Another weekend arrived, and on Saturday afternoon, Mokgetsu took his intern ninja plan to Asuma's home.
When he arrived, he didn't see Sarutobi Hiruzen, only Asuma's mother, Sarutobi Biwako. Mokgetsu wasn't surprised; it's normal not to see the Third Hokage at this time. He usually appears more often when he's back home.
"Lady Biwako, I'm taking Asuma for training," Mokgetsu said as a reminder.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, thank you for the trouble," Sarutobi Biwako said with a smile.
Although she hadn't spoken much with Mokgetsu, Sarutobi Biwako occasionally heard some information about him from Sarutobi Hiruzen and Asuma, knowing that Mokgetsu was a good teacher.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, are we training in nature transformation and the Mighty Dragon Fire today?" Asuma asked.
"Yes, nature transformation training is very important. Once your cultivation is almost there, I'll teach you something else," Mokgetsu replied, having already laid out a training plan for Asuma.
Mokgetsu was aware that the reason Sarutobi Hiruzen was willing to pull him out from Root was that Asuma probably played a part in it.
Now, Asuma was like a link between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mokgetsu. As long as he teaches Asuma well, his future in Konoha wouldn't be too bad.
Although Mokgetsu's goal wasn't to merely get by in Konoha, he still needed a significant amount of time to develop, needing Hiruzen's help to buy that time.
Therefore, Mokgetsu taught Asuma as if he were a top disciple, apart from things that couldn't be shown to anyone for the time being. Mokgetsu was doing his utmost to teach Asuma.
"It would be great if you knew Wind Release, Teacher Mokgetsu. After mastering Fire Release, I'd like to learn it next," Asuma said with a touch of regret.
He remembered that Mokgetsu could already perform Water Release and Fire Release. Most Jonin usually only learned ninjutsu with two nature types, so he just assumed Mokgetsu knew only these two.
"Wind Release, huh? It's not impossible. I just have to learn it before teaching you," Mokgetsu said while chuckling.
"Teacher Mokgetsu, that was so cool!" Asuma was touched because Mokgetsu would learn something just because a student wanted to learn it.
"Perhaps it's just big talk. After all, I haven't had much exposure to Wind Release, so I don't know if I can learn it," Mokgetsu didn't overpromise.
"Perhaps you're a Wind Release prodigy, Teacher Mokgetsu," Asuma said jokingly, which was something he truly hoped for.
Asuma thought that his usual Jonin mentor was weak compared to Mokgetsu.
If Mokgetsu didn't have to teach at the Ninja Academy, Asuma would have loved for the Third Hokage to spend more money so that Mokgetsu could teach him every day.
After spending the entire afternoon teaching Asuma, Mokgetsu saw Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had just finished his day at work, at Asuma's home when he brought Asuma back.
"Lord Third Hokage, here is the specific arrangement I discussed with you about the intern ninjas," Mokgetsu handed over the documents to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and took the documents.
"The top fifteen in practical scores will be divided into five groups for the internship, and powerful, excellent teachers are selected to serve as guiding mentors. During the internship, only D- and C-Class Missions are allowed..." Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a pipe in his mouth, quickly read through the documents.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then said:
"Mokgetsu, you're still too conservative. There are over three hundred students in the fourth grade. There are certainly more than fifteen excellent students; even if you double that, you wouldn't cover all the outstanding students.
Also, I think the internship period can be extended. Not only during the second semester's vacation, but also the third semester shouldn't have classes. It should be included in the internship time. A month is too short; students don't get enough training."
As Mokgetsu expected, the Third even began to feel that there weren't enough people, but including the third semester's internship time was somewhat unexpected for Mokgetsu.
If the third semester is included in the internship time, this so-called internship is basically equivalent to graduating one semester early.
"I'll revise it and give it back to you afterward," Mokgetsu replied, looking eager to learn.
Whether it's having more people or including the third semester's internship time, Mokgetsu didn't see much of a problem, even for the students it has many benefits.
It's just that, given the teaching level of the Ninja Academy, the top thirty wouldn't learn much in the final semester at the academy, so it's better to get familiar with missions and learn some ninjutsu from an excellent Chunin Teacher.
Of course, provided that they're not carrying out war-related missions. Even logistical tasks delivering supplies on the battlefield aren't safe.
Mokgetsu felt that given the current circumstances, it's unlikely that intern ninjas of this level would be sent to the battlefield. If that were the idea, it wouldn't just be the top thirty, but at least all the fourth-grade students.
And if such a time came, whether there's an internship or not wouldn't matter. The academy might just distribute headbands and graduation certificates directly, something easy to accomplish if the Konoha higher-ups desired it.
On Sunday evening, Obito and Shisui engaged in their final first-stage battle.
"From tomorrow, you can use chakra-enhanced Breathing Technique, but no ninjutsu," Mokgetsu said.
"The last one, huh. I wish I could win just once," Obito said, fueled by determination.
For an entire week, he and Shisui had fought countless times, yet Obito hadn't won a single match.
Obito finally understood why Mokgetsu said he couldn't beat Kakashi now. According to Mokgetsu, even Shisui without activating the Sharingan had a hard time winning against Kakashi.
Shisui without the Sharingan was no match for Kakashi, and Obito found himself struggling against a non-Sharingan, non-ninjutsu-using Shisui, let alone a stronger Kakashi.
In the last bout, Obito exhibited immense tenacity, enduring a long Taijutsu exchange with Shisui before going on a counterattack using Full Concentration Breathing when things turned heavily unfavorable.
Shisui opted to face him head-on using the Breathing Technique. Obito's Breathing Technique was stronger, compensating for other shortcomings, but even after his Full Concentration Breathing state ended, he couldn't turn the tide, only mitigating the disadvantage.
Fortunately, both used Full Concentration Breathing, so they were in the same state, and Obito didn't fall into a worse disadvantage.
As defeat loomed, his unwillingness erupted entirely. With barely any strength left, Obito pushed his limits, re-entering the Full Concentration Breathing state.
"This is my last breath!" Obito felt a surge of power, with a fiery flame seemingly igniting in his heart.
With the power of Full Concentration, Obito drove Shisui into retreat.
Watching from the sidelines, Mokgetsu, Shisui clenched his fist as his breathing rhythm suddenly shifted, also re-entering the Full Concentration state, catching Obito's incoming punch.
"Obito, even though you want to win, I won't lose," Shisui began his counterstrike.
Relying on his superior comprehensive strength, Shisui ultimately defended his undefeated record, while Obito didn't manage to break his losing streak.
Mokgetsu saw the growth in their proficiency and nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging that there is indeed more to breakthroughs through combat.