"Yumi-sensei, I feel that I can handle greater pressure, please give me additional training!" Asuma earnestly requested Mutsuki.
In two days, the first real combat test is about to begin, and Asuma feels he can make an extra effort.
This time, it's not just a secret battle with only Mutsuki present; Kurenai will also be watching. Even if he's going to lose, he wants to lose with some dignity.
"Why suddenly ask for extra training, is it for the real combat test?" Mutsuki asked with a smile.
Asuma's thoughts are really easy to guess, being such a little brat.
"Yeah, sensei, you figured me out." Asuma showed a somewhat embarrassed smile.
"Just temporary additional training won't help improve your strength," Mutsuki denied Asuma's idea.
In terms of theory, cramming at the last minute might be somewhat useful. In case the exam includes reviewed content, that would be an extra few points.
In real combat, practicing more in the last two days won't be effective because there won't be any noticeable improvement in the body during these two days of additional practice.
Unless one has an exceptionally strong learning ability, learning one Ninjutsu in a day, and two Ninjutsu in two days, can be useful. However, Asuma clearly doesn't have that kind of learning ability.
"So, what should I do?" Asuma asked, placing his hope in the versatile Yumi-sensei.
"Do you really want to enhance your strength?" Mutsuki asked.
He does have a method, but the process is rather harsh.
"You really can't be any more serious." Asuma replied.
"If you want to enhance your strength in just two days, then it has to be through battles," Mutsuki thought and said.
With only two days, the only method Mutsuki could think of is a substantial amount of fighting, in other words, taking a considerable beating.
"Fight with my Shadow Clone. In the time ahead, as long as you still have the strength to stand up, keep engaging in battles with my Shadow Clone. This way, even in two days, you can gain some significant strength."
In the real combat test, the battle is the examination content. Asuma engaging in a large number of battles is akin to cramming for a theoretical exam, much more reliable than adding two days of training.
Just by listening to Mutsuki, Asuma felt that the upcoming ordeal would be quite intense. However, for the sake of Kurenai, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and reluctantly agree.
It can only be said that if you want to appear distinguished in public, you have to endure suffering in private.
For the next period, Asuma was basically subjected to a variety of beatings by Mutsuki's Shadow Clone.
Even with Mutsuki deliberately suppressing the strength of the Shadow Clone, it was not something Asuma could overcome at the moment.
When Asuma, exhausted, rested against a large tree, he complained:
"I have to say, the old man's eyesight must be failing. Yumi-sensei, a ninja like you is still a Chunin. In my opinion, you should be promoted to Jonin."
During the recent battles with Mutsuki, counting the Shadow Clone, Mutsuki had used a total of eight Ninjutsu, including Fire Release and Water Release. The Ninjutsu arrangement was also good, incorporating both offensive and defensive techniques.
"Currently, I indeed do not qualify for promotion to Jonin," Mutsuki denied.
Based on his recent performance, at most, he is a Chunin who might be slightly more proficient in Ninjutsu. However, Asuma thinks this way only because of his own weak abilities.
'Sarutobi Hiruzen, are you watching?' Mutsuki thought without changing his expression.
The reason for suddenly displaying a bit of strength was not to help Asuma train but to showcase it to Lord Third.
Even if Lord Third himself wasn't watching, the ANBU, who were monitoring, would see and report to Lord Third.
Mutsuki's idea was simple, lay the groundwork. Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't know everything about him. As long as Mutsuki didn't display anything too extraordinary, in Lord Third's perspective, it would be considered Mutsuki's inherent talent.
In fact, Mutsuki had laid the groundwork once before, with witnesses present. It was when Kushina mentioned Mutsuki's talent in practicing Sealing Jutsu.
Being a Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Kushina naturally had ANBU surveillance around her.
Considering this, Mutsuki showcased his proficiency in Sealing Jutsu, anticipating that, without such a display, his cautious nature might have led him to disguise his abilities as something achieved over a longer period.
Possessing talent in Sealing Jutsu makes him particularly powerful in teaching, and as a ninja, his skills are not mediocre. A young person with such abilities is worth rescuing from Danzo's clutches.
Mutsuki is showcasing himself from a strategic perspective. In situations where he cannot be seen by Root but can be seen by Lord Third, he is presenting his value.
If he is plucked out from Root, then he can further demonstrate his abilities without worrying about issues with Root.
Because after Mutsuki is transferred to Lord Third's side, as long as he doesn't suddenly display abnormal strength, his progress will involve Lord Third discovering and nurturing talents that Root failed to recognize.
Mutsuki wants stable growth, but he won't continue being just a Chunin sensei. The role of a Chunin sensei actually limits his developmental potential.
If he honestly remains an ordinary Chunin sensei, would he even get the opportunity for this special summer training? It's likely he would be called to work as a laborer at Root during the holidays by Danzo.
The higher the status, the more powerful the displayed strength, and the larger the space for Mutsuki to earn rewards.
For example, if he wants to reform the curriculum at the ninja school and introduce some communal classes for multiple classes, if he's just a regular sensei, his suggestions may go unheard.
But if he succeeds in this summer's special training and gets promoted to Special Jonin, Mutsuki believes his proposals will be seriously considered.
...
On Sunday morning, Mutsuki is conducting Soru training with Obito.
By now, Might Guy and Shisui have already mastered Soru, so Obito is the only one still learning.
"Soru is actually quite simple. Just use the technique you've used before and overlay it three times or more," Mutsuki demonstrates while explaining.
"My legs can't keep up. It's so hard," Obito tries again following Mutsuki's guidance, but unfortunately, he still can't succeed.
What sounds easy coming from Mutsuki's mouth and feels manageable when he conceptualizes the actions in his mind becomes incredibly challenging for Obito when he tries to put it into practice; everything that seemed easy moments ago turns out to be an illusion, and it's proving to be too difficult.
Not to mention overlaying three times, Obito can't even stabilize it with two overlays.
"Just practice more; even Shisui and the others didn't learn it in just a few days," Mutsuki says.
He uses the Identification Jutsu to check Obito's proficiency, and it's already over forty points. Since he had previously taught Obito a part of it, getting started with the actual training was quicker.
Until the practice session ended, Obito couldn't achieve the explosive power of overlaying three times, but he managed to do two overlays more consistently, which is still considered a decent improvement.
[Disciple Uchiha Obito, under your guidance, diligently trained and gained a certain level of strength, received a reward - Flame Breathing (Proficient)]
Mutsuki is somewhat surprised, not expecting another Breathing Technique.
When Mutsuki examined the Flame Breathing memory suddenly added to his mind, he was instantly astonished by the Naruto version of Flame Breathing. Although they're both Breathing Techniques, the effects are entirely different from Stone Breathing, and it can be deemed a Secret Jutsu
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