New Training Begins

The next day, after finishing his morning classes, Mu Yue headed to the Hokage Building.

After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was the Third Hokage. He could not possibly wait in the school office every day for a reply. So, he told Mu Yue to visit him at the Hokage Building if he was interested in becoming a tutor.

When Mu Yue reached the floor where the Hokage's Office was located, he was stopped briefly. However, he had expected it and was allowed through as soon as he said the Lord Third had summoned him.

Mu Yue knocked on the wooden door of the Hokage's Office.

"Lord Third, I have given it some thought." Mu Yue stated his identity and purpose.

"Ah, Hanyu. Come in." The Third Hokage's voice came from inside.

Mu Yue opened the door and entered, only to discover in surprise that the Third Hokage was not alone. Minato was there as well.

Minato was also somewhat surprised to see Mu Yue enter. He had not expected to run into the new neighbor he had met yesterday in the Hokage's Office today.

"This is Teacher Hanyu from our Ninja Academy. His teaching ability is exceptional. Even I cannot help wanting to ask him to tutor Asuma," the Third Hokage said with a smile as he set down his pipe.

Then, noticing their expressions, the Third Hokage asked, "Minato, do you two know each other?"

Minato nodded. "We're neighbors. Hanyu's house is right next to mine."

"What a coincidence. Hanyu, Minato, you should interact more. You are both outstanding ninja in your respective fields," Hiruzen Sarutobi praised.

"Not at all. I am only doing my best," Mu Yue said modestly.

Minato offered a modest response as well before leaving. He had a favorable impression of Mu Yue, but the Hokage's Office was hardly a suitable place for chatting.

Mu Yue felt the same way. The setting was inappropriate, so he did not speak much with Minato either.

"Lord Third, after returning home, I gave it careful consideration. If I arrange my time properly, I can spare a few hours on the Weekend to teach Asuma," Mu Yue gave his answer.

"Good. With Hanyu teaching him, I will no longer have to worry about Asuma's growth," Hiruzen Sarutobi said cheerfully, his words full of trust in Mu Yue.

"I will do my utmost not to disappoint you, Lord Third, and will teach Asuma with all my heart." Mu Yue showed a grateful expression, making it clear that he would take the tutoring work seriously.

What followed was the rather conventional discussion of payment. The Third Hokage was fairly generous, offering two thousand ryo per hour. Mu Yue would teach for eight hours over the two Weekend days, with payment settled weekly.

Mu Yue set the hours from one in the afternoon until five.

Today was Friday, and Mu Yue had no afternoon classes, so he went straight to the Small River where he usually trained. Shisui was there, practicing Fire Release with Mu Yue's Shadow Clone.

Ever since he had effortlessly taken First in Grade in that exam, Shisui had followed Mu Yue's advice and used a Shadow Clone to attend school while he came to train with Mu Yue during school hours.

Upon arriving, Mu Yue dismissed the Shadow Clone. After noticing that Mu Yue's real body had arrived, Shisui temporarily stopped training and greeted him. "Mu Yue-sensei."

Mu Yue nodded, took out a hand towel, and handed it to Shisui with a smile. "Take a break and wipe off your sweat."

Shisui thanked him, accepted the towel, and wiped the sweat from his forehead and neck. Then, he sat beneath a large tree with Mu Yue.

Mu Yue appraised Shisui.

Name: Shisui Uchiha

Chakra: 580

Potential: SS-

Compared to a month ago, his Chakra had improved considerably. On one hand, his training intensity had increased. On the other, Shisui's body was gradually developing, and his rate of growth would only become faster in the future.

What dissatisfied Mu Yue somewhat was how rudimentary this panel was. It could only display Chakra and potential.

After resting for a while, Mu Yue spoke.

"Shisui, starting today, your training plan will change. You will begin practicing the Body Flicker Technique and improving your Chakra Control."

Since Shisui had earned the title of Body Flicker Shisui during the Third Great Ninja War, Mu Yue felt there was nothing wrong with teaching him some Body Flicker Technique first.

"Mm." Shisui nodded without objection. After a month of learning, he had complete faith in Mu Yue's teaching ability.

The Body Flicker Technique was not actually the name of a single Ninjutsu, but a broad category of techniques. Any technique capable of producing a body-flicker effect could be called a Body Flicker Technique.

At the higher end, Space-Time Ninjutsu such as the Flying Thunder God counted as Body Flicker Techniques. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode, which activated the body and increased speed, counted as well.

Naturally, Mu Yue did not know the Flying Thunder God or the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. The Body Flicker Technique he had mastered was the most ordinary kind.

It involved forming hand seals to gather Chakra in the legs, then releasing it explosively to strengthen the body and achieve high-speed movement. Its drawback was that excessive use would cause leg muscle fatigue and injury.

Though it was merely ordinary D-Rank Taijutsu, it was highly practical in battle, whether for surprise attacks or retreats.

Shisui's talent did not disappoint Mu Yue. Although he had not yet awakened the Sharingan, his exceptional talent allowed him to learn the Body Flicker Technique immediately after Mu Yue demonstrated and explained it once.

Once the Ninja Academy was dismissed, Might Guy and Obito soon arrived at the training ground as well.

"You two, don't rush into training yet. I have prepared a two-month Special Training plan for you," Mu Yue called out to Might Guy and Obito, who had been about to begin training.

Hearing Mu Yue's gentle voice, Obito assumed Mu Yue was going to teach them something new. He looked at Mu Yue expectantly and asked, "Mu Yue-sensei, are you going to teach us some new powerful Ninjutsu?"

"You still haven't fully mastered the Great Dragon Fire and Great Fireball. What would be the point of teaching you new Ninjutsu?" Mu Yue shook his head.

"Then what kind of Special Training is it?" Obito was somewhat disappointed to hear that there would be no new Ninjutsu to learn.

"Training that will allow you to defeat Hyuga Hamon in the next Final Exam," Mu Yue said with a smile.

"Obito, your taijutsu is far too weak. Forget Hyuga Hamon—even if you fought Guy as he is now, Guy could stop you from using a single Ninjutsu. So, you must strengthen your taijutsu training."

Obito wanted to say something after hearing Mu Yue's words, but he realized he could not refute them. His fights with Hyuga Hamon and Might Guy had both ended exactly as Mu Yue described.

Although ninja battles sometimes looked no different from mages bombarding each other with spells, if someone truly treated themselves like a stationary mage and neglected taijutsu, they would die the fastest on the battlefield. Generally, strong ninja all knew taijutsu to some extent.

"As for Guy, what you need to do is strengthen your advantage. You need to become faster—so fast that even if Hyuga Hamon's Byakugan can see your movements clearly, he still will not have time to dodge."

The Byakugan's observational ability was indeed powerful, but Might Guy did not need to be faster than the Byakugan's perception. He only needed to be faster than Hyuga Hamon's reactions.

"From now on, after every hour of training, the two of you will spar for half an hour. You may only use taijutsu. Ninjutsu is forbidden."

"Huh? We can't use Ninjutsu?" Obito was dumbfounded. He could not win to begin with, and now he could not use Ninjutsu either? Wasn't that just asking to be beaten up?

"If you do not want to lose to Hyuga Hamon again next time, then do not use Ninjutsu," Mu Yue replied.

Obito thought of the boasts he had made in front of Nohara Rin. Even though he could already foresee the painful training days ahead, he could only nod through tears.

A new round of training began. Mu Yue wondered whether this Special Training would trigger the reward for his disciples' growth in strength. It had not triggered even once so far, and he did not know how much they needed to improve for it to happen.