It was not the first time that Jiraiya and the others had heard similar words. When they first met Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had set a test for them to seize the bells attached to his body. There were only two bells, and those who failed to grab one would be tied to stakes.
At that time, the three had just left the ninja school. Aside from basic ninjutsu and some common ninja knowledge, they couldn't do much else. However, after studying under Hiruzen for many days, they had begun to grasp the nature of chakra and had gained some experience in ninja combat.
Now, instead of the familiar Hiruzen, they faced Fumori Masaki, a version of adult man they had never knew before.
Hiruzen was an exceptional ninja. Not only did he master the transformation of the five chakra natures, but he also reached a state of proficiency with them. While he could use other chakra natures, his proficiency was unparalleled for them. Additionally, his physical skills were superb, and he often employed a compound ninjutsu that combined multiple techniques, using his physical skills as a supplementary method.
In contrast, Masaki's fighting style was completely different. If Hiruzen was a master of tactics, Masaki focused on three key points, speed, ruthlessness, and accuracy. He didn't rely on elaborate techniques; he aimed directly to defeat his enemies.
Facing such an opponent required a different approach than against Hiruzen. Unfortunately, Jiraiya and the others clearly lacked the experience to adapt. Therefore, they employed the same tactics they had used in the past, relying on Hiruzen's routine from the test.
Masaki had anticipated this. It was better this way, only by facing challenges directly would they learn how to deal with various enemies.
The chakra types mastered by Jiraiya and Orochimaru matched Masaki's expectations. Jiraiya had Fire Release, while Orochimaru specialized in Earth Release. This was likely their first suitable chakra attribute. Jiraiya was still a novice, but Orochimaru had already made significant progress. It was impressive for someone his age to wield such powerful ninjutsu—only Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke had reached such heights at a similar age.
As for the girl named Asuka, Masaki was surprised to find she was studying Genjutsu instead of medical ninjutsu. This revelation made him realize that different Sannin had indeed evolved, though whether they would maintain that status remained uncertain.
Their tactic was straightforward: Asuka would use Genjutsu to contain the enemy, while Jiraiya and Orochimaru combined evasive techniques to launch attacks in a form of compound ninjutsu. Even weak children, when empowered by compound ninjutsu, could exhibit significant strength.
As a group of children, they were doing well, but Masaki noted several shortcomings. The most glaring issue was their tendency to mimic Hiruzen's compound ninjutsu too closely, focusing too much on its flashy appearance and overlooking practical considerations. The result was that they appeared impressive but were ineffective.
While they looked similar to Hiruzen's compound ninjutsu, they lacked its effectiveness. Hiruzen's techniques were designed for practical combat, utilizing the right type of ninjutsu to effectively counter opponents without wasting chakra. He skillfully controlled the battle, keeping things simple and direct.
This principle was evident in Kakashi's style. Despite mastering thousands of ninjutsu, he didn't deploy them all indiscriminately; instead, he chose the most appropriate chakra for each enemy, minimizing chakra consumption while delivering decisive blows.
What Jiraiya and his peers didn't grasp was that effective warfare is ultimately straightforward. Ninjas had always prioritized efficiency and precision in their missions. Although the current era introduced changes, this benchmark had never shifted.
In another world, there is a philosophy of simplicity, when technology reaches a high level, unnecessary complexity must be discarded in favor of directness.
Although they would eventually recognize these shortcomings as they matured, the time for gradual understanding was not now. Masaki would take steps to guide them. Not wanting them to feel bullied, he consciously limited his power, refraining from using advanced ninjutsu and sticking to basic techniques.
Next, Jiraiya and the others witnessed Masaki using a simple three-section basic technique, attacking them one after another until they were knocked to the ground.
Masaki's control was impeccable. The three of them felt pain, but nothing serious; they didn't even sustain injuries. As they got back on their feet, Masaki announced, "Okay, the battle is over."
"It hurts! Masaki-sensei, you really showed no mercy!" Jiraiya complained, rubbing his sore head.
"I went easy on you. Neither my power nor speed exceeded your own, right? The only area where I didn't hold back was my mastery of ninjutsu and my timing." Fumori Masaki shrugged. "Reflect on how I defeated you just now."
"So that's it; I understand," Orochimaru muttered, as if coming to a realization.
"What do you understand?" Jiraiya stared at Orochimaru, bewildered.
"Use your not-so-smart head to think about it," Orochimaru replied bluntly.
"You guy…" Jiraiya nearly rolled up his sleeves to confront Orochimaru, but Masaki intervened.
Fumori Masaki smiled and said, "Don't worry. If there's anything you don't understand, I'll clarify it for you. After all, the purpose of this practice is to teach, not to make things difficult for you, so feel free to ask."
Fumori Masaki adhered to the principles of teaching without barriers and adapting to each student's needs. Orochimaru was a clever child; he might benefit from self-discovery if guided gently. However, Jiraiya required a more hands-on approach. Expecting him to figure things out on his own could hinder his growth.
Thus, when teaching his students, Masaki employed the same method he had used in the past, creating three shadow clones for one-on-one instruction to focus on each student's potential rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.
After stating this, Masaki sat down on the ground. "Let's take a break. After giving it your all, you probably don't have much chakra left. I'll analyze the previous battle for you."
He reviewed the battle, starting from each response, analyzing the trio's thought processes during the fight—why they made each choice and where their weaknesses lay. He clearly explained how he avoided their attacks, ensuring even Jiraiya could understand.
"Masaki-sensei is very thorough; Sarutobi-sensei isn't this detailed," Asuka remarked in surprise.
"Yeah, Sarutobi-sensei only pays attention to Orochimaru. He just points things out and expects him to grasp them without a detailed explanation for us," Jiraiya added.
"Really?" Masaki recalled Hiruzen's close attention to Jiraiya and Asuka.
"Jiraiya is a bit exaggerated. Sarutobi-sensei is just less detailed than Masaki-sensei. No one else in the village teaches like this," Asuka chimed in.
"I can say that with confidence," Masaki smiled. "It's probably because he's also exceptionally talented, so he assumes everyone else understands as clearly as he does. But that's not always the case."
"Yeah, that's how it feels," Jiraiya exclaimed.
"I'll mention this to Hiruzen. If that's the reason your potential isn't fully realized, it would be a great loss," Masaki said. "At your age, this is the best time to grow, and it shouldn't be wasted. You will all be the ones who support Konoha in the future."
The three had heard similar arguments from Hiruzen. To be honest, they didn't know if they could truly become great ninjas of Konoha. Their eyes reflected anxiety, confusion, and tension.
Masaki observed the three children, noting that Orochimaru's eyes were still untainted by the desire for eternal life. Instead, they were filled with yearning and uncertainty about the future.
"I hope you can keep such clear and bright eyes forever," Masaki said to Orochimaru, then turned to the other two.
"I hope you can lead a successful life without regrets," he said to Jiraiya.
"I hope you won't be saddened by the people around you and that you can live happily," he told Asuka.
Looking into the puzzled eyes of the three, Masaki concluded, "This is my wish for you."