After Naruto entered the Academy, the teachers gradually realized they had a very special student in their class.
Chalk boxes mysteriously swapped for ones filled with caterpillars.
Podiums riddled with traps.
Sometimes, while lecturing, a basin of cold water would drop from the ceiling, soaking them to the bone.
"Naruto!"
"Damn it! Go stand outside the door and listen from there!"
"Naruto! How many times have I told you not to sleep in class!"
"Naruto!"
Although Musashi's presence largely filled the void in Naruto's heart, the discrimination and cold stares from the village hadn't decreased.
Whenever Naruto was hurt by this malice, his sadness manifested as pranks.
However, the more he pranked, the more hostile people became toward him.
Musashi didn't tell Naruto he was wrong.
He could only spend more time with him to alleviate his loneliness.
And incidentally, give some guidance on his pranks.
As the saying goes, love what you do. If you're going to pull pranks, you can't be unoriginal. You have to learn new methods, reach new heights, and achieve new realms of mischief.
As for the consequences? Let the esteemed Lord Third clean up the mess.
He was the one hiding Naruto's identity as the Fourth's son, so the headaches should naturally be his.
Aside from that, Musashi's research into Sealing Jutsu and Lightning Style had reached a critical juncture.
For Sealing Jutsu, he had the scrolls Kushina left him, which were enough for his training.
But for Lightning Style, his current resources couldn't satisfy his needs.
He didn't need a few offensive jutsu.
He needed progress on how to enhance Lightning Chakra activation and discover more applications for it.
The Hokage's Office.
"Musashi, what brings you to see this old man today?"
"Lord Hokage, I want to exchange some merit points for data on Lightning Style chakra training," Musashi said.
"Training data? You've just started taking missions. Didn't Ebisu create a training plan for you?"
"Teacher Ebisu is still in the hospital. Let him rest properly."
"Is that so? You really are a considerate child. Alright, what jutsu do you want to exchange for?"
"Lord Hokage, I don't want a specific Lightning jutsu. I want to learn the fundamental knowledge of Lightning Style, including data on chakra control, various applications, and principles."
"Teacher Ebisu told me that the most comprehensive training archives in Konoha are with you. I want to exchange all of my father's accumulated merit points for this data. While Teacher is in the hospital, I want to focus on studying and improving, striving to master more knowledge so I can help everyone in future missions."
When Musashi made his request to the Fourth Hokage years ago, Minato hadn't deducted his father's points.
Later, when Kushina took him as a disciple, she wouldn't have brought up merit points either. So, Kenta Ryomiya's merits were still intact.
"If that's the case, very well. You are a mature ninja now; I assume your decision is well-considered."
After getting what he wanted from the Third Hokage, Musashi threw himself into training.
Kenta hadn't left him many Lightning jutsu. His Lightning Chakra training had always been a process of self-exploration.
Understanding basic principles, formulating training plans, categorizing experiments—it took him years to complete the first phase of Lightning Release Activation.
Ebisu's answers had helped, but it wasn't nearly enough.
Phase One allowed him to train more efficiently, but in combat, the damage to his body was still too great.
He could handle it once or twice, but prolonged use could cause severe consequences.
The data from Hiruzen was only one part of his preparation.
Aside from that, the occasionally-seen Kakashi became a target for his questions.
As the ninja who invented an S-rank Lightning jutsu (Raikiri), Kakashi's mastery of Lightning Style was top-tier in Konoha.
He was an excellent learning resource.
Finally, Musashi used money to pave the way.
After "Midnight Butcher's" works became a hit, the publishing house sent him a hefty royalty check every so often.
He used this money to buy needed Lightning data, even paying high prices for information on Cloud Village's Lightning Activation techniques.
Using the Transformation Jutsu to find the underground black market hidden in a border town public toilet to complete the transaction wasn't difficult.
It just drained his funds completely.
The income from "Midnight Butcher" was substantial, but this was the ninja world.
Nations and hidden villages levied high taxes, and high-level training materials were the most expensive commodities.
He couldn't save a dime.
No wonder Kakuzu worked so hard.
It was all for the sake of progress!
"Lightning Release Phase Two Research"
"Analysis of the Correlation Curve between Lightning Chakra Fluctuation Frequency and Physical Enhancement"
"Experiments on Physical Adaptation to Lightning Chakra Damage at Different Densities"
"Three Directions for Lightning Chakra Shape Transformation"
"Hmm, the relationship between fluctuation frequency and physical enhancement isn't linear. After fluctuating to a certain degree, it manifests purely as damaging attributes. The body can only adapt within a specific frequency range."
"The values aren't fixed. As physical strength increases, the correlation curve shifts. I can't simply apply the formula."
"Shape transformation isn't just about the external shape."
"Fixed output frequency, stability, fluctuation direction—all have a huge impact on the actual effect."
"The jutsu formula can't be simplified yet. Simplifying saves time but affects stability. It needs more improvement..."
Musashi was completely immersed in his training...
---
Time passed, and the atmosphere in the village grew increasingly tense.
As the Uchiha clan was responsible for internal policing, they had the most contact with the public.
Even ordinary people could sense the growing tension within the Uchiha.
The Uchiha patrols had sharper gazes every day; even when looking at civilians, their eyes carried a fierce edge.
It was the tension before a coiled spring released.
"Ever since the village moved the Uchiha district to the outskirts, their dissatisfaction seems to be getting worse."
"Yeah, I don't know what the village is thinking. They're a major clan of Konoha; how can they be treated like this?"
"Maybe the higher-ups have their reasons."
"If you ask me, the higher-ups are confused. Who knows what goes on in their heads!"
"Be careful! Don't talk nonsense!"