...
The next day.
Because he had an appointment with Sarutobi Hiruzen to guide Asuma in his training today, Mokgetsu sent a shadow clone to the Southern Border Forest, while his real body went to the meeting place to see Asuma.
Asuma arrived very early. Mokgetsu set off ten minutes ahead of time, but found that Asuma was already at the training ground.
"Good morning, Teacher Mokgetsu." Asuma waved to Mokgetsu and jogged over to him.
"Mm, good morning," Mokgetsu replied with a smile, giving Asuma a once-over.
[Name: Sarutobi Asuma]
[Chakra: 4800]
[Skills: Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Skilled: 2200/3000), Fire Attribute Chakra Nature Changes (Skilled: 1700/3000), Breath of Wind (Beginner: 497/500)...]
By Chunin standards, Asuma's abilities were quite outstanding, but due to various opportunities and circumstances, he had fallen significantly behind Kakashi and others.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, I always knew you'd make a name for yourself in the Ninja World. Sure enough, the moment you got a stage to showcase your skills, you became famous," Asuma said proudly.
Ever since Mokgetsu was his tutor a long time ago, Asuma believed that Mokgetsu would become a formidable force in the Ninja World.
Asuma couldn't quite put it into words; he just felt that Mokgetsu was the perfect ninja in his ideal image.
Humble, mild-mannered, a great teacher with exceptional strength and talent... Mokgetsu seemed to be flawless in every way.
"If you ask me, you should be the Hokage, Teacher Mokgetsu. You'd surpass all the previous Hokages and become the greatest Hokage in Konoha's history," Asuma made a bold claim.
Mokgetsu chuckled silently. Asuma was still the same, always saying things that could raise his old father's blood pressure.
"You can say this in front of me, but don't say it in front of the Third Hokage," Mokgetsu advised.
"What I said is the truth. The old man has so many bad habits. If he had any sense, he'd step down and let someone else take over," Asuma said, recalling Sarutobi Hiruzen with a pout.
"Alright, let's put that aside. Today's focus is on training," Mokgetsu said, steering the conversation to the day's main objective.
Asuma nodded and didn't say anything further.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Mokgetsu formed the seals and created a shadow clone.
"You'll need to fight my shadow clone with all your strength. I want to see your current abilities," Mokgetsu instructed.
The perfect conclusion can only be drawn when assessment combines with real combat experience, allowing for the formulation of an appropriate training plan.
Asuma didn't hold back, exerting all his abilities to their fullest to fight against Mokgetsu's shadow clone.
He knew Mokgetsu's strength was immense, and even for a shadow clone, he would find it challenging to inflict any harm.
After the spar, Mokgetsu let Asuma rest for a bit and used the time to create a training plan for Asuma.
"The current training focus is the Breath of Wind. Master the 'Constant State' of Breath of Wind, and then advance your Wind Attribute Chakra Nature Changes..." Mokgetsu said, handing the plan to Asuma.
Mokgetsu believed that ninjas should focus on mastering one nature transformation at an early stage, achieving mastery in one specific transformation first.
Of course, exceptional geniuses were an exception; if they had enough talent, advancing everything simultaneously could also maintain progress.
Besides Asuma, Mokgetsu arranged special training for Nohara Rin as well.
Although Nohara Rin hadn't been promoted to Jonin like Obito, she had received a chance for promotion. She could be promoted to Official Jonin as long as she passed the assessment.
Unlike Might Guy and Obito, Nohara Rin had a decent grasp of theory, but lacked in combat skills.
To elevate Nohara Rin's combat proficiency along with her medical abilities, Mokgetsu specifically sought out Tsunade to be an advisor for the special training plan, assisting in Nohara Rin's Jonin promotion special training.
"Three months of dinners plus twenty Ninja Slayer characters; I won't settle for anything less," Tsunade firmly stated.
Tsunade hadn't tasted Mokgetsu's cooking for a long time, given his time on the battlefield, and also hadn't seen new updates to the Ninja Slayer cards for a while.
"First, I may not stay in Konoha for a full three months. Second, twenty character cards are too many; there aren't even twenty cards in Ninja Slayer in total at the moment," Mokgetsu reasoned.
Although creating a character card was just recollecting memories from his past life, it couldn't appear too easy; things that come too easily aren't valued, they need to be tantalizing.
"You've got a point; let's reduce the character cards to ten," Tsunade reconsidered.
After all, this required brainpower—crafting skills after considering every character's life story, ensuring balanced gameplay—it was complicated. Producing too many at once would likely result in lower quality.
"However, dinners can't be skimped on. If you leave for a mission before three months are up, you'll have to make up for it when you return," Tsunade added.
Tsunade simply craved a satisfactory meal and longed for a continuous supply.
"Tsunade-sama, your demands have increased a lot all of a sudden. Previously, it was just a few meals," Shizune couldn't help but complain.
Shizune also missed Mokgetsu's cooking, but she felt it was excessive to trouble Mokgetsu, likening him to the young Sannin in her eyes.
It seemed rather trivial to inconvenience such a powerful figure just for meals.
"That's because Mokgetsu is a considerate young man who'd come over to cook willingly before. Now it's been so long since I had a taste," Tsunade defended, as if pinning the blame on Mokgetsu.
"Five character cards and no change to the number of dinners," Mokgetsu reduced the character cards by half again.
Mokgetsu understood Tsunade's main goal; as long as the number of dinners remained unchanged, there was room for negotiation.
"No way!" Tsunade crossed her arms defiantly.
"Then I won't bother you, Tsunade-sama," Mokgetsu said, turning as if about to leave.
Tsunade panicked, using Instant Body Jutsu to appear beside Mokgetsu, grabbing his arm.
"Why are you so stingy? How about seven?" Tsunade suggested, her hand on her hip, looking somewhat dissatisfied.
Mokgetsu smiled lightly and continued walking, showing no response, making Tsunade realize that Mokgetsu was quite strong; she couldn't hold him back with one hand.
"Forget it, you win. Five it is, but tonight's dinner must be lavish, with roast chicken and beggar's chicken," Tsunade conceded but made a small request to satiate herself.
"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Tsunade-sama," Mokgetsu said with a calm smile, halting his steps.
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, "Oh, don't call me Tsunade-sama; you're the superior, Mokgetsu-sama. Just call me Little Tsun from now on."
Tsunade had come to understand Mokgetsu; he respectfully called her "Tsunade-sama," but his demeanor suggested otherwise.
Reflecting on her interactions with Mokgetsu, she realized it was him who had taken advantage of her all along.
Not only had she taught him extensively about medical ninjutsu, but she also helped train his disciple, genuinely treating Nohara Rin as her own.
Additionally, Tsunade was helping Mokgetsu perfect the Yang Seal, dedicating daily time to research, despite her preference for a lax lifestyle.
In retrospect, Tsunade concluded that even three months' worth of dinners wasn't enough; she'd need breakfast, lunch, and dinner covered for five years.
"Tsunade-sama, you are always the medical ninja I admire most," Mokgetsu said, sending a shadow clone to buy groceries.
Mokgetsu spoke genuinely; in terms of medical ninjutsu, he truly admired Tsunade the most, as there were few renowned medical ninjas in the Hokage era.
Besides, Tsunade was just teasing; if Mokgetsu really called her "Little Tsun," her fist might accidentally swing toward him in the next moment.
PS: My neck is a bit uncomfortable from staying up late writing recently. I'll rest early today and see if it improves, and write more tomorrow if I feel better.