Mokgetsu followed the combat exam rules and had everyone draw lots to decide the participants, then gave feedback after each battle.
"You're using the Transformation Jutsu at the wrong times, it's not achieving the intended effect. Your Taijutsu is sloppy, and your punches are too slow."
"Splitting off a Shadow Clone so obviously, how can you confuse the enemy like that?"
"Your punching technique lacks precision, your kicks have no power, your footwork is loose, and your reactions are slow. How can such Taijutsu defeat an enemy?"
Mokgetsu did not hold back his words; in fact, he was quite strict.
But Mokgetsu wasn't talking nonsense; he pointed out real existing issues. The students Mokgetsu critiqued all bowed their heads in shame.
"I know your monthly exam scores are good, both in theory and practice, higher than other classes, but you can't slack off in your cultivation because of that.
I might have been a bit harsh in my critique. I want to apologize to you as your teacher.
But honestly, I'm saying this for your own good. Taijutsu and Ninjutsu are both important. If you don't practice Taijutsu well now, you'll regret it when you fight enemies in the future." After reviewing everyone, Mokgetsu sighed and said.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, I really haven't slacked off. I've spent as much time on Taijutsu as I have on Ninjutsu, but the Taijutsu teacher just doesn't teach as well as you do, so that's why," Anko said a bit aggrieved.
"Yeah, I've been seriously studying too, but the Taijutsu teacher's explanations are so hard to understand," Kotetsu also chimed in with complaints.
Initially, when Mokgetsu critiqued him, Kotetsu was a bit upset, feeling Mokgetsu was too strict since they were just first-years.
After hearing Mokgetsu's apology, Kotetsu felt like he wasn't a decent person, realizing how much Mokgetsu was looking out for them. How could he blame Mokgetsu?
Teachers apologizing to students? Kotetsu had never heard of such a thing, especially since Mokgetsu hadn't done anything wrong—just fulfilling a teacher's duty.
Kotetsu and Anko's words resonated with the students of Class 1, who all started complaining too.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, can't you replace the Taijutsu teacher? He really can't teach, and his classes are both boring and hard to understand."
"Yeah, with a Taijutsu teacher like that, I feel like I could be the Taijutsu teacher. Isn't it just about having people run on the field? Who can't do that?"
"How can you talk about Teacher Tanimura like that? He's been your teacher for two months at least. As a teacher, wouldn't he want you to be stronger?" Mokgetsu began speaking up for the Taijutsu teacher.
Their class's Taijutsu teacher, Tanimura Toshihiro, unlike Mokgetsu, had been teaching at the Ninja School for three years.
Even though he's been teaching for three years, Tanimura Toshihiro's teaching level is hard to describe.
As a teacher of a class, Mokgetsu had naturally interacted with Tanimura Toshihiro, and let's say he was among the weaker Chunin teachers.
Also, as Class 1 students, the teacher they interacted with the most was Mokgetsu. Comparing Mokgetsu to Tanimura Toshihiro, Tanimura definitely falls short in every aspect.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, we don't think his teaching attitude is the problem; it's purely his lack of ability," explained Kamizuki Izumo.
"Yeah, other classes always say we're good at Ninjutsu, but I've never heard anyone say we're good at Taijutsu," someone cited as an example.
We didn't usually feel there was a big problem, just that the Taijutsu teacher's lessons were a bit dull and boring.
But when gathered to discuss like this, Class 1 students felt something was amiss, that it's not about boredom but about the essence of being a ninja—strength.
In the combat exams, students wouldn't go all out, and in cases of accidents, teachers would step in. But out on missions or the battlefield, facing enemies, they wouldn't hold back.
"This..." Mokgetsu showed a troubled expression and finally sighed, saying:
"Don't say these things in front of Teacher Tanimura, and practice Taijutsu more in your spare time. If you really don't understand, find some time to ask me."
The students' dissatisfaction with Tanimura Toshihiro's teaching was like a pile of gunpowder waiting for a spark to ignite.
Seeing Mokgetsu still defending the Taijutsu teacher, Class 1 students felt it wasn't fair to Mokgetsu, thinking he was too good-natured.
"They're colleagues. Teacher Mokgetsu wouldn't want Teacher Tanimura to lose face," Shisui's Shadow Clone thought.
Shisui also felt the Taijutsu teacher's level was poor, far worse than Uchiha's beginner teachers, and even more so compared to Mokgetsu.
After class, before leaving, Mokgetsu reminded the students again not to criticize the Taijutsu teacher directly and to be more understanding.
The students all nodded in agreement, but after Mokgetsu left, Anko led the entire class to discuss how they could get a new Taijutsu teacher.
"Isn't it said that if scores are poor, the teacher will be replaced? Why don't we intentionally score low?" a student suggested.
"But there's no separate Taijutsu exam. Do we purposely score low in the combat exam? That would affect Teacher Mokgetsu, who teaches Ninjutsu too," Kotetsu shook his head and said.
"That's not okay. Teacher Mokgetsu is so good, I want him to teach me until I graduate." Hearing it might affect Mokgetsu, Anko immediately dismissed the suggestion.
Anko's words gained everyone's approval.
"Then we all state the fact that his teaching ability is lacking and let him resign himself?" With more people, different ideas quickly popped up.
"Isn't that not good? Didn't Teacher Mokgetsu ask us not to do that?"
"This benefits Teacher Mokgetsu, so why not do it? Mokgetsu is our homeroom teacher; our strength reflects on him," Kotetsu felt this was feasible.
Switching to a Taijutsu teacher would make them stronger, which would also benefit Mokgetsu.
"I think the suggestion's okay. If we force the teacher out, it's our issue, not affecting Teacher Mokgetsu," Kamizuki Izumo nodded in agreement.
"And if he refuses to leave, I've got a good plan." Kamizuki Izumo thought of an ingenious idea.
"The term exam is just over a month away. We can exaggerate our Ninjutsu and Taijutsu learning outcomes in the combat exam to show the school that the Taijutsu teacher isn't teaching well."
"But our overall scores must be good to draw the school's attention," Kamizuki Izumo reminded.
Kotetsu put his arm around Kamizuki Izumo's shoulder, laughing: "You're the best, Izumo."
Everyone agreed, deciding to put more effort into their practice and achieve great scores in the term exam to get a new Taijutsu teacher.
...
After lunch, Mokgetsu didn't return to his office but instead went to the adjacent one, where Tanimura Toshihiro's office was located.
"Teacher Habu." As Mokgetsu entered, many teachers greeted him.
Mokgetsu smiled and greeted them back, then walked over to Tanimura Toshihiro, asking to speak with him privately and leading him to a secluded area.
"Teacher Tanimura, I'm sorry," Mokgetsu apologized to Tanimura Toshihiro.
"Teacher Habu, what's happening? Why the sudden apology?" Tanimura Toshihiro was baffled, not understanding what was going on.