Naruto: The Teaching System - 232

Chapter 232: Application of Monstrous Strength

The crisp bell echoed through the hallways, and Sawada walked toward the classroom with measured steps. As the door swung open, every student inside turned their heads in unison, their eyes tracking his movement with a mixture of curiosity and reverence.

Looking at those students who were slightly older than Naruto's generation but still so young, Sawada couldn't suppress a sigh. He adjusted his mindset and walked toward the podium, his footsteps steady against the wooden floor.

"Students, the two-week practical course begins now," Sawada announced, his voice carrying easily across the room despite its gentle tone.

"Yes, Sensei!" the students responded in unison, though some kept their gazes locked on the man before them. After all, this was the Academy's vice principal, the Konoha hero who had defeated the Eight-Tails jinchuriki in single combat.

"Good. Today we'll discuss ninja combat methods and countermeasures." Sawada turned and began writing the day's topic on the blackboard, the chalk scratching rhythmically against the surface.

The students immediately opened their notebooks, pencils poised to capture every word. This class had no textbook knowledge to memorize—it was simply Sawada sharing his experiences from missions and battles, wisdom earned through blood and sweat.

As for why this specialized course existed, it was directly related to what Iruka had been worried about days ago. Although Iruka and others had already compiled their experiences into instructional books, this batch of students was different. Rumors of war were becoming increasingly prevalent throughout the village, spreading like wildfire through the streets and markets.

Even ordinary Konoha villagers knew something dangerous was brewing on the horizon. Looking at the students listening so earnestly, their faces etched with determination mixed with fear, Sawada couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders.

The previously graduated students were in better shape—at least they had executed real missions for some time, gaining practical experience in the field. Plus, with willing jonin leaders to guide them, they might even learn advanced techniques and strategies. Moreover, completing missions could be exchanged for jutsu scrolls to strengthen themselves further.

However, for students about to graduate, the situation wasn't so optimistic. Once war erupted, they might have to rush immediately to the battlefield with barely any preparation beyond Academy training.

Based on this harsh reality, Sawada had approached Hiruzen and discussed implementing a comprehensive crash course program. The purpose was to allow these graduates to prepare as thoroughly as possible, so they wouldn't become helpless targets on the battlefield after graduation.

Hiruzen naturally agreed without hesitation, as he had been troubled by this exact problem lately. Iwagakure was disturbingly quiet, their silence more ominous than any threat, and even Sunagakure seemed restless, their alliance showing cracks. Just in case the worst came to pass, Hiruzen had no reason to object to Sawada's proactive decision.

Moreover, Academy matters were now almost entirely entrusted to Sawada's capable hands, and Hiruzen fully supported every initiative. He'd even specifically commissioned construction of a massive classroom for this purpose, large enough to accommodate the entire graduating class at once.

Whether teaching a dozen students or a hundred, it was all teaching—so Hiruzen simply had Sawada instruct the entire cohort together, maximizing efficiency.

As time passed and the dismissal bell finally rang, Sawada stopped mid-sentence and set down his chalk. It wasn't that he didn't want to teach more—the entire course had lasted nearly two hours, packed densely with practical combat information and survival tactics.

How much these students could absorb and apply remained uncertain, but he understood the principle of not overwhelming them with too much at once.

"Alright, class is dismissed. This afternoon's session is physical conditioning, with a jonin specifically coming to guide you," Sawada announced, gathering his notes.

The students exchanged bewildered glances. Physical training, taught personally by a jonin? When had the Academy's teaching resources become so extravagant?

Sawada smiled quietly, chose not to elaborate, turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving them to their speculation.

The system notification appeared in his mind: [Course completed, rating: S. Course reward: Monstrous Strength]

Countless training memories flooded through Sawada's consciousness like a rushing river, and his expression gradually shifted to something peculiar. Unlike previous rewards, this memory included Tsunade's personal one-on-one guidance, incredibly detailed and comprehensive.

After all, this was Monstrous Strength—a concept where any physical technique displaying overwhelming force and devastating destructive power could fall into this category. However, Tsunade's version of Monstrous Strength was fundamentally different—it represented a more precise application of chakra channeled through the body's meridian system with surgical precision.

After all, Tsunade was the founder of the modern Medical Ninja system, the architect of protocols that saved countless lives. In the entire ninja world, Tsunade remained the undisputed number one in medical ninjutsu, her knowledge unparalleled.

And someone with such intimate knowledge of the human body naturally possessed even more precise control over chakra meridians, understanding how to channel power through the body's energy pathways for maximum effect.

Sawada clenched his fist experimentally, feeling the chakra coursing through his meridians with newfound clarity. In his current normal state, one properly executed punch could probably flip the entire Academy building on its foundation.

Very practical. Very useful indeed.

With this thought settling comfortably in his mind, Sawada walked toward his office, his steps lighter despite the additional power now at his disposal.

Through the window overlooking the training grounds, Sawada spotted a distinctive figure running energetic laps. Might Guy? Without hesitation, Sawada vanished from his office in a flicker of movement.

"Before physical training begins, run one thousand laps around the school!" Might Guy's enthusiastic shout echoed across the grounds as Sawada materialized nearby.

Sawada's eye twitched involuntarily. Did Might Guy really not consider the physical limitations of normal humans?

"Yo! Sawada!" Might Guy, who had been running at full speed, noticed Sawada standing there and called out cheerfully, not even breathing hard despite the intense pace.

"Guy-senpai, the class doesn't start until this afternoon. There's no need to arrive so early," Sawada pointed out, though he already suspected the answer.

"No problem! This is what youth is all about!" Guy declared, his teeth gleaming impossibly white even in shadow. "Thinking about how long it's been since I returned to the Academy, my blood is boiling with excitement!"

As Might Guy spoke with uncontained enthusiasm, he stopped running to face Sawada properly. Helplessly, Sawada could only occasionally nod along to the passionate speech.

"Guy-senpai, please be mindful of the training intensity this afternoon. After all, they're just soon-to-graduate students, not seasoned shinobi," Sawada cautioned gently.

"Oh! Don't worry! I've prepared appropriate exercises long ago!" After saying this with absolute confidence, Might Guy directly accelerated to an impossible speed, leaving Sawada standing in a cloud of dust.

Sawada's mouth twitched again. He had the distinct feeling these students were about to experience something truly unforgettable.

Sure enough, that afternoon proved his suspicions correct. During the break between his own classes, Sawada took advantage of the free time to observe the training grounds. There he witnessed Might Guy leading an entire class of students in endless laps around the perimeter, his voice never flagging as he shouted encouragement.

The students trailing behind wore expressions of complete dehydration and exhaustion, their academy uniforms soaked through with sweat. Even those who collapsed from fatigue were immediately hoisted onto Might Guy's broad shoulders to continue the circuit.

The pattern was brutally consistent: collapse from exhaustion, get carried while unconscious, wake up on Guy's shoulder, be set down to continue running, collapse again, and get carried again.

Even Naruto and the others training under Sawada's supervision swallowed nervously as they watched the spectacle unfold.

"So scary," Naruto said in an awed whisper, his usual confidence notably absent as he watched the running figures on the training ground.

Sasuke beside him nodded with an ashen face, for once in complete agreement. "This is even more extreme than our training regimen."

Sawada covered his face with one hand and turned back to handle his own responsibilities, leaving the scene behind. Being exhausted now was infinitely better than losing their lives on a real battlefield. Sometimes harsh training was the kindest gift a teacher could give.

"Yo! Long time no see! I can feel the voice of youth resonating again!" Might Guy, effortlessly carrying two unconscious students on his shoulders, raised both hands high in the air and shouted with undiminished energy, "Run fifty more laps!"

A collective groan of despair rose from the students, several of them openly weeping. The two students who had just regained consciousness on Guy's shoulders wished desperately they could faint again.

Heaven knew how many laps they had already completed that entire afternoon! Their legs felt like they belonged to someone else, and the training ground seemed to stretch on forever, an endless circuit of suffering disguised as preparation for survival.