At Training Ground 8, Mizuki's punches and palm strikes moved extremely slowly. To be blunt, even Obito's grandmother was nimbler when hitting her grandson.
But this was an illusion. Within a 2-meter radius, a forbidden zone had formed — filled with invisible fists and palms.
These fists and palms danced, forming one yin-yang Tai Chi diagram after another, dissipating the force of any approaching object and deflecting it away. Whether withered branches and leaves or flying sand and stones, anything that came within 2 meters of Mizuki encountered an invisible barrier and was repelled by a gentle force.
Even the wind couldn't break through to touch his body.
"I've tested defense. Now let's try offense!" He stopped, and the barrier disappeared. As the wind blew, fallen leaves and sand rushed toward him.
The Tai Chi movements began again, still slow and deliberate. With a light wave of his right palm, the trajectories of approaching objects became chaotic, colliding with each other.
Sand pierced through leaves. Branches collided and broke. In the blink of an eye, the 2-meter area was cleared. And beneath Mizuki's feet, a Tai Chi diagram composed of broken branches, withered leaves, sand, and gravel had quietly formed.
"Using force against force?" Mizuki understood.
Powered by chakra, Tai Chi was far more powerful than in martial arts novels. Chakra was more advanced than Internal Energy.
His thinking became even more expansive.
"System, display the Status Panel."
The next moment, an attribute display that only Mizuki could see appeared before his eyes.
〖 Mizuki 〗
〖 Chakra: 14.5 Ka 〗
〖 Chakra Control: 99.9999% 〗
〖 Ability Parameters 〗
〖 Ninjutsu: 10 〗
〖 Taijutsu: 9 〗
〖 Genjutsu: 2 〗
〖 Intelligence: 8 〗
〖 Strength: 7 〗
〖 Speed: 7 〗
〖 Stamina: 10 〗
〖 Hand Seals: 10 〗
〖 Total: 63 〗
〖 Ninjutsu: Body Swap Technique (Substituition), Perfect Transformation Technique, Phantom Body Switch (Clone), Earth Style: Earth Wall, Earth Style: Earth Spear, Earth Style: Stone Mirror Wall, Sky Walk Technique, Rasengan, Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, Six Paths: Yin-Yang Rasengan 〗
〖 Taijutsu: Tai Chi (Mien Chuen) 〗
〖 Genjutsu: None 〗
〖 Ninja Tools: Telepathic Shuriken, Explosive Bomber 〗
〖 Disciples 〗
〖 Naruto Uzumaki: S-Rank (Aptitude) 〗
〖 Sasuke Uchiha: S-Rank 〗
〖 Sakura Haruno: A-Rank 〗
〖 Daisuke: C-Rank 〗
〖 Rock Lee: A-Rank 〗
The attribute table was easy to read.
What caught Mizuki's attention most were the eight ninja ability parameters. Ninjutsu, Stamina, and Hand Seals were all maxed out — no surprise there.
Hand seals needed no explanation. Zero hand movements meant a perfect score was reasonable. If the maximum weren't 10, his Hand Seals parameter would be even higher.
As for Ninjutsu, he hadn't mastered many techniques, but each one was high-level. A score of 10 might be slightly generous, but not far off.
Stamina was tied to his transmigration. After crossing over, he'd absorbed the original Mizuki's soul and memories, giving him nearly twice the spiritual energy of an ordinary person — hence the score of 10.
Compared to these three perfect scores, Genjutsu was abysmal. He was lucky to have been studying the Temple of Nirvana technique lately, or he wouldn't even get 2 points.
"The other categories are mediocre. A total of 63 isn't low, but it's not high either."
The attribute panel gave Mizuki a detailed understanding of himself. He knew his strengths and weaknesses. He understood where to improve.
"Next, I need to improve my mental strength and focus on learning Genjutsu."
Hexagonal warriors aren't particularly clever — but that only applies to those with average potential.
{T/N: This hexagonal term comes from games where attributes are classified with numbers and elevations on six different and oposing lines, which form a geometric figure. When the attributes are perfectly aligned, they form a hexagon, and if any attribute is smaller or larger than another, the figure breaks apart.}
Mizuki, equipped with a system, had unlimited potential. Even as a hexagon, he'd be exceptional — with peak performance in all areas.
After finishing his Tai Chi practice, Mizuki began studying the Temple of Nirvana technique.
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It wasn't until evening that he prepared to return to the village.
At the entrance to Training Ground 8, he ran into Guy's Team 5.
"What a coincidence, Mizuki-sensei!" Rock Lee said happily.
"Yes, what a coincidence!" Mizuki smiled and greeted the four of them.
Then he noticed that Neji, usually stern and unsmiling, actually smiled back.
This puzzled Mizuki.
"If I'd known Mizuki-sensei was at Training Ground 8, I should have asked you about Tai Chi. I thought about it all day but couldn't figure it out. Neji figured it out first."
What did Neji figure out?
Mizuki glanced at the Hyuga boy, puzzled.
Neji bowed to him, "I learned from Rock Lee about the Taijutsu principles of Tai Chi — using softness to overcome hardness, using slowness to defeat speed. Without permission, I applied them to my Taijutsu. Please don't blame me, Mizuki-sensei."
Mizuki was inwardly amazed!
Is this what genius looks like? From just a few words, he'd gained insight — wasn't that a bit too exceptional?
Unfortunately, he'd reached his quota for disciples. Otherwise, he would take Neji under his wing no matter what. A genius like this would provide incredible returns.
He smiled, "We're all Konoha ninja — no need to be formal. I'm delighted you've gained insights. How could I possibly blame you?"
Neji, "Thank you, Sensei!"
After chatting briefly, Mizuki took his leave.
Before leaving, he took out a bottle of floral water he'd bought from a pharmacy and tossed it to Rock Lee.
"Lee, this floral water is refreshing and invigorating. When you're tired from training and feel like you can't continue, apply some below your nose and on both sides of your forehead. Oh, and it also repels mosquitoes!"
Guy hadn't said anything the whole time. Though carefree, he wasn't stupid.
There was clearly an irreconcilable conflict between Mizuki and the Third Hokage. He had no particular issue with Mizuki, but he wouldn't openly befriend him either.
After Mizuki left, Guy suddenly said, "Lee, try to have less contact with him from now on."
Rock Lee frowned, "Why, Guy-sensei?"
Guy sighed, "I can't tell you the specifics. This involves the village's higher-ups. Too much contact with him isn't good for you."
Rock Lee protested, "Guy-sensei, you once said that youth means charging forward fearlessly, that youth means having no fear. I don't know what happened between the higher-ups and Mizuki-sensei, but as long as he remains in Konoha, he's a Konoha ninja and our comrade. How can we isolate him? How can we be timid and hesitant because we fear authority?"
Guy fell silent. Involving the higher-ups, he couldn't explain.
He didn't want Rock Lee to go down a path of no return. If he got too close to Mizuki and the Third Hokage viewed him as Mizuki's accomplice, what then?
The Third Hokage appeared kind and benevolent, but Guy knew he was not as good-natured as he seemed.
But he didn't know how to persuade him. He could only sigh, thinking that from now on, he'd train Rock Lee during non-mission hours — giving him no opportunity to interact with Mizuki.
Mizuki walked toward the market, the system's voice echoing in his ears.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Rock Lee one bottle of Refreshing Floral Water, triggering a 1,000× Return! ]
[ Congratulations, you have obtained one bottle of Six Spirits Floral Water! ]
〖 Six Spirits Floral Water: When applied below the nose, repels all mosquitoes within 300 meters and increases mental power 6-fold for 10 seconds. Warning: Can only be used once per 24 hours — repeated use without rest will cause brain overload, resulting in dementia 〗
Mizuki's face lit up with joy.
A 6-fold increase in mental power! Temporary, yes — only 10 seconds. But used properly, what was Tsukuyomi? Even Infinite Tsukuyomi wouldn't faze him!
"The cooldown is too long, though — only once a day. If only it were permanent!"
❊❊❊❊❊
Mizuki returned to the village after dark. He went to Ichiraku Ramen and ordered a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
While waiting, he studied the Temple of Nirvana technique. No time to waste.
Soon, Teuchi finished the ramen, and Ayame brought it out.
"Mizuki-sensei, here's your tonkotsu ramen. Please enjoy."
Mizuki smiled, "Thank you! By the way, could you grab the vinegar from the counter? I like to add vinegar to my noodles."
Ayame, "Sure, just a moment!"
On the counter sat many condiments. She picked up a bottle. Mizuki took it and opened the lid, about to pour it into his bowl.
Just then, Teuchi shouted, "Wait! Wrong one! That's not vinegar — that's soy sauce." He scolded, "Ayame, what's wrong with you today? You're so distracted. How many times have you grabbed the wrong condiment!"
Ayame quickly apologized, "Mizuki-sensei, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."
Mizuki smiled, "No problem. I need some soy sauce too."
While Ayame turned to get the vinegar, a gleam flashed in his eyes.
The next moment, a "squeak" came from overhead — a rat fell from the ceiling, landing right in Mizuki's bowl. It struggled and jumped out, scurrying around and making a mess of the table.
"Huh?" Mizuki stood up, looking utterly speechless.
Teuchi's face filled with apology, "Mizuki-sensei, I'm terribly sorry. I never expected this to happen."
Mizuki sighed, "Such a perfectly good bowl of ramen, wasted. What a shame!"
Teuchi, "This is entirely the shop's fault. I'll provide ten-fold compensation and give you ten free ramen vouchers. I only hope Mizuki-sensei won't hold a grudge or spread word of this incident."
He moved quickly, handing the compensation money and ramen vouchers directly to Mizuki.
"I'll make another bowl. Please wait just a moment, Mizuki-sensei. Ayame, what are you standing there for? Clean this up quickly!"
Mizuki waved his hand, "No need. That rat moving around in my bowl disgusted me. I won't eat ramen today."
With that, he turned and left.
After Mizuki left, Teuchi's apologetic smile dropped. His face showed worry and heartbreak. His pent-up anger vented onto Ayame.
"Ayame, what is going on with you today? Constantly grabbing the wrong condiments is one thing, but you didn't even clean properly — there are rats getting in! Today's losses are huge, and they're all on you."
❊❊❊❊❊
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen rested his chin on his hands, gazing at the crystal ball on his desk. Everything that had happened at Ichiraku Ramen was visible to him.
"Ruined by a rat. Luck? Or did he notice?"
❊❊❊❊❊
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!
If you want 20 chapters ahead of this novel for just $2 or enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing (you know where to search)
I'm currently translating another project (for $1.5) where the main character travels through various worlds, like Highschool of the Dead, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, Darwin's Game, and many more, building a massive harem. It will have smut chapters (+18) and spicy images of the female characters. Check it out if you're interested! :)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)