The battle scenes are always the highlight of the "prequel."
No one would complain about that.
Following the successive outbreaks of fighting, wave after wave of scenes, and endless bullet chat, everyone was shouting about how satisfying it was.
Especially—
When Masahiko made his dashing exit, and Orochimaru came to Danzo's side to offer assistance with covering the retreat.
The Myriad Snakes of the Underworld was quite disgusting, a bit difficult for those with ophidiophobia to handle.
From Masahiko's perspective, Orochimaru had truly disgusted Danzo.
Without Orochimaru's involvement, he, under the guise of the Black-Robed Man, wouldn't have had such strong persuasive power.
Having Orochimaru participate was indeed a brilliant move.
Masahiko couldn't help but laugh out loud.
After Orochimaru covered the retreat, not long after... [Popularity Rating: S]
[Overall Assessment...]
[Reward obtained: Advanced Ninjutsu Selection Card]
He was a little surprised.
Advanced Ninjutsu Selection... This meant the Ninjutsu inside was at least A-rank or higher.
Select!
He didn't hesitate.
A moment later—
[Ranshinshō]
[Wind Blade]
[Chakra Scalpel]
Of these three... Masahiko's gaze locked onto the first one, then he continuously refreshed to discard Wind Blade and Chakra Scalpel.
The two refreshed abilities were also not what he needed.
Masahiko no longer hesitated.
Ranshinshō!
This was a special Taijutsu.
Besides the Taijutsu itself, it could also use Chakra to attack the opponent's nerves, causing their body's nervous system to become chaotic, resulting in signs of misaligned limb control.
The moment he saw it, he had already made up his mind.
The next second, he entered the Training Space... The next morning, at the Konoha Hospital.
Hanpan walked out of the conference room looking exhausted, standing on the balcony looking utterly dejected.
"Didn't you rest last night?"
"Ah?"
Hanpan was startled.
Then, he realized it belatedly, shaking his head and saying, "I rested, but not completely."
Hanpan sighed worriedly.
When Masahiko woke up this morning, most of the streets had recovered, and the lights and flowers had already been arranged, looking not much different from yesterday.
He had helped out at the hospital for a long time yesterday afternoon, so he didn't go for his morning run today and headed straight to the Konoha Hospital.
Unexpectedly... Hanpan's condition did not seem good.
He smiled and said, "Weren't they almost healed?"
"They are almost healed, but one case is far from it."
Hanpan replied in a low voice.
"Asuma's surgery is too difficult, I truly have no confidence, but the hospital seems to want me to perform it!"
Hanpan's tone was dejected, even a bit agitated.
That was the Third Hokage's son!
Who would dare take that on?
He rested his head on the railing, completely lacking spirit: "If I fail, the Village might lose a Jonin, and I..."
Hanpan seemed to visualize the moment he would lose his job.
Masahiko couldn't help but laugh, "It can't be that serious, right?"
Hanpan shot Masahiko a gloomy look, saying nothing.
Masahiko rubbed his temples and said, "Isn't there a better plan?"
"No one is confident they can heal it perfectly, so we're thinking... maybe we should find Lady Tsunade to come back."
Hanpan said quietly.
Tsunade?
Masahiko pondered for a moment, "No one knows where Lady Tsunade is. Distant water can't quench immediate thirst."
"That's the situation..."
Hanpan entered the office, slumped onto the desk, answering listlessly and drowsily.
Actually, Masahiko could understand.
It wasn't that their skills were insufficient, but that the circumstances of this surgery were special and the requirements too high; no one had absolute certainty.
The psychological pressure was too immense!
If anything went wrong, no one could bear the responsibility.
Masahiko pondered for a few seconds, about to speak, but when he turned to look... well, he had fallen asleep.
He thought for a moment, walked out, and headed toward the Hokage Building... The Hokage Building.
Today, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his seat, helping to process the documents that Kakashi dared not approve.
Kakashi seemed to be on temporary leave.
Masahiko had just reached the door... "Come in."
"Yes!"
Masahiko pushed the door open and entered.
Upon entering, he first handed a document to Hiruzen Sarutobi with both hands.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took it.
With a quick glance, he had basically grasped the main points.
"You mean, transforming the Root Organization into a training school for multiple programs like assassins, spies, and intelligence transmission?"
"Yes."
Masahiko nodded.
He explained, "Currently, we have intelligence and spy networks, but I think they are unsystematic right now. Many talented Ninjas haven't received the opportunities they deserve."
"For example?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi became interested.
He felt... this proposal was quite good.
Intelligence was the most crucial aspect of Ninja warfare.
The missions of the Anbu were basically to seize intelligence or assassinate important targets.
If the new "Root" became such a training institution, he thought it was excellent, and he was even more interested in Masahiko's "bold pronouncements."
Masahiko replied:
"Take intelligence, for instance. When I was in the Root Organization, I saw that our current spies, after obtaining intelligence, still have to evade enemy pursuers. This is unreasonable."
"Those skilled in disguise and infiltration are not necessarily skilled in escape and combat. Talent could easily be lost during intelligence retrieval."
"We should establish a complete intelligence gathering and transmission system to avoid personnel losses during the process..."
Masahiko spoke ceaselessly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought.
Having been a Ninja for fifty or sixty years and having experienced countless missions and wars, he naturally possessed the ability to discern right from wrong.
In fact, they had also noticed these drawbacks, but they simply lacked a better solution.
After pondering for a moment, he asked, "How do you think we should reduce losses in these stages?"
"Summoned Beasts, Ninjas skilled in speed, communication devices, and so on."
Masahiko said, pausing slightly, "We could even directly obtain intelligence through communication by utilizing the abilities of the Yamanaka Clan in coordination with equipment."
"Hmm..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a long time upon hearing this, then nodded gently, "I understand what you mean."
Divide the work into several steps.
Let professionals do professional work.
This was precisely the attitude Masahiko had consistently displayed.
He pondered for a long time, picked up the booklet, and studied it carefully, unable to help but exclaim repeatedly, "If you had been born thirty years earlier, perhaps there would have been far fewer casualties in those many Ninja World Wars."
Masahiko did not reply.
Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled but did not press for an answer.
"This proposal is very good, I approve. Go back and think it over carefully, refine it, and we will hold a meeting later."
"Yes!"
Masahiko acknowledged.
Afterward, he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Lord, there is one more thing... Asuma's condition is putting a lot of pressure on the hospital right now. Could we find Lady Tsunade?"
"Sigh!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a long sigh.
He remained silent for a moment, then said, "Tsunade is already looking, but it's unlikely she can be found within a few days, and the surgery is indeed very difficult..."
He shook his head, his face filled with worry.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the Hokage, but an old father.
As his worries deepened... "Perhaps the hospital isn't incapable, but rather lacks the necessary resolve."
Masahiko stated his opinion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi heard this, pondered for a moment, and said, "You mean..."
He stood up and paced back and forth, then spoke with approval and excitement, "I forgot these past two days because I've been busy. Yes, just as you said, everyone is under pressure!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "I know about this matter."
He paused slightly, suddenly looking up, "Masahiko, I recall you are also quite skilled in Medical Ninjutsu?"
"My humble skills are only sufficient for treating external injuries. If you trust me, your subordinate is willing to contribute what little strength I have!"
Masahiko replied.
Hiruzen Sarutobi considered this upon hearing it and said:
"I will have Homura Mitokado responsible for coordinating the rescue efforts. You will not be held responsible for any mishaps. Ask the hospital if they can treat him; if not... we'll see if we can find Tsunade."
"Yes!"
Masahiko acknowledged.
In reality, regarding Asuma's surgery, even without the Shikotsumyaku ability, he was fully confident.
Homura Mitokado had taken good care of him at the academy, so he was indeed a good choice.