Evening settled over Ryūtō Street, the warm glow of paper lanterns spilling into the izakaya. In a quiet corner booth, four figures shared a table littered with sake cups and half-eaten plates.
Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane were inseparable partners. They had recently completed a B-Rank mission with a larger squad, during which they encountered a few rogue ninja. While there hadn't been any life-threatening danger, the mission had certainly come with its fair share of twists and turns.
Iruka Umino's life, by comparison, was simple: Classes, dismissal, lesson planning... rinse and repeat.
Once the three of them finished sharing their updates, they turned their gaze toward Masahiko in unison. The question in their eyes was self-evident.
Masahiko smiled, leaning back slightly. "Let me think about what I'm actually allowed to disclose."
'Good heavens!'
'Is it that serious?'
The trio didn't say a word, but they all instinctively recoiled, their expressions painted with varying shades of shock.
After a moment of theatrical contemplation, Masahiko lowered his voice. "You are aware of the friction between the Village and the nobles in the Capital over the years, correct?"
"I know a little bit," Iruka and Izumo replied.
Kotetsu simply shook his head.
"To put it simply," Masahiko said, his tone turning grave, "the Radical Faction within the Twelve Guardian Ninja went too far. We had a... conflict with them in the Capital. Fortunately, the matter has been resolved."
Hiss!
The three of them inhaled sharply in unison.
Masahiko spoke with understated elegance, brushing over the details lightly. However, based on the gravity of his tone, it wasn't hard for them to imagine the terrifying specifics he had redacted.
After a brief silence, the three exchanged glances and immediately shifted the topic, sensing they were treading on classified ground.
"Drink! Let's drink!"
Izumo Kamizuki shut his mouth tight. Comparing their routine missions to Masahiko's covert operations was like comparing a candle to a forest fire. They weren't even in the same weight class.
After a round of drinks and some idle chatter, Masahiko subtly guided the conversation toward the topic of "how to become stronger."
Naturally, Izumo and Kotetsu voiced their helpless complaints, expressing their envy of Masahiko's meteoric rise through the ranks. Iruka, meanwhile, remained somewhat reserved.
When the mood was right, Masahiko finally interjected. "Izumo, I recall you specialize in Water Style, correct?"
"If you can call it specializing," Izumo scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Compared to myself yesterday, sure. But compared to the truly strong? My Water Style and combat ability are painfully average. I've been trying to figure out how to improve."
His goal was to leverage his strengths and eventually become a Tokubetsu Jōnin like Masahiko. A Chūnin who didn't aspire to become a Jōnin wasn't a good Chūnin, but for those of common birth, the rank of regular Jōnin felt impossibly distant. Tokubetsu Jōnin was the realistic peak for most of them.
Masahiko paused for a second, genuinely surprised.
He realized something. 'At this point in the timeline, Izumo probably hasn't created his signature high-viscosity technique, the Starch Syrup Capturing Field. He's still in the confused, groping-in-the-dark phase.'
Masahiko considered this for a moment before shifting his approach. "Under normal circumstances, Water Style lacks raw destructive power compared to other elements. However, it possesses an incredible capacity for inclusion and variety. For example, Amegakure utilizes a technique known as Black Rain."
"You mean... I should modify my jutsu?" Izumo straightened his posture, adopting the attitude of a student seeking guidance.
Masahiko nodded. He picked up a bottle of sake. "Is there a fundamental difference in the nature of sake and water?"
"Of course there is," Kotetsu raised his hand to interject. "If you get sake on your hands, your fingers get all sticky."
Hearing this, Izumo looked down at the sake cup in his hand, a glimmer of understanding dawning in his eyes.
"Modify it based on the foundation of Water Style?"
"Exactly. Basic ninjutsu can yield entirely different effects after undergoing specific modifications," Masahiko confirmed. He paused for effect, allowing the words to sink in. "Necessity drives creation. You need to expand your thinking. Mold the technique to suit your specific needs, rather than adapting yourself to the technique."
It wasn't just Izumo; Kotetsu and Iruka also froze, their sake cups hovering in mid-air.
To them, these words sounded incredibly profound. As experienced Chūnin, they could vaguely grasp the deep philosophy behind the advice.
The meal concluded in a contemplative silence.
By the end of the night, Izumo hadn't completely figured it out, but a spark of inspiration was now flickering in his mind. He just couldn't quite grasp it yet.
As they parted ways, Izumo hesitated.
"If you have any thoughts, feel free to come find me to discuss them," Masahiko said directly, cutting through the hesitation. "To be honest, I have some theories of my own, but I'm too busy to conduct the research myself. I've been looking for someone to help verify them."
"Thank you. If I ever figure anything out, you'll be the first to know," Izumo responded immediately, his voice filled with gratitude.
After everyone had said their goodbyes, Kotetsu turned to his partner. "No wonder everyone likes him. Masahiko has really changed."
"Yeah..." Izumo sighed emotionally.
In that moment, he was genuinely touched. How else could someone become the Acting Head of the Education Unit? He truly had the heart of a teacher.
Masahiko returned home.
The room, having not been aired out in some time, carried a stagnant, musty smell. He walked upstairs and pushed open the window to let the breeze in. As he did, a slip of paper drifted in on the wind.
It bore the assembly code of Root.
Masahiko picked up the paper, his expression shifting from the charismatic friend to the disciplined operative. He left the house immediately, heading toward the outskirts of the village.
Before long, he arrived at the familiar stronghold. A figure was already waiting outside.
"Senior."
"Mm. I heard you were gathering with friends tonight, so Lord Danzō asked me to leave the message," Toge said flatly.
Masahiko offered his thanks before being led inside.
He was guided into a dimly lit secret chamber. Danzō sat in the shadows, his back to the singular light source, making his expression impossible to read.
"You've arrived. Sit."
"Thank you, my Lord." Masahiko bowed respectfully before taking a seat.
Danzō reached over to a nearby table, picking up a scroll and several books, which he passed to Masahiko.
"You enjoy research. I have thought it over, and these are some old research notes from the archives that you may find useful."
Masahiko took them, making no attempt to hide his delight. He immediately opened the scroll to inspect the contents.
A moment later, his eyes widened. "Thank you, Lord Danzō!"
The scroll contained a renowned technique—an A-Rank Genjutsu.
[Bringer-of-Darkness Technique (Kokuangyo no Jutsu).]
The accompanying books contained advanced knowledge on Barrier Ninjutsu, Fūinjutsu, and Genjutsu theory.
"If you wish to study the mysteries of ninjutsu," Danzō stated, his voice raspy and commanding, "you cannot merely understand the techniques themselves. You must master all related disciplines to understand the underlying principles by analogy."
"Yes! This subordinate will do his utmost to master them," Masahiko replied, feigning ecstasy.
Danzō nodded slightly, his single visible eye narrowing as he delivered a pointed remark. "If you do not understand something, come and ask. What Hiruzen can give you, I can give. What he has given you, I can also give."
"I understand completely," Masahiko said, bowing his head lower. "Everything I possess comes from you, my Lord. Naturally, my loyalty lies with you."
Masahiko performed the ritual of loyalty flawlessly.
"Focus your research on the Bringer of Darkness," Danzō instructed. "Hurry it along. At the very least, you must reach a level of proficiency where you can perform a Combined Style, similar to how you utilized the Hard Whirlpool Water Blade."
"Yes, sir!" Masahiko nodded. He prepared to leave, securing the scrolls.
"One more thing. You know why I'm having you study this technique. If you were tasked with countering Shisui… what approach would you take?"
"Genjutsu might be viable, but the opponent possesses a formidable Sharingan and has extremely high attainments in Genjutsu himself. There is a high probability it would be countered," Masahiko analyzed, pretending to think deeply. "Poison mist. Furthermore... it would be best to obstruct his vision to limit the effectiveness of the Sharingan."
"Poison mist..." Danzō mused.
"The Aburame Clan's Kikaichū beetles can be used to generate and neutralize toxins," Masahiko suggested. "We could inquire if they are capable of creating a similar effect on a larger scale."
"Mm." Danzō nodded, dismissing him with a wave of his hand.
Masahiko bowed and backed out of the secret chamber.
Returning home with his arms full of books and scrolls, Masahiko couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
An A-Rank Genjutsu.
A pile of notes on Barriers, Seals, and Genjutsu theory.
'Our Root Organization is truly generous.'
It seemed that after witnessing the various abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Danzō was starting to feel a sense of crisis.
'Good.'
Masahiko quickly scanned through the books and the scroll, memorizing the contents before entering the System's training space.
The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique was an A-Rank Genjutsu with an extremely high difficulty curve. Even with his Chakra Control now superior to what it was in the past, it wasn't something he could master easily.
Fortunately, his [Genjutsu Module] had been unlocked. Although it hadn't been upgraded to an advanced tier yet, the daily training capability provided by the system was more than enough to grind out the proficiency he needed.