"Today, I will teach you a new Taijutsu. This Taijutsu is a bit more difficult than Shunpo, so if you have any questions during the teaching process, feel free to ask me," Mutsuki reminded the Ninjas.
Although Mutsuki had developed Darkness Breathing to be easier, it was still recognized as an A-rank technique. In Konoha's ranking system, B-rank can be considered high-level Ninjutsu, while A-rank can be described as super high-level Ninjutsu.
After hearing Mutsuki's words, the expressions of the thirty training Ninjas changed noticeably.
Some displayed curiosity, wondering if this Taijutsu was also developed by Mutsuki, while others showed joy, as generally speaking, the harder a technique is, the stronger it tends to be.
"This Taijutsu is called Darkness Breathing, and it's an A-rank Taijutsu I developed. Its main feature is enhancing the body through concentrated breathing."
Mutsuki didn't keep them in suspense and briefly introduced the Taijutsu he would be teaching.
"Another Taijutsu he developed himself, and it's a super high-level Taijutsu," Sarutobi Shinji thought, feeling a sense of respect for Mutsuki.
From Sarutobi Shinji's perspective, Darkness Breathing was quite prominent among A-rank techniques, offering both enhanced strength and accelerated recovery.
Normally, such a powerful Taijutsu as Darkness Breathing would only be taught to disciples, or even just to those who could inherit his abilities. However, Mutsuki didn't do that; instead, he was teaching it to everyone in this large training session.
It was hard for Sarutobi Shinji not to admire Mutsuki for this.
The other Root Ninja and ANBU members also showed surprised expressions after hearing this. Learning an excellent Body Flicker Jutsu like Shunpo in the training was already unexpected for them, and now they were discovering that there was something even better.
"Darkness Breathing's most important aspect is breathing. In the beginning, you need to maintain a specific posture to familiarize yourselves with the breathing rhythm of Darkness Breathing," Mutsuki began the formal teaching.
Teaching the Root and ANBU the Breathing Technique was easier than teaching Obito and the others back then, as they were all elite ninjas who had been training for a long time. Maintaining a specific position for an extended period was not difficult for them.
When the afternoon training started, Mutsuki used Identification Jutsu to take a look. All the ninjas had already gained some Proficiency level of Darkness Breathing, with some even reaching two points.
Mutsuki nodded to himself, realizing that his modifications were successful. Darkness Breathing Beginner was much simpler than the ordinary Breathing Technique.
It's worth noting that even Obito, who was incredibly suited for Flame Breathing, took three days to show even a slight Proficiency level when he first trained in it. However, these Root and ANBU members showed rapid progress, with so many achieving a Proficiency level in just half a day.
By the end, the fastest among them had reached three points in Proficiency level, while the rest had at least one point, with most having around two points.
[Completed a mid-level lecture]
[Evaluation: S]
[Rewards: Improved understanding of Breathing Technique, Darkness Breathing +50, Basic Breathing +25, Thunder Breathing +12]
"Sure enough, even if the number of students is small, as long as the instructor has greater strength and the teaching content is better, an S-level evaluation can still be achieved," Mutsuki's speculation about the system's grading mechanism was validated.
Mutsuki could now basically confirm the three key factors for receiving an S-level evaluation: first, the number of students; second, the students' levels; and third, the quality of teaching.
The more of these three factors are met, the higher the chances of obtaining an S-level evaluation.
For example, during the holiday special training, the general level of students was quite low, with half of them being non-graduated Academy students, but because the total number was large enough, an S-level evaluation was still possible.
"If there are many students, they are strong, and the teaching quality is high, what kind of rewards will that yield?" Mutsuki felt a growing expectation for greater rewards from his lectures.
Looking at it now, he realized there was still a lot of room for improvement in his teaching. He had many Ninjutsu that were more advanced than Darkness Breathing, and Konoha had more than just thirty elite ninjas.
Putting aside his future aspirations, Mutsuki shifted his focus to the rewards section. The S-level evaluation for the mid-level course seemed to be similar to that of regular courses, both related to the teaching content.
As for Darkness Breathing, which was the main teaching content, its increase was to be expected. Additionally, since Darkness Breathing was developed based on Basic Breathing and Mutsuki borrowed some concepts from Thunder Breathing during its development, it made sense that both of these techniques would see increases as well.
What Mutsuki was more concerned about was the reward for improved understanding of Breathing Technique. The increase in Proficiency level equated to an improvement in understanding, but the system highlighting it as a separate reward indicated that there was something special about it.
While Mutsuki was pondering, he suddenly had a better idea for the development of Wind Breathing. He then checked his panel and found that all his Breathing Technique Proficiency levels had increased somewhat.
Mutsuki began to understand this reward; it was quite literal in meaning. It would deepen his understanding of Breathing Techniques, and the increase in Breathing Technique Proficiency level was just one of its effects. Moreover, it could lead to new insights for the Breathing Techniques Mutsuki was conceptualizing in his mind.
Mutsuki taught the Breathing Technique for a whole week continuously. On the following Monday, he did not teach Breathing Technique but instead focused the entire day on Nature Transformation.
"Taijutsu needs to be trained properly, but Ninjutsu shouldn't be neglected," was Mutsuki's reason.
Of course, this was just an excuse; Mutsuki wanted to compare the differences between the S-level evaluation of the mid-level course and that of the regular courses.
The Ninjas didn't question him; instead, they were quite pleased.
Most Ninjas had mastered Nature Transformation, but very few could reach Mutsuki's level. They hadn't forgotten about Mutsuki's Fire Release that swallowed all their attacks.
[Completed a mid-level class]
[Evaluation: S]
[Rewards: Increased understanding of Chakra Nature Transformation, Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation +20, Earth Release Chakra Nature Transformation +18, Water Release Chakra Nature Transformation +13, Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation +9]
Looking at the reward settlement on the panel, Mutsuki could basically confirm that the increased understanding of the teaching content was a special reward for achieving an S-level evaluation in the mid-level course.
Mutsuki glanced at the panel and found that even the Proficiency level for Ice Release had increased. Although the increase wasn't significant—only a few points—it meant that he might be able to develop Kekkei Genkai by grinding for mid-level S evaluations.
However, Mutsuki currently had no interest in developing a new Kekkei Genkai, as it wouldn't significantly enhance his abilities.
Rather than focusing on Nature Transformation, he was more eager to boost his understanding of Sealing Jutsu to accelerate his progress in developing it.
However, he found it inappropriate to teach Sealing Jutsu during this training. Unlike the essential Ninja courses, Sealing Jutsu wasn't a compulsory subject, and suddenly introducing it would seem quite strange—like suddenly bringing up competition problems in a regular class.
Mutsuki wouldn't jeopardize his own persona just to speed up his progress a little; the appearance of the Enlightenment skill had already accelerated his research pace.
Time quickly moved to mid-November, and by then, Mutsuki had been teaching Root and ANBU for a month.
During this month, the Ninjas who received training learned a lot, with most of them able to use Shunpo, and the progress on Darkness Breathing had reached over half.
Mutsuki also gained a lot; the A-level evaluation allowed him to acquire the Secret Jutsus of the Ino-Shika-Cho and Inuzuka Clans, and the S evaluation accelerated his development of Wind Breathing. He could complete the development of Wind Breathing in the next two weeks and then study Sun Breathing.
Additionally, there was something to celebrate: his Sealing Jutsu power bank project finally made progress.
"Let's call it Yang Seal," Mutsuki smiled as he looked at the pile of draft papers on his desk.
With existing Ninjutsu as a reference, Mutsuki directly developed a Yang Seal that he could train, based on the Yin Seal.
However, this was currently just a semi-finished product, as the Yin Seal, which served as a reference, was also a semi-finished product. The Yang Seal was still missing a corresponding Ninjutsu, similar to the Strength of a Hundred Technique, to use in conjunction with it.
Mutsuki already had some development ideas, which involved binding it with Breathing Technique.
When not in combat, the Yang Seal would only release a faint Chakra to enhance the Constant effect of the Breathing Technique, boosting physical abilities. In battle, it would automatically unlock the Yang Seal and enter the Breathing Technique Mark State.
The consumption of Chakra in the Mark State is incredibly terrifying, but if Mutsuki uses the Chakra from the Yang Seal in actual combat, it means he has a powerful ultimate move stored that doesn't require any mana consumption.
The idea was there, but Mutsuki still encountered many difficulties in the actual development, particularly in binding the Breathing Technique with the Yang Seal, which was a significant challenge.
Mutsuki was someone who disliked wasting resources, so he went directly to Tsunade's house in the afternoon.
Although many people mocked Tsunade for turning her grandfather's passive ability into an ultimate move, Mutsuki believed that Tsunade, who could develop the Strength of a Hundred Technique, was undoubtedly a genius in Ninjutsu and possessed the knowledge he lacked.
"Mutsuki, you're here!" Tsunade, who was lying on the sofa contemplating life, immediately smiled upon seeing Mutsuki and walked over to him. She reached out and took the bag Mutsuki was carrying. "Let me see what delicious food you have."
"There's no chicken, but beef is still okay."
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction after looking at the food.
Mutsuki placed the ingredients he bought in the kitchen, then asked, "Tsunade-sama, I have a new idea about the Ninjutsu that automatically heals after using the Yin Seal that we discussed last time. How about we discuss it?"
At that moment, Shizune brought over two cups of tea and placed them in front of the two.
Tsunade picked up her tea cup and took a sip before continuing to lounge on the sofa. "Go ahead and share your thoughts. I almost forgot about it until you reminded me."
Tsunade wasn't too concerned about enhancing combat power at the moment because she no longer wanted to fight as a Ninja. Even if she had this idea before Mutsuki mentioned it, she lacked the motivation to develop it and would only think about it when she was truly bored.
Mutsuki maintained a warm smile on his face, unaffected by Tsunade's words.
"My idea is like this…" Mutsuki elaborated a bit based on his impression of the Strength of a Hundred Technique and his understanding of Medical Ninjutsu.
At first, Tsunade remained indifferent, still slumped on the sofa, but as she listened, she adjusted her posture.
She realized that Mutsuki had genuinely put in the effort to study this and that it must have taken a long time for him to come up with such results.
"Actually, you don't need to be so invested in this idea. You can't even use the Yin Seal, and this technique doesn't hold much significance for me," Tsunade said, running her fingers through her hair.
Mutsuki was too kind to her, making her feel a bit uncomfortable, which hindered her from being laid-back.
"I've developed a Yang Seal that's quite similar to the Yin Seal. The Yang Seal has similar flaws to the Yin Seal, and I believe this idea will also help me develop accompanying Ninjutsu for the Yang Seal," Mutsuki explained, then took a sip of hot tea.
"Ah, Yang Seal?" Tsunade was a bit surprised. The Yin Seal was an S-rank Ninjutsu; could he really develop something comparable so quickly?
Mutsuki took out a scroll and tossed it to Tsunade, which contained the Yang Seal he had developed.
Tsunade received the scroll and carefully examined it. Being familiar with the Yin Seal, she found this Sealing Jutsu somewhat recognizable.
"You must have kept the Yin Seal beside you while developing this Sealing Jutsu," Tsunade remarked, but she was still shocked by the talent Mutsuki displayed in creating this Sealing Jutsu.
No matter how much one imitates the Yin Seal, it's still a genuine S-rank Sealing Jutsu. Given the brief time she had to teach the Yin Seal to Mutsuki, an ordinary person wouldn't even be able to grasp it, yet Mutsuki had managed to replicate a similar functional Sealing Jutsu. His talent for Sealing Jutsu was evident.
Seeing that Mutsuki had achieved such a level, Tsunade felt compelled to dig deep and share some of her own thoughts.
"I'm so tired," Tsunade said, feeling mentally exhausted, and her desire to be laid-back surged uncontrollably. She looked at Shizune and asked, "Shizune, am I good to you? Would you be willing to listen to me?"
Shizune smiled and replied, "Yes, Tsunade-sama is very good to me, so of course I will listen to you."
Although Tsunade often slept in from hangovers and required this child, who was not even ten, to help manage her daily life, Shizune was grateful to Tsunade. She felt a sense of familial warmth from her.
"Alright, I command you to reach my level in Medical Ninjutsu within a week, and then research Ninjutsu with Mutsuki," Tsunade declared.
Shizune looked at Tsunade in bewilderment, thinking to herself that Tsunade wasn't even drunk, so why was she talking nonsense?
"Don't put Shizune in a difficult position," Mutsuki said, barely able to hold back his laughter.
"Tsunade-sama, if you don't like things like this, I'll come less often in the future."
A complex expression appeared on Tsunade's face. On one hand, there was her laid-back lifestyle of drinking every day and doing nothing; on the other hand, there was the prospect of delicious food but the need to restart her research on Ninjutsu. It was really difficult for her to choose.
"Let's have a bet then, just roll the dice," Tsunade finally decided to leave it to chance.
"If I win, I'll do my best to help you develop that Ninjutsu you have in mind. If I lose, we'll just pretend this never happened, and you can continue learning Medical Ninjutsu as usual."
Although Tsunade loved to gamble, she was self-aware about her luck in betting; others might win nine out of ten, but she lost ten out of ten.
Having lost for so long, if she suddenly won this time, Tsunade would truly have nothing to say.
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