"I was born a commoner. I do not possess a vast library of inherited techniques, and so… the subject I have researched most thoroughly is the foundation itself."
In a secluded corner of the training grounds, Masahiko's Shadow Clone stood before Sasuke, conducting a private lesson.
He held a kunai loosely in his hand.
"Observe closely."
"Yes, sir!"
Sasuke focused his attention entirely. In the next second, he saw Masahiko rush straight toward him.
At the exact moment of arrival—
Masahiko's hands blurred through seals. Suddenly, three distinct figures, each gripping a kunai, sprinted forward.
Sasuke's eyes widened. He quickly identified one as the main body and immediately darted in the opposite direction to evade.
But just as he turned to flee…
Clang!
Steel clashed against steel.
'This clone… it's solid? Is this the real body too?'
"Is it a Shadow Clone?"
Sasuke's mind raced. But in the very next heartbeat, he watched the Masahiko he was fighting vanish into smoke.
The real Masahiko was now standing calmly beside him.
"There is only ever one main body," Masahiko explained smoothly. "I merely utilized the Body Flicker Technique. The moment you identified what you thought was my main body and reacted, I used your subconscious judgment against you to instantly switch positions for the kill."
It was a terrifyingly effective tactic.
Sasuke absorbed the information, sinking into deep thought. After a moment, he asked, "Sensei, you can do this because your speed is sufficient. But what if one's speed isn't fast enough?"
"Then simply create more clones, no?"
Masahiko offered a subtle reminder. "Did you observe the positioning of my three clones?"
Sasuke replayed the scene in his mind. Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
The three clones appeared to have random spacing, but in reality, they formed a straight line. If one's speed wasn't enough, the clones could serve as stepping stones or decoys to mask the user's movement between them.
The only prerequisite was that one's control over the Shadow Clone Jutsu had to be absolute. Without perfect manipulation, the tactic would fall apart.
"To think that mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu to its pinnacle could produce such incredible effects…" Sasuke couldn't help but marvel.
Masahiko's expression turned serious. "The reason basic ninjutsu are mandatory is precisely because they are simple, low-cost, and universally effective. Blindly chasing after high-difficulty distinct techniques is not the righteous path."
"Sensei, I understand now. Thank you for your guidance!"
Sasuke bowed sincerely.
In just this one lesson, he felt he had learned a lifetime's worth of wisdom.
"Return to the formation. Reflect on this carefully when you go home."
"Yes!"
Sasuke straightened up. As the Shadow Clone popped out of existence, he walked back toward the rest of the class.
In the distance, Naruto's wailing plea drifted over: "Let me off the hook for copying the text, yeah? Sensei, please! I'm begging you!"
"Fools are not fit to be my students. Furthermore… I forgot to mention something. I have recently been promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin. My authority is now significantly greater than before."
The teacher wore the warmest, most gentle smile, yet spoke words that chilled the air. "If you are missing even a single repetition, I will suggest to the Hokage-sama that you be held back to repeat the year."
Naruto's expression froze instantly. His pleading turned to shock, and finally, settled into tragic grief—
"Damn it!!"
After school, Sasuke was filled with an unprecedented excitement. He didn't even walk; he utilized the Body Flicker Technique, rushing all the way home.
He needed to ask his brother how to quickly master this technique!
Bursting through the front door, he saw a familiar pair of shoes in the entryway and immediately shouted in delight, "Brother!"
There was movement from inside the house.
A moment later, Itachi slid open the door to the side room. He looked at Sasuke with mild curiosity.
"What is it?"
"Brother, do you have time right now? My teacher taught me a new technique, but I haven't figured out the best way to practice it yet…"
Sasuke couldn't hide the eagerness on his face.
Itachi's brow relaxed. He fetched a towel and gently wiped the sweat from Sasuke's forehead.
Under Sasuke's nervous, expectant gaze, Itachi gave a small smile. "Let's go."
"All right!" Sasuke cheered.
On the way to the pier by the lake, Sasuke explained the theory behind the technique Masahiko had taught him.
Listening to the description, Itachi felt a ripple of surprise in his heart.
'This concept… it's remarkably similar to Shisui's Body Flicker style.'
However, Shisui's technique required the visual prowess of the Sharingan and genjutsu to function effectively. What Yagyu Masahiko had taught was a practical application that even a talented ordinary person could master.
"Your teacher has an exceptionally high understanding of the Shadow Clone Jutsu. It is a pity he is merely a taijutsu instructor," Itachi lamented.
Sasuke scratched his head. "From what he said, I think he was promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin recently, though I don't know the details."
"Is that so?"
A look of understanding flashed through Itachi's eyes.
'It makes sense. Anyone who can master the basics to that level would be strange if they weren't promoted to at least Special Jōnin.'
He smiled and said, "Your teacher is very formidable. Actually, for this specific technique, it might be more effective to ask Shisui for advice."
"Why? is Shisui-nii even more amazing than you, Brother?" Sasuke asked, puzzled.
Just as the question left his mouth, laughter came from the side.
"In this little guy's eyes, you're the strongest ninja in the world. Even the Hokage doesn't compare to you."
A figure leaped down from the trees. It was Uchiha Shisui.
He looked at Sasuke with a friendly grin.
"The method your teacher uses… does it look something like this?"
Shisui formed a hand seal.
Poof!
Suddenly, a dozen clones appeared.
Sasuke scanned them frantically, unable to distinguish the real from the fake.
In the next instant, all dozen figures charged toward Itachi simultaneously.
Itachi held a kunai and struck at one of the incoming shadows.
The moment they made contact—
Ding!
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
Then, the figures surrounded Itachi. A symphony of metallic clashes erupted, rising and falling like a frantic melody.
Both of them moved at speeds so high that Sasuke struggled to even track them.
'Are they all real? Impossible!'
'This must be similar to Sensei's method… but even more brilliant, more distinctive.'
No wonder the clan called him "Shisui of the Body Flicker"!
Sasuke's heart was pounding with shock and adoration.
A moment later, the two stopped. Shisui smiled.
"Just as your teacher said, the rank of a jutsu does not determine its power. Do not blindly pursue high-difficulty techniques."
"That was amazing!" Sasuke's eyes were sparkling. "Shisui-nii's Body Flicker is even cooler than Sensei's!"
"You cannot compare them like that."
Shisui shook his head. "Your teacher was merely demonstrating a fundamental technique; that doesn't mean it is the limit of what he knows."
He sighed with genuine admiration. "Besides, I have the Sharingan and the support of the Uchiha clan. He is a commoner relying on his own efforts… Your teacher is a truly extraordinary shinobi!"
Beside him, Itachi nodded in deep agreement.
Sasuke only half-understood the gravity of their words, but he knew one thing for sure—
Itachi was amazing. Shisui was amazing.
And according to them, his teacher was definitely amazing, too!
Shisui, however, seemed to fall into thought.
After a moment, he scratched his head. "Did you say your teacher's name is Yagyu Masahiko? I had a classmate back in the Academy with that name…"
"His teacher is about the same age as you. It should be the same person," Itachi replied.
Hearing this, Shisui sighed again, impressed. A thought struck him, and he looked down at Sasuke. "How about I take you to school tomorrow?"
"Really?"
"I'll drop you off. But mostly, I want to meet this teacher of yours. I'd like to exchange some ideas with him."
'It's rare to find a peer who researches such a similar path of combat…'
Shisui felt a rare surge of excitement.
Meanwhile.
Inside the [Performance Instance], Masahiko paused his sparring session.
Lines of text floated before his eyes—
[Filming for "Naruto: The Prequel" - Episode 5 Complete!]
[Editing in progress…]
[Production Successful!]
[Total Screen Time: 6 minutes 32 seconds]
[Camera Focus Ratio: 31.2%]
[Notification: "Naruto: The Prequel" will be broadcast on Blue Star tonight at 8:00 PM…]
'31 percent.'
The text in his vision slowly dissolved. The ratio was lower than he had anticipated.
But upon reflection, he wasn't surprised.
"I've spent the last few days purely training and improving myself. I didn't go out of my way to steal the camera's focus or manufacture plotlines with Naruto and Sasuke outside of school hours."
"However, now that I've been promoted, my involvement in the main storyline will increase. The returns from here on out will only get bigger."
He paused for only a moment, then immediately resumed his combat training.