Raido Namiashi returned to the team with a gloomy expression.
He wasn't resentful of losing because Shisui's strength was indeed impressive, and he was not a match for him.
But he felt frustrated by the loss. A formal Genin was defeated by a first year student, and the defeat was so clean.
"Uchiha Shisui is too strong. He even defeated a formal Genin. Even Kakashi of the same age might not have done better, right?"
"There's another possibility, maybe it's the opponent..."
Hearing the discussion among the nearby ninja academy students, Raido Namiashi felt even more embarrassed.
As soon as Raido Namiashi returned, he saw an uncontrollable smile on Asuma's face.
"Asuma, do you know something?" Raido Namiashi looked at Asuma with suspicion.
Upon careful consideration, things seemed a bit off.
When Asuma brought them for special training before, he mentioned that Mutsuki was his home tutor sensei. So, it's possible that Asuma knew about the genius in Mutsuki's class named Uchiha Shisui.
"What do you mean?" Asuma pretended to be clueless.
"I had no idea that a first-year student could be so skilled, easily handling you in just a few moves, Raido."
Hearing Asuma's words, Raido Namiashi felt another blow, embarrassed that a first-year student could defeat him so quickly.
"Everyone, quiet down," Mutsuki gestured with a downward motion of his palm, signaling everyone not to continue the discussion.
"We have students from the first to fourth grades here, including graduated Genin. We are all companions from the same village. I hope you can get along harmoniously."
"I will conduct strength tests on you later and then divide you into groups for special training. There will be three groups: A, B, and C, each receiving different training," Mutsuki answered Raido Namiashi's earlier question.
With students of various grades and some graduated Genin, Mutsuki couldn't teach them all the same things. Hence, he opted for group training.
In any case, they were all on the same training ground. After teaching one group, Mutsuki could move to another, aided by Shadow Clones, effectively treating the three groups as three individual students.
The strength test was also straightforward. It involved students showcasing their proficiency in basic Ninja skills like Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Shuriken throwing. Afterward, the senseis, including Mutsuki, would score them.
Mutsuki called over some teachers, and in one class session, they managed to score and categorize over three hundred students.
Mutsuki positioned Group A as a team with Genin-level skills, designed for graduated Genin and outstanding ninja academy students. The main focus of their special training included Chakra control, physical fitness and Taijutsu, along with Body Flicker Jutsu.
Group B consisted of outstanding students within the academy, focusing on Three Basic Jutsu, Chakra control, and physical fitness with Taijutsu.
Group C comprised regular academy students, with training content similar to Group B but slightly shallower, and the training volume was relatively lower.
Glancing at the list for Group A, Mutsuki immediately recognized many familiar names.
Obito, Shisui, Guy, there's no need to mention them. Additionally, there's Asuma, Kurenai, Shiranui Genma, and Uzuki Yugao...
Those who made it into Group A, aside from Shisui, are basically either Genin or students who ranked in the top during their fourth year.
As for Group B, Mutsuki only recognized three acquaintances: Ebisu, Gekko Hayate, and Nohara Rin.
Ebisu seemed a bit awkward; compared to others in Group B, his skill level was high, but he fell slightly short compared to Group A. Gekko Hayate had just entered the third year.
Anko, Hagane Kotetsu, and Kamizuki Izumo, the trio known as difficult brothers, ended up in Group C. This was because the definition of outstanding regular students was based on the scoring standards of the fourth year.
Although the three of them were strong in their first year, according to the standards of the fourth year, they were considered ordinary.
Mutsuki first went to the area where Group A was located and said:
"You, who completed the water-walking and tree-climbing training, stand on the right. Those who only completed the tree-climbing, stand on the left. Those who haven't completed either, stand in the middle."
Most people walked to the left, a few stood on the right, and very few found themselves in the middle.
Following this, Mutsuki had those on the left try tree-climbing, while those on the right went to practice water-walking.
Observing the students in training, Mutsuki had a rough idea of the proficiency in Chakra control among Group A students.
Obito, Asuma, Shisui, and Might Guy no longer needed to practice water-walking. The rest, however, had to continue their training.
"What you did doesn't count as completing the training; you've just got a basic understanding," Mutsuki told a student climbing a tree.
Next, Mutsuki asked Obito to demonstrate what it truly meant to complete the tree-climbing and water-walking training.
Obito swiftly ascended a tall tree, then pressed his feet firmly against the branches, rotating his entire body 360 degrees while maintaining a steady grip on the tree branch.
Following that, Mutsuki showcased the Water Dragon Bullet technique with Obito skillfully maneuvering on the water's surface even under interference.
"Only when you reach this level can we say you've completed the training," Mutsuki pointed to Obito.
"Currently, among you, only Asuma, Shisui, and Obito can achieve this level."
Raido Namiashi, feeling skeptical, decided to take on the challenge. However, he couldn't last three minutes and started drinking water.
"Asuma, can you do it?" Raido Namiashi felt that Mutsuki might have overestimated Asuma's abilities.
"Raido, don't underestimate me. My Chakra control ability is quite strong," Asuma, feeling challenged by his good friend's disbelief, also went and demonstrated his skills.
"Why does it feel like Asuma has secretly become stronger..." Raido Namiashi, watching Asuma navigate the waves effortlessly, became puzzled.
"Asuma, you seem to have gotten even more skilled," Kurenai honestly remarked.
"Haha, it's really just average, all basic skills," Asuma, hearing Kurenai's praise, couldn't wipe the smile off his face.
In an instant, he felt that all the water he drank during Mutsuki's training sessions was not in vain.
"Chakra control is a mandatory course for ninja. I hope that two weeks from now, all of you from Group A will be able to stand on the right side," Mutsuki said after demonstrating a few times for the students in Group A.
Following that, Mutsuki went to Group B and asked the same question again.
However, the situation in Group B was different. Only Ebisu stood on the right, with most in the middle, and a few on the left.
Mutsuki had them demonstrate their Chakra control levels, which were not as good as those in Group A. Except for Ebisu, Mutsuki had everyone else in Group B do tree-climbing exercises while Ebisu continued practicing water-walking.
For Group C, Mutsuki didn't ask any questions but went straight into teaching Taijutsu.
Mutsuki's training plan for Group C included morning sessions focusing on physical fitness and Taijutsu practice, and afternoon sessions dedicated to mastering Three Basic Jutsu. Once these two aspects were caught up, they would move on to Chakra control exercises.
Mutsuki left a Shadow Clone with each group while he himself moved between the three, correcting and demonstrating whenever he noticed a student training incorrectly.
Morning quickly passed, and Mutsuki announced the end of the class, entering the lunch break.
[Completed one major class, currently settling the score]
---
Don't forget to check out my patreon where you can read up to 50 advanced chapters https://www.patreon.com/CrazyNinja