The Lamb Delivered to My Door

Shisui obviously didn't understand.

Kyoichi's words were beyond his comprehension at this stage, but he knew one thing—his teacher didn't dislike him as a student from the Uchiha clan.

On the contrary, he was very willing to communicate and share with him.

This was enough to make Shisui's heart rejoice.

Kyoichi had one more thing he didn't say.

The Ninja Academy was one of the few places where Uchiha could interact with others from Konoha.

Graduating early made it too difficult to interact with Konoha's commoners—

While the Uchiha appeared to have privileges, they were actually isolated.

Kyoichi didn't agree with this, but he was powerless to change it.

He wasn't telling Shisui these things to change anything, it was just a sudden impulse.

However.

After a short while, he received a notification—

[You have gained the initial approval of Uchiha Shisui.]

[You have received a reward: Genjutsu Fundamentals.]

Genjutsu?

This was indeed a blind spot for him.

More memories flooded Kyoichi's mind. After carefully pondering them for a moment, he was quite satisfied.

He didn't plan to become a Genjutsu master.

However, solid Genjutsu fundamentals came with some additional benefits—chakra control.

"Teacher, can I ask you more questions later?"

"Of course."

Kyoichi's smile was full of joy.

It wasn't a perfunctory response, he was genuinely happy.

Shisui was such a good kid!

A perfect sheep delivered right to his doorstep, with wool and shears all ready.

"Thank you, Teacher!"

Shisui bowed deeply.

He hadn't realized that in Kyoichi's eyes, his image had changed from a good kid to a fat sheep ripe for shearing.

"Let's go, I'll treat you to a meal."

Kyoichi smiled.

"Ah? No, no, you don't have to..."

Shisui felt a little embarrassed, but he was still dragged away by force.

From a distance.

A shadow clone watched them leave with a mournful expression.

What a guy!

He called it teaching a student, but it was all fake.

He just wanted to avoid training himself, and made his clone do the hard labor here.

His mentality was shattered.

Kyoichi had his clone practice Taijutsu techniques.

As for his physical body.

That would have to rely on his own hard training.

He'd deal with it later; his injuries weren't "healed" yet.

Besides...

One needed to eat before they had the energy to train.

Ichiraku Ramen.

"Boss, two bowls of ramen."

"Coming right up, please have a seat."

Ichiraku was only in his early twenties now, looking very young, and his daughter Ayame had only been born not long ago.

Shisui looked around with curiosity.

He had heard of this shop before. Obito seemed to really like coming here, but…

He hadn't eaten here yet.

Not long after.

"Rin, I was just careless during the day. If it happens again… No, once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely beat the teacher until he's begging for mercy."

Obito was bragging outside.

Before entering, he was still gesticulating wildly, both talking and gesturing.

Shisui rubbed his forehead.

He had just thought of this clan brother, and the next moment he arrived, with such a surprising entrance.

Begging for mercy…

How could you even say that?

Even with his Sharingan, he didn't think he could defeat Kyoichi—especially after witnessing the power of Kyoichi's Water Release ninjutsu, he felt even more so.

Shisui knew very well.

In class, this teacher wasn't going all out at all.

Kyoichi wasn't surprised at all.

There was a reason Obito was called the dead last by Kakashi.

This guy wasn't weak.

But.

At this time, like early Naruto, his combat IQ was really not good.

Feinting, cooperating?

He didn't understand!

He was also arrogant, always babbling about the "Sharingan"—although the gap between him and many Uchiha geniuses was really just a single Sharingan.

Upon entering, Rin immediately stopped in her tracks.

Obito trembled all over. The first reaction upon seeing Kyoichi was…

Turn around and leave.

But.

He couldn't. He still had class tomorrow. Running away now would be considered desertion, and the punishment might be even more severe.

Obito's face turned green.

Damn it.

I was just bragging, why is it so coincidental?

He was stunned.

He pulled out a stiff smile, bowed perfectly at the entrance, and said, "Sumimasen!"

"Obito, you're quite something. Your speed of making mistakes is as fast as your speed of apologizing."

"Yes, I'm very sorry!"

Obito's face turned red.

"Alright, sit down. Tomorrow you'll be tested on the Transformation Jutsu combined with the Shadow Clone Jutsu. You'll go up first and give everyone a demonstration."

"Huh?"

"Pfft…"

Rin couldn't hold back her laughter.

Obito was so arrogant when he was bragging just now, and now he was so cowardly.

She found it amusing.

"Teacher, I… I can't. My chakra control is among the worst."

Obito's voice became inaudible towards the end. It was mainly because he had just bragged about being able to beat the teacher with his Sharingan, and then he ran into him right after. The situation was truly awkward.

"It's good that you know your shortcomings. Practice more while you're not on the battlefield yet. As for the Sharingan… Kekkei Genkai are just external factors. Whether you're strong or not depends on yourself."

"Shisui, what do you think?"

Knowing your limits is a good thing.

Kyoichi lectured him casually.

What if he encountered something and got a wave of rewards?

He was a life coach.

If you try more, you'll achieve something.

It just so happened that there was another Uchiha here.

"What a coincidence?"

"Makes sense."

Shisui pondered for a long time before finally nodding gently.

No Uchiha didn't crave the Sharingan, but after listening to Kyoichi's words and thinking carefully, he realized that, just as his teacher had said, many powerful individuals didn't have a Kekkei Genkai yet were still strong.

For example, the Third Hokage, the Third Raikage.

They were both renowned powerhouses in the Ninja World despite lacking a Kekkei Genkai.

"..."

Obito felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't find any reason to refute it.

At this moment, the ramen arrived.

"Enjoy your meal, customers."

"Thank you!"

Kyoichi composed himself and, after following local etiquette and going through the motions, began to pick up his chopsticks.

He slurped down a mouthful of noodles.

Delicious!

The flavor was rich, and the ingredients were plentiful. No wonder it had been able to establish itself in Konoha for so many years.

Shisui's mood was complex.

He felt both apprehensive and happy—this was the first time he had eaten outside the Uchiha compound.

However.

It felt pretty good.

Obito was depressed and sat off to the side, sulking.

But.

As soon as the ramen arrived, he immediately transformed into a hungry eater.

"I'm starting!"

In the meantime, Teuchi's wife came out with their child to help.

The shop was too busy.

Kyoichi and his companions had arrived early, so they had seats. Those who arrived later could only stand in line and wait. This was during wartime; if it were normal times, there would probably be even more people.

Having a good skill set could still make money, even in the Ninja World.

After finishing their meal, Kyoichi paid for the treat and then bid farewell to Shisui, Obito, and Rin before heading home.

He checked, but there were no rewards.

However.

It wasn't a big deal.

For now, he would consider it "fishing," and there would come a day when they would take the bait.

Leeks don't fear growing strong.

Upon arriving home, his Shadow Clone's chakra was depleted, and it dispelled.

A wave of fatigue washed over him.

That feeling was truly...

Exhilarating.

But the effect was indeed very good.

Although physical training was ineffective, the experimentation and training of taijutsu techniques were effective, and it was enough to let him know his physical condition's level.

Roughly estimating, in terms of taijutsu alone, he should be considered among the stronger Jonin.

Of course.

This was nothing; it only meant that if he went to the battlefield again, he would have a certain ability to protect himself.