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73.61% Path Of War / Chapter 158: Your Student

Chapter 158: Your Student

Never had the crowd cheered so loudly. They celebrated Arthur—their champion.

"Hoshikaze! Hoshikaze!" they roared.

They had come to witness a spectacle, and William's fall had only served to heighten their evaluation of Arthur's prowess.

William felt the weight of their adulations, and defeat tasted very bitter. He had not just lost a battle; he had lost a part of himself, and he feared he might never reclaim it.

It didn't matter that Arthur had claimed victory over him in front of so many—what stung was that the crowd had been ecstatic to witness it.

For they had always suspected him of cheating in earlier rounds, so it made it all worse.

Arthur stood, basking in the moment so as not to look suspicious. While the medics approached to lift William up from the ground, Naruto felt a great burden.

Arthur accepted the rewards—the check for one million ryō. This was ironic since the tournament he had orchestrated had culminated in a victory he had not planned to achieve.

Despite his nonchalant demeanour, he also accepted his own golden trophy. This was a victory of deep significance, one that would mark the name "Hoshikaze" in the annals of both this country and the neighbouring ones.

The announcer's voice carried through the arena one last time, declaring, "It was an honour to have you all here. We hope to see you again soon!"

With this final line, the tournament came to a close, and the crowd started to disperse. Their chatter was buoyed by the thrill of witnessing such a monumental showdown.

To think that this long event had lasted less than a day to complete. It was well worth Arthur's time.

He turned his gaze to the exit. He had fought valiantly against several worthy opponents, but the aftermath only proved how much harder he had to work.

Perhaps he was capable of defeating characters like C, an elite guard of the Raikage; all he showcased was that his taijutsu was better. Then there were Jinchūriki like Fū and Han. Arthur hadn't been given the chance to fight either of them.

Assuming those two were let loose and fought him with all their strength, it would be a very troubling encounter.

Arthur had only beaten one Jinchūriki, and that was due to his foreknowledge and well-planned tactics. Fū, on the other hand, was stronger due to the extra tails her Tailed Beast had.

As the citizens began to leave, Arthur felt an unexpected sense of discontent.

Some battles were never truly won, and perhaps William's own battle might not have been victorious. A player like him should have been ten times as strong as he claimed to be on paper.

Was he that much weaker than expected, or was Arthur that much stronger?

Perhaps both.

One thing was clear: the true fight, as both men would come to learn, was not simply in the arena but within their very souls, where determination, strategy, and growth awaited.

Arthur strode through the exit tunnel. The only thing that could be heard were the echoes of his footsteps.

Victory here felt strangely hollow.

As he retraced his steps from the arena, he considered the implications of his newfound title as Hoshikaze and the responsibilities that would come with it.

He had not sought the power, yet here he was, bearing recognition that might otherwise come back to bite him.

The less that knew of him, the better.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps behind him. He chose not to turn around, already knowing who had been daring to approach him.

He could hear the panting of that person, who had obviously run to catch up with him.

"Please… Mr. Hoshikaze, hear me out," a girl's voice said.

The voice, though shaky, carried a weight of urgency that compelled Arthur to pause. He half-turned, glancing over his shoulder to see who it was.

As she stepped further, he saw Jada.

She was panting, clearly exhausted from her sprint, her arms resting on her knees as she struggled to catch her breath.

Judging from her actions, she didn't seem to suspect him of anything.

He remembered their earlier encounter well. As much as her personality bothered him, he was interested to hear what she had to say now.

Once she regained her composure, she straightened up and said, "I'm sorry for being rude earlier. I really liked how you fought back there. I've never seen someone like you before. Please, if you will, take me up as your student!"

Arthur took a moment to scrutinize her expression, gauging her seriousness. What was the reason why she, of all players, someone with a Susanoo, wished to learn from him?

But he couldn't vocalize those concerns.

Her determination was apparent as she admitted, "Among my friends, I'm actually not the strongest. Even Will—I mean William—is stronger than me. Even though he's not the best at taijutsu, he has techniques I can't match yet. If I train with you, maybe I can become just as strong."

Now Arthur understood. He could see the sincerity in her eyes. She had a desire not to be left behind by her friends.

"I'm falling behind," she confessed, "and I don't want to be weak."

This was a tad strange because of how vulnerable she was acting right now. It made it almost too easy to prey on her susceptibility.

To further express her desire to be trained by him, she bowed.

"Stand straight, Uchiha," he responded, regaining a more authoritative tone, "and never bow down to me…"

The fear of inadequacy, of watching others grow stronger while feeling stagnant, was not something that pleased Arthur. It looked pathetic, especially for a girl like Jada, whose deadly side he had personally witnessed.

She complied, straightening herself and taking on a more assertive posture.

Arthur took a step closer and declared, "Being my student comes at a dangerous price. Do you think you can commit yourself to me?"

Jada nodded vigorously and said, "Yes, sir! I'm ready. I've always wanted to push myself to become stronger. I won't disappoint you."

"Will you abide by my rules?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Will you obey my commands?"

There was a moment of hesitation before she answered, "As long as it doesn't involve killing anyone, then yes."

"Very well…"

Arthur's acceptance caused her face to brighten. He could sense the changes this decision would bring, not just for her but for him as well.

"So when can we start?" she suddenly asked.

Her expectations were quite high, yet Arthur was not one to rush into things like these. There was something else he had to take care of first.

He turned away, heading deeper into the tunnel, and said, "You'll hear from me soon…"

"But how will you—"

Before she could finish her question, she restrained herself. A feeling deep within urged her to pause, sensing that his words wouldn't let her down.

Something told her that whenever he spoke and truly meant it, it would come to pass. So instead, she held her tongue, smothering her edginess and deciding to be patient for the next time they should meet.

As he walked away, he could still feel her gaze watching him. Whatever he had said or done during the tournament had clearly impressed her enough to make her wish to train with him.

There were times he could remember her always eager to learn and improve. After all, he was the initial reason she had awakened both her Sharingan and her Mangekyō Sharingan.

This time, he would make no mistakes.

He, of all people, knew she had the potential to grow strong—surely stronger than him if she honed her skills wisely.

He shook his head at the thought of things as he emerged from the tunnel's gloom.

Meanwhile, Jada stood rooted to the spot. She had always admired being an Uchiha—her clan was widely recognized for their prowess and unique abilities. Yet, there was something different about Arthur, something that moved her spirit.

Feeling happy, she straightened her posture, believing she had a chance to redefine herself. Regardless of how mysterious Arthur was, she was exhilarated by the possibilities.

"I wonder how long it'll take?" she said to herself.

If Arthur would not call upon her immediately, she would not remain idle. She needed to cement her foundation, build her skills, and become the student he would be proud of.

After a minute, Arthur stood alone, gazing down at the landscape that lay beneath him. He was now high above a hill overlooking the entire village.

It was a breathtaking view, yet the beauty of this world always felt hollow amidst the turmoil of being its prisoner.

The tournament had concluded, and while he stood victorious, his thoughts were formulating various plans and strategies for things to come. He had created Hoshikaze, a false character that could, more or less, help him in the long run.

Letting the cool mountain air envelop him, he closed his eyes.

What was he to do now?

He found himself at a crossroads, contemplating the events that had unfolded.

Jada's determination and desire to learn from him seemed more like an opening—an opportunity to exploit someone. And not just anyone, but a player.

If she possessed that level of ambition, perhaps she could be saved.

Had he chosen to deny her at that moment, would she not follow relentlessly, pestering him until he relented?

As much as he didn't want to think about it, his attention shifted toward larger concerns. He needed to maintain control over the narrative that had begun to unravel dangerously.

After all, Hiruzen, a character who should have remained dead, was still present. That event alone could send waves of instability throughout this world.

There was also a crucial factor that happened today, in which no one had expected: Naruto awakened his chakra mode three years in advance!

Such power, if unscathed, could transform the subtleties of the playing field.

If the characters began breaking free of their established limits, Arthur's own ambitions would soon come to an end. He could not allow them to ruin his carefully constructed goals.

To ensure their plans failed, he needed Sasuke to join up with Orochimaru. The very act would set off a chain of events, igniting the journey of Shippuden and thrusting the main characters onto a trail that could be manipulated to his advantage.

With Sasuke at Orochimaru's side, Arthur could orchestrate all the turmoil while the two strongest figures—Naruto and Sasuke—progressed into their own trials.

Doing so would divert attention, creating an opening for him to work unchallenged.

If he failed and Sasuke remained in the village with Naruto and the others, the two main characters would gather strength beyond comprehension. They would evolve into formidable beings, far beyond his ability to contend with.

Already, the thought conjured images of Arthur becoming a mere footnote—an antagonist outmatched by protagonists too mighty to be subdued.

Their destiny relied on his escape. He needed to seize control at all costs to prevent such a change.

But how?

The answer eluded him, but he understood that the Uchiha had to first be taken care of. Increasing his own connections would also help him gather a suitable network for things to come.

Whatever anyone thought his intentions were, no one was going to be alienated if they stood in his way. Be it Jada or anyone else, relationships would surely shift one way or another.


Chapter 159: Film

The next question lay in whether Arthur could control Jada.

Her pursuit of trying to mend this world and not fall behind was unique, and in many ways, it was admirable to others.

However, he would need to train her not just physically but mentally, ensuring that her loyalty remained steadfast.

If he could, he would mold her into a weapon for his interests while holding her ambition at bay. The task surely wouldn't be easy since she was an Uchiha. But his acting skills would further prove his effectiveness.

As evening descended and darkness came, Arthur turned from the peak of the mountain and headed back down.

He had no time to waste. Decisions needed to be made, alliances formed, and plans devised if he was to thwart the ever-growing dangers posed by those around him.

His next task was to return to the Leaf Village before the others. He would need to reach out to Sasuke and convince the boy to leave the Leaf Village.

While a task like that might have seemed challenging, for Arthur it wouldn't be. That was because the Uchiha was still under his Evil Illusion Flattery technique!

Nonetheless, Arthur would still have to employ a cunning approach, perhaps preying on Sasuke's insecurities and ambitions—the very qualities that had driven the Uchiha clan to the brink time and time again.

Acquiring Sasuke's trust would require a little finesse, subtly guiding his thoughts while masking his own agenda.

If the Uchiha could be convinced that there was more to gain from Orochimaru than friendship or allegiance to the Leaf, then he would have succeeded in creating a linchpin.

And what of Naruto? Could Arthur use him too?

Nay. A character like that was not as straightforward to manipulate. Exploiting him, however, was a different story.

After all, Naruto's dreams of peace and unity were noble but naïve in execution. And those without boundaries were often the most easily led astray.

If Arthur could manipulate their friendship and turn it into a wedge that would sap strength from within the village itself, then the opportunity to destroy it from the inside would become ever more plausible.

This was a struggle of bonds, with Arthur once again needing to help pull the strings.

Some time later, the early afternoon sun filtered through the windows of his hotel room.

Arthur set his bags down and made some space. It was modest yet cozy, and for now, it would serve as an intel briefing room.

Before heading back to the Leaf Village, he needed to first analyze the tournament footage.

He wasted little time, pulling out a compact device—a combo portable recorder and processor, customized for quick transfers. He hooked up cables and wires, staying focused on the task before him.

His moment spent jostling with technology felt like an investment. The monitor soon flicked on, projecting static before settling into crisp imagery—a montage of battles, explosive jutsu, and the clang of fists and feet meeting flesh.

The reason for doing this now was that he had something special planned for his next endeavour, a secret weapon of sorts: Koko.

"Summoning jutsu..."

A puff of smoke enveloped the room before resolving into the image of an average-sized monkey.

As the haze dissipated, Koko stood before him. Her frame seemed slightly taller than he remembered.

She glanced around before locking her gaze on Arthur.

"Daddy!" she squealed before rushing into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and swinging around his neck in joy. "I missed you!"

It hadn't been that long since the two last saw each other. But time worked differently for her.

Arthur scratched the top of her head and said, "Koko, I have a special task for you…"

"A task?! What is it, daddy?" she asked with sparkling eyes. "Anything for you!"

"I need you to watch some footage of fighters. Learn their hand signs and how real ninjas from this world fight."

Koko squealed with excitement, her tiny fingers balling up as she said, "Okay, I'll do it! I've been training hard just for you!"

Not once had Koko slacked on her duties back in the Cayman Jungles. Arthur felt tempered by the understanding that while her spirit was admirable, she still had much to learn.

"I'm ready any time!" she declared, bouncing on her feet.

Arthur pointed to the giant monitor that paused at the first video.

"Watch closely," he said. The first fight shown was between Rock Lee and Omoi. "This match will consist entirely of taijutsu, so pay attention to their styles and movements."

Seating the small monkey on a stack of cushions, he pressed play, and the footage began. Her eyes widened, glued to the screen as the two combatants squared off.

"That's so cool!" she exclaimed, her hands gripping the edges of the cushions.

Based on her look, she seemed quite entranced by their well-coordinated fighting styles. Albeit, just showing her wouldn't be enough; Arthur also needed to teach her how to use the device.

"If you need to review something," he said, handing her the remote, "hit this button."

"What is it, daddy?" she asked, inspecting the device with a curious look.

She then began fiddling with the buttons like a new toy as he explained, "It's a remote control. Simply press that, and it'll replay the last few seconds of the footage."

It's times like these that tested his patience. Trying to teach a monkey how to operate a television wasn't as straightforward as it looked.

"And this one?" she asked, pressing a button.

Suddenly, the monitor turned off. Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly, suppressing the idea of pressing his fingers to his temple. He had hoped that, due to her intelligence, she wouldn't be so alien to such modern technology.

"That's the power button," he corrected, pointing.

"Oops!" she giggled. "I didn't mean to!"

"Don't worry about it. As long as you're learning, that's what matters."

To reinforce her positive learning, he scratched the top of her head. It made her giggle, believing that so long as she didn't anger Arthur, she was well in his favour.

Finally, they got back on track. The monitor turned on, and once more Koko's eyes were glued to the match. Arthur stood next to her as she leaned forward, committing to the lessons he laid out.

Once he saw Rock Lee consistently weave around Omoi, he injected explanations.

"See how that shinobi moves? His taijutsu is precise. You'll want to memorize his patterns."

Koko nodded enthusiastically, her big eyes absorbing every detail as if chemically imprinting them into her memory. She didn't have a special dōjutsu to copy those exact movements, but at least she was trying.

"I think I saw something cool, daddy!"

She pressed the rewind button a little too enthusiastically, and the monitor rewound before converging back on the moment when Rock Lee executed his signature moves.

"Good catch," he said.

Koko was hanging on every second of the battle, occasionally bouncing slightly with excitement.

"Can I get a suit like him, daddy?!"

As the video continued, Arthur glanced at the monitor, noticing how their styles differed. Each punch, kick, and defensive maneuver gripped Koko's attention.

Only when she actually tried mimicking those movements and almost succeeded did Arthur understand her burgeoning interest in combat.

"This is fun!" she said, clapping her hands.

"Not bad," he said, crossing his arms. "But this is only a glimpse. I specifically chose the fights that were important for you to watch. Some with hand signs, some without. Whatever you see on screen, memorize them and practice them here without breaking anything."

Koko nodded solemnly. It didn't matter what Arthur commanded; she would always listen.

As Rock Lee landed a kick, she cheered, "I can do that too!"

Arthur nodded, observing her.

"Yes, but do you have the agility to do it just as fast?"

"Umm…"

"The ability to change direction swiftly will give you the edge in real battle."

"Okay! Got it!"

Koko eagerly pressed the rewind button, and the fight restarted for her to analyze things again.

Arthur was content with the progress. She was not only engaged but absorbed like a sponge, eagerly imprinting combat strategies and techniques.

Many people can train a dog to sit or give their paws, but there were hardly anyone on earth who could teach a monkey how to use a television. This partnership, while strange, was unbreakable.

As they dissected the match, he found himself speaking less as a summoner and more as a father—a mentor to a child whose innocence teetered on self-discovery.

He couldn't spend too much time lingering here. Yet if he wasn't one hundred percent certain that she understood what she was watching and was able to apply it, then he wasn't going to leave just yet.

"Show me what you've learned," he ordered. "If you mess up, I'll guide you through it."

"Okay!" she said, bouncing to her feet.

With the first fight fresh in her mind, she launched into a series of punches. Her small fists flew through the air as Arthur stepped back, allowing her to make mistakes.

He kept his gaze steady, watching her spin and shout like Rock Lee had done. There was something strange about her motions. She lacked proper form.

"Stay on your feet," he instructed.

Koko beamed as she danced through the air. While this was an average-sized hotel room, he had made enough space for the little chimp to go all out.

"Your breathing should be measured," he encouraged, stepping forward. "Twist your hips into your strikes so you have better control."

She stopped mid-movement. Most would frown because of how many mistakes they were making. But most weren't as determined as Koko was.

"Okay, okay! I'll do my best, daddy!"

They continued practicing together, Arthur giving corrections as she tried to integrate the lessons from the footage.

After about an hour of vigorous movement, Koko finally sank to the floor, panting heavily.

"Wow, I'm tired, daddy! But that was super fun!"

"You've made progress," he said. "Take a break before we move on. I'd like you to think about what you did here and how you can incorporate it into the next session."

Koko plopped down and rested her head on her paws. Her nostrils flared as she gauged the physical exhaustion that overcame her.

"Can we watch more fights after the break? I want to learn more!"

'Tenacious,' he thought to himself.

But if he pushed her too hard, it would contradict her learning; that, or it might cause her to disperse back to the Cayman Jungles.

"Of course, but first, hydrate…"

He grabbed a small bottle from the kitchen and placed it next to her palm. When she felt the cold liquid run down her skin, her head shot up.

"I will!" She gulped down the drink almost instantly. "I'm ready for what's next!"

While amusing, the weight of her aspirations needed to be pondered. Arthur knew that she was naturally equipped to grow into her skills and talents, but she still required discipline.

After dropping the empty bottle to the side, her gaze returned to the monitor.

"I really love spending time with you, daddy! Thank you for teaching me!"

In truth, he had only been teaching her the basics while making subtle corrections. What she had learned prior to coming here was being refined.

Some more time passed as they delved into the combatants once again. One of the fights that popped up was Margaret's.

"Why does she look so angry all the time?" Koko jabbered.

Arthur, maintaining his usual calm demeanour, answered, "Emotions can often cloud judgment. See that you don't let rage have its way."

Koko scrunched her nose in contemplation for a moment before returning her attention back to the film.


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