"Asuma's no good. After giving verbal education, I didn't get many rewards, just a bit of weapon proficiency..." Kyōichi played with the kunai in his hand.
His kunai skills had improved significantly, and his swordsmanship seemed to have slightly improved as well, but compared to the benefits from Shisui earlier, Asuma's rewards were truly minimal.
Oh well.
Better than nothing.
He created a shadow clone while preparing to make something to eat.
At that moment, a figure swiftly entered the courtyard.
"Kanda Kyōichi, Lord Third has instructed me to inform you that the Jōnin exam will be held in five days in the morning. Please make sure to be at the Forest of Death."
"Understood, thank you!"
After Kyōichi bowed in courtesy, the ANBU ninja disappeared.
After the ANBU ninja left, he pondered for a long time, recent events flashing through his mind.
"Most ninja have returned, seems the frontline is completely settled now. The graduation tests might start soon."
"Having the Jōnin exam now, looks like Konoha is short on team sensei as well."
During this period, most Konoha ninja were fighting outside, leaving few genin in the village. Tasks like catching pets and carrying water and firewood had piled up considerably.
Moreover, there were significant genin casualties, requiring a new batch of recruits.
However.
Genin weren't directly assigned after graduation but formed four-person teams with their sensei.
Most were led by chūnin, but many jōnin were needed too—jōnin mostly led clan children.
This had always been Konoha's unwritten rule.
But now.
Obviously, there weren't enough jōnin either.
The Third didn't know, but Kyōichi understood clearly—after a brief peace, Konoha would soon be at war with both Kirigakure and Iwagakure.
In the decade since the Second Shinobi War began, Konoha barely had any rest, and now there was a shortage of personnel.
No wonder later, when Kumogakure tried to kidnap Hinata Hyūga, both the Third and the Hyūga clan chose to endure it.
Though Kyōichi understood, he didn't agree.
Hizashi died unjustly.
Furthermore.
Konoha's current situation wasn't unrelated to the Third's and Danzō's governing policies.
Since the village's founding, the First was strongest, but that was due to Hashirama Senju's absolute power. In terms of village prosperity, it was actually during the Second Tobirama Senju's tenure.
And then?
After Tobirama Senju's death, Konoha constantly fought with other villages, steadily declining.
Internally, they couldn't even keep the Three Sannin.
Whose fault was it?
This couldn't be blamed on the Uchiha.
The Third's incompetent governance was certain.
Kanda Kyōichi made food while contemplating his future plans.
Becoming a team sensei was already part of the plan.
As for later...
"During the wars with Kiri and Kumo, I need to earn more military achievements, but most importantly, I need to build more connections. This way, I'll have countermeasures if Danzō tries to move against me."
Of course.
Even Orochimaru, with sufficient power and status, was still driven away by Danzō.
Because he wasn't clean himself!
Therefore, he couldn't leave any weaknesses.
Thinking of this, Kyōichi had a clear understanding of his future path, no longer confused.
As for now.
Still training and improving himself.
"No classes tomorrow, perfect time to train with Might Duy and Might Guy, build our relationship. If the timing's right, we can exchange ideas about the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and the Eight Gates."
...
The next day.
New faces in ninja uniforms kept appearing in Konoha.
These were all ninja returning from the frontlines.
Kyōichi didn't pay much attention, jogging along the outskirts for exercise, while a shadow clone at home persistently practiced swordsmanship.
His swordsmanship had improved significantly.
However.
In actual combat, it might still be insufficient, at least not as proficient and direct as his other attack methods.
Need more practice!
"Kanda-sensei, let's have a match!"
"Keep training."
Kyōichi didn't engage.
Guy followed for a while, couldn't hold back, and suddenly flew in with a kick.
Kyōichi tilted his head to avoid it.
Guy flew past his head, but at that moment, a green shadow quickly attacked from behind.
"Guy! You brat... how dare you sneak attack Kanda-Sensei!"
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Guy was kicked away, nearly hitting a rock.
Might Duy had arrived.
Kyōichi's mouth twitched.
Although he'd seen it once or twice, he still couldn't quite get used to the personality and style of the father-son duo Might Duy and Might Guy.
But hitting this hard every time, yet the child was still fine—no wonder their lineage could master the Eight Gates—their endurance was trained from childhood.
He ignored the father and son and continued running forward.
They would catch up anyway.
However.
After running a few steps, Kyōichi's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the woods.
Someone watching?
He sensed for a moment and understood.
This presence—
Hatake Kakashi!
He continued running forward naturally, as if he hadn't sensed Kakashi's presence.
Getting closer.
Suddenly, the bushes rustled.
The next moment, Kakashi appeared behind Kyōichi, his unsheathed short sword at Kyōichi's throat.
"Hmph."
Not impressive.
He was about to lower his sword when the Kyōichi before him gradually dispersed.
A clone?
Impossible!
When?
Kakashi's eyes widened. Though surprised, he reacted extremely quickly, immediately jumping away while forming hand seals for a jutsu.
Earth Style jutsu!
After landing, he was about to burrow underground.
However.
He found his jutsu had failed—
There was a layer of someone else's chakra on the ground, blocking his Earth Style jutsu.
Amazing!
In just an instant, the opponent had used Body Flicker and Clone techniques he couldn't distinguish to switch positions, then used Earth Style chakra to seal off the ground beneath him, preventing his escape.
This was a battlefield veteran.
At this moment...
Cling!
"As expected of Hatake Kakashi."
Kyōichi's kunai met Kakashi's sword.
In the blink of an eye, he could quickly analyze the situation and make judgments. His reaction ability was indeed strong, and his power wasn't weak. If it were himself without the system's enhancement, he would have been defeated by Kakashi in their first encounter.
But now.
He wasn't afraid at all!
Under Kakashi's shocked gaze, Kyōichi directly grabbed his short sword.
At this moment, Kakashi noticed Kyōichi's hand was completely black.
Hardening technique?
No.
This was another Earth Style jutsu, Earth Spear!
He immediately tried to counter with Lightning Style chakra, but the opponent's strength suddenly became terrifying. Kakashi couldn't hold onto his sword and lost it instantly.
What terrifying strength!
Kakashi looked at his seized sword, knowing he was thoroughly defeated—if the opponent had been an enemy at that moment, he could have used the kunai in his right hand to kill him directly.
So powerful!
The opponent was only six or seven years older than him, yet their abilities were on completely different levels.
Most unacceptable was that.
At the moment his sword was taken, he felt that even with another six or seven years, he still wouldn't be a match for this person. This was a sense of defeat he had never experienced before.
No!
If he could use Lightning Style jutsu and grow for a few more years, he would definitely defeat this guy.
Kakashi clenched his fists, encouraging himself internally.
"Kakashi, I told you yesterday you weren't his match, yet you still came to challenge Kanda-sensei."
Guy arrived and mockingly laughed from the side.
However.
His own face was bruised and swollen, obviously having received a beating from Might Duy.