Kiba Inuzuka was dumbfounded, but looking at the Shadow Clone—
There seemed to be no difference.
He nodded blankly.
"Your clan's Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu simulates a dog's attack pattern. Currently, I recall it's mostly confined to Taijutsu?"
"Yes."
Kiba Inuzuka recalled, nodding again, "Currently, it is primarily Taijutsu."
"You could consider incorporating Wind Release nature transformation."
Masahiko reminded him.
"That, I'm afraid, would be quite difficult."
Kiba Inuzuka felt a bit awkward hearing that.
His clan has limited talent in Ninjutsu, and those with Wind Release capability are extremely rare. Post-natal training requires a lot of time.
It was better to spend that effort training Taijutsu.
Masahiko pondered briefly and said, "Then we can only start with Ninja Toolss. You could consider installing claw-blade type Ninja Toolss to increase lethality, and also install puppet skeletons."
"claw-blades, puppet skeletons—"
Kiba Inuzuka's eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly, "Teacher, where can I get these kinds of Ninja Toolss?"
"I'm not sure about the former, but for the latter, currently, only I should be able to make them."
Masahiko replied with a smile.
Kiba Inuzuka was completely oblivious, still excited, and said, "Thank you, Teacher, I—"
Just as he finished speaking, he saw Inuzuka Hana in the distance with a gloomy expression.
Kiba immediately shrank his head and said, "Oh right, well, are there any other areas for improvement in the Beast Mimicry Ninjutsu?"
"Improvements?"
Masahiko pondered for a moment and said, "Your Ninjutsu is like this—"
He raised his hand.
Water gathered from all directions toward his fingertip, forming the shape of a spearhead.
"The destructive power of the tip must be strong enough, and your physical reaction and speed must also be fast enough. Essentially, it mainly relies on practice; there are no other shortcuts."
"If I had to say—perhaps you could consider training to enhance bodily activation."
Masahiko gave a very sincere reminder.
After all, this round with the Inuzuka clan would definitely bring him a good amount of income.
Anbu Headquarters.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi, and Yamato had arrived long ago.
Masahiko entered and greeted them one by one.
After some small talk, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Masahiko, I asked you to come here because I want to discuss the next step together."
"Yes, I was just planning to report to you."
Masahiko nodded.
He replied, "The main framework of the intelligence system has been established, but using only our own manpower for the lowest level would be too extravagant, and frankly, impossible."
"Your subordinate believes we must adopt and support local people to serve as our eyes and ears in other countries."
He paused slightly.
"Nobles, merchants, rogue Ninja, and others from various countries can all be targets for recruitment."
Hiruzen Sarutobi exchanged glances with the other two.
—
Kakashi nodded lightly.
As the Anbu Captain, he had some understanding of these matters and knew that Masahiko's considerations were sound.
Much intelligence requires Ninja to investigate personally.
After a moment of silence in the room, he said, "What you mentioned are indeed necessary methods, but having you handle them—wouldn't that be a waste?"
"A shortage of personnel in the early stages is unavoidable."
Masahiko replied.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "The funding will be allocated to you later. Go ahead and do it boldly, without any reservations."
He paused slightly.
"If you have any other requests, you can state them boldly."
"What about Hidden Cloud Village?"
Masahiko looked up.
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head: "You don't need to worry about that side. Kakashi and Yamato will handle it."
"Yes. Then, I would like to request someone from you."
Masahiko said, "I want Hayate Gekkō to serve in my place for daily intelligence work and sword technique training."
"Hayate?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment and nodded lightly, "You may."
Hayate Gekkō's health was poor, and Hiruzen already intended for Hayate to step back from the front lines. Masahiko's request perfectly aligned with his thoughts.
"Furthermore, regarding the Ninja Academy, I want to integrate the outstanding students of Konoha Ninja Academy to form an Elite Class spanning different grade levels—"
Masahiko spoke about his various ideas.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded repeatedly.
Although the Ninja World is currently in a state of peace, judging by the situation in Hidden Mist Village, war is inevitable.
Konoha needs to prepare in advance.
He thought for a moment and said, "I will have Ebisu report to you at the Ninja Academy. Also, if you are absent from Konoha in the future, Ebisu can take over your teaching duties."
"Thank you, Lord!"
Masahiko stood up and bowed respectfully.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand.
"You are doing this for the children, for the Ninja Academy and Konoha. Your diligence—I couldn't be happier."
Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed and said, "Let's call it the New Generation Initiative!"
That afternoon, at Konoha Hospital.
"Lord, I have done enough regarding espionage. Furthermore, these things won't show results in the short term, and further training is useless."
Kabuto Yakushi felt helpless.
This place had practically become his meeting point with Masahiko.
"You misunderstood."
Masahiko smiled, "This time, I don't want you to teach them intelligence work, but to help me with a small favor."
"Lord Masahiko, the 'small favor' you mentioned isn't asking me to help establish intelligence channels, is it?"
Kabuto Yakushi said.
Masahiko couldn't help but applaud softly: "Kabuto, that's why that Lord values you so much!"
"I really can't do that. It's not something that happens overnight."
Kabuto Yakushi whispered.
Masahiko laughed, "It's fine. I just need to borrow your intelligence network temporarily. You can take your time helping me build my own."
—
Kabuto Yakushi was speechless.
Is this just a matter of time?
He gritted his teeth and said, "Lord, I am a spy, not your subordinate!"
"I have a cooperation agreement with that person. If we round up, it means we are colleagues. What's wrong with colleagues helping each other?"
After Masahiko finished speaking, he smiled and said, "Agree to this condition, and I will personally fund the Orphanage."
Kabuto Yakushi showed signs of struggle on his face.
Finally, he let out a silent sigh: "What do you want to know?"
"Help me find someone: Kazuma, who escaped from the Twelve Guardian Ninja. He took a young novice monk from the Fire Temple. You don't need to use that person's channels for the rest; just slowly help me build my own channels."
Masahiko didn't stand on ceremony. "The Village will provide the money, so you don't need to worry."
Kabuto Yakushi nodded and said, "Alright."
He paused for a moment and said, "Could you arrange for the children there to have a chance to attend school? That Orphanage is full of children from the Land of Fire."
"I will push for that, but it requires me to have greater influence. So, Kabuto, we are moving toward the same goal."
Masahiko said.
Kabuto Yakushi lowered his head: "I will help, but you must also cover for me."
"I can do that. Your two teammates won't have the time to bother you."
Masahiko nodded.
As he spoke, he suddenly smiled and said, "Do you need me to eliminate them?"
"You jest."
Kabuto Yakushi's tone was calm.
Masahiko chuckled and said, "Then let's change your workplace. I will make sure they can't detect it. As for Orochimaru—"
"I will explain it to him."
Kabuto Yakushi nodded.
After a brief exchange, Masahiko took a book from the shelf, nodded lightly, and left the borrowing room.
When a person has something they care about—
Then, they also have a weakness.
This was the case for Kabuto Yakushi.
Masahiko sighed slightly, then quickened his pace as he walked out.
Of course, he didn't intend to rely solely on Kabuto to build it.
Besides that, Masahiko would do it himself, and incidentally—
Establish his own Ninja base.
>