Chapter 474: ANBU Chief Instructor Mugetsu
At three in the afternoon, while Mugetsu was training his disciples, a sudden memory surfaced in his mind. It came from the shadow clone he had left at home.
Mugetsu had the shadow clone continue guiding the disciples while his main body headed straight for the Hokage Building.
Just now, Hiruzen had sent a shinobi to find his shadow clone at home, saying there was a mission for Mugetsu and asking him to report to the Hokage Office to hear the details.
Knock, knock.
After arriving at the Hokage Office door, Mugetsu tapped on the wooden door.
"Come in."
With Hiruzen's permission, Mugetsu pushed the door open and stepped inside, greeting him politely. "Lord Sandaime."
Hiruzen smiled and nodded.
"The mission is to train ANBU and Root, and the number of people will be larger than last time," Hiruzen explained.
Last time, he had not been sure what level Mugetsu could maintain while teaching jonin and chunin, so he only sent a batch of new recruits. This time, Hiruzen intended to mobilize as much of ANBU as possible and have Mugetsu conduct special training on a broader scale.
The Darkness Breathing Technique Mugetsu developed was undeniably effective. Some of the new recruits who had succeeded in their training were already performing better on missions than certain older ANBU members.
Hiruzen planned to spread Darkness Breathing throughout all of ANBU, not only for existing members, but also as a standard for every future ANBU shinobi.
However, none of the current ANBU were proficient enough in Darkness Breathing to teach others. That left Hiruzen with only one option.
He could only ask Mugetsu to work harder and teach more people.
"I understand. I will do my best to teach them," Mugetsu nodded.
Danzo had already told him about this in advance, but Danzo's explanation had been vague and light on details.
"Mugetsu, I have full confidence in your teaching ability," Hiruzen said with a smile, stroking his beard. "Whether it's the classes you lead or the disciples you raise, each is more outstanding than the last."
Hiruzen now only hoped the war would end quickly so Konoha could enter a true period of peace. A talent like Mugetsu could shine even brighter in peacetime.
If it were not for the war, Hiruzen could have simply handed over eighty percent of ANBU to Mugetsu for training.
Hiruzen also had another thought.
He wanted Mugetsu to teach others how to teach, to see if Konoha could raise the overall instruction level of Academy teachers and squad leaders.
Hiruzen did not expect anyone to reach Mugetsu's level. But if they could reach half of it, no, even one third of it, Konoha could cultivate talent for a decade or two without losing momentum, and the village's overall strength might reach an unprecedented peak.
Even Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, no matter how powerful they were, could only make themselves strong.
Mugetsu could make others stronger alongside him.
"For the sake of convenience in teaching," Hiruzen continued, "I've established a training squad exclusively for you within ANBU."
He briefly explained the structure.
"The training squad sits half a rank above a normal ANBU squad in the internal structure, but it is still below an ANBU captain."
The lowest rank in ANBU was a regular member. Above that was a squad leader, who could have three subordinates.
Above the squad leader was a squad captain, who could have four squads under him.
Above the squad captain were the vice commander and the commander.
Hiruzen felt that handing Mugetsu an ANBU captain position outright would be too rule breaking. But Mugetsu's contributions were enormous, and he was excellent across the board. Giving him only a standard squad captain title would look stingy.
So in the end, Hiruzen created a special slot that was neither too high nor too low.
"At present, this training squad has only you as its squad captain," Hiruzen said. "If you find anyone with teaching talent, you may recruit them."
"Thank you, Lord Sandaime," Mugetsu replied, letting surprise and gratitude show on his face.
His expression was not overly dramatic, but internally, Mugetsu was genuinely a little surprised. Danzo had not mentioned this at all.
"Don't thank me so earnestly," Hiruzen waved a hand. "I only gave you a nominal squad captain position."
Hiruzen felt he had already given plenty, but he certainly would not say that out loud. If he did, it would be hard to earn goodwill.
After the instructions were finished, Mugetsu left the Hokage Building and headed back toward the Southern Border Forest.
"This training squad doesn't really help me," Mugetsu thought along the way.
A squad captain was already a mid to high level post within ANBU. His special squad captain position was even half a step higher.
But it was all nominal.
He did not even have a single subordinate he could actually command.
In Mugetsu's eyes, that title was not as practical as being an Academy teacher, where he could at least obtain Ninjutsu through teaching rewards.
A squad captain could only have four squads beneath him, and even combined, that still would not be enough to trigger class rewards the way a large class could.
Compared to the title, the actual teaching mission Hiruzen assigned was far more valuable.
ANBU shinobi already had a baseline of strength. Teaching them could trigger Intermediate Class rewards. If Mugetsu could earn an S rank evaluation each day, the gains would be substantial.
He might even obtain rewards related to Nature Transformation, or raise proficiency in bloodline limits such as Ice Release.
"I wonder when I'll be able to trigger Advanced Class rewards," Mugetsu mused.
He was certain a higher tier existed, but the trigger conditions had to be strict, with harsh requirements for student strength.
After returning to the Southern Border Forest, Mugetsu set those thoughts aside and refocused on guiding his disciples. He only began drafting an ANBU training plan later, once he returned home.
The training would not start immediately.
Extracting enough ANBU would require adjustments to fixed rotations and arrangements, and that would take time. Mugetsu had plenty of room to prepare.
…
Around ten at night, while Mugetsu was developing and refining the Yang Seal, he suddenly heard the door of the house next door open.
Curious, Mugetsu activated his Byakugan and looked over.
The house beside his belonged to Minato Namikaze, and it had been vacant for quite some time.
As the wall in his vision blurred, a familiar figure stepped into view.
"Back early?" Mugetsu deactivated his Byakugan and returned his gaze to the manuscript on the table.
Minato's last letter said he might only have a chance to return in a few months.
But Orochimaru had volunteered for the front. With that, the Land of Hot Springs battlefield no longer needed Minato as urgently. His rest could naturally come sooner.
A minute later, someone knocked on Mugetsu's door.
Mugetsu quickly tidied the manuscript and went downstairs to open it.
"Mugetsu, long time no see," Minato greeted, wearing a sincere smile.
Orochimaru's support really had arrived at the perfect time.
Normally, after a major battle, a commander needed rest. But Orochimaru reinforced the front quickly, which gave Minato, who had been fighting on the front lines for a long time, a rare chance to breathe.
When the higher ups asked whether he needed time to recover and adjust, Minato did not hesitate. He requested leave immediately.
Now, the Land of Hot Springs front would stay quiet for a while, and there was little point in Minato remaining there with Orochimaru. It would only waste combat power.
"Minato, long time no see," Mugetsu said warmly, stepping aside to invite him in.
"Sorry for coming so late," Minato hesitated, then said, "How about we talk tomorrow?"
In truth, Minato had rushed back at full speed, hoping he could arrive early enough to share dinner with Mugetsu.
But with the distance of another country, plus the timing of his departure, even full speed left him arriving late.
It was already close to bedtime, and Minato did not want to trouble Mugetsu.
Mugetsu had only recently returned from the battlefield as well. The East Coast front had been far more intense than the Land of Hot Springs front. Ever since the Eight Tails jinchuriki incident, the Land of Hot Springs battlefield had become comparatively calm.
"No," Mugetsu said with a smile, choosing words Minato could not easily refuse. "You came at the right time. I was just about to make a late night snack. We can eat while we talk."
Minato's heart tangled itself into a knot.
He felt Mugetsu might be saying that for his sake.
But he also genuinely wanted to eat what Mugetsu made.
"I'll help," Minato finally said, choosing to ease his guilt by lending a hand.
Mugetsu nodded, then asked casually, "Ramen is fine, or do you want something else?"
Minato remembered the ramen Mugetsu made in Roran and nodded quickly. Ramen was perfect.
Mugetsu kneaded the dough while Minato prepared side dishes, and the two worked together in the kitchen.
As they cooked, they talked about what they had experienced since they last met.
"Everyone's been troubled by the situation in the shinobi world," Minato said. "Jiraiya sensei complained he doesn't even have time to write novels."
"Then Obito's troubles are similar," Mugetsu replied with a faint smile. "He complains he doesn't have time to read shinobi novels."
During their time on the East Coast front, Obito spent his days on missions and training. Whatever time remained, he collapsed and slept. Entertainment simply did not fit.
"That really does sound like Obito," Minato said, amused. "But Kakashi would probably lecture him."
"That's for the best," Mugetsu nodded, repeating Kakashi's usual logic. "It saves you from the day a novel sweeps him away and puts the squad in danger."
Minato's smile deepened. He could already picture it.
Obito clutching a book and complaining. Kakashi scolding him calmly. Rin covering her mouth and snickering as she watched the two bicker.
"When it comes to being a teacher," Minato sighed softly, "I still have a lot to learn from you, Mugetsu."
He thought of his disciples, whom he had not seen for a long time.
Minato genuinely felt he was far inferior to Mugetsu as an instructor.
Not only in teaching jutsu, but in every aspect of guiding growth.
If Obito and the others became famous powerhouses one day, and people praised Minato for being a great teacher because of them, Minato would feel ashamed.
Because their strength would have little to do with Minato.
Most of it would be Mugetsu's credit.
Minato had only taught them some taijutsu and mission experience.
"No one is born knowing how to teach," Mugetsu said as he finished the ramen. "And honestly, you've done very well. Obito and the others are satisfied with you."
It was not empty comfort.
With Mugetsu as a standard, it was already rare that Obito and the others still held Minato in high regard.
After all, once Obito was taught by Mugetsu, he started complaining about one chunin instructor today and another tomorrow. He was dissatisfied with nearly everyone except Mugetsu.
Since Mugetsu said so, Minato's mood eased, and he even made a rare joke. "If you acknowledge me, Mugetsu, then I can't exactly claim I'm terrible."
As the ramen neared completion, Minato's anticipation grew stronger and stronger. He had rushed back to Konoha at full speed for this meal.
When it was ready, Mugetsu handed Minato a steaming bowl.
The moment Minato caught the aroma, he almost wanted to grab his chopsticks right there and devour it in the kitchen.
More than half a year.
Only the heavens knew how he endured these six months.
But Minato had strong self control. He forced the impulse down, carried the bowl to the dining table, sat, and waited until Mugetsu sat as well.
Then, he could not hold back any longer.
Without even saying Itadakimasu, Minato picked up his chopsticks, took a mouthful of ramen, and stuffed it into his mouth.
That familiar, shocking sensation surged through him again.
Satisfaction hit instantly, and happiness rose on its own.
Minato did not pause.
He ate a slice of chashu, then another mouthful of noodles, then sipped the broth.
Worth it.
Even if he had to travel another distance as long as the Land of Fire just to eat this again, it would still be worth it.
Only after he finished did Minato realize he had gone completely silent once he started eating. He quickly thanked Mugetsu.
"It's nothing," Mugetsu said with a small smile, shaking his head. "Just a small matter."
With his cooking skill, it truly was not troublesome. If anything, Minato and Kushina had helped him a great deal since he arrived in this world.
"Mugetsu," Minato said, feeling he should repay him somehow, "how is your Flying Thunder God training progressing? Do you need me to explain it again?"
Flying Thunder God was Minato's greatest skill. Since Mugetsu was also training it, Minato felt this was the perfect chance to help Mugetsu refine it further.
"It's going smoothly," Mugetsu replied, politely declining. "But an explanation isn't necessary."
Mugetsu knew his own talent in space time techniques. It was entirely tied to system rewards, and his mastery level Flying Thunder God had been forcibly raised through a scroll.
If Minato tried to teach him step by step, it would waste both their time. Mugetsu could not learn it that way.
Then Mugetsu offered a different idea. "If you have time, Minato, I'd like to spar tomorrow. I want to feel the difference between our Flying Thunder God."
Mugetsu's proficiency was far lower than Minato's, but Mugetsu had many other abilities.
He wanted to test how well he could handle shinobi of Minato's type.
Minato thought for a moment. "If it's a spar, either tonight or in a few days. Tomorrow might be difficult. I'll be busy recently."
He had just returned from the battlefield. The coming days would be packed, and he had served as a battlefield commander for some time, so there would be follow up work waiting for him.
"That's fine," Mugetsu said, standing to clear the dishes. "I'm not in a hurry. Call me when you're free."
Mugetsu considered Minato's exhaustion from travel and the late hour.
Tonight was not a good time for a spar anyway.
.....
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