Renjiro nodded, thinking, 'Not bad. Hodaka's tactical thinking still needs improvement, but the other two are much better.'
Then he said, 'Alright, that's enough for today. Go home and rest your injuries. We'll meet here tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM. You have homework for tomorrow: write down your daily schedule and bring it. Feng Zheng, you stay. Hodaka, Mieko, you two can leave.'
After receiving permission to leave, they bid farewell and departed.
Feng Zheng had to suppress the urge to laugh; the way those two walked was very strange.
However, this urge quickly vanished as a terrible thought struck him.
'Wait a minute! I'm the only one who didn't get beaten. So he's making me stay to...'
He quickly dismissed the thought.
'No way. He's a renowned Commander from the Great Ninja War; he wouldn't be so petty.'
He screamed internally, 'Where the hell are those human rights activists? And why has that old monkey been sitting in the Hokage's seat for decades without enacting laws against child abuse!'
Feng Zheng kept watching his teammates leave in a strange manner, desperately hoping his thoughts weren't true.
On Training Grounds 17, only Feng Zheng and his new teacher remained.
Renjiro asked, 'Why didn't you use a sword during the sparring just now?'
Feng Zheng replied, 'Because I don't have a sword. I checked the prices at the weapon shop, and even the cheapest one costs 12,000 ryo, which I can't afford.'
The answer was within Renjiro's expectations. He nodded and said, 'From now on, I will teach you how to use a sword. Don't worry about the sword; I have a few here you can use. First, we'll test your Swordsmanship and the appropriate size for you. Afterward, the Third Hokage will have two Samurai Swords custom-made for you.'
Feng Zheng nodded his thanks.
Renjiro took out a scroll, spread it on the ground, and unrolled it.
Feng Zheng noticed it was a storage scroll. And judging by the number of Sealing Jutsu, it was likely made by him.
Renjiro gestured, and twelve swords appeared on the scroll.
Feng Zheng picked up two of them, similar in size to the ones he had already used at school, and said, 'Teacher, these are the size I used at school.'
Renjiro said, 'Good, then let's start with these. We'll spar first; I want to see how good your Swordsmanship truly is.'
Subsequently, Feng Zheng and Renjiro began to compete in sword skills.
During the confrontation, both had different thoughts.
Feng Zheng was glad his teacher was no longer the 'monster' he had been earlier. Renjiro, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about Feng Zheng's Swordsmanship.
He thought, 'This child's fundamentals are very solid, especially considering he's only been practicing the sword for less than a year. However, beyond the basics, he has nothing. His Swordsmanship has no style; it's just simple, direct attacks and defenses. Although he does well in both offense and defense, it's only because he utilizes his speed and strength. If I were to match his speed and strength, he probably wouldn't last even 5 seconds.'
The confrontation between them continued for a few more minutes before Renjiro stopped. He concluded, 'He's like an unpolished gem! Having no other style means he also has no bad habits. While this might be a disadvantage in the long run, it will be very convenient for learning a single Swordsmanship style. Of course, since he hasn't practiced any Swordsmanship style yet, I can't say how fast or slow he will learn Samurai Swordsmanship.'
Renjiro suddenly accelerated, matching Feng Zheng's speed, and skillfully struck his two swords in quick succession, creating an opening before placing the tip of his sword near Feng Zheng's throat. He said, 'Alright, that's enough. I'll teach you some new moves.'
Then he demonstrated several moves for Feng Zheng to imitate and practice.
The training lasted for three hours, after which Renjiro dismissed Feng Zheng.
After dismissing Feng Zheng, Renjiro had to report to Hiruzen.
Upon entering the office, Hiruzen asked him, 'How are the children?'
Renjiro replied, 'Very promising, old man, much stronger than average Genin. Hodaka's Taijutsu is already Chunin-level, and Mieko's Ninjutsu is the same; only her Chakra reserves need to increase. Feng Zheng's Ninjutsu isn't bad either. Although his Ninjutsu is weaker than Mieko's, his Chakra reserves are higher than hers, and most surprisingly, his tactical thinking is already on par with someone who has experienced many missions.'
'Moreover, even if they don't actively strategize, they are smart enough to utilize openings provided by their other teammates. Even if I were to give them another test, they would easily pass and become Genin.'
Hiruzen nodded, thinking, 'Just as their grades indicated. However, Feng Zheng's tactical thinking ability is truly surprising. I suppose that's why he was able to easily get first place in the written exam.'
Then he asked, 'What about Feng Zheng's sword skills?'
Renjiro shook his head, 'It's hard to say right now. His fundamentals are good, but whether he can learn further depends on his talent and effort.'
Hiruzen replied, 'Alright, I'll leave it to you.'
Then he dismissed him.
The next day, Feng Zheng woke up at 4:20 AM, thinking, 'I thought waking up at 5 AM was early enough. Now that guy wants us to gather there at 5 AM! Not to mention that Training Grounds is fifteen kilometers from my house. Oh well. At least I can get a morning run in. I wonder if his training will be as intense as my usual morning training, so I can increase the pressure of my body Sealing Jutsu during the run.'
Around five o'clock in the morning, Feng Zheng arrived at the Training Grounds and saw that his teammates were already there.
He greeted them good morning and then waited for Renjiro. Renjiro appeared promptly at five o'clock and said, 'Good morning.'
The children returned his greeting. Renjiro first said, 'Starting today, we will meet here every morning at 5 AM. We will begin with rigorous physical training.'
Then he looked at Mieko and said, 'Feng Zheng and Hodaka both have excellent physiques. But Mieko, you don't have any Sealing Jutsu on you that increases your burden, do you?'
Mieko shook her head.
Renjiro said, 'Go back today and have your parents get you a Sealing Jutsu. You need to get that Sealing Jutsu before the end of this week.'
Mieko nodded, 'Yes, Teacher.'
Then he looked at Hodaka and Feng Zheng and asked, 'What is the maximum pressure your Sealing Jutsu can withstand?'
Hodaka replied, 'Mine can withstand a maximum weight of 125 kilograms.'
Feng Zheng replied, 'Mine can withstand a maximum weight of 250 kilograms.'
Hodaka looked at Feng Zheng with some jealousy because his Sealing Jutsu scroll was better than his.
Renjiro asked again, 'Okay, so what percentage of pressure do you usually use?'
Hodaka replied, '30%.'
Feng Zheng replied, '13.5%.'
