"Collapsing Torrent... Currently, my limit is gathering the power of the water flow into a single point, launching it forward, and then detonating it."
Masahiko outlined his objective clearly. "I have two concepts for its evolution. One is to strengthen the external impact force. The other is to drive the force into the opponent's body before detonating it..."
"The latter resembles the approach of the Gentle Fist," Tobirama Senju remarked, having deduced as much from Masahiko's earlier demonstration. "Your ideas are sound, but your Chakra reserves are not abundant enough to sustain that method yet. We will disregard the first option for now. Instead, I will teach you the trick to compressing Chakra..."
Many of the Second Hokage's Water Release techniques relied on this core principle: extreme compression. Iconic jutsu like the Water Style: Water Severing Wave and the Water Style: Hard Whirlpool Water Blade were prime examples of this concept.
Masahiko listened intently, occasionally testing the theories as he went, allowing Tobirama to point out flaws and offer corrections.
Time flew by.
Suddenly, the mechanical alert intruded on the lesson.
[Time remaining: 1 minute. Please make the most of the final minute!]
A trace of regret flickered across Tobirama's face.
"Time is almost up. I can't help you any further," the Second Hokage said. "However, the technique of compressing Chakra is universal across all jutsu. I hope it proves useful to you."
He offered a rare, faint smile. "I hope your research finds a smooth path forward."
"Thank you for your guidance!" Masahiko bowed slightly, showing genuine respect.
Although it had only been a brief hour, Tobirama had taught him everything possible within that window, helping him grasp the nuances of Chakra compression and Water Release manipulation. It wasn't just about control; it covered how to compress energy, how to use hand seals to assist the process, and much more.
Through his connection with Tobirama's mindset, Masahiko finally understood why the ANBU had never managed to master the Hard Whirlpool Water Blade. The version Tobirama used in combat was the result of massive simplification—a state of perfection stripped of unnecessary steps. For an ordinary person to learn it, they would need to reverse-engineer the process, starting from the complex original hand seals and slowly working their way up.
It was the same principle as the Flying Thunder God Jutsu or the Flying Thunder Formation.
What was truly commendable, however, was Tobirama's ability as an instructor. He was a genius, yes, but unlike many geniuses, he could deconstruct his intuition into explainable logic.
Masahiko felt a surge of admiration and gratitude.
At that moment, Tobirama spoke up again. "You are a Konoha shinobi, correct? what is your position? ANBU? A Jonin squad leader?"
"My name is Yagyu Masahiko. I am a Taijutsu teacher at the Ninja Academy. I just started this year," Masahiko replied honestly.
The projection of Tobirama looked blank for a moment, genuinely astonished. "The standards for the Ninja Academy are that high now?"
"Er, I might be a special case," Masahiko admitted.
'Tobirama' chuckled. "No matter. I am merely a projection; my memories will not reach the version of me in the Pure Land. Regarding your Fluid Mantle... it appears to be a form of liquid armor. If your Chakra is insufficient, consider incorporating Fūinjutsu, or perhaps even Tailed Beast Chakra."
"As for the other variation of Collapsing Torrent... you might consider high-pressure water cutting..."
As he spoke, his figure began to fade.
Masahiko watched him vanish, falling into deep thought as he digested the interaction.
'Tobirama Senju's projection...'
Although not the real body, and lacking a direct link to the soul in the afterlife, it possessed memories and thought patterns nearly identical to the original. The projection's wisdom and personality shifted dynamically, unlike the standard 'Smart Projection' AI which was purely functional.
'There are pros and cons,' Masahiko mused. 'But if used correctly, the human element is a massive advantage.'
Overall, the Personalized Projection was vastly superior.
He sat down to organize his thoughts. As the lesson replayed in his mind, he began to experiment. Within moments, he had fully grasped the mechanics of the mobility technique.
[System Prompt: Water Surfing Strike — Mastery]
'It leveled up!'
Masahiko felt a wave of satisfaction and immediately pivoted to training his original technique, Collapsing Torrent. As 'Tobirama' had suggested, compared to the defensive Fluid Mantle, Collapsing Torrent was easier to refine and master.
In the training space, he repeated the process tirelessly.
"Compress."
"Compress further!"
BOOM!
The tip of the swirling water vortex rapidly converged into a single point, resembling a high-pressure water drill. As his fist struck down, the floor of the training space cratered, and a tiny, clean hole was visible at the very bottom of the impact zone.
'Success!'
Masahiko exhaled sharply.
But a moment later, a stinging pain shot through his fist. Shallow lacerations appeared on the back of his hand, cut by the violent water flow.
'Once Chakra is compressed, the density and speed of the water undergo a qualitative change. The lethality spikes, but the difficulty of control multiplies...'
It was a double-edged sword.
He sat in the training space, contemplating for a moment before shifting his focus to another application: condensing water at his fingertips to form highly pressurized bullets.
The next day, atop the Hokage Rock.
After finishing his classes, Masahiko immediately headed to his vantage point. He squatted there, practicing his Chakra control exercises while keeping a hawk-like watch on the Hokage Building below.
In the afternoon, a notable figure emerged from the side of the administration building.
Danzō Shimura.
Masahiko's spirit roused; he focused his attention instantly.
Shortly after, a ninja dressed in ANBU gear flickered into view using the Body Flicker Technique, descending from the roof to enter the building.
Under normal circumstances, Masahiko wouldn't have paid it much mind. But today...
'That ANBU is likely Shisui Uchiha.'
However, in Masahiko's memory of the timeline, Shisui's tragedy didn't happen immediately after this specific meeting. It occurred later, after Danzō summoned him for a private rendezvous.
'This is tricky...'
"I can't just stalk them indefinitely," Masahiko frowned.
It wasn't realistic. Both Shisui and Danzō were among the very pinnacle of the ninja world. Their senses were too sharp to be trailed by ordinary means.
Stalking was a dead end.
He thought for a moment, and quickly formulated a plan.
Some time later, the ANBU emerged from the Hokage Building and headed toward the Uchiha Clan compound.
Before reaching the district gates, he removed his ANBU mask, revealing the face of Shisui Uchiha.
"Shisui, you're back!"
"Indeed. Grandma Tana, have you been well recently?" Shisui asked with a warm smile.
The old woman nodded happily. "By the way, I heard the Patriarch was looking for you."
"Right, I'll head there immediately." Shisui nodded politely.
After greeting the villagers one by one, he walked down the street, his expression hardening with resolve.
For the sake of these people... for his clan... he had to stop the worst-case scenario from happening!
Shisui walked a bit further, turning the corner into the alley that led to the Clan Head's residence.
Thwack!
Suddenly, a kunai shot down from above.
Shisui's Sharingan activated instantly. He looked up, but before he could get a clear read on the assailant, the figure dissolved into smoke.
'A Shadow Clone?'
The figure had been positioned in a loft not far away.
Shisui frowned, his guard up. He looked down at the ground and noticed a piece of paper pinned beneath the kunai.
He bent down and picked it up.
The note read:
"I know your plan, but it cannot save the Uchiha."
"A piece of advice: Be wary of Danzō!"
"If you must meet with Danzō, stay close to the river within the village, or flee toward the water."
Shisui's eyes widened. A chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively crushed the note in his fist.
A second later, he slowly uncrumpled it, scanning the text again.
The handwriting... was unrecognizable.
It wasn't written by anyone in the Uchiha clan.
'Who is this?'
Shisui's heart pounded heavily in his chest—thump, thump—and his eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
'Someone who knows my plan...'
Could it be one of the ANBU present today?
No.
That didn't make sense.
Within the ANBU, one faction belonged to the Hokage, and the other to Danzō. Neither side would warn him in such a cryptic manner after learning of his intentions.
'It's a fourth party!'
Was it a spy?
Who is he?
And what does he want?