Naruto: Strength Through Teaching

Chapter 26: What To Do When The Teacher Is Too Rebellious

"Your control ability is not bad," Mutsuki nodded, not particularly surprised.

Then Mutsuki took Asuma to the riverside.

"Since tree climbing is no problem, let's see if you can walk on water." Mutsuki pointed to the riverbank, continuing to test Asuma's Chakra control ability.

After all, except for those with exceptional innate talent, ordinary people have limited Chakra. Improving efficiency is a good way to enhance one's strength.

"If you can stand steadily on the water for ten minutes this time, you can train whatever you want in the future." Mutsuki presented a condition to motivate Asuma.

"This was your idea, don't go back on it," Asuma said with a delighted expression. He had been thinking about how to deal with this annoying sensei, and unexpectedly, Mutsuki willingly offered a loophole.

Walking on water? For other newly graduated Genin, it might pose some difficulty, but for Asuma, it was fairly straightforward.

Confidently concentrating Chakra on the soles of his feet, Asuma walked onto the river surface, leisurely strolling along the not-so-wide river, which was only twenty meters across.

"That annoying old man has an overpowering need for control. We've already graduated as Ninjas, and he still wants to hire a private tutor," Asuma muttered under his breath.

He looked forward to going home and telling Lord Third about Sensei's agreement for him to train freely.

Suddenly, Asuma sensed something amiss. He lowered his head and saw the previously calm river now churning violently.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"

Asuma looked again and realized that Mutsuki, from the riverbank, had unleashed Water Release Ninjutsu, creating a water dragon that maneuvered through the river, causing the water to surge and boil.

"Oh, why did you do that?" A splash of water rose, and Asuma almost lost control, nearly falling into the water. He couldn't help but exclaim.

"I'm simulating a combat scenario for you. During a real fight, the river won't stay as calm as usual," Mutsuki said with a cheerful smile.

"Besides, I can practice my Water Release here. With a river and trees, it's an ideal environment for Water Release training."

"Of course, if you feel it's too much, Asuma, I can stop. Admitting one's shortcomings is a sign of wisdom," Mutsuki repeated his tactics.

Asuma swallowed the words he had originally wanted to say.

He just wanted to prove that he could do it on his own, without a private tutor or Lord Third's arrangements. Therefore, admitting defeat was out of the question.

So, Asuma focused all his attention on manipulating Chakra to avoid falling into the water.

However, mastering Chakra control isn't something that improves instantly, and the sudden waves also tested his agility.

Asuma struggled for five minutes but eventually, he accidentally fell into the water. Mutsuki instantly pulled him out.

"Seems like your Chakra control needs improvement; we can't start free training yet," Mutsuki said with a regretful expression.

"If you hadn't used Water Release to interfere, I wouldn't have fallen into the water," Asuma retorted, feeling a bit indignant.

"Do you expect your enemies not to use Ninjutsu against you in a real fight?" Mutsuki said calmly.

"No, I can't accept this! I want to try again!" Asuma, getting more and more frustrated, decided to prove himself.

As it turned out, getting agitated doesn't always lead to solving math problems, but it can indeed lead to a breakthrough in combat. This time, Asuma persevered for seven minutes, just three minutes short of the ten-minute achievement.

After a short break, Asuma couldn't wait and called out to Mutsuki for another round. On the third attempt, he held on for seven and a half minutes.

In the end, as the sun was about to set, Asuma successfully endured for the full ten minutes.

"I did it!" Asuma shouted in excitement, then lost control of his Chakra and splashed into the water, taking a gulp of river water.

When Mutsuki pulled Asuma out of the water, Asuma's face still bore the expression of excitement.

"From now on, I'll train whatever I want on my own," Asuma wiped the water off his face and said happily.

"Who told you that?" Mutsuki looked at Asuma with a strange expression.

Asuma's smile froze, then he questioned, "Wasn't it you who said that if I endured for ten minutes, I could train freely?"

"Yeah," Mutsuki nodded, then added, "But what I meant was 'this time,' as in your first attempt. You didn't succeed the first time."

Asuma thought back and realized that was indeed the case!

Then, what was the point of his strenuous effort to endure to the end?

With physical fatigue and a wounded spirit, Asuma almost fainted on the spot.

Knocked out by his rebellious sensei.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been occasionally peeking, stroked his beard, thinking that Mutsuki's teaching ability was indeed formidable. In just one afternoon of training, Asuma's agility and Chakra control ability had been thoroughly exercised.

"Tomorrow, I must counterattack!" Asuma silently vowed in his heart, feeling like he had been played for the entire afternoon.

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