"You're telling me to leave one moment and asking me to stay the next. That makes things difficult for me," Makoto said with a half-smile as he looked at Asuma Sarutobi.
"Can't we just discuss it?" Asuma suggested. "How about we both compromise? I'll lower my demands, and during class you follow my lead."
It wasn't that he refused to be taught. He was simply going through a rebellious phase. More than anything, he didn't want to accept arrangements made by his father.
"No, no," Makoto shook his head. "Having high expectations isn't your problem. It's simply that my abilities aren't good enough to meet them. So it's better if I leave."
With that, Makoto turned around and started walking away.
"Alright, alright! You don't have to listen to me anymore—just don't leave!" Asuma hurriedly called out again as Makoto was about to step out of the backyard.
He was truly starting to feel helpless dealing with Makoto.
"So we can start the lesson now?" Makoto asked with a friendly smile.
To deal with a rebellious student like Asuma, the best approach was to be even more rebellious.
Fight fire with fire.
"Fine, whatever. What are you going to teach me?" Asuma asked reluctantly.
In his original plan, he was supposed to scare the tutor off first, then negotiate on his own terms so that he would control the situation.
Although he didn't care much about his identity—and even disliked it—he couldn't deny that being the Hokage's son had always given him plenty of advantages.
Makoto glanced around and said, "Let's go train outside. It's not convenient here."
After informing Biwako Sarutobi, Makoto took Asuma out and led him to a small forest with a river nearby.
"First, let's test your chakra control," Makoto said, pointing at a tall tree. "Try tree climbing."
"Climbing a tree? That's easy. I'll show you," Asuma said with a mischievous grin.
An idea had already formed in his head.
He walked to the large tree and—without using chakra at all—began climbing it with both hands and feet like a nimble monkey.
Within moments, he reached the top.
Looking down proudly, Asuma shouted, "See? Didn't I climb it fast?"
Of course, he knew what Makoto actually meant by tree climbing.
He simply refused to cooperate on purpose.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was secretly observing the lesson using the Telescope Technique through his crystal ball, fell silent.
He rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Although he used to have the nickname "Monkey," he had never done something like that.
What kind of son did I raise…
"You climbed very quickly. Your limb strength is excellent," Makoto said calmly, even praising him.
Then Makoto walked over to a thinner tree, cut off its branches, and poured oil all over the trunk.
The tree now looked like a smooth wooden pole.
Smiling, Makoto looked at Asuma.
"That earlier climb was just a warm-up. Let's begin the real tree-climbing exercise."
Looking at the slippery, oil-covered tree, Asuma's mouth twitched.
Even if he were the best climber in the world, there was no way to climb that bare, oily pole with bare hands.
"If you can't climb it, that's fine," Makoto said casually. "Admitting your shortcomings is also a form of courage."
"How could I not climb it? Don't underestimate me!" Asuma snapped.
Being a nine-year-old who had just graduated, there was no way he could endure that kind of provocation.
Immediately, he focused chakra into the soles of his feet and steadily walked all the way to the top.
"Your chakra control is fairly good," Makoto nodded.
He wasn't particularly surprised.
Afterward, Makoto led Asuma to the riverbank.
"Since tree climbing isn't a problem for you, let's see if you can walk on water," Makoto said.
This was another way to test Asuma's chakra control.
For most people, chakra reserves were limited. Aside from rare prodigies, improving chakra efficiency was one of the best ways to increase combat strength.
"If you can stand on the water for ten minutes without falling, then from now on you can train whatever you want," Makoto added.
Asuma's eyes lit up.
"You said that yourself. Don't go back on your word."
He had been thinking about how to deal with this annoying teacher. Unexpectedly, Makoto had handed him the perfect opportunity.
Walking on water might be difficult for other newly graduated genin, but for Asuma, it wasn't a big challenge.
With confidence, Asuma gathered chakra in his feet and stepped onto the water.
He began strolling casually across the river.
The river wasn't large—only about twenty meters wide.
"That old man really has too much control over everything," Asuma muttered.
"I've already graduated and become a ninja, yet he still hired a tutor."
He was already imagining the expression on the Third Hokage's face when he returned home and announced that his tutor had agreed to let him train freely.
Suddenly, Asuma sensed something was wrong.
Looking down, he noticed the previously calm river had suddenly become turbulent.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Asuma looked toward the shore.
Sure enough, Makoto had performed a Water Release technique.
A massive water dragon surged through the river, twisting and rolling violently, sending waves crashing across the water.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" Asuma shouted as a wave nearly knocked him off balance.
"I'm simulating a combat environment for you," Makoto replied with a smile.
"In a real battle, the river won't stay calm like it normally does."
"Besides, I can also take the opportunity to practice my Water Release here. With both water and trees nearby, this place is perfect for it."
"Of course, if you feel like you can't handle it, I can stop," Makoto added casually.
"After all, admitting your shortcomings is also a sign of wisdom."
Asuma swallowed the words he was about to say.
He had acted rebellious precisely because he wanted to prove he didn't need a tutor or his father's arrangements.
Admitting defeat now was impossible.
So Asuma concentrated completely on controlling his chakra to avoid falling into the water.
But chakra control wasn't something that could improve instantly.
And the constantly surging waves also challenged his balance.
Asuma struggled for five minutes before finally losing his footing and falling into the river.
Makoto immediately pulled him out.
"It seems your chakra control still needs improvement," Makoto said regretfully. "You can't begin free training yet."
"If you hadn't interfered with Water Release, I wouldn't have fallen!" Asuma protested.
"Do you expect your enemies not to attack you with ninjutsu during battle?" Makoto replied calmly.
"I want another try!" Asuma said angrily.
Sometimes frustration doesn't help solve math problems—but it can certainly trigger a burst of fighting spirit.
This time, Asuma lasted seven minutes.
Just three minutes short of the goal.
After resting for a while, Asuma eagerly demanded another attempt.
The third time, he lasted seven and a half minutes.
Finally, just as the sun was about to set, Asuma successfully endured ten minutes.
"I did it!" Asuma shouted excitedly.
But in his excitement, he lost control of his chakra and fell into the river again, gulping down a mouthful of river water.
When Makoto pulled him back up, Asuma was still grinning with excitement.
"So from now on, I can train whatever I want," Asuma said happily while wiping the water from his face.
"Who told you that?" Makoto asked with a puzzled expression.
The smile froze on Asuma's face.
"What do you mean? You said if I lasted ten minutes I could train freely!"
"Yes," Makoto nodded. "But I said 'this time.'"
"That referred to your first attempt."
"And you didn't succeed that time."
Asuma replayed the conversation in his mind.
…It really did sound like that.
So what had he worked so hard for the entire afternoon?!
Between the physical exhaustion and the mental blow, Asuma nearly rolled his eyes back and fainted.
Defeated by a rebellious teacher.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been secretly watching the entire time with the Telescope Technique, stroked his beard thoughtfully.
Makoto's teaching ability was indeed impressive.
In just one afternoon of training, Asuma's footwork and chakra control had already improved noticeably.
"Tomorrow… I must strike back!" Asuma swore silently.
Today, he felt like he had been toyed with for the entire afternoon.
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