After completing his tutoring session, Mokutsuki didn’t return to the Southern Forest. Instead, he went to his house in the central district.
Mokutsuki cooked a simple meal for dinner and then went out for a walk. After all, friendship doesn’t come knocking on your door when you stay at home.
After walking for a while, Mokutsuki ran into Minato and Kushina at a nearby park.
The two were sitting on a park bench, chatting in the evening breeze.
“Habu,” Minato greeted Mokutsuki when he saw him.
“Are you out for a walk too?” Minato asked.
Mokutsuki nodded, sitting on a nearby bench. “Just finished dinner, walking to digest.”
“Habu, Minato says you’re a teacher at the Ninja Academy?” Kushina asked curiously.
She didn’t have any friends who were Ninja Academy teachers.
“Yes, I just started this year,” Mokutsuki replied with a smile.
“Just started this year, and you’ve already taught such an impressive class?” Minato said, surprised.
Kushina looked at Minato, puzzled.
“Yesterday at the office, the Third Hokage said Habu’s teaching skills are so good he wanted him to tutor Asuma,” Minato explained.
“Being praised by the Third Hokage in your first year means your teaching results must be outstanding.”
“Wow, the old man praised you that much?” Kushina was also surprised.
Although she had a mixed opinion of Hiruzen Sarutobi, she respected his judgment.
“It’s because the students work hard,” Mokutsuki said modestly, then added, “But you, Minato, are amazing. Becoming a Jounin at such a young age and an important asset to the village.”
“Heh heh, that’s right. Our Minato is the best,” Kushina said proudly.
“But I’m also a Jounin,” Kushina laughed.
Mokutsuki showed a surprised expression and then praised, “You’re amazing too, Jounin Uzumaki.”
“Habu, you really know how to talk,” Kushina said, liking Mokutsuki more and more. If her excellent friend Uchiha Mikoto hadn’t already married, she would have introduced her to Mokutsuki.
Look at him—handsome like Minato, capable, and praised by the Third Hokage.
After chatting for a while, Mokutsuki was the first to say goodbye and leave.
Since Minato and Kushina were a couple, staying too long would be inappropriate. He needed to pace himself, slowly establishing his presence.
…
The next day, Mokutsuki continued to train Obito and Might Guy until noon. In the afternoon, he went to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s house to tutor Asuma, taking him to the riverbank from the previous day.
“I’m too tired today. I don’t want to train,” Asuma said directly, leaning against a tree, looking ready to sleep.
He had made up his mind not to let Mokutsuki provoke him, no matter what.
“Want to sleep?” Mokutsuki smiled at Asuma.
That smile was warm and comforting, much better than his father’s, but Asuma had a bad feeling.
“Yeah, didn’t sleep well last night. Can’t I?” Asuma said defiantly.
To Asuma’s surprise, Mokutsuki nodded and agreed, “Yes, today’s weather is perfect for a nap.”
Mokutsuki then stretched, leaned against a tree, and said, “Tutoring is great. Just sleep and earn 100,000 ryo.”
After saying this, Mokutsuki closed his eyes, looking ready to sleep.
“Wait, what do you mean 100,000 ryo?” Asuma’s eyes widened as he questioned Mokutsuki.
“Why so noisy? Are you sleeping or not?” Mokutsuki didn’t even open his eyes, looking as if he was about to fall asleep.
“Don’t sleep. Tell me what you mean by 100,000 ryo,” Asuma said, shaking Mokutsuki.
“What else could it be? It’s the money I get for tutoring you,” Mokutsuki said, pretending to be serious.
“Do you think I work for free? Even if the Hokage hires a tutor, they have to pay. My fee is high—25,000 ryo per hour. Four hours a day is 100,000 ryo.”
“Is your mouth made of gold? That’s so expensive!” Asuma was shocked to learn Mokutsuki earned 25,000 ryo per hour.
When he was in school, his monthly allowance was 50,000 ryo, which was considered a lot.
And Mokutsuki could earn his monthly allowance in just two hours!
“You can ask around at the Ninja Academy about Habu Mokutsuki. You’ll see if I’m worth the price,” Mokutsuki said calmly.
“But I’ve never heard your name before,” Asuma felt like he was being tricked.
“Because I joined after you graduated,” Mokutsuki said, closing his eyes again, ready to sleep.
Seeing Mokutsuki about to sleep, Asuma felt a pang in his heart. This was a tutor who charged 25,000 ryo an hour.
“Don’t sleep. Let’s start training,” Asuma said quickly, afraid Mokutsuki would fall asleep and not wake up.
“Didn’t you say you were tired and wanted to sleep? Aren’t you tired now?” Mokutsuki asked with a smile.
Seeing Mokutsuki’s expression, Asuma realised he had been tricked. This guy wasn’t sleeping at all!
But he had no choice. A tutor who charged 25,000 ryo an hour—if Mokutsuki really slept, Asuma wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.
“I’ve rested enough. Let’s train,” Asuma said, his face dark.
He planned to complain to his mother, saying this expensive tutor was a waste of money when there were other Jounin teachers available.
“Alright, today we’ll continue training chakra control. The goal is to stay on the water for fifteen minutes,” Mokutsuki said, getting up with a smile.
The training was the same as yesterday: Asuma tried to stay on the water while Mokutsuki disrupted him with Water Release.
Today, Asuma was just as motivated as yesterday. Yesterday’s motivation was to defy his father; today’s motivation was Mokutsuki’s exaggerated tutoring fee.
At dinner, Asuma complained to Biwako Sarutobi, saying Hiruzen Sarutobi was wasting money on a tutor who charged 25,000 Ryo per hour.
Biwako was shocked by the high fee—100,000 ryo for four hours.
Some B-rank missions paid just 100,000 ryo. This was like a single person doing a B-rank mission in four hours.
“What? Habu’s fee is 2,000 ryo per hour,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, stunned, then laughed.
“2,000 ryo?” Asuma looked at Hiruzen with doubt.
“Of course, it’s 2,000 ryo. Where did you hear 25,000 ryo?” Hiruzen confirmed.
Seeing his father’s face, Asuma realised he had been tricked by Mokutsuki.
“Damn you, Habu Mokutsuki!” Asuma cursed inwardly, then turned his anger into appetite, eating a lot. He vowed not to fall for Mokutsuki’s tricks next week.
(End of Chapter)
Become a Patron read up to 30 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
