In the evening, Masahiko ran laps for another hour before letting Naruto go and heading to the suburbs to practice the Great Fireball Technique.
As a C-rank Ninjutsu, the Great Fireball Technique is not difficult to learn. However, its power level still depends largely on Chakra reserves and proficiency.
Masahiko tried more than a dozen times. Although his innate affinity made Fire Release easier to cultivate, he still couldn't quickly master the technique. He was physically and mentally exhausted, and at the same time, he found himself wondering—logically, today's footage should have been enough to make up an episode. Why had there been no response? Did it require progress in other areas?
Just as Masahiko was pondering this, a rustling sound echoed from the woods. He immediately swallowed a soldier pill and activated the Body Flicker Technique at full speed. Swoosh! With a soft sound, Masahiko's speed increased sharply as he bolted toward the village.
But—buzz, buzz, buzz!
Following the sound of insects, a figure coalesced in front of Masahiko.
"Yagyu Masahiko, come with me."
At that moment—
[Naruto: Prequel Episode 2 Filming Complete!]
[Editing...]
[Production Successful!]
[Total appearance time: 11 minutes and 51 seconds]
[Screen time percentage: 56.4%]
[As a villain, your screen time exceeding 50% has resulted in a significant increase in your remuneration.]
[Notification: Naruto: Prequel will be broadcast tonight at 8 PM. The playback function has been enabled for you, along with bullet screen comments.]
[It is hoped that you will adjust your acting skills and roles based on the bullet screen comments.]
56.4%!
Masahiko was stunned, but he couldn't contain his excitement. Success! His current strategy was correct!
But his joy was instantly extinguished by the situation before him. Compared to the reward, the current crisis was undoubtedly more critical. This was a matter of life and death. He calmly examined the person before him: the mask and attire belonged to the Anbu. But to be intercepted outside the village... Root.
Masahiko's heart sank, realizing he had no choice.
The blindfold was removed, and dim light entered Masahiko's vision. He had trouble adjusting for a moment, and only after squinting for a few seconds could he clearly see his surroundings.
Before him stood a figure using a cane, one eye wrapped in bandages, appearing tall and imposing in the shadows.
It really is this old geezer!
Masahiko quietly straightened his posture, allowing a look of confusion to appear on his face at the appropriate moment.
"You are..."
"Hmph."
A deep, emotionless, cold laugh echoed in the secret room.
Thump! Thump!
To the sound of the cane hitting the floor, the figure slowly approached, his single eye staring like a hawk. The immense pressure made it hard for Masahiko to breathe.
After staring for two seconds, Danzo spoke coldly: "Recently, you have frequently targeted the Demon Fox, giving him special training, provoking him, stimulating him..."
Danzo lowered his body but still looked down at Masahiko. "Tell me your purpose. Who is the person behind you?"
"I... I have no one behind me. I grew up under the guidance of the Third Lord's Will of Fire. After becoming a teacher, I only wanted to pass on this Will."
Masahiko swallowed, his tone urgent and fearful. "Furthermore, I believe teaching students is similar to training a dog—if you exhaust their energy, they won't cause trouble. That is why I..."
Danzo stared at him. Then, he turned around, his lips slightly curved, though his tone remained icy.
"The Will of Fire. A decent excuse, but hatred is your primary driving force. Yagyu Masahiko, seventeen years old, a civilian ninja. Your parents died during the Demon Fox Rebellion..."
Danzo still didn't believe him.
Masahiko's expression fluctuated between dark and light, but quickly settled on fear as he lowered his head. "I do not harbor such thoughts!"
"No need to hide it. I am different from the Hokage. I don't trust the Demon Fox, and I don't trust you." Danzo turned to look down at him again. "A dog... a very good analogy. Just like a dog, the Demon Fox also needs the restraints of chains, whips, and rules."
Masahiko kept his head down and remained silent.
Danzo sat down on a chair not far away. "Go back. No matter whose man you are, I hope you carry out your duties faithfully. Remember, I am watching you!"
The next moment, a deep drowsiness overcame him.
Masahiko slumped down... When he finally woke up, it was already past nine in the evening. He had missed the initial broadcast, but fortunately, the content was not live.
He sat up and looked around. He was home!
Masahiko froze for a second, then hurriedly got up and ran toward the bathroom. After closing the doors and windows, he quietly stuck out his tongue to check.
"No Cursed Seal... Thank goodness!"
Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.
Returning to the bedroom, Masahiko activated the panel, opened the screen, and began watching. He scanned through the footage quickly.
In terms of content, just as the earlier data suggested, he appeared in nearly twelve minutes of footage, interspersed with scenes of Naruto's performance in Iruka's Ninjutsu class and Mizuki's Ninja Tool class.
The very end was cut precisely at the moment the Root ninja appeared and said, "Come with me."
Furthermore, the editing was truly insidious!
By cutting out the context and leaving only the scene of the Anbu finding him, anyone watching would immediately think: This guy is definitely trouble!
And that was exactly the case. The bullet screen comments for this episode were brutal.
"Isn't this bullying? Seriously gross!" "Although from an omniscient perspective his actions benefit Naruto, from Naruto's point of view, my fists are clenching." "If I were Naruto, I'd be suffocating." "But he's so handsome!"
There were countless comments like these. The final shot made the comments explode:
"Damn, Anbu? Who is this now? It can't be the Hokage summoning him, right?" "Impossible. Does the Third Hokage need to use the Anbu to find him?" "I knew he wasn't a good guy!" "Official confirmation!"
After reading through the comments, Masahiko fell into deep thought.
Good news: His villain identity was established. Bad news: It was too established!
But this was also within expectations.
"You can't have your cake and eat it too. As a villain, malicious editing is inevitable," Masahiko sighed inwardly.
Once the entire episode finished playing, the screen automatically closed, and the familiar summary text appeared on the panel.
[Popularity Rating: B]
[Comprehensive Evaluation...]
[Congratulations! You have been promoted to: B-rank Golden Supporting Character]
[Reward received: Ninjutsu Mastery Direct Promotion Card]
"30% to 60% is a Golden Supporting Character. The next rank is called Popular Leading Actor, which requires over 60%... However, this time the Popularity Rating is only B-rank."
According to the E to S rating scale, a B-rank rating was only one level higher than a passing C. Masahiko was speechless, but upon further thought, he felt relieved.
In this episode, his work took up a lot of screen time, but it certainly wasn't endearing. It seemed that to be a villain, besides creating "opposition," one must also possess personal charm; otherwise, low popularity would still affect the rewards.
Masahiko reflected on this while considering how to act in the next episode. Danzo's intervention had exceeded his expectations. Although Danzo hadn't said much, in Masahiko's view, the last sentence was the key takeaway from the trip: "I am watching you!"
Masahiko closed his eyes and lay on the bed, recalling the night's events. Finally, he opened his eyes, surprised.
Could it be... that Danzo was testing him?