"666!"
"Old Thief Masahiko has really made it; he's the shit-stirrer handpicked by Madara."
"I remember, in the previous Clan Massacre Night plot, Shisui mentioned that the Black-Robed Man's identity on Madara's side was Shisui's subordinate?"
"Looking at Madara's attitude, he probably doesn't want Shisui to have too much power. He doesn't value the Old Thief much, treating him like a bystander."
Someone in the bullet chat analyzed.
Masahiko was also lost in thought.
Obito, Itachi, Shisui, Biwa Jūzō.
This lineup, if I'm not mistaken, should be going to deal with the Fourth Mizukage.
Is the current Mizukage out of control?
Afterward, he thought of a few things.
After the "Black-Robed Man" saved Shisui, Danzo seemed to be searching everywhere for Shisui's possible whereabouts, and the Hidden Mist Village likely increased their manpower as well.
Could the plot have changed because of this?
Before reaching a conclusion, the scene before him rose, changing from a wooden house to a ship, and then into a vast ocean.
Immediately... it moved further away, landing in a village.
Outside a room in the central building.
"Gen-shi-sama, what is the Mizukage-sama's situation exactly?"
"Ever since encountering Konoha's Anbu, his emotions have become unstable, and it's still the same now."
Gen-shi frowned, "I don't know what the situation is either..."
Afterward, the camera angle shifted.
The scene returned to the Konoha Fighting Arena.
Masahiko leaned back in his chair.
After connecting the plot points, he already had an answer in his mind.
The people Danzo sent to the Hidden Mist Village to investigate him had accidentally affected the Fourth Mizukage under Obito's control, resulting in his current unstable mental state.
If not for this, Obito wouldn't have needed to issue the order to capture the Three-Tails through the Akatsuki Organization.
"This really is the butterfly effect."
Masahiko didn't know when Itachi and Biwa Jūzō were originally supposed to act, but it was definitely later than now.
He looked at the light screen.
At this moment, the screen was playing the scene of his duel with Asuma, and right at the start was Asuma's Ash Pile Burning.
The production quality was indeed top-notch.
Everyone already had expectations for Masahiko and Asuma's strength and didn't believe this was their limit.
However.
When Asuma suddenly stopped and was then sent flying without warning... "Holy crap, what is this? Teleportation?"
The bullet chat was filled with surprise.
Soon—
Through the exchange between Anko and Kurenai Yuhi, along with the diagrams provided by the "system," the audience came to understand the core meaning of this technique.
The Mirage principle.
The reason Asuma was able to sense it was because Masahiko's and his own positions were both shifting, causing the "projection's" position to change in an unusual way.
But by the time Asuma understood, it was already too late.
In the subsequent battle, although Asuma counterattacked and they traded blows, Masahiko ultimately gained the upper hand and won.
"Ah, Old Ma, Old Ma!"
"Old Ma was tricked again, but Masahiko really has style. Without a god's-eye view, who would have known he was like this?"
"Don't blame Old Ma, just blame the Old Thief for being too wicked."
"Am I the only one who noticed the Old Thief's skill list refreshed again?"
"His cheats are never off; just get used to it."
bullet chat messages refreshed and drifted across the screen one after another.
Everyone was no longer surprised by Masahiko's strength.
After all—
This might just be the tip of the iceberg.
Lightning Release, Raikyaku Suihei, and Shikotsumyaku hadn't even been used.
Even.
Even if Masahiko suddenly used an Earth Release Ninjutsu, no one would be too surprised.
However.
Later on, the scene where Naruto, Inuzuka Kiba, and the other four were caught and hit with a wave of exam papers still made everyone lose it.
It really brought back memories for many people.
After that, there were some trivial daily matters.
Masahiko glanced through them quickly, and lines of text appeared before his eyes—
[Popularity Rating: S]
[Comprehensive Evaluation...]
[Remuneration Obtained: swordsmanship random card]
His action scenes in this episode brought in a lot of heat and popularity, and the reward seemed quite good.
swordsmanship random card
After claiming the reward, he entered the Training Space, compared it with the personalized projection, and finally chose to use it directly.
There were many people he could consult, but none were particularly strong characters, so the cost-effectiveness was really low.
The next moment—
[Consuming 'swordsmanship random card'.]
[Drawing...]
[Draw Successful!]
[Obtained: Iaido Slash]
Masahiko's eyes lit up, and he immediately entered the Training Space.
Swordsmanship is a type of Taijutsu, whereas Asuma's 'Shin Ichimonji' and 'Flying Swallow' are Nintaijutsu.
The Iaido Slash he drew this time is a typical quick-draw technique in Bushido; Hanzou and Mifune are very skilled in this kind of sword technique.
It would be of significant use to him.
Masahiko wanted to master it as quickly as possible!
...In a flash, it was already Sunday.
In the training ground, Masahiko held the hilt, suddenly unsheathed the blade, and his body and arm movements turned into an afterimage under the boost of the Body Flicker Technique.
Drawing the blade, flashing past, sheathing... the movements were completed in one fluid motion!
Boom!
Behind him, a tree fell and crashed to the ground.
Enhanced by Chakra, the blade was incredibly sharp, severing the tree in an instant.
[Iaido Slash: Proficient]
This was the result of Masahiko's continuous practice in the Training Space over the past two days.
While Masahiko was lost in thought, the sound of trees rustling came from behind.
He looked toward the sound.
An ANBU Ninja rushed over and landed on a nearby tree.
The other party was slightly startled, then lowered his voice: "Hokage-sama has summoned you."
"Alright, I'll head over immediately."
Masahiko tucked the blade into his waist and used Body Flicker to rush toward the Hokage Building.
The ANBU Ninja looked down at the fallen tree, paused briefly to observe, and then couldn't help but cough.
Then, he gave a light sigh:
"Masahiko... he's progressing so fast!"
...Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the intelligence in his hand, feeling somewhat undecided.
He looked up: "Kakashi, what do you think?"
"The intelligence should be true, but it's difficult for me to guess Orochimaru's intentions..."
Kakashi replied.
Then, he paused slightly: "In addition, recently, there seem to be some movements from the Land of Lightning's direction, frequently sending spies into our territory."
"Kill all the spies."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was cold, "There's no need to worry too much about spies."
"Yes!"
Kakashi lowered his head.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at him, remained silent for a few seconds, and said: "Kakashi, you've been in the Anbu for almost ten years now, haven't you?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "Yamato has grown up now too, some tasks can be handed over to him. Give yourself more time off."
After a few seconds of silence, Kakashi replied: "Thank you, Hokage-sama, but I'm fine. I don't need rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, hesitating to speak.
The next second, there was a knock at the door.
Kakashi bowed slightly, turned to open the door, exchanged a glance with Masahiko, and walked past him.
Masahiko walked in from outside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi handed over a document.
"Jonin Masahiko, congratulations!"
"It's all thanks to Hokage-sama's cultivation that I am where I am today!"
Masahiko finally couldn't hide his excitement.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled: "This is the result of your own hard work; it has nothing to do with me. Sit down and take a look at this..."
He handed over another document.
Masahiko respectfully took it and carefully flipped through and read it.
As he browsed through, his expression gradually became solemn.
On the scroll, it was written—
Uchiha Itachi is suspected to have headed to the Land of Water; his objective is unknown.
Additionally, there were annotations from the Anbu and Root at the bottom, confirming part of the authenticity of Orochimaru's intelligence.
"Intelligence voluntarily provided by Orochimaru?"
"Yes."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.
Masahiko pondered for a long time and said: "Last time, I remember Orochimaru abandoned Itachi and fled first. Could they have had an internal conflict?"
"It's not impossible."
Hiruzen Sarutobi replied.
He looked at Masahiko and said: "Through Danzo, have you had any contact with Orochimaru?"
"Yes."
Masahiko didn't hesitate.
He replied: "The other party is a Ninja wearing a black robe and a dog-faced mask. His identity is very mysterious, and I've been investigating him in secret."
"Any clues?"
"I am ashamed, he has only appeared twice, so..."
Masahiko had a look of shame on his face.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand: "No matter. Your mission this time is to investigate the authenticity of this intelligence."
"Yes!"
After Masahiko accepted, he also informed Hiruzen Sarutobi of Danzo's request.
Hiruzen Sarutobi narrowed his eyes and said: "You might as well do them together. But you must help me find out exactly what Orochimaru is planning. Someone will be arranged to cover your classes at the Ninja Academy."
"Yes, I will immediately seek clues from Danzo-sama and then set out to find Orochimaru."
Thanks to 'Rainy Panda Dragon' for the 200-coin tip.
Thanks to the big shots for the monthly tickets!