Chapter 340: Special Training Improvement Rewards Settlement
After all the battles ended, Mugetsu gathered the students and began the final summary meeting.
Since Hiruzen Sarutobi was present, he naturally spoke first.
Even without preparing a speech in advance, after serving as Hokage for so many years, Hiruzen had experienced this scene countless times.
He first praised the students for their hard work and their excellent performance in the practical exam. Then he turned to complimenting Mugetsu, openly affirming his teaching results.
After acknowledging both teacher and students, he began to talk about the future and ideals, and finally raised everything up to the Will of Fire before ending his speech.
It had to be said, Hiruzen's approach worked very well on Konoha shinobi.
Many of the students started applauding on their own.
Next was Mugetsu.
He did not bother with flowery words. He simply laid out the difference between the original group test scores and the final exam scores, pointed out how much everyone had improved, then finished with a blessing and a reminder.
"The third phase of the holiday special training ends here. Thank you for your cooperation over this past month. I hope each of you can walk the path you truly wish to walk. Finally, do not forget this. Even without special training, you must keep training on your own and continue to grow stronger."
Mugetsu spoke the whole time with a gentle smile.
After he finished, there was no wave of applause like there had been for Hiruzen.
Maybe a few people clapped, but their sound was drowned out by the sudden burst of chatter.
"We definitely will not slack off. We will not let down Teacher Mugetsu's guidance."
"It is us who should be thanking you. Our strength has improved so much because of you."
"Teacher Mugetsu, when will the next special training start? Will you still be the one in charge?"
The students started talking over each other. Some were thanking Mugetsu for his hard work and guidance these last few weeks. Others were worried about whether they would still be able to attend Mugetsu's special training next time.
Even for someone as strong as Mugetsu, it was impossible to talk with more than six hundred people at once. All the different voices melded together into noise, making it hard to hear any single sentence clearly.
Even so, he still caught a few key lines. He raised his hand and pressed it downward, signaling everyone to quiet down.
The students quickly fell silent.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the special training will be held again in late December," Mugetsu said simply. "As for who will be in charge, that will be announced when the time comes."
Late December was when the Ninja Academy's second semester ended.
Holiday special training had basically become normalized at the Academy, and now ran twice every academic year.
As for who would lead it, Mugetsu genuinely could not say.
Shisui wanted to join the internship program in his second year, and the starting dates for the internship and special training overlapped.
If Mugetsu supervised Shisui's internship, he would not be able to oversee special training at the same time.
Hearing his answer, the students could not help feeling a bit disappointed.
Without Mugetsu, there was no point in attending this special training at all.
But no matter how reluctant they were, it was time to say goodbye.
The students came running up one after another to say their farewells to Mugetsu.
Although Konoha was called a village, its scale was nothing like an ordinary village. After graduation, the students would have very few opportunities to meet Mugetsu again.
Watching this scene, Hiruzen sighed inwardly at how incredibly popular Mugetsu was among the students.
Even he, the Hokage, was not as beloved in their eyes.
Thinking that, Hiruzen felt even more certain that his idea of taking Mugetsu as a disciple after retirement was very wise.
Under Mugetsu's teaching methods, in seven or eight years there would be a large number of Konoha shinobi who strongly supported Mugetsu becoming Hokage.
"Teacher Mugetsu, this is a gift from everyone. Please keep it safe."
Anko stepped forward and handed over a thick notebook.
Last year, to thank Mugetsu, they had pooled their money to buy him a large cake.
But this year, there were simply too many people.
Trying to stick candles for nearly seven hundred students would be a nightmare.
So, on Nara Shiosui's suggestion, they bought this thick notebook instead.
Everyone had written their name and something they wanted to say to Mugetsu inside. If they wished, they could even paste in a photo.
This way, they could express their feelings while also helping Mugetsu remember their names and faces better.
"This way, Teacher Mugetsu will not forget us, right?"
"I will keep it safe," Mugetsu said as he accepted the gift. "And besides, I do not need this to remember you. My memory as a teacher is very good. You are Asakawa Miken. You are Nakamori Gōichi…"
He put away the notebook, then calmly started naming the students standing around him one by one.
It was not because he was some intelligence specialist relying on a secret technique.
Mugetsu had really memorized the names and faces of all of his students.
Maybe it was due to the way Shadow Clone memories worked, or maybe it was something related to his transmigration, but he remembered every student he had ever taught.
Many of the students stared at him in shock.
They had not expected Mugetsu to be able to do something like this.
This was not seven or eight students, nor seventy or eighty, but nearly seven hundred people.
Some students who usually had average grades, did not stand out in special training, and barely had any presence in class, were genuinely moved when Mugetsu called their names.
They were used to being overlooked, so they treasured this attention even more.
[System: Under your guidance, the students who participated in holiday special training have improved in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. Their overall strength has increased.]
[Reward: Chakra +1800, Chakra Nature Transformation Experience Scroll x2, Ninjutsu Extraction Scroll B Proficient x2.]
[Item Description: Chakra Nature Transformation Experience Scroll increases experience for any mastered Nature Transformation.]
The rewards were very generous.
It really was a case of more people, more profit.
Last time he had only received eight hundred chakra points. This time it was an extra thousand on top, and there were even items that increased Nature Transformation experience.
In truth, the rewards from regular Academy classes alone had already met Mugetsu's expectations.
Through teaching, he had managed to raise his Earth Release and Lightning Release Nature Transformations from proficient to master level.
Reaching master level in Nature Transformation was extremely difficult.
The rewards for a master level skill were rare to begin with, and those rewards then had to be specifically for Nature Transformation.
The probability of that lining up was essentially absurd.
Mugetsu certainly did not mind getting even more on top of that.
Whether chakra or skills, the more the better.
Since Hiruzen was still present, Mugetsu did not extract Ninjutsu or use the experience scrolls on the spot.
After saying his goodbyes to the students, he quickly walked over to Hiruzen, who was listening to the other teachers share their thoughts.
By the time Mugetsu arrived, the teachers had more or less finished speaking.
Hiruzen turned to look at him and chuckled.
"Mugetsu, everyone highly acknowledges the results of your special training. I underestimated your teaching talent before. I did not expect you to be able to teach more than six hundred students so well by yourself, and even have them learn your Ninjutsu. Not promoting you would be a disservice to your contribution."
Shimono Hisanobu's heart immediately sank.
He had considered that Mugetsu might replace him as head of the teaching corps someday.
Mugetsu was too diligent and too outstanding.
He just had not expected it to happen so quickly.
Mugetsu had only been at the Academy for a little over a year.
Under normal circumstances, no matter how excellent you were, you still had to accumulate a few years of seniority.
As for why Shimono was so sure Mugetsu would replace him, it was because Mugetsu's current position had already reached the highest level available in the Academy's structure.
It was not as if they were going to replace Hiruzen Sarutobi as Principal, right?
"What do you all think about Mugetsu becoming Vice Principal?"
Hiruzen smiled as he asked the question, looking around at the teachers.
The ones he had brought today were not ordinary instructors.
They were either stand out teachers or mid to upper level administrators at the Academy.
Shimono let out a silent sigh of relief.
So it was not the head of the teaching corps, just the vice principal.
Wait. Vice Principal.
Shimono replayed Hiruzen's words in his head, his expression gradually turning to shock.
When did the Ninja Academy get a vice principal position?
There had always been only one principal, and the principal had always been the Hokage.
"Teacher Mugetsu's educational ability is outstanding. Both the holiday special training and the internship program have created unprecedented precedents and made huge contributions to the Academy. It is most fitting for Teacher Mugetsu to serve as Vice Principal," Shimono said after thinking it through.
Although the Academy had never had a vice principal before, if Hiruzen said there would be one, then there would be one.
Even so, Shimono was still stunned.
Hiruzen had basically created a position specifically for Mugetsu, which showed just how highly he regarded him.
Even someone as seasoned as Shimono felt shaken, let alone the other teachers, whose shock was written all over their faces.
"We are all human, so how can there be such a huge difference between us?"
Ikeya Yu, who shared an office with Mugetsu, had moved beyond envy.
The gap was too large.
What had just happened to Mugetsu was something he would not even dare to dream about, because it felt too unrealistic to ever come true.
Once the teachers finished processing the news, they all expressed their approval in turn.
This was a position that even the previous heads of the teaching corps had never reached.
Hearing Hiruzen's words, Mugetsu also showed a hint of surprise.
He then humbly said that he was still young and might not be capable enough to shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
Of course, it was not that he truly did not want the position.
A higher status in the Academy would make it much easier for him to push various reforms forward.
But the proper steps still had to be followed, especially since he had already laid down his current persona.
What followed was the usual ritual.
The teachers took turns recounting his achievements, and Hiruzen gave another speech.
In the end, Mugetsu accepted the role of Vice Principal.
With that decision made, the matter was settled.
Teachers and students all returned home.
"Izumo, today is the day we make a name for ourselves," Kotetsu Hagane said excitedly, staring at Hiruzen's retreating back.
Izumo Kamizuki nodded, just as fired up.
"With our outstanding strength and the Hokage's trust, maybe we will leave our names in history someday."
"It is just a pity about Ebisu nii," Kotetsu added with deep regret. "I feel like this plan was originally meant for him, but because our bond with him was too strong, he reluctantly handed it to us instead."
Izumo thought that actually made a lot of sense.
Climbing to the top was good, but they could not forget the big brother who had always helped them.
"How about this, then? We will create a Shadow Clone in Ebisu nii's image and challenge Lord Hokage together," Izumo suggested, suddenly inspired.
"It has to be you, Izumo. Even if the Second Hokage were still alive, he would not come up with a better idea. Ebisu nii will definitely be grateful to us for this," Kotetsu said, lightly punching Izumo's chest with a grin.
He could already see their glorious success and Ebisu's grateful smile in his mind.
The two of them immediately put the plan into action and jogged off in the direction Hiruzen had gone.
Meanwhile, Mugetsu had returned to his house in the main urban district to rest.
The rewards for teaching over these six weeks had been excellent, but he was truly exhausted.
Even with his strong body, he was not made of iron.
He could still feel the fatigue.
Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, Mugetsu opened the system panel and prepared to draw Ninjutsu.
Aside from the level being a bit lower, the draw interface looked mostly the same as before.
[System: Ninjutsu Draw Scroll B consumed. Skill acquired Ice Beam Proficient rank.]
Seeing the skill name, Mugetsu immediately recognized where it came from.
But this was not the first time a Pokémon style move had appeared, so he was not too surprised.
After sifting through the implanted training memories, Mugetsu realized this was actually a very good Ice Release Ninjutsu.
Clean, direct, no unnecessary flashiness, and with solid power.
"Is it because I already have Ice Release that I can draw an ice type skill like this, or are rewards still matching my Nature Transformations the way they used to?"
The draw result made Mugetsu a bit confused.
At the very beginning, he had only mastered Fire Release Nature Transformation.
When he later gained other elemental Ninjutsu through teaching, the system would give him the corresponding Nature Transformation as a reward.
So he could not help wondering.
If he drew a grass type skill or some plant based magic system, would he get Wood Release Nature Transformation out of it?
With those questions echoing in his mind, Mugetsu used the second scroll.
[System: Ninjutsu Draw Scroll B consumed. Skill acquired Pheasant Beak Proficient rank.]
At first, Mugetsu had no idea what the name referred to.
But when the training memories flowed into his mind, he remembered.
This was Aokiji's move from One Piece, a technique that created an ice bird to attack and freeze opponents.
Pulling another Ice Release move made Mugetsu feel that there was no free ride when it came to Bloodline Limits.
He would either have to cultivate them himself or squeeze them out of his disciples.
After all, Bloodline Limits were combinations of two Nature Transformations, whereas Fire Release and the others were single elemental.
It was only natural that the rules were different.
Next, Mugetsu tapped the Chakra Nature Transformation Experience Scroll.
A list of options popped up at once.
[System: Select target Nature Transformation.
Available: Fire Release Nature Transformation Perfect rank, Water Release Nature Transformation Mastery rank, Lightning Release Nature Transformation Mastery rank, Earth Release Nature Transformation Mastery rank, Wind Release Nature Transformation Mastery rank, Yin Nature Transformation, Yang Nature Transformation, Ice Release Beginner rank.]
Mugetsu was a little surprised to see Ice Release on the list, but it was indeed a Nature Transformation, so there was nothing strange about it.
Since his other seven natures were all at mastery or above, he decided to try using an experience scroll on Ice Release.
In the next instant, a flood of Ice Release training memories surged into his mind.
For a brief moment, he felt as if he were not a beginner at all, but an Ice Release shinobi who had trained in that nature for several years.
When Mugetsu checked his Ice Release proficiency again, it had already risen from Beginner to Proficient.
[System: Ice Release Proficient 1000 of 3000.]
"The effect is pretty good," Mugetsu thought.
Not only had it risen to proficient level, it even came with a decent amount of experience filled in.
He decided to save the remaining scroll for later, in case he acquired more Bloodline Limits in the future.
. . .
Since Kakashi and Obito's Breathing Techniques had both reached proficient, and they had not gone on missions for some time, Mugetsu decided to send them out again.
Now that they were all Chunin, they could freely accept missions below A Rank.
Kakashi and Obito headed out to take missions, while Shisui and Might Guy, whose Breathing Techniques had not yet reached proficient, stayed behind to continue special training.
"I am really nervous. We do not have Minato sensei or Mugetsu sensei with us. What if we run into that Raikage candidate again?"
On the way to the Hokage Building, Obito's excitement was mixed with anxiety.
Being able to accept missions independently gave him a real sense of being recognized as a shinobi, but when he looked back on their previous mission experiences, he could not help feeling that going out without a teacher was risky.
"Under normal circumstances, we will not run into that Raikage candidate," Kakashi replied, sounding helpless.
He had indeed questioned their luck before, but after he and Minato met the Raikage candidate once, things had calmed down.
The difficulty of their missions had more or less matched their assigned ranks, with no sudden accidents.
"But even the Chunin Exams had an accident. How can you say something is impossible?" Obito shot back.
Kakashi had no real way to refute that.
An incident during a major event like the Chunin Exams was indeed a pretty bad sign.
"Alright, since you are worried something might happen, let us just take a C Rank mission within the Land of Fire. There should be no problem with that," Rin said, stepping in to mediate.
"How can we do that? We finally have the qualifications to accept higher level missions. We should pick something above C Rank."
Obito rejected her suggestion immediately.
"If we back down just because there might be danger, how are we supposed to become Hokage?"
Kakashi glanced at him in surprise.
He had not expected words like that from Obito's mouth.
This idiot actually had that kind of resolve.
Rin looked toward Kakashi.
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Then we will take a B Rank mission," he said. "Just make sure it is far away from any countries currently at war."
With their current strength, B Rank missions were easy.
The enemies on those missions were usually only Genin.
It was rare to encounter Chunin.
It was their first time accepting a mission as Chunin, and they even got to choose the mission themselves.
Obito was so excited that he swaggered into the Hokage Building, drawing plenty of looks.
"Uncle Sawada, you are on duty again. Good morning!"
He laughed loudly and waved at Sawada Kazuya, deliberately puffing out his chest so the Chunin vest would be even more obvious.
"Good morning. And congratulations on becoming a Chunin," Sawada replied with a smile.
As long as Obito did not make any requests that might get him fired, Sawada actually quite liked this cheerful Uchiha boy.
"Hehe."
Obito chuckled, thoroughly satisfied.
"Uncle Sawada, do you have any princess rescue missions? They do not have to be from the Land of Fire. Other countries are fine too," Obito asked eagerly.
He still wanted to be the heroic shinobi who rescued a princess at least once.
Sawada was about to say there were none, when he suddenly remembered a new request that had arrived the night before.
"There are no princess rescue missions," he said, "but there is a mission that does involve a princess."
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