Upstairs, Utatane Koharu, who was visiting the office, couldn't help but marvel, "What incredible talent!"
"Who? Oh, Sasuke."
Homura Mitokado took a sip of water and stood by the window, saying, "He is indeed very talented, and moreover, he works very hard, training diligently to achieve his goal."
"His goal... to kill Itachi?"
Utatane Koharu asked.
Homura Mitokado nodded, then sighed softly, "A disaster that didn't have to happen..."
"As a Ninja, how can there be no sacrifice?"
Utatane Koharu's tone was cold. "Did we sacrifice any less back in the day?"
"Precisely because we sacrificed so many comrades back then, we must create a better system and a better framework."
Homura Mitokado said, "On this point, I agree with Hiruzen and Masahiko."
"You have been too deeply poisoned by Hiruzen and Yagyu Masahiko!"
Utatane Koharu felt somewhat resentful.
Homura Mitokado shook his head calmly, "I feel that it is you and Danzo who have gone astray and wandered too far."
"You!"
Utatane Koharu was annoyed but quickly suppressed her emotions. "I didn't come here to argue with you. Regarding the re-establishment of Root, I hope you can support my view."
She paused for a moment and said, "Konoha needs people like Danzo."
"I don't know what happened, but if Hiruzen needed Danzo, he wouldn't have let him go."
Homura Mitokado's tone was calm.
He looked down: "I remained silent regarding previous matters because I didn't have a better idea, but this time I agree with Masahiko's perspective."
He turned back to look at Utatane Koharu.
"It's not that sacrifice is right just because it's always been there. If there's a better choice, why not take it?"
"I understand."
Utatane Koharu stood up. "You have your ideas, and I have mine... so, let's not interfere with each other."
After saying that, she walked out... downstairs, Sasuke was panting heavily.
He won!
As a bystander, Masahiko also had a good idea of the situation.
Sai was indeed strong, but currently, he hadn't undergone Danzo's full training regimen.
In other words, he was still at least three years away from graduation.
However.
Even so, both of them were already among the strongest of their generation; people like Naruto couldn't even compare to them.
Shikamaru watched from the side, and it would be a lie to say he wasn't envious.
He had also experienced the great battle a month ago.
Though he only watched from a distance, Orochimaru's powerful pressure and aura, and the Black-Robed Man's high-speed assassination, had left a deep impression on him.
Intelligence truly wasn't everything.
After class.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment before finding his way to the office door.
"Come in, I sensed you long ago."
Masahiko entered and began writing follow-up records and plans without looking up, saying, "It seems the training effect was pretty good?"
"Mm-hmm!"
Sasuke nodded repeatedly.
During this time, he had started by practicing with sandbags at home, gradually increasing the number.
Just as Masahiko said.
It hurt a bit at first, but he slowly got used to it, and later, he could clearly feel his Taijutsu level improving.
This duel was proof!
Sasuke lifted his head and said, "Even the strongest, Sai, was defeated by me. They are too weak; I need stronger opponents!"
Masahiko stopped writing and looked at Sasuke, a thought flashing through his mind—
The sky has cleared, the rain has stopped, and Sasuke thinks he's the man again.
True to his reputation!
Masahiko glanced at the document in his hand, the corners of his mouth curling slightly as he said, "How is your study of the Genjutsu notes I gave you?"
"It's alright."
Sasuke replied, "I'm not naturally good at Genjutsu, but I've been practicing methods to release it."
"Hmm, well... I can help you, but you must promise me one thing."
Masahiko's tone was low.
Sasuke nodded: "No problem!"
Masahiko smiled: "Don't be in such a hurry, listen to me first."
Sasuke paused slightly, then gave a soft nod: "Okay."
"I do have channels to help you, but you cannot openly reveal the speed of your progress."
Masahiko's tone was serious.
Sasuke was confused at first, then slightly startled, saying, "Someone doesn't want me to get stronger?"
"Not exactly..."
Masahiko shook his head.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Sasuke, what do you think a Ninja is?"
"A Ninja is someone who can suppress their own emotions, not showing them in order to achieve a goal..."
"That's the textbook definition."
Masahiko said, "In reality, Ninjas are tools, weapons, and an army."
He paused slightly at this point.
"The more powerful the tool, the higher its value, and the tighter the master's control over you."
"Ninjas are tools..."
Sasuke chewed on the words and fell silent.
Although he didn't fully understand, he could tell that Masahiko was telling him to do this for his own sake.
"Then, how can I break free?"
"Climb up, stand at the peak, and make people revere you."
Masahiko pointed out the window, "Just like them!"
Outside the window, facing them directly, was the Hokage Rock.
Hearing this, Sasuke's eyes gradually grew fervent, and then he took a deep breath: "The help you mentioned..."
"Before that, you need to complete a special training session."
Masahiko said, "After entering there, you must break your current habits and develop another combat style."
"Another combat style..."
Sasuke thought for a moment and understood Masahiko's meaning.
If he didn't use another style, anyone would know it was him at a glance; a disguise would be no disguise at all.
Moreover.
If he could merge multiple styles into one in the future, he might become even stronger. Additionally, there was currently a very suitable field—
Genjutsu!
His eyes were bright, filled with fighting spirit:
"Understood!"
...The old base of Root.
Danzo had taken many things with him, but he left behind the basic equipment and facilities, as well as some training records and insights.
In addition, he left behind a scroll.
Masahiko picked up the scroll and opened it; it was clearly the "Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal."
Outside, a not-so-tall ANBU Ninja wearing a hood and mask walked in slowly and said helplessly, "I won't be able to come tomorrow."
"Busy with something?"
Masahiko asked.
Kabuto stared at Masahiko for a few seconds before saying somewhat speechlessly, "Strictly speaking, I am that lord's subordinate..."
"Don't worry about those details."
Masahiko said with a smile, "I am also a collaborator of that lord; perhaps I can offer some minor suggestions."
Kabuto sighed silently: "I feel that, in some ways, you are even more terrifying than Lord Orochimaru."
"I'm afraid I can't live up to such praise."
Masahiko said with a smile.
Kabuto said calmly, "Lord Orochimaru is a snake, while you are like a pool of water—seemingly calm and gentle, but with dark undercurrents surging within."
He turned to walk out.
"According to intelligence, there seems to be some activity in the Hidden Mist Village; there might be some movements soon. Konoha's current situation is very dangerous."
"That is all I have to say."
Having said that, he bowed slightly and turned to leave.
It was precisely at this moment—
[Episode 20 of "naruto: prequel" has finished filming!]
[Editing...]
[Production successful!]
[Total screen time: 7 minutes 18 seconds
Scene percentage: 34.7%]
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