
but for the reward he'd force a cameo.
The lesson was pure theory.
Classes ended, school was out.
Naruto, freed like a prisoner, joyfully shoved open a window to leap out—only to see Masahiko's handsome face looking back.
He froze, cheeks twitching, and muttered, "I'll go run my laps now."
Masahiko said nothing, watching until Naruto left.
Then he turned and called Sasuke.
"Teacher."
Sasuke trotted over, puzzled.
Masahiko smiled. "Tomorrow there's a joint training match with the upper class. You're the best at taijutsu in your year; I want you to take on their top student."
Sasuke was tempted but lifted his chin. "If it's just an ordinary top student, forget it."
"His name is Hyuga—you may have heard of him."
Masahiko replied.
Sasuke's eyes lit up. "Hyuga Neji?"
"Exactly."
Masahiko nodded.
Unable to hide his excitement Sasuke said, "Great!"
Then his face stiffened.
"You're not pairing me with idiots again, are you?"
"Of course not."
Masahiko chuckled. "Pick your own teammates; you'll be satisfied."
"Deal!"
Sasuke raised his head.
Masahiko smiled. "Then work hard. I hear he's strong."
"Strong? How strong? Even with only Academy taijutsu I'll beat him!"
An Uchiha's pride forbids losing to a Hyuga.
Kids—one prod and they ignite.
Masahiko laughed. "Hurry home and prepare."
"Got it!"
Sasuke nodded, made a firm decision, and ran home without looking back.
After dinner—
[naruto: prequel – Episode 11 filming complete!]
[Editing…]
[Export successful!]
[Total screen time: 6 min 58 s
Scene share: 33.2%]
[Reminder: …]
Episode 11 finished in just two days.
Masahiko had no idea what had happened, but judging by the share he probably only appeared in the scenes with Shisui and Orochimaru.
The rest were scattered shots at best.
The smaller his role, the more certain he felt that the Uchiha catastrophe was imminent—eruption days away.
He stared at the subtitles, then quickened his pace, abandoning the idea of extra laps.
He needed a contingency plan, ready for the massacre night to strike at any moment—and decide how to intervene and exit.
Whether Shisui could return in time… remained to be seen.