Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

They practiced all afternoon. During this time, Kyōichi deliberately didn't say much, only offering guidance when Might Guy asked.

Might Duy, who was initially doing push-ups and such, eventually joined in the practice too.

"Kyōichi-sensei, can we train together again tomorrow?" 

"I have classes tomorrow afternoon, but I might exercise a bit in the morning. We can train together then," Kyōichi said.

"Yes!"

"Kanda-sensei, thank you so much! See, Guy, there are teachers who don't mind you. This is what youth is all about!"

"Father!"

Might Duy was crying streams of tears.

Then, father and son embraced each other crying again.

Although it was just taijutsu, it meant something different to them.

Before, no one would pay attention to them.

But now...

Kyōichi didn't look down on them and was willing to share his "research" in taijutsu with them, even teaching them some techniques about force application and chakra usage.

Even if they might not be able to use it all, they were deeply moved.

Kyōichi remained silent, not knowing what to say.

These two...

They were eccentric!

But also great.

Might Duy, as a perpetual Genin, was always ridiculed but secretly trained hard to master the Eight Gates Formation. Most admirably—his motivation was to protect.

In the end, Duy lived up to his words.

Opening the Eight Gates, protecting Guy and two other children, while also killing four of the Seven Swordsmen.

A true practitioner of the Will of Fire.

And Guy needs no mention—he almost changed the ending with his kick.

"Guy!"

"Father!"

"..."

Better leave now.

Otherwise, it feels like their image might be ruined.

Kyōichi quietly left.

He looked at his system panel, where a prompt flashed.

[Completed Taijutsu Technique Teaching.]

[Evaluation: Good.]

[Rewards: 

One: Eight Gates - Gate of Opening

Two: Seven Heavens Breathing Method - Third Activation

Host may choose one.]

Choose a reward?

Kyōichi was somewhat surprised.

Was it because Might Duy, such a skilled fighter, was among those being taught?

Hard to judge.

He could observe more later. Right now, he needed to decide which reward to choose.

Both were powerful!

Eight Gates?

Kyōichi admired that kick from the manga.

But first, there were ways to learn the Eight Gates, and second, opening the first three gates wasn't particularly difficult.

Looking at the Seven Heavens Breathing Method...

This was Shira's original taijutsu technique, known only to him, and currently, Shira himself was probably just recently born.

In other words...

This was unique in the ninja world!

Thinking of this, he made his decision.

"System, I choose the Seven Heavens Breathing Method."

[Successfully claimed]

The next moment, the methods of using the Seven Heavens Breathing Method appeared in Kyōichi's mind.

From the first to third activation, everything was complete.

Kyōichi adjusted his breathing rate according to the first activation method.

Soon, he felt the difference.

However, with limited cell division times, the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, like other cell-stimulating ninja techniques, had the potential drawback of reducing lifespan...

But the Senju bloodline naturally had stronger vitality.

Like Tsunade's Strength of a Hundred Technique, which consumed life force to accelerate healing, yet after using it so many times, she was still more vigorous than anyone.

Moreover, he could later transplant Hashirama's cells to replace his own cells' vitality.

So...

This wasn't much of a problem.

"After becoming familiar with the father and son, I can exchange knowledge about the Eight Gates... Perfect!"

Kyōichi mentally gave himself a thumbs up.

This was making the most of everything!

The next day.

He really did get up early to exercise, even surprising his shadow clone who stayed at home.

This guy was serious!

Kyōichi went out and quickly met up with the Might father and son.

A morning of exercise.

This time Kyōichi didn't get any rewards because they were just exercising together without much exchange of knowledge, but the Might father and son's attitude toward him was clearly different.

Duy even wanted to introduce him to that green jumpsuit.

Of course...

Kyōichi firmly refused.

Too ugly.

If he wore something like that to school, he'd probably be laughed at by teachers and students alike, and his carefully built authority would instantly vanish.

...

"Kanda Kyōichi? Fugaku, this person must be sent by the Third Hokage. Such sinister intentions!"

"Shisui is skipping classes all the time, his reputation is very poor."

"Fugaku, you must control this situation, or else our Uchiha genius will be ruined."

As the war ended, Uchiha clan members gradually returned from the frontlines. The clan elders who had previously expressed concerns about Shisui's recent behavior all gathered at Fugaku's home.

Shisui had been expected to achieve great things since childhood.

His enrollment in the academy was merely a formality. The Uchiha clan's internal plan was simple: let Shisui study at the academy for a few months, then apply for early graduation and return to train with the clan's police force.

A Jonin instructor?

How could that compare to their own people?

However...

Now Shisui's behavior was deviating from their plans.

Amid the surrounding clamor, Fugaku's brows were tightly knitted. He wanted to get angry but felt helpless.

These were all clan elders.

Each highly respected, and even he was constrained within the clan, unable to fully implement his ideas. So even if he was angry, he could only endure.

After taking a deep breath, he finally said: "Regardless of whether this person was sent by the Third or not, perhaps one of the elders would like to discuss this with Lord Third?"

"This..."

At the mention of who should go discuss, everyone suddenly fell silent.

Discuss?

How to discuss?

The Third seemed approachable but actually used sly methods, and behind him was the cunning Danzo. They didn't dare to go discuss this with the Third.

The atmosphere instantly became silent.

Fugaku sighed and said: "This matter... I will talk with Shisui. Elders, you may leave if there's nothing else."

In reality, he knew quite a bit.

Kanda Kyōichi.

A descendant of the Senju clan.

Moreover, this person's strength had been growing rapidly recently. When he returned to the village, the Third had mentioned considering promoting Kyōichi Kanda to Jonin.

From this, it was clear that Kyōichi Kanda was likely the Third's person.

Fugaku sighed helplessly, looked at his child who was still learning to walk, took a breath, and then headed out.

To the ninja academy.

He wanted to see what was really going on with Shisui.

...

At the ninja academy...

All the children stood in the practice field.

The basic three ninjutsu tests were complete.

Most students had mastered them well.

Many children simply lacked exposure to this knowledge, not that they truly lacked talent. With guidance from clan children like Asuma, they quickly caught up.

Now Kyōichi was about to fulfill his promise to teach the Body Flicker Technique.

"The Body Flicker Technique itself is a D-rank jutsu, but even Jonin continue to use it."

"The difference lies in how well you use it."

"In our class, Shisui uses the Body Flicker Technique the best... Shisui, come take a look first."

Kyōichi called out.

At this point, Shisui hadn't yet become "Shisui of the Body Flicker," but he had already shown some talent. His Body Flicker Technique was the best in the class, even better than the mixed-in higher-grade students.

Kyōichi asked him to come closer, and then...

Whoosh!

In an instant, he appeared In another spot.