"The Uchiha clan's operation is practically playing with an open hand…"
Masahiko sighed softly as he watched the screen.
From Fugaku's perspective, the man was indeed in a bind.
On one hand, he understood that the clan had no chance of victory. On the other, the Hokage and Danzō had been aggressively targeting the Uchiha ever since the night of the Nine-Tails' attack. It certainly didn't look like an attitude conducive to peace within Konoha.
However.
Masahiko wasn't an Uchiha. He was just a commoner, and he didn't have the luxury of sparing empathy for them.
On the screen, after Fugaku delayed the coup using "Shisui" as his justification…
The scene shifted. Night had fallen over a rooftop terrace.
Shisui knelt on one knee, looking forward with an expression of utter reverence.
The camera angle panned upward quietly. Under the moonlight, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, appeared on the light screen, his face bathed in the pale glow.
"Shisui, do what you think is right. I will support you."
In the original manga, it was only briefly mentioned that Sasuke was the sole survivor, while his parents and clansmen were all dead. The specific reasons left everyone in a fog of confusion.
But now, the truth seemed to be peeling back a corner of the curtain, only to become even more bewildering.
Bullet comments instantly plastered the screen.
"Shisui is on the Hokage's side? Wait, is his plan to wipe out a portion of his own clan?"
"Justice for Fugaku! My man is suffering."
"Something's wrong. If Itachi and Shisui are both on Konoha's side, why is Sasuke the only one left in the end? Surely at least some of the clan should have survived."
"So, the main storyline of this Prequel is the Uchiha Massacre Night?"
The discussion was heated, entirely focused on the fate of the Uchiha clan. No one was discussing Masahiko.
Watching the scrolling comments, Masahiko became even more certain of one thing—
He had to get involved!
Although the final results weren't out yet, he had a premonition that the "heat" directed toward him in this episode wouldn't be very high.
The conversation between Shisui and the Third was glossed over with just a few shots and lines of dialogue; the existence of Kotoamatsukami wasn't even revealed.
However.
Seeing this familiar scene, the plot of his past life's memories began to surface in Masahiko's mind.
The next step should be a discussion between the Third and Danzō, followed by drawing Shisui out.
And then…
Danzō would privately arrange a meeting with Shisui.
"During his escape, Shisui was originally saved by Itachi using Fire Style as cover. The gap of time in between that event… that is my opportunity."
He contemplated his strategy while continuing to watch the video.
After that segment, the seventh episode concluded.
[Popularity Rating: A]
[Calculating Comprehensive Assessment…]
[Reward Received: Random Water Style Ninjutsu Card.]
A-Rank…
Masahiko had anticipated this, so it wasn't much of a surprise. He immediately opened his status panel.
[Yagyu Masahiko]
[Age: 17]
[Kekkei Genkai: None]
[Secret Techniques: None]
[Skills: Body Flicker Technique (Limit-Break), Clone Technique (Limit-Break), Water Clone Technique (Perfection), Dance of the Crescent Moon (Mastery)…]
Dance of the Crescent Moon was definitely unusable right now—it was too recognizable as a Konoha sword style.
Scanning his list, his gaze locked onto Water Style: Raging Waves and Water Surfing Strike.
[Water Style: Raging Waves — Mastery]
[Water Surfing Strike — Skilled]
And then there was…
The 'Random Water Style Ninjutsu Card'.
Masahiko stared at the reward, sinking into deep thought as he weighed his options.
After a moment, he had his answer.
A random Water Style technique wouldn't provide a qualitative change in his power. It would be far better to invest this card into the Nintaijutsu Training Space to summon a specialized instructor.
"Enter the Nintaijutsu Training Space."
Inside the training space, the pop-up window for summoning projections appeared again.
But this time, there was a difference—
The second option, [Personalized Projection], had new content available.
[Payment Method: Random Water Style Ninjutsu Card.]
[Hatake Kakashi: 12 Hours]
[Sarutobi Hiruzen: 6 Hours]
[Senju Tobirama: 1 Hour]
[Note: Once activated, the minimum consumption unit is equivalent to six hours of standard time.]
"In other words, if I summon Kakashi, I can split it into two sessions. Hiruzen can be used once. But Senju Tobirama… I only get one hour."
Masahiko thought for a moment, then exited the training space. He took out a piece of paper and began organizing a mind map.
He would definitely choose Senju Tobirama.
Although it was only one hour, Tobirama had the highest understanding of Water Style and the most extensive research into Nintaijutsu among the three.
That single hour was absolutely worth it.
To maximize his gains, he needed to prepare his questions in advance.
"First, the Fluid Mantle concept…"
"Second, can the Water Surfing Strike be fused with the techniques of the Fluid Mantle to increase my underwater speed?"
If he could master that technique, his chances of saving Shisui would skyrocket.
Masahiko hummed in thought, continuing to write.
"The combination of Collapsing Torrent and Chakra Enhanced Strength, and the most suitable direction for perfecting it."
He didn't even bother writing down the Water Clone Technique—it was the least necessary improvement right now.
Afterward, he wrote down his theoretical concepts for the Fluid Mantle and Collapsing Torrent in detail, so he could easily recall and present them later.
Once he had prioritized his objectives, he entered the training space once more.
"Summon projection: Senju Tobirama."
[Consuming 'Random Water Style Ninjutsu Card'.]
[Summoning…]
[Projection Successfully Generated!]
In front of him, a stern, handsome man with silver hair and red eyes appeared, scanning his surroundings with a sharp gaze.
[Time Remaining: 59:59]
Shit, it's already counting down!
Relying on his memory, Masahiko instantly manifested a sheet of paper within the simulation space. Written on it were his concepts for the two Nintaijutsu styles—Fluid Mantle and Collapsing Torrent.
Along with his three questions, prioritized by importance.
He immediately handed it over.
"Nidaime-sama, please take a look at this."
"Hm?"
Senju Tobirama took the paper. After scanning it once, a hint of a smile appeared on his face.
He seemed to possess the complete memories and personality of the real Senju Tobirama. Instead of answering immediately, he asked with curiosity:
"You have read my research notes?"
"Yes. I have read parts of the research regarding the Hydrification Technique, Hard Whirlpool Water Blade, and Chakra Enhanced Strength. Collapsing Torrent is something I created based on the principles of Chakra Enhanced Strength."
Masahiko nodded, waiting patiently.
"Fascinating. What a peculiar place this is," Tobirama remarked, looking around with a sigh.
Unfortunately, he was just a projection…
Once the time was up, everything would vanish.
Senju Tobirama composed himself, put away the paper, and said:
"The technique you've named 'Fluid Mantle' requires an immense volume of chakra. If you were a Tailed Beast Jinchūriki, you could achieve it easily. But…"
Obviously, Masahiko was not.
"What level can you currently achieve?"
"My chakra control isn't refined enough. For now, I've only researched Collapsing Torrent…"
As he spoke, Masahiko demonstrated his incomplete technique.
Water currents converged along his arm, gathering at his fist to form a spiraling, spear-like vortex tip.
He threw a punch. The water surged forward before detonating outward in all directions.
Senju Tobirama looked thoughtful. "In that case, fully sorting out the Fluid Mantle for you is impossible right now. Let's solve your second problem first."
"The structure of a fish is the most suitable for swimming. You can use the principles of the Fluid Mantle to form a fish-shaped current around your body, rather than a full armor…"
"I can use similar principles to the Fluid Mantle even at an entry-level stage?"
Masahiko's eyes lit up, unable to suppress the surprise on his face.
It turned out…
The problem that had been giving him such a headache was actually this simple?
Senju Tobirama nodded lightly. "Correct."
"Additionally, when moving downstream, I can adopt a fish shape at the front, while expanding the surface area of the chakra at my back to maximize the propulsion from the water flow…"
Masahiko, able to draw inferences from one instance, quickly voiced his sudden inspiration.
Senju Tobirama nodded again, signaling his approval.
"Time is limited. You will have to grasp the specifics through your own practice."
"The second problem isn't difficult. As for the first—your Fluid Mantle—your capabilities are substandard. It will be difficult to overcome in the short term, and even if you could use it, your chakra reserves are insufficient for practical application."
"For the remaining time, we will perfect your Collapsing Torrent technique…"