Chapter 138 Ninja Trainee (4k)

“Is he perhaps practicing some terrifying forbidden Jutsu powerful enough to destroy a town?” Obito couldn’t help but ask.

The fact that Muzuki, whose strength was unfathomable, could be injured made Obito’s imagination run wild, concocting a terrifying Ninjutsu.

“I don’t know if it can destroy a town, but I do have a Fire Release that can directly burn down a forest,” Muzuki replied with a smile.

“What kind of Ninjutsu is it? Can you teach it now?” Obito looked at Muzuki with anticipation.

Shisui knew the outcome without looking.

Thwack!

Muzuki brought two fingers together and tapped Obito’s head, saying,

“Don’t you think about how much Chakra you have right now? You haven’t even mastered Phoenix Sage Flower Claw Crimson, and you’re already thinking about new Ninjutsu.”

He did have many high-power Fire Release Jutsu, such as Great Fire Annihilation and Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, which were very powerful Ninjutsu. However, without enough Chakra, they couldn’t unleash their full power.

“Hehe, Muzuki-sensei, you should hit me less often recently. It’s not that I’m afraid of pain; I’m just worried about your hand, Muzuki-sensei,” Obito said with a chuckle.

Thwack! Thwack!

Obito’s words successfully earned him a double critical hit.

“You don’t need to worry too much about that. My body is quite alright, and my recovery ability is very good,” Muzuki said with a laugh.

“Let’s start practicing. This is the final step before initiation. After learning this, you only need to integrate what you’ve learned in combat to master Breathing Technique.”

The introductory training phase concluded with the practice of Total Concentration Breathing. Next, Obito and the others only needed to integrate all the training content to truly master Breathing Technique.

Hearing Muzuki say it was time to train, Obito stopped fooling around and followed Muzuki’s recent instructions to find the feeling of Total Concentration Breathing.

He entered the Breathing Technique state and then continued to increase the intensity on the basis of the original Breathing Technique. However, at first, Obito did not feel the obvious change that Muzuki had mentioned.

“The effect will be better with exercise.” Muzuki told them to move and not to breathe in place.

After teaching Obito and Shisui, Muzuki went to check on Might Guy’s situation.

Might Guy had already begun his extreme exercise training. Might Guy’s progress in this step of training was quite good.

When Muzuki found Might Guy, Might Guy’s proficiency in Rock Breathing had already reached thirty-nine.

Although he was still some distance from Obito’s fifty-two and Shisui’s forty-eight, his growth rate was not slow and was much faster than Muzuki had anticipated.

Rock Breathing does not have as many benefits as Flame Breathing, which can accelerate Nature Transformation, enhance flame power, and strengthen physical abilities. Rock Breathing only has one effect: to enhance physical abilities.

However, the singular effect also led to extreme power. Through Muzuki’s own testing, the physical enhancement of Flame Breathing in Total Concentration Breathing state was not as good as Rock Breathing in normal breathing state, and the training effect of Rock Breathing was also better.

Muzuki concluded that after his disciples had all mastered Breathing Technique, Obito would definitely be suppressed by Might Guy for a period of time again.

…

On Saturday afternoon, Muzuki went to Hiruzen Sarutobi’s house for tutoring as usual.

“Next, we will begin practicing Nature Transformation,” Muzuki said, outlining the next teaching Key Points.

Nature Transformation is not a particularly advanced practice; rather, it is a mandatory course for Ninja.

Except for individuals like Might Guy, whose Ninjutsu talent is truly abysmal, almost all Ninja undertake Nature Transformation training.

For example, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who possesses strong Ninjutsu talent, has mastered all seven Chakra Nature Transformations, with three of them reaching the system’s proficiency level. The remaining ones, while not proficient, also have high proficiency.

However, ordinary Ninja certainly cannot achieve this. Ordinary Ninja generally choose to cultivate and refine the Chakra nature they are born with.

More skilled Ninja generally choose to practice one or two more Chakra natures to deal with various situations.

For example, Konoha Jonin generally master two or more Chakra Nature Transformations.

During Jonin meetings, Muzuki used his appraisal skill to observe many Jonin. Most of them had two proficient-level Nature Transformations, and some more skilled ones had three or four. However, there were not many Jonin with master-level Nature Transformations.

Muzuki had appraised Asuma’s attributes and didn’t know why Asuma had thought to cultivate two attributes simultaneously at such a young age.

Currently, Asuma’s skill bar shows two Chakra Nature Transformations: one is Wind Release and the other is Fire Release. The Fire Release proficiency is higher, while the Wind Release is just on the verge of initiation.

Although Muzuki also knew some Wind Release Ninjutsu, he felt that he couldn’t reveal too much for now, so he chose to teach Asuma Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation and Fire Release.

Muzuki had many Fire Release Jutsu that came from legitimate sources, some given by Danzo and some by Hiruzen Sarutobi, all of which could be openly used.

Moreover, his Fire Release level was much higher than his Wind Release, not only had his Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation reached the proficient level, but he also had many high-proficiency Fire Release Jutsu.

Since Asuma had already mastered some Nature Transformation, Muzuki did not start from scratch as he did with Obito.

For Ninjutsu, Muzuki chose the Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique that Hiruzen Sarutobi had given him earlier.

The reason for choosing Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique was, on one hand, that it was indeed a good Ninjutsu, and on the other hand, it was to show Hiruzen Sarutobi his good Ninjutsu talent, demonstrating that he could master a B-rank Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique to a teachable level in just over a month.

“Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!”

Muzuki quickly formed hand seals and spewed out a ferocious, man-sized fire dragon that soared through the sky.

To hide his true skill, Muzuki deliberately performed all the hand seals. He could actually use this Ninjutsu with just one hand seal.

“Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique is not as wide-ranging as the Secret Technique: Great Fire Technique you’re currently using, but it’s more flexible and easier to hit, and its power is also quite good. You can decide which Ninjutsu to use in combat based on the situation,” Muzuki said.

“I understand.” Asuma nodded.

When it was time, Muzuki was taking Asuma home when he ran into Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was off work.

“Asuma, have you been studying well with Muzuki-sensei?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked with a chuckle.

“Of course I’m studying well with Muzuki-sensei! After all, Muzuki-sensei isn’t some old man who likes to smoke,” Asuma replied.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was puffing on his pipe, paused and put it down.

Asuma, tired and sweaty, didn’t have much energy to argue with Hiruzen Sarutobi. After a quick retort, he went to get a change of clothes and take a shower.

“Muzuki, you’ve given me another surprise recently. Your Class 1, Grade 1 is probably the class with the best average scores since the Ninja Academy was founded,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said.

The Ninja Academy occasionally produced top students. Orochimaru in the past, and Kakashi a few years ago, were all extremely talented prodigies.

However, a situation like Muzuki’s Class 1, Grade 1, where the entire class performed excellently, was very rare.

Because Ninja Academy class assignments are truly random; there are no so-called advanced classes or elite classes, at least not at present. If there were advanced classes, how could Might Guy, who failed the entrance exam and was later admitted, end up in the same class as Kakashi?

“It’s still only the second semester of the first grade, so it’s too early to tell much. There are still several years of study ahead,” Muzuki said modestly.

“If they can maintain this kind of progress until graduation, then the Genin in your class will all be extraordinary in the future,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was very much looking forward to seeing what kind of class Muzuki, being fully responsible for a class, could produce in the end.

“The situation in the Ninja World is chaotic now. Iwagakure and Kumogakure are both eyeing our Konoha. If all the Ninja Academy teachers were as excellent as you, Muzuki, I wouldn’t have to worry about the Ninja Academy.”

Muzuki thought to himself, if all the Ninja Academy teachers were as strong as him, not only would there be no need to worry about the Ninja Academy, but there would be no need to worry about the war either, as this would mean nearly a hundred elite Jonin.

“Muzuki, what are your thoughts after the second semester break? Will you continue with special training as you did during the summer break?” Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

The winter break between the second and third semesters of the Ninja Academy, though not as long as the summer break, still lasts for a little over a month.

However, there is truly no time for special training between the third semester and the next academic year, as the break is only two weeks long.

“For ordinary students, special training can continue as usual. However, for exceptionally outstanding students, I suggest they begin internships in Ninja work,” Muzuki replied.

Then Muzuki explained his idea to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

For the vast majority of students, special training is definitely the best option. However, for top students, such as those ranked high in their grade, special treatment should be given, allowing them to start taking missions early to hone their Ninja abilities.

Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn’t asked today, Muzuki would have found a time to discuss the internship matter with him.

He wanted to take Might Guy and the others on missions together.

If exams can have rewards, then will disciples receive rewards for completing entrusted missions? Muzuki was very curious.

And then there was his desire to use this opportunity to train his disciples and himself.

Muzuki currently had no combat experience. With a few interns, the Third Hokage would at most let him take on D-Rank or C-Rank Missions, where he would most likely not encounter any Ninja, making it very safe.

It might even be difficult to get C-Rank Missions, as newly graduated Genin are not allowed to take C-Rank Missions, let alone Ninja Academy students on internships. He might even have to use his connections with Hiruzen Sarutobi to make it happen.

“Allowing outstanding students to intern…” Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into thought.

“There’s no need to assign Jonin as instructors; just sending some excellent Ninja Academy teachers would suffice. They would only be allowed to accept D-Rank and C-Rank Missions,” Muzuki continued.

Actually, Muzuki’s idea for internships coincided somewhat with Hiruzen Sarutobi’s previous thoughts.

When Muzuki organized the Fourth Grade special training, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s thought was that it could make graduating Genin stronger and quicker to adapt to Ninja work.

Now, upon reflection, Muzuki’s idea for internships was even better.

Students like Might Guy and Obito, aside from not having taken the graduation exam, are stronger than ordinary Genin, so taking on missions would definitely not be a problem.

Once they are familiar with mission work, they won’t have to start by picking up trash or cutting grass like other Genin when they graduate; they can directly start with C-Rank Missions.

“Muzuki, your idea is very good. I think it’s feasible, but you need to refine the details,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said after some thought.

It was still early, more than two months until the break, and he wanted to see Muzuki’s complete idea.

Muzuki nodded and said, “I will submit it to you once it’s complete.”

As long as Hiruzen Sarutobi showed interest, he wasn’t worried that the plan wouldn’t succeed.

Because now, one could say, the timing, location, and people were all in harmony.

Although the Shinobi World War was still in a state of mutual probing, various preventive measures required the deployment of many Ninja, and the number of Ninja available for missions within Konoha Village would become increasingly scarce.

Muzuki felt that in the end, it might not just be the top few students in the grade; eventually, all students with excellent grades might be able to get internship slots.

He considered many possible situations, including the possibility that the Third Hokage would ask him to continue leading special training instead of interns.

Muzuki had already prepared a contingency plan, such as guiding Hiruzen Sarutobi to test the effects of other teachers conducting special training and comparing them with Muzuki’s training results.

Muzuki could also take a step back himself, indicating that such an important matter shouldn’t always be his responsibility and that other teachers should also take charge.

He had also considered the possibility of all plans failing, which wouldn’t have too much impact on him.

If he couldn’t take his disciples on missions, he would lead student special training, and the benefits wouldn’t be small. Also, the vacation only lasted a little over a month, and after it was over, the disciples would return to their normal lives.

After returning, Muzuki continued his simple and unadorned daily life.

He taught students during the day, learned how to forge Ninja tools at night, and then, the next day, accidentally let the marks from forging Ninja tools on his hands be seen by the students.

“Muzuki-sensei, are you really practicing some terrifying forbidden Ninjutsu?” Obito asked with a serious expression.

Thwack!

Muzuki quickly brought two fingers together and tapped Obito’s head.

“I’ve just been learning to forge Ninja tools recently; don’t overthink it,” Muzuki explained.

“I see.” Obito showed a look of regret.

“Muzuki-sensei, why are you learning this? Are you going to open a Ninja tool shop later?” Obito asked curiously.

“No.” Muzuki shook his head, refusing to say much.

Unlike Obito’s guess, Shisui believed that a strong person like Muzuki was not satisfied with ordinary Ninja tools, so he personally learned to forge them.

On Monday noon, Muzuki attended a small meeting attended only by the grade director and the academic director.

The main topic was the discussion of the exam results.

Undoubtedly, Muzuki’s Class 1, Grade 1’s outstanding performance was once again praised, but Muzuki was already immune to such words.

Then, they discussed the large class system that Muzuki had previously proposed.

Currently, only the first grade has large classes, taught by Muzuki and another Chunin teacher named Kono Koji, with each teaching four classes.

However, it was somewhat awkward that the results were too polarized; the four classes taught by Muzuki scored much higher than the other four classes.

It was clear that it wasn’t an issue of whether it was a large class or not, but purely Muzuki’s personal ability.

Comparing the results with Muzuki’s classes was obviously not feasible, so they took the average scores of the four classes taught by Kono Koji from the previous semester for comparison. The result showed a drop of about six or seven points.

It hadn’t dropped much, but it had dropped. The final decision was to continue piloting it in the first grade but not to extend it to other grades for now.