Outside the office.
"Senpai, may I come in?"
Kabuto's face was brimming with a warm smile.
Masahiko nodded fastidiously. "Of course. I heard the Chūnin Exams have concluded for your team?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, we didn't pass. However, we were able to witness the rules of the exams firsthand and exchanged blows with quite a few people..." Kabuto laughed softly, scratching his cheek. "I chose to withdraw at the third stage. At the very least, I didn't drag everyone else down."
"Not bad," Masahiko responded simply.
Kabuto produced a small bag. "This is a token of my gratitude for you, Senpai."
"There is no need. I offered my guidance simply because I did not wish to see your efforts go to waste..." Masahiko glanced at the bag indifferently.
"Please, I insist you accept it." Kabuto bowed deeply, holding the gift up with both hands.
Masahiko let out a sigh, acting as if he were accepting it 'reluctantly' to be polite. The bag contained some generic high-end gifts, but those were irrelevant. The real offering came next.
After leaning in closer, Kabuto lowered his voice to a whisper. "Senpai, I heard from Orochimaru-sama that Danzō might be making a move against the Uchiha tonight. Are you truly not... tempted?"
"A man must clearly recognize his current station and carefully consider what is theirs to take—and what is not."
Masahiko shook his head calmly. "As a teacher at the Konoha Academy, I shouldn't involve myself in such matters."
Yakushi Kabuto sighed with genuine regret. "But... it's the Sharingan."
"You are free to go if you wish. No one will pay attention to a mere Genin," Masahiko said with a faint smile.
Kabuto shook his head. "I... I wouldn't know what to do with them even if I took them."
A look of confusion washed over his face.
Is the Sharingan good?
Yes. But as Orochimaru's right-hand man, Kabuto knew its flaws better than anyone. Without the Uchiha bloodline, those eyes were nothing but a burden to an ordinary person. Gaining them wouldn't change anything.
Masahiko gazed deeply at Yakushi Kabuto and smiled. "Do you remember what I told you before?"
"What you told me?"
Kabuto searched his memory for a moment before pausing, struck by a realization. "About... not being bound by the views of others? About being yourself?"
"Indeed. I do not know what you have experienced in the past, but judging by your emotional state, you seem lost. Are you seeking some form of validation?"
Masahiko gestured for Kabuto to sit, adopting the posture of an understanding mentor. "From my personal perspective, this is unnecessary internal friction."
A second later, he offered a gentle, self-deprecating smile. "Apologies. Perhaps I've said too much."
"No, I—"
Kabuto instinctively wanted to play along, but the usually composed spy—hidden behind his glasses—suddenly froze. A trace of astonishment cracked his mask, and he couldn't finish his sentence.
Several seconds of silence passed. He hesitated, then asked in a low voice, "Senpai, I do have some... conflicts. You tell me to persist in being myself, but I don't know who 'myself' is. What should I do in such a case?"
"Kabuto, the more intelligent a person is, the more likely they are to spiral into dead ends when ravaged by war," Masahiko maintained his gentle demeanor. "Because for the ordinary and foolish, simply surviving the war is exhausting enough. Who has the leisure to ponder such profound questions?"
Kabuto looked bewildered, teetering on the edge of understanding but unable to grasp the core of it.
Masahiko then asked, "Did you begin performing espionage missions at a very young age?"
"You—"
Kabuto's expression instantly shifted to shock. "Senpai, surely you jest."
His expression flickered rapidly. He pushed up his glasses, realizing that denying it was meaningless in the face of such specific insight.
"As far as I know, you haven't received Danzō's approval, nor do you have access to the core intelligence of Root..."
"I bear no malice. To me, your condition is simply a fascinating subject of study. It classifies as a psychological and spiritual ailment born from the environment of war."
Masahiko spoke like a physician—calm, rational, and dissecting Kabuto's very soul. "You are a medical-nin; you should understand what I mean."
Kabuto's face went through a spectrum of emotions.
Two seconds later, he stood up and bowed slightly, maintaining a veneer of politeness. "Thank you for your guidance. I will consider your words carefully."
"Think nothing of it. I happen to be researching this field. If you ever require help, you may come to me at any time."
Masahiko showed no irritation, rising with refined grace to see him out.
Kabuto bowed and left. On the surface, he appeared as calm as ever, but the repetitive action of pushing up his glasses betrayed the turbulence in his heart.
'Yagyu Masahiko...'
Yakushi Kabuto took a deep breath, trying to quell the rising tide of emotion and prevent Masahiko's words from taking root. But soon, he had to admit it—
He was shaken.
This was the first time since his training in Root that he had fled in such a flustered panic. Even when facing Yakushi Nonō, he had never felt so defenseless, so utterly crushed by another's presence.
Unaware, cold sweat had beaded on his forehead. He wiped it away and quickened his pace.
Upstairs, Masahiko lifted his teacup and took a slow sip.
People born of espionage were like turtles; poke them just once, and they retract into their shells, terrified of being caught by the enemy.
"It doesn't matter."
"I will recruit Kabuto, and not even Orochimaru can stop me!"
Masahiko chuckled softly.
Kabuto was a well-deserved genius. With his assistance, Masahiko's career and objectives would be realized much more smoothly.
After a brief ripple of emotion, he set down the teacup and calmly continued writing his lesson plan for the afternoon.
Afternoon, approaching 2:00 PM.
To avoid any accidents, Watanabe Shōji did not agree to the plan of using the training grounds outside the village. Instead, following Masahiko's contingency plan, they cordoned off a large section of the school grounds, using the playground as the center.
Within this area, they placed obstacles like artificial hills and trees.
The stage was set.
It wasn't just Sasuke and Neji's classes; practically every child from all grade levels stopped to look as they passed by. Everyone was naturally curious about fresh events, and their enthusiasm was extraordinary.
This was true for Sasuke and Neji, and even more so for Naruto.
However, Masahiko didn't approach Naruto. He went to Sasuke's side instead.
"Have you decided on your candidates for partners?"
"I have." Sasuke nodded.
Masahiko took out a pen and paper, signaling for him to speak.
Sasuke answered, "Regardless of who the opponent chooses, I want Uzumaki Naruto and Nara Shikamaru to team up with me."
"You won't reconsider?" Masahiko asked with a smile.
Sasuke shook his head. "No need."
"Hey! I never agreed to this!" Naruto shouted from the sidelines, flailing his arms. But the moment Masahiko swept a glance over him, Naruto immediately shrank his neck back, muttering something unintelligible under his breath.
Sasuke remained expressionless.
Masahiko nodded slightly and walked to the other side, greeting the Taijutsu instructor in charge there. "On your end, has the roster for Neji's team been selected?"
The instructor looked at Neji, appearing somewhat troubled.
Hyūga Neji looked over with a cold, sharp gaze, staring at Masahiko like a hawk. He spoke indifferently. "It doesn't matter."
"Do you understand the rules? You may only use techniques taught within the school curriculum. Of course, if you can extend or improve upon the knowledge learned in school, that naturally falls within the rules," Masahiko explained.
Neji nodded slightly in response.
Masahiko smiled and fixed his eyes on the Taijutsu instructor. "In that case, you should choose for him. It would be best to pick some of the more outstanding students."
"Understood!" the instructor responded respectfully.
With the ringing of the class bell, the sparring matches began quickly.
However, Sasuke and Neji's teams did not take the field immediately. As the strongest two squads, they were inevitably the main event—the finale.
This meant one thing—
They had to wait until the very end. Leaving halfway was impossible. After the sparring concluded, there was a joint class social gathering scheduled for the two classes.
As the core of the strongest team, the earliest Sasuke would be able to go home was eight or nine o'clock at night.
Masahiko watched the stage, partially dividing his attention to plan his actions for after nightfall.
It was relatively safe here.
He would use a Shadow Clone stored within a scroll to replace his main body, leaving the clone to preside over the meeting while he headed to the Uchiha clan district to adapt to the situation as it unfolded.
The scroll contained four stored Shadow Clones.
Using them in succession would be enough to replace him for the entire night, lasting until his main body returned from the outside.
With his current state reinforced by the [Shikotsumyaku], as long as his main body didn't suffer severe injuries, he could completely withstand the fatigue feedback from four consecutive Shadow Clones.