The following day, inside the Hokage's office in Konoha.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat slumped in his chair, his brow furrowed in deep concern as he agonized over the looming Uchiha crisis. Peace talks had been the goal, with Shisui Uchiha serving as the perfect bridge between the village and the clan. But now, with Shisui missing, that path seemed to have crumbled into dust.
Was genocide truly the only option left?
He sat in heavy silence, at a loss for a solution, when a shadow flickered through the designated Anbu passage, materializing directly into his office. An Anbu operative bowed low.
"Hokage-sama, I bring urgent news."
"Kakashi, dispense with the formalities. Speak," Hiruzen said, waving a hand wearily. He had no energy left for protocol.
Kakashi Hatake rose to his full height. "Lord Hokage, Shisui Uchiha is dead. However, I cannot confirm the identity with absolute certainty. The body was discovered burnt to a charred husk, and both eyes had been gouged out."
"What?!"
Hiruzen shot up from his chair, shock plastered across his face. "Where did this intelligence come from?"
"The Uchiha clan. Itachi was the first to discover the body," Kakashi reported evenly. "The clan is currently in chaos. Many members are openly suspecting Itachi of murdering Shisui."
Hiruzen stood frozen, stunned. He had not anticipated this development. He sank back into his chair, caught between a strange sense of relief and profound sorrow. Or perhaps…
Could the corpse be a fake? A decoy?
After a long, oppressive silence, Hiruzen spoke. "I understand. Continue to monitor the Uchiha clan, but remain undetected."
"Yes, sir!"
Kakashi vanished back through the hidden passage.
Hiruzen lit his pipe, taking a deep drag as he lapsed into silence. He found it difficult to believe Shisui would die so easily. However, if someone had saved Shisui, and the goal was his Mangekyō Sharingan…
Could it be Danzō's people?
Given the recent assassination attempt, Hiruzen found it impossible to place one hundred percent of his trust in his old friend. Just as the Third Hokage was lost in these dark thoughts, a knock sounded at the door.
He shook off his stupor. "Enter."
The door opened, and Masahiko Yagyu stepped inside. He offered a respectful bow before stepping forward to hand over a document. "Please review this, Hokage-sama."
"Another application?" Hiruzen accepted the paper with a faint, weary smile, though a flicker of confusion soon crossed his eyes. "You want to learn Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Yes. I have outlined my reasons within the document," Masahiko said, pointing to the text.
Hiruzen scanned the page. As he read, his expression shifted from curiosity to shock, and finally to irritation. He looked up at Masahiko, his tone stern. "Do you have any idea how many shinobi have destroyed their careers due to accidents during jutsu research? Some never recover the ability to serve as ninja."
"Research and the development of new techniques require walking a path into the unknown," Masahiko replied, his voice respectful but laced with stubborn determination. "If one does not dare to take that step, there can be no harvest."
Hiruzen opened his mouth to argue but ended up sighing in resignation. "Fine. Show me this technique of yours first. I will make my assessment after."
"Understood!"
Masahiko nodded and followed Hiruzen up to the roof of the Hokage Residence.
Once in position, Masahiko used the Body Flicker Technique to appear instantly in front of Hiruzen. Chakra, which he had been molding in advance, surged around his arm, rapidly generating a swirling vortex of water. The torrent spiraled down his limb, converging at his fist into a highly compressed, drill-like point.
[Water Style: Collapsing Torrent]
Hiruzen swiftly formed hand signs, and the earth rose before him.
[Earth Style: Mud Wall]
But in a single instant, a thin, high-pressure jet of water pierced the thick stone barricade. Cracks exploded outward from the point of impact, and as the torrent continued its relentless assault, the defensive wall crumbled into dust.
Hiruzen frowned deeply.
There was no doubt—the technique was incomplete. In fact, it was dangerously crude. Having seen it once, the Professor could already replicate about seventy or eighty percent of its mechanics.
However…
"This technique causes severe muscle damage to the user," Hiruzen diagnosed instantly. "It should be classified as a Kinjutsu—a forbidden technique!"
"Hokage-sama, I have a solution!" Masahiko interjected eagerly. "Over the past few days, I've conceptualized a framework to fix this issue."
"And this is why you applied to learn Medical Ninjutsu?" Hiruzen asked, his brow furrowed.
Masahiko nodded vigorously. "Precisely. The human body is largely composed of liquid. If I can create a Water Style technique that possesses medical properties, I can establish a continuous cycle of slow, regenerative healing…"
As he spoke, a look of genuine, unadulterated excitement—bordering on mania—lit up Masahiko's face.
"If I succeed, the self-harming side effects of the technique can be controlled, making it viable for actual combat!"
"That is absolutely reckless!" Hiruzen scolded, exasperated and annoyed. Yet, beneath the reprimand, his eyes held a glimmer of appreciation and nostalgia.
For a split second, the young man's fervor had reminded him of Orochimaru. That resemblance was why his tone had been so harsh initially. But now, looking closer…
The light in his eyes doesn't lie. This child truly loves research from the bottom of his heart.
Hiruzen remained silent for several seconds before softening his stance. "Go to the hospital first. Get treated and ensure there is no lasting damage."
"But…" Masahiko hesitated, looking like he wanted to argue.
Hiruzen let out a short, amused huff. "I'm not rejecting you. Once you return with a medical report confirming you're fit, I'll sign your authorization. I'll even teach you how to refine that crude technique of yours."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Masahiko looked ecstatic. He bowed hastily and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to dash from the roof toward the Konoha Hospital.
Hiruzen watched his retreating figure, a wave of complex emotions washing over him. Shaking his head, he turned and walked back down the stairs.
Konoha Hospital.
Masahiko went through a round of examinations. The results came back quickly—his body was in peak condition, save for minor muscle damage in his arm caused by high-density chakra. A simple session of Medical Ninjutsu healed it completely.
Clutching his clean bill of health, he rushed back to the Hokage Residence, impatient to get Hiruzen's signature.
However, when he entered the office, he found someone else present.
Shoji Watanabe.
Hearing the door open, the Vice Principal turned around, looking utterly helpless. "Yagyu-kun… have you forgotten something?"
"No? I have the medical report right here!" Masahiko blinked, genuinely confused.
Watanabe looked at him silently for a moment. "Today is Monday. You have a class to teach."
"Ah?"
Masahiko froze. He glanced at the calendar on the wall, and realization struck him like a lightning bolt. "I'm so sorry! I'll head over immediately!"
Watanabe waved his hand. "It's fine. Iruka already covered for you."
Hiruzen, watching the exchange from his desk, let out a small chuckle. "When is Iruka's next class?"
"This afternoon," Watanabe replied.
Hiruzen smiled. "Let Masahiko take over the afternoon session. Don't let the fact that he's a Taijutsu teacher fool you; his command of the Three Basic Jutsu is exceptional, particularly the Clone Technique. It would be good for him to give the students a lecture on it."
"Understood, Hokage-sama!" Masahiko nodded, looking visibly relieved to have a way to make amends.
Seeing this, Watanabe realized just how highly the Third Hokage valued Masahiko. He naturally voiced no objection.
After the Vice Principal left, Hiruzen turned his attention back to the young man. "This medical theory… is it intended to complement your Body Flicker Technique?"
"Yes," Masahiko admitted.
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe. "The damage to your arm is a result of insufficient chakra control. Learning Medical Ninjutsu is indeed one way to mitigate it, but on the other hand, your method of compressing chakra is far too rough."
"Then what should I do?" Masahiko asked immediately, leaning in.
Hiruzen smiled. He stood up, walked to a cabinet, and retrieved a treasured notebook.
"You have many ideas, but too little foundational knowledge. Read more, learn more, and practice more. Eventually, you will master it."
"Yes! I will study it carefully!" Masahiko accepted the notebook with delight, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
Hiruzen smiled benevolently and dismissed him, reminding him not to forget the afternoon class.
As Masahiko walked out of the office, the joy on his face deepened.
Success.
With this performance, he had effectively "cut ties" with his shadow identity. Hiruzen's suspicion of him would now be at an all-time low.
Now, all that remains is Danzō.