Cultivation and the Water Gate Style Instantaneous Body Technique

"Senior Uchiha Iori is truly incredible. Not only is his strength formidable, but his medical ninjutsu is also superb. It's such a blessing to be on the same battlefield as him."

"After Lady Tsunade, we finally have another powerful medical ninja to serve as our support."

Several Konoha ninja were discussing Uchiha Iori's healing techniques from the previous day with great enthusiasm.

"Indeed. While he might not compare to Jonin Minato Namikaze, he certainly doesn't pale in comparison to the other jonin."

The camp was buzzing with conversation; following a major victory, everyone's spirits were much lighter.

Before the reinforcements arrived, the standout figures from the recent great war became the center of all discussion.

"Iori, how does it feel to be a hero? Aren't you happy?"

Uzuki Kaori poked Uchiha Iori in the waist, asking playfully.

Although she was still adjusting to her teammate becoming so outstanding, she was genuinely happy for him.

"Not bad," Iori smiled. "I hope to be recognized by everyone. I want to become the Fifth Hokage."

Iori did not hide his ambition; in Konoha, it would be strange not to want to become Hokage.

Regardless of whether Iori had ambitions or not, as long as he refused to be a dog for the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzō, he would inevitably be targeted.

Since that was the case, it was better to raise his banner early and rally support.

"Why not the Fourth?" Uzuki Kaori asked curiously.

"Silly girl, do you think I could compete against the Sannin?" Iori sighed. Although he knew Minato would eventually become the Fourth, the person with the most support at the moment was still Orochimaru of the Sannin.

"Then are you heading to see Jonin Minato for something now?"

Uzuki Kaori was a bit curious. With the Iwagakure Ninja retreating and reinforcements yet to arrive, there shouldn't be anything to do in the camp.

"It's not official business. I just want to ask Jonin Minato for some advice regarding the Body Flicker Technique," Uchiha Iori replied.

Uchiha Iori didn't hold much hope for the Flying Thunder God, as it was unlikely Minato would privately teach an S-rank ninjutsu, but getting the essentials of some Body Flicker techniques should be no problem.

Iori's current strength was extremely unstable. With his Noble Phantasms unleashed in succession, even the Five Kage would be defeated if they were caught off guard.

But when he couldn't use his Noble Phantasms, Uchiha Iori was only at the level of an ordinary jonin.

Even that was only propped up by the Sharingan and the combat experience of Emiya Shirou and Cú Chulainn.

Stripping those factors away, while his chakra reserves and physique were sufficient for a jonin, his fundamentals were merely those of a solid chunin.

He wasn't weak, but he wasn't fit for the high-level battles he was currently fighting.

As long as he could raise his basic abilities to the jonin level, his margin for error would increase significantly.

"Do you want to come along? Senior Minato is a very decent person; he shouldn't mind giving you a few pointers."

Iori suggested, intending to bring her along to get closer to the future Fourth Hokage.

"Is that really okay? I'll go too—won't Lord Minato mind?"

Uzuki Kaori's eyes lit up. After all, Minato Namikaze was the iconic ninja of the new generation and came from a civilian background, giving him high approval ratings among ninja; he was an idol to many.

Otherwise, even with Jiraiya and the Third Hokage pushing for him, Minato wouldn't have been able to become the Fourth Hokage so easily.

"He shouldn't. Let's go, I'll help you out."

Iori led Uzuki Kaori toward the training ground.

He had previously inquired about Minato's location and knew he had gone to train with his students.

Thud, thud, thud.

A series of impact sounds echoed from the center of the training ground.

"Kakashi wins," Minato announced.

Kakashi Hatake was truly a genius ninja. Although there was some padding to his status as a twelve-year-old jonin, his overall strength was certainly qualified.

Conversely, Obito Uchiha was at a normal chunin level before awakening his Sharingan, and he had almost no power to fight back under Kakashi's fierce offensive.

"Yo, Obito, getting beaten up by Kakashi again?"

Uchiha Iori walked over, a teasing smile hanging on his lips.

"Your forehand is imprecise, your backhand is weak, your footwork is loose, and your reactions are sluggish. Not a single movement looks decent—how do you expect to fight Kakashi?"

He mocked him without mercy.

"I'm not as bad as you say!"

Obito's face flushed red as he retorted angrily:

"Once I awaken my Sharingan, I will definitely defeat Kakashi!"

"Yes, yes, I know. Once you awaken your Sharingan, you'll punch Kakashi, kick Asuma, and win Rin's heart, right?"

Iori replied perfunctorily.

"You—you—what are you saying!"

Obito's face turned even redder, and he couldn't help but steal a glance at Rin Nohara not far away.

"Tsk, how green."

Iori shook his head, tossed out that remark, and led Uzuki Kaori toward Minato Namikaze.

"What did you say? Get back here!" Obito shouted.

"Shut up and stop embarrassing yourself, dead last." Kakashi glanced at Obito helplessly, then turned to Iori. "Senior Iori, would you be willing to spar with me?"

"Sure, but only after I finish talking with Senior Minato." Iori replied.

"Is there something you need from me?" Minato asked, a hint of curiosity on his face.

He didn't know why Iori would come to him; although they were comrades-in-arms, they weren't particularly close.

"It's like this: both Kaori and I find our Body Flicker Technique to be a weak point in combat, and we were hoping to receive some pointers from you, Senior Minato."

Iori got straight to the point with a candid attitude. Based on his understanding of Minato, there was no need for pleasantries—if he could help, he would, and if not, he would say so directly.

"Of course. Obito, Rin, Kakashi, come over here too. I might as well give you all a lesson while I'm at it."

Minato beckoned his students over; since he was already herding one sheep, he might as well herd the rest.

After all, the Body Flicker Technique was fundamental, and the experience Uchiha Iori sought wasn't restricted by Konoha.

In order to compete for the position of Hokage in the future, Minato was also in the process of building his own base of support.

Akimichi Doto and Inuzuka Gaku, Gekko Nobuhiko and Obito Uchiha, Rin Nohara, and himself.

It encompassed great clans, minor clans, and commoner ninja alike.

Judging from the previous battle, Minato thought highly of Iori, and being able to further cultivate ties with the Uchiha clan was a win-win situation.

Subsequently, Minato demonstrated the key points of the Body Flicker Technique he had summarized, including when to exert force, the flow of chakra, and how to predict an opponent's movements.

Combining this with the combat experience of Emiya Shirou and Cú Chulainn, Iori benefited immensely; although they didn't use ninjutsu, many of their techniques were identical.

Beyond the Noble Phantasms themselves, the most precious aspect of Emiya-style Projection Magecraft was the inheritance of combat skills.

It was only through diligent practice and constant innovation that the miracle of a fake surpassing the original could occur.

After the instruction ended, Kakashi grew impatient, looking at Iori from time to time with eyes eager for a challenge.

"Alright, Kakashi, it's our turn now. Let me see what you've got."

Iori formed the Seal of Confrontation, then projected the Demonic Spear and activated his Sharingan, though he had no intention of releasing the Noble Phantasm's true name.

The current Kakashi was too immature; there was no need to go all out.

"Then here I come." After forming the Seal of Confrontation, Kakashi drew the White Fang Short Blade and charged forward.