Stop scolding me, stop…(bro's definition of dramatic)
After listening to Natsuhiko's closing statement, Obito appeared completely deflated, his head hanging low.
Kushina, witnessing this, felt a pang of sympathy. Back in the Academy, she had a golden-haired sissy in her class who not only excelled in academics but also dominated all actual combat classes, much to her frustration.
The atmosphere in the Sealing Jutsu office became somewhat heavy.
After a moment, Natsuhiko slowly uttered, "But there is a way."
With just a short sentence, the oppressive atmosphere dissipated, and both Kushina and Obito displayed expressions of surprise.
Seeing their excitement, Natsuhiko somewhat helplessly spread his hands.
"After all, Obito, your goal is only to defeat Kakashi, not necessarily to become stronger than him."
"Natsuhiko-sensei, is there a difference between the two?" Obito asked in confusion.
Natsuhiko patiently explained, "The outcome of a battle is not solely determined by a ninja's strength."
"The time, location, weather of the battle, the condition of both sides, the knowledge of opponent information, the compatibility of fighting styles, tactical arrangements during wartime, and more—all these factors influence the outcome of a battle."
Natsuhiko listed various factors affecting the outcome of a battle, leaving Obito bewildered.
Seeing Obito's confusion, Natsuhiko added, somewhat resignedly, "These are all things taught in tactical classes..."
No wonder you only got a D in that class.
Obito, hearing this, scratched his head apologetically.
"Another point is that, despite the rich arsenal of techniques ninjas have, their bodies are relatively fragile and their defence is low."
"Even Hokage-sama could be threatened with his life by an efficient use of a simple kunai."
Finished speaking, Natsuhiko seemed to sense that Senju Hashirama, who had once contemplated commiting suicide with a kunai, was giving himself a thumbs up from the Pure Land.
Meanwhile, Kakuzu, who had thrown shuriken at Hashirama from eight hundred miles away, seemed to confidently indicate that he had indeed threatened the life of the Hokage.
Natsuhiko chuckled lightly and continued, "The characteristic of ninjas being strong in offence and weak in defence means that a momentary lapse could lead to defeat by an opponent much weaker."
"So, if Obito, you gather information about Kakashi in advance, make a plan, engage in targeted practice, create a battlefield favourable to yourself, and seize one or two opportunities..."
"Then, even the genius praised as once-in-a-millennium, Kakashi, is not unbeatable."
After listening to Natsuhiko-sensei's explanation, Obito felt a mix of joy and concern.
He was happy that his whimsical idea actually had feasibility.
However, he was worried because the plan sounded complex and not something a trifling Obito could accomplish quickly.
His eyes involuntarily turned to Natsuhiko-sensei, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Natsuhiko understood and said, "Obito, you want to ask if our handsome and suave Natsuhiko-sensei can give you some guidance in this regard, right?"
Although the prefix felt a bit unnecessary, Obito still nodded apologetically.
Asking for an opinion was one thing, but if sensei really guided him in such matters, Obito felt it might be a bit too much.
However, he didn't expect that the next moment, Natsuhiko-sensei would open his mouth and say, "Well, it's not impossible. I can even guide you hands-on."
Obito, surprised and delighted, didn't expect Natsuhiko-sensei, who usually seemed indifferent to him, to be so accommodating.
Could it be that his previous feelings were just a misconception?
While Kushina was moved by this revelation, thinking that Natsuhiko, despite leaving right after class and passing on homework grading to her, was still a caring sensei, the mood changed.
However, before they could revel in their joy, Natsuhiko shifted the conversation.
"But Obito, are you sure you want to do this? Even if you defeat Kakashi in the first year, it doesn't mean much. In fact, training specifically to defeat him might hinder your normal training, causing more harm than good."
"Are you mentally prepared to some degree?"
After Natsuhiko spoke, he quietly looked at Obito, waiting for his response.
Kushina, on the side, hesitated but ultimately remained silent, also waiting quietly.
In this infectious atmosphere, Obito felt a bit nervous.
Natsuhiko's serious tone made him reconsider. Was it really necessary to go to such lengths for that guy?
Originally thinking of making light of the situation, pretending that it was nothing serious, Obito suddenly recalled Kakashi's resentful face.
Finally, Obito clenched his teeth and said resolutely, "Natsuhiko-sensei, I've made up my mind. Please guide me on how to defeat Kakashi!"
Natsuhiko nodded approvingly, "I'm glad your determination is so firm. Now it's time for me to set some conditions."
"What, there are still conditions?"
Obito's enthusiasm waned as he stared wide-eyed.
"Of course," Natsuhiko said with a deadpan expression, "Guiding you on how to defeat Kakashi is clearly not my duty as a Sealing Jutsu sensei. Why would you think I would help you for free?"
Kushina facepalmed, realising that this was the Natsuhiko she was familiar with.
Unable to argue, Obito could only weakly ask, "What conditions?"
"Sensei, what do you need me to do?"
"Firstly, some miscellaneous tasks, like cleaning up this office, organising documents, and..." Natsuhiko said, noticing Kushina's enthusiastic eye signals and adding, "as well as helping my assistant with the grading of some simple assignments."
Kushina beamed with joy.
Finally, she outsourced Natsuhiko's tasks to someone else!
Natsuhiko rolled his eyes slightly and continued, "Also, because my teaching content is somewhat different from before, I had plans to find a few students with innate talent to learn the upcoming material in advance, making my teaching schedule clear for the future."
"Obito, you can be one of them."
"Innate talent?" Obito, suddenly sorry, scratched his head. "So, sensei, you have confidence in me?"
"No, I mean, you can serve as a control group," Natsuhiko clarified.
Obito: "..."
He felt like sensei was scolding him again, but he had no evidence.
"Cleaning, grading, learning material in advance..."
Obito counted on his fingers to recall Natsuhiko-sensei's requests and felt that they weren't too unreasonable, finally sighing in relief.
However, he then heard Natsuhiko-sensei say, "Of course, the most important condition, and the reason I agreed to this strange request, is that I need students to help me test some new teaching tools."
"New teaching tools?" x2
Both of them were curious.
Natsuhiko explained, "Because the effectiveness of the Stimulating Shinobi Cards as teaching tools in our Sealing Jutsu class is good, Principal-sama gave me a mission to see if we can create some new teaching tools for other subjects to enhance the learning experience."
"I've actually made quite a few similar things before to assist in training."
"But the physical fitness and chakra pathways of adults and children are quite different, so I need students to assist me in adjusting these teaching tools, preparing for their future implementation in the Academy."
"While there won't be any danger, it's certainly not a comfortable task."
"I was originally worried about where to find students to help."
"Didn't expect you, Obito, to willingly come forward."
"You can use these tools to become stronger while testing them."
"And since your determination is so firm, you wouldn't mind a slightly more intense... no, I mean testing, right?"
Natsuhiko, in his white lab-coat, stood up, looking down at Obito with the gaze of someone inspecting an experiment, revealing the stereotypical smile of a mad scientist.
Obito's small figure was covered in Natsuhiko's shadow, and he began to shiver, starting to regret his decision.
It seemed that Natsuhiko-sensei really didn't favour him, and it wasn't just a misconception.
"Um... is it too late to reconsider now?" Obito said, tearfully.
(End of this chapter)
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