Kyōichi glanced at Shisui and Obito. The two were completely different.
Obito was carefree, never overthinking things, content as long as he had food and fun, and possessed a kind nature. He just lacked intelligence.
As for Shisui... He was missing a few screws too, but after meeting Kyōichi, those screws seemed to align properly, and he wasn't as foolish anymore. Now it seemed he had realized something.
Kyōichi thought this because of a simple reason.
[You have guided Uchiha Shisui's thinking, changing his life's direction.]
[Evaluation: Good]
[Reward: Mist Pavilion Genjustsu]
This was the first time an evaluation had appeared unexpectedly, probably because Shisui had gained some insight. Kyōichi was curious about what Shisui had been thinking just now.
However, the reward was quite good.
Mist Pavilion Genjustsu.
Wasn't this the Second Mizukage's summoning technique?
Could he really learn this?
Kyōichi was slightly surprised as the technique's principles and knowledge appeared in his mind, making his expression a bit strange.
This technique...
How to put it...
It was incomplete.
It created mirages using dense fog to achieve genjutsu effects.
The problem was, Kyōichi currently didn't know any dense fog genjutsu.
"Looks like I'll need to find a way to learn the Hidden Mist Technique," Kyōichi pondered.
If he could get the Hidden Mist Technique, this would enhance his concealment abilities, especially when facing Hidden Mist ninja.
Since it was free, there was nothing to complain about.
Besides, maybe it could be integrated with his sword techniques?
Illusion sword technique...
Kyōichi kept pondering.
Minato noticed his state and couldn't help but admire him.
No wonder Kyōichi became a chunin at thirteen and jonin just over a year later - this constant thoughtful attitude had allowed him to accumulate a lot of knowledge in the past.
Everything now was the result of that steady accumulation.
He himself had Jiraiya's guidance, while Kyōichi had no such sensei.
"Kakashi, just you wait! Once I awaken my Sharingan, I'll definitely defeat you!"
"Hm, dead last."
"Obito, there are no absolute geniuses in this world. As long as you work hard enough, think more, and practice more, you might surpass Kakashi even without the Sharingan."
Minato spoke from the heart.
A hardworking genius - Kyōichi was the best example.
Kyōichi naturally didn't know he was held in such high regard by Minato. His mind was still pondering the combination of sword techniques and the Mist Pavilion genjutsu.
After some thought, he realized he might not need the Hidden Mist Technique. Perhaps the water vapor from Water Release jutsu could create some mirages, just not as stable.
But his focus was swordsmanship.
At sufficient speed, just a moment's misjudgment could be fatal.
Unless facing something broken like Kamui.
Moreover, this was visual misdirection, not conventional genjutsu, so perhaps even the Sharingan couldn't see through it.
Worth researching!
After the meal, despite Kyōichi's attempts, Minato insisted on paying.
He didn't mind.
It was just a meal, and he hadn't charged Minato for helping teach his students, so he could accept this treat without guilt.
Various teams were passing their evaluations.
So naturally, more teams were taking missions. Kyōichi managed to secure three missions after much discussion.
The same rules applied.
The difference was that this time Asuma was chopping wood, while Shisui went to carry water.
There was a reason for switching Asuma.
"You've already mastered Wind Release nature transformation, right?"
"Yes, Sensei."
"Good, use Wind Release chakra with your kunai to chop wood. Once you've mastered it, I'll teach you a jutsu."
Kyōichi planned to teach him Vacuum Blade.
This B-rank technique had considerable power. Currently, Asuma's chakra blades hadn't been made yet, and his fighting style was still unclear.
This technique would complement his future Flying Swallow combat style.
Today he didn't need to focus much on Kurenai, as her cat was nearby, so Kyōichi continued his own training, practicing taijutsu while his shadow clone observed Shisui nearby while practicing swordsmanship.
During this time, he met several familiar faces.
Like Might Guy's team, Team Seven, and even Might Duy.
Unlike Might Guy's group, Might Duy was a longtime genin, long past the age of teaming up with others. He had been training and doing missions alone for many years, and today was no different.
However, something was different today - Might Duy seemed somewhat melancholic.
"Duy-senpai, why the sigh?"
Kyōichi sat on a tree branch.
Logically, Might Duy should be happy about his upcoming promotion, not sighing all day.
Could it be... he was worried about the promotion?
"Ah, Kyōichi-sensei... it's complicated."
Might Duy sighed.
Kyōichi body flickered beside him and learned that yesterday, the Third had talked with him about the Eight Gates.
Sarutobi Hiruzen hadn't asked him to hand over the forbidden technique, but instead expressed his intention to promote him to Special Jonin in taijutsu.
This should have been good news.
But Might Duy had been a genin for twenty years, had grown accustomed to genin life, and suddenly being promoted to Special Jonin left him confused about what to do.
So, despite becoming a Special Jonin, he still took a D-rank mission - carrying water.
"Special Jonin is different from regular Jonin. It means you have special talent in a particular area, without requirements for team leadership or special missions. You can just live normally."
Kyōichi explained.
Jonin needed all-round abilities - like Naruto, without certain knowledge levels, he couldn't become a Jonin even with Kage-level power.
Special Jonin requirements were lower.
Might Duy paused after hearing this and said, "But as a Special Jonin, doing D-rank missions..."
"Does that matter to you?"
Kyōichi was surprised.
If twenty years as a genin hadn't bothered him, why worry about doing D-rank missions as a Special Jonin?
That made sense.
Might Duy agreed somewhat, but felt something was still off.
He scratched his head and said, "Not sure how to explain it. Oh right, I modified your Seven Heaven Breaths Method according to my understanding. Don't know if it's correct - I meant to ask you to check, but forgot with everything being so busy."
"Oh? Let's try it."
Kyōichi's eyes lit up, quickly gesturing for Might Duy to try it on him.
"I won't use it first."
With that, Might Duy launched a kick.
Such power!
Kyōichi blocked with his hand, and though he used chakra to offset some force, it still hurt slightly.
"Next..."
Might Duy spoke, quickly launching another kick.
The speed and power were much greater!
Before contact, Kyōichi sensed trouble and quickly used Earth Spears to reinforce his arm.
Bang!
A dull sound.
Under the massive force, Kyōichi retreated several steps.
"This?"
Kyōichi was very surprised.
After thinking for a few seconds, he said, "Try once more."
"Alright."
Might Duy took a deep breath and launched a flying kick.
Kyōichi blocked it - the power was still immense, but he was prepared this time and grabbed Might Duy's ankle.
At that moment, the other foot twisted around toward his head!
"It's indeed effective, but aren't you approaching the First Gate state?"
"After using my modified Activation Technique, I found my First Gate would partially open unconsciously, giving me better control over my body."
Might Duy nodded.
He didn't understand much theory, relying on his own exploration, and wasn't sure if this version was good or bad.