Improved Activation Technique

Kyoichi glanced at Shisui and Obito.

The two of them were truly worlds apart.

Obito was carefree right now, not thinking much at all. As long as he had food and fun, he was happy. He was carefree and quite kind-hearted by nature.

He just lacked brains.

In contrast, Shisui...

He was also a bit dense, but after meeting Kyoichi, it seemed like that dense part had connected to the right place, and he wasn't as stupid.

Now, it looked like he had thought of something.

The reason Kyoichi thought this was simple.

[You have guided Uchiha Shisui's thoughts, changing the course of his life.]

[Evaluation: Good]

[Reward: Illusionary Art: Steam Pavilion]

This was the first time an evaluation had appeared out of nowhere. It should be because Shisui himself had gained some insight. Kyoichi was very curious about what Shisui had been thinking just now.

However, the reward was quite good.

Steam Pavilion.

Wasn't this the Second Mizukage's summoning jutsu?

He could learn this too?

Kyoichi was slightly surprised. The principles and knowledge of this jutsu appeared in his mind, and his expression became a little strange.

This jutsu...

How to put it.

It was a half-finished product.

It used dense fog to create mirages, thereby achieving the purpose of genjutsu.

The problem was...

Kyoichi couldn't use dense fog genjutsu yet.

"Looks like I need to find a way to obtain the Hiding in Mist Technique."

Kyoichi pondered silently.

If he could obtain the Hiding in Mist Technique, this jutsu could elevate his stealth abilities to the next level, especially when facing Kirigakure ninja.

Since it was free, there was nothing to complain about.

Moreover.

Who knew if he could fuse it with his swordsmanship?

Phantom Sword Style...

Kyoichi's mind raced.

Minato Namikaze saw some of what was happening and couldn't help but feel impressed.

No wonder Kanda Kyoichi became a Chunin at thirteen and was promoted to Jonin in just over a year. This kind of contemplative attitude at critical moments was enough for him to accumulate a lot in the past.

Everything now was the result of thorough preparation leading to a breakthrough.

He himself had Jiraiya to guide him, while this person had no good teacher.

"Kakashi, you just wait, I'll definitely be able to defeat you once I awaken the Sharingan!"

"Heh, dead last."

"Obito, there are no absolute geniuses in this world. As long as you work hard enough, think more, ponder more, and practice more, you can surpass Kakashi even without the Sharingan."

Minato Namikaze spoke from the heart.

A hard-working genius, Kanda Kyoichi was the best example.

Kyoichi naturally didn't know he had such a high evaluation in Minato Namikaze's heart. His mind was still pondering the combination of swordsmanship and the Steam Pavilion's genjutsu.

After thinking about it.

He might not necessarily need the Hiding in Mist Technique. Perhaps the evaporation of water from Water Release ninjutsu could also form a certain mirage, it just wouldn't be as stable.

But.

His main focus was swordsmanship.

If his speed reached a certain level, as long as the opponent made a momentary misjudgment, it would be fatal.

Unless it was a cheat like Kamui.

Moreover.

This was visual misdirection, not conventional genjutsu, and perhaps even the Sharingan couldn't see through it.

It was worth researching!

After the meal, at Minato Namikaze's insistence, Kyoichi was unable to pay.

He didn't mind, though.

It was just a meal, and he hadn't charged for teaching his disciple. He felt perfectly justified in accepting the free meal.

The various teams passed their evaluations one after another.

Consequently, the number of squads taking on missions also increased. After much persuasion, Kyoichi managed to secure three missions.

It was the usual routine.

The difference this time was that Asuma was assigned to chop wood, while Shisui was sent to fetch water.

There was a reason for assigning Asuma.

"You've already mastered the nature transformation of Wind Release, haven't you?"

"Yes, Teacher."

"Good. Then use your Wind Release chakra in conjunction with your kunai to chop wood. Once you've mastered it, I'll teach you a ninjutsu."

Kyoichi intended to teach him Vacuum Blade.

This jutsu was B-rank in difficulty and possessed considerable power. Asuma's chakra-infused weapon hadn't been created yet, and his combat style was still undefined.

This technique could complement his future "Flying Swallow" combat style.

Today, he didn't need to pay too much attention to Kurenai Yuhi; the cat she was chasing was nearby. So, Kyoichi continued his own training, honing his taijutsu. His shadow clone, meanwhile, was near Shisui, observing and practicing his swordsmanship.

During this time, he encountered several familiar faces.

For example, Might Guy's team, Team 7, and even Might Duy.

Unlike Might Guy and his team.

Might Duy was a veteran Genin who was long past the age of teaming up with others. For many years, he had trained and taken on missions alone, and today was no different.

However.

What was different was that Might Duy seemed somewhat melancholic today.

"Senior Duy, why the sigh?"

Kyoichi sat on a tree branch.

Logically, Might Duy was close to a promotion and shouldn't be sighing all day.

Could it be...

He was troubled by the promotion?

"Kyoichi-kun, alas! It's a long story."

Might Duy sighed.

Kyoichi instantly appeared beside him. Upon chatting, he learned that the Third Hokage had spoken with him yesterday about the Eight Gates.

Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't demanded he hand over the forbidden jutsu. Instead, he had offered to promote him to Special Jonin in the field of taijutsu.

This was, in itself, a good thing.

However, Might Duy had been a Genin for twenty years and was accustomed to the Genin life. Being suddenly promoted to Special Jonin left him unsure of what to do, causing him considerable confusion.

Therefore.

Despite becoming a Special Jonin, he had still accepted a D-rank mission—fetching water.

"Special Jonin are different from Jonin. Special Jonin means you have a unique talent in a certain area. You don't have a team or special mission requirements, so you can just live your life normally," Kyoichi said.

Jonin required all-around abilities. For someone like Naruto, without a certain level of knowledge, he couldn't become a Jonin even with Kage-level strength.

The requirements for Special Jonin were somewhat lower.

Might Duy paused upon hearing this and said, "But, as a Special Jonin, I'm doing a D-rank mission..."

"What's wrong with that? Do you care?"

Kyoichi asked, surprised.

Even a Genin of over twenty years was nonchalant about it; why should he care about doing D-rank missions after becoming a Special Jonin?

It seemed logical.

Might Duy agreed, yet felt something was slightly off.

He scratched his head and said, "I don't know how to put it. Oh, right. I modified your Seven Heavenly Breathing Methods based on my own ideas. I'm not sure if it's correct. I meant to ask you to take a look, but I've been busy and forgot."

"Oh? Let's try it."

Kyoichi's eyes lit up, and he quickly gestured for Might Duy to test it on him.

"I won't use it first."

With that, Might Duy kicked out.

His strength was immense!

Kyoichi blocked with his hand. Although he used chakra to cancel out some of the force, his arm still stung slightly.

"Next..."

Might Duy finished speaking and quickly delivered another kick.

The speed and power were much greater!

Before it even connected, Kyoichi knew it was bad and quickly used Earth Spear to reinforce his arm.

Bang!

With a muffled thud, Kyoichi was pushed back several steps by the immense force.

"What?"

Kyoichi was very surprised.

After pondering for a few seconds, he said, "Try it one more time."

"Alright."

Might Duy took a deep breath and sent a flying kick.

Kyoichi blocked it. The force was still immense, but this time he was prepared and grabbed Might Duy's ankle.

At this moment.

Another kick came twisting towards his head!

"It's certainly effective, but are you perhaps close to entering the Gate of Opening?"

"After I developed my own improved Activation Technique, I found that some of my Gates would open unconsciously, further enhancing my control over my body."

Might Duy nodded.

He didn't understand much theory and relied entirely on his own exploration. He wasn't sure if this version he'd created was good or not.