“Asuma-sensei, I feel like I can handle more pressure. Please give me extra training!” Asuma earnestly requested from Mokutsuki.
With the first combat test just a couple of days away, Asuma felt like he could push himself a bit more.
This time, it wasn’t just a secret battle with only Mokutsuki present; Kurenai would be watching, too. Even if he had to lose, he wanted to do it gracefully.
“Why the sudden request for extra training? Is it because of the combat test?” Mokutsuki asked with a smile.
Asuma’s intentions were easy to guess.
“Yes, Sensei, you guessed right.” Asuma replied, looking a bit embarrassed.
“Extra training alone won’t improve your strength in such a short time.” Mokutsuki dismissed Asuma’s idea.
Cramming might work for theory exams but not for combat. Practicing for just two more days wouldn’t significantly enhance physical capabilities.
Unless someone had an extraordinary learning ability to master a Jutsu a day, two days might be enough to learn two new Jutsu, which could be helpful. However, Asuma clearly needed to have that level of learning capability.
“So what should I do?” Asuma asked, pinning his hopes on his ever-resourceful sensei.
“Do you really want to improve your strength?” Mokutsuki asked.
He had a method in mind, but it was quite brutal.
“Yes, I really do.” Asuma affirmed.
“If you want to improve significantly in just two days, then you need combat training.” Mokutsuki explained after a moment of thought.
With only two days, Mokutsuki’s solution was to engage in lots of combat, which meant taking a lot of beatings.
“You will fight my shadow clones. As long as you can stand, you will keep fighting. This way, even in two days, you can improve your strength.” Mokutsuki continued.
For a combat test, this method was like cramming for a theory test but more effective than two days of regular training.
Just hearing Mokutsuki’s plan made Asuma feel the upcoming pain, but for the sake of impressing Kurenai, he reluctantly agreed.
To be admired in public, one must endure suffering in private.
In the following hours, Asuma was constantly beaten by Mokutsuki’s shadow clones in various ways.
Even with Mokutsuki’s shadow clones holding back, Asuma couldn’t win.
Exhausted and resting against a tree, Asuma joked:
“My old man must be blind, Sensei. You, being just a chunin, should be promoted to jonin.”
In their fights, Mokutsuki had used eight different jutsu, including Fire and Water styles, well-rounded for offense and defense.
“I’m not qualified to be a jonin yet.” Mokutsuki shook his head.
With his current performance, he was merely a chunin who knew a few more jutsu. Asuma’s weakness made him seem stronger.
“Are you watching, Hiruzen Sarutobi?” Mokutsuki thought without changing his expression.
Mokutsuki’s display wasn’t just to help Asuma train; it was also for the Third Hokage to see.
Even if the Third Hokage wasn’t directly observing, the Anbu watching would report back.
Mokutsuki’s plan was simple: lay the groundwork.
The Third Hokage needed to be fully aware of Mokutsuki’s abilities. As long as Mokutsuki didn’t reveal anything too extraordinary, this performance would showcase his talents to the Third Hokage.
Previously, Mokutsuki had subtly demonstrated his talent in sealing techniques when Kushina mentioned it. As the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Kushina was always under Anbu surveillance.
Considering this, Mokutsuki had shown his sealing skills. Otherwise, his cautious nature would have made him hide it.
With talent in sealing, exceptional teaching skills, and decent combat abilities, Mokutsuki is a valuable asset.
Mokutsuki was showcasing his value in ways the Third Hokage could see but Danzo couldn’t.
If he could be pulled out of Root, he could then openly develop his abilities without worrying about Root’s scrutiny.
Mokutsuki wanted to develop peacefully but knew he couldn’t stay a mere chunin teacher forever. That role limited his potential growth.
Staying as a chunin teacher wouldn’t have given him the opportunity for this summer training. He might have ended up as a grunt for Danzo during the holidays.
The higher his rank and the stronger he appeared, the more opportunities Mokutsuki would have to gain rewards.
For instance, if he wanted to reform the academy curriculum, adding joint classes for multiple grades, no one would listen if he were just a regular teacher.
But if this summer training went well and he was promoted to Special Jonin, his suggestions might be seriously considered.
…
On Sunday morning, Mokutsuki was training Obito in Soru.
Guy and Shisui had already mastered it, leaving only Obito.
“Soru is actually simple. Just stack the speed-boosting technique I taught you three times in a row.” Mokutsuki demonstrated and explained.
“My legs are giving out. This is so hard.” Obito tried again, following Mokutsuki’s guidance but failed.
It sounded easy from Mokutsuki’s explanation and seemed simple in his mind, but in practice, it felt impossible. It was too difficult.
He couldn’t even reliably stack the technique twice, let alone three times.
“Just keep practicing. Shisui and Guy didn’t master it in a few days either.” Mokutsuki reassured him.
Using his appraisal jutsu, Mokutsuki saw that Obito’s proficiency had already reached over 40.
Since part of the technique had been taught earlier, it was easier to learn the rest.
By the end of the training session, Obito still hadn’t managed to stack the technique three times but had become more consistent with two stacks. It was a noticeable improvement.
[Disciple Obito Uchiha has diligently trained under your guidance, achieving significant progress. You receive: Breath of Flames (Proficient)]
Mokutsuki was surprised, not expecting another breathing technique.
When Mokutsuki examined the new knowledge of the Breath of Flames in his mind, he was astonished by the Fire Release version of the technique. Unlike the Breath of Stone, this was more like a secret art!
(End of Chapter)
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