Two days later.
[Under your wise leadership, the "Early Medical Ninja Training" plan has been approved and will enter the trial phase.]
[Reward: Monster Strength Technique has increased by one level.]
Huh?
Tsunade's speed in taking action is impressive, isn't it?
And also…
Did it pass so easily?
Kyohiko was a bit surprised.
But as he thought about it further, he realized that it probably wasn't as smooth as it seemed.
In the discussions over the past few days, practical ability had been emphasized as key, with early training just being a subtle branch in his suggestions around "grading" and "specialization."
However…
In the recent notification, there was no mention of any additional courses on practical skills or techniques.
Kyohiko sighed quietly.
When it comes to medical matters…
For one, Tsunade truly holds authority in this field, and for another, Konoha genuinely needs medical ninjas.
Medical ninjas play an incredibly important role!
Over the years, on battlefields and missions, they've saved many lives, so having Tsunade push for early training of medical ninjas made it relatively easy to pass.
But for other things—
It will take a long time before there's any chance to discuss them seriously.
Just as he thought.
In the meeting room of the Hokage Building, a thunderous noise erupted.
In front of Tsunade, the massive conference table was smashed to pieces.
She was furious.
"Do civilian genin really need all this complex knowledge? On the battlefield, they're barely able to survive—many genin are sent out just to die!"
"Tsunade, you're not the only one who's been on the battlefield; we've fought our way out too!"
Danzo's tone was cold as he chastised her.
Koharu Utatane added, "The regulations of the Ninja Academy were set by the Second Hokage…"
"Rubbish! The Second Hokage also said that kids shouldn't be sent to the battlefield, yet how many have graduated early over these years? Why don't you mention the Second Hokage's rules at those times?"
Tsunade's tone was irritable.
"Tsunade!"
Koharu was trembling with anger, yet, she couldn't argue back.
"Enough!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi kicked aside the debris at his feet, looking helpless. "Tsunade, Jiraiya, the early training of medical ninjas can proceed on a trial basis, but the overhaul of the Ninja Academy is too drastic, especially with the current situation. Let's wait and see for now."
Jiraiya looked helpless, with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"We finally have a brief period of peace. Are we really going to wait for war to bring about change?"
He now agreed with Tsunade.
These old men were far too rigid, unwilling to listen to reason, stubbornly clinging to stability and refusing change.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.
In the end, he shook his head. "There shouldn't be any major wars for a few years. Let's stabilize things for now and re-evaluate in a few years."
The past wars had inflicted heavy losses on each nation and village. Everyone needed time to recuperate and restore strength.
By his estimation, no ninja village would likely instigate another large-scale conflict anytime soon.
"Then let's leave it at that."
Tsunade stood up, saying nothing more.
She was disappointed.
"Tsunade, stop drinking! You and I both know that nothing substantial would come out of the first meeting anyway. Getting approval for early medical ninja training was already a significant victory."
Jiraiya advised.
Tsunade shook her head.
She took another sip and sighed, her mood sinking.
"It's not just that. It's that our teacher, once so wise and astute, is gradually becoming rigid, decayed, lacking boldness."
Jiraiya fell silent as well.
He poured himself a drink.
After a while, Jiraiya asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Become Hokage!"
Tsunade's eyes glinted sharply.
She slapped the table and stood up.
"With these old men in charge, the village will only grow more decayed and decline over time."
Tsunade's tone regained some of its old fire.
Then, she looked earnestly at Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, you should step up and fight for the position of Hokage. I'll support you!"
Jiraiya rolled his eyes, standing up to leave.
"I'd rather check on Kyohiko. This kid recently learned the Shadow Clone Technique, and if he accidentally overdoes it, I might lose a good student."
After Jiraiya left, Tsunade held her glass but didn't drink any more.
She looked out the window, her gaze distant and uncertain.
Kyohiko wasn't training the Monster Strength Technique just yet; instead, he was reflecting and studying.
At the proficient level of the Monster Strength Technique!
At this stage, chakra gathering and release had become more refined. Kyohiko had read many books and came to the conclusion—
At this level, moderate use shouldn't cause backlash to his body.
At his current skill level, he couldn't yet use the devastating attacks Tsunade and Tobirama Senju could unleash with ease.
But…
The real focus wasn't on using this technique in combat.
Even though it was just a one-level increase, the knowledge, insight, and deep-rooted enhancement that came with it were highly beneficial to Kyohiko.
Just like with the Master-level Body Flicker Technique.
From entry-level to proficiency, the difference in the Monster Strength Technique was enormous.
While Kyohiko's raw abilities hadn't changed, his chakra control had become more delicate, allowing him to swiftly extract physical and spiritual energy and gather it quickly.
This is the basis for proficient use of the Monster Strength Technique.
Mastering one technique often leads to improvements across others.
This foundational advancement can also benefit Water Release, the Body Flicker Technique, and more.
It's more valuable than any single jutsu improvement!
"From entry-level to proficient, it's a step up in chakra control. But my body is still too fragile to sustain repeated usage."
"My body still needs more training!"
"And next, compression should be my focus."
Compressing chakra.
This technique is used not only in the Monster Strength Technique but also in the Rasengan and Water Severing Wave, though each at different levels.
Kyohiko's current focus is also on this skill.
Compression!
This technique has levels too. At lower levels, someone like Naruto might use Shadow Clones to assist, but that's more brute force—a path that doesn't suit Kyohiko.
Higher levels demand intense effort.
For instance, Tobirama's Water Severing Wave is an example of extreme compression.
Training intensively sometimes doesn't yield results as quickly as direct rewards do.
Kyohiko moved around the courtyard, exercising, but he felt that it wasn't enough.
This type of exercise was too simple to have a sharpening effect.
"The yard needs to be remodeled."
He spent the whole morning working.
When Jiraiya climbed up to the wall, he found Kyohiko had cleared the courtyard of wild grass and flowers, setting up numerous wooden frames with sandbags hanging from them.
What is he doing?
Confused, he then saw Kyohiko punch a few sandbags.
Then—
Kyohiko was hit back by the rebounding sandbags, landing on the ground.
Fortunately, the sandbags were rounded, painful but not harmful.
"This guy—is he training his reflexes? And he's wearing weights on his hands and feet."
Jiraiya was quietly impressed.
It's a harsh training method.
This kid is tough on others, but he's even tougher on himself—only seven years old!
At seven, who trains like this? And—
Inside the house, another Shadow Clone was sitting, diligently studying.
"The path to genius is paved with blood and sweat; it's far from the glamour others see."
Jiraiya mused.
With such rigorous training, even an ordinary person would make something of themselves. And for someone with Kyohiko's talent…
This kid will achieve great things! And beyond that…
This child possesses maturity and insight beyond his years.
"Could he be the Child of Prophecy too?"
Jiraiya wondered.
The thought seemed absurd; he felt like he was seeing a "Child of Prophecy" in everyone.
So far, Kyohiko was the third possible "Child of Prophecy" he'd encountered.
The first was Nagato.
With the Rinnegan, he naturally had this qualification.
The second was Minato.
Minato was now the most capable young jonin and had even mastered the Flying Thunder God, a forbidden space-time jutsu.
And now, a seven-year-old child.
Hidden in the shadows, Jiraiya sat in silence, thinking—
Could there be an even younger one in the future?
Probably not.
The Child of Prophecy is likely one of these three.
Jiraiya was certain of this.
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