Arashikawa Kaizen spared no effort in teaching Muzan everything he knew about chakra control.
He had once served on Hatake Sakumo’s squad, so this was his way of repaying the debt he owed Sakumo-sama.
During the training, Muzan discovered that his chakra reserves were astonishingly large.
Neither physical energy nor spiritual energy posed any problem for him.
His demon body granted him overwhelming vitality, while his reincarnated soul possessed mental energy several times greater than that of an ordinary person.
“What an enviable talent.” Kaizen had spent the entire afternoon helping Muzan refine his chakra control.
Even while performing something as delicate as manipulating a single leaf with chakra, Muzan continued producing chakra for hours without showing any signs of exhaustion.
“I really can’t compare people like this…” Before they realized it, class had come to an end.
Kaizen’s peaceful retirement lifestyle could finally resume.
“That’s enough training for today!” For the students practicing ninja tool techniques, the afternoons were generally more like playtime.
Very few children could truly master the exercises.
As Kaizen led Kakashi and Muzan out through the academy gates, they saw a man dressed in green desperately pleading with someone.
“Matsushita-san, I’m a shinobi too!
My son really can use chakra!” Might Dai had completely thrown away his pride.
He refused to let Gai become a failure like himself.
To him, becoming a ninja was Gai’s only chance.
“I’ve told you countless times already!
Your son can’t become a ninja!
He doesn’t have enough chakra!” Already irritated beyond measure, Matsushita shook Dai’s hand away.
Had this not been the entrance to the Ninja Academy, where maintaining the school’s reputation mattered, he wouldn’t have bothered listening at all.
Looking at the still-pleading Dai, Muzan immediately recognized both father and son.
These two were genuine monsters of the Naruto world.
“I didn’t expect to run into them here.” “You know that Eternal Genin?” Kaizen looked surprised.
Given Muzan’s background, he should have been acquainted with prodigies, not someone like Dai.
Seeing Muzan’s interest, Kaizen immediately stopped Matsushita from walking away.
“What’s going on here?” Matsushita inwardly groaned.
Turning around and seeing Kaizen approach, he knew his hopes for a raise had probably disappeared.
Pointing toward Dai, he explained, “Kaizen-san!
His son can’t perform ninjutsu and barely has any chakra.
How could someone like that possibly enter the Ninja Academy?” Being publicly criticized didn’t anger Dai.
But when someone denied Gai’s potential…
It was the first time he openly argued back.
“My son works harder than anyone!” “I know he’ll become a great ninja someday!” Even Kakashi quietly watched Gai.
Someone unable to properly mold chakra—or only capable of producing a tiny amount—wasn’t worth Konoha’s investment.
Especially after the Second Shinobi World War.
Back then, Genin were little more than expendable numbers.
To reduce unnecessary casualties, the Ninja Academy had stopped accepting students with poor aptitude.
By every standard…
Gai was considered one of those students.
“That makes this difficult.” Kaizen had seen situations like this before.
Parents desperate for their children to succeed often forced them into the Ninja Academy.
The results usually ended in tragedy.
Either they remained Genin their entire lives, running errands around the village…
Or they obeyed orders, only to die during some future mission.
Muzan quietly studied Gai’s determined expression.
His natural talent truly was lacking.
But there was one quality Muzan admired.
Walking over, he said, “Then why not focus on your strengths?” “A ninja doesn’t rely only on chakra.” Everyone turned toward him.
Gai, especially, suddenly rushed over and hugged Muzan tightly, tears streaming down his face.
“Thank you!” “I’ll prove that my taijutsu can become the strongest!” “Kaizen-sensei.” “This afternoon you said that once a shinobi runs out of chakra on the battlefield, all that’s left are their kunai.” “So…
why not give him a chance?” Meeting the crimson eyes hidden beneath the black cloak, Kaizen hesitated briefly before nodding.
He agreed to let Gai demonstrate his taijutsu.
Bang!
Bang!
Two heavy impacts echoed across the academy grounds.
Dust rose from the ground.
Both Kaizen and Kakashi stared in surprise.
“I underestimated him.” “What an incredible boy…” “He’s the very definition of a hardworking genius.” “You’re kidding…” “Most adults couldn’t even stand while wearing weights that heavy.” After removing his training weights, Gai’s speed exploded.
His punches became fierce.
His movements incredibly agile.
Even a newly graduated Genin might not be able to defeat him.
After watching the entire demonstration, Kaizen finally calmed his shock.
He hadn’t expected to discover such an exceptional student right outside the academy gates.
Gai’s taijutsu fundamentals were flawless.
If he continued down this path, becoming a Special jonin in the future was entirely possible.
“With skills like these…” “You’re qualified to enter the Ninja Academy.” “Starting today, you’re officially one of our students.” The moment those words left his mouth, Dai and Gai immediately threw themselves at Kaizen in celebration.
Everyone nearby shivered at the sight.
“This is the power of youthful passion!” “My youth will keep burning brighter!” Muzan paid no attention to Dai’s theatrics.
Instead, he noticed something unusual.
For the first time, Kakashi’s usual dead-fish eyes showed genuine emotion.
Until now, none of the new students had seemed capable of challenging Kakashi.
But today’s display had shaken his confidence.
If it were him…
Could he train every day while wearing dozens of pounds of weights?
“Don’t overthink it, Kakashi.” “You’re both geniuses.” “You simply excel in different areas.” Muzan patted Kakashi’s shoulder encouragingly.
Seeing the fighting spirit ignite in his brother’s eyes, Muzan silently made a decision.
He wouldn’t allow Kakashi to become the future Copy Ninja.
The man known as “Mr.
Fifty-Fifty” was undeniably powerful.
Yet compared to the truly top-tier fighters, his strength always fell short.
Kakashi’s chakra reserves weren’t actually small.
Becoming a jonin while still a teenager was proof enough of his extraordinary talent.
But what happened afterward?
He inherited Obito’s Sharingan.
A transplanted Sharingan constantly drained his chakra.
No matter how gifted he was with all five chakra natures, that advantage could never be fully utilized.
Rather than relying on the Sharingan, Kakashi would be far better off mastering the Hatake Sword Technique and inheriting his father’s title as the White Fang.
Or perhaps devoting himself entirely to mastering Konoha’s countless ninjutsu.
In the future, Kakashi would become the Fourth Hokage’s disciple.
As one of the Hokage’s direct subordinates, he’d have access to the Third Hokage’s research notes.
There was every possibility he could become a true master of ninjutsu through his own ability.
“Hmph.
A loser without chakra is still a loser.” “No matter how hard he trains, he’ll never catch up to me.” Kakashi quickly composed himself and spoke confidently.
A shinobi who relied only on taijutsu could never surpass someone like him, blessed with affinity for all five chakra natures.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Kakashi.” Muzan laughed.
He walked over, pulled Gai away from his tearful reunion with his father, then pointed directly at Kakashi.
“I’ve got a mission for you.” “From today onward, challenge Kakashi to spar as often as you can.” “Show him that hardworking geniuses can be just as strong!” Konoha’s Blue Beast wasn’t a title earned through luck.
Muzan even suspected that Gai might already be capable of opening the Eight Gates.
“You idiot, Nii-san!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Hidden_Quill Thank you so much for reading!