The next morning, Masahiko woke up early to exercise as usual.
Yesterday, in the acting instance, he used the Summoning Jutsu to conduct a rough test of the Iron-Eating Beast clan.
Although he wasn't sure if there were differences from reality, basically, the Iron-Eating Beast clan was like the Three Great Sage Regions, having both strong and weak members.
The weak ones were like Ajisai's.
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They possessed powerful physiques and strength, but only that; only powerful individuals had Chakra and the ability for Ironized Skin.
Masahiko even suspected that Ajisai's panda might just be a weak, stray Iron-Eating Beast.
Overall... they weren't as good as the Three Great Sage Regions, but they weren't weak either. The specifics still needed further development and testing.
"Finally awake?"
Kurenai Yuhi opened the door and came out. Seeing Masahiko exercising so early in the morning, a hint of a smile appeared on her face.
"Yeah, sleeping for two days straight is actually quite tiring."
Masahiko nodded.
He stretched his muscles and then looked toward Naruto's Room.
"Is Naruto okay?"
"Yeah, he woke up once the night before last and then fell back asleep, but his body recovers very quickly."
Kurenai Yuhi lowered her voice.
Masahiko nodded.
"I noticed it before. At his age... besides him, no one else could run over forty laps in one go right after starting their training."
???
Kurenai Yuhi tilted her head, her face full of confusion.
Masahiko smiled and said, "Don't doubt it, he can do it."
"That's ridiculous."
Kurenai Yuhi was speechless for a moment.
With that kind of level, no wonder Masahiko trained Naruto so ruthlessly; he wasn't worried at all that the boy couldn't handle it.
Then, she thought of Masahiko's other students... "Do you know what your reputation is like among the parents in Konoha?"
"Hmm?"
Masahiko stopped and looked back in confusion.
He really didn't know.
"Everyone says that if you can even train a brat like Naruto, is there anyone you can't teach?"
Kurenai Yuhi suppressed a laugh and said, "I heard that regarding your appointment as the education class monitor, besides Lord Third's support, many parents also gave their full support."
"I really didn't expect that..."
Masahiko was busy with his cultivation and didn't have much contact with the students' parents, so he indeed didn't have a deep understanding of this.
In fact.
If one were to say Naruto was well-behaved now, he wasn't; he still occasionally pulled pranks and caused trouble, making the village a mess.
But compared to before, he was indeed much better.
However.
In the next second, a look of hesitation appeared on Kurenai Yuhi's face.
Masahiko happened to catch her expression out of the corner of his eye and immediately said, "We've shared the bond of battle now, and we're friends. Just say whatever's on your mind."
"Well, I'd like to ask you to give me some pointers on Taijutsu and Ninja Tools."
Kurenai Yuhi said in a low voice.
"Of course, let's treat it as a mutual exchange."
Masahiko took out a Kunai. "Now?"
"Yes!"
Kurenai Yuhi immediately took a stance.
There was a difference between an exchange and a real fight.
Masahiko would slow down from time to time to correct some of Kurenai Yuhi's tactical issues.
Before they knew it... Thump, thump!
Someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
The two stopped.
They walked to the door together, and after opening it, Asuma was stunned for a second.
"You guys..."
"I was just asking Masahiko for some pointers on Taijutsu."
Kurenai Yuhi answered frankly.
Then, she withdrew her smile and asked, "Asuma, what... are your plans for later?"
"I plan to return to the village. After that, we'll see."
Asuma looked at Kurenai Yuhi.
Unfortunately, Kurenai Yuhi only nodded slightly and said, "A change of environment might be good. You might find a different answer."
Asuma opened his mouth, but in the end, he remained silent and nodded his head slightly.
Afterward, he forced a smile and looked at Masahiko.
"Masahiko, thank you. If it wasn't for you before, I might have..."
"We are comrades from the same village. If I were in danger, I believe you would also do your best to help."
Masahiko smiled warmly.
"Of course!"
Asuma answered quickly.
The trio's pleasantries came to an end as Naruto woke up.
Afterward, Asuma informed them of the Daimyo's decision—
The Guardian Shinobi would no longer recruit new members, leaving only the three from the West Capital by his side.
Masahiko didn't know how the village negotiated with the Daimyo, but the Aristocratic Faction likely made many concessions, both overt and covert.
The process for them to leave the Capital was approved very quickly.
By just that morning, Masahiko received the news—
They could return to Konoha... In the Land of Fire, at a secret underground base.
Orochimaru endured severe pain as he slowly sealed away the crimson Chakra.
To the side, Yakushi Kabuto was hidden in the shadows.
"Lord Orochimaru, there is nothing wrong with your body, it's just that the mental trauma is quite severe..."
"Damn Uchiha Itachi!"
Orochimaru clutched his forehead.
That terrifying Dojutsu was something he still remembered vividly.
Although there was no physical damage to his body, it caused him more pain and wariness than Ninjutsu that purely damaged the body.
Even after two or three days, it had only slightly eased.
Only after the mental pain subsided did he look at Kabuto beside him.
"Kabuto, thanks to you this time!"
"Even without me, with your abilities, you would have surely escaped."
Kabuto did not take the credit.
The two fell silent.
Orochimaru let out a cold laugh and said, "Kabuto, this world is truly unfair!"
"Lord Orochimaru..."
"Two teenage children, as long as they awaken the power of a Bloodline Limit, can possess such bizarre and powerful Dojutsu."
Orochimaru's eyes were full of excitement.
Such power... instead of making him afraid, it made him even more obsessed!
"I must have Sasuke!"
"Sasuke..."
Yakushi Kabuto pondered for a moment and said, "The current Uchiha Sasuke, although he has experienced the pain of his clan's extermination, does not seem to show an overly strong desire for power."
"That's because Masahiko-kun is keeping him in check."
Orochimaru chuckled, his eyes flashing with light. "Just wait and see, he is mine. His body... will belong to me sooner or later!"
"But Masahiko..."
Kabuto hesitated.
In the end, he said nothing, only showing a concerned posture.
Orochimaru smiled dismissively, "He will help me. I have something he needs!"
As he spoke, his gaze turned toward the sealing scroll nearby.
That was the Nine-Tailed Chakra.
Although the amount wasn't large, compared to an ordinary Ninja, it was already an extremely powerful force.
He believed Masahiko would be interested!
...Konoha. Inside Hiruzen Sarutobi's office.
Nara Shikaku and Inoichi Yamanaka stood on the left and right sides in front of him.
After the two finished their report, they paused for a moment, waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's next instructions.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time before saying, "If you didn't catch him, then you didn't catch him. An S-rank Rogue Ninja is not that easy to capture."
He looked at the two of them.
"Shikaku, Inoichi, you have been Jonin for many years. You must bravely take up some burdens and offer more advice in the future."
Hiruzen Sarutobi paused slightly before saying, "We few are getting old, and many times we feel our strength failing us. We need you young people to share the workload."
The two looked at each other, unable to hide the surprise in their eyes.
In the next moment, they quickly responded, "Yes!"
"Shikaku, since Asuma is coming back, remember to arrange his work..."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi finished his instructions, he rubbed his brow. "Go and rest. You've worked hard these past few days."
"You should also rest early."
The two bowed slightly and withdrew from the Room.
Outside the door, they exchanged a glance and then saw Utatane Koharu walking toward them with a grim expression. After bowing, they didn't dare to look at whether her face looked good or not and hurried past her.