"You're telling to leave, then asking to stay. That really puts in a difficult position," Mugetsu said, looking at Asuma with a half-smile.
"Can't we talk this out? How about we compromise? I won't make unreasonable demands, and in return, you actually listen during lessons," Asuma suggested.
It wasn't that he didn't want to be taught—he was just rebellious and unwilling to follow his old man's arrangents.
"No, no, no… high demands aren't the problem. It's my lack of ability. I can't et your expectations, so I'd better leave," Mugetsu replied lightly, turning to leave after hearing Asuma's proposal.
"Alright, fine—don't listen to ! Just don't leave yet!" Asuma called out quickly, seeing Mugetsu about to exit the backyard, utterly exasperated.
"So… can we start class now?" Mugetsu asked with a chuckle.
When it ca to rebellious students like Asuma, the trick was to be even more rebellious—fight fire with fire.
"Fine, we'll do it your way. What do you want to teach ?" Asuma asked, completely at a loss.
In his mind, this should've gone differently. He was supposed to dismiss the teacher, and the teacher would plead with him, giving him the upper hand.
He might not have cared much for his Hokage lineage, but he had to admit—it gave him plenty of advantages.
Mugetsu glanced around before saying, "Let's move the training outside. This place isn't really suitable."
After informing Biwako briefly, Mugetsu took Asuma out to a small forest near a river.
"First, let's test your chakra control. Try climbing that tree," Mugetsu said, pointing to a tall, sturdy tree.
"Tree climbing? Easy! Watch ," Asuma smirked, an idea flashing in his eyes.
He ran up to the tree and, without using chakra, climbed swiftly using both hands and feet like a monkey, scaling to the top in no ti.
"See? I'm a natural," Asuma said smugly.
Of course, he knew Mugetsu ant chakra-assisted tree climbing, but he wasn't going to cooperate—he was being difficult on purpose.
Elsewhere, Hiruzen watched everything unfold through a crystal ball, rubbing his forehead helplessly.
Even if my nickna used to be 'Monkey,' I never did anything like this… what kind of kid did I raise?
"You're quite fast—your limb strength is solid," Mugetsu said with a smile, not reacting as Asuma expected.
Then, Mugetsu selected a slimr tree nearby, stripped off its branches, poured oil over it, and grinned. "That was just a warm-up. Now we'll start the real tree climbing."
Asuma's mouth twitched. It was a slender, slippery tree, oiled down until it glead. No amount of upper body strength would help here.
"It's alright if you can't climb it. Admitting your shortcomings is also a sign of courage," Mugetsu said calmly.
"Who said I can't climb it?! Don't underestimate !" Asuma huffed, unable to tolerate the provocation. He channeled chakra to his feet and walked steadily up the tree.
"Your chakra control is decent," Mugetsu nodded, unsurprised.
Next, Mugetsu brought him to the river.
"Since tree climbing isn't an issue, let's see if you can walk on water," Mugetsu said, pointing to the flowing river.
Except for a few truly gifted individuals, most shinobi had limited chakra reserves. Improving control was a simple but effective way to enhance combat strength.
"If you can stand on the water for ten minutes without falling, I'll let you choose your own training routine going forward," Mugetsu offered.
"You said it! Don't go back on your word!" Asuma said, eyes lighting up.
He had been wondering how to deal with this troubleso teacher, but unexpectedly, Mugetsu had offered him a way out on a silver platter.
Water walking? For other fresh Genin it might be difficult, but for …? Piece of cake, Asuma thought confidently.
Asuma confidently gathered chakra in his feet and stepped onto the river's surface, strolling leisurely. The river wasn't large—barely twenty ters across.
"That annoying old man… his obsession with control is way too much. I've already graduated and beco a ninja, and he's still forcing a tutor on ," Asuma muttered, grumbling to himself.
He was already looking forward to going ho and telling the Third Hokage that his tutor had agreed to let him train however he wanted.
Suddenly, sothing felt off.
Asuma glanced down and noticed the previously calm river had beco turbulent.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
His eyes snapped to the riverbank, where Mugetsu stood, hands forming seals as a massive Water Dragon coiled and surged through the river, churning the waters into violent waves.
"Hey! What the heck are you doing?!" Asuma shouted, flailing slightly as a large wave nearly sent him tumbling into the river.
"I'm helping you simulate a real combat environnt," Mugetsu replied cheerfully. "In a fight, rivers won't be calm like practice sessions."
"And besides," Mugetsu continued with a grin, "this is good training for too. With the river and trees around, it's the perfect spot to polish my Water Release."
"Of course, if you feel you can't manage it, we can stop. After all, admitting your limits is also a sign of wisdom," Mugetsu said, using the sa tactic as before.
Asuma swallowed the retort stuck in his throat.
Admit I can't do it? Not a chance, Asuma thought, gritting his teeth. He wanted to prove he didn't need a tutor—or the Third Hokage's constant arrangents.
Focusing all his attention on controlling his chakra, Asuma stabilized himself against the increasingly rough waters.
But chakra control wasn't sothing that improved instantly, and the sudden turbulence tested both his balance and body movent.
Despite lasting five minutes, Asuma finally lost control and splashed into the river. Mugetsu calmly fished him out.
"Seems your chakra control still needs so work. Free training isn't quite an option yet," Mugetsu said, shaking his head in mock regret.
"If you hadn't ssed up the river with your Water Release, I wouldn't have fallen in!" Asuma shot back, frustrated.
"And you expect enemies to politely stand still in battle?" Mugetsu replied calmly.
"…I want to try again!" Asuma snapped, his frustration fueling his determination.
Sotis, frustration leads to breakthroughs. The second ti, Asuma lasted seven minutes—just three short of his goal.
After resting, he tried again, this ti managing seven and a half minutes.
Finally, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, Asuma managed to stay standing on the water for ten full minutes.
"I did it!" Asuma cheered, only to lose focus and plunge back into the water, gulping down a mouthful in the process.
Mugetsu pulled him out, noticing the excitent still written all over his face.
"So… starting now, I can train however I want, right?" Asuma asked happily, wiping water from his face.
"Who said that?" Mugetsu asked, raising a brow with a strange smile.
Asuma's grin froze. "Didn't you say if I lasted ten minutes, I could choose my own training?"
"I said you could—if you did it on your first attempt," Hayate reminded him, his expression unchanging. "And you didn't, did you?"
Asuma's mind went blank. He thought back… and realized it was true!
Then what the hell was I working so hard for?
The combination of physical exhaustion and crushing disappointnt nearly made Asuma faint on the spot.
I'm going to get killed by this rebellious teacher, Asuma thought numbly.
Far away, Hiruzen observed through his crystal ball, stroking his beard in satisfaction.
Mugetsu's teaching thods were effective. Over the course of a single afternoon, Asuma's chakra control and movent had both improved noticeably.
I'll get my revenge tomorrow, Asuma silently vowed. He felt completely toyed with today—and he wasn't going to take it lying down.
Check my Pâtreon for Advanced Chapters
Pâtreon /Fanficlord03
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