Chapter 22: The Peak Strength of Lord Third

[Name: Sarutobi Hiruzen]

[Chakra: 170,000]

[Potential: S]

[Evaluation: High Ninjutsu talent, adept at Combination Jutsu. Single-nature Ninjutsu may not compare to Kekkei Genkai. If I simultaneously use five nature transformations in advanced Ninjutsu, how would you respond?]

"Peak Third Hokage." Seeing that string of zeros in Chakra, Mutsuki, who walked out of the office, felt both surprised and somewhat envious.

After all, this was a whopping 170,000 Chakra, thirteen thousand more than what he had seen from Minato last time.

However, Minato is only eighteen years old now, and comparing a mature middle-aged ninja at his peak with a growing ninja doesn't make much sense.

"After going back, how should I write the report..." Amidst his astonishment, Mutsuki was already thinking about how to report to Danzo.

No time is just an excuse that needs careful consideration. Although he is not idle, it's not to the extent that he can't spare some time to teach Asuma for a week.

Mutsuki can sense that Lord Third is trying to win his favor. Otherwise, he wouldn't have mentioned anything about being an outstanding teacher and a Special Jonin.

But Lord Third's sincerity is too little, no actual benefits, just empty promises.

If Lord Third had directly exposed his Root identity when Mutsuki entered the office, asking if he wanted to join him, Mutsuki would definitely have kicked Danzo aside and followed Lord Third.

But now, Lord Third doesn't directly reveal his intentions, clearly hesitating, acting like an old scoundrel.

If he had just agreed directly, it wouldn't be good for Danzo either. It's better to find an excuse to temporarily withhold an answer and throw this issue back to Danzo.

As for whether Lord Third might not know his identity, Mutsuki can only say that it's a possibility, but it's not very likely.

After all, Root is an existence that cannot be ignored. If Lord Third doesn't even know that Root ninjas are entering the Academy, then he, as the Hokage and the principal, is playing a futile role.

After returning to the office, the senseis curiously questioned Mutsuki.

"Yumi-sensei, what did Lord Third call you for? Is it commendation?" Ueda Aya asked with curiosity.

"Probably, after all, the exam results were so good this time, and he's a new sensei. Yumi-sensei is really strong," sighed Chitani Isamu. He was truly impressed by Mutsuki.

"It's like confirming my teaching achievements," Mutsuki sat down, took out paper and pen, and then said after some thought.

"When will Lord Third also acknowledge me?" Kimura Sugito felt a huge gap between people.

He still remembered Mutsuki's greenness when he first arrived, never expecting that so quickly, Mutsuki would surpass him in teaching achievements.

"Just do your best to teach the students with your abilities," Mutsuki said while practicing calligraphy.

"Mutsuki-sensei, could you please cover my class this afternoon? I have something to attend to," Chitani Isamu poured a glass of water for Mutsuki and asked.

"Sure, I'm free this afternoon," Mutsuki nodded and agreed.

"Yumi-sensei, now I understand why all the students like you," Chitani Isamu quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Oh, Sugito, lend me some money. I'll pay you back when I get my salary," Chitani Isamu then turned to Kimura Sugito.

Originally, he wanted to borrow from Mutsuki, but considering how many times he had asked Mutsuki to cover his classes, he felt a bit embarrassed.

"How much do you want to borrow?" Kimura Sugito asked. They were old friends, so borrowing some money wasn't a big deal.

"Eighty thousand will do," Chitani Isamu thought for a moment and said.

"Eighty thousand? What do you need that much for?" Kimura Sugito, about to take out money, paused.

Their monthly salary as Academy senseis is only a hundred thousand. Chitani Isamu was essentially borrowing most of it.

Although it's not like they couldn't lend that much, it's essential to clarify the purpose.

Mutsuki also raised an eyebrow. In the context of the Naruto universe, one ryo is equivalent to ten yen, so Chitani Isamu is borrowing eighty thousand ryo, which is equivalent to borrowing eight hundred thousand yen.

For those powerful ninjas, it might not be much, but for a Chunin sensei, it's still a considerable amount.

"A date of course, I can't just invite someone to eat ramen," explained Chitani Isamu.

"You didn't spend your entire salary on the dates, did you?" Kimura Sugito looked at Chitani Isamu with a skeptical gaze.

"What do you mean by 'entire salary on the date'? Using it for a date is still for myself, isn't it? It's not like I haven't eaten anything," Chitani Isamu tried to defend himself.

"Don't talk nonsense. If you were alone, would you willingly go to those high-end restaurants?" Ueda Aya sarcastically remarked.

She had warned Chitani Isamu a long time ago, but he couldn't be persuaded.

"She doesn't actually like you; she just sees you as a free meal ticket," Ueda Aya tried to wake up Chitani Isamu.

"How is that possible? The day before yesterday, she even called me Chitani brother," Chitani Isamu said with a lovestruck expression on his face, then countered.

"Eighty thousand ryo for one date? I'd call you that, and I bet I could bankrupt you," Ueda Aya said expressionlessly, as calling someone "brother" doesn't cost anything.

"You again..."

"Forget it, I'll lend it to you. Just remember to leave some money for your own meals," Kimura Sugito sighed and ultimately lent the money to Chitani Isamu. ....

In Class 4-2.

Mutsuki glanced around, good, Obito didn't show up again.

Five minutes into the class, Obito rushed into the classroom in a sprinting state.

Seeing Mutsuki standing at the podium, Obito looked a bit dumbfounded.

He thought he wasn't late every day, so why did it feel like every time he was late, it coincided with Mutsuki taking over the class? Wouldn't this lower his image in Mutsuki's eyes?

"Mutsuki-sensei, I..." Obito tried to explain something.

"Take a seat," Mutsuki gestured for Obito to sit down and then began teaching Clone Jutsu, as per the requests of most students.

"Damn Chitani-sensei, why didn't you inform us earlet that Mutsuki-sensei was going to be a substitute teacher today!" Obito clenched his fists and complained.

During the break, Mutsuki called Obito and Might Guy outside to inquire about their exam results.

"We passed!" Obito and Might Guy proudly said in unison.

Upon closer questioning, Mutsuki found out that they barely passed, with an average score of sixty when the passing mark was just thirty. They had just managed to scrape by with a thirty each exactly.

"I don't know why, but this time the results are better than before. Originally, twenty-five points were enough to pass," Obito scratched his head, finding it quite extreme.

"Maybe it's because Mutsuki-sensei has substituted for the class before," Might Guy said.

Even for someone like him, who finds it difficult to focus, the difference between Mutsuki and other senseis is clearly noticeable.

"Huh? Does that mean it'll be even higher next time?" Obito was dumbfounded. Any higher, and he might not make it.

"Passing is the most basic requirement I have for you. If you can't achieve that, then you'll have to follow my arrangements for everything," Mutsuki showed a slightly benevolent smile.

If they can't even pass, the rewards will probably be even lower.

Obito and Might Guy, looking at Mutsuki's smile, once again remembered the horror of being dominated by retake exams. They instantly broke into a cold sweat, then hastily assured that they would pass next time.

When Mutsuki returned home, he wrote the report and submitted it. Not long after, Root sent a reply.

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