After joining the Southern Forest training team for a few days, Rin Nohara gained quite a few new realizations.
One of them was about Mokutsuki’s strength.
Although Rin always thought of Mokutsuki as an excellent teacher, she assumed his prowess as a ninja was similar to other Chunin teachers.
Now Rin realized she was wrong.
Just watching Mokutsuki teach Shisui Fire Release techniques, the sheer power of those techniques made Rin feel that Mokutsuki’s strength was anything but ordinary.
In the Ninja Academy, aside from the Three Basic Jutsu, students often begged, and occasionally, Chunin teachers would show off other jutsu.
Rin had never seen a Jonin use jutsu or fight, but she felt that even if Mokutsuki wasn’t at their level, he was undoubtedly among the stronger Chunin.
Moreover, Mokutsuki is very versatile, mastering not just Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu but also medical ninjutsu.
Aside from Mokutsuki’s strength, Rin noticed that he seemed more relaxed in the forest compared to the training ground.
She also learned about Obito’s intense study habits last semester. Seeing Obito looking frustrated after losing a race and receiving a bunch of assignments made her understand why she always saw him doing homework.
She had found it strange before. If Obito suddenly loved studying, why did he look so unwilling while doing it? But if he didn’t want to study, why did he do it every day? It was pretty contradictory.
Overall, Rin was quite happy about becoming Mokutsuki’s disciple.
“Damn it, so close again!” Obito sat on the ground, furiously pounding it.
He had just been narrowly beaten by Might Guy in their race to the finish line.
“It’s alright, Obito. You came close this time. With a bit more effort, you might succeed next time,” Rin gently comforted him.
Feeling rejuvenated by Rin’s encouragement, Obito stood up, dusting off his clothes. With renewed determination, he declared, “Guy, just wait. Tomorrow, I’ll definitely beat you.”
“Obito, here are your thirty-five assignments,” Mokutsuki said, smiling as he handed the papers to Obito.
Seeing the pile of assignments, Obito felt his rejuvenated energy draining away again. He took the papers with trembling hands as if accepting a cup of poisoned wine.
“Obito, didn’t you say you love studying?” Rin couldn’t help but laugh, seeing Obito’s forlorn expression as he accepted the assignments.
“Yeah, I love studying so much that I feel uncomfortable if I don’t do at least ten assignments a day,” Obito replied, holding back tears.
“Should I give you some more then?” Mokutsuki asked with a smile.
“Let’s not get greedy. Too much of a good thing isn’t always beneficial,” Obito quickly declined. The extra assignments he received each day were already overwhelming.
“Back to training,” Mokutsuki said, tapping Obito’s head with his fingers.
In addition to teaching Rin medical ninjutsu, Mokutsuki also trained her in Taijutsu.
Medical ninjutsu could be used in combat with considerable lethality, and when combined with excellent Taijutsu, it could result in formidable combat prowess, much like Tsunade.
Since it was Saturday, Mokutsuki went to the Sarutobi Clan’s residence in the afternoon to train Asuma.
Today, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to be free. When Mokutsuki arrived at Asuma’s house, Hiruzen was sitting in the living room, reading something.
“Lord Third,” Mokutsuki greeted.
Hiruzen nodded in response and put down the documents, smiling as he asked, “Mokutsuki, how is your summer training going? It’s been three weeks, more than halfway through.”
The Ninja Academy’s vacation lasted from mid-July to early September, just over a month and a half.
To ensure students still had some vacation, the summer training was scheduled for only five weeks.
“The students are very diligent and willing to learn. Almost all of them have made progress,” Mokutsuki replied thoughtfully.
“I’ve been conducting weekly tests to record their growth. I can get those records for you now,” Mokutsuki continued, turning to fetch the records.
“No need to trouble yourself. Just bring them along tomorrow,” Hiruzen said with a chuckle.
“But since you speak so highly, the results must be significant. It seems Konoha will have another Special Jonin soon.”
Hiruzen planned to personally observe the students’ progress in the fifth week.
If the training proved effective, he would push for making it a regular practice.
If Konoha were indeed dragged into war, Hiruzen might even consider canceling the fourth-year curriculum and having Mokutsuki train them until graduation.
“Old man, I think you’re going senile. Teacher Mokutsuki is so exceptional; why not just make him a Jonin?” Asuma couldn’t help but speak up for his teacher.
“I feel my current Jonin instructor isn’t as good as Teacher Mokutsuki.”
“A Jonin is an important asset to the village, not just someone skilled in one area but excellent overall,” Hiruzen explained.
Leaving aside other factors, Mokutsuki didn’t meet the mission count and quality requirements for a Jonin. Even promoting him to Special Jonin was due to his exceptional teaching abilities and promising strength.
“I think Teacher Mokutsuki is well-rounded. Besides, you barely go to the Academy. Why not make Teacher Mokutsuki the principal?” Asuma suggested his father step down.
Hiruzen, feeling his blood pressure rise, rubbed his temples and signaled for Mokutsuki to take Asuma away.
Understanding the cue, Mokutsuki nodded and took Asuma to train.
“When will that kid grow up?” Hiruzen sighed.
Although he didn’t have much time to oversee the Academy, and Mokutsuki’s teaching was indeed impressive, Hiruzen couldn’t make him the principal, at least not now.
Since its founding, the Ninja Academy has only had two principals: Tobirama Senju and Hiruzen himself.
The Academy held great significance for Konoha. Even though the role of the principal no longer had the same power, it still carried symbolic meaning.
Only a teacher who made a significant contribution could be considered for the role. Otherwise, Hiruzen saw the next principal as the future Hokage.
He believed that Asuma would understand his decisions when he grew older.
(End of Chapter)
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