[Disciple Uchiha Shisui trained hard and achieved a perfect score in the Chunin exam, advancing to Chunin. Reward: Chakra +1800, Random Kekkei Genkai Extraction Scroll]
Although Shisui took first place much more easily than Kakashi, the rewards from the system were the same. Mutsuki judged that the Chunin exam rewards were fixed, just like the Academy exam, and distributed according to rank.
Mutsuki went to the kitchen, turned on the faucet to wash his hands, and then prepared to use the Kekkei Genkai Extraction Scroll.
Although the operation didn't actually require hands, the ritualistic sense was still necessary.
After mentally greeting the various greats, Mutsuki focused and clicked to extract.
[Random Kekkei Genkai Extraction Scroll has been used, obtained Kekkei Genkai-Wood Release]
"Wood Release, not bad." Mutsuki nodded at the new Beginner skill appearing in the skill panel.
Senju Hashirama's strength wasn't due to Wood Release; with his chakra, any Ninjutsu would be powerful. Yet Wood Release was still considered an excellent Kekkei Genkai.
Wood Release could absorb chakra to suppress Tailed Beast power. This was why Kakashi needed Yamato's help when training Naruto.
Mutsuki found Tailed Beasts troublesome-they were tough and could unleash terrifying Tailed Beast Bombs. Using Wood Release against them would make things significantly easier.
Of course, this required a certain Wood Release proficiency level. Even Yamato had Wood Release, though his proficiency level wasn't very high. Mutsuki's Beginner-level Wood Release with minimal proficiency probably couldn't grow very tall trees.
Mutsuki focused his mind and applied the last Nature Transformation Experience Scroll to Wood Release.
This was one of the advancement rewards from his training of seven hundred students; he had received two in total, the other being applied to Ice Release.
Since Mutsuki had already mastered all seven chakra natures at Mastery level or above, according to his experience, it was harder to increase the proficiency level of a high-level skill.
For example, a Beginner-level skill with minimal proficiency could be upgraded to Proficient after repeating the same Ninjutsu three times, but once a skill reached Proficient, gaining the same Beginner-level skill would add less to its proficiency. Eighteen repeated Beginner-level skills couldn't raise a Proficient skill to Mastery level.
[Skill: Wood Release (Proficient: 1000/3000)]
With the scroll's use, Mutsuki's mind was filled with many training experiences related to Wood Release. Instantly, he went from someone who had never practiced Wood Release to someone with a basic understanding of it.
Next, Mutsuki went to the Southern Border Forest to test his Wood Release.
Before testing, he first used Sensory Ninjutsu to sense the surroundings, then activated Transparent World and Byakugan to confirm that no one was around. Only then did he begin the formal test.
Mutsuki directed his palms toward the ground and quickly converted the chakra in his body into Wood Release Chakra to activate Wood Release.
Under Mutsuki's gaze, a sprout burst from the soil and grew at an impossible speed into a tree eight or nine meters tall.
"A truly miraculous nature," Mutsuki exclaimed after inspecting the tree he had created.
Normally, such forced growth would make a tree unhealthy, but in reality, this tree was extremely healthy-more vigorous and full of life than a normally grown tree.
Through practical testing, Mutsuki confirmed that Wood Release's Chakra Nature Transformation inherently carried immense vitality.
However, this vitality was only reflected in the trees created with Wood Release. It could be manifested through Ninjutsu, but the life force of the Wood Release nature itself did not grant the user enhanced vitality, just as fire's nature produces burning without giving the user fiery power.
"How can I raise the Proficiency level of Wood Release-should I run another training session?" Mutsuki pondered after burning the tree he had created.
Compared to Ice Release, Wood Release had more strategic value for Mutsuki, enriching his methods for dealing with Tailed Beasts. Therefore, he wanted to increase its Proficiency level.
Mutsuki was willing to practice on his own. Ever since traveling through the Naruto world, he had never been idle, and he didn't mind dedicating part of his time to Wood Release training.
But practicing alone would be inefficient. Even Yamato had trained for over twenty years to barely reach Mastery level. Unless Mutsuki's talent in Wood Release was as exceptional as his talent in Sealing Jutsu, he wouldn't be able to achieve much on his own.
Mutsuki had a clear self-awareness about this. Even Senju Hashirama himself wouldn't become invincible after only two or three years of Wood Release practice.
Since self-practice wouldn't work, the only option was to cheat.
Mutsuki's current plan was to run a special training session and then use two more Nature Transformation Experience Scrolls on Wood Release.
Not directly teaching Wood Release to gain experience wasn't because Mutsuki was afraid of revealing it, but because it wouldn't work that way.
Mutsuki had already gone through a lot of S-rank teaching sessions and had figured out the reward mechanism for S-rank evaluations.
The most important factor for S-rank rewards was teaching something worthwhile-but there was a premise: the students had to actually benefit.
The more the students gained, the greater the reward; conversely, if the students gained little, the reward would be small.
This was one reason why, when Mutsuki had previously taught Nature Transformation, the results varied by element. People's chakra affinities were not evenly distributed; wind was rare, while fire, earth, and water were relatively common.
Mutsuki didn't think his students could understand Wood Release. Kekkei Genkai relied almost as much on innate talent as on study-it was hard to teach widely.
...
The next day, the disciples actively invited Mutsuki to serve as the referee for their internal battle.
Everyone's strength was increasing, so injuries were inevitable when trying to determine a winner. Having Mutsuki present made things much safer.
Of course, from the beginning, Kakashi and the others hadn't been able to hide anything from Mutsuki.
Mutsuki thought that regular internal battles were indeed a good method, motivating his disciples to train harder.
"Still a little short... if only I had a bit more time," Kakashi sighed.
His Color of Arms was stuck at the very last point. He could use it, but not every time.
For a Kakashi who relied on explosive power, this was a fatal flaw. If a full-powered strike failed to manifest the Color of Arms, it would be as if he hadn't learned it at all.
"Shisui, this time the winner will definitely be me." Obito, who had spent the night thoroughly studying Shisui's detailed information, was full of confidence.
This time, with both intelligence and careful planning, his chance of defeating Shisui was already over ninety percent.
"Obito, how do you know your drawn opponent will be Shisui?" Kakashi asked in surprise.
The matches were drawn randomly, with no fixed opponents.
Reminded by Kakashi, Obito's face stiffened.
Although he felt a bit flustered inside, Obito still spoke firmly.
"No matter who my opponent is, I will win." Obito spoke as if first place was already reserved for him.
"You'll win," Kakashi imitated, recalling Obito's expression from three months ago.
With Rin covering her mouth to giggle, Obito's face gradually turned red.
"Kakashi, don't underestimate how much I've grown in this time!" Obito said loudly.
Kakashi smiled without a word. Training together every day, of course he knew how much Obito had improved.
Mutsuki cleared his throat twice and began helping the disciples draw lots.
"Please don't be Guy, please don't be Guy..." Obito clasped his hands in prayer.
It wasn't that he was afraid of Guy-Obito was afraid of the punishment for losing the first round. Guy was his opponent with the lowest chance of winning; he would much rather face Kakashi.
After the last battle, Obito had thought about how he could possibly defeat Guy, only to realize it was far too difficult and the conditions were too harsh.
"Obito vs Kakashi, Shisui vs Guy," Mutsuki announced the draw results.
Obito let out a relieved breath. Facing Kakashi didn't offer as much chance of winning as facing Shisui, but it was still much better than facing Guy-a small mercy in misfortune.
Shisui met Guy's gaze and immediately felt a significant pressure.
In the last internal battle, he had lost to Guy, who had earned the title of strongest disciple for three months.
Obito and Kakashi stood facing each other, the Seal of Confrontation between them, both burning with fighting intent in their eyes.
Neither wanted to lose this battle-not only because of the punishment, but also for personal reasons.
"How could I lose to you under Rin-chan's gaze?" Feeling Rin's eyes on him, Obito gave one hundred and twenty percent of his strength.
This time, there was no carelessness or complacency. Obito remained cautious throughout and didn't fall into Kakashi's combat traps.
They exchanged attacks back and forth, with Fire Release and dazzling Lightning Release Kenjutsu continuously exploding.
Kakashi wiped the fine sweat from his forehead caused by the intense heat of the flames, constantly running and dodging the incoming high-temperature fire.
Obito pushed his Sharingan to the extreme, making sure he wouldn't be caught off guard by Kakashi's high-speed slashes.
Their overall abilities were very close; after several intense exchanges, neither could decisively overwhelm the other.
Under the pressure from Obito, when Kakashi attempted to use Color of Arms for the third time, he suddenly had a realization and successfully activated Color of Arms at Beginner level, no longer relying on luck or intuition.
"Kakashi wins!" After the final clash of fire and lightning, Mutsuki announced the result of the battle and, together with Rin, treated both of them.
[Disciple Hatake Kakashi has improved his overall abilities under your guidance, receiving the advancement reward-Thunderclap and Flash: Godlike Speed (Mastery level)]
Instantly, many memories of Lightning Release Kenjutsu appeared in Mutsuki's mind.
Mutsuki was not unfamiliar with this skill. It was a Thunder Breathing technique from Demon Slayer, the ultimate form of Thunderclap and Flash-extremely fast and powerful, perfectly suited for the current Kakashi.
Obito, receiving treatment, kept his head lowered, afraid to look at Rin, worried he might see disappointment on her face.
This time, Obito had no excuses for his failure; he had given everything, without underestimating his opponent or being careless.
"No matter who my opponent is, I will win." Noticing Obito's disappointment, Kakashi imitated him again.
"Damn you, Kakashi!" Unable to hold back, Obito suddenly looked up at Kakashi and shouted angrily.
In that moment of looking up, Obito noticed Rin's expression beside him-it wasn't disappointment as he had feared, but encouragement and care.
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