Chapter 419: Kakashi's Training Reward
Chapter 419: Kakashi's Training Reward
【Student Uchiha Stopwater diligently practiced and achieved perfect results in the Chunin Exams, promoting to Chunin and gaining rewards: Chakra +1800, Random Bloodline Limit Scroll.】
While it was much easier for Stopwater to achieve this rank compared to Kakashi, the rewards granted by the system were identical. Mu Yue deduced that the Chunin Exam rewards were fixed, just like the Ninja School Exam rewards, and were based on ranking.
Mu Yue went to the kitchen, washed her hands under the faucet, and then prepared to use the Bloodline Extraction Scroll.
Although the process didn't require the use of both hands, she still wanted to maintain a sense of ritual.
With a nod to the various great gods in her heart, Mu Yue consciously clicked on the extraction option.
【Random Bloodline Limit Scroll has been consumed, and the Bloodline Limit – Wood Release, has been obtained.】
"Wood Release, that's not bad," Mu Yue said, nodding at the new beginner skill that appeared in her skill panel.
While Senju Hashirama's strength didn't solely lie in his Wood Release, the sheer power of his chakra allowed him to execute powerful jutsu of any kind. Nonetheless, Wood Release was still considered an excellent bloodline limit.
Wood Release could absorb chakra and suppress the power of tailed beasts, which was why Kakashi needed Yamato's help when training Naruto.
Mu Yue also found tailed beasts to be a real headache. They could take a beating and had terrifyingly powerful abilities like the Tailed Beast Bomb. Having Wood Release would undoubtedly make dealing with them much simpler.
Of course, this would require a certain level of proficiency in Wood Release. After all, even Yamato, with his mastery of the art, had a relatively low level of proficiency. Mu Yue's beginner-level Wood Release might not even be able to grow trees beyond a certain height.
Mu Yue's thoughts stirred, and she decided to use the last Nature Transformation Experience Scroll on Wood Release.
This was one of the enhancement rewards she had obtained from training the seven hundred students. She had received two scrolls in total, using the other one on Ice Release.
Since Mu Yue had reached the Mastery level or higher in all seven natures, she knew from experience that it would be more difficult to increase the skill level's proficiency from this point onward.
For example, a beginner-level skill could be upgraded to proficient by repeatedly obtaining the same ninjutsu three times through lecturing. However, once a skill reached the proficient level, the amount of proficiency gained from acquiring additional beginner-level skills would decrease. Even eighteen repetitive beginner skills wouldn't be enough to elevate a proficient skill to Mastery.
【Skill: Wood Release (Proficiency: 1000/3000)】
As the scroll was used, Mu Yue's mind was filled with a wealth of knowledge and experience related to Wood Release, instantly transforming her from someone who had never practiced it before to someone with a basic understanding.
Mu Yue then headed to the Southern Border Forest to test out her new ability.
Before beginning the test, she used her Perception Ninjutsu to sense her surroundings and then double-checked with Byakugan and the Transparent World to ensure that no one was nearby. Only then did she start the formal test.
Mu Yue directed her palm toward the ground and quickly converted the chakra within her body into Wood Release chakra, activating the ability.
Under Mu Yue's watchful eye, a tender sprout burst forth from the soil and grew at an unnatural rate, transforming into a towering tree reaching eighty or ninety feet high.
"What a wondrous nature," Mu Yue marveled after inspecting the tree he had created.
Logically, such forced growth should have resulted in an unhealthy tree. However, the tree before her was thriving and even more vibrant and full of life than a typically grown tree.
Through practical testing, Mu Yue confirmed that the Wood Release chakra nature transformation inherently possessed a powerful life force.
However, this vitality was only evident in the trees created through Wood Release. It served solely as a means to channel ninjutsu and couldn't bestow the user with enhanced vitality. The life force of Wood Release was akin to the combustive nature of Fire Release—an inherent effect of the nature itself rather than a boon to the user's constitution.
"How can I increase my proficiency in Wood Release? Should I hold another training session?" Mu Yue pondered as he burned the tree he had created.
Compared to Ice Release, Wood Release held more strategic value for Mu Yue, as it could diversify his options when dealing with tailed beasts. Thus, he wanted to improve his proficiency in this bloodline limit.
Mu Yue was willing to train himself, having never had a moment of rest since arriving in the world of ninjas. He didn't mind setting aside a portion of his time to focus on mastering Wood Release.
However, his personal training would be inefficient. Yamato, who had practiced for over twenty years, had only recently reached Mastery. Unless Mu Yue possessed a natural talent for Wood Release akin to his talent for sealing techniques, he wouldn't be able to achieve much on his own, even with Uchiha Madara's assistance.
Mu Yue had a clear understanding of his limitations. Even Senju Hashirama himself wouldn't have become invincible across the world by training in Wood Release for just two or three years.
Since self-training wasn't a viable option, the only other choice was to cheat the system.
Mu Yue's current plan was to conduct intensive training and then use two Nature Transformation Experience Scrolls on Wood Release.
The reason he didn't directly teach Wood Release to his students to gain experience wasn't out of fear of exposing his ability but because it simply wouldn't work.
Mu Yue had delivered numerous lectures that received S-rank evaluations, and in doing so, he had figured out the mechanism behind these high-level rewards.
The first major factor in earning S-rank evaluation rewards was teaching what you wanted to improve; however, this factor was predicated on the students' progress.
The more the students gained from the lesson, the greater the reward, and conversely, if the students learned very little, the reward would be diminished.
This was one of the reasons why there were discrepancies in the nature transformations he taught previously. The distribution of chakra attributes among individuals was uneven, with Wind being rare and Fire, Earth, and Water being more common.
As their strength grew, their desire to determine who was stronger also increased, and having Mu Yue there would ensure their safety.
"Of course," Mu Yue agreed. Kakashi and the others hadn't been able to hide anything from him from the start. He just hadn't revealed himself because there hadn't been any incidents.
Mu Yue thought that these regular sparring matches were a good idea. They would motivate the disciples to train harder.
"Still a little short," Kakashi sighed. "If only I had a little more time."
He had managed to manifest his Perfect Body Field, but he couldn't do it consistently.
For Kakashi, who relied on explosive power, this was a fatal flaw. If he couldn't manifest his Perfect Body Field with every attack, it was as good as not having mastered the technique at all.
"This time, I will definitely win, Stopwater," Obito declared confidently, having studied Stopwater's dossier thoroughly overnight.
With his knowledge and newfound vigilance, his odds of defeating Stopwater were now over ninety percent.
"How do you know you'll be fighting Stopwater?" Kakashi asked, curious about Obito's certainty.
After all, they were drawing lots to determine their opponents, and there were no fixed matchups.
Kakashi's words made Obito stiffen slightly.
Though he felt a twinge of anxiety, Obito put on a brave front. "I will win no matter who my opponent is."
"You'll win," Kakashi said, recalling Obito's expression from three months ago.
Ino Yamanaka covered her mouth to hide her giggles, and Obito's face gradually turned red.
"Three months ago, the river flowed to the west. Don't underestimate my growth during this time, Kakashi!" Obito declared, trying to save face.
Kakashi just smiled without saying a word. How could he not know how much Obito had improved when they had been training together every day?
Mu Yue cleared his throat and began to draw lots for the disciples.
"Please, anyone but Guy," Obito prayed, his hands clasped together.
He wasn't afraid of Might Guy, but he dreaded the punishment for losing in the first round. Guy was the opponent he had the lowest chance of beating, and he would rather face Kakashi.
After their previous battle, Obito had thought about how he could defeat Guy, but he found the conditions too harsh and demanding.
"Obito versus Kakashi, and Stopwater versus Guy," Mu Yue announced the pairings.
Obito breathed a sigh of relief. While he had a lower chance of winning against Kakashi than Stopwater, it was still much better than facing Guy, so he considered himself unlucky yet fortunate.
Stopwater and Guy looked at each other, both feeling a surge of pressure.
The last time they had sparred, Stopwater lost to Guy, and Guy had earned the title of the strongest disciple for three months.
Obito and Kakashi stood opposite each other, forming the Seal of Confrontation, their eyes burning with battle intent.
Neither of them wanted to lose this fight, not just because of the punishment but also for personal reasons.
"I won't lose to you in front of Rin," Obito said, sensing Rin's gaze. He pushed himself to his limit, harnessing one hundred and twelve percent of his strength.
This time, there was no room for carelessness or complacency. Obito remained cautious throughout the fight, avoiding falling into Kakashi's combat traps.
The two combatants traded blows, their Fire Release and dazzling Lightning Release sword techniques clashing.
Kakashi wiped the sweat from his forehead, a result of the intense heat from Obito's flames, as he darted and dodged the onslaught of scorching attacks.
Obito pushed his Sharingan to its limit, ensuring he wouldn't be caught off guard by Kakashi's high-speed slashes.
Their overall strengths were evenly matched, and after several intense exchanges, neither had managed to gain a decisive advantage over the other.
However, as the fight progressed and Obito maintained his relentless pressure, Kakashi had a breakthrough. On his third attempt to manifest his Perfect Body Field, he finally understood the technique, no longer needing to rely on luck or intuition.
"Kakashi wins!" Mu Yue announced after the final clash of fire and lightning. He and Rin then proceeded to heal the two combatants.
【Disciple Kakashi Hatake has diligently trained under your guidance and has shown significant improvement in his overall strength. Reward gained: Lightning Flash – Godspeed (Proficient)】
Mu Yue's mind was suddenly filled with memories and knowledge related to the Lightning Release sword technique.
He was familiar with this skill; it was a technique from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba called "Thunderclap and Flash," an extreme version of the Thunder Breathing style. It was incredibly fast and powerful, making it a perfect fit for Kakashi's current abilities.
Obito, who was receiving treatment, kept his head down. He didn't dare look at Rin, afraid that he would see disappointment in her eyes.
This time, Obito had no excuses. He had given it his all and still lost.
"I will win no matter who my opponent is," Kakashi mocked, sensing Obito's dejection.
"Damn you, Kakashi!" Obito suddenly snapped, his head shooting up to glare at Kakashi.
In that moment, he also caught a glimpse of Rin's expression, and instead of disappointment, he saw only encouragement and concern.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
