A Tip-Off

Inside the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura had gathered together.

"Sarutobi, why did you let that kid read the Scroll of Seals?"

Utatane Koharu had a very poor opinion of Masayo, and Mitokado Homura felt the same way. They could not understand why Hiruzen Sarutobi treated Masayo so well.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. "Because more important than strength, he possesses a perspective that ordinary people lack. He has a perspective that even the Hokage does not possess. If he became Hokage, he would surely lead Konoha to unprecedented heights."

"What?"

"That Chunin?"

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had not expected Hiruzen Sarutobi to hold Masayo in such high regard.

"Unfortunately, Masayo has no sense of belonging toward Konoha at all. However, he knows gratitude, he has emotions, and he treats his friends and companions very well."

Hiruzen Sarutobi had seized upon Masayo's emotional weakness. That was why he had allowed him to read the Scroll of Seals. After all, if someone did not even possess emotions, that would be truly terrifying. Hiruzen Sarutobi would not have valued Masayo so highly either.

"I wonder which jutsu Masayo will choose? The Second Lord's and Fourth's Flying Thunder God?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but wonder.

"Sarutobi, you will regret this!"

After seeing that they could not persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura left the Hokage's Office in anger. Though Hiruzen Sarutobi thought highly of Masayo, to them, it was as though he had been brainwashed. They simply could not understand it.

In the secret archive, after Masayo copied the Spirit Transformation Jutsu onto a scroll, his three Shadow Clones also shook their heads in disappointment. The sections on Yin Release and Yang Release contained only vague descriptions and were useless. As for the Yin–Yang Release Masayo needed, there was even less to say.

"Sure enough, I still have to research Yin–Yang Release myself. Sigh!"

Masayo sighed. Through Fishbeam Tree's perspective, he had seen the cultivation process for Yin–Yang Release, but how to actually use it was a complete mess. He could only figure it out through his own experimentation.

"Right, the Rasengan. Its compatibility is so high... should I try incorporating Yin–Yang Release attributes into the Rasengan? It probably will not hurt the user like wind and fire do, right? Probably..."

Masayo said uncertainly. After all, he was still in the exploratory stage with Yin–Yang Release. What if it ended up backfiring on the caster like the Rasenshuriken?

"I should leave first!" After dispelling his Shadow Clones, Masayo put the Scroll of Seals back in its place. Carrying the copied Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags and Spirit Transformation Jutsu, he left the secret archive.

In the Hokage's Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was still reviewing documents, carrying out the same tedious work day after day.

"Teacher Kakashi!"

Masayo cried out in surprise. Kakashi was currently reporting on his work after returning from a high-level mission.

"Masayo, it's you. I watched that Princess of the Wind and Clouds movie. It was really good!"

Kakashi said with a smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his gaze toward Masayo and asked, "Have you made your choices?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. There are two jutsu. Please take a look."

Masayo handed the two copied scrolls to Hiruzen Sarutobi for inspection.

"Spirit Transformation Jutsu, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Masayo in surprise. This had truly exceeded his expectations. He had guessed that Masayo might choose the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, but he had never expected him to choose the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.

"Both of these are dangerous jutsu sealed within the Scroll of Seals."

Even the normally lazy Kakashi became serious. His exposed dead-fish eye was filled with gravity as he looked at Masayo.

"I thought you would choose the Flying Thunder God. I truly did not expect the Spirit Transformation Jutsu. Why did you choose this jutsu?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as he returned the scrolls to Masayo.

"Only what suits me matters most, Lord Hokage. I have already formed a habit with my Wind Body Flicker. Spending a great deal of effort learning the Flying Thunder God would be too redundant."

Masayo further explained to Hiruzen Sarutobi why he had not chosen the Flying Thunder God. Just researching Yin–Yang Release alone was already enough for him.

After leaving the Hokage's Office with Kakashi, Masayo turned in his mission at the mission hall, collected his reward, and left the Hokage Building!

"Teacher Kakashi, it has been a long time. We live in the same village, yet we have not seen each other for over half a year!"

Kakashi took out his ever-present copy of Icha Icha Paradise again and said, "Yes. After all, I cannot be as leisurely as you. I watched your movie too, and your training has not fallen behind either. Nadare Rōga was no easy opponent."

Kakashi's gaze never left Icha Icha Paradise. After learning what had happened in the Land of Snow, he felt very gratified by Masayo's growth.

"Teacher Kakashi, shall we get some barbecue together? My treat!"

"Sure!"

Kakashi closed Icha Icha Paradise in his hand, narrowed his eyes, and said, "In that case, I will not hold back."

At Yakiniku Q, Masayo booked a private room. After chatting for a while, he took the opportunity to ask about Yin–Yang Release, but what Kakashi knew was about the same as what he knew. It was limited to things like the Nara Family and Akimichi Family.

At sunset, when Masayo returned home, two familiar figures were standing at his door, waiting for him.

"Red Sis, Senior Ebisu, why are you here?"

Masayo asked in confusion. Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu had returned to their usual attire, and compared to before, they appeared somewhat more composed now.

Ebisu pushed up his glasses and said, "Masayo, after learning that you had returned, we deliberately came to find you later in the evening."

Kurenai Yuhi explained, "We did not expect you to still be out. Seeing that it was getting late, we waited for you."

Masayo smiled and shook his head. The way Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu were acting, something must have happened. He replied, "Sorry, I ran into Teacher Kakashi and went to have barbecue with him. Red Sis, Senior Ebisu, come in. Whatever it is, we can talk inside."

Masayo noticed that Naruto Uzumaki's house in the distance was brightly lit. Naruto Uzumaki was pressed against the window, watching his side.

After Masayo made tea for Ebisu and Kurenai Yuhi, the two explained why they had come.

"You were reported by name?!"

Masayo was not too surprised. Given how extravagant Ebisu and Kurenai Yuhi had been acting, it would have been strange if no one had become jealous. Instead, he was curious why they had only been reported now.

"Sigh... yes!"

Kurenai Yuhi sighed dejectedly. Clearly, she also knew that their previous high-profile behavior had made others completely jealous.

Ebisu continued, "Fortunately, Lord Hokage resolved it. Luckily, Masayo, you had the foresight. Otherwise, it really would have been hard to say."

Masayo smiled and replied, "That is perfectly normal. It is like a beggar suddenly winning a 2.5 million lottery prize. When someone becomes rich overnight, they really want to tell the whole world, 'I'm rich.' How many people can truly restrain themselves like I can?"

Masayo's calm, unruffled demeanor made Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu nod in admiration. Compared to him, they had indeed gotten carried away.

"By the way, who reported you by name?"

Masayo asked.

Kurenai Yuhi glanced at Ebisu, who was pursing his lips and looking guilty, then said, "Mizuki, a teacher at the Ninja Academy. When Ebisu took Konohamaru to the Ninja Academy, he got into a conflict with Mizuki."

Ebisu looked deeply ashamed. "Sorry, sorry. I was too full of myself then. I thought he was just a Chunin, so I did not take him seriously. I got too carried away. Sorry."

"What? It was him..."

Masayo cried out in surprise. Who was Mizuki? He was where it all began! No wonder he had not reported Masayo! On the surface, Masayo had a decent relationship with Mizuki at the Ninja Academy, so Mizuki had not reported him along with Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu.