The sheer density of information in this theatrical release was staggering!
Even Masashi Kishimoto himself hadn't anticipated that the Nine-Tailed Fox could be reinterpreted under the classification of a "Tailed Beast."
If that were the case...
If there is a Nine-Tails, then naturally, there could be an Eight-Tails, a Seven-Tails, and so on!
His mind immediately opened up to the possibilities. He grabbed a sheet of paper and began frantically scribbling down his inspiration.
But at the same time, the screen shifted back to Asuma's battlefield. And...
As the plot advanced, the Black Robed Man made his entrance once again.
Chaotic, dazzling combat erupted across the light screen. For several minutes, the battle maintained the highest, most exquisite quality of animation. During these few minutes, the density of Bullet Comments actually dropped significantly...
It wasn't a lack of viewers; it was simply too spectacular. One fight segued seamlessly into the next. If the audience wanted to truly appreciate the combat animation, they had no hands to spare for typing.
The mobile users, in particular, were cursing their small screens, wishing they were holding large tablets instead.
However.
When the Black Robed Man and Yagyu Masahiko appeared in the same frame, the dam holding back the Bullet Comments finally broke.
Near the end of the sequence, Masahiko actively took a blade strike meant for Sarutobi Asuma to "cover" him. Immediately after, the opponent used the Body Flicker Technique to retreat.
"Fighting himself? What kind of performance art is the Old Thief pulling here?""He's still clutching his hand... he's totally lost in the role!""I have to hand it to him."
The audience was thoroughly convinced by Masahiko's acting skills. It was no wonder none of the characters suspected the true nature of the Black Robed Man.
After being "saved" by Masahiko, Asuma seemed to snap out of a daze. He didn't suspect the companion behind him for a second; instead, he turned his interrogation toward their opponent.
"Who are you?"
And the answer...
"This rotting world..."
"I am the catalyst for a revolution of order!"
After delivering that line—dripping with style—the Black Robed Man rode a stream of water and vanished into the distance.
The presentation of the continuous battles, through clever editing and intercutting, felt even more intense and tighter than the actual events. It made the villain's exit feel even more earth-shattering.
After savoring the aftertaste, the audience finally realized the implications.
"That was basically an official confirmation. The Old Thief is the Black Robed Man, right?""Yeah, both of them used similar Lightning Style jutsu.""Lightning Style isn't exclusive, so there's still wiggle room for denial, but... it's a small room.""I doubt the officials even intend to hide it anymore."
With the broadcast of this theatrical version, the Black Robed Man's identity was effectively exposed.
Watching this unfold, seeing the overwhelming praise and positive reviews, the heavy stone in Masahiko's heart finally settled.
Whether playing the hero or the villain, as long as he survived and his popularity remained high, that was all that mattered!
He fast-forwarded the playback.
He hadn't seen parts of the battle between Kakashi and Itachi. However, he—and the audience—had expected the destructive power of Chidori.
But the Amaterasu...
The Bullet Comments unanimously agreed it was powerful, but a few keen observers noted its lackluster casting speed.
What Masahiko hadn't expected was—
His "monologue" in front of Kazuma hadn't been cut into the main feature. The film only flashed a brief shot of him meeting Kazuma again.
After that came the scene of Itachi pursuing Orochimaru.
The result, naturally, was a failure to capture him.
In the final shots—
Naruto woke up under the curtain of night. He opened his eyes to see Yūhi Kurenai.
"Kurenai-sensei, I... where is Sensei?"
"Masahiko-sensei was exhausted, so he's asleep. Naruto, are you alright?" Kurenai asked with a face full of concern.
Naruto looked blankly. "I'm fine. It's just... after we left the city, everything gets blurry. I can't remember clearly."
After some comforting words, he fell back into a deep sleep.
Only after this did the second conversation between the Black Robed Man and Kazuma play out on screen.
Amidst a passionate narration, the Black Robed Man looked down upon Kazuma.
The camera angle swept upward from Kazuma's perspective, perfectly mirroring the composition of the promotional poster.
At that moment, the image froze...
The ending theme began to play.
"It's over already?""That was so well made...""Masahiko's popularity is too high. after this movie, we're probably heading straight into the main canon storyline.""Masterpiece! I'm going to rewatch it and analyze every frame!"
Line after line of praise lingered over the ending credits.
At the same time, lines of text began to surface before Masahiko's eyes.
[Popularity Assessment: S]
[Comprehensive Evaluation]
[Your performance as the 'Mastermind Behind the Scenes' in this Theatrical Version is rated: S]
[Reward Received: High-Rank Summoning Beast Random Card]
[Reward Received: Actor's Advanced Advancement — Sealing Jutsu Edition]
[Sealing Jutsu Training Module has been unlocked.]
A High-Rank Summoning Beast?
Masahiko's thoughts shifted, and he immediately understood how to use the card.
He needed a blank scroll. After drawing the card, he would receive specific formulas and text. By inscribing them onto the scroll, he would acquire the corresponding Summoning Beast.
Since it was a "High-Rank Random Card," the beast he drew wouldn't be weak.
He pondered for a moment and decided to use the card himself after returning to Konoha, rather than using it to summon a personalized projection.
He was currently lacking in this specific area.
If he obtained a suitable Summoning Beast, Masahiko could even have Shisui or Kazuma form a contract with it, creating a channel for passing intelligence.
As for the [Sealing Jutsu Training Module]...
Sealing Jutsu (Fūinjutsu) was always useful. Even now, he understood the principles behind Danzō's Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
If he could master this Sealing Jutsu, he could potentially tamper with the seals Danzō placed on others, modifying them to answer to him instead.
Furthermore, the intrinsic value of other Sealing Jutsu was incredibly high.
But right now, if he could draw a decent Summoning Beast, he would be more than satisfied.
"Use!"
The next second.
[Consumed: High-Rank Summoning Beast Random Card x1.]
[Drawing...]
[Draw Successful!]
[Summoning Beast: The Iron Eater Clan.]
Masahiko stared blankly for a second. His first thought went to the pandas he had seen in his previous life.
In the ninja world, a panda belonged to Ajisai of Amegakure. But aside from being large and having brute strength, it didn't possess any particularly overpowered abilities.
That thing... is considered a High-Rank Summoning Beast?
"I finally decide to gamble once, don't let me lose this badly!"
Masahiko took a deep breath, retrieved a blank scroll, and began inscribing the formulas and text provided by the System.
Finally—
He wrote his name in blood.
The moment his name was signed, an invisible contract wound itself between him, the scroll, and a distant location far away.
Simultaneously, the knowledge of the complete Summoning Jutsu was imprinted into his mind.
Masahiko immediately entered the [Performance Instance].
Previously, the simulation only offered the "Special Jōnin Assessment."
But now, in addition to "Kakashi," two new instances had appeared.
One was the "Danzō Breakthrough Battle," which Masahiko had personally experienced during the Uchiha Clan Downfall night.
The second was the newly solidified "Battle of the Twin Jades," featuring Kazuma, Asuma, and the Masahiko Shadow Clone fixed at his capabilities from that time.
He selected the [Danzō Breakthrough Battle] to enter.
Immediately upon arrival, Masahiko activated the Summoning Jutsu.
Poof!
With a burst of white smoke, a not-too-large panda appeared before him. Its black and white fur was distinct, and it looked rather simple and honest.
Just like in the real event, Danzō immediately opened with a wide-range Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere.
At that moment, the panda let out a roar, and a unique chakra surged across its body.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!!
As the gale force winds struck its body, they produced a sound like metal striking metal. The wind blades embedded in the pressure wave couldn't harm it at all.
"Iron Eater..." Masahiko mused. "It possesses chakra, and its ability is 'Iron Skin,' drastically increasing its defense?"
"I just wonder about its intelligence."
While Masahiko was deep in thought, Danzō threw a kunai infused with Wind Style chakra. The Iron Eater suddenly lunged forward, pinning the weapon down with its paw.
The Wind Style chakra was shattered instantly. The beast then opened its mouth, crunched the kunai into pieces, and swallowed it whole.
It let out a ferocious roar directed at Danzō.
Then, it turned back to look at Masahiko, its gaze holding a mixture of pride and laziness.
Masahiko looked thoughtful. "It possesses a fairly high level of intelligence."
Although he didn't know the full details yet, this panda definitely possessed the smarts and abilities to justify the "High-Rank Summoning Beast" rating.
And...
This was just one of them.
Masahiko vaguely remembered that the contract was with a "Clan."
Perhaps there were other individuals with different strengths.