Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"Although the Eight Gates cause bodily harm to the user, before opening all gates it doesn't cause immediate death. As restrictions are released, chakra and physical conditions change at different levels."

"Therefore, ordinary taijutsu techniques are no longer suitable."

Even the first activation of the Seven Heavenly Breaths was at least an A-rank forbidden technique - probably only elite chūnin and above would be qualified to learn it.

There was no need to rush this aspect.

Kyōichi felt that developing complementary techniques for the Eight Gates was the most urgent matter.

Might Duy was strong!

However.

His utilization of the Eight Gates was too basic.

If he could learn the set of techniques Guy developed, Might Duy could probably defeat all Seven Ninja Swordsmen, perhaps even by just opening the Seventh Gate to repel opponents.

Therefore.

Researching complementary techniques was the pressing matter at hand.

"Hmm... that makes sense, but Kanda-sensei, I have no ideas and don't know how to create them at the moment."

Might Duy scratched his head.

He could speak knowledgeably about the Seven Heavenly Breaths because he had researched the Eight Gates for twenty years, accumulating much experience and knowledge.

However.

Combat techniques weren't within his research scope. Might Duy wasn't naturally combative, knowing his talent wasn't great, and wasn't interested in such things.

"I have some rough ideas..."

Kyōichi understood completely.

Might Duy didn't have much fighting experience.

He had always been a genin, and except during wartime, rarely had experience killing or fighting. His experience was completely different from Might Guy's.

After all, being able to create the Eight Gates was already quite remarkable.

"Alright!"

Might Duy scratched his head.

He pondered deeply but his mind remained blank without any clues.

Kyōichi looked at Might Guy.

While Duy didn't understand combat, Guy did. Although just a genin, he had experienced more battles than his father.

Techniques like the Leaf Hurricane.

Guy mastered them much faster than his father.

"Guy, have you mastered the Eight Gates?"

"I've only managed to open three gates."

Might Guy was ashamed.

However.

Kyōichi was already surprised - opening three gates at just nine years old showed considerable talent.

Though thinking of his future achievements, this wasn't so surprising.

Kyōichi explained the concept of the Lotus.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

Might Guy's combat talent was indeed better than Duy's.

While Duy was still contemplating, Guy had already grasped the essence -

The Lotus relied on high-speed combination attacks. These attacks would put extreme stress on the body but were more suitable for the state after opening the gates.

"The View and Shock Gates cause qualitative changes. Could we create specific techniques that utilize these changes for those states?"

Kyōichi said.

Might Duy fell into deep thought.

He naturally understood the View Gate's state, having demonstrated the Eight Gates to Guy by directly opening the View Gate.

Utilizing the Eight Gates' characteristics...

It seemed feasible.

The discussion ended there.

Might Duy's comprehension wasn't that high. Saying more might confuse him further rather than provide clarity. Better to present the concept and let them understand the principles before contemplating further.

There wouldn't be too  much war this year.

So, Might Duy had plenty of time to think.

Kyōichi began trying the Eight Gates.

His body wasn't weak, and he already had experience mastering the Seven Heavenly Breaths, so...

The Gate of Opening was easily opened!

The Gate of Healing wasn't a problem either, but the Gate of Life was somewhat difficult.

However.

The Gate of Life was just the beginning of the Eight Gates - he couldn't even be considered a beginner yet.

"Looks like I'll need more training to open more gates."

Kyōichi thought.

He looked at the system.

There had been notification sounds earlier, but he'd been too busy to check.

[Completed teaching 'Seven Heavenly Breaths' and 'Lotus']

[Evaluation: Excellent]

[Reward: Medical Ninjutsu Basics, Mystical Palm Technique]

Huh?

Medical ninjutsu?

Why this?

Kyōichi was quite surprised, never expecting this reward, which seemed to have little connection to his teaching.

But...

After receiving it, his chakra control became noticeably more precise.

"Ah, right. Medical ninjutsu requires the highest chakra control. The Medical Ninjutsu Basics basically gave me a bunch of medical knowledge and chakra control ability."

Nice!

Kyōichi was satisfied.

In comparison, the A-rank Mystical Palm Technique was just a bonus.

Due to the jōnin exam, he had basically no classes for the next two or three days.

He spent most days researching taijutsu with Might Duy and Guy, while his shadow clone practiced sword techniques.

During this time, the war on the frontline was basically over.

More and more ninja returned to the village. Kyōichi saw many "familiar faces," like Chōza Akimichi and Hizashi Hyūga.

However.

These people didn't know him.

Kyōichi had no intention of approaching them - there was no need.

They weren't children and weren't easily fooled. Approaching them wouldn't be appropriate.

Kyōichi spent these days training.

He had opened three gates, but for further research, he hesitated and didn't immediately study ways to open more gates.

The Eight Gates were very powerful!

But it might not be very suitable for him.

The chakra from opening the gates was too violent. Even though he'd gained Medical Ninjutsu Basics and improved his chakra control, he could still only manipulate it simply.

Trying to use techniques requiring extreme control like the Enhanced Strength or Earth Spears while in the Eight Gates state was just a dream.

In comparison.

The Seven Heavenly Breaths didn't have this issue.

Perhaps the Seven Heavenly Breaths suited him better.

Kyōichi thought.

Of course.

He would still practice the Eight Gates, but didn't plan to use it as his main technique, instead keeping it as a trump card.

In the meantime Might Guy had made great progress -

He had mastered the Lotus!

Might Duy's understanding of techniques was indeed poor, but he quickly mastered the first activation of the Seven Heavenly Breaths.

Like Kyōichi.

His study of the Seven Heavenly Breaths was also superficial, not delving into the second or third activation. After learning the first activation, he began contemplating how to simplify it -

The first activation still wasn't suitable as a regular technique!

But these weren't things Kyōichi needed to consider now. He currently had more important matters.

The jōnin exam!

These past days, his taijutsu had improved greatly, and his daily sword practice had also shown significant improvement.

However, the sword technique notes from his grandmother were mostly scattered notes and theoretical concepts, not forming a systematic set of techniques. His swordsmanship was merely usable.

On the morning of the fifth day, Kyōichi arrived at the Forest of Death as agreed.

The Forest of Death was vast.

It had many traps and fierce beasts, divided into several training grounds.

After arriving, Kyōichi found he wasn't the only one taking the jōnin exam. Besides him, there were seven or eight other ninja, including three from the Aburame and Hyūga clans.

This configuration.

Felt familiar!

Moreover, they seemed to be observing him secretly.

Root?

As for the other three, one or two might be ordinary ninja like him, but one definitely wasn't -

The one with a ponytail and a scar at the corner of his mouth.

Hayama Shirakumo?

This person definitely wasn't an ordinary ninja.

ANBU?

Kyōichi speculated internally.