After making arrangements, it was time for formal training. Asuma, just like Obito and the others when they first started, couldn't find the right breathing rhythm when first learning the Breathing Technique.
"I never thought even breathing could be developed into a technique, how have I not heard of this before," Asuma complained.
"It's quite an obscure area. Besides myself, I've rarely heard of others developing ninjutsu related to Breathing Techniques," Mokgetsu replied with a smile, highlighting his role as the developer.
"Wow, so Teacher Mokgetsu, you developed it." Asuma's eyes lit up, feeling like he struck gold learning Mokgetsu's unique ninjutsu.
Mokgetsu adjusted his black-framed glasses with his right hand and smiled gently, "Developing your own ninjutsu is a good choice if you have the capability, as you best understand your needs."
After that, Mokgetsu became very busy.
He had to attend classes at the Ninja Academy to hone skills, conduct special training for his disciples, find time to learn from Tsunade, and squeeze in sessions to self-study Fuinjutsu related to the Breath of Wind. His schedule was packed except for a few hours of sleep.
However, Mokgetsu didn't mind, as he was genuinely improving his strength through these activities.
Though he strategized for Asuma to defeat Obito, Mokgetsu also spared no effort in helping Obito with Fire Release Nin-Taijutsu.
Mokgetsu mastered many advanced ninjutsu, and his Fire Attribute Nature Transformation had reached a perfect level, giving him a significant advantage in developing Fire Release Nin-Taijutsu.
But considering Obito's slightly weaker learning ability and the limited time of only one month, Mokgetsu developed three techniques for Obito.
The first was Fire Release: Flame Fist, where Mokgetsu drew upon all the techniques of Monster Strength Power, compressing chakra in the fist to release an explosive burst of flames upon hitting the target.
The second was Fire Release: Leaf Whirlwind, which retained the high-speed Tornado Kick of Leaf Whirlwind but added high-temperature flames to enhance its power.
The third Fire Release Nin-Taijutsu technique was named Fire Release: Flame Charge, concentrating chakra on the shoulder to engulf the body in flames for a charge, culminating in an Iron Mountain Lean attack, the most powerful of the three.
Though they looked simple on the surface, mastering them was no small feat. At the level of Hokage Ninjutsu, Flame Fist and Flame Charge could be classified as B-rank, though due to the perfect alignment with the Breath of Flame's characteristics, actual cultivation would be somewhat easier.
After teaching Obito these three nin-taijutsu techniques, Obito practiced Flame Charge daily by crashing into trees, using Iron Mountain Lean to break them, and he thought the move was impressive, with his entire body blazing and dazzling.
Kakashi's special training was a hellish regimen in the truest sense, making him the most rigorously trained among Mokgetsu's disciples.
Because Kakashi had to push his body to the limit before fighting, and Mokgetsu's Shadow Clones did not hold back much, injuring as necessary.
This high-level training, even once a day, placed significant pressure on Kakashi, who improved rapidly with the Breathing Technique, and even though his proficiency level was just a notch away from mastery, Mokgetsu could sense Kakashi's Breath of Thunder growing stronger.
Notably, ten days after the Chunin Exams, Mokgetsu had another encounter with Terumi Mei on the street.
In the same spot as last time, Terumi Mei stood in front of the ice cream stall, her face filled with indecision.
"If you're unsure what to buy, why not just get everything?" Mokgetsu suggested, approaching the ice cream stall.
"You'd need money for that," Terumi Mei replied, casting a resentful glance at Mokgetsu.
She's not foolish, able to want everything yet endlessly choosing.
Due to coming for the exam, Terumi Mei didn't carry much money, as she was here to achieve high scores for a mission, not for tourism.
Additionally, her loss in the Forest of Death left her unhappy. Going five consecutive days without sweets, she consumed ice cream for several days in place of meals, quickly depleting her funds. To ensure a daily intake of sweets, Terumi Mei had to control her spending with reluctance.
Terumi Mei felt Mokgetsu bore one percent of the blame for her empty wallet, as it was Mokgetsu who opened her to the world of "everything", and Mokgetsu's disciple was involved in the Forest of Death failure.
"Give me three servings of strawberry ice cream," Mokgetsu said to the stall owner, ignoring Terumi Mei.
The owner moved deftly, quickly preparing three servings of strawberry ice cream and handing them to Mokgetsu.
Terumi Mei looked on enviously, recalling days earlier when she could have been more extravagant, ordering three servings of each type.
Then, to Terumi Mei's surprise and delight, Mokgetsu handed her two servings of strawberry ice cream.
"Last time you gave me one, so this time, I give you two, to even the score," Mokgetsu said with a smile.
When he remembered Obito calling Terumi Mei crazy for seeking revenge over strawberry ice cream and fighting him, Mokgetsu still felt like laughing.
He left decisively to avoid trouble, leaving Obito to bear the fallout.
Thus, Mokgetsu bought three strawberry ice creams, giving two to Terumi Mei to break off a destiny entwined by strawberry ice cream so Terumi Mei would not keep it in mind, and the remaining one to compensate Obito.
Terumi Mei received the two strawberry ice creams joyfully, finding herself delighted at the thought of buying one more vanilla flavor to complete her enjoyment.
Soon, however, Terumi Mei felt slightly embarrassed, accepting ice cream after hitting his disciple.
"In the Chunin Exam, I'll defeat him impressively," she decided. Returning the ice cream was out of the question, so Terumi Mei resolved to perform in the Chunin Exam to let Obito shine before defeating him, perhaps leading to his promotion in return for Mokgetsu's gesture.
"Thank you, you're a good person." A delighted Terumi Mei thanked Mokgetsu, offering him a "Good Person" card.
Mokgetsu said nothing further, calmly accepting the card and leaving. With the uncertain future of Hidden Mist and Konoha's relationship, excessive interaction benefitted neither side.
...
In a dimly lit cave, Uchiha Madara listened to Black Zetsu's report.
"Beneath Habu Mokgetsu's warm exterior may lie coldness. Though he stood by, ensuring no action while students were hurt, Ishijima Hideyuki was ultimately defeated by his students' combined efforts, but only barely through a critical outburst," Black Zetsu concluded with details on Obito's changes, mentioning Mokgetsu's conduct.
"Attentive to his disciples, yet watching when danger arises…" Uchiha Madara found Habu Mokgetsu intriguing, suspecting a hidden secret.
"If he's genuinely indifferent to these students, the plan will go smoothly," Uchiha Madara smirked at a thought.
If Mokgetsu's concern for Obito was a facade, initially, little action was needed besides guiding Obito to realize this, sufficient to shatter Obito's emotions; subsequently, killing the girl he cared for, Nohara Rin, would plunge Obito into darkness for Madara's use.
"But if not, Habu Mokgetsu presents a significant obstacle. Without full strength, he's able to injure Hidden Cloud's Candidate for the Raikage; his power may surpass even Namikaze Minato," Black Zetsu warned.
Due to monitoring Obito, Black Zetsu also gathered much information on Mokgetsu, including Armament Aura, Breath of Flame, and Breath of Flame Chakra Mode.
These techniques were exceedingly strong, even unheard of by the ancient Black Zetsu, undoubtedly Mokgetsu's inventions. To Black Zetsu, Mokgetsu resembled a Senju Tobirama figure, inclined to concealment.
Were Uchiha Madara at his peak, Mokgetsu's strength would be of no concern, as neither Senju Tobirama could match him, yet now Madara was an aging remnant sustained by the Gedo Statue; facing Mokgetsu, whether successful or not, required significant effort.
"Even Hashirama has departed, what can a youth under twenty achieve," Uchiha Madara said indifferently.
He disdained not any in the Ninja World, but equally scorned all outside his brother and Hashirama.