In the hospital corridor, a few children carefully peeked around the corner before quickly pulling their heads back.
"Shikamaru, is your information reliable?"
"That depends on Ino." Shikamaru glanced at the blonde girl next to him.
"They're right here! I saw it with my own eyes," Ino insisted. "They just got transferred!"
"Then the coast should be clear." Shikamaru breathed a sigh of relief. He let out a loud yawn. "Let's go."
"Go where?" Choji paused mid-crunch, a potato chip halfway to his mouth.
Shikamaru rubbed his eyes. "Home. I didn't get my afternoon nap today. Aren't you guys tired?"
"Shikamaru! Didn't we agree to check on Yakumo and Naruto?" Ino hissed out a harsh whisper.
Shikamaru opened his mouth to argue, but Ino simply raised a fist, threateningly. "Are you coming or not?"
"Let's just find the teacher." Shikamaru gave up. Reasoning with her was completely pointless. 'What a drag.' He hung his head and trailed behind them.
Before they even rounded the corner, a voice called out. "What are you all sneaking around for?"
"Ah!" Ino let out a startled yelp, immediately slapping a hand over her own mouth. Recovering quickly, she lifted two bouquets of flowers. "We... we came to see Yakumo and Naruto."
Masahiko had already seen the full sequence of that day's events play out in the real-world broadcast of Naruto: The Prequel's seventeenth episode. Naruto hadn't carelessly stumbled into the trap. He had made it halfway out before realizing Yakumo was still missing, prompting him to rush back inside to save her. His first instinct had likely been that Yakumo's frail health had kept her from escaping; it had never crossed his loud, brash mind that she was the one causing the chaos.
"If you wanted to visit, just visit. There's no need to sneak around," Masahiko chuckled softly. "Naruto is awake. Yakumo is still sleeping, but she can be discharged as soon as she wakes up. It will save the hospital a bed, anyway."
"That's great!" Ino's face lit up with a delighted smile.
"Go on ahead." Masahiko led them toward the room. However, just as they were about to enter, he added, "Shikamaru, wait a moment."
"Huh?" Shikamaru blinked in surprise but obediently stayed behind.
Masahiko guided him out onto a nearby balcony. "Is there any gossip among the class regarding Yakumo?"
"Not really." Shikamaru hesitated for a moment before answering honestly. "Actually, most of them have no idea what even happened. Only a few of us know the aftermath."
"Then do me a favor and make the rounds. Explain the situation to them."
"Huh?" Shikamaru's instinctive reaction was to refuse, but one look at Masahiko's unreadable expression made him swallow his words. He knew Masahiko too well. If he refused, the teacher wouldn't necessarily hold a petty grudge, but he would absolutely give Shikamaru "special attention" during his Taijutsu training.
Left with no choice, Shikamaru nodded in agreement. However, he couldn't help but ask, "What about the Hyūga clan...?"
"You do not need to worry about them," Masahiko replied smoothly.
Root Base.
Danzō methodically issued a series of orders before picking up a dust-covered intelligence log. A moment later, a subordinate reported, "Danzō-sama, Masahiko has arrived."
"Hmph." Danzō set the document down.
Shortly after, Masahiko strode into the room. "Danzō-sama!"
"Heh. I knew you would come, and I know exactly what you wish to say." Danzō tossed the booklet onto the desk toward him. "I am not a narrow-minded man. Your decision benefits the village, so I am actually quite pleased."
"Thank you for your magnanimity. This subordinate merely thought..." Masahiko seamlessly slipped into his ruthless Root persona, "...that monster could perhaps be utilized as a power similar to a Tailed Beast. Paired with Yakumo's Kekkei Genkai, it would absolutely become a massive asset to the village!"
Danzō nodded slightly. "As you said, if it can be successfully sealed, it can indeed become a power akin to a Tailed Beast." He gestured toward the booklet. "Read it."
"Yes, sir!" Masahiko respectfully picked it up. He opened the log and reviewed it meticulously. After a few seconds, he paused. "Are you suggesting that Yakumo's condition might be connected to Soragakure?"
"Unclear. I am only forty percent certain," Danzō replied coldly. Seeing Masahiko's perfectly feigned look of surprise, the old hawk let out a dark, chilling chuckle. "Remember this. For us, forty percent... is already more than enough!"
"Understood!" Masahiko lowered his head and continued reading through the records. Once he had a general grasp of the information, he respectfully handed the intelligence log back. "Please give me your orders, Danzō-sama!"
"I do not require anything from you at this moment. Simply keep a close eye on Yakumo. It may return," Danzō stated, his single visible eye narrowing. "I had you read this primarily so you would know who the enemy might be and prepare yourself accordingly."
"Yes, sir!" Masahiko complied.
"I am assigning a squad to you. From today onward, they will be under your direct command." Danzō tossed over a personnel file.
"This subordinate will not disappoint your expectations!" Masahiko caught the file smoothly.
The dossier contained the profiles of three individuals. From top to bottom, the names read: Aka, Shin, and Sai.
The first two were clearly Root codenames, but the third name was incredibly familiar to Masahiko.
Danzō clapped his hands once. At the sound, three figures instantly flickered into existence before him. One tall, two short.
Masahiko evaluated the trio. The shortest was obviously Sai. Although he was technically still enrolled as a student at the Ninja Academy, Masahiko had already looked into his records; Sai spent the vast majority of his time training and cultivating at the Root base. His enrollment at the Academy was in name only.
Shin was slightly taller than Sai, but it was clear he was also quite young.
"From now on, you are to assist Masahiko. Your mission is to protect three specific targets within the Academy," Danzō commanded.
"Yes, sir!"
...
"Masahiko-sensei, please take care of us," the trio greeted.
"Shin, Sai. From now on at the Academy, make sure you pay close attention in class, alright?" Masahiko smiled warmly, projecting his usual charismatic, gentle educator persona.
"Yes, sir. We understand your meaning perfectly!" Shin answered earnestly. Sai remained silent beside him, offering no reaction.
Masahiko nodded, his gaze shifting to the third member. "Aka-senpai, you are older and more experienced than I am. You can handle the arrangement of most of our daily operations."
"Captain, I'm afraid that might be..." Aka hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the deference.
Masahiko chuckled softly. "We are both Danzō-sama's subordinates. As long as we serve him and serve Konoha, what does it matter who is in charge? Besides, I simply don't have that much free time..."
"Understood! This subordinate will follow your will!" Aka bowed his head.
"What is your cover identity at the Academy?" Masahiko asked.
"This subordinate is a newly appointed member of the Academy's security force, responsible for patrols and maintaining order in the perimeter. My cover name is Osamu Akai," Aka replied.
"Good. If I have any orders for you, I will find you at the security office," Masahiko said. "Dismissed."
"Yes, sir!" Aka nodded.
The three of them vanished instantly, utilizing the Body Flicker Technique.
Masahiko continued his walk home. He was fully aware of Danzō's true intentions in assigning these three to him. Beyond acting as his subordinates, they were planted there to monitor his movements within the Academy.
But Masahiko wasn't worried. At the Academy, he played the role of the devoted Teaching Consultant to absolute perfection; any of his actual scheming took place far outside the school walls. As for being actively tailed... Root agents were elite, but he was far from a pushover. If they tried to shadow his every step, he had more than enough methods to shake them off unnoticed.
Masahiko smirked, quickening his pace.
Having subordinates handed to him was a good thing! Take Shin and Sai, for instance. Those two hadn't yet undergone Root's final, brutal "evaluation." With a bit of calculated effort and manipulation, it wasn't impossible to sway their absolute loyalty away from Danzō and securely into his own pocket.
Furthermore, Danzō's willingness to assign him personnel was, in itself, a display of trust. It was just that... Danzō was the type of man who was destined to never fully trust anyone.
Masahiko's mind remained completely tranquil, his inner pragmatism unbothered by the old hawk's paranoia.
However, before he fully returned to the village proper, he spotted a middle-aged man with greying temples, hurrying toward the village center while carrying a heavy load of vegetables on a shoulder pole.
Masahiko halted his steps and casually walked over to him.
"Milord Ninja, I am just a humble vegetable farmer from the neighboring village..." The man bowed low, radiating utmost respect and subservience.
Masahiko studied him for a few seconds. "Do not be afraid. I simply wish to ask you a question. Now that the Uchiha Police Force is gone, do you think the village is better or worse off?"
"Huh?" The middle-aged man froze in confusion for a second. He set down his carrying pole, hesitating as if unsure how to answer such a loaded political question.
Masahiko smiled warmly, an approachable, harmless aura radiating from him. "I am an instructor at the Academy, currently in charge of the Social Studies Fieldwork program. Just answer honestly; whatever comes to mind."
"Well, there are still esteemed ninjas maintaining security, and even little children helping sweep the streets and keep order..." the man replied cautiously. "I suppose... it should be a good thing, right?"
"Do you need any help with that?" Masahiko reached out toward the heavy load.
The man offered a humble smile and effortlessly hoisted the carrying pole back onto his shoulder. "Us farmers and vegetable vendors run back and forth every day. We've long since gotten used to the weight."
"Very well. Have a good day." Masahiko nodded with a polite smile and walked away.