In the garden of the Konoha Hospital, Ino walked silently behind Masahiko, her hands twisting nervously together in front of her, head bowed low.
"Sensei…"
"What would you like to eat?"
"Huh?"
Ino froze. Looking up at the handsome teacher smiling before her, she felt as if he were literally radiating light. She had been terrified that Masahiko would scold her, yell at her, or worse—call her parents.
But instead… he was asking her what she wanted to eat?
She lowered her head again, her heart pounding against her ribs like a drum. After a long hesitation, she answered carefully, "I like pudding… and cherry tomatoes. Is that okay?"
"Let's go."
Masahiko led the way.
A look of genuine, unadulterated joy bloomed on Ino's face. Her imagination immediately ran wild, conjuring up phrases like "date" and "romance."
However.
Less than a minute later, her jubilation curdled into confusion, then stiffened into dumbfounded shock.
The Konoha Hospital Reference Library?
Why did he bring her here?
Ino looked at Masahiko with pleading eyes, but he didn't answer immediately. Instead, he scanned the shelves with practiced ease before pulling down two thick volumes.
Basic Principles of Medical Ninjutsu.
Foundations of Medicine.
When Masahiko placed the two books in front of her, Ino's worst fears became reality. She looked at him in disbelief.
"Read them seriously, study hard, and I'll treat you to cherry tomatoes and pudding," Masahiko said calmly.
"Sensei… do I have to?" Ino whispered.
She had, of course, tried to read medical books before—one of which was Foundations of Medicine. But for a seven-year-old, the content was impenetrable. The most basic concepts were obscure and difficult to grasp, and she couldn't understand the practical application of any of it. She had given up almost immediately.
And now, he wanted her to finish both of them? She looked at him as if he were a devil in human skin.
Masahiko smiled gently. "Treating you to snacks is the reward for finishing them. Reading them is the punishment for skipping class." He paused, his smile widening slightly. "Of course, I need to study too. So, we'll do it here together."
Suddenly, Ino felt that medical textbooks might not be so unbearable after all.
"Yes, sir!"
After her quiet affirmation, the library settled into silence, broken only by the occasional turning of pages and the scratching sound of Masahiko taking notes. Ino glanced up every now and then, but seeing her teacher's focused expression, she felt a pang of shame. She lowered her head and began to read in earnest.
As noon approached, Masahiko suddenly paused, his gaze shifting toward the entrance.
Yakushi Kabuto walked in. Upon meeting Masahiko's eyes, Kabuto offered a polite, understated bow of respect. He then walked to a nearby shelf, returned a book, and quietly left.
After Kabuto's departure, Masahiko remained outwardly calm, though his mind went back to refining his concept for the Water Jellyfish technique. He already had a clear path toward mastering it.
"Let's stop here for today."
"Eh? I haven't finished yet," Ino said, sounding reluctant.
It wasn't that she was engrossed in the medical theory; rather, she had become addicted to the feeling of studying side-by-side with Masahiko.
"I'll take you to get some food, then you're heading back to class for the afternoon," Masahiko stated firmly.
"Okay…" Ino followed him out, clearly lingering on the moment.
After leaving the hospital, Masahiko had originally intended to return home and test the Water Jellyfish.
However.
Before long, his fingers twitched, manipulating almost invisible chakra threads connected to a small mirror. Using the reflection to check the alleyway behind him as he turned a corner, he saw nothing. The street was empty.
And yet… Masahiko had the distinct sensation of being followed.
Maintaining his composure, he took Ino to a sweets shop. After watching her finish her treat, he saw her off and then walked alone toward a more secluded area near the river.
On the surface, it looked like Masahiko had come to the riverbank to train. He began practicing Water Style: Wild Water Wave.
As the surging waves crashed, he vanished into the spray.
But he hadn't just disappeared using the water as cover; using the turbulence to mask his chakra signature, he split into several clones that rode the current toward a specific hidden location.
"Heh!"
A light chuckle drifted down from the trees.
Immediately following the laugh, a figure leapt into the air, hands weaving signs with blurring speed—
Water Style: Water Formation Wall!
The assailant's technique forcibly seized control of Masahiko's water flow, twisting it into a defensive wall around himself. The resulting backlash of churning waves crushed Masahiko's water clones instantly.
But in that exact moment…
Boom!
A loud explosion interrupted the stalker's thoughts.
A high-pressure "Water Spear" pierced straight through the Water Formation Wall, tearing a gap in the defense. In the blink of an eye, three or four figures surged through the breach, blades drawn, slashing toward him.
Shing!
The blade cut through.
But the enemy collapsed into a pile of mud, dissolving into the falling water. Earth Style: Mud Clone.
A second later, a completely different figure rose slowly from the ground nearby.
"Masahiko-kun, you truly are a unique breed of genius. To think you've created something that surprises even me."
The figure licked his lips, his expression one of twisted excitement.
It's him.
Masahiko understood immediately, though he allowed a look of appropriate shock to wash over his face.
"It seems Masahiko-kun has already deduced who I am."
Orochimaru's laughter was raspy, carrying a suffocating pressure yet possessing a strange, charismatic allure.
"Your voice and characteristics match the intelligence reports perfectly," Masahiko said, his voice dropping to a low octave. "You must be the Konoha S-Rank Missing-nin, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Indeed. You didn't seem interested in my subordinate's invitation, so I had no choice but to come personally."
"I am honored that you would come in person, but I will not become your subordinate," Masahiko replied.
A look of regret flashed across Orochimaru's face, though he clearly hadn't given up. "You and I are the same kind of people. I don't believe a man like you holds any loyalty to the 'Will of Fire,' nor do I think you'd persist in serving someone like Danzō."
He frowned slightly, then his expression smoothed out after a few seconds.
"I understand now. Masahiko-kun, your ambition is not small… but I harbor some doubts as to whether you have the ability to match it."
"Then let's make a bet," Masahiko said, casually toying with the blade of his Aota sword. "That figure in the black robes—he's a very important subordinate of yours, isn't he?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, smiling dangerously. "He isn't exactly a pushover. And… are you sure you want to threaten me?"
"It isn't a threat, but a wager," Masahiko laughed softly. "I won't report him, nor will I kill him. That doesn't align with my interests. Instead, I will uncover his identity to prove that I have the capability to collaborate with you."
"Is that so?"
Killing intent leaked from Orochimaru's eyes.
Masahiko remained neither humble nor arrogant, handling the pressure with indifference. As the standoff continued…
Orochimaru laughed lightly. "Then I shall wait and see, Masahiko-kun. I hope you can provide me with an even greater surprise. Otherwise… I may not necessarily need a 'partner'."
As the words faded, his body turned into a flickering afterimage and dissipated.
Masahiko's body likewise flickered and vanished.
Both were merely Shadow Clones.
Meanwhile.
Back in the sweets shop, the real Masahiko wore a thoughtful expression as he stared into empty space.
["Naruto: The Prequel" - Episode 9 Filming Complete!]
[Editing in progress…]
[Production Successful!]
[Total Appearance Time: 13 minutes 24 seconds]
[Screen Time Ratio: 63.8%]
[As a Villain Role, your screen time exceeded 60%. Your salary reward pool has been expanded. There is a probability of obtaining Kekkei Genkai, Secret Arts, Advanced Cultivation Modules, etc.]
[Notification: ...]
It was done.
Furthermore, the screen time ratio for this episode was unexpectedly high, once again breaking the 60% threshold.
Hopefully, I draw something good.
There was just one downside…
Having so much screen time focused on himself meant that the episode contained relatively little external information.
'Well, I suppose I can't have my cake and eat it too,' Masahiko sighed internally.