"Uchiha Iori is amazing. Not only is he strong, but his Medical Ninjutsu is also incredible. It's great to have him on the same battlefield."
"After Lady Tsunade, we now have another powerful medical ninja supporting us."
Several Konoha ninjas were enthusiastically discussing Uchiha Iori's healing techniques from the day before.
"Yeah. He may not be as good as Jonin Minato Namikaze, but compared with the other Jonin, Uchiha Iori doesn't seem inferior at all."
The camp buzzed with discussion. After a major victory, everyone was in much better spirits.
Before the support forces arrived, the outstanding figures from the previous battle were the center of attention.
"Iori, how does it feel to be a hero? You must be pretty happy, huh?"
Uzuki Kaori poked Uchiha Iori in the waist, teasing him.
Though she still wasn't used to seeing her teammate become so outstanding, she was happy for him all the same.
"Not bad." Iori smiled. "I hope everyone will recognize me. I want to become the Fifth Hokage."
Iori made no effort to hide his ambition. In Konoha, it was strange not to want to become Hokage.
Besides, whether or not Iori had ambitions, as long as he refused to be a dog for the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, they would target him.
So he might as well proclaim his intentions early and rally people to his side.
"Why not the Fourth?" Uzuki Kaori asked curiously.
"Silly girl, do you think I can compete with the Sannin?" Iori sighed. Though he knew Minato would eventually become the Fourth Hokage, Orochimaru currently had the strongest support among the Sannin.
"Then why are you going to see Jonin Minato?"
Uzuki Kaori was curious. The Iwagakure Ninja had retreated, and the support forces hadn't arrived yet, so there shouldn't have been anything to do in the camp.
"It's not official business. I just want to ask Jonin Minato for some advice about the Body Flicker Technique," Uchiha Iori replied.
Iori didn't expect to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique. Minato was unlikely to privately teach him an S-rank jutsu, but there shouldn't be a problem with sharing some of the fundamentals of the Body Flicker Technique.
Iori's strength was very unstable right now. With his Noble Phantasms unleashed in rapid succession, even if one of the Five Kage stood before him, he could still be defeated if he let his guard down.
But without using his Noble Phantasms, or when he couldn't use them, Uchiha Iori was merely at an ordinary Jonin's level.
Even that was thanks to his Sharingan and the combat experience of Emiya Shirou and Cú Chulainn.
Set those factors aside, and although his chakra reserves and physique were good enough for a Jonin, his fundamentals were only at the level of a Chunin with a solid foundation.
He wasn't weak, but he wasn't suited to the high-level fights he was now facing.
If he could raise his basic abilities to Jonin level, his margin for error would increase substantially.
"Do you want to come along? Minato's a great guy. I'm sure he wouldn't mind giving you a few pointers, too."
Iori suggested bringing her along so they could get closer to the future Fourth Hokage.
"Really? I can come too? Minato-sama won't mind?"
Uzuki Kaori's eyes lit up. Minato Namikaze was a prominent ninja of the new generation, and he was from a civilian background. He had plenty of support among the ninja and was an idol to many.
Otherwise, even with Jiraiya and the Third Hokage strongly backing him, Minato Namikaze wouldn't have become the Fourth Hokage so easily.
"He shouldn't. Come on, I'll help you."
Iori took Uzuki Kaori to the training ground.
He had already asked where Minato Namikaze was and learned that he'd taken his students to train.
Thump, thump, thump.
A series of blows rang out from the middle of the training ground.
"Kakashi wins," Minato Namikaze announced.
Kakashi Hatake truly was a genius ninja. Although his status as a Jonin at twelve was a little dubious, his overall strength was probably good enough.
Obito Uchiha, on the other hand, was at an ordinary Chunin's level before awakening his Sharingan, but under Kakashi's fierce assault, he could barely fight back.
"Hey, Obito, did Kakashi beat you up again?"
Uchiha Iori walked over with a teasing smile on his face.
"Your form's sloppy, your backhand's weak, your legs are all over the place, and your reactions are slow. Not a single move looks right. How do you expect to fight Kakashi?"
He mocked him without holding back.
"I'm not as bad as you make me sound!" Obito protested angrily, his face flushed.
"Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely beat Kakashi."
"Sure, sure, I know. Once you awaken your Sharingan, you'll punch Kakashi, kick Asuma, and win Rin's heart, right?"
Iori replied dismissively.
"You, you, what are you saying?!"
Obito's face turned even redder, and he couldn't help sneaking a glance at Rin Nohara, who was standing nearby.
"Tsk, how innocent."
Iori shook his head, left him with that remark, and walked toward Minato Namikaze with Uzuki Kaori.
"What are you talking about? Get back here!" Obito shouted.
"Shut up and stop embarrassing yourself, dead last." Kakashi glanced at Obito helplessly, then turned to Iori. "Iori-senpai, would you spar with me?"
"Sure. Let me talk to Minato-senpai first," Iori replied.
"Did you need something from me?" Minato Namikaze asked, a hint of curiosity in his expression.
He didn't know why Iori had come to see him. Though they were comrades now, they weren't well acquainted.
"Well, Kaori and I both have weaknesses when it comes to the Body Flicker Technique. We were hoping you could give us some pointers, Minato-senpai."
Iori got straight to the point, his manner frank. From what he knew of Minato Namikaze, there was no need to beat around the bush. If he could help, he would; if not, he'd say so plainly.
"Of course. Obito, Rin, Kakashi, come over too. I'll give you a lesson while we're at it."
Minato called his students over. If he was going to teach one, he might as well teach them all.
After all, the Body Flicker Technique was basic, and Uchiha Iori was only asking about its fundamentals. Sharing them wasn't restricted by Konoha.
Minato Namikaze was also choosing his own supporters as he prepared to compete for the position of Hokage.
Akimichi Doto and Inuzuka Gaku; Gekko Nobuhiko and Obito Uchiha; Rin Nohara and himself.
They represented the major clans, the smaller clans, and the civilian ninja.
Based on the previous battle, Minato had a favorable impression of Iori. He could also strengthen his ties with the Uchiha Clan—a win-win.
Minato then demonstrated the principles of the Body Flicker Technique he'd worked out, including when to apply force, how chakra flowed, and how to anticipate an opponent's movements.
After combining it with the combat experience of Emiya Shirou and Cú Chulainn, Iori learned a great deal. They didn't use ninjutsu, but many of their skills were the same.
The most precious thing Emiya-style Projection Magecraft offered, aside from Noble Phantasms, was the ability to inherit combat skills.
Only through diligent practice and constant innovation had the miracle of an imitation surpassing the original come about.
After the lesson ended, Kakashi seemed eager to get started. Every so often, he glanced at Iori, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
"All right, Kakashi. It's our turn now. Let's see what you can do."
Iori formed the Seal of Confrontation, projected the Demonic Spear, and activated his Sharingan, though he had no intention of unleashing the Noble Phantasm.
Kakashi was still too green. There was no need to go all out.
"Here I come." Kakashi formed the Seal of Confrontation, drew the White Fang Short Blade, and charged.