Morning arrived at the Konoha Ninja Academy, bringing with it a palpable sense of anxiety.
"Has Masahiko-kun not arrived yet?"
"No, not yet!"
Iruka shook his head, his expression fraught with urgency. "I heard that the delegation includes the Daimyō's wife and several other noblewomen. They aren't exactly known for being easy to deal with. If something goes wrong…"
A heavy sigh rippled through the staff room. Seeing that the VIPs from the Capital were imminent, everyone was worried. After all, this concerned their rice bowls.
"It's just bad luck that Masahiko didn't have a morning class today! They arrived too suddenly!"
"Maybe this is just—"
"Shh! Do you have a death wish?"
The teachers whispered fervently, clearly harboring grievances against the Capital's aristocracy, yet none dared to voice them aloud. Aside from the semi-subsidized D-Rank missions provided by the village, a significant portion of Konoha's high-income D-Rank tasks came directly from these noblewomen. Finding lost cats, tracking down runaway dogs—simple, safe, and lucrative.
Today's visitors were essentially their biggest investors. If they were offended, a large number of ninja would see their incomes plummet. The consequences would be severe.
Just as the staff hesitated, the sound of a welcome procession erupted outside. Not far away, a luxurious carriage appeared at the end of the road. Along the path, curious children gathered to watch, though they dared not approach too closely.
"What do we do?" Mizuki whispered, his voice low.
Iruka's eyes filled with panic. "I'll go look for him again—"
The carriage drew closer, finally rolling to a halt in front of the Academy gates. The window curtain was lifted slightly, revealing a noblewoman peering out.
"I heard your Academy has replaced its leadership with a very young Acting Head of the Education Unit. Where is he?"
Iruka was struck speechless. Just as he struggled to find the right words, a gentle, composed voice drifted from behind the crowd.
"Yagyu Masahiko greets the ladies. The reception area has been prepared; please, follow me inside."
The crowd of teachers and students parted naturally, opening a path. The noblewomen in the carriage turned toward the voice, their eyes instantly lighting up.
What a handsome young man!
The noblewoman by the window asked, "Are you the new Acting Head of the Education Unit?"
"I am. It was my negligence not to have a welcoming committee waiting for you. Please accept my apologies." Masahiko bowed with impeccable grace and etiquette.
Inside the carriage, someone chuckled softly. "We heard the Konoha Academy changed its Education Unit Head to someone very young, so we came out of curiosity to take a look. If there's no welcome committee, then so be it."
The crowd stepped back further, allowing the carriage to slowly proceed into the grounds.
One hour later.
"Ladies, this is our school's training ground. Originally, it was used for Taijutsu drills and shurikenjutsu, but it is currently closed for renovations."
Masahiko's smile was gentle and overflowing with affinity. Over the past hour, these noblewomen had been completely charmed, losing whatever temper they might have brought with them. He had led them through various classes and lecture halls, and they showed no signs of annoyance.
In fact, now that they were here, their curiosity had been piqued.
"What is that giant crater about?" one asked, pointing to a massive depression in the earth.
"I am ashamed to admit it," Masahiko explained with a sheepish smile, "but that was caused accidentally while I was practicing a Ninjutsu. However, we plan to convert it into a lake for water-walking training."
These nobles knew nothing of 'water-walking' or the intricacies of chakra control. But hearing that this massive destruction was caused by Ninjutsu? They were instantly intrigued.
"Could you show us?"
Obliging them, Masahiko formed a seal. A small fireball spat from his lips, soaring into the distance before expanding and exploding in the air like a firework—dazzling, brilliant, and visually spectacular.
The ladies gasped in delight, exclaiming in wonder.
On a high-rise building overlooking the grounds, Homura Mitokado couldn't help but sigh. "I was worried before, but it seems my concerns were superfluous. That kid really has a way with people."
"His Fire Style is even more refined than before," Hiruzen Sarutobi noted, squinting his eyes. After a moment of thought, the Third Hokage let out a wry laugh. "Reducing the lethality and focusing entirely on the performance… well, that is certainly one way to do it."
What did nobles know of Ninjutsu? Discussing lethality or tactical efficiency with these madames was like playing a lute to a cow. It was far better to give them a magic show. Some ninja might have found such a display beneath their dignity, but Masahiko evidently had no such psychological hang-ups.
"He is indeed a rare talent," Homura agreed with a nod.
Hiruzen smiled. "We can rest easy sending him on the mission to the Capital."
After the reception concluded, Masahiko let out a long sigh of relief.
Originally, the follow-up protocol dictated that Hiruzen Sarutobi would take over the hosting duties, and Masahiko wouldn't be needed. However, the noblewomen had specifically requested his presence.
They said he was… amusing.
Sometimes, Masahiko felt that performing too well was its own kind of sin. He had assumed this would just be a matter of eating, drinking, and then going through the motions of traveling to the Capital.
But things took an unexpected turn.
"What? They want Naruto to come along too?" Masahiko asked, genuinely surprised.
Hiruzen nodded gravely. He took a drag from his pipe, staring out the window. "Naruto's identity is special. For the people in the Capital to request him by name… their intentions are not simple."
"Hokage-sama, I don't know much about Naruto's circumstances, but this feels off. Should we not be more cautious?" Masahiko asked, playing the role of the concerned subordinate.
Hiruzen hesitated. Caution was necessary, of course, but there were political pressures he couldn't simply ignore. The request from the Capital unsettled him deeply.
He frowned. "Originally, I planned to let you go alone. Now, I'm not so assured."
Masahiko remained silent.
To Konoha, Naruto was too important. At a moment like this, silence was the best response. Hiruzen clearly wasn't asking for his opinion anyway.
After a heavy silence between the two, the Third Hokage sighed lightly.
"You will definitely be going. Go prepare yourself first. I will give them an answer tomorrow; the official documents won't be sent until then regardless."
"Yes, sir!"
It didn't take until the next day.
That very night, Danzō's agents delivered intelligence to Masahiko: Hiruzen Sarutobi had overruled the dissenting opinions and agreed to let Naruto accompany the delegation to the Capital.
The matter was set in stone. The message ordered Masahiko to be prepared and to ensure Uzumaki Naruto's safety at all costs.
And at that precise moment—
[Due to your excellent performance in "Naruto: The Prequel," your Character Popularity Ranking has successfully entered the Top 5 of the main series.]
[You have obtained the qualification to participate in the Theatrical Movie Version: "Naruto: Clash! The Chapter of the Twin Jades!"]
[When your performance is included in the final cut, you will receive salary rewards.]
[Note: The higher your character's popularity, the more screen time you will receive, and the better the rewards.]
[Your Role Positioning: The Mastermind Behind the Scenes.]
A movie version had actually formed?
Masahiko was secretly astonished.
Lying in bed, a thought suddenly struck him. In the plotlines he had influenced regarding Orochimaru and Shisui, the "Capital of the Fire Nation" had been mentioned. At the time, Masahiko had been puzzled, but now, combining it with this event…
Is Naruto's sudden involvement related to them?
The probability was high.
However, Masahiko didn't believe the Akatsuki was planning to seize the Jinchūriki just yet. The organization had no intention of revealing themselves fully at this stage; at most, they were stirring up conflict from the shadows, likely inciting a power struggle between the Fire Daimyō and the Hokage.
Naruto's safety wasn't actually Masahiko's concern. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, if Naruto was allowed to leave the village, he would inevitably be surrounded by a swarm of Anbu, and Hatake Kakashi would certainly accompany him.
What Masahiko needed to consider was how to maximize his own benefits within this "Movie."
He needed to secure positive screen time for his public persona.
But he also needed to secure screen time for his "Villain" persona!
Furthermore…
He thought of Kazuma—the former Guardian Ninja—and his subordinates, as well as his son, Sora. Perhaps he could try to win them over, manipulate them, or turn them into assets.
All of this required advanced planning.