Chapter 40: Chapter 41: Training in Progress
The actions of the Root Organization were swift. The morning after Mukyō submitted his report, a Root ninja silently appeared in his courtyard.
"This is an order from Lord Danzo." The Root ninja handed two scrolls to Mukyō.
Mukyō nodded and accepted the scrolls.
He first opened the scroll containing the mission instructions.
As usual, the Root ninja didn't waste words. Once the items were delivered, they immediately departed.
After sensing the disappearance of the Root ninja's presence, Mukyō went indoors to review the contents of the scroll.
The introduction was filled with the same rhetoric as before—PUA-style encouragement praising Mukyō for fulfilling his tasks excellently and emphasizing the need to continue working hard, highlighting how he had not disappointed the organization's nurturing efforts.
Mukyō focused on the latter part of the scroll, which carried actual significance.
Danzo's response to Mukyō's earlier question about whether to recruit Asuma into the Root was clear: it wasn't necessary.
Danzo instructed Mukyō to teach Asuma as usual and establish himself as an important teacher in Asuma's life without taking any extra actions. Furthermore, he strictly reminded Mukyō not to reveal any irregularities.
This answer aligned with Mukyō's expectations.
Recruiting Asuma into the Root would have been akin to handing the Hokage's office keys to Danzo himself—a direct affront to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
While the Root Organization had its strength, its current prowess was largely built by siphoning resources from the Anbu. If the legitimate Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, wished to dismantle the Root, it would be all too easy.
The scroll also included instructions to closely observe his Uchiha students, evaluate any anti-Konoha inclinations, and watch for promising talents that could be absorbed into the Root.
The second scroll contained rare and advanced secret medicines as a reward for Mukyō's excellent performance.
Mukyō carefully stored the scroll containing the medicines and burned the one with instructions.
"In this world, even a stable life feels like a luxury..."
Sweeping up the ashes and discarding them into the trash, Mukyō's expression was cold as he gazed out at the courtyard.
Living with the possibility of waking up to find a fully armed ninja standing in his yard wasn't exactly comforting.
But Mukyō currently had no other choice.
He had considered revealing his abilities while teaching Asuma to gain Hiruzen Sarutobi's recognition and thereby switch allegiances to the Third Hokage, potentially solving the curse mark issue.
However, Mukyō quickly dismissed this idea.
While he could gain favor with Hiruzen Sarutobi by showcasing his value, it couldn't be by exposing his full strength.
Hiruzen had no clear knowledge of Mukyō's abilities or the specific jutsu he had learned, so as long as Mukyō didn't reveal techniques like the Water Severing Wave, most things could be justified.
However, Danzo was different. The Root leader had raised the original Mukyō and knew too much about his capabilities.
If Mukyō openly displayed his strength and tried to switch sides, Danzo might preemptively expose Mukyō's secrets to Hiruzen, turning him into a mere pawn or even labeling him a spy.
Mukyō concluded there were only three situations where revealing his strength would be acceptable:
If Danzo decided to discard him as expendable, Mukyō would expose his strength to secure a chance to escape.Once Mukyō's power reached the level of the Sannin, he could intervene in wartime to assist Konoha. Even if his capabilities seemed suspicious, his contributions would earn him the title of hero, not spy.If Mukyō gained the strength to overthrow Konoha altogether, revealing his power wouldn't matter anymore.
With his plan in mind, Mukyō adjusted his expression and headed to the Ninja Academy, wearing his usual warm and gentle smile as he entered both the office and the classroom.
When lacking sufficient strength, it was safer to be the kind, approachable figure everyone liked.
...
On Saturday, Obito arrived early at the training grounds and began his practice.
Holding a palm-sized block of ice, he placed it in his hand and concentrated his chakra, focusing on nature transformation training.
After about ten seconds, the ice block melted, leaving a damp patch on the ground as evidence of its existence.
Mukyō, observing nearby, nodded in approval.
Six days earlier, Obito's melting speed had been slower than natural ice thawing.
Progressing this far in just six days exceeded Mukyō's expectations.
After all, he hadn't initially anticipated the emergence of the "Chef" skill, nor had he imagined that this life skill would be so beneficial for nature transformation training.
The dramatic improvement owed much to the efforts spurred by Mukyō's specialty dish—Mapo Tofu.
"You've grasped the basics of nature transformation," Mukyō commented. "Your next step is to push the limits of your maximum output."
With that, Mukyō pulled a head-sized block of ice from a nearby wooden barrel and placed it on the ground.
"Your new goal is to melt this block of ice within ten seconds," he declared, signaling the start of the next phase of training.
"Uh... Isn't this a bit much?" Obito scratched his head as he eyed the massive ice block.
"This stage focuses on your maximum instantaneous output. Don't worry about chakra consumption—give it your all. Rest when you're tired, and resume once you've recovered," Mukyō instructed.
This phase required time and patience. Unless Obito had Naruto-like vitality and chakra reserves, allowing for the extensive use of shadow clones to accelerate experience gains, steady practice was the only option.
Even so, compared to an average person, Obito was fortunate. Mukyō's teaching techniques and special dishes offered unique advantages.
Around noon, Mukyō called for a break from training.
"Eating the same dishes every day must get monotonous. Today, we're having hot pot," Mukyō announced with a smile.
Although the skill-enhanced dishes were popular, Mukyō aimed for higher trust levels, so he always sought to exceed expectations.
"Finally! No more super-spicy tofu!" Obito cheered, leaping into the air with excitement.
It wasn't that Mapo Tofu wasn't delicious, but eating it daily made bathroom visits excruciating.
"I've only prepared the broth," Mukyō added. "The rest depends on what you can find."
"I want fish!" Obito exclaimed, pulling out a kunai and running toward the river to catch some.
"I'll help!" A spirited Might Guy dashed forward, diving into the water and creating a massive splash.
Obito, attempting to spear fish nearby, ended up drenched.
"Guy!" Obito's fist clenched.
Moments later, Might Guy resurfaced, holding two large fish in his hands, his face full of pride. "Hey, Obito, did you call me?"
"Of course! I wanted to say, Guy, you're amazing—an incredible friend!" Obito's expression shifted as he praised Guy, eyeing the fresh fish in his hands.
Meanwhile, Shisui foraged in the forest, collecting wild greens and mushrooms.
The three worked together to bring down a wild boar, with Guy distracting it, Shisui launching precise attacks, and Obito providing backup.
While the students gathered ingredients, Mukyō prepared the broth and began processing the food they brought back.
Using shadow clones to divide the tasks, he quickly handled the fish and wild boar, while vegetables and mushrooms only needed a quick rinse and cut before being added.
Instead of lighting a fire, Mukyō had Obito hold his hand beneath the pot to serve as a human heat source—a practical training exercise.
Together, the four enjoyed their hot pot meal in the forest.
Though the preparation was simpler than Mukyō's usual elaborate dishes, the students were delighted, particularly Shisui, who felt warmth and joy he rarely experienced since losing his parents at a young age.
[Trust Level with Student Uchiha Shisui increased. Current Trust Level: 3.]
As Mukyō savored a piece of fish from the pot, a contented smile spread across his face.
(End of Chapter)
plz support me if you can
patreon.com/AZOFFICIAL1
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AZofficial
This fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead and also this fanfic is 30 chapters ahead there