The Great Teacher of the Ninja World!

They finally chose a dense forest three kilometers from the Leaf Camp as the special training location.

They couldn't go too far, or it would be a hassle if anything unexpected happened or they needed to be summoned urgently.

Even so, it hadn't been easy for Shota and Ooki to get permission from Danzo. After all, they were in a state of war.

Besides, this arrangement didn't serve Danzo's or Hiruzen Sarutobi's interests. Their goal was to weaken the ninja clans, and the Hyuga were one of the largest. Danzo had initially refused, citing the state of war.

Then Hyuga Shin had Shota pass along a message, and Danzo had no choice but to agree, however grudgingly.

The exact words were, "Don't think you're the only clever ones."

The next morning, Shota Hyuga brought more than a dozen Hyuga clan members who were off rotation to the training forest. Hyuga Shin was already waiting for them.

"Lord Shin, I've brought all the clan members who are off rotation," Shota said as he stepped forward.

"Shota, don't keep calling me Lord. Call me Elder instead. I'm not from the Main Family, so there's no need to treat me like some lofty figure." Hyuga Shin's gentle words were like a spring breeze.

"The same goes for all of you youngsters."

Hyuga Shin was already building his persona.

"Yes, Elder Shin!" Shota beamed.

"You young men are lucky. Elder Shin is one of the few remaining experts from the Warring States Period! He came all this way to train you. I hope you'll pay close attention and learn as much as you can. Even a single trick could save your life on a battlefield full of danger. Now, greet Elder Shin!" Shota introduced him to the clan members behind him.

"Greetings, Elder Shin!" the young Hyuga clan members said in unison.

"Good! Good!" Hyuga Shin replied in his aged voice, smiling.

"Elder Shin, I'll leave these clan members in your hands. I'll head back now." As the squad leader, Shota had plenty of duties to attend to and couldn't stay by their side all the time.

"Don't worry. I'll teach them well. Go take care of your work," Hyuga Shin said with a serious expression.

Shota then left using the Body Flicker Technique.

Hyuga Shin looked at the more than a dozen young Hyuga clan members before him and began his performance.

Next came the actual training.

Hyuga Shin first had them introduce themselves to help them feel at ease.

Then he began their training in earnest.

He started by having them describe what they were good at, then tailored his instruction to each clan member's strengths.

Almost all the clan members attending this training only knew the Hyuga family's ninjutsu. They had no other specialties.

Some were good at Gentle Fist, some at Empty Palm, some at Eight Trigrams Palms, and some at tracking.

Hyuga Shin taught each of them systematically according to their strengths. After all, he had once been the strongest in the Hyuga clan, and no one understood their inherited ninjutsu better than he did.

Like a wise sage, he passed on his training experience to the clan members without holding anything back.

Hyuga Shin also arranged for them to spar, pointing out their weaknesses before continuing his instruction.

His clear, accessible explanations proved immensely valuable to every Hyuga clan member taking part in the training.

He also shared various battle-tested techniques from the Warring States Period, paying special attention to traps, stealth, and concealment.

Of course, learning and mastering those three life-saving skills would take a long time.

But with the war limiting their time, Hyuga Shin taught them the easiest things to learn. How much they managed to pick up was up to them.

After a morning of instruction, every trainee had learned a great deal. Hyuga Shin had given them nothing but practical advice, without a word of filler.

The clan members' eyes brimmed with gratitude and admiration for Hyuga Shin.

"That's enough for today. Go back and review what you've learned, and turn it into practical strength as soon as you can. Next time, I'll test you on what you've learned during this training, so take it seriously. I hope every one of you will be here next time," Hyuga Shin said, his expression serious.

"Elder Shin, I'll do my best. Thank you for teaching me. You helped me clearly see where I'm lacking." The young Chunin named Makoto Hyuga bowed sincerely in thanks.

"Makoto, keep working hard. The future belongs to you young people! I believe you'll become a pillar of the Hyuga clan!" Hyuga Shin looked as if he truly believed in him.

"Thank you, Elder Shin, for giving so generously of yourself!"

"Akira, you're very talented. Believe in yourself! Don't let your shackles hold you back! Your life will be full of promise!"

"Elder Shin, thank you!"

"Yuiwa, your tracking skills have a solid foundation. Keep working hard, and I'm sure you'll become an excellent reconnaissance ninja."

"Elder Shin, thank you for teaching me the Gentle Fist style."

"Chiba, you're very perceptive. I'm sure you'll master the essence of the Gentle Fist style soon. I hope you'll pass that quality on in the future."

"Elder Shin, thank you for advising me on the Eight Trigrams Palms."

"Kosuke, you're a hard worker. Believe that hard work never lets those who put in the effort down! Keep at it, and you'll reap the rewards!"

"Elder Shin..."

Every Hyuga clan member came forward and bowed in heartfelt thanks. Hyuga Shin called each of them by name, offering encouragement and blessings.

Though his figure was stooped with age, he loomed larger than life in the hearts of the Branch Family Members.

At the end, Hyuga Shin served them another bowl of toxic motivational soup.

"You are all the future of the Hyuga clan, flowers that deserve to be carefully nurtured. Sadly, I'm already old and withered. I hope to use what little time I have left to light the path ahead for you!"

"Everyone, I may depart this world before you reach the end of that path. But with you here, the Hyuga clan's future will be all the brighter!" Hyuga Shin spoke with heartfelt sincerity, indoctrinating the group.

The Hyuga clan members before him were fired up, their eyes brimming with boundless hope!

"Go back now. Come again when your rotation comes around. I hope every one of you returns for the next training session!" Hyuga Shin's aged voice was stern yet full of sincerity.

They all agreed, then one by one leaped away toward the Leaf Camp.

Watching the clan members disappear into the distance, Hyuga Shin couldn't help sighing. "I've lost every last shred of dignity."

Even he found his own words nauseating. How had Hiruzen Sarutobi managed to make this kind of thing his catchphrase?

The field had been plowed. After fertilizing it, all that remained was to sow the seeds.

What kind of trees would grow in this foolish, twisted Shinobi World?

"Those who toy with fate will ultimately be toyed with by fate!"

"Sage of Six Paths! You're first!"

Let the world learn the truth!

"The heavens are dead; the yellow sky will rise—" Bah! Wrong channel.

"I, the Great Teacher of the Ninja World, will begin my preaching!"

"At first, I fought to survive. Then, I fought for my clan. Now, I fight for my village. In the end, I will fight for peace among all the people of the Shinobi World!"

"We were born free. Who dares to stand above us!"

"I see all living beings as mayflies, but you alone as a verdant mountain."

"There is no fate carved in stone, only a self that isn't strong enough!"

"Please protect your ideals. In this twisted Shinobi World, we need faith that will not waver!"

Those lines were pretty good. He'd remember them for when he sowed the seeds later.

Hyuga Shin somehow produced paper and a pen and quickly wrote down his thoughts, afraid he might forget them.

Votes and follows, please!