On the first day Asuka officially took Utakata as his disciple, he immediately brought him to the training grounds on the outskirts of the Hidden Mist Village.
Unlike impatient mentors who rushed to pass down secret techniques, the first thing Asuka did was assess Utakata's fundamentals.
As an important strategic asset of the Village, the Hidden Mist would never allow Utakata to remain ordinary. Even if he wasn't permitted to access core secret techniques, his basic training had never been neglected.
"Demonstrate every Ninjutsu you currently know, one by one."
Asuka's voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority. His sharp gaze remained fixed on Utakata. Though the boy was still young and slender, he showed no hesitation. He nodded immediately and began.
Forming hand seals, Utakata displayed everything he had mastered.
Asuka observed silently, his fingertips lightly tapping against his palm.
He had to admit—Utakata's talent far exceeded that of ordinary people. Though he had only learned the basics—like the Three Body Technique and the Chakra Extraction Technique—his mastery was exceptional. His Chakra control and hand seal speed were already far ahead of others his age.
This level of proficiency wasn't just due to Village supervision—it was proof of Utakata's own diligence and talent.
That very night, Asuka created a detailed training plan tailored specifically to him. It avoided the common mistake of simply increasing workload—every step was precise and purposeful.
---
Each day began at dawn, when the Hidden Mist Village was still shrouded in fog.
Utakata would start with physical training under Asuka's supervision: fifty laps around the training ground, followed by a thorn-filled obstacle course, then five hundred push-ups and frog jumps.
His slender figure moved through the mist, sweat quickly soaking his clothes—but he never complained.
After morning exercise and a simple breakfast came an hour of meditation. Asuka personally guided him, helping refine his Chakra extraction method and optimize its efficiency.
The core of the morning was Taijutsu practice.
Asuka didn't rush into advanced techniques. Instead, he focused on the basics—punches, kicks, and evasion—demonstrating each movement and correcting Utakata's form.
"Taijutsu is the foundation of Ninjutsu. If you can't even stand firm, no matter how powerful your techniques are, you won't be able to use them properly."
His teaching was simple, but precise.
Utakata practiced with unwavering focus. Even when his knuckles split or his knees bruised, he simply treated the injuries and continued.
---
At noon, he was given an hour to rest—a deliberate buffer to prevent overtraining.
The afternoon focused on hand seal speed and Ninjutsu repetition.
Asuka used a stopwatch, forcing Utakata to rapidly cycle through seals or repeatedly perform the same technique until it became muscle memory—something he could execute without thinking.
In the evening, training shifted to Chakra control.
Asuka had him manipulate tiny water droplets—first making them float, then guiding them to precise locations, and eventually using Chakra to cut leaves mid-air.
Every step demanded extreme precision.
---
Few people knew that this intense training plan was actually a refined version of Asuka's own early regimen.
Back then, he had the advantage of regenerative abilities, allowing him to push himself far beyond normal limits—training through broken bones and torn muscles.
Compared to that, Utakata's plan was already a "gentler" version, adjusted for his age and endurance.
Even so, to others, it was still terrifying.
Yet Utakata never once complained.
He understood better than anyone that in this cruel Ninja World, weakness meant being controlled. Being taught by someone like Asuka was a rare opportunity.
Deep inside, he longed for freedom—and knew only strength could grant it.
So no matter how harsh the training, he endured it. Often, he even trained beyond the assigned limits, stopping only when completely exhausted.
---
Time passed quietly.
And like bamboo shoots after rain, Utakata's strength grew rapidly.
His foundation became even more solid. His Chakra reserves nearly doubled. His hand seals became faster. His Taijutsu underwent a complete transformation.
He could now easily handle ordinary adult Genin.
---
That afternoon, sunlight filtered through dense leaves, casting shifting shadows across the ground.
Having finished training, Utakata sat beneath an old locust tree, lost in thought.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead and carefully pulled out a small bubble-blowing kit from his bag—one of his few treasured possessions.
It was simple—just a bamboo tube and homemade soap solution—but it was clean and well-kept.
He dipped the tube and blew gently.
A stream of bubbles floated into the air, glistening with soft colors under the sunlight.
Utakata's gaze softened as he watched them drift.
Some burst against leaves, dissolving into mist. Others floated away, tracing gentle arcs through the air.
For a moment, his tension faded.
---
He didn't notice when Asuka arrived.
Asuka stood quietly nearby, watching the bubbles without interrupting.
After a while, he reached out and gently placed a hand on Utakata's head.
Startled, Utakata stiffened and turned quickly—but relaxed upon recognizing him.
"Teacher… when did you get here?"
"A while ago. I was planning to take you out for a proper meal, but you looked too focused."
Hearing this, Utakata's gaze dimmed slightly.
He looked at the bamboo tube in his hand, then at the fading bubbles.
After a pause, he asked softly,
"Teacher… do you think my future will disappear like these bubbles?"
---
Asuka's voice was calm but steady.
"In this world, finding meaning isn't easy. Bubbles are beautiful—but fragile. They vanish with the slightest disturbance."
He looked directly at Utakata.
"But you're not a bubble. You have a choice."
He paused briefly.
"Only by becoming stronger and taking control of your own fate can you decide your path—rather than being carried away like those bubbles."
---
Utakata listened in silence.
Slowly, the confusion in his eyes faded, replaced by determination.
Then Asuka continued,
"Since you like bubbles, why not use them as a medium to create your own Ninjutsu?"
Utakata froze.
"Use… bubbles?"
"Exactly."
"The essence of Ninjutsu lies in shape transformation and nature transformation. Since you're already familiar with bubbles, they're the perfect starting point."
He turned slightly.
"Think of it as your assignment."
---
Utakata tightened his grip on the bamboo tube.
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
He nodded firmly.
"Yes, Teacher! I'll definitely figure it out!"
Was
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