In the garden of Konoha Hospital, Ino clasped her hands together, hanging them in front of her, and silently followed Masahiko with her head down.
"Teacher..."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Huh?"
Ino was stunned. Looking at her handsome teacher with a smile on his face, she felt as if he was glowing.
She was worried that Masahiko would scold her, yell at her, or call her parents... but instead.
Masahiko actually asked her what she wanted to eat?
She lowered her head, her heart pounding. After a long hesitation, she carefully replied, "I like pudding, cherry tomatoes... Can I eat those?"
"Let's go."
Masahiko walked forward.
Joy genuinely appeared on Ino's face, and she even imagined phrases like "date" and "romance."
But.
Less than a minute later, her cheerfulness turned into confusion, then slowly stiffened into dumbfoundedness.
The Konoha Hospital library?
Why did he bring her here?
Ino looked at Masahiko, her eyes questioning, but Masahiko did not answer immediately. Instead, he scanned the bookshelves.
Then, he took down two books.
"Basic Principles of Medical Ninjutsu."
"Fundamentals of Medicine."
When Masahiko placed the two books in front of her, Ino's inner suspicion became reality.
She looked at Masahiko with disbelief.
Then, Masahiko said, "Read carefully, learn diligently, and I'll treat you to cherry tomatoes and pudding."
"Teacher, can I not read them?"
Ino asked softly.
During this time, she had, of course, read medical books, and one of them was indeed "Fundamentals of Medicine."
For her, only seven years old, those books were too difficult. Even the most basic knowledge was obscure and hard to understand, and she didn't know what good learning it would do.
She quickly gave up.
But now, he wanted her to finish these two books?
Her eyes looked as if she had seen a devil.
Masahiko smiled gently, "Treating you to food is a reward for finishing them. Asking you to read these is punishment for skipping class."
He smiled and said, "Of course, I also need to learn, so I'll be studying here with you."
Ino suddenly felt that medical books weren't so unbearable after all.
"Yes!"
After her soft reply, the library became quiet, with occasional sounds of turning pages and the rustle of Masahiko writing.
Ino occasionally looked up, but seeing her teacher's serious expression, she lowered her head in shame and began to read diligently herself.
Approaching noon, Masahiko suddenly paused, his gaze sweeping towards the doorway.
At the doorway, Yakushi Kabuto entered. Meeting Masahiko's gaze, he politely bowed slightly in respect.
Then, he walked to a nearby bookshelf, put a book back, and then left.
After Yakushi Kabuto left, Masahiko remained calm, continuing to ponder the Water Jellyfish.
He already had an idea of how to master this Jutsu.
"That's all for today."
"Ah? I haven't finished yet."
Ino was a little reluctant.
It wasn't that she was engrossed in reading, but the feeling of reading and studying with Masahiko made her somewhat unable to extricate herself.
Masahiko said, "I'll take you to eat, and you'll go back to class this afternoon."
"Alright."
Ino reluctantly followed him out.
After leaving, Masahiko originally only intended to go back and experiment with the Water Jellyfish.
However.
A moment later, he flicked out Chakra Threads from his fingers and used a small mirror to observe the alley behind him from around the corner.
It was empty, but... Masahiko had a feeling of being followed.
He remained calm, went to a dessert shop, treated Ino, and then walked towards a quieter area near the river.
Ostensibly, Masahiko arrived at the river and began practicing Water Style: Wave of Raging Water.
But behind the waves, he quietly disappeared into the water.
However.
Masahiko did not disappear with the waves. Instead, he used the water flow as cover to create several clones that moved with the large waves towards a certain spot.
"Heh!"
A soft laugh came from a tree nearby.
Immediately after, a figure leaped up, forming hand seals—
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
His Water Formation Wall forcibly drew Masahiko's water flow, transforming it into a protective water wall, and the surging waves shattered all of Masahiko's Water Clones.
At this very instant... Bang!
A loud noise disrupted the opponent's thoughts.
A "water spear" pierced through the water wall, creating a gap. In the blink of an eye, three or four figures darted through the gap, each brandishing a blade and slashing at him.
Whoosh!
A slash passed through.
"He" turned into a puddle of mud, dissolving into the falling water.
The next second, a completely different figure rose from the ground not far away.
"Masahiko-kun, you are indeed a unique genius, you've once again created something that surprises me."
The opponent licked his tongue, his face excited.
It's him!
Masahiko understood, and a look of surprise appeared on his face at the appropriate moment.
"It seems, Masahiko-kun, you already know who I am."
Orochimaru's husky laughter carried a suffocating sense of oppression, yet also a unique charm.
"Your voice and characteristics match the information on Orochimaru. You must be the Konoha S-rank rogue ninja Orochimaru, right?"
Masahiko's voice was low.
Orochimaru chuckled, "Yes, my subordinate's invitation didn't appeal to you, so I had to come personally."
"I am honored that you came in person, but I will not become your subordinate."
Masahiko replied.
A look of regret appeared on Orochimaru's face, but he did not give up:
"You and I are the same kind of people. I don't believe someone like you would cling to anything because of the Will of Fire or someone like Danzo."
He frowned slightly, then relaxed after a few seconds.
"I understand, Masahiko-kun. Your ambition is not small, but... I have some doubts about whether you have the ability in that regard."
"Then let's make a bet."
Masahiko toyed with his blade, "That Black-Robed Man, he must be a very important subordinate of yours, right?"
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "He's not a pushover, and are you sure you want to threaten me?"
"It's not a threat, but a wager."
Masahiko chuckled, "I won't report him, nor will I kill him. That's not in my interest. But I will find out his identity and prove that I have the ability to cooperate with you."
"Is that so?"
Killing intent flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
Masahiko remained neither humble nor arrogant, responding calmly. As the two stalemated... Orochimaru chuckled, "Then I shall look forward to it, Masahiko-kun. I hope you can give me a greater surprise, otherwise... I may not need a collaborator."
With that, his body turned into a fleeting shadow and dissipated on the spot.
Masahiko's body also turned into a fleeting shadow.
Both were Shadow Clones.
At the same time.
At the dessert shop, Masahiko's face showed a thoughtful expression, and then his gaze swept forward—
[naruto: prequel Episode 9 filming complete!]
[Editing...]
[Production successful!]
[Total appearance duration: 13 minutes 24 seconds
Screen time percentage: 63.8%]
[As a villain, your appearance duration exceeds 60%, and your salary prize pool has been expanded. There is a chance to obtain Bloodline Limits, secret Ninjutsu, advanced training modules, and more.]
[Hint:...]
It's done.
Moreover, this episode's proportion was unexpectedly high, once again exceeding 60%.
I hope to draw something good.
The only thing is... if it's too related to himself, it means there will be less extra information.
"You can't have your cake and eat it too."
Masahiko sighed inwardly.