Chapter 33: Perseverant Asuma
"Mugetsu-sensei, when are we going to start Nature Transformation training? I've been reading the handbook you gave me every night, and I really want to try it out."
Obito spoke as he paced back and forth atop the shallow river's surface.
Climbing trees and walking on water every day had become a little too routine.
But ever since reading Mugetsu's Nature Transformation handbook, he felt a spark—his Fire Release seemed on the verge of evolving.
"You're getting bored of walking on water? Already feel like you've mastered it?" Mugetsu asked with a slight smile.
"Mhm, mhm." Obito nodded eagerly. He could already jog steadily on the water.
"Alright then. I'll test your progress—and let's make water walking a bit more fun."
Mugetsu quickly formed hand signs, his chakra surging.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon surged into existence, churning the peaceful river into chaos, waves crashing and spraying in all directions.
"Gah—ugh!" Obito immediately lost his footing and plunged into the water, gulping down a mouthful.
Mugetsu pulled him out, laughing. "See? Still not quite perfect."
"Teacher Mugetsu! You can't just spring that kind of stunt on me!" Obito protested, coughing.
There was a classmate nearby. And a clan junior. He still wanted to preserve some pride.
"Then try again," Mugetsu said calmly.
Water walking demanded consistent chakra output. With the Water Dragon Bullet constantly disrupting the river and forcing evasive movements, only excellent chakra control could keep someone afloat.
Obito was determined, but his skill hadn't caught up yet.
After a few more minutes—splash. Another fall.
"These shoes don't fit right today. Totally messing up my balance," Obito muttered, spitting out water. He tossed his shoes to the riverbank and stepped in barefoot.
Mugetsu smiled but said nothing.
Soon after—splash again.
"Must be because I stayed up too late reading last night… yeah, that's why I'm sluggish," Obito rationalized.
He twisted his neck, stretched his arms, rolled up his sleeves, and his gaze turned sharp.
"Alright. Now I'm getting serious."
Splash!
Mugetsu pulled him out again.
Obito's face was blank. Not a single word.
"Obito-nii, it's okay. I know you're just trying to learn how to swim," Shisui offered kindly.
Obito covered his face with both hands. "Shisui, go on ahead. I need a moment alone…"
"Feeling a bit down about your performance?" Mugetsu asked, crouching beside him. He didn't look at Obito—just stared into the distance.
As the saying goes—comparison brings frustration.
Obito hadn't even mastered chakra control training yet. Meanwhile, Shisui had skipped tree climbing altogether, started water walking immediately, and even with Mugetsu's interference, he could remain standing for long stretches.
With a clan junior excelling like that, Obito's pride naturally took a hit.
He didn't mind admitting Shisui was more talented—but the gap shouldn't feel this wide.
"Actually, last weekend, I wasn't around because I went to the Hokage's house to tutor someone," Mugetsu said after a pause.
"The Hokage has a younger son. You know him—Asuma. He's only one year older than you."
Obito nodded. Of course he knew him.
"When he trained for water walking, I used the Water Dragon Bullet too. That entire afternoon, he fell in at least a dozen times. But on his last attempt, he lasted five whole minutes."
"Asuma… really?" Obito hadn't expected that.
To him, Asuma was one of the academy's top students. Who would've guessed he'd had such a rough time?
But he endured it. All afternoon.
Obito's impression of Asuma shifted. He had never realized the guy possessed such grit.
"Teacher! I get it now! I'm good to go—let's keep training!" Obito declared, standing tall with renewed spirit.
If Asuma could push through, then so could he.
He would beat Kakashi… and in front of Rin, no less!
"Eat something first."
Mugetsu handed him a small box of dango he'd picked up earlier.
"Thanks, Teacher!" Obito said with energy, scarfing down the dango before stepping back into the river.
[You gifted your disciple a Dango. Due to your disciple's immense gratitude, you received a critical reward: Skill Acquired – Chef.]
[Chef: The dishes you create are so delicious they may cause hallucinations.]
"...A skill popped? And a life-skill, no less," Mugetsu blinked in surprise.
Rewards from teaching disciples often felt random.
From Might Guy, he had received Water Nature Transformation mastery.
From Obito… cooking?
Still, Mugetsu wasn't about to complain. The description alone sounded powerful.
Being a good cook was no small perk.
If he'd had this skill earlier, he could've claimed his own kitchen was broken, gone to Minato's house to cook, and subtly blown everyone's minds with his culinary talent.
Maybe Kushina and Minato would've befriended him on the spot.
It could also work wonders with disciples.
A teacher who could teach well and cook like a legend? Who wouldn't love that?
After his disciples finished their training, Mugetsu returned to the village's Main District early.
He wanted to test just how delicious his dishes were now.
He chose two: egg fried rice and fried tempura.
He'd made egg fried rice before—it was one of his favorites.
Tempura, on the other hand, was new to him.
The moment he cracked the first egg, Mugetsu felt something subtle shift.
The steps were the same as always, but everything flowed smoothly.
Each movement felt… precise. Natural.
When the egg fried rice was done, the rice grains glistened. Each one golden and distinct, like tiny gems.
Mugetsu stared at the dish, briefly dazed.
He hadn't added any fluorescent powder. So why was it glowing?
He took a bite.
The egg's softness, the rice's bounce, the freshness of the chopped green onion—all of it bloomed in his mouth.
He had never tasted anything like it.
For a brief moment, he saw a proud rooster sprinting through a grassy field, flapping its wings freely, gloriously.
"It really is so delicious it causes hallucinations," he muttered, blinking himself back to reality.
Mugetsu switched to the frying pan and started on the tempura.
He mixed the batter, heated the oil, coated the shrimp, and dropped them gently into the pan.
Soon, the color changed and the rich aroma of fried tempura filled the kitchen. It drifted out the window, carried by the breeze.
Mugetsu instinctively plated the tempura and brought it to the table.
Just as he picked one up to taste—
Knock, knock.
A visitor.
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