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Chapter 39 - Chapter 39 ▻ Setting Sights on Rock Lee

Sure enough, Teuchi brought three bowls of ramen to Mizuki. After eating, his chakra began to increase. When he finished, the total amount reached 14.5 Kakashis.

Is 14.5 Kakashis of chakra a lot?

For ordinary people, it's quite a bit. But compared to some overpowered individuals, it's pitifully small.

Take Naruto — his chakra in normal state is 4 times that of Kakashi. In full state, it's 100 times. The other 96 Kakashis worth of chakra are used to seal the Nine-Tails and can't be utilized.

In other words, not counting the Nine-Tails, Naruto's chakra is 100 times that of Kakashi. And if you count the Nine-Tails, it becomes even more terrifying. That's why during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto could distribute chakra to everyone.

Madara and Hashirama fought for three days and three nights without running out of chakra. The battle between the Hagoromo and Hamura brothers and Kaguya lasted for several months.

Compared to these overpowered individuals, Mizuki fell far short. Fighting at full strength, three minutes would drain all his chakra.

"I still need to keep working hard!" Mizuki sighed.

Beside him, Daisuke couldn't finish 3 bowls of ramen despite his best efforts. He only managed to eat 1.

"I'm sorry, Master Mizuki, 3 bowls is really too much." He looked at Mizuki cautiously, afraid he would get angry.

Mizuki said casually, "It's fine. It's cheap anyway."

His goal was the system rewards — he didn't care whether Daisuke could finish it or not.

"That won't do. The director taught us we can't waste food. I'll sit here for a while, and after my stomach digests a bit, I'll finish this half bowl."

Hearing Daisuke's words, Mizuki felt inexplicably irritated.

A vague sense of cynicism was about to burst forth… This damned world.

"Don't eat it. Let's get it packed. At dinner, have the matron heat it up and eat it then."

Daisuke asked, "What does 'packed' mean?"

Poor child. He didn't even know what takeout packaging was.

Mizuki didn't explain and just called out to Teuchi, "Boss, please pack up the rest of this bowl."

"Right away!"

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Walking down the street, Daisuke carried the food container and said happily, "This ramen was so delicious, and the soup was super tasty. When I get back, I'm going to share this bowl of noodles with everyone. One noodle per person, one sip of soup each — yeah, that should be enough."

Mizuki couldn't help but sigh. Suddenly heartbroken!

"Daisuke, do you want to enter the Ninja Academy?" Mizuki suddenly asked.

He clearly just wanted to use him to get more teaching reward returns.

Daisuke's eyes filled with longing.

What child in Konoha doesn't want to enter the Ninja Academy? Who doesn't want to become a powerful ninja? He wanted to as well.

But hesitation followed the longing.

"But I want to stay with my friends from the orphanage. The village kids always bully us, and we can't beat them. If I leave, we'll be even less able to fight back."

Mizuki said, "By entering the Ninja Academy, you'll become stronger. Then when anyone dares to bully the orphanage kids, you can fight back. Ninjas can take missions to earn money. With money, you can make life better for your friends at the orphanage."

Hearing this, Daisuke no longer hesitated and nodded repeatedly, "I want to go to the Ninja Academy. I want to become a ninja to protect everyone. I want to earn money to buy lots and lots of delicious food for everyone."

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After sending the kid back to the orphanage, Mizuki went to see the director again and explained his plan to send Daisuke to the Ninja Academy.

The director didn't object. On the contrary, she strongly agreed.

Being a ninja was dangerous, and one could easily lose their life. But ordinary people had even less security. As for orphans, sometimes they weren't even treated as human beings. Becoming a ninja could completely change an orphan's fate.

Leaving the orphanage, Mizuki began to think about taking on disciples. Among the Konoha 12, apart from those who inherited family secret techniques and Kekkei Genkai, the only viable candidates seemed to be Rock Lee and Tenten.

"Rock Lee specializes in Taijutsu, and Tenten specializes in ninja tools. I'm not good at either, so it seems I have no way to impress them."

If he was going to take on disciples, he should at least be stronger than them, right?

In Taijutsu, Mizuki was no match for Rock Lee. In ninja tools, he was just a dabbler. Unless Rock Lee and Tenten were blind, they'd never accept him as their master.

After thinking it through, none of the remaining nine from the Konoha 12 would be easy to recruit.

"Should I go find Konohamaru?"

As soon as the thought arose, he rejected it. The Third Hokage wasn't dead yet. If he approached Konohamaru now and asked to be his master, the old man would definitely intervene.

"What a hassle! Ninja Academy, can't you start classes earlier!"

There were so many prospects in the Ninja Academy. Even if their talent didn't match overpowered individuals like Naruto and Sasuke, he could make up for quality with quantity.

Even if they were all like Daisuke, if he took on dozens of them, wouldn't he take off?

Mizuki walked down the street with a worried expression. The inability to recruit disciples made him unhappy.

At that moment, three brats passed by.

"Hehehe, I finally defeated Grandpa!" Konohamaru said happily.

Moegi, "What are you talking about? You used the Sexy Jutsu — that doesn't count as defeating him. True defeat means using powerful strength to beat someone head-on."

Udon, "Konohamaru, I think Moegi's right. The Sexy Jutsu doesn't even work on me, so the Third Hokage definitely wouldn't fall for it either. He must have been pretending."

Konohamaru was displeased, "Who says he was pretending? Didn't you see his nose bleeding? Who says you have to defeat someone head-on? No matter what jutsu it is, as long as it can defeat the enemy, it has value."

Mizuki, standing nearby, heard this and a flash of inspiration struck him.

He widened his eyes, his face full of excitement.

That's right — why didn't I think of this earlier? Who says that to become Rock Lee's master, I must rely on Taijutsu? I can use any method. As long as I can make him take me as his master, that's success.

"Hahaha!" He suddenly burst out laughing.

The three members of Konohamaru's group were startled by the sudden laughter.

"Huh, it's Naruto-niisan's sensei!" Konohamaru recognized him.

Mizuki looked at him and said, "You're right. No matter what jutsu it is, as long as it can defeat the enemy, it has value. What you said gave me great inspiration. I've decided to treat you all to something delicious. The dumpling shop — eat as much as you want. How about it?"

Who would have thought that after hearing this, Konohamaru looked disdainful.

"Tch, what's so great about dumplings? I'm sick of them."

Mizuki: "…"

Well, the Third Hokage's grandson couldn't be compared to orphans. Growing up with everything he wanted, getting sick of dumplings was normal.

Mizuki asked, "Then what do you want?"

Konohamaru's eyes rolled, "You're Naruto-niisan's sensei, so you must have invented the Sexy Jutsu. Can you teach me something even stronger?"

Mizuki was speechless. The Sexy Jutsu wasn't invented by me, okay?

But this was an opportunity — maybe he could gain a talented disciple for free.

"I have many jutsu stronger than the Sexy Jutsu. I could teach you, but you'd need to take me as your sensei, just like Naruto did."

Konohamaru said delightedly, "That's great! I'll take you as — "

Before he could finish, an ANBU appeared, "Young Master Konohamaru, the Hokage wants to see you."

Konohamaru said, "Wait a moment, let me take him as sensei first."

ANBU, "No, the Hokage urgently needs to see you. Please hurry!"

Konohamaru said disappointedly, "Fine!" Before leaving, he called to Mizuki, "Wait for me — I'll come find you again."

Watching the kid walk away, Mizuki sighed inwardly.

Ah, just as I thought!

"But I've gotten familiar with Konohamaru. Taking him as a disciple later will be easier."

Just then, the ANBU said, "Special Jōnin Mizuki, Konohamaru is the Third Hokage's grandson. Not just anyone can be his teacher. Please be mindful of your position."

Mizuki narrowed his eyes. In the next moment, he activated his Body Swap Technique, switching positions with a stone behind the ANBU.

The ANBU felt the person in front of him vanish. Then bone-chilling killing intent came from behind. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Don't speak to me in that tone. I hate self-important lapdogs."

At that moment, with several "whoosh" sounds, two more ANBU appeared, surrounding Mizuki.

"Mizuki, what do you think you're doing?"

Mizuki smiled faintly, "Nothing. Just joking around."

He turned and walked away, a contemptuous smile on his lips.

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He continued wandering the village. Several hours later, he finally found his target.

"9996… 9997… 9998… Only 2 more to reach ten thousand. If I can't complete it, I'll punish myself by running 500 laps around the village."

A young man in a green bodysuit was walking around the village on his hands, drenched in sweat. His arms trembled, but he kept going. Weights were strapped to his legs, waist, and arms.

Rock Lee — Mizuki's new disciple candidate!

"Rock Lee?"

"Who?" Hearing someone call his name, Rock Lee could no longer hold on and fell to the ground.

"Uh…" Mizuki felt awkward. It seemed he'd disturbed the other's training.

But unexpectedly, Rock Lee stood up in the next moment, his face full of joy, "The training plan of walking ten thousand steps around the village on my hands wasn't achieved, so next I'll run 500 laps around the village."

Mizuki's eye twitched.

Why was he so happy after failing? You clearly failed on purpose just so you could run 500 laps.

The guilt that had just risen in Mizuki's heart vanished instantly.

By now, Rock Lee had clearly seen his clothing and face.

"So it's Mizuki-senpai. Did you come to this remote place to train your youth as well? As expected of a senpai — so dedicated. My youth has been ignited once again. I've decided to add another 300 laps."

{T/N: He calls him senpai because Rock Lee is also a ninja, even if he's a Genin. Anyone above you in the hierarchy is called that, and also by age. That's why the MC calls Iruka senpai too. Now this relationship has changed because he is superior to Iruka in terms of hierarchy.}

The suddenly bursting enthusiasm, and those teeth that sparkled "ding ding" in the sunset, made Mizuki's eye twitch.

"No, no, no, I'm not as youthful as you."

Mizuki had the urge to turn around and leave. He couldn't quite handle this!

"Ahem, Rock Lee, stop for a moment. I came specifically to find you."

Rock Lee asked curiously, "Does Senpai have business with me?"

Mizuki, "I heard you can't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, and that you don't even have chakra, so you can only focus on Taijutsu. Is that true?"

Rock Lee answered, "No, I do have chakra. It's just that my extraction speed is extremely slow, so I can't use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. I can't even perform the most basic Clone Jutsu. So I can only train in Taijutsu. But I firmly believe that even with just Taijutsu, I can succeed."

Mizuki smiled.

"So then, if your chakra extraction speed could be improved — on the condition that you take me as your master — would you be willing?"

Rock Lee answered directly, "No, I wouldn't!"

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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!

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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

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