"Make sure to take this seriously. Breathing techniques are very difficult to master, and the learning process is anything but easy," Mu Yue said with a serious expression.
Although Flame Breathing is slightly easier to learn than Stone Breathing, this is only relatively speaking. The actual difficulty is still exceedingly high.
The significance of Breathing Techniques surpasses any other ninjutsu or taijutsu he has taught thus far.
After demonstrating the power of Flame Breathing combined with a Fire Release, Mu Yue began formally teaching the technique to the two students.
"Stand upright. Relax your upper body while keeping your lower body steady. Use your abdomen to breathe, allowing oxygen to flow into your body and circulate through your chakra points and meridians."
At this point, the differences between Flame Breathing and Stone Breathing became apparent. Stone Breathing focuses primarily on enhancing physical strength, with other benefits being secondary. In contrast, Flame Breathing emphasizes interaction with chakra, enhancing the power of Fire Release techniques.
"Huff! Huff!" Obito inhaled exaggeratedly, his mouth wide open as if gasping for air.
Smack! Mu Yue brought his two fingers together and flicked Obito on the forehead, then lightly tapped him on the abdomen with a hand chop. "Focus on using your abdominal muscles, not just opening your mouth and breathing haphazardly. Pay attention to rhythm and technique."
"Huh?" Obito looked bewildered, clearly not expecting that even something as simple as breathing could be this complicated.
Even Shisui, who could usually grasp ninjutsu with ease, found himself struggling to get the hang of the Breathing Technique. Despite his talent, he couldn't seem to find the right method.
This was entirely within Mu Yue's expectations. Talent, after all, has its limits.
Throughout the morning, Mu Yue alternated between groups, spending an hour with one before moving to the other, repeating this cycle. By the time the morning had passed, the proficiency level of his three students in Breathing Techniques remained at zero, making the difficulty of these techniques all the more apparent.
At noon, Mu Yue returned to the main district of Konoha to retrieve the students' performance records and carefully organized the data. He brought it along when it was time for his regular teaching duties.
Perhaps because Mu Yue had mentioned delivering a report, or because Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't particularly busy lately, Mu Yue had another chance to meet the Third Hokage.
"Lord Third," Mu Yue greeted respectfully, handing over the folder containing the compiled records. "These are the performance test records of the students."
"Thank you, Mu Yue," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a genial smile as he opened the folder to take a look.
The report had been meticulously prepared by Mu Yue. The first page displayed the initial group test scores from the start of the training program, followed by weekly performance assessments for the duration of the training.
The performance sheets included evaluation criteria as well: Group C and Group B were graded based on the standards for fourth-year students, while Group A was assessed using criteria meant for academy graduates.
After skimming through the data, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction. Based on the results, it was clear that all students had shown significant progress after three weeks of special training. If Mu Yue's data was accurate, then this training initiative was a considerable success and also a testament to his teaching ability.
This training involved far more than
"Excellent work, Mu Yue. You've done very well," Hiruzen Sarutobi praised.
"The students have worked hard in their training. This is not solely my achievement," Mu Yue replied modestly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in approval. Then, with a warm smile, he added, "When the final assessment for your special training is conducted, I'll come by to observe. I trust that won't be disruptive?"
"Not at all. If the students know that Lord Third will be present, they'll be ecstatic," Mu Yue responded with a smile.
This was a genuine sentiment. While Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation in Mu Yue's previous life might have been mixed, he was undeniably popular in Konoha, having served as Hokage for decades.
After finishing his report to his superior, Mu Yue took Asuma Sarutobi to continue their training.
"Sigh, Mu Yue-sensei, you really shouldn't have invited the old man to come," Asuma complained during a break.
The presence of Hiruzen Sarutobi meant that no matter how well Asuma performed, his efforts would be overshadowed by his status as the Hokage's son. Good results would simply be chalked up to nepotism.
"Asuma, have you forgotten what I told you before?" Mu Yue said, his tone firm.
"Don't concern yourself with others' opinions. You're not living for them; you're living for yourself."
With a steady stream of motivational advice, Mu Yue managed to lift Asuma's spirits again. Reinvigorated, Asuma returned to his training with renewed dedication.
On Monday, Mu Yue informed the students in the summer training program that the Third Hokage would be visiting to observe their final exam.
The news set the story
Ask any ten academy students about their dreams, and eight of them would say they aspire to become Hokage. The chance to interact with the current Hokage was naturally thrilling.
"The Third Hokage is actually coming? Izumo, this is our chance to make a name for ourselves in Konoha!" Kotetsu Hagane exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Exactly! If Lord Third remembers our names, our careers will skyrocket!" Izumo Kamizuki agreed, just as eager.
"You two better stop dreaming. One of you's a first-round dropout, and the other barely makes it past the second round. Even if the Hokage shows up, he won't pay attention to you," Anko Mitarashi retorted with a smile .
"The Third Hokage will definitely recognize the untapped potential in us," Kotetsu argued, undeterred.
Izumo nodded solemnly in agreement.
"In that case, let me show you what brute strength can do!" Anko declared, chasing after the two as they fled in a panic.
Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi redoubled her efforts in training. She was determined to improve as much as possible to avoid another humiliating defeat at the hands of current students.
Obito, on the other hand, was already dreaming big. "If Lord Third sees my outstanding performance, he might even say I have the potential to become Hokage! Hahaha!" he laughed, oblivious to the looks from those around him.
"Uh-oh, if Kotetsu and Izumo say anything stupid again, it'll be a disaster," Ebisu thought, resolving to warn his two friends before the exams.
"Everyone, quiet down and focus on your training. Let Lord Third see your progress," Mu Yue said with a gentle smile, pleased to see the students so motivated.
Although the summer training program was brief—only five weeks—the actual training hours were substantial, exceeding 40 hours per week. Based on his experience with Class 1-A, Mu Yue was confident that the training would trigger a performance-based reward.
His only concern was whether the progress would fall just short of triggering it, so he made sure to push the students to their limits without overburdening them. He closely monitored their progress, adjusted their training plans, and provided individualized guidance where needed.
Mu Yue understood that the success of this program wasn't just about meeting expectations—it was about exceeding them. He wanted to create a lasting impression, not just on the students but also on the Third Hokage and the village as a whole.
The final test was approaching quickly, and the students could feel the pressure mounting. Yet, under Mu Yue's guidance, their determination only grew stronger. Whether it was Obito's relentless enthusiasm, Kurenai's quiet resilience, or Asuma's fight against his own doubts, every student was putting their heart into the training.
Obito, despite his occasional clumsiness, was showing remarkable progress in mastering the breathing technique, his fiery determination shining through. Shisui, with his calm demeanor, had begun to grasp the subtle intricacies of enhancing his chakra flow, his potential as a prodigy becoming more evident with each passing day. Meanwhile, Guy's tireless efforts to perfect his stance and breathing were paving the way for him to become a formidable taijutsu specialist.
Even the less naturally talented students, like Kotetsu and Izumo, were stepping up their game, driven by the excitement of performing before the Hokage. Mu Yue made it a point to encourage them as much as he did the top performers, knowing that belief in oneself was often half the battle.
The days leading up to the final test were filled with a mix of intense training and growing anticipation. Mu Yue ensured that the students balanced their physical exercises with mental preparation, emphasizing that composure under pressure was as crucial as raw skill.
As the final day drew closer, the atmosphere in the training grounds buzzed with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Mu Yue stood at the center of it all, watching his students train with an intensity that made him certain of one thing—no matter the outcome of the test, they had already achieved something extraordinary.
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