Naruto Shadow Mage - Chapter 81
Leaping progress has its benefits, but it also has drawbacks.
This is because Cross Country’s rapid advancement is entirely due to the APP’s accelerated training.
So, when Cross Country uses the APP’s acceleration effect to leap from a half-step Jonin to a full Jonin-level ninja, the lack of a certain amount of accumulation means Cross Country needs a period of consolidation. The best way to consolidate is to slowly understand one’s shortcomings on the battlefield, using life and death experiences to accumulate and settle.
Such consolidation might be sufficient after a few encounters if it were an ordinary ninja.
However, for Cross Country, it would take dozens or even hundreds of encounters to accumulate and settle bit by bit. This is the drawback!
But in the personal exchange with the Fourth Hokage, even though there were no life-and-death insights and no battlefield experiences, Cross Country was still rapidly accumulating experience and consolidating his strength.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Cross Country’s sparring with the Fourth Hokage was a process of accelerated training.
Moreover, it was precisely the Fourth Hokage’s personal guidance that gave Cross Country another leap, changing his impression of the Hokage’s teaching.
Previously, if you asked Cross Country who the best teacher in Naruto was, his answer would undoubtedly be Jiraiya!
Looking at the original storyline, Jiraiya undoubtedly taught the most outstanding ninjas.
Outside of Konoha Village are Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan, the founders of the “Akatsuki” organization, and of course, the Fourth Hokage, the main character of Naruto Uzumaki. This shows Jiraiya’s teaching quality is the best. Otherwise, how could the Fourth Hokage and Naruto achieve what they did?
As for the Fourth Hokage himself?
Previously, Cross Country’s evaluation was that his teaching quality compared to Jiraiya was like heaven and earth.
Who were the Fourth Hokage’s disciples?
The original storyline was Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara!
First, let’s talk about Kakashi. He was already a very talented ninja, trained by the White Fang of Konoha, Sakumo Hatake, breaking many records in Konoha’s history, and becoming a Jonin at the age of twelve. That’s quite impressive, isn’t it?
But under the Fourth Hokage’s guidance?
Kakashi became a ninja who showed early promise but faded later!
Perhaps Kakashi’s “decline” had something to do with Obito Uchiha, but didn’t it also relate to the Fourth Hokage’s teaching?
Kakashi’s case might be debatable, but what about Obito Uchiha?
Under Madara Uchiha’s guidance, how long did Obito train?
He then had the power to fight the Fourth Hokage and launch the Nine-Tails’ attack!
In this context, can we say Obito lacked potential or talent?
Definitely not!
It can only be said that the Fourth Hokage’s teaching was problematic!
So, when Cross Country initially became the Fourth Hokage’s disciple, he had no other thoughts.
It wasn’t until he received many secret techniques from the Fourth Hokage and gradually understood them that his opinion slightly changed.
With rapid progress under the Fourth Hokage’s guidance, Cross Country realized the teaching wasn’t as bad as he initially thought.
Little did he know, Cross Country was just a lucky guy!
In reality, the Fourth Hokage’s teaching could have been better than Cross Country had initially thought!
If it weren’t for Cross Country training in the Fourth Hokage’s secret techniques and having a better ability to understand than the Fourth Hokage expected, he wouldn’t have progressed so quickly under the Fourth Hokage’s teaching.
Moreover, the Fourth Hokage could teach Cross Country well because he was teaching his secret techniques.
Would the Fourth Hokage not understand his own secret techniques?
While teaching Cross Country, the Fourth Hokage was just reviewing the basics of his secret techniques. And, seeing that Cross Country could quickly grasp whatever he taught, even the Fourth Hokage couldn’t help but secretly sigh:
“Teaching Cross Country is really enjoyable!”
“Sigh!”
“Kakashi, Rin, and Obito, if only they had Cross Country’s potential, that would be great!”
“Especially Obito, if he had mastered my secret techniques early, maybe… maybe he wouldn’t have died!”
Well then!
Seeing how fast Cross Country was progressing, the Fourth Hokage directly shifted the “blame” to Kakashi, Rin, and Obito.
If Obito had truly died, he might have been revived just from being angered by the Fourth Hokage’s words!
Next, the Fourth Hokage further slowed down the sparring speed, using the gaps in the battle to slowly teach Cross Country some small techniques for using secret techniques. After discovering the Fourth Hokage’s hidden teaching, Cross Country found that whether it was the “Acceleration” secret technique, the Wind Perception, or the Wind Body Flicker, they all subtly changed when performed.
However, not long after practicing according to the Fourth Hokage’s method, Cross Country felt indescribably awkward using secret techniques. Later, because Cross Country had exhausted his chakra, the Fourth Hokage stopped the sparring, looked at the frowning Cross Country, and couldn’t help but laugh, saying:
“Cross Country, are you encountering difficulties?”
“That’s right, Minato-sensei.”
Hearing the Fourth Hokage’s question, Cross Country nodded and said: “Minato-sensei, during our sparring, I gradually discovered my shortcomings. The first is undoubtedly combat experience. But under your guidance, this can be slowly compensated, so this problem isn’t severe.”
“The second point is that I’m not as proficient in using secret techniques and ninjutsu as you, Minato-sensei. This problem might require me to accumulate and settle on my own slowly. As long as you let me practice more, I will complete this stage of training within two years.
“As for the last one…”
Saying this, Cross Country looked at the Fourth Hokage with some difficulty and cautiously asked: “Minato-sensei, are the small techniques you just taught me for using secret techniques incorrect? Why do I feel awkward when practicing, like it’s increasing chakra consumption, and the effect of the secret technique isn’t enhanced, but rather consumes more chakra?”
In terms of chakra control, Cross Country, who can throw a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken with one hand, is truly unparalleled!
Even Tsunade, the Fourth Hokage, and other Kage-level powerhouses couldn’t match him in chakra control, as Cross Country had the potential to surpass them!
So, when Cross Country imitated the Fourth Hokage’s method of using secret techniques, increasing chakra consumption to further enhance the effect of the Fourth Hokage’s secret techniques, he felt doubtful. After all, Cross Country’s superior chakra control ensured that not a single bit of chakra was wasted, fully maximizing the effect of the Fourth Hokage’s secret techniques!
However, after Cross Country questioned it, instead of getting angry as expected, the Fourth Hokage maintained a cheerful expression and even nodded at Cross Country.
Next, just as Cross Country was about to continue asking questions, the Fourth Hokage suddenly shook his head.
Especially when he met Cross Country’s questioning gaze, the Fourth Hokage took a deep breath and said with a smile:
“Cross Country, I didn’t misjudge your talent. You are indeed the most suitable person to inherit my teachings!”
“In that case, I’ll teach you the secret technique on behalf of another!”
“I hope that when you roam the ninja world, you won’t disgrace my name or that of your other teacher!”
Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉
Read up to 30 chapters ahead on p atreon.
