41 Chapter 41: Time for Training
The actions of the Root organization were swift. Mutsuki reported, and the next morning, a silent Root organization ninja arrived in his courtyard.
"This is Danzo-sama's command." The Root organization ninja handed two scrolls to Mutsuki.
Mutsuki nodded and took the scrolls.
Mutsuki first opened the scroll detailing the assigned task.
As usual, the Root organization ninja didn't waste words. After delivering the items, they left without much ado.
Sensing the disappearance of the Root organization ninja's presence, Mutsuki walked into the house to examine the contents of the scrolls.
Similar to before, the front part contained praise for Mutsuki's successful completion of the task, acknowledging his development under the organization's guidance, but emphasizing the need for continued effort.
Mutsuki focused on reading the latter part.
Danzo addressed Mutsuki's previous inquiry about recruiting Asuma into the Root organization, stating that it was not necessary.
Danzo stated that Mutsuki only needs to teach Asuma normally, becoming an important sensei for Asuma is sufficient. There's no need to do anything extra, and he especially cautioned Mutsuki not to reveal anything unusual.
This response was close to what Mutsuki had anticipated.
Dragging Asuma into the Root organization would be like Danzo sitting in the Hokage's office, waiting for the moment to regret challenging him.
Although Danzo's Root organization is not weak, its current strength relies entirely on absorbing resources from ANBU. This is why Sarutobi Hiruzen, the true Hokage, finds it too easy to manipulate the Root.
Additionally, Mutsuki is instructed to closely monitor Uchiha students, assess any inclination towards opposing Konoha, and be vigilant for potential prodigies that could be absorbed by the Root.
As for the other scroll, it contains several hard-to-obtain advanced secret medicines, given as a reward for Mutsuki's excellent completion of the mission.
Mutsuki carefully stored the scroll containing the secret medicines and burned the other scroll.
"In this world, even a peaceful life has become a luxury..."
Mutsuki swept up the ashes and dumped them into the trash can, looking expressionless toward the courtyard.
The life of waking up to find a fully armed ninja standing in the courtyard made him very uncomfortable.
But Mutsuki has no choice now.
He has considered whether to reveal his strength directly while teaching Asuma, letting Sarutobi see his value, and then switching to Lord Third's side to resolve the curse seal issue.
This idea was quickly rejected by Mutsuki.
He could switch sides by gaining Sarutobi's appreciation, but it couldn't involve exposing his true strength.
Sarutobi Hiruzen is not clear about his specific abilities and the Ninjutsu he has learned. As long as he doesn't reveal techniques like the Water Severing Wave, it can be explained away.
But with Danzo, it's different. The original owner was cultivated by Danzo, and he knows too much.
If he were to switch sides by exposing his strength, Danzo might inform Lord Third about Mutsuki's information and handle him as a spy.
Mutsuki believes there are only three situations where revealing his strength is viable. One is if Danzo is preparing to use him as expendable, then revealing his strength would provide an opportunity for negotiation.
The second option is to wait until his strength reaches the level of a Kage, able to make a difference during the war and contribute to Konoha's welfare. Even if Hiruzen didn't know how he acquired his strength, he would only be seen as a hero rather than a spy.
The third option is to possess the power to overthrow Konoha, and at that point, whether to reveal his strength becomes inconsequential.
Mutsuki adjusted his expression and headed to the Academy, entering the office and classroom with a gentle smile. When lacking sufficient strength, it's best to be a kind and gentle guy that everyone likes.
...
On Saturday, Obito arrived early at the training ground to begin his practice. He lifted a palm-sized ice block, placing it on his palm. Concentrating his chakra, he commenced the practice of Nature Transformation.
After about ten seconds, the ice block disappeared, leaving behind evidence of its existence in the water on the ground.
Beside him, Mutsuki nodded.
Six days ago, Obito's melting speed couldn't even match the natural dissolution of the ice block.
Achieving this level of progress in six days is beyond expectations. After all, he had never anticipated unveiling the skill of cooking, let alone imagining that this life skill would be useful in Nature Transformation practice.
Making such rapid progress owes much to Mapo Tofu, which can be considered a significant contributor.
"You have grasped the essentials of Nature Transformation, and now it's about continually enhancing your maximum output," Mutsuki said, taking a head-sized ice block directly from a wooden barrel and placing it on the ground.
"Your next goal is to melt this block of ice within ten seconds," Mutsuki declared, announcing the commencement of the next stage of training.
"Huh? This is way too big," Obito scratched his head, looking at the head-sized ice block. This significantly increased the difficulty.
"This time, we're pursuing the limit of instant Nature Transformation quantity. You don't need to worry about Chakra consumption; just exert all your effort. Rest when tired, and resume when rested."
This stage requires time to improve unless you have the vitality and Chakra reserves of someone like Naruto, who can recklessly create numerous Shadow Clones to gain experience.
Compared to someone like Naruto, who is on a completely different level, Obito is doing well compared to ordinary people. Not to mention, the teaching skill has some utility, and there's also the added benefit of special cooking.
...
As noon approached, Mutsuki instructed his three disciples to pause their training.
"You must be tired of eating the same dishes every day. Today, we'll have hot pot," Mutsuki said with a smile.
Even though having a skilled chef ensures that the students are already content with the food, Mutsuki aims for higher trust levels, so he wants to do even better.
"That's great! Finally, we don't have to eat that super-spicy tofu," Obito exclaimed with excitement, jumping up.
It's not that Mapo Tofu isn't delicious, but eating it every day can make bathroom visits extremely painful.
"I've only prepared the broth; as for the ingredients, it depends on what you find later," Mutsuki continued.
"I want to eat fish!" Obito declared, pulling out a kunai and running to the riverbank to try his hand at fishing.
"I'll help you!" Enthusiastic Might Guy, upon hearing Obito's desire for fish, executed a 100-meter sprint straight into the water, creating a splash of water.
Obito, who was busy looking for opportunities to fish, was drenched with a sudden chill.
"Hey, Guy!" Obito clenched his fists.
In the next moment, Might Guy emerged from the water, holding two fish, looking at Obito with confusion, and asking, "Obito, did you call me?"
"Yeah, I wanted to say, Guy, you're really considerate. You truly are a great friend," Obito praised as he looked at the two fresh fish in Might Guy's hands, his expression instantly changing.
Shisui dug up some wild vegetables and mushrooms in the forest.
The three of them cooperated to hunt down a wild boar.
Might Guy attracted its attention, Shisui took the lead, and Obito assisted. Together, they successfully brought down the wild boar.
Meanwhile, Mutsuki prepared the pot base and processed the ingredients brought by them.
Using several Shadow Clones for efficient teamwork, they quickly handled the ingredients.
In reality, dealing with wild boar and fish was a bit more complicated, but vegetables and mushrooms were simply washed, cut in half, and added directly.
There was no need for a fire; they had Obito place his hands under the pot as a makeshift heater, turning it into a form of training.
The master and apprentices, all four of them, sourced ingredients in the forest to prepare lunch. Although the process was not too intricate, and the ingredients were simply gathered from the surroundings, even before Mutsuki could cook something delicious directly, Shisui was delighted and felt a warm atmosphere.
This was a feeling he rarely experienced, having lost his parents at a very young age.
[Disciple Uchiha Shisui's trust level has increased, current trust level: three]
Picking up a piece of fish from the pot and taking a bite, Mutsuki also revealed a smile.
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