After joining the Southern Border Forest training squad for a few days, Nohara Rin gained quite a bit of new insight.
For example, Mokgetsu's strength.
Although Mokgetsu had always seemed like an excellent teacher in Nohara Rin's impression, she always thought Mokgetsu's teaching abilities were high, and his skills as a ninja were about the same as other Chunin teachers.
Now Nohara Rin realized that she was wrong.
Just the terrifying power of the Fire Release Mokgetsu taught Shisui was enough to make Nohara Rin feel that Mokgetsu's strength was extraordinary.
Although the Ninjutsu class at the Ninja Academy only had the Three-Body Jutsu, the students would often ask, and occasionally a Chunin teacher would show off and perform other Ninjutsu for the students to see.
Nohara Rin had never seen a Jonin perform Ninjutsu or fight, but she thought that even if Mokgetsu wasn't as good as those Jonin, he would be considered very strong among the Chunin.
Moreover, Mokgetsu seemed to be very versatile, proficient in Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and even Medical Ninjutsu.
Apart from Mokgetsu's strength, upon closer observation, Nohara Rin noticed that Mokgetsu seemed more relaxed here than at the training ground.
Then there was Obito's diligent studying last semester; seeing Obito looking frustrated after failing a running competition and receiving a bunch of questions, Nohara Rin finally understood why she often saw Obito doing exercises last semester.
Previously, she found it quite strange. If Obito suddenly loved studying, why did he look so bitter and reluctant when doing exercises? But if he didn't want to study, then why was he studying every day? It was very contradictory.
Overall, Nohara Rin was quite happy about becoming Mokgetsu's disciple.
"Darn it, just a little bit more!" Obito sat on the ground, pounding it in frustration.
Just a moment ago, he was so close to outrunning Might Guy, who raced to the finish line first.
"It's okay, you're just a bit short this time. If you try a little harder, maybe next time you'll succeed," Nohara Rin gently comforted him.
Receiving comfort from Nohara Rin, Obito instantly revived, standing up and dusting off his clothes, confidently shouting, "Guy, just wait, tomorrow I'll definitely beat you."
"Obito, here are your thirty-five questions," Mokgetsu smiled, handing the test paper to Obito.
Seeing the rows of questions on the test paper, the morale boost from Nohara Rin's comfort quickly dwindled as he took the paper, as if he was handed a cup of deathly poison.
"Didn't you say you really love studying, Obito?" Seeing Obito's sorrowful look while receiving the test paper, Nohara Rin couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah, I love studying so much that a day without doing a dozen questions makes me uncomfortable," Obito nodded, trying to hold back his tears.
"Want me to add a bit more?" Mokgetsu asked with a smile.
"No, that's quite alright, doing exercises is good but don't overdo it," Obito declined decisively, as the daily additional questions were already more than enough for him.
"Back to cultivation," Mokgetsu said, tapping Obito, who was adding drama for himself.
Besides teaching Nohara Rin Medical Ninjutsu knowledge, Mokgetsu was also teaching her Taijutsu.
Medical Ninjutsu can also be used in battle and has considerable destructive power. When combined with excellent Taijutsu, it can be formidable, just like Tsunade.
Due to it being a Saturday, in the afternoon Mokgetsu went to the Sorutobi Clan's residence to train Asuma.
Sarutobi Hiruzen seemed to be not too busy today. When Mokgetsu arrived at Asuma's house, Sarutobi Hiruzen was sitting in the living room looking at something.
"Third Hokage," Mokgetsu greeted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in response, then put down the material in his hand, smiled and asked:
"Mokgetsu, how is your summer special training going? It's already been three weeks, and more than half the time has passed."
The Ninja Academy's holiday is from mid-July to early September, about a month and a half or a little more.
It's impossible to give the students no holiday at all, seamlessly transitioning from school to summer special training to school again, so the scheduled time for summer special training is only five weeks.
"The students are all very diligent in their cultivation and willing to learn. Almost all of them have made progress," Mokgetsu thought for a moment and replied.
"I have arranged tests every week to conveniently record their growth. I'll go get those records now," Mokgetsu continued, intending to turn around to fetch the records.
"No need to go to all that trouble, Mokgetsu. Just bring them along the next time you come over," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied with a smile.
"But since you've said so, Mokgetsu, the results must be impressive. It seems Konoha will have another Special Jonin in the future."
Sarutobi Hiruzen planned to personally check on the students' progress in the fifth week.
If the results were truly effective, he would promote this special training as a regular program.
If Konoha were indeed affected by war, Sarutobi Hiruzen might even cancel the normal curriculum for fourth grades and have Mokgetsu directly train them until graduation.
"Old man, you're really getting senile. Why not just appoint the excellent Mokgetsu as a Jonin?" Asuma, who happened to pass by, couldn't refrain from defending his teacher.
"I feel like my Jonin instructor isn't as good as Teacher Mokgetsu."
"A Jonin is a crucial force for the village, not only excelling in one area but being outstanding in all aspects," Sarutobi Hiruzen explained.
Besides, Mokgetsu's current number and quality of missions alone are far from meeting the standards. Being promoted to Special Jonin was an exception he made, considering Mokgetsu's exceptional teaching level and promising strength.
"I think Teacher Mokgetsu is quite outstanding in all aspects. Since you don't frequently visit the Ninja Academy, why not just let Mokgetsu be the principal?" Asuma felt that Sarutobi Hiruzen should step down early and let the capable take over.
Hearing Asuma's usual cheeky comment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's blood pressure surged as he rubbed his forehead and gestured for Mokgetsu to quickly take Asuma away.
Mokgetsu understood, nodded, and dragged Asuma off to train.
"When will this kid finally grow up?" Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
Although, as the Hokage, he indeed doesn't have much time to concern himself with matters at the Ninja Academy, and while Mokgetsu did indeed excel in teaching, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't appoint Mokgetsu as the principal, at least not for now.
Since the creation of the Ninja Academy, there have only been two principals: Senju Tobirama and himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The establishment of the Ninja Academy holds significant meaning for Konoha, even though the rights of the principal aren't as influential as before due to the progression of the institution. Nonetheless, some special significance remains.
Unless a teacher makes a tremendous contribution, Sarutobi Hiruzen's only candidate for the next principal would be the next Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen believed that when Asuma grew up, he would understand the rationale behind his series of decisions.