"Social Studies Fieldwork?"
Upon hearing the term, the students looked at one another in blank dismay. Such a class... was unheard of.
Summoning her courage, Ino raised her hand. "Sensei, what exactly is 'Social Studies Fieldwork'?"
"As the name implies, it is a chance for you to attempt simple missions ahead of schedule, allowing you to experience the duties and procedures of a shinobi firsthand," Masahiko answered smoothly. "This is a new curriculum introduced by the Academy. It is currently in the experimental phase, and our class was selected as the pilot group because of your excellence."
He paused, his gaze drifting toward Sasuke and the others. Then, his tone shifted slightly.
"However, some students are still dead weight. I hope you won't continue to drag the class down during this lesson."
He finished with a faint, enigmatic smile.
"The missions are issued by the Police Force. Participating students will receive a certain amount of remuneration. Of course, participation is voluntary. I won't force anyone."
Yagyu Masahiko swept his gaze across the room. "If anyone is unwilling to join, feel free to speak up now."
Chōji, who was busy stuffing potato chips into his mouth, glanced sideways at Shikamaru. Ino did the same.
The corner of Shikamaru's mouth twitched.
'Has my image really become that ingrained in everyone's mind?'
This was an actual mission!
The critical issue, however... was his intuition. Shikamaru had a gut feeling that if he actually raised his hand to opt out, this Yagyu-sensei would have a thousand different ways to make his life miserable.
Shikamaru remained wisely silent and looked toward Uzumaki Naruto on the other side of the room. The sight that greeted him was nothing short of legendary—
Naruto was standing upright in formation, eyes closed, unmistakably fast asleep.
'What a legend!'
Shikamaru's expression turned solemn as he faced forward, forcing his face into a mask of seriousness. Beside him, Chōji silently shoved his bag of chips back into his pocket.
In the midst of this heavy silence, a loud voice suddenly shattered the atmosphere. "Mission! What mission? If we do a mission, does that make us real ninjas?!"
"Naruto-kun, you're finally awake," Masahiko said with a gentle smile. "Seizing every opportunity to rest is indeed a necessary quality for a ninja. However... right now, I am explaining something important."
His smile didn't waver. "Go run five laps to wake yourself up."
"?"
'You're definitely targeting me!'
Naruto gritted his teeth but silently turned and ran toward the track. After spending days with this man, he knew Masahiko's personality all too well. If he complained, the laps would only increase.
Masahiko shifted his attention to Sasuke. The boy looked excited and full of anticipation, likely thrilled at the prospect of entering the Police Force.
Withdrawing his gaze, Masahiko continued to brief them on the details.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters.
The atmosphere was heavy, suffocated by a dead silence.
For years, the Uchiha clan had controlled the Police Force. It was their domain, their fortress. But now—even this authority was gradually being encroached upon.
Inside the main office, the mood was one of righteous indignation.
"Clan Head, Konoha has gone too far!"
"After all these years, the village finally couldn't resist meddling in our Police Force's affairs!"
"Clan Head..."
One sentence after another, the officers spoke over each other, turning the office into a chaotic den of noise.
Veins bulged on Uchiha Fugaku's forehead.
"Enough!"
He shouted sharply, his cold gaze sweeping across the room, temporarily suppressing the unrest.
"Do you plan to march on the Hokage Residence right now? have you considered the consequences?" Fugaku's voice was frigid. "This is the Police Force, not your living room. Even if you are dissatisfied, endure it!"
He turned to his deputy. "Yashiro, send someone to welcome them. Handle this matter properly. Do not give them any handle to use against us."
"Yes, sir!" Uchiha Yashiro responded.
A trace of exhaustion flickered across Fugaku's face. "Go back to work. The more critical the situation, the less we can afford to be careless."
"Yes!"
The clansmen looked at each other, their expressions hardening into resolve, a faint glimmer of excitement returning to their eyes.
'The Clan Head has finally taken a stance!'
They rose and left the room, the previous air of resentment replaced by a grim determination.
Outside, they spotted the group from the Ninja Academy.
A young teacher led the way, flanked by two other instructors and a gaggle of students. Among them, Sasuke, wearing the crest of the Uchiha fan, stood out conspicuously.
Yashiro approached, a practiced smile on his face.
"You must be Masahiko-sensei. The village has already informed our department. Indeed, we have been overwhelmed with minor tasks lately; handing them over to the children for training is a fine idea."
"I apologize for the imposition," Masahiko bowed slightly, displaying perfect etiquette as he handed over the mission request forms.
Yashiro took the papers and nodded. "Since there are three teachers, we shall divide you into three teams. You will be responsible for street cleaning, patrolling, and maintaining public order."
"Agreed."
Naka River, a secluded cliffside.
Uchiha Shisui stood at the edge of the cliff, feeding the crows as he awaited Itachi's arrival.
After a long while, the sound of soft footsteps approached from behind. Itachi removed his ANBU mask, his expression complex.
Shisui exhaled slowly. "What is the situation?"
"Using 'Social Studies Fieldwork' as a pretext, the village has allowed Yagyu Masahiko's class to enter the Police Force. The clansmen are furious," Itachi reported, falling silent for a few seconds before adding, "The ANBU have already made preparations. I fear..."
"Once a civil war breaks out, the village—and likely the entire Ninja World—will be thrown into chaos again... I must stop this from happening, no matter the method!"
Shisui took a deep breath, his tone firm. "Itachi, do you remember the plan we discussed?"
"What do you need me to do?" Itachi asked.
"At the gathering, I need you to coordinate with me..."
Just as Shisui was about to continue, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the distance. The two exchanged a glance and vanished instantly with the Body Flicker Technique.
A moment later, three figures burst out of the nearby forest. Leading the pack were Naruto and Sasuke, with Haruno Sakura trailing behind.
"So this is the Naka River!" Sakura exclaimed, eyes full of admiration. "I heard that the First Hokage used to come here often..."
Sasuke offered a cold glance but said nothing.
Behind them...
Whoosh!
A figure transitioned from a blur to high-definition clarity instantly.
"This is the outskirts. Do not run off on your own," Masahiko's voice was filled with weary resignation. "Your classmates are still behind you. In the future, when executing missions, will you also abandon your comrades like this?"
Naruto and Sasuke lowered their heads, while Sakura stuck out her tongue sheepishly.
"Since we are here, we will return after patrolling the Naka River area. Compared to the other students, your task is already lenient enough," Masahiko admonished.
"Yes, sir!"
The three responded in unison. But just then, the roar of a wild beast erupted from the forest behind them.
Their expressions shifted instantly, and they sprinted toward the source of the sound. Masahiko immediately followed, disappearing into the trees.
Hidden in the shadows of the canopy, Itachi and Shisui watched the group depart.
"He is very sharp. He may have noticed some traces," Itachi whispered.
"It doesn't matter. I never intended to hide anything from Hokage-sama. Only by gaining Hokage-sama's approval does our plan have a chance of success," Shisui replied.
Itachi frowned. "Is he the Hokage's man?"
"I suppose so. Hokage-sama values him highly," Shisui said.
Itachi nodded silently, offering no further objection.
Deep within the forest.
Masahiko watched the chaotic scene unfolding in the distance as his students engaged the beast. Meanwhile, his hands moved subtly, quietly erasing the traces of the drug he had used to lure the creature.
'Shisui and Itachi...'
'They were by the river just now, weren't they?'
"It seems they have decided to act," Masahiko mused internally. He allowed his Shadow Clone to manage the situation with the students while his mind replayed the events leading up to Shisui's death in the original timeline.
He weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
'To save him, or not?'
'I have to save him.'
The decision came quickly.
'But... I cannot save him completely.'
A fully intact Shisui was impossible to control and would only bring danger to Masahiko's own plans.
Only after Shisui had lost an eye would he be vulnerable enough to listen to Masahiko's arrangement.
Furthermore...
In his current position, Masahiko still needed the support of both the village and Root. It was not yet the time to tear off the mask and openly declare war on Danzō.