Asuma, protected by Mugetsu's Water Release, suddenly felt like he had been a terrible person. He'd taken his anger out on Mugetsu because of his resentnt toward the Third Hokage, and hadn't treated him fairly at all.
But Mugetsu, as a teacher, had always been responsible. Even though Asuma had been uncooperative and resistant to training, Mugetsu still guided him patiently and skillfully through every session.
Though the process was often frustrating, it had always been for Asuma's own good.
"Shisui, you can go back first," Mugetsu said, noticing Asuma's low spirits. He knew it was ti for a one-on-one.
Shisui nodded, said nothing more, and turned to resu his training.
Mugetsu stepped in front of Asuma, gently patted the dust off him, and straightened his ssy clothes.
Then, he squatted down to match Asuma's eye level and looked directly into his eyes.
They stared at each other for a mont. Asuma quickly looked away and muttered, "Sensei… I'm sorry."
"Tell —what are you sorry for?" Mugetsu asked with a small smile.
"I shouldn't have taken my resentnt out on you. I shouldn't have kept pushing back and refusing to cooperate," Asuma said, voice low and guilty, still avoiding Mugetsu's gaze.
"You're not sorry to . You're sorry to yourself," Mugetsu replied, his expression turning serious.
He asked, "Does your lack of training affect ?"
Without waiting for an answer, he continued, "It doesn't. Even if you skip training and I just sit around with you all day, I still get paid two thousand ryo an hour."
"But you're different. If you waste an hour, it's gone. You don't get anything in return."
With kids like this, you had to make them understand you were on their side—that everything you did was for their sake. Make them realize that the only one they're cheating is themselves.
"I…" Asuma hesitated. The more Mugetsu spoke, the worse he felt.
The more he'd resented Mugetsu before, the more grateful he felt now.
Honestly, at this mont, Asuma felt that Mugetsu—a teacher who had only been with him for a few days—was better than his own Hokage father.
He had rebelled, refused to cooperate, yet Mugetsu never scolded him. He praised him for his strength.
If it had been Hiruzen, he'd probably be yelling, beard shaking, eyes glaring.
But before saying a word, Mugetsu had dusted him off, fixed his clothes, and even squatted down to et him eye to eye.
Asuma's eyes began to sting.
Why could a tutor he'd only known for a few days praise him so sincerely—while his own parents had never once praised him, even when he ca ho excitedly after placing first?
Did his success really an that little to them?
The more he thought about it, the more the frustration built. On top of that, he'd just lost to a student who had only recently entered the academy.
All of it hit him at once.
Despite trying to hold it in, Asuma couldn't stop the tears. He turned his head, trying to hide his face from Mugetsu.
But there was no hiding it. Mugetsu had been watching closely.
Still, he didn't act right away. He waited, letting Asuma vent it out through tears. Only when he felt Asuma had cald a little did he stand, pat his shoulder, and hand him a handkerchief.
"Mugetsu-sensei… you're really good," Asuma said, taking the handkerchief and wiping his face, voice thick with emotion.
"Unlike my parents… they'd never do this…"
"That's because you only rember the bad parts and forget the good," Mugetsu said gently.
"Think carefully. When you were little, who coaxed you to sleep? Who taught you to walk and run? Who checked on you in the middle of the night to make sure you were covered with a blanket? Who…"
He had to say these things. The Third Hokage might be watching. It wasn't enough to gain Asuma's trust—he had to help fix the father-son relationship too.
Asuma couldn't answer. But as Mugetsu spoke, those mories did begin to surface.
"Think about it soti when you're alone. For now, let's get back to training. You haven't forgotten what you promised earlier, right?" Mugetsu said, catching the look on Asuma's face and steering the topic gently.
"Of course I haven't," Asuma said, finishing wiping his tears. "From now on, whatever Mugetsu-sensei tells to train, I'll do it."
Mugetsu's image in his mind had completely changed—from a cunning, annoying adult… to the ideal teacher.
"This week, you'll continue with chakra control. Next week, we'll start basic ninjutsu," Mugetsu said, outlining the plan.
He wouldn't train Asuma the sa way he trained Shisui.
For one, Asuma's identity was too sensitive. The Third Hokage was likely watching—or had soone else watching. If he showed strength beyond Chunin level, it would draw unnecessary attention.
Second, Asuma was just a student, not a disciple. He wasn't worth too much investnt.
As Mugetsu predicted, back in the Hokage Building, Hiruzen was indeed observing them through the Telescope Technique.
"Mugetsu really is excellent at teaching children," he muttered, watching Asuma's transformation from rebellious to respectful.
He wasn't too surprised that Shisui had been drawn in.
After all, Shisui was in Mugetsu's class, and even students from other classes liked him. There was no reason his own wouldn't.
"But to show such ability this early… His talent might even surpass Kagami's," Hiruzen thought, recalling his forr comrade.
Kagami Uchiha, who had been recognized by the Second Hokage and bore the Will of Fire.
"I should keep a closer eye on him," Hiruzen mused, puffing on his pipe.
Shisui was Kagami's grandson, and his talent was extraordinary—Hiruzen had known about him for so ti.
He hoped Shisui would grow into an Uchiha like Kagami.
Once he saw Asuma had resud training, Hiruzen canceled the Telescope Technique and returned to his paperwork.
That evening, as he used the Telescope again to survey the village, he eventually left the Hokage Building and went ho for dinner.
At the table, he smiled and asked, "So, Asuma, what do you think of your tutor? I chose him especially for you."
Asuma, who had been shoveling rice into his mouth, paused, replaying the day's events in his mind.
Just yesterday, he'd have said Mugetsu was a sham teacher who tricked his students.
"Mugetsu-sensei is great. Way better than you," Asuma said bluntly, praising his tutor while landing a jab at his father.
Even though Mugetsu had enlightened him, Asuma still couldn't let go of all his resentnt in one day.
"What do you kids know? I taught the Sannin!" Hiruzen huffed, beard twitching in protest.
"Yeah, and it's obvious Aunt Tsunade and the others had crazy talent to begin with," Asuma retorted. "They paved their own paths."
"Sotis admitting your shortcomings is also a kind of wisdom," he added, mimicking Mugetsu's tone.
Hiruzen was left speechless. So his son admitted he wasn't as good as Mugetsu—but not that he lacked wisdom?
Asuma watched his father's expression and couldn't help grinning. The food sohow tasted better now.
Check my Pâtreon for Advanced Chapters
Pâtreon /Fanficlord03
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