Deep within the forest, Yagyu Masahiko remained a detached observer, watching the chaos unfold with cool indifference.
The opposition consisted of a dozen ordinary beasts. The most formidable threats were four wild boars of varying sizes, while the rest were merely deer, wildcats, and other forest fauna. Against such creatures, even a squad of seven-year-olds should have been able to secure a kill with proper coordination.
And yet, panic reigned.
"Choji!"
Shikamaru's hands flew through seals. A jet-black shadow extended from his feet, stretching rapidly across the forest floor. Aided by the shade of the canopy, the shadow surged forward and latched onto the largest boar leading the charge.
The beast froze mid-stride. The sudden stop caused the boars rushing behind it to crash violently into its rear.
Seizing the opening, Choji expanded his torso, transforming into a massive sphere. He hurtled forward, snapping a thinner tree in his path like a twig, though the recoil left him dizzy and sprawled on the ground. With a loud crack, the broken tree toppled, blocking the path.
Ino saw her chance. Instantly, she locked onto another boar, using her Mind Transfer Jutsu to force the beast to gore its "ally" with its tusks before releasing the technique.
The left flank of the beast herd descended into chaos.
A flicker of approval passed through Masahiko's eyes. They were still young, but the legendary coordination of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation was already beginning to take shape.
With one side temporarily neutralized, the other students rallied. They formed a defensive line, coordinating their attacks to stabilize the situation against the remaining beasts. By the time Sasuke and his team returned, the battle was effectively over.
Once the group had finished dispatching the lured monsters and cleaning up the battlefield, Masahiko dismissed his Shadow Clone and dropped down from his perch in the trees.
"A few wild beasts, and you fall into such disarray. What would have happened if these were enemies coming to raid the village?"
His gaze swept over the panting students. "You all think of yourselves as elites. Yet, looking at this performance, I struggle to see anything 'elite' about it."
He singled out the strategist. "Shikamaru was calm. He took the initiative to control the key threats with his Shadow Possession Jutsu, and his coordination with Choji was seamless..."
Shikamaru let out a small breath, but Masahiko wasn't finished.
"That is your strength. But tell me, if the enemy were slightly stronger, how long could you maintain that shadow bind? If you don't put in the effort during peacetime, what will you use to protect your teammates when the critical moment arrives?"
Shikamaru fell silent. He knew Masahiko was right. The Nara clan's hiden techniques were powerful, but they were infamous chakra drains. At seven years old, holding a target for even a few seconds consumed more than half his reserves. Against a more resilient foe, he wouldn't be able to hold the line.
Of course, reason dictated that as seven-year-olds who weren't even official genin yet, they would naturally get stronger by graduation at twelve.
Some students were clearly thinking exactly that. Specifically, Inuzuka Kiba. His thoughts were practically written on his face.
Masahiko's voice turned icy, adopting a philosophical cadence reminiscent of a man who stood above the heavens.
"No one is born standing at the pinnacle. However, those who are arrogant and conceited will certainly never reach it."
He offered a rare, faint smile. "Pack up the spoils. We continue the patrol."
"Yes, sir!"
The students responded in unison, springing into action.
The patrol squad consisted of only a dozen students—the top performers of the class, including Naruto. While Naruto's academic and ninjutsu scores were a disaster, under Masahiko's "encouragement," his taijutsu had risen to the top tier of the class. Few dared to call him "dead-last" to his face anymore.
Compared to their casual curiosity when they first arrived at the Naka River, the group was now solemn and focused.
Watching their retreating figures from the shadows, Uchiha Itachi's usually stoic expression shifted slightly.
"He is a responsible teacher."
"Indeed," Shisui agreed, nodding. Then, a strange look crossed his face. "Though, I don't recall him leaving much of an impression back at the Academy. I didn't expect him to grow up to be so eloquent."
Itachi stared in the direction Sasuke had gone, offering no reply.
Night fell. The Naka Shrine was brightly lit.
Uchiha Inabi's expression was dark and cold. "Clan Head, please, give the order! What should we do?"
At the head of the room, Uchiha Fugaku sat with his eyes lowered, maintaining a heavy silence.
Beside Inabi, Uchiha Tekka stepped forward, his voice rising in agitation. "Clan Head, Yashiro-sama! We cannot hesitate any longer. If we do, we'll only be slowly cannibalized until Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo exterminate us all!"
Uchiha Yashiro harbored similar thoughts, but as the calm voice of the radical faction, he raised a hand. "Everyone, stay in order!"
He looked toward the back of the room. "Itachi. What is the situation with the Anbu? And has Shisui returned to the village yet?"
"Not yet," Itachi answered curtly.
He paused for a second before adding, "The Anbu have been keeping me away from certain missions. I haven't been able to gather much intelligence."
"What mission did Shisui go on? Why hasn't he returned by now?" Fugaku frowned, worry creasing his brow.
Itachi remained silent for a moment before replying, "Perhaps they have sensed our intent and deliberately separated Shisui from us..."
Hearing this, Fugaku sighed deeply.
"Itachi, go to the Anbu headquarters and check. It is best we wait for Shisui's return before making any final decisions."
"Understood."
Itachi bowed and vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Once he was gone, Fugaku looked around the room at his gathered kin. "Yashiro, Inabi... do you truly believe... that this path is what is best for the Uchiha?"
"It's no longer a question of what we believe," Yashiro said with a bitter smile. "Hiruzen and Danzo are both students of Tobirama Senju. They never intended to give us a path to survival in the first place!"
Fugaku closed his eyes and let out a long, weary sigh. "When Shisui returns, I will convince him. Then... we will make our move."
[System Prompt: "Naruto: The Prequel" - Episode 7 Filming Complete!]
[Editing in progress...]
[Production Successful!]
[Total Appearance Time: 7 minutes 12 seconds]
[Screen Time Ratio: 34.2%]
[Notice: "Naruto: The Prequel" will be broadcast tonight at 8:00 PM...]
Only 34%...
Masahiko wasn't surprised. The past two days had been eventful, but he had spent the majority of his time immersed in training, rarely showing his face to the "camera."
He checked the time. 7:40 PM.
Masahiko instantly perked up. This broadcast was crucial. It meant he could witness key events that occurred outside his field of vision and gather intelligence that was otherwise impossible to obtain. This information could be vital for his future plans.
He waited twenty minutes.
Finally... the holographic screen popped up.
The episode opened with a scene that hadn't made the cut in the previous episode—Masahiko speaking confidently at the faculty meeting.
"Are they treating students like beasts of burden?"
"Class traitor! Eat my blade!"
"Damn! That's evil! But... at least he didn't embezzle the orphanage funds directly."
"I don't think it's that simple, is it?"
The bullet comments scrolled across the screen.
After the brief meeting scene, the camera cut to the Hokage's Office. Masahiko immediately recognized the man on screen: Watanabe Shoji.
"According to the village's arrangement, we will first test the children within the Military Police Force. We will decide whether to implement the program fully based on the results."
Sarutobi Hiruzen handed a mission scroll to the teacher. "At least within the village, it will be safer. You may have Masahiko lead some of the patrol missions."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
As Watanabe Shoji exited, the door opened again. Shimura Danzo walked in.
The scene cut abruptly there.
"Fck! I knew it was him!"*
"Wait, isn't the Police Force run by the Uchiha?"
"That old thief is Danzo's man. Does this mean... the Uchiha Massacre is actually orchestrated by Konoha's leadership?"
The scene shifted again. Fugaku and the others appeared on screen.
Masahiko quickly realized this scene must have taken place right before he arrived at the Police Force headquarters.
Meanwhile, on Blue Star.
Sitting before his computer, a man named Masashi Kishimoto stared blankly at the screen.
Konoha. Danzo. The Police Force...
Plot points that existed only as rough concepts in his brain were being played out on the monitor with perfect clarity and completeness.
"How am I supposed to draw this now?"
His thoughts were in chaos.
But a few seconds later, his eyes lit up.
"Wait... that's right! The editors kept pestering me to make the story longer. This... this is the perfect way to extend the plotline!"