Chapter 231: The Possibility of Breathing Method
"I'm sorry, Mugetsu-sensei. I wasn't in good form today," Shisui said apologetically, lowering his head.
He felt like he was letting down Mugetsu's careful guidance.
Mugetsu smiled gently. "It's fine. Everyone has days when they're not at their best."
Then his tone softened. "But you seem to have something on your mind. Would you like to tell me?" He looked directly into Shisui's eyes.
Under that calm gaze, Shisui could clearly feel his teacher's genuine concern.
"Ever since I mastered the Breathing Technique, I haven't made much progress," Shisui admitted. "Obito doesn't seem to have that problem. I thought carefully about the step when I first comprehended the flame, and… I think my heart doesn't have the same fiery passion as his."
He spoke honestly, voicing the thoughts that had troubled him since yesterday.
"Maybe Flame Breathing just isn't suited for me."
Mugetsu placed a hand on Shisui's head, ruffling his hair lightly before saying with a warm smile,
"I'm quite sure it suits you."
Obito's compatibility with Flame Breathing was exceptionally high, but when he had first begun, the gap between him and Shisui had only been about a dozen points of proficiency. That alone proved that Shisui's affinity for the technique wasn't low.
The reason Obito had surged nearly ninety points ahead came from several factors: his natural compatibility, the opportunity to engage in real combat during missions, and the experience gained from fighting alongside Mugetsu.
It wasn't that Mugetsu was belittling Obito, but in the early days, the difference between them had been clear. What took Obito ten days to learn, Shisui could master in one.
When Mugetsu first accepted Shisui as his disciple, he was only six years old—young, inexperienced, but already showing immense promise. Over time, his talent had caused the gap between him, Guy, and Obito to widen.
So it was easy to understand Shisui's frustration now. Seeing someone he once easily surpassed begin to catch up—and even overtake him—was painful.
Shisui was indeed precocious, calm, and mature for his age, but at the end of the day, he was still just a six-year-old child. In Mugetsu's past life, children that age were only just starting school. In such a situation, doubting oneself was normal.
However, when it came to Breathing Techniques, self-doubt was fatal. Once one began to question their own conviction, the power of the breathing would falter.
This was why Mugetsu believed Breathing Techniques contained elements of Yin Release—their strength depended heavily on one's spirit and belief.
It was also why Obito and Guy always broke through during battle; their faith in themselves was unwavering, and their beliefs burned brighter than doubt.
Fortunately, Mugetsu had noticed early. Otherwise, as Obito's progress skyrocketed, Shisui's growing doubt would have only deepened.
"Obito's heart burns bright with passion," Mugetsu said seriously, "but that doesn't mean your heart lacks flame."
He looked Shisui in the eyes. "Don't you have things you want to accomplish? Don't you have dreams? Recall the dreams in your heart."
"Dreams…" Shisui murmured, his expression softening as memories surfaced.
Though an orphan, he had never known hardship. His father had been an elite Jonin of the Uchiha, and his grandfather—Uchiha Kagami—had nearly become a high-ranking official of Konoha. Kagami was a renowned elite Jonin, respected by all.
If Shisui had wished, he could have lived a comfortable, idle life supported by his inheritance. But he didn't. He chose to follow the path of a ninja.
He had heard countless stories about his grandfather—how he was a prodigy recognized by the Second Hokage, how he carried the Will of Fire, and how his death had left a void in both the Uchiha and Konoha. Many said that if not for his early death, the relationship between the Uchiha and the village might have been very different.
That was why Shisui became a ninja—to continue what his grandfather had left unfinished.
After learning the truth of his clan's history and witnessing how the villagers viewed the Uchiha with distrust, Shisui made a vow.
"I want to change the Uchiha's current situation," he said, his young eyes blazing with determination. "I want everyone in Konoha to live together in harmony!"
Mugetsu smiled and pointed at Shisui's chest. "Isn't that wonderful? Just focus on that dream. I can feel the flame burning in your heart."
"Shisui, you are kind and righteous. Remember how you feel right now—and never doubt your dream."
He couldn't say what the Shisui from the original timeline was truly like, but the Shisui standing before him was undeniably pure-hearted and good. His sense of justice wasn't loud or boastful, but quiet and resolute.
"Do you believe you can achieve that dream?"
"Yes!" Shisui said firmly, his eyes blazing.
Before, he might have hesitated—wondering if he could accomplish what even his great grandfather couldn't. But now, with Mugetsu guiding him, there was no room for doubt.
"Enter Total Concentration Breathing," Mugetsu said suddenly. "I'm going to attack."
Shisui immediately focused his breathing, instincts taking over as Mugetsu's fingers flashed forward.
He moved reflexively—dodging perfectly.
"I did it…" Shisui whispered, astonished. The two fingers had stopped less than a centimeter away.
Just days ago, even his Sharingan couldn't help him avoid that strike.
"Yes, you dodged successfully," Mugetsu said with a smile, lowering his hand. "But this isn't part of training, so that dodge doesn't reduce your test problems."
"It's fine," Shisui said, still trembling slightly from excitement. His Breathing Technique had finally broken through. Even if he had to answer a hundred problems, he wouldn't mind.
Well… maybe not a hundred. Twenty would be acceptable.
"The Breathing Technique isn't unchangeable," Mugetsu continued. "If you ever find a better path, you can modify it. What fits you best is the best. But no matter what, stay true to your dreams and beliefs."
Shisui nodded solemnly. His compatibility with Flame Breathing was clear, but that didn't mean it was his final form. Perhaps one day, he would develop a Breathing Technique unique to himself.
"Thank you for your guidance, Mugetsu-sensei. I'll stay firm in my beliefs," Shisui said, bowing deeply.
"Good. Go train," Mugetsu replied with a smile. He knew from experience—the best results often came right after reigniting a student's spirit.
Rejuvenated, Shisui nodded and threw himself back into his training with newfound passion.
...
By February twentieth, since four of Mugetsu's five disciples were still Academy students preparing for exams, he decided to give everyone—including Kakashi—a temporary break.
Mugetsu himself returned to the Ninja Academy, a place he hadn't visited in a long time. Ever since he began taking on interns, his real body had rarely set foot there.
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