Masahiko's surprise was fleeting, quickly replaced by a calm calculation.
Being under observation didn't necessarily equate to an offer of recruitment. And even if Danzo did intend to recruit him, it would likely only be as an outer-circle spy. The subordinates Danzo truly trusted were those he had raised and conditioned himself from childhood, not outsiders hired halfway through their lives.
However, this was indeed a viable path.
Maintaining a connection with Danzo would serve to further highlight his identity as a "Villain" within the narrative. The comments from the "Real World" audience today were proof enough of that.
Relaxing his mind, Masahiko turned his attention to the rewards at hand.
The reward for the First Episode was the [Actor's Basic Advancement: Taijutsu Edition]. This time, the System didn't open a new training module immediately. Instead, it granted him a direct upgrade item: a [Ninjutsu Proficiency Boost Card], capable of instantly raising a technique to the 'Mastery' level.
He only needed a glance to make his decision.
'Upgrade the Shadow Clone Jutsu.'
[Consuming Ninjutsu Proficiency Boost Card...]
[Shadow Clone Jutsu has been upgraded!]
On the status panel, the proficiency for Shadow Clone Jutsu shifted from [Entry] to [Mastery].
A flood of insights surged into his mind, all related to the intricate mechanics of the Shadow Clone.
'Chakra refinement needs optimization...'
'I see. The biggest difference between Entry and Mastery lies in the clone's independent thinking capabilities and durability.'
'Furthermore, the main body can now handle the backlash of information feedback much more easily. It won't cause that one or two-second lag I experienced before.'
Masahiko achieved a sudden clarity.
When it came to ninjutsu proficiency, reaching [Entry] and [Skilled] could be achieved through time and bitter training. [Mastery] was somewhat more difficult. But the true chasm lay beyond that.
Above Mastery, there was [Perfection] and [Limit-Break].
[Perfection] symbolized that a ninja had mastered every conceivable technique inherent to the jutsu itself. [Limit-Break], however, meant transcending the ninja world's collective understanding of that jutsu.
Examples included Shisui's Body Flicker Technique or the White Fang's kenjutsu.
However, as Masahiko reviewed the multitude of Shadow Clone techniques now embedding themselves in his memory, he had some ideas regarding the future of this jutsu—specifically, Nature Transformation.
Just as Kakashi added Lightning Release to the Shadow Clone to create the Lightning Clone, or how Uchiha Itachi utilized similar principles for his Clone Great Explosion. Fundamentally, these were still variations of the Shadow Clone.
'It's difficult, though,' Masahiko sighed softly.
Nature Transformation...
As of now, his only elemental ninjutsu, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, wasn't even at the [Entry] level. He hadn't grasped any significant tricks for it yet. Furthermore, his current Shadow Clone technique was far from [Perfection].
'Let's prioritize Taijutsu for now.'
Masahiko cast aside his distracting thoughts. With a shift of mental focus, he entered the Training Space.
[Inside the Training Space]
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Two figures crossed paths repeatedly. Their raw speed wasn't overwhelmingly fast, but their reactions—both hand and foot—were incredibly sharp.
After fighting for a while, the young Might Guy halted.
"Without using the Body Flicker Technique, your technical skills are just about there," the young Guy said.
"So, the advancement course is over?" Masahiko asked, slightly stunned.
The young Might Guy shook his head. "No. Or rather, it is only just beginning."
In the next second, the iconic green spandex suit materialized over the young Guy's body.
Masahiko, brimming with confidence, stepped forward to engage.
Several moves later, he took two heavy kicks to the chest and nearly blacked out.
'The gap is this big?'
'So... when we were fighting to a draw earlier, he was purely going easy on me?'
'Is this really just Basic Advancement?'
The corner of Masahiko's mouth twitched, but he refused to admit defeat. In the Training Space, he was immortal and indestructible; any injury could be recovered in an instant.
If it meant improvement, what was a beating or two?
[The Next Morning]
Masahiko opened his eyes slowly, a lingering ghostly ache in his bones. He sat up, looked around, and finally focused on the alarm clock.
5:50 AM.
He had spent the entire night in the Training Space. He only remembered receiving a final, brutal thrashing before mental and physical exhaustion took him, though he didn't know exactly when he had fallen asleep in the real world.
'Whatever. Time to get up.'
The Daily Mission could not be wasted.
Ten minutes later, seeing the pained expression on Naruto's face, the gloom from Masahiko's beatdown the previous night instantly evaporated.
A few minutes after that, he once again spotted Uchiha Sasuke lurking in the forest.
'That kid is getting stubborn about this, too.'
Still, mutual competition and progress were ultimately good things.
In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.
"Damn it! Just you wait! When I get stronger, I'm going to pay you back for everything you did today!" Naruto yelled, flustered and exasperated.
"I look forward to it," Masahiko replied, his tone indifferent.
To the side, Sasuke secretly clenched his fist, let out a cold snort, and walked toward the school gate.
Naruto mouthed off with tough words, but his body honestly remained standing at the gate, waiting. Seeing that Masahiko wasn't following, he turned his head. "We're not running today?"
"I have something to do. Wait a moment."
Masahiko offered no further explanation and walked toward the faculty office.
"Oh."
Naruto sat on the swing near the gate to wait.
Moments later, when Masahiko emerged, the boy immediately reverted to his cool, pouting facade. The two of them, just as always, ran toward the outskirts of the village.
During this half-month, Masahiko maintained the same rhythm of life. He squeezed in time to practice the Fireball Jutsu and studied the nature transformation of chakra.
However, news regarding "Episode 3" was late in coming.
While Masahiko didn't neglect his training, he spent time pondering his "Acting" method and the reasons behind the delay of the third episode. After observing and calculating for two weeks, he formed a theory and calmed his anxiety.
The System's broadcast, Naruto: The Prequel, had chosen this specific timeline for two undeniable reasons.
First, Naruto's condition.
Although the boy's attitude remained abrasive, Masahiko could see the truth—Naruto was slowly adapting, and even developing a certain degree of dependence on him.
Second, the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
Therefore...
If he maintained his current relationship with Naruto and Sasuke, while simultaneously pursuing the connection with Danzo, he would inevitably become involved in the main plot of the Prequel.
Furthermore, having a connection with Danzo meant he wouldn't need to play the role of a "complete villain" in front of Naruto. He could afford to lift the mask, just a fraction.
He was just waiting for the right opportunity.
That opportunity arrived on a Friday.
School had ended for the afternoon. Naruto sat on the swing at the school gate, waiting. But after waiting for a long time, no one came out.
He sat on the swing, swaying back and forth, back and forth. The expression on his face gradually sank into silence and gloom.
Just as Naruto stood up, ready to leave—
Snap!
A crisp sound came from behind him.
"The weather hasn't quite warmed up yet, but eating ice pops still feels comfortable."
Masahiko extended a hand, offering the other half of the split popsicle.
He had specifically looked for the exact brand—the same double-stick popsicle often associated with memories of connection.
Naruto's eyes went wide. He accepted the ice pop with a look of utter shock, looking Masahiko up and down before stammering, "No... no running today?"
"You've persisted for over half a month, and you haven't gone causing trouble with pranks either. So, no running today. What do you want to eat? I'm treating you to dinner."
Masahiko smiled.
Naruto blinked, his expression shifting from shock to a look one might give a ghost.
'Is this really the Yagyu Masahiko I know?'
"You don't want to eat if I'm paying?"
"No! I want to eat Old Man Ichiraku's ramen! With all the toppings! I'm going to eat you into bankruptcy!"
[Ichiraku Ramen]
Steam curled up from the bowls.
Masahiko finished his soup. Glancing to his side, his eyelids twitched involuntarily.
Next to Naruto's current bowl, two empty bowls were already stacked high. And there was yet another freshly served bowl steaming in front of him.
'He really came here for revenge...'
Slurp!
After frantically inhaling the noodles, Naruto let out a satisfied sigh. "Ah!! Ramen with extra toppings is the best!"
"Are you full?"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded vigorously.
Then, the boy tilted his head, looking at Masahiko with a gaze that held a hidden question.
Masahiko reached out and gently patted Naruto's hair.
"Don't cause trouble anymore. Becoming Hokage isn't about being recognized so you can be chosen..."
Masahiko's voice took on a deeper, more profound tone, echoing a sentiment the world would one day know well.
"...It is the ones who are acknowledged by everyone who become Hokage. Don't get the order mixed up."