Naruto: Can't Use Ninjutsu? I'll Create the Strongest Fighting Style-Chapter 44 - 42: Asuma’s the Chillest Sensei You Didn’t Know You Needed

Chapter 44 - 42: Asuma's the Chillest Sensei You Didn't Know You Needed

"Well, either way. I'm not fond of kids who are too clever. They're way too hard to fool. Let's just take a C-rank mission," Kakashi's expression softened instantly, the warmth in his face returning like nothing had happened.

He took a few steps forward and scanned the mission scrolls, scratching his head. "C-rank is pretty basic. But after watching your performance, I think a B-rank mission might be on the table."

"Kakashi, please don't joke like that..." The chunin at the desk went pale.

"Hiraga, come on, it's just a B-rank. You graduated at twelve and went straight to the battlefield killing enemy shinobi, didn't you?" Kakashi yawned mid-sentence.

"That was different."

"Alright, fine. I'll go talk to the Hokage. You three wait here."

Kakashi wasn't interested in arguing. He knew Hiraga didn't have the authority anyway.

It was better to go straight to the Hokage.

Tenten's face lit up uncontrollably, her cheeks visibly trembling with excitement as she turned to Garou.

Kasumi wasn't much better.

A B-rank mission meant actual combat with real enemy ninja.

"Don't celebrate too early. While most B-ranks involve regular shinobi, there's always a chance something goes sideways. Rogue ninja are unpredictable. Intel is often unreliable."

"Exactly! No wonder you're called a genius. B-rank missions can be deadly. Sometimes even official chunin squads get wiped out."

Hiraga nodded repeatedly and clasped Garou's hand. "So please, talk Kakashi out of this."

He had assumed Kakashi would be the calm, rule-following type. But apparently, the cautious one was this young genius instead.

Garou kept a neutral face, nodding vaguely.

'Heh, talk Kakashi out of it? What gives you the idea I don't want to take a B-rank mission?'

He only sounded cautious so his teammates wouldn't get overconfident.

Just as he was about to pull Tenten and Kasumi aside for a chat, a strong scent of tobacco wafted through the hall.

There weren't many men in Konoha who smelled like that.

Garou turned his head and saw Asuma leaning against the wall in a quiet corner, a cigarette in his mouth, giving Garou a subtle wave.

"Huh? Sensei told us to wait here. Where are you going?"

Tenten grabbed Garou as he began to step away.

"I'm still in the building. You three stay here. I'll be back when Kakashi-sensei returns."

Garou didn't explain further.

Asuma must've cast a Genjutsu. Tenten and Kasumi didn't have strong sensory abilities, so they hadn't noticed anything.

He walked over.

Asuma crouched in the corner, took a deep drag from his cigarette, then patted the floor beside him, signaling Garou to sit.

Garou raised an eyebrow.

"The one out front is a clone?"

"Yeah. Sigh. Thanks to you, I had to pull off a full-on performance out there."

Asuma sounded annoyed.

He didn't mind trading jutsu. But having to publicly demonstrate the new taijutsu was borderline embarrassing.

"C'mon, Asuma-sensei, don't pin this on me. I just made a suggestion. I didn't tell the Hokage to use you as the face of the program."

Garou fanned the smoke away.

"That old man, seriously... But credit where it's due. Your technique is solid." Asuma snubbed out the cigarette.

"If I'm not wrong, there's a stronger version of that taijutsu, right?"

"Yeah. Kakashi-sensei says the full version is comparable to opening the First Gate, except with a longer duration. But it's incredibly hard to master." Garou nodded.

Asuma wasn't as eccentric as Might Guy or as unpredictable as Kakashi. He was actually pretty easy to talk to.

Asuma smiled faintly, exhaling slowly. "By the way, Chiriku said you're interested in helping improve the Temple's barrier."

"I am. Their current sealing barrier works, but I think it could be better." Garou replied matter-of-factly.

"So, what exactly is it about the Fire Temple that caught your eye?"

Asuma dropped the question casually.

Garou blinked, taken aback. "Wait, why would you ask that?"

"Heh..." Asuma shot him a side glance and scoffed. "You're not a selfish guy."

"On the contrary, you're one of the most selfless people I've met. But when it comes to knowledge, you're obsessive."

"Is it that obvious?" Garou didn't bother denying it.

The Fire Temple's unique knowledge, especially about the "Gifts of the Sage," wasn't standard shinobi fare. If he wanted access to it, he'd need to keep working with Chiriku and Asuma.

Chiriku didn't know him well enough to guess his motives. But Asuma was the son of the Third Hokage. He definitely knew more than most.

"Old man's words," Asuma said with a smirk. "He figured you've got your eyes on something specific at the Fire Temple."

"Tch. He was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he sent you? If I were you, I wouldn't put up with that kind of manipulation." Garou wore a face full of fake sympathy.

Asuma rolled his eyes and let out a low "tsk."

After a moment's silence, he nudged Garou and asked, "Seriously though, what is it? I need to know so I can approach Chiriku properly. He's my friend. I don't want to screw him over."

"I want knowledge on the Gifts of the Sage."

Asuma had come this far. There was no point in hiding it.

As expected, Asuma didn't look surprised.

"That's tricky." He instinctively reached for another cigarette but stopped, remembering Garou didn't like the smoke. He just held it in his mouth and spoke around it. "That's one of their core sacred techniques."

"I don't need the complete techniques. I just need foundational knowledge. They can treat it like an investment. Give me a taste of the theory, and I'll develop new jutsu based on it, and teach them in return. It's mutual benefit." Garou explained calmly.

Asuma chewed on the idea, nodding faintly.

No one doubted Garou's talent.

With that knowledge, he could probably create dozens of high-level jutsu. But the Gifts of the Sage was one of the Fire Temple's deepest secrets.

Then again, Asuma knew them too.

After a long pause, Asuma said, "I'll ask."

"Much appreciated!" Garou pressed his hands together in gratitude.

Asuma waved it off. "Like you said, it's mutual benefit. If it were up to me, I'd say yes right away."

"You're a legend, Asuma-sensei. If this works out, I promise you won't regret helping me." Garou gave him a thumbs-up.

"Actually, I do need a favor from you." Asuma straightened up, suddenly serious. "I've been back in Konoha for a while now. Next year, I'll probably get assigned to a genin team. When that happens, I'll need your help."

"...Me?"

"Yep. Kakashi says you've got a mind full of tricks. And I've realized, you might be the only one who can deal with this kid."

"You're taking Shikamaru, aren't you?"

"I knew you'd figure it out. Kakashi's not wrong. You've got a crafty brain. I didn't even say the name, and you already nailed it."

Asuma gave him a quick thumbs-up.

Garou's face twitched slightly. "Alright. If I've got the time, I'll help you design a trial. But I can't guarantee I'll fool Shikamaru."

"No worries. You'll still do better than me."

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