Chapter 372 The Results That Surprised the Third Generation Danzo

“It’s December again, time really flies,” Kotetsu Hagane sighed. “It feels like the holiday special training was just recently, and now another long holiday is approaching.”

“Yeah, in three weeks it’s the final exam. I feel like I haven’t been studying well lately. I hope I don’t do too badly this time.” Izumo Kamizuki’s face showed a hint of worry.

“You two, that’s enough! You always say you’re not studying well, but then you score 100 or over 90 on every exam. Besides Shisui, who can outlearn you two?” Anko Mitarashi, walking into the classroom, saw her two good friends humblebragging and couldn’t help but scold them.

She, who was once naive, had believed them many times, only to be left with the sadness of her own low scores.

“Anko, you don’t understand,” Kotetsu Hagane said, shaking his head. “For someone who has scored 100, even getting a 95 is considered a regression.”

“Moreover, after reaching 100, you can no longer enjoy the joy of improving your score. I hope Anko, you never experience this pain.”

My fists hardened! My fists hardened!

“I really envy Anko, you have so much room for improvement. You’ve never taken first place in either theory or practical combat,” Izumo Kamizuki added, twisting the knife.

This time, Anko really couldn’t hold back. Always being second in practical combat was her eternal pain. Shisui was like an insurmountable mountain blocking her path to claiming first place.

Bang! Bang!!

Anko used Body Flicker Technique with all her might to appear beside the two of them, then swung her fists.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki tried to dodge, but their speed was no match for Anko’s, and they ultimately couldn’t escape Anko’s devilish fists.

After hitting them, Anko immediately felt much better, and a smile returned to her face.

“Anko, you’re a girl, how can you just go around hitting people? Besides, we were just speaking the truth,” Kotetsu Hagane advised.

Although teasing Anko was fun, getting punched once wasn’t worth it. At least he should be allowed to say a few more words to make it worthwhile.

Anko, knowing she couldn’t win with words, swung her small fists twice.

Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane immediately swallowed the words they were about to say.

“The weather today is really nice.”

“Indeed, to have such sun in December.”

The two used their ‘weather’ card deck, forcibly changing the subject.

“I wonder if this special training will be taught by Teacher Muzuki or another teacher. If it’s not Teacher Muzuki, I’ll just refuse,” Kotetsu Hagane suddenly thought about the holiday special training teacher selection.

Holiday special training was only mandatory for graduates; excellent students from lower grades like them could choose to refuse.

“Me too. If Teacher Muzuki isn’t teaching, then I’d rather play the entire holiday. At least I’d have fun,” Anko agreed.

Although training for a month would certainly bring some improvement, Anko felt that little improvement wasn’t worth sacrificing a fun holiday.

“I estimate it’s highly unlikely,” Izumo Kamizuki maintained a pessimistic attitude about this.

“Why? Teacher Muzuki hasn’t said anything, so how do you know?” Anko asked, puzzled.

“Because the second semester holiday special training is also when the graduates’ internships begin,” Izumo Kamizuki explained.

“Starting last year, the Ninja Academy would select a group of excellent graduates for internships to familiarize them with Ninja work in advance. Last year, Teacher Muzuki was busy with interns, so he didn’t have time to lead the holiday special training.”

The holiday special training was originally set up to improve the strength of graduates, and the interns were all outstanding individuals selected from among the graduates. If Izumo Kamizuki were a high-ranking official in the Ninja Academy, he would also have Muzuki teach the strongest students.

“Why don’t we also apply to Teacher Muzuki to become Intern Ninja?” Kotetsu Hagane thought of a good idea.

“We’ve won against Fourth Grade students before, there’s no reason why they can intern and we can’t.”

He felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with this. Ninja speak with strength. As long as you’re strong enough, you can apply for early graduation even if you haven’t finished your first year.

“Everyone, open your books and prepare for class.” Just then, Muzuki walked into the classroom.

The three immediately sat up straight, took out their textbooks, and then exchanged glances, agreeing to find Muzuki together after school.

Time spent listening attentively to class always passed quickly, and before they knew it, the dismissal bell rang.

“See you this afternoon, everyone.” Muzuki’s Shadow Clone smiled warmly, said goodbye, and walked out of the classroom.

Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s side was planning to find a teacher to substitute for Muzuki, but Muzuki ultimately refused, using a Shadow Clone to teach.

Although the Shadow Clone didn’t have the teaching skill buff, his Ninja knowledge and teaching ability were incomparable to ordinary teachers.

“Teacher Muzuki, wait a moment.” Anko and the other two quickly ran out and called out to Muzuki.

“Teacher Muzuki, we also want to become Intern Ninja!” Anko didn’t waste words, directly stating their purpose, then looked at Muzuki with an expectant expression.

“Participate in an internship…” Muzuki showed a thoughtful expression.

Anko and the other two’s talent was quite good, and having been taught by him all this time, their strength was significantly greater than that of ordinary Fourth Grade students, especially Anko. With her strength, she could even enter the Grade Level Practical Exam in the Fourth Grade and achieve a good ranking.

“I will add you to the list. The specific results will be announced at the end of the semester,” Muzuki replied.

“Yay! Teacher Muzuki is the best!” Anko cheered, raising her hands.

Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki also showed joyful expressions, “Participating in an internship as Second Grade students, we’re practically making history!”

Indeed, since Intern Ninja was only proposed by Muzuki last year.

… … … …

On the secluded Training Ground, both Root Ninja and Anbu Ninja stood ramrod straight, looking forward. Everyone was on high alert.

Today was the last day of training, which meant it was the day they needed to take their exam.

Of course, if it were just an ordinary exam, they would complete it seriously, but they wouldn’t look like they were going to war.

The reason they displayed such a posture was because Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura were both observing nearby.

With their top leaders right there, they naturally wanted to perform better.

“Sarutobi Shinji versus Shimon Kadoe.” Muzuki glanced at the list and announced the names of the first combatants.

The best way to demonstrate a Ninja’s strength was, of course, combat. However, considering they were all elite Ninja, Muzuki did not restrict the area to a ring battle.

Sarutobi Shinji immediately stepped out of the ranks upon hearing his name, and Shimon Kadoe quickly followed.

The two formed the Confrontation Seal according to Konoha’s traditional rules, then quietly stared at each other, waiting for the referee’s voice.

“Start!” Muzuki shouted after seeing both of them ready.

As soon as Muzuki finished speaking, both of them instantly burst forth with Chakra and charged.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

To gain the initiative, both directly used the multiple burst technique of Shunpo to accelerate their speed.

“They’re lucky to have a training teacher like you, Muzuki. Shunpo is indeed an excellent Body Flicker Technique,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a slight smile, stroking his beard.

As the Hokage, although he couldn’t be completely clear about the strength of all Anbu, Sarutobi Shinji was both an Anbu and a Jonin of the Sarutobi Clan, so he knew a bit more about him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could clearly feel that Sarutobi Shinji’s Body Flicker Technique had greatly improved compared to before.

“The Ninja cultivated by my Root are naturally excellent,” Danzo Shimura said abruptly, emphasizing Root’s contribution.

“Danzo, have you forgotten? There has never been a Ninja named Hayate Mugetsu in Root,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, his expression unchanged.

He was reminding Danzo Shimura not to target Muzuki again, because Muzuki was cultivated by Danzo Shimura in violation of regulations, so Hiruzen Sarutobi directly denied that Muzuki was a Root member and even erased his records.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Muzuki out of the corner of his eye, only to find Muzuki looking conflicted and a little self-reproachful.

“If only I had discovered Muzuki earlier,” Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed inwardly.

Given Muzuki’s displayed personality, it was impossible for him to have no feelings for Root after staying there for so long.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn’t looking down on Danzo Shimura, but rather felt that Danzo Shimura was not suitable for Muzuki and would lead Muzuki astray.

“Hmph.” Danzo Shimura snorted coldly and said nothing more. He indeed didn’t have the moral high ground on this matter.

However, Danzo Shimura wasn’t truly trying to bring Muzuki back to Root. He felt that Muzuki was doing well outside, could still perform missions for him, and could also gain resources from Hiruzen Sarutobi’s side to grow.

He said that sentence only to tell Hiruzen Sarutobi that allowing his Root to grow and expand was the correct course of action.

Muzuki saw that the two were no longer at loggerheads, looked relieved, and continued to focus on the battle.

At this moment, he just wanted to say that life is like a play, all relying on acting. It’s really impossible to get by in another world without some acting skills.

He had to be a genius Ninja who inherited The Will of Fire in the Sandaime’s eyes, and also a fiercely loyal Root Ninja in Danzo’s heart.

Bang!

Ultimately, Sarutobi Shinji, who had learned Shunpo better and had stronger Chakra, was faster, sending Shimon Kadoe retreating several meters with one punch.

Sarutobi Shinji, not letting up, quickly pressed forward to further expand his advantage.

“Darkness Breathing Technique, Total Concentration Breathing!” Seeing the disadvantage grow larger, Shimon Kadoe concentrated his breathing to the extreme, while his body’s Chakra burst forth.

Under the enhancement of the entry-level Darkness Breathing Technique, Shimon Kadoe’s physical abilities rapidly improved, blocking Sarutobi Shinji’s offensive.

“Darkness Breathing Technique, Total Concentration Breathing!” Sarutobi Shinji also activated Total Concentration Breathing, not to be outdone.

The situation immediately returned to its previous state. Relying on his excellent strength, Sarutobi Shinji defeated Shimon Kadoe in just four minutes.

“Is it that Shinji, this child, is more talented in Darkness Breathing Technique?” Hiruzen Sarutobi, having watched the entire battle, fell into deep thought.

Sarutobi Shinji gave him the feeling that he hadn’t just trained for two and a half months. Normally, such a significant improvement would be measured in years.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had two conjectures: one was that Sarutobi Shinji was particularly suited to cultivating Darkness Breathing Technique, and the other was that Darkness Breathing Technique was stronger than he had imagined.

“Such a significant improvement in just two and a half months?” Danzo Shimura was also somewhat surprised after watching the battle.

Shimon Kadoe was his subordinate, and as a new member who had just recently joined Root, Danzo Shimura was very clear about Shimon Kadoe’s strength.

Although Shimon Kadoe only lasted four minutes, in Danzo Shimura’s opinion, if the pre-training Shimon Kadoe had fought, lasting two and a half minutes would have been good.

“Is it because of Shunpo and Darkness Breathing Technique?” Danzo believed that after confirming the results, he could have all Root members learn these two Taijutsu.

“Feitian Xinzhi versus Sanlun Liangtai!” After the battle ended, Muzuki quickly read out the names of the next round of Ninja.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura both showed serious expressions, looking at the two who were about to fight.

Although battles of this level were like watching children fight for them, they were eager to know whether the effects of those two Taijutsu were isolated cases or a common phenomenon.

Noticing the gazes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, Feitian Xinzhi and Sanlun Liangtai exchanged glances and both felt the pressure.

As teammates who had trained together for two and a half months, they were well aware of each other’s strengths.

In this situation, even Sanlun Liangtai, who knew he was not as strong as Feitian Xinzhi, became determined. If he couldn’t win, he would at least lose gracefully.

Whoosh! Whoosh!!

Bang! Boom!

The two figures constantly flickered through the dense forest, and the immense power under the enhancement of the Breathing Technique knocked down one large tree after another.

It wasn’t until Sanlun Liangtai completely ran out of strength that he reluctantly lay on the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura both watched the battle in silence. Three matches, four matches, five matches… After watching the first round of battles, they were all very surprised.

Because this huge improvement was not an isolated case; every Ninja who participated in the training had made significant progress, though those with better talent like Feitian Xinzhi and Sarutobi Shinji had made even greater improvements.

“Although the difficulty is only A-rank, the actual improvement of this Darkness Breathing Technique is not comparable to ordinary A-rank Taijutsu,” Hiruzen Sarutobi realized that he had truly underestimated this Taijutsu.

Such a large overall improvement was not only due to Muzuki’s excellent teaching ability but also largely related to the excellence of Shunpo and Darkness Breathing Technique.

“All Root members must learn these two Taijutsu!” Danzo Shimura felt a bit of regret.

If he hadn’t sent Muzuki to the Ninja Academy, even if Muzuki only trained Root members, it would greatly increase Root’s strength.

From Danzo Shimura’s perspective, this level of improvement wasn’t exactly earth-shattering. Hiruzen Sarutobi’s strength improved much faster when he was young. However, if a group of people all had such improvements, that would be very exaggerated.

“Muzuki, you’ve given me a big surprise. To have such an improvement in less than three months,” Hiruzen Sarutobi praised with a benevolent smile.

“Lord Sandaime, you flatter me. Everyone was very serious during their training, so this improvement is well-deserved,” Muzuki said humbly.

“You have extraordinary talent in Jutsu development. I have some experience from the Second Hokage’s Jutsu development. If you’re interested, I can send someone to deliver it to you,” Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that Muzuki’s talent in Jutsu development also needed to be taken seriously.

Upon hearing this, Muzuki immediately showed a joyful expression and quickly thanked Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Danzo Shimura watched from the side, feeling displeased. He had already lost the right to openly recruit Muzuki.

“Hiruzen, you came too late. No matter how much you try to win over Muzuki now, it’s useless. He will always be a Root Ninja,” Danzo Shimura comforted himself inwardly.

Hiruzen Sarutobi might gain Muzuki’s person, but Muzuki’s heart would always be with Root.

There’s one more chapter coming, but it will be very late. I suggest going to bed early and reading it tomorrow.