Evening, inside an Izakaya on Ryuto Street.
The four of them sat in a corner, chatting about what had happened over the past few days.
Taiwan Novel Network is super powerful, with a wide library.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were mission partners; this time they had executed a B-rank mission with others and encountered several rogue Ninjas.
It wasn't particularly dangerous, just a bit of a twist.
Iruka's life was much simpler.
Classes, after school, lesson prep... After the three finished speaking, they all looked at Masahiko, the meaning in their eyes self-evident.
Masahiko smiled and said, "Let me think about what I can say."
Goodfellas!
It's that serious?
The three didn't speak, leaning back together, their expressions more or less carrying a hint of shock.
Masahiko thought for a moment and said, "Do you guys know about the friction we've had with the Kyoto nobles over the years?"
"I know a little bit."
Iruka and Izumo Kamizuki answered.
Kotetsu Hagane shook his head.
Masahiko said, "Simply put, the Radical Faction within the Guardian Shinobi went too far. This time some conflicts occurred with them in Kyoto, but fortunately, they've been resolved."
Hiss!
The three of them inhaled sharply together.
Masahiko spoke understatedly, but based on his previous words, it wasn't hard for them to imagine how many details were unspeakable.
After just a moment, the three looked at each other and shifted the topic in unison.
"Drink, drink!"
Izumo Kamizuki silently shut his mouth.
Everyone's missions were completely on different levels; there was no comparison at all.
They each had a drink and chatted for a while longer. Under Masahiko's guidance, the conversation gradually drifted toward the topic of "how to become stronger."
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane naturally complained helplessly, envying Masahiko's steady rise in rank.
Iruka was somewhat constrained.
When the guidance was just about enough, Masahiko then said, "Izumo, I remember you're good at Water Release Ninjutsu?"
"To say I'm good... I can only say compared to myself."
Izumo Kamizuki scratched his head. "Compared to those who are stronger, my Water Release and combat abilities are very ordinary, so I've been thinking about how to improve."
What he was thinking about was how to utilize his specialty to strive to become a Special Jonin like Masahiko.
A Chunin who doesn't want to be a Jonin isn't a good Chunin, but for a civilian Chunin, the rank of Jonin was truly somewhat distant.
Special Jonin was basically everyone's highest pursuit.
Hearing this, Masahiko was indeed stunned for a second.
Afterward... he understood a bit.
At this point in time, Izumo Kamizuki probably hadn't created the highly viscous Starch Syrup Capturing Field yet; he was still in a stage of confusion and distress.
Masahiko pondered for a moment and changed his tone: "Under normal circumstances, Water Release lacks destructive power, but it is inclusive and diverse. For example, Amegakure has the Black Rain Technique."
"You mean, improvement?"
Izumo Kamizuki sat upright, adopting the posture of someone listening to a lecture or seeking advice.
Masahiko nodded.
He picked up the bottle of sake and asked, "Is there a qualitative difference between sake and water?"
"Of course there is."
Kotetsu Hagane raised his hand. "After getting sake on them, your fingers get sticky."
Hearing this, Izumo Kamizuki looked at the sake cup in his hand, vaguely understanding Masahiko's meaning.
"Improve based on Water Release?"
"Yes, basic Ninjutsu can have different effects after a certain amount of improvement."
Masahiko nodded.
He paused slightly and said, "Need brings creation. You can broaden your thinking and make the technique more suitable for your own needs."
Not just Izumo Kamizuki, but Kotetsu Hagane and Iruka also froze with their sake cups in mid-air upon hearing this, remaining motionless for a long time.
These words were somewhat profound for them, but as Chunin, they could faintly understand the logic within... The meal was finished in silence.
By the end, Izumo Kamizuki still hadn't been able to figure it out completely, but a glimmer of inspiration flickered in his mind, though he couldn't quite grasp it yet.
Upon parting, Izumo Kamizuki was somewhat hesitant.
"If you have any thoughts, you're welcome to come and discuss them with me. To be honest, I have some ideas too, but I'm too busy to do research, so I was looking for someone to help."
Masahiko said straightforwardly.
"Thank you! If I have any ideas, I'll definitely go find you."
Izumo Kamizuki said immediately.
After everyone said their goodbyes, Kotetsu Hagane then said, "No wonder everyone likes him so much. The current Masahiko... has really changed a lot."
"Yeah!"
Izumo Kamizuki sighed with emotion.
At that moment just now, he was actually moved.
Is it any wonder the man could become the education class monitor?
...Back home.
The Room, with its windows closed for a long time, carried a dull, musty smell.
Masahiko went upstairs, and as he pushed open the window to air it out, a slip of paper drifted in with the wind.
On it was the assembly code for the Root Organization.
He picked up the slip of paper, went out, and rushed toward the outskirts of the village.
Not long after.
Outside the familiar stronghold, Toge was already waiting outside.
"Senior."
"Mm, I heard you were at a gathering with friends tonight, so the Master had me leave a message."
Toge said indifferently.
Masahiko naturally offered his thanks.
Afterward, he was led into a dark Room.
Danzo sat in the dark Room with his back to the light, making it impossible to see his face clearly.
"You're here, sit."
"Thank you, Master."
After Masahiko thanked him, he then sat down.
Danzo took a scroll and several books from a nearby table and handed them over together.
"You like research, so after thinking it over, I only have some research left from before that I can give you to look at."
Masahiko took them, his joy unhidden and overwhelming, and immediately began flipping through them.
A moment later, he said with great joy, "Thank you very much, Master!"
What was written on the scroll was a very famous Genjutsu—
Darkness Walking Technique.
The other books were some knowledge on Barrier Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, and Genjutsu.
Danzo said, "If you want to research the mysteries of Ninjutsu, you cannot just understand Ninjutsu; you must master everything through comprehensive study."
"Yes, this subordinate will definitely do my best to learn."
Masahiko was ecstatic.
Danzo nodded slightly, as if implying something:
"If you don't understand, come and ask. What Hiruzen can give you, I can also give you. What he cannot give... I can give you."
"This subordinate understands. Everything I have comes from you, Master, so naturally, I am loyal to you!"
Masahiko expressed his loyalty once again.
Danzo said, "Intensify your research on the Darkness Walking Technique. At the very least, you must be able to release it jointly like the Hard Vortex Water Blade."
"Yes!"
Masahiko nodded in agreement and was about to leave... "Don't be in a hurry, you should know my purpose for having you research it."
Danzo called him back. "If you were to design a way to deal with Shisui, what methods would you have?"
"Genjutsu might be feasible, but the opponent possesses a powerful Sharingan and has extremely high Genjutsu attainment; there is a possibility of it being broken."
Masahiko pondered for a moment and said, "Poison mist. And, it would be best if it could also obscure vision and limit the effects of the Sharingan."
"Poison mist..."
Danzo fell into thought.
Masahiko suggested, "The Aburame Clan's Parasitic Insects can produce and neutralize poisons; you could ask them if they can create a similar effect."
"Mm."
Danzo nodded, signaling that he could leave.
Masahiko bowed and exited the dark Room... After returning home with the books and scroll, Masahiko held them and couldn't help but let out a light chuckle.
An A-rank Genjutsu.
A pile of notes on Barrier Ninjutsu, Sealing Jutsu, and Genjutsu.
Our Root Organization is truly generous.
After witnessing the various abilities of the Mangekyo, Danzo has a sense of crisis!
Very good.
He finished reading the books and scroll, then entered the Training Space once again.
The Darkness Walking Technique is an A-rank Genjutsu and is extremely difficult. Even though his Chakra control ability was better than before, he still couldn't master it easily.
Fortunately, now that the Genjutsu module was unlocked, although it hadn't advanced, having just the daily cultivation ability was quite enough.