Chapter 76: Challenge and Summer Training
"There are two levels in the challenge. The first one is the forest sprint. I've set up a large number of traps in a designated area of the forest. Every time you trigger a trap or get caught by a mechanism, one point will be deducted. After three points are deducted, the challenge will be considered a failure."
"I have three chances," Obito felt that the challenge mentioned by Makoto wasn't too difficult.
Setting traps and evading them are some of the essential skills that ninjas need to learn, and Obito is no stranger to this.
"I will send a shadow clone that is slightly slower than you to follow you. If you are too slow and get caught by the shadow clone, it will also be considered a failure," Makoto added.
If you walk too slowly, it will be easier to avoid the traps, but it becomes more challenging with someone chasing you.
"There's also Makoto-sensei's shadow clone chasing behind," Obito suddenly realized that it wasn't as simple as he thought.
"As long as you can maintain a good pace, the shadow clone won't be able to catch up with you," Makoto said with a smile.
"Then, Teacher Makoto, please take me for the challenge," Obito wanted to give it a try.
"Very well, you will need solve three question papers before each challenge first." Makoto handed Obito three test papers and said, "There are nearly a hundred questions here, consider it the fee to start the challenge." Obito looked at Makoto in confusion.
But when he saw the test papers, he was taken aback. He couldn't believe Makoto was forcing him to solve questions just to take the challenge.
"Teacher Makoto, how about I give you three test papers as the challenge fee instead?" Obito was a bit flustered when he saw the test papers and began to speak nonsense.
Makoto knocked Obito's head, then said with a smile, "I will have to reset the traps every time you repeat the challenge. It cost both time and resources. Obviously, I won't make it easy for you to take the challenge."
When Obito woke up from the daze, he couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. He realized that what Makoto said made sense.
"Teacher Makoto, thank you for your help," Obito said as he stood up,
"Why don't you make yourself faster and react more quickly to navigate the trap area more efficiently?" Makoto advised.
The challenge wasn't about testing Obito's ability to endure pain but to enhance his agility and problem-solving skills.
"If I knew the teleportation technique, I could easily avoid all the traps and finish this challenge in an instant," Obito concluded.
Makoto said. "The purpose of this challenge is to train your ability to cope with obstacles and improve your speed."
As it was Saturday, Makoto planned to visit Asuma's house in the afternoon to start training him.
"Hokage-sama," Makoto greeted Sarutobi Hiruzen when he arrived at his home.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was seated in the living room, lost in thought while puffing on his pipe.
"Come and train Asuma. He's waiting for you in the backyard," Hiruzen Sarutobi said, removing the pipe from his mouth and smiling.
Suddenly, he remembered Makoto's extraordinary performance from the previous day and asked, "Makoto, if a war were to break out in the ninja world, and Konoha became involved, what would you do?"
Makoto thought for a moment and replied with a determined smile, "As a teacher, I would provide special training to our students to enhance their strength and do everything I can to bolster the village's strength. As a Konoha ninja, I would be ready to fight for the village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in approval, satisfied with Makoto's response. He went on to inform him about the Third Kazekage's disappearance and the likelihood that it would lead to an outbreak of a war.
"I think we can gather the graduating fourth-year students for special summer training to strengthen their abilities. Exceptional students from other grades can join as well," Makoto suggested.
In this way, Obito and his peers could receive intensive training while continuing to earn rewards for teaching others.
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