Inside the Training Space.
Masahiko opened the [Personalized Projection] panel.
A long list of names cascaded down the display, featuring ninjas not only from Konoha but also from other Great Ninja Villages like Suna and Kumo.
"Filter for me: Third Raikage, Fourth Raikage, Shira, and Might Guy."
With a thought, the system processed his request. Moments later, the four names appeared with their available interaction times:
[Third Raikage: Card Level Insufficient]
[Fourth Raikage: 0.5 Hours]
[Might Guy: 0.5 Hours]
[Shira: 1 Hour]
'The difference is massive,' Masahiko thought, frowning slightly.
Half an hour. Even if he listed out all the data beforehand, it was unlikely he could learn anything profound in such a short window. Based on his previous experiences, these Personalized Projections possessed their own thoughts and personalities; a mere thirty minutes of communication wasn't enough to grasp the essence of their expertise.
He weighed his options for a moment before exiting the Training Space to review the specific abilities of the Fourth Raikage, Might Guy, and Shira. When the manifesto of skills appeared before his eyes, his decision was instantaneous—the Fourth Raikage.
Might Guy and Shira were types who relied heavily on arduous, physical grinding—"hard work" geniuses. Their value as theoretical guides would likely be limited. As for the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, once Masahiko understood the underlying principles and how to stimulate the body's vitality with Lightning Style chakra, he could likely research and develop a similar technique on his own. The same logic applied to pressure point combat.
However, the Raikage's Lightning Style Chakra Mode was different. It required not just the cultivation of Lightning Style chakra, but also the specific Taijutsu system designed to complement it. Half an hour certainly wouldn't be enough to master it.
After deliberating for a long time, Masahiko decided to seal the card away for now, saving it for a future moment when his specific needs were more urgent.
"Summon [Smart Projection]."
His proficiency in Kunai Throwing and the Dance of the Crescent Moon was currently only at 'Skilled'. It was the perfect opportunity to use the AI-driven Smart Projection to grind them up to 'Perfection'.
The next morning.
[Kunai Throwing: Perfection]
The Dance of the Crescent Moon was still missing a certain spark, but Masahiko had already found the right direction. After a quick wash, he walked to the guest room door.
"Wake up. Time for training!"
He knocked sharply. Inside, Sasuke opened his eyes in a daze before sitting up. He couldn't remember when he had fallen asleep the night before; looking back, it seemed he had passed out almost the moment his head hit the pillow.
After getting ready, Sasuke followed Masahiko out to eat. Immediately, he felt them—the strange gazes. They were looks of pity, of charity. He clenched his fists.
"There is no need to care about the opinions of others," Masahiko said, one hand casually in his pocket, his demeanor calm and detached. "You only need to know where your goal lies, and then run toward it with everything you have."
Sasuke nodded silently and unclenched his fists.
"Starting today, we're putting other training aside. You will join me for morning runs and physical conditioning until your stamina is completely drained." Masahiko's expression turned serious. "No matter how exquisite your Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, or Genjutsu techniques are, they all depend on the intensity of your chakra."
If this were the Sasuke of the original timeline, he might have hesitated. But this Sasuke... he had witnessed Naruto's terrifying tenacity. That boy had almost zero chakra control, yet relying solely on a monstrous volume of chakra, he could overwhelm experienced masters through sheer brute force.
"Do we start now?" Sasuke asked, his fighting spirit rising.
"Does your family have any money left?" Masahiko asked with a smile.
Sasuke froze for a second before replying, "There should be a little left? Also..." He fell silent for a few seconds. "Orphans usually receive a subsidy."
"Then eat this instead." Masahiko tossed him a Food Pill. "Regular meals require time to digest. Food Pills don't; they take effect immediately. As a Consultant for the Konoha Hospital's Research Department, I have a few trivial privileges. Purchasing Food Pills at a discount is one of them."
Sasuke swallowed it. His expression remained blank, seemingly indifferent to the pill's notoriously dry taste.
"Let's go. I'll find you a partner."
Sasuke glanced sideways, skepticism written all over his face regarding this so-called "partner."
Soon enough, he found out who it was.
"Hah? Why do I have to run with this guy? I don't want to!"
"Forget it then. Let's go, Sasuke."
"Ah— wait! Aren't you supposed to try and convince me first?!"
Konoha Ninja Academy.
When the two boys finally dragged their exhausted bodies toward the school gate, step by heavy step, everyone they passed gave them the "ceremonial stare."
One was Konoha's infamous Prank King. The other was the tragic genius whose parents had just died and whose clan had produced an S-Rank missing-nin.
Haruno Sakura wanted to approach them, but a hand held her back. She turned around.
Yamanaka Ino shook her head gently. "Don't go over there."
"..."
"Don't you understand? He doesn't need our comfort," Ino sighed softly. "Sasuke won't look at weaklings. It was true before, and it's even more true now. If you want to stand by his side, you'd best change yourself."
Her gaze drifted silently to the teacher following behind the two boys. Surely, the teacher had already offered whatever comfort Sasuke needed. Therefore, he didn't need their pity.
Sakura looked lost. At their age, living such peaceful, tranquil lives, understanding these harsh realities was a struggle.
Even Ino... she only began to ponder these things after tearing her eyes away from Sasuke and fixing them on Yagyū Masahiko. But, looking at him, she couldn't help but think of Yūhi Kurenai...
'Damn it!'
Ino's mood became complicated. She looked at her best friend. "Let's go."
The gazes inside the campus were even more piercing than those outside. Fortunately, after running thirty or forty laps that morning, Sasuke had no energy left to care about such things. He only wanted to rest.
Inside the office, Masahiko had just sat down.
Knock, knock!
He turned his head and immediately stood up. "Shōji-senpai."
"Sit." Watanabe Shōji pressed his hand down, signaling him to dispense with the formalities. His expression was complex. "I've been transferred out of the Academy."
Masahiko was surprised, though deep down, he wasn't shocked. Although Mitokado Homura managed affairs related to the Academy, the root of power still lay with the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. With the Uchiha incident ending in such a mess, someone had to be held accountable. Watanabe Shōji was merely the first domino to fall.
Masahiko remained silent.
"It has nothing to do with you. You're a talent. Just do your job seriously in the future, and don't learn from me," Shōji sighed. "Hokage-sama is waiting for you at the rear training grounds. Go on."
"Yes."
Masahiko bowed in thanks, then hurried in that direction.
'Is this job falling onto my head?'
As he walked, Masahiko considered the situation. It felt less like a simple replacement and more like an opportunity to "gild" his reputation.
He arrived quickly at the rear of the school. Behind the Academy building lay a small forest and a large clearing, lined with targets and wooden dummies usually reserved for Taijutsu and Ninja Tool classes.
But today, the atmosphere was different.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood there, dressed in his battle gear. Beside him stood the advisors, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, watching silently.
Whoosh.
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Masahiko appeared before the three elders. He maintained perfect etiquette.
"Hokage-sama!"
"I heard about the joint sparring session. You did very well. Rise," Hiruzen said with a smile. "I've said it before: a young man with ideas and ability like you should have the courage to shoulder greater responsibility. Are you ready for that now?"
"This subordinate will give his all!" Masahiko replied.
Hiruzen nodded. "No need to be nervous. This is just a casual spar to let the advisors see your capabilities. However, do not underestimate this old man. Come at me with full power."
"Yes!"
Masahiko bowed his head. Then, he looked up, his gaze sharp.
"Please guide me!"