Chapter 147 Plan Improvement

It was another weekend, and on Saturday afternoon, Muzuki took his Intern Ninja plan to Asuma’s home.

He didn’t see Hiruzen Sarutobi when he arrived, only Asuma’s mother, Sarutobi Biwako. Muzuki wasn’t surprised; it was normal not to encounter the Sandaime at this time, as he usually appeared more often when he returned home.

“Lady Biwako, I’m taking Asuma to train,” Muzuki reminded her.

“Teacher Muzuki, I’ll trouble you,” Sarutobi Biwako said with a smile.

Although she hadn’t spoken much with Muzuki, Sarutobi Biwako occasionally heard information about Muzuki from Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma, knowing that Muzuki was a good teacher.

“Teacher Muzuki, are we also training Nature Transformation and Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique today?” Asuma asked.

“Yes, Nature Transformation training is very important. I’ll teach you other things when you’ve practiced enough,” Muzuki replied, stating that he had a training plan for Asuma.

Muzuki understood one thing: Asuma definitely played a part in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s willingness to pull him out of Root.

Now, Asuma was a link between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Muzuki. As long as he taught Asuma well, Muzuki wouldn’t fare too badly in Konoha in the future.

Although Muzuki’s goal wasn’t just to not fare badly in Konoha, he still needed a lot of time to develop and needed to use Hiruzen Sarutobi to help him gain that development time.

Therefore, Muzuki taught Asuma as a presence second only to a disciple. Apart from things that couldn’t be shown to others for the time being, Muzuki was doing his best to teach Asuma.

“If only Teacher Muzuki knew Wind Release, that would be great. After I finish training in Fire Release, I’d like to learn some Wind Release,” Asuma said with some regret.

He remembered that Muzuki already knew Water Release and Fire Release. Jonin usually only learned two types of Ninjutsu, so he assumed Muzuki only knew these two.

“Wind Release, huh? It’s not impossible. As long as I learn it before I teach you, won’t that work?” Muzuki said with a chuckle.

“Teacher Muzuki, that’s so cool!” Asuma was a little moved, because his teacher was willing to learn something himself first just because his student wanted to learn it, and then teach it to the student.

“Perhaps it’s just big talk. After all, I haven’t had much contact with Wind Release, so I don’t know if I can learn it,” Muzuki didn’t make promises he couldn’t keep.

“Maybe Teacher Muzuki, you’re a Wind Release genius, who knows?” Asuma said with a smile, this was something he genuinely hoped for.

Because Asuma felt that his Jonin instructor was far weaker compared to Muzuki.

If it weren’t for Muzuki having to teach at the Ninja Academy, Asuma would wish the Sandaime would spend more money to hire Muzuki to teach him every day.

After teaching Asuma all afternoon, Muzuki saw Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had returned from work, at Asuma’s house when he was sending Asuma home.

“Sandaime-sama, this is the specific plan for the Intern Ninja that I discussed with you before,” Muzuki said, handing the documents to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and took the documents.

“The top fifteen students in combat scores will be divided into five groups for internships, with strong and excellent teachers serving as instructors. During the internship, only C-Rank Mission and D-Rank Mission are allowed…” Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly read through the documents, a pipe in his mouth.

Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment, then spoke:

“Muzuki, you’re still too conservative. There are over three hundred students in Fourth Grade, and there are more than just the top fifteen excellent students. Even if you double that, there are still students who haven’t been accounted for.

Also, I think the internship period can be extended. Not just the second semester break, but the third semester also won’t have classes and will be included in the internship period. One month is too short; students won’t get enough training.”

As Muzuki expected, the Sandaime even started to complain about the small number of students, but the direct inclusion of the third semester into the internship period was a bit beyond Muzuki’s expectations.

If the third semester was included in the internship period, this so-called internship would essentially be an early graduation by one semester.

“I will revise it and show it to you again when I get back,” Muzuki replied, appearing humble and receptive to instruction.

Whether it was more people or the inclusion of the third semester in the internship period, Muzuki felt it wasn’t a big problem and even had many benefits for the students.

It wasn’t for him to say, but with the Ninja Academy’s teaching standards, the top thirty students would find it difficult to learn anything new in their last semester at the Ninja Academy. It would be better for them to go out and familiarize themselves with missions and learn Ninjutsu from excellent Chunin teachers.

Of course, the premise was that they weren’t performing war missions. On the battlefield, even logistics missions for delivering supplies were not safe.

Muzuki felt that, given the current situation, it was unlikely that Intern Ninja of this level would be sent to the battlefield. If that were the true intention, it wouldn’t just be the top thirty students, but at least all Fourth Grade students.

Moreover, if it really came to that period, whether they interned or not wouldn’t matter. The school might just directly issue headbands and graduation certificates. This would be very easy for Konoha’s higher-ups to achieve if they wished.

On Sunday evening, Obito and Shisui had their last first-stage battle.

“Starting tomorrow, you can use Chakra-enhanced Breathing Technique, but no Ninjutsu,” Muzuki said.

“Last time, huh? I really want to win once,” Obito’s fighting spirit ignited.

For an entire week, he and Shisui had battled countless times, and Obito’s win count was zero.

Obito finally understood why Muzuki said he couldn’t beat Kakashi right now. According to Muzuki, even Shisui without his Sharingan would have a hard time beating Kakashi.

Shisui without his Sharingan was not as good as Kakashi, and he was already struggling so much against Shisui without his Sharingan and not using Ninjutsu, let alone the stronger Kakashi.

In their last match, Obito displayed extreme resilience, engaging in a long Taijutsu exchange with Shisui. Only when he was at a great disadvantage did he begin to counterattack using Total Concentration Breathing.

Shisui chose to meet the Breathing Technique head-on. Obito’s Breathing Technique was stronger, compensating for his other shortcomings, but even after his Total Concentration Breathing state ended, he couldn’t reverse the situation; he only alleviated the disadvantage.

Fortunately, both of them used Total Concentration Breathing, so their states were the same, and Obito didn’t fall into a greater disadvantage.

Just as he was about to lose, the unwillingness in his heart completely erupted. Obito broke through his limits and re-entered Total Concentration Breathing state despite having little stamina left.

“This is my last breath!” Obito felt a surge of power, as if a raging fire was burning within him.

With the boost from Total Concentration Breathing, Obito pushed Shisui back step by step.

Looking at Muzuki, who was observing the battle, Shisui clenched his fists, and his breathing rhythm suddenly changed. He also re-entered the Total Concentration state, directly catching Obito’s incoming punch.

“Obito, although you really want to win, I won’t lose,” Shisui began his counterattack.

Relying on his superior overall strength, Shisui ultimately defended his undefeated record, while Obito failed to achieve his first victory.

Muzuki looked at the increase in their proficiency and nodded with satisfaction. Breaking through in battle indeed had its merits.