Chapter 179: Kakashi Coin Explosion
"Mhm. Now that you've fully grasped the Breathing Technique, you can indeed accelerate the progress of the Eight Gates," Mugetsu said with a nod.
Might Guy was still far from reaching the Constant State, so focusing on mastering the Eight Gates would currently yield the greatest improvement.
The Breathing Technique and the Eight Gates complemented each other perfectly — the Breathing Technique strengthened the body, and a stronger body allowed the Eight Gates to unleash their full potential.
"I'm not calm enough in battle… I tend to be impulsive," Obito admitted after a pause.
With Mugetsu's question pressing him to self-reflect, he could clearly see his flaw.
He'd known this weakness for a while — it was why he lost more often than he won against Guy.
He got carried away easily, losing focus and fighting without strategy, which often led to defeat.
"Since you're aware of it, then be mindful in future battles," Mugetsu said gently, ruffling Obito's hair.
Obito's performance was indeed unstable. Sometimes, he showed flashes of brilliance that turned battles around; other times, he completely fell apart for no reason at all.
"I misjudged your strength, Sensei," Kakashi said after reflecting on the mission.
Frankly, he thought he had performed well in that ambush. Being caught off guard and controlled wasn't something even a Jonin could've easily avoided — the enemy's sneak attack had been precise and lethal. In such a situation, he doubted even other elite Konoha ninja could've blocked it.
And after freeing himself, he had immediately joined the fight, helping his team eliminate enemies and relieve pressure from the others.
His only real mistake, in hindsight, was underestimating Mugetsu. He hadn't known that his teacher could defeat two enemy Jonin while still protecting him.
"After all, we've only known each other for a short while. We'll understand each other better with time," Mugetsu replied with a warm smile.
"Mugetsu-sensei, did you use your full strength in that last battle?" Kakashi asked suddenly.
Raised by Sakumo, Kakashi had a deeper understanding of true power than his peers.
When he recalled the battle, he noticed something strange — the strength Mugetsu displayed at the start and at the end were on completely different levels.
The Lightning and Wind Releases used early on were impressive, but they paled in comparison to the overwhelming Fire-Wind Combination Ninjutsu unleashed later.
That led Kakashi to a realization: Mugetsu likely hadn't fought seriously at all. He could've ended the battle instantly but had instead chosen to hold back — probably to train them.
Guy and Obito perked up as well. After all this time, they still didn't know how strong their teacher truly was.
"Guess," Mugetsu said simply, smiling.
Kakashi: "…"
"Of course he didn't use his full strength!" Obito declared confidently. "If he had, those enemies would've been burned to ashes in seconds!"
Even if Mugetsu someday told Obito he was the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, Obito wouldn't be surprised — after all, that was just the omnipotent Mugetsu-sensei.
"That's right. Here's a candy as your reward," Mugetsu said, tossing him a piece.
"Hehe." Obito caught it and grinned from ear to ear. As expected — he understood Mugetsu-sensei best.
"Mugetsu-sensei, you're a teacher at the Ninja Academy, right?" Kakashi asked curiously after a moment.
Mugetsu nodded. "That's right."
"Kakashi, why are you asking weird questions again? What else could Sensei be if not a teacher?" Obito muttered.
Kakashi ignored him and continued, "I mean… with your level of strength, why teach at the Academy?"
Mugetsu smiled knowingly. "You're wondering why someone like me is teaching students instead of serving as an elite Jonin, right?"
Kakashi nodded silently.
"Well, there are many reasons," Mugetsu said, looking off into the distance. "But the simplest one is this — I like teaching. Seeing my students grow stronger… that's the happiest thing for me."
Kakashi was caught off guard by the simplicity of the answer. He had expected something complicated, maybe political — but no. It was pure. Honest.
"Alright, that concludes our mission summary," Mugetsu said, clapping his hands. "Now, let's move on to training. We'll train this morning and take on a mission in the afternoon."
He turned to Kakashi first. "You've nearly mastered False Darkness. I have something new to teach you."
Mugetsu raised his right hand. Lightning crackled as he molded Chakra, combining Nature Transformation and Form Transformation in a single, fluid motion.
In an instant, dazzling Purple Lightning enveloped his palm.
"It looks like that Chidori you used before," Kakashi noted, eyes narrowing.
"Yes," Mugetsu said, nodding. "This technique is an improved version of Chidori."
In the original world, Kakashi's Chidori had evolved into Lightning Cutter, and after losing his Sharingan, into Purple Lightning.
But here — decades ahead of schedule — Mugetsu was letting him learn Purple Lightning directly.
"Compared to Chidori, Purple Lightning requires no hand seals. It's stronger, more flexible, and far more versatile — though slightly slower."
He then demonstrated the technique. Purple arcs burst outward, carving through solid rock like paper, then expanding in a sweeping discharge that illuminated the training field.
"Sacrificing speed for power and flexibility… isn't that a disadvantage?" Kakashi asked. "Speed is still the most important in real combat."
Mugetsu didn't answer. Instead, he simply grabbed Kakashi by the collar. Lightning surged beneath his feet as he activated Lightning Breathing, his body vanishing from sight.
A moment later, they stopped — Kakashi's heart was pounding.
"Was that fast enough? Could you react?" Mugetsu asked calmly.
Kakashi didn't answer. He didn't need to.
He remembered the blinding speed from the mission. It wasn't something any human reflex could follow.
And now he realized — this Purple Lightning had been fine-tuned specifically for him.
A flicker of emotion passed over Kakashi's face.
He'd barely been Mugetsu's disciple for half a month, and yet… his teacher had already adjusted a high-level technique with him in mind.
It wasn't arrogance to be moved. It was gratitude.
Mugetsu, a speed-type shinobi himself, had actually slowed his technique just so his student could safely use it.
After Kakashi's training session, Mugetsu handed him a piece of handwritten calligraphy.
[You gifted your disciple a handwritten calligraphy. Due to the disciple's immense gratitude, the reward triggered a critical hit. You received: Earth Release Chakra Nature Transformation (Proficient Level).]
Having become closer to Mugetsu — after being saved, taught, and inspired — Kakashi's emotions resonated strongly, triggering a lucky bonus.
Watching Kakashi thoughtfully examining the calligraphy, Mugetsu smiled softly.
It was the kind of content smile a farmer wears after a bountiful harvest.
Getting critical hits meant things were going smoothly. Building deeper trust would only be a matter of time.
That afternoon, Mugetsu led his students toward the Hokage Building.
After all, even teaching geniuses didn't pay for itself — Chakra still needed to be earned.
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