Chapter 76

"Special training for students who are about to graduate and students with outstanding performance..." Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a while and said,

"Makoto, I believe you are underestimating yourself and your abilities. How about this: based on your special training plan, we can also include this year's graduated Genin. If they are interested, they can join your special training plan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Makoto with a smile and asked, "Makoto, what do you think?"

"Since the Third Hokage Master has so much trust in me, I will do my best," Makoto responded respectfully.

Makoto didn't mind having a large number of students and hoped to teach hundreds of students a day.

Makoto believed that the number of students during lectures would affect the class rewards, so he saw this as an absolute win.  By gathering all the fourth-year students, as well as outstanding students from other classes and some graduated Genin, they could easily have more than 300 participants.

"Makoto, if you complete this special training and improve the strength of the students and participating Genin, you won't need to wait until this year is over. You would be promoted to Special Jounin after the special training," Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a smile.

If Makoto continued to replicate the teaching results of the first-year class, he could potentially even replace Sarutobi Hiruzen as the Academy's principal.

However, if this actually happens, he would have to have a discussion with his old friend Danzo about Makoto's identity. The teacher of the Ninja School could be a member of the Root, but the Academy's principal could not.

"I will notify the Ninja Academy to cooperate with you, and you will lead this program," Sarutobi Hiruzen said.

With gratitude, Makoto thanked him before heading to the backyard to take Asuma away to begin this weekend's practice.

"Teacher Makoto, are you really going to conduct this special training?" Asuma asked curiously, having overheard their conversation earlier.

"Since the Third Hokage trusts me so much, I can't afford to disappoint him," Makoto replied with a smile.

"I think the old man wants you to work like a laborer. It will be very tiring to teach so many people at once," Asuma defended Makoto.

"And he didn't even specify the salary during the special training period. If the salary remains the same as during the normal period, Teacher Makoto, you will incur a significant loss."

"I am not a teacher to make money; I just hope that students can improve," Makoto replied with a smile. When Makoto spoke these words, Asuma felt it was natural.

Asuma believed that Makoto's dedication went beyond financial gains and that if it was just about money, Makoto wouldn't be putting in so much effort.

"Since Teacher Makoto really wants to organize the special training, I must motivate my teammates and make them participate, too!" Asuma stated, affirming his commitment to support Makoto. As a Genin who had graduated this year, Asuma felt that Makoto's teaching abilities far surpassed those of their Jounin instructors.

Every time he practiced with Makoto on weekends, he felt that he had gained a lot. Going to study with Makoto for a month would undoubtedly yield more results than their usual training.

...

"Kakashi, let's have a competition full of youth and passion," Might Gai proposed.

"I understand the sentiment, but could you please not intrude when I'm taking a shower next time?" Kakashi, lying in the bathtub, said exasperatedly.

"Why does it seem like Nohara Rin is the only normal person among my friends?" Kakashi pondered.

Might Gai complied and walked out. When he reached the door, he glanced back curiously, prompting Kakashi to throw a bottle at him with killing intent.

"Next time I will definitely set a deadly trap at the bathroom's entrances!" Kakashi declared after getting out.

Might Gai, undeterred, clenched his fists and shouted passionately, "Kakashi, my eternal rival! let's have another intense passionate battle!"

"This time my strength is different from before. If you get careless you will lose."

"Let's go to the yard, and I hope your strength matches your words," Kakashi said calmly.

"This time I won first place in the Ninja School. Don't underestimate me," Might Gai said proudly.

"First place in the Ninja School? Well, I'm in awe of your remarkable achievement," Kakashi replied indifferently.

The two walked into the courtyard, locked eyes, nodded at each other, made a sign, and the battle began.

"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"

Gai knew that Kakashi was strong, so he used the newly learned chakra burst technique to quickly rush in front of Kakashi and deliver a whirlwind kick.

Although he hasn't mastered how to use Soru yet, he can still apply some of what he learned to increase his speed.

"Huh? This speed."

Kakashi didn't expect that Gai could display such speed. He didn't have time to dodge, so he blocked Gai's kick with his arm and took a few steps back.

Gai gained the upper hand and immediately pressed forward, attempting to hinder Kakashi from using his ninjutsu by maintaining an aggressive pace.

However, Kakashi was no Obito, and Gai was surprised to find that he couldn't gain the upper hand in the taijutsu battle, slowly slipping into a disadvantage.

"Leaf Whirlwind!"

Kakashi, who was gradually regaining control of the situation, directly kicked Gai away with his own technique and then used Shunsui to place a kunai at Gai's neck.

"Kakashi, there's something wrong with your Leaf Whirlwind," Gai honestly pointed out.

"It's good enough for me to win the battle," Kakashi said as he put the kunai away.

Kakashi had only seen Gai use it a few times, so it was impossible for him to replicate it right away.

Kakashi's intention was to hurt Gai's feelings.

Surprisingly, Gai didn't react even when he was defeated by his own skill.

"As expected of my eternal rival, he's incredibly strong," Gai said with a proud expression.

Kakashi won the battle without resorting to ninjutsu. However, when Kakashi saw Gai's expression, he didn't know what to say.

It can be said that Gai had lost the battle but won the war.

"I will become even stronger the next time I challenge you!" Once again, feeling that the bond between them was rekindled, Gai rushed off to train.

"Gai's strength has been growing rapidly recently," Kakashi thought as he watched Gai's retreating figure.

Gai's performance today was quite surprising to him. The initial kick had been authentic and had taken him by surprise. It was something that hadn't happened before.