Chapter 400: Disciples' Strengthening Plan
After returning to Konoha, Mugetsu did what he always did. He gave his disciples a day off, then headed straight to the Hokage's Office to report on the mission.
Normally, a B rank mission did not require a personal report to Hiruzen, but the situation they ran into this time was too unusual to ignore.
Knock knock.
Mugetsu tapped the wooden door.
"Come in."
At Hiruzen's voice, Mugetsu pushed the door open. "Sandaime sama, it is possible that shinobi from other villages disguised themselves as Konoha shinobi and attacked Sunagakure's people."
Hiruzen's expression sharpened. "Mugetsu, tell me everything in detail."
Three of the Five Great Villages had already declared war on Konoha. Hiruzen had no intention of letting the last one, Sunagakure, join that list.
"It happened like this." Mugetsu spoke evenly. "I accepted an escort mission in the Land of Rain. On the way, we were surrounded by a Sunagakure squad led by Pakura. They attempted to 'investigate' us and attacked under that pretext."
"Pakura…" Hiruzen's gaze turned thoughtful.
Pakura was not an unknown name. Even from the Hokage's desk, Hiruzen had heard plenty about her reputation and her bloodline limit.
After a brief pause, Hiruzen asked the question he cared about most. "Mugetsu, you did not kill them, did you?"
In terms of fame, Pakura was a widely recognized powerhouse, while Mugetsu's reputation was mostly limited to Konoha. But in terms of strength, Hiruzen did not believe Pakura could defeat Mugetsu.
Mugetsu had mastered five chakra nature transformations, possessed Ice Release, learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, and knew a large number of powerful ninjutsu. On top of that, he had the advantage of information. Pakura had no realistic way to win.
So Hiruzen was not worried about Mugetsu getting hurt. He was worried Mugetsu might have hit too hard and caused a diplomatic catastrophe.
If any Sunagakure shinobi died at Konoha's hands, then regardless of who killed the missing squad in the first place, Sunagakure could dump the entire blame onto Konoha.
"I was forced to retaliate," Mugetsu replied. "I fought until we could speak properly. There were no casualties."
Then he added, "Afterward, Pakura admitted it was their mistake and said she would conduct a new investigation."
With Mugetsu's current strength, facing that squad was like crushing weaklings. Nothing could happen that he could not control.
Hiruzen finally relaxed and smiled. "You handled it very well, Mugetsu. Next, I will have ANBU investigate."
This mission also made Hiruzen reassess Mugetsu's capabilities. Not only his teaching and ninjutsu, but his judgment and handling of delicate situations were equally impressive.
It also made Hiruzen quietly pat himself on the back, then mentally scold Danzo.
In Hiruzen's eyes, a genius like Mugetsu could not stay hidden forever. If Mugetsu had been overlooked, it had to be Root's darkness smothering him.
Hiruzen felt genuine regret. If Mugetsu had shown this kind of talent earlier, perhaps Hiruzen would have taken him as a disciple himself.
Right now, Hiruzen's top candidate for Fourth Hokage was Jiraiya, with Tsunade as the next choice. But to Hiruzen's frustration, neither of them wanted the position.
Hiruzen had tried more than once to pave the road for Jiraiya, only for Jiraiya to casually step aside, practically wearing the words I do not want to be Hokage on his face.
As for Tsunade, there was even less to discuss. Jiraiya, at least, still gave Hiruzen basic respect. Tsunade could not even be bothered to acknowledge him.
Hiruzen's other disciple, Orochimaru, did want to become Hokage, but that was exactly why Hiruzen did not want him to have it.
Orochimaru had changed too much. As a child, he had only been aloof and withdrawn. Now, he gave Hiruzen the unsettling feeling that he was gradually shedding what made him human.
A man like that could be a high ranking official, but he could not be Hokage.
After finishing the report, Mugetsu went straight home.
This time, Hiruzen did not grant any special reward, only some training resources. After all, Mugetsu already had free access to the Ninjutsu Library, so he lacked neither techniques nor knowledge.
And in terms of position, Mugetsu's post was at the Ninja Academy. He was already the vice principal. Hiruzen could not exactly "promote" himself out of the way and hand Mugetsu the principal seat.
After returning home and organizing what he had learned in the Land of Rain, Mugetsu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"There are countless rogue ninja, countless organizations, and shinobi from other Great Villages operating in the shadows…"
The Land of Rain was chaos given a name, and that chaos made it perfect for his plan to take disciples.
Mugetsu's plan was simple in structure, but ruthless in execution.
First, he would leave a deep impression on Yahiko and Nagato.
Then, he would build fame throughout the Land of Rain, shaping an image of a true master. That would naturally push Yahiko and the others to approach him again.
Even then, Mugetsu would not agree immediately. He would refuse once more, continue gaining fame, and wait until the timing was right.
When that moment came, he would arrange tests or trials, something that made the outcome feel inevitable. And in the most natural way possible, he would become their mentor.
As for how to build fame, Mugetsu would choose the method with the greatest return.
Something that could establish reputation and also earn him rewards.
Teaching.
He could gain rewards for giving lessons, and if he did it right, the many shinobi of the Land of Rain would become his students.
Mugetsu was not worried that no one would come. He had been proven in this field many times.
When the time came, he would show just a fraction of his strength, and the shinobi of the Land of Rain would fight each other for a seat in his lesson.
…
After being dismissed, Kakashi did not immediately go train. Instead, he went to the Konoha Library to search for information on the Rinnegan.
It was not that Kakashi doubted Mugetsu. He simply wanted to know more.
But to his disappointment, the library held no record of the Rinnegan's abilities, only myths and vague legends.
With the thought of since I am already here, Kakashi also searched for information related to tailed beasts.
Still nothing.
He left without learning why tailed beasts would go berserk.
After leaving the library, Kakashi went to find Might Guy.
Kakashi had tried to find him after returning from the Land of Roran, but Guy had been out on a mission at the time.
"My rival!" Guy exclaimed the moment he saw Kakashi. "Are you here to challenge me? I have been waiting for this day for a long time!"
It had been more than half a year since Guy last defeated Kakashi, and he had been itching for another fight.
Guy had not relaxed for even a moment during those months. He trained constantly, and he could feel himself only a step away from opening the Fifth Gate.
"I am not here to fight you," Kakashi replied, shaking his head. "I have something to discuss."
Guy's expression instantly fell from blazing excitement to pure disappointment, like someone had snuffed out his candle with a wet rag. He had already been planning how to start the fight.
"If you really want to be challenged," Kakashi said after a moment, "it is not impossible."
Guy's eyes lit up again. "Indeed! A battle overflowing with youth and passion!"
He laughed loudly and gave Kakashi a thumbs up, his teeth practically sparkling.
"But it is limited to rock paper scissors," Kakashi added.
Guy froze, then wilted as if struck by an instant kill technique, collapsing into a defeated crouch like a cabbage that had lost its will to live.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Even so, Guy took it seriously.
"You won," Kakashi said, holding up scissors.
Guy stared at his fist and sighed. He still preferred a fist to fist battle with Kakashi. Winning that way was far more satisfying.
Still, he silently added this victory to his personal tally and followed Kakashi into a secluded grove.
"We accepted a mission to investigate the minister of Roran and encountered shinobi from the future…" Kakashi began.
He first summarized how they met Uzumaki Naruto and the others. Then, he carefully explained all the future intelligence to Guy, including the newest information they had gathered about the Akatsuki Organization in the Land of Rain.
Guy was shocked that they had encountered shinobi from the future, but he did not question Kakashi for even a second. He believed him immediately.
"To change the future," Kakashi said seriously, "we need your strength."
Guy's smile returned, bright and unwavering. "That is exactly the meaning of my training and becoming stronger!"
Mugetsu sensei, Obito, and Rin were comrades Guy recognized. He would do everything he could to protect them.
"Do not tell anyone besides us," Kakashi warned.
Guy nodded, his expression unusually solemn.
After that, the two of them headed to the South Border Forest. Kakashi wanted to discuss something with Mugetsu's other disciples, and his earlier refusal to fight Guy had been tied to this.
"To help everyone improve faster," Kakashi said, "I propose a practical combat test every three months. The last two will receive a penalty."
To others, their strength at ten years old might already look like genius level talent. To Kakashi, it was still not enough.
This level of strength would not change history.
They needed at least the level of Uzumaki Naruto or Yamato.
"Rin, you do not need to participate," Kakashi said, looking at her. "Your main focus is medical ninjutsu."
When Kakashi measured combat strength, he could only count Rin as a normal chunin. A medic's chakra was meant for saving lives, not trading blows.
Rin nodded helplessly. She did want to take part, but if the gap was too wide, participation would be meaningless.
"I agree," Guy said at once. "And I think today is a good day. Let's start the first practical combat right now!"
"I think so too," Shisui added, nodding.
Even if Shisui was not confident he could defeat any of the others, Kakashi's idea would push them all to grow faster.
"I have no objections either," Obito said, then frowned. "But what is the penalty?"
"It is simple," Kakashi replied. "Whatever punishment you hate most, that will be your penalty."
Because of individual differences, one person's punishment could be another person's reward. Kakashi wanted penalties that actually worked.
Obito's face immediately filled with dread. He opened his mouth quickly. "I really hate…"
"For example," Kakashi cut him off calmly, "you do not like studying or doing test papers. So your punishment will be studying and doing test papers."
Obito panicked. "I think I hate eating green peppers more. How about we change it to eating ten green peppers instead?"
Then, like he was arguing in court, he added, "After all, I understand myself best."
Kakashi gave him a flat look. "If you truly hated green peppers more, you would not be suggesting it as a substitute."
Obito did understand himself very well.
He just lied to himself even better.
"Test papers really are Obito's weakness," Rin said, remembering the dead eyed look Obito wore whenever he was punished with homework. She covered her mouth and giggled.
"Doing test papers with his level of knowledge really is a challenge," Kakashi added, twisting the knife with perfect precision.
Obito's face turned red. "I scored eighty points in the science section of the Chunin Exams! Eighty!"
Even if Mugetsu helped a little, Obito still worked hard for it.
"So you mean you are not afraid of test papers," Kakashi said smoothly. "Then you should not have suggested changing it."
The corner of Kakashi's mouth lifted as he watched Obito simmer.
Obito did not know how to retort. He could only curse Damn Kakashi in his heart and accept that this was his punishment.
Kakashi was harsh on Obito, but he did not spare himself either. He volunteered his own penalty immediately.
"If I am among the last two," Kakashi said solemnly, "then for one continuous week, no matter what Obito says, I will not refute him."
In Kakashi's mind, this was torture. Obito would absolutely take advantage and say every annoying thing he could think of.
With Obito and Kakashi setting the tone, Shisui and Guy showed no mercy either. Each of them picked a punishment that would genuinely hurt.
Then came the actual practical combat.
They drew lots to determine first round opponents. The two eliminated in the first round would both receive their penalties. The two winners would fight again, and the final winner would become Mugetsu's strongest disciple for the next three months.
Since she did not have to participate, Rin handled the drawing.
"Shisui is number one," Rin announced. "Obito is number two. Kakashi is number three. Might Guy is number four."
"My rival!" Guy laughed loudly and pointed at Kakashi. "This is the bond between us!"
He gave Kakashi a thumbs up, and his earlier disappointment vanished completely.
Kakashi's expression turned serious.
No matter how strong Guy was, Kakashi had to win. Otherwise, he could already imagine how unbearable Obito would be during those seven days.
Shisui and Obito exchanged a look. Their fighting spirit rose at the same time.
Shisui truly wanted to win, not only because of the penalty, but because of pride.
He was the youngest among Mugetsu's disciples, but he had been the first to learn from Mugetsu. He was used to being the strongest, not the one at the bottom.
"Obito," Shisui said, eyes calm but sharp, "your Flame Breathing Chakra Mode is strong. But you do not know I can already use Armament Haki skillfully, do you?"
Shisui's confidence came from that power.
From the very beginning, his Armament Haki progress had been far ahead of Obito and the others. While everyone else was still confused, Shisui could already use it, even if it sometimes worked and sometimes failed.
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