That night, Shin had Naruto run laps for another hour before finally letting him go, then headed to the outskirts to practice the Great Fireball Technique.
As a C-rank jutsu, it wasn't particularly difficult to learn.
However…
Its power still depended heavily on chakra and proficiency.
After more than a dozen attempts, despite having a natural affinity that made Fire Release easier for him, Shin still couldn't fully grasp the technique.
Exhaustion weighed on both his body and mind, and a question lingered in his thoughts—
Logically speaking, today's screen time should've been enough to make up an episode.
So why hadn't anything happened?
Did he need progress in other areas?
Just as he was pondering, a rustling sound came from the forest. He immediately swallowed a soldier pill and activated the Body Flicker Technique at full speed—
Whoosh!
With a sharp sound, his speed surged as he dashed toward the village.
But—
Buzz, buzz, buzz!
After a wave of insect-like noise, a figure materialized directly in front of him.
"Kanzaki Shin, come with me."
At that very instant—
[Naruto: Prologue — Episode 2 Filming Complete!]
[Editing in progress…]
[Final cut successful!]
[Total screen time: 11 minutes 51 seconds]
[Screen share: 56.4%]
[As a villain, exceeding 50% screen time grants a significant increase in salary.]
[Notice: Naruto: Prologue will air tonight at 8 PM. Playback and live comments will be available.]
[Adjust your performance based on audience feedback.]
56.4%!
Shin was stunned, barely able to contain his excitement.
It worked!
His strategy was correct!
But that joy was instantly extinguished by the situation in front of him.
Compared to the reward, what mattered now was far more critical.
Compared to future gains, this was a matter of life and death.
He calmly observed the other party: masked, uniformed—ANBU.
But intercepting him outside the village…
Root.
Shin's heart sank. He understood he had no choice.
…
The blindfold covering his eyes was removed.
Dim light flooded his vision.
For a moment, he struggled to adjust, squinting for a few seconds before finally seeing clearly.
Before him—
A figure leaning on a cane, one eye wrapped in bandages. Under the dim light, his shadow loomed large and imposing.
So it really is that old bastard.
Shin straightened subtly, letting confusion appear naturally on his face.
"You are…?"
"Heh."
A low, emotionless chuckle echoed through the chamber.
Thud. Thud.
With each tap of the cane, the figure approached, his single eye sharp as a hawk, locking onto Shin.
The oppressive pressure made it hard to breathe.
After two seconds of silence, Danzo Shimura finally spoke coldly. "Recently, you've been repeatedly targeting the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki. Special training, provocation, stimulation…"
He leaned closer, still looking down at Shin. "State your purpose. Who is behind you?"
"I—I don't have anyone behind me. I grew up under the Third Hokage's Will of Fire. After becoming a teacher, I just want to pass it on."
Shin swallowed, his voice urgent and uneasy.
"Also… I think raising students is similar to raising dogs. If they're exhausted, they won't cause trouble. That's why…"
Danzo stared at him.
Then he turned away slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips, though his tone remained cold.
"The Will of Fire."
"A decent excuse. But hatred is your true driving force."
"Kanzaki Shin. Seventeen. Civilian ninja. Parents killed during the Nine-Tails incident…"
Danzo still didn't believe him.
Shin's expression flickered, then quickly turned into fear again as he lowered his head. "I don't have such thoughts!"
"No need to hide it. I am not like the Hokage. I don't trust the Nine-Tails, and I don't trust you."
Danzo turned back, looming over him. "Dogs… a fitting comparison. Like dogs, the Nine-Tails also needs chains, whips, and rules."
Shin said nothing.
Danzo sat down on a nearby chair.
"Go back. No matter who you serve, do your duty well."
"Remember—I am watching you."
The next moment, overwhelming drowsiness hit.
Shin collapsed.
…
When he woke up, it was already past nine at night. He had missed the initial airing, but fortunately, it wasn't a live broadcast.
He sat up and looked around.
His house!
Shin froze for a second before rushing to the bathroom.
After locking the door, finishing his business, he cautiously checked himself in the mirror.
"No curse mark…"
"Thank god!"
Only then did he relax.
Back in his room, Shin activated the panel and opened the screen to watch.
After a quick review, the content matched the data—nearly twelve minutes of screen time featured him, interspersed with Naruto's performance in Iruka's ninjutsu class and Mizuki's weapons class.
The final scene cut precisely at the moment a Root ninja appeared before him and said, "Come with me."
And—
The editing was ruthless.
It cut out all context, leaving only the scene of ANBU approaching him. Anyone watching would immediately think—
This guy is definitely suspicious!
Which… wasn't entirely wrong.
The comment stream exploded—
"This is straight-up bullying. Disgusting."
"From a god's-eye view, it helps Naruto, but from Naruto's perspective, I want to punch him."
"If I were Naruto, I'd suffocate."
"But he's so handsome though!"
Comments like these flooded endlessly.
The final scene ignited even more reactions—
"ANBU? Who's calling him? It can't be the Hokage, right?"
"No way. If the Third wanted him, would he send ANBU?"
"I knew he wasn't a good guy!"
"Official confirmation!"
After reading through the comments, Shin fell into thought.
Good news: his villain identity was firmly established.
Bad news: it was too firmly established!
But…
That was expected.
"There's no such thing as having it both ways. As a villain, getting maliciously edited is inevitable."
Shin sighed.
Soon after, the episode finished, and the screen closed automatically. Familiar summary text appeared on the panel.
[Popularity Rating: B]
[Overall Evaluation…]
[Congratulations! You have been promoted to: B-rank Golden Supporting Character]
[Reward obtained: Ninjutsu Mastery Instant Upgrade Card]
"30% to 60% screen share equals Golden Supporting Character… the next tier is Popular Lead, which requires over 60%…"
"But this time, the popularity rating is only B."
On the E-to-S scale, a B was just one level above average.
Shin felt a bit helpless, but after thinking it through, it made sense.
He had a lot of screen time, but his actions weren't exactly likable.
It seemed…
Being a villain required more than just opposition. He also needed personal charm—otherwise, low popularity would still affect rewards.
Shin reflected as he considered his next move.
Danzo's involvement had exceeded his expectations.
Though Danzo hadn't said much, Shin knew the most important part was his final sentence—
"I am watching you!"
Closing his eyes, Shin lay on the bed, replaying the night's events.
Then he opened them again, a realization dawning.
Could it be…
Danzo was testing him?