On the way to the Ninja Academy, Masahiko finally understood why his boss had shown up at dawn.
It turned out that after Mizuki's crushing defeat the day before, he hadn't swallowed the insult. Instead, he had run straight to Inuzuka Akita with a sob story. In Mizuki's version, he was a "pure white lotus" a victim of Masahiko's endless provocations who had refrained from striking back only out of respect for Akita.
He claimed his only concern was that Masahiko's arrogance would eventually bring disaster to the department. It was a classic wedge-driving tactic. What Mizuki hadn't expected was that Akita was far sharper than the typical "all-brawn" Inuzuka.
She had politely shown Mizuki the door, only to turn to Masahiko and curse once they were alone. "That schemer... such sinister motives."
"He even suggested inviting you to the Academy's graduation ceremony to spar with the top student, Hyuga Neji," Akita explained, her eyes narrowing. "I thought it was a peace offering now it's obvious he's trying to set you up."
[New Quest: The Pride of the Hyuga]
[Accept the challenge and defeat the prodigy, Hyuga Neji.]
[Reward: Byakugan (Purity: Common)]
Masahiko stared at the panel with a complicated expression. He wanted to join Akita in cursing Mizuki, but the man was inadvertently becoming his best quest-giver.
He knew Neji's story well the "genius" who was born into a cage and died as a shield. Mizuki's choice was clever. At this stage, Neji was a freshly graduated prodigy who stood a head and shoulders above mediocre Chunin like Mizuki. If Masahiko lost, he was humiliated; if he won, he had publicly slapped the face of the prestigious Hyuga Clan.
It was a perfect trap. Masahiko, however, simply smiled a look that carried three parts disdain, three parts confidence, and four parts pure Uchiha arrogance.
"Given your usual style, I expected you to refuse. I didn't expect you to accept so readily," Akita noted, glancing at him curiously. "Masahiko-kun, it seems you still have secrets I don't know."
She didn't press him. A woman as wise as Inuzuka Akita knew that a man is like a kite you need the right rhythm of tight and loose to keep him flying where you want.
The Ninja Academy stood as a monument to Senju Tobirama's legacy. Masahiko's feelings about the Second Hokage were mixed. Tobirama's policies had ultimately marginalized the Uchiha, yet without that tragedy, Masahiko's system might never have awakened.
In a way, Tobirama is my benefactor, Masahiko mused darkly. All the village elders are benefactors. No enemies here only generous donors.
They soon met Mizuki at the Academy's vast training grounds. Despite the bandages covering his face and the visible winces of pain when he spoke, the silver-haired man seemed energized by his own malice. He was terrified Masahiko might back out and hurried them toward the center of the field.
The training ground was bustling. Two classes were present: Neji's graduating class and Iruka Umino's younger students.
"Hey! Aren't you the guy who caught me yesterday?"
A loud, boisterous voice rang out. It was Uzumaki Naruto.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," Masahiko greeted with a grin.
He swept his gaze across the crowd. Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino he was seeing the entire "Konoha 12" in one go. Some returned his glance with polite smiles; others, like Ino, were busy staring at his face.
"Sakura, look! The new guy is actually stunning!" Ino whispered, her eyes wide.
"No way, Ino-pig... Sasuke-kun is still the coolest," Sakura muttered, though her voice lacked its usual conviction as she looked at Masahiko.
"Kiba! Are you going to ignore your cousin?" Akita called out cheerfully.
Inuzuka Kiba abandoned his attempt to hide and obediently greeted his cousin. He shot Masahiko a look of pure respect. In Kiba's eyes, anyone who could survive working under his "tigress" cousin was a legendary figure.
Mizuki gathered the students, his voice loud and authoritative as he announced a "demonstration match."
He framed it as a vital lesson for the graduates: real combat against an experienced elder. He claimed his own "recent injuries" prevented him from sparring with Neji, but that the "valiant Masahiko" had stepped up to fill the void.
It was a masterful performance. Mizuki rescued his own reputation while ensuring Neji wouldn't hold back. He whispered to the young Hyuga to give it twelve percent, "certain" that a talent like Masahiko could handle it.