"That's not right! Even if the money wasn't given to you, it's still my family's money. How does that count as earning it?" Asuma Sarutobi sorted out his thoughts and immediately refuted Makoto.
"You really are a genius," Makoto said with a smile.
Even though he had been praised, Asuma felt an indescribable sense of weirdness.
"Anyway, go tell the old man you're quitting. I don't need a private tutor."
Asuma leaned back lazily against a tree and completely gave up.
"If you don't want me to teach you, you could just stop coming to training. Or tell the Third Hokage yourself," Makoto suggested.
"What, you think I'm stupid?" Asuma lifted his chin proudly. "If I did that, the responsibility would fall entirely on me."
The Third Hokage might not care that much, but Asuma was definitely afraid of making his mother, Biwako Sarutobi, angry.
Makoto nodded inwardly.
Yeah… he really is a bit naïve.
If Makoto resigned using the excuse that Asuma refused to cooperate, the blame would still end up falling on Asuma anyway.
But there was no reason for him to do that. Handling a nine-year-old kid like Asuma was far too easy.
"Why are you so resistant to having a tutor?" Makoto asked, continuing the conversation instead of forcing Asuma to train.
"Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand," Asuma said while shaking his head, wearing an expression that clearly meant you're too young to get it.
"Why wouldn't I understand?" Makoto replied calmly. "Isn't it simply because you don't like your father arranging everything for you?"
Given Asuma's identity and personality, the reason for his rebellious attitude was easy to guess.
Asuma himself was talented. Compared to ordinary ninja—excluding monsters like Kakashi Hatake—he could definitely be considered a prodigy. His training hadn't been neglected either; Makoto could see that Asuma's fundamentals were solid.
But because of his identity as the son of the Third Hokage, all his efforts could easily be reduced to a single casual remark:
"As expected of the Third Hokage's son."
When he worked hard, people saw it as natural.
When he didn't, he was criticized.
If things continued like this, it would be strange if the relationship between Asuma and his father stayed good.
Now that he had already graduated and become a ninja, Asuma felt he was finally grown up.
Yet the Third Hokage still hired a tutor for him.
To Asuma, that felt like he was being completely underestimated.
"You're only seeing the surface," Asuma said with the same dismissive expression—until Makoto said his next sentence.
"Isn't it because you train hard, only to receive a single line: 'As expected of the Third Hokage's son'?"
Makoto smiled lightly.
Asuma's expression changed drastically.
He stared at Makoto with shock and a hint of fear.
This was something he had never told anyone. Having it suddenly exposed made him feel as if his chest had been torn open and his inner thoughts laid bare.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Asuma said stubbornly.
But his restless hands betrayed his panic.
"If you want to prove yourself," Makoto continued, "then you should accept a tutor and strengthen your abilities. Use your strength to prove who you are."
"Because right now… you really can't be considered outstanding."
Makoto bluntly denied Asuma's ability.
First his inner thoughts had been exposed, and now his entire worth was being questioned.
Asuma immediately became anxious and protested:
"When I was in the Ninja Academy, I was often first in my grade! How could I not be considered excellent?"
Makoto smiled.
"Do you believe that if I randomly picked a student who just entered the Ninja Academy, you wouldn't be their opponent?"
Asuma burst into laughter from anger.
If it were a graduate, that would be one thing.
But a brand-new Academy student?
Even if it were Kakashi when he first entered the Academy, Asuma wouldn't be afraid.
"Go ahead and find one!" Asuma said fiercely. "If I lose, I'll listen to whatever you say from now on."
"Of course," he added, "if I win, you resign."
"Deal," Makoto replied with a smile.
Makoto then sent out a Shadow Clone to bring someone over.
Soon after, Shisui Uchiha arrived.
Asuma looked him over for a few moments and concluded that Makoto probably hadn't lied.
He really did look like a small kid who had just entered the Ninja Academy.
"This is Shisui Uchiha, a student in my class. He's six years old and just started his first year," Makoto introduced.
"And this is Asuma Sarutobi, a newly graduated genin."
"Shisui Uchiha, right?" Asuma said. "I'll tell you now—if you can't handle it later, just surrender quickly so you don't get hurt. I won't hold back."
"I'll be careful, Senior Sarutobi," Shisui replied seriously.
"Begin," Makoto announced as soon as both of them took their stances.
The moment his words fell—
Asuma rushed forward instantly, throwing punches toward Shisui.
Shisui calmly stepped forward to meet him, engaging in close combat.
The two exchanged blows repeatedly.
Despite his larger build, Asuma failed to gain any advantage.
Asuma's expression changed.
After just two exchanges, he realized Shisui wasn't simple—but he hadn't expected him to be this troublesome.
Not only did Asuma fail to gain the upper hand, but because he rushed forward too aggressively trying to seize the advantage, Shisui seized the opportunity—
Leaf Whirlwind!
Shisui's kick struck cleanly, sending Asuma sliding backward three meters.
However, Shisui did not pursue.
When Makoto had brought him here earlier, he had told Shisui to defeat Asuma as thoroughly as possible.
For a newly graduated genin to be kicked three meters back by a child who had just entered the Ninja Academy—
Even with only Makoto watching, Asuma felt completely humiliated.
His face turned red.
Ignoring the question of why Shisui didn't continue attacking, only one thought filled Asuma's mind:
Defeat him.
Take back his pride.
Prove himself.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"
Asuma quickly formed hand seals and erupted with chakra, spewing a torrent of flames.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Shisui formed seals as well, gathering chakra in his mouth before releasing a massive fireball.
The two Fire Release techniques collided.
But Shisui's flames were larger and stronger.
Within seconds, Shisui's fire overwhelmed Asuma's and continued surging forward.
Asuma froze.
He stood there watching the massive fireball rushing toward him.
His mind was blank.
Why?
Why would he lose to a student who had just entered the Academy?
And lose so miserably at that.
In taijutsu, he had been kicked three meters away.
In ninjutsu, he had been completely suppressed.
Was he really nothing without the identity of being the Third Hokage's son?
A deep doubt about himself began forming inside Asuma.
The fireball drew closer.
Feeling the heat of the flames, Asuma finally snapped back to reality and tried to dodge.
But at this distance, it was impossible to escape completely.
At that moment—
Makoto moved.
Chakra surged as he quickly formed hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A thick wall of water instantly rose in front of Asuma, blocking the incoming fireball.
"Teacher…"
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