Root’s movements were swift. The morning after Mokutsuki submitted his report, a Root ninja silently appeared in his courtyard.
“This is from Lord Danzo,” the Root ninja said, handing two scrolls to Mokutsuki.
Mokutsuki nodded and took the scrolls.
He first opened the mission briefing scroll.
As usual, the Root ninja didn’t waste any words, and after delivering the items, he left immediately.
Sensing the Root ninja’s presence fade away, Mokutsuki walked inside to examine the scroll’s contents.
The beginning was the usual PUA content, praising Mokutsuki for completing the task excellently and urging him to continue his efforts and not let the organization down.
Mokutsuki focused on the latter part.
Danzo responded to Mokutsuki’s previous query about bringing Asuma into the Root, stating that it was unnecessary.
Danzo instructed Mokutsuki to teach Asuma normally and become an important teacher to him, without doing anything extra. He specifically warned Mokutsuki not to reveal any anomalies.
This answer was as Mokutsuki had expected.
Pulling Asuma into the Root would be like Danzo waiting in the Hokage’s office, asking to be caught.
Although Root was not weak, its current strength relied heavily on siphoning resources from the ANBU. As the actual Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi could easily control Root.
Additionally, Mokutsuki was instructed to keep an eye on the Uchiha students, assess them for any anti-Konoha tendencies, and identify geniuses that could be absorbed into Root.
The other scroll contained some rare and advanced secret medicines as a reward for Mokutsuki’s outstanding performance.
Mokutsuki stored the scroll with the medicines and burned the other scroll.
“In this world, even a stable life has become a luxury…”
Mokutsuki swept up the ashes and dumped them in the trash, his expression indifferent as he gazed into the courtyard.
The kind of life where a fully armed ninja could be standing in his yard every morning made him very uncomfortable.
But Mokutsuki had no choice.
He had considered exposing his strength while teaching Asuma, hoping to be noticed by Hiruzen and switch sides to the Third Hokage, solving the curse seal problem.
However, he quickly dismissed the idea.
He could earn Hiruzen’s favor by proving his value, but not by exposing his strength.
Hiruzen Sarutobi needed to be fully aware of Mokutsuki’s true capabilities or the jutsu he had learned. As long as he didn’t reveal techniques like the Water Severing Wave, it could be explained.
But it was different with Danzo. The original Mokutsuki had been cultivated by Danzo and knew too much.
If he switched sides by revealing his strength, Danzo might inform the Third Hokage and have him dealt with as a spy.
Mokutsuki believed there were only three situations where he could reveal his strength. One was if Danzo decided to use him as expendable; in that case, he could reveal his strength and look for an opportunity to escape.
Two, if he reached the level of the Sannin, he could make a move during wartime and become a hero of Konoha, even if his powers seemed inexplicable.
Three, if he gained the power to overthrow Konoha, it wouldn’t matter whether he revealed his strength or not.
Mokutsuki adjusted his expression and headed to the ninja academy, wearing a warm smile as he walked into the office and then the classroom.
Without sufficient strength, he would continue to be the gentle and likable teacher everyone appreciated.
…
On Saturday, Obito arrived early at the training ground to start his practice.
He picked up a palm-sized ice block and placed it on his hand, gathering chakra in his palm to practice nature transformation.
After about ten seconds, the ice block melted, leaving a wet patch on the ground as evidence of its existence.
Mokutsuki nodded.
Six days ago, Obito’s melting speed couldn’t even match the ice’s natural melting rate.
Progressing to this extent in six days was beyond expectations.
He hadn’t anticipated the chef skill, nor had he expected this life skill to aid in nature transformation training.
Obito’s rapid improvement owed much to the spicy tofu dishes.
“You’ve grasped the basics of nature transformation. Now, you need to enhance your maximum output,” Mokutsuki said, placing a head-sized ice block on the ground.
“Your next goal is to melt this block in ten seconds,” Mokutsuki announced the next phase of training.
“That’s too big!” Obito scratched his head, looking at the giant ice block.
“This time, aim for the limit of instant nature transformation. Don’t worry about chakra consumption; use all your strength. Rest when you’re tired, and resume once you’re recovered.”
This stage required time and effort unless one had Naruto’s life force and chakra to use numerous shadow clones for experience.
Compared to Naruto’s cheats, Obito was already doing well, thanks to the teaching skills and the special meals.
As noon approached, Mokutsuki called his three students to stop their training.
“You must be tired of eating the same dishes every day, so today we’re having hot pot,” Mokutsuki smiled.
Though the chef’s skill ensured they enjoyed their meals, Mokutsuki aimed for higher trust levels, so he wanted to do even better.
“Finally, no more super spicy tofu!” Obito jumped up excitedly.
It wasn’t that the tofu wasn’t delicious, but eating it daily made bathroom visits painful.
“I only prepared the broth. The ingredients depend on what you find,” Mokutsuki continued.
“I want fish!” Obito said, pulling out a kunai and heading to the river to catch some.
“I’ll help!” Gai enthusiastically dived into the water, creating large splashes.
Obito, trying to catch fish, got soaked.
“Gai!” Obito clenched his fists.
The next moment, Gai emerged with two fish, looking puzzled at Obito, “Did you call me?”
“Yes, I did. I wanted to say you’re awesome, a true friend,” Obito quickly changed his tone, eyeing the fresh fish.
Shisui collected some wild vegetables and mushrooms from the forest.
The three of them worked together to hunt a wild boar, with Gai distracting it, Shisui attacking, and Obito assisting. They successfully brought down the boar.
Mokutsuki prepared the broth and processed the ingredients they brought.
Using several shadow clones, he quickly handled the food.
The boar and fish took some effort, while the wild vegetables and mushrooms just needed washing and cutting.
They didn’t build a fire, using Obito’s hands as a human heater, which also served as training.
The four of them cooked and ate in the forest.
Though the process was simple and the ingredients were foraged, Shisui felt very happy and warm.
It was an experience he rarely had since losing his parents at a young age.
[Disciple Uchiha Shisui’s trust level has increased; current trust level three]
Eating the fish from the pot, Mokutsuki smiled.
(This chapter ends)
Become a Patron read up to 30 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
