The following morning, Masahiko woke early to train, as was his routine.
Yesterday, within a [Performance Instance], he had utilized the Summoning Jutsu to conduct a rough assessment of the Iron Eater Beast clan. While he wasn't certain if the results would perfectly mirror reality, the baseline conclusion was that the Iron Eater Beasts were similar to the creatures of the Three Great Sage Regions: there was a spectrum of power.
The weaker ones were comparable to Ajisai's panda—possessing formidable physiques and raw strength, but limited to just that. Only the powerful individuals within the clan possessed chakra and the unique ability to ironize their skin. Masahiko even suspected that Ajisai's panda might just be a weak stray that had been separated from the pack.
In summary: they weren't quite up to the standard of the Three Great Sage Regions, but they were far from weak. Specifics would require further development and testing.
"You're finally up?"
Kurenai Yūhi opened her door and stepped out. Seeing Masahiko already exercising in the early light, a faint smile touched her lips.
"Yeah. Sleeping for two days straight can actually be exhausting," Masahiko nodded, stretching his limbs before glancing toward Naruto's room. "How is he?"
"He woke up once the night before last, then fell back asleep. But his physical recovery is remarkably fast," Kurenai said, lowering her voice.
Masahiko nodded knowingly. "I noticed that a while ago. At his age, aside from him, no one else could run forty-plus laps in a single breath on their very first attempt at training."
"???"
Kurenai tilted her head, her expression one of utter bewilderment.
Masahiko laughed. "Don't doubt it. He can actually do it."
"That is... ridiculous," Kurenai muttered, speechless.
With that level of stamina, it was no wonder Masahiko trained Naruto to the brink of death without hesitation; he clearly wasn't worried about the boy breaking. Her thoughts then drifted to Masahiko's other students...
"Do you have any idea what your reputation is like among the parents in Konoha?" she asked.
"Hm?" Masahiko paused, looking back in confusion. He honestly didn't know.
"Everyone says that if you can discipline a mischievous brat like Naruto, there's no student you can't teach," Kurenai said, suppressing a laugh. "I heard that regarding your appointment as the Acting Head of the Education Unit, aside from the Third Hokage's backing, a significant number of parents fully supported it."
"I... really didn't expect that."
Masahiko had been so absorbed in his cultivation that he hadn't interacted much with the students' parents. He genuinely had no deep understanding of his standing there.
In reality, to say Naruto was completely well-behaved now would be a lie; the boy still pulled the occasional prank, causing chaos in the village. But compared to before? He was infinitely better.
Suddenly, a look of hesitation crossed Kurenai's face.
Masahiko caught her expression in his peripheral vision and immediately said, "We're comrades-in-arms now, and friends too. If you have something to say, just say it."
"Mn. I'd like to ask you for some pointers on Taijutsu and ninja tools," Kurenai whispered.
"Of course. Let's consider it a mutual exchange." Masahiko drew a kunai. "Now?"
"Yes!"
Kurenai immediately settled into a combat stance.
There was a distinct difference between a death match and a technical exchange. Masahiko slowed his pace occasionally, correcting flaws in Kurenai's tactical approach.
Unconsciously, time passed.
Dong, dong!
Someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
The two stopped their sparring and walked to the door together. When they opened it, Asuma stood there, freezing for a split second.
"You two..."
"I was just asking Masahiko for advice on Taijutsu," Kurenai answered calmly. She then retracted her smile and asked, "Asuma, what are your plans now?"
"I plan to return to the village. After that... we'll see." Asuma looked at Kurenai.
Unfortunately for him, Kurenai simply nodded gently. "Changing environments might be good. You might find different answers there."
Asuma opened his mouth to speak, but eventually fell silent, bowing his head slightly. He then forced a smile and looked at Masahiko.
"Masahiko, thank you. Before... if it weren't for you, I might have..."
"We are comrades. If I were in danger, I trust you would have gone all out to help me as well," Masahiko said with a warm, charismatic smile.
"Of course!" Asuma answered hastily.
Their exchange of pleasantries ended as Naruto finally woke up.
Shortly after, Asuma informed them of the Daimyō's decision. The Twelve Guardian Ninja would no longer be recruiting; only the three members currently in the Capital would remain by the Lord's side.
Masahiko didn't know the details of the negotiations between the village and the Daimyō, but he assumed the noble faction had made significant concessions, both open and secret. The approval process for their departure from the Capital was swift.
By late morning, Masahiko received the message: They could return to Konoha.
Fire Country. A secret underground base.
Orochimaru endured the searing pain as he slowly sealed away the crimson chakra. Beside him, Kabuto Yakushi remained hidden in the shadows.
"Lord Orochimaru, there are no issues with your body physically, but the trauma to your spirit is severe..."
"Damn that Uchiha Itachi!"
Orochimaru clutched his forehead. That terrifying Dōjutsu remained fresh in his memory. Although it caused no physical wounds, it was far more agonizing and dread-inducing than any Ninjutsu that merely damaged the flesh. Even after two or three days, the pain had only slightly abated.
Only after the spiritual anguish subsided did he look toward Kabuto.
"Kabuto, thanks to you this time."
"Even without me, with your abilities, Lord Orochimaru, you would have certainly found a way to escape," Kabuto said, taking no credit.
The two fell into silence.
Orochimaru let out a cold, sinister laugh. "Kabuto, this world is truly unfair, isn't it?"
"My Lord?"
"Two children, barely in their teens... simply by awakening the power of a Kekkei Genkai, they possess such bizarre, overwhelmingly powerful eyes."
Orochimaru's eyes filled with excitement. This power—rather than making him fearful, it only made him more obsessed!
"I must obtain Sasuke!"
"..."
Kabuto pondered for a moment before speaking. "The current Uchiha Sasuke... although he has experienced the tragedy of his clan's annihilation, he doesn't seem to show an overly intense desire for power."
"That is because Masahiko-kun is suppressing it."
Orochimaru chuckled softly, his eyes flickering with a predatory light. "Just wait and see. He is mine. His body will belong to me sooner or later!"
"But Masahiko..." Kabuto hesitated. Finally, he said nothing, merely adopting a posture of concern.
Orochimaru smiled dismissively. "He will help me. I have something he needs!"
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to a sealing scroll nearby.
It was the Nine-Tails Chakra.
Although the quantity wasn't large, relative to an ordinary ninja, it was still an immensely powerful force. He was confident Masahiko would be interested.
Konoha. The Hokage's Office.
Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka stood on the left and right sides of the desk. After delivering their report, they paused, awaiting Hiruzen Sarutobi's next instruction.
Hiruzen remained silent for a long time before speaking. "If you didn't catch him, you didn't catch him. An S-Rank Rogue Ninja isn't so easily apprehended."
He looked at the two men.
"Shikaku, Inoichi. You have been Jōnin for many years. You must be brave enough to shoulder certain burdens. In the future, offer your opinions more freely." Hiruzen paused briefly. "We old ones are aging. Often, our ability falls short of our will. We need you younger ones to share the workload."
The two exchanged glances, unable to hide the surprise in their eyes.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" they responded quickly.
"Shikaku, since Asuma is returning, remember to arrange his duties..."
After finishing his instructions, Hiruzen rubbed the space between his brows. "Go and rest. You've worked hard these past few days."
"You should rest early as well, Lord Hokage."
The two bowed slightly and retreated from the room. Outside the door, they looked at each other, then glanced at Koharu Utatane, who was walking toward them with a dark expression. They offered a polite bow but didn't dare check her mood, quickly sidestepping to leave.