Time passed quickly.
Kyōichi had been quite busy these past few days.
It wasn't Asuma or Shisui who were causing him trouble—
they were relatively self-sufficient.
Basically, all he had to do was give them a ninjutsu or taijutsu technique, and they would train and research on their own.
Moreover.
When these two trained and studied, their proficiency in ninjutsu and taijutsu techniques would also improve.
They were essentially steady sources of growth for him.
The headache was Kurenai.
Medical ninjutsu wasn't easy to teach.
During this time, Kyōichi had sent a letter to Tsunade, asking for her advice. Katsuyu was very cooperative and didn't show the slightest impatience.
This made Kyōichi like the Slug Sage even more—
Among the Three Great Sage Lands, the Slug Sage was probably the easiest to talk to.
He had asked about the secrets of the Super Strength Technique and mentioned Yūhi Kurenai. Tsunade didn't reply for the entire afternoon, but when Katsuyu returned, it brought a scroll.
A handwritten scroll on the Super Strength Technique!
Kyōichi quickly mastered it.
His chakra control was already strong enough that he didn't need time to adapt.
However, at his current level, the Super Strength Technique wasn't as effective as using his sword—unless it was combined with the Seven Heavenly Breaths Method.
Of course.
This was relative to Kyōichi's own swordsmanship.
For Kurenai, even a basic mastery of the Super Strength Technique would be enough to compensate for her shortcomings in close combat as a support ninja.
But.
The prerequisite was that Kurenai fully mastered the Mystical Palm Technique.
Fortunately…
"Sensei, I succeeded!"
"Good. You can go and share the good news with Yūhi-sensei. He won't need to add more fish to his fridge."
A faint smile appeared on Kyōichi's face.
Success!
Kurenai sat down, feeling a bit dizzy. She quickly ate a soldier pill.
"Next, I'm going to teach you a taijutsu technique. You've heard of Tsunade-sama, right?"
"Yes."
Yūhi Kurenai nodded repeatedly, her eyes shining.
Tsunade was her idol. As a female ninja, her greatest goal was to become a great ninja like Tsunade.
So.
She could guess which technique it was.
"Tsunade-sama's taijutsu might not suit you perfectly because your physical constitution is relatively weaker. So, you can't use this technique as a regular move."
Kyōichi spoke seriously.
Although the Super Strength Technique was a nin-taijutsu, it relied more on chakra control. However, executing it required mobilizing the body's muscles to produce an instant burst of power.
Kurenai clearly didn't have the physical strength for that.
"Use it as a trump card?"
Kurenai was initially disappointed but quickly understood her teacher's meaning.
"Exactly. You need to learn to use your feet for this technique because your hands will be busy forming seals."
"Understood! Please guide me, Sensei!"
Kurenai bowed deeply.
Kyōichi took out the scroll and let her read it first.
After reading for a while, Kurenai immediately started practicing.
It was difficult!
In fact…
During the process, she strained her ligaments several times but refused Kyōichi's help, healing herself with the Mystical Palm Technique.
She wasn't afraid of hardship.
Not far away.
Kurenai's father, Yūhi Shinku, arrived with a basket of food.
"I was worried her mother would feel heartbroken seeing her like this, so I brought this myself. Please make sure she eats it. Also… thank you very much for your guidance."
Yūhi Shinku bowed deeply.
He knew exactly what Kyōichi was teaching.
The Super Strength Technique!
A secret technique of the Senju clan.
"It's nothing. As long as she's willing to learn and endure the hardships, I'm willing to teach. She'll go far!"
Kyōichi sighed with emotion.
These words.
He had once thought he might use them in a conversation with a parent in his previous life.
Unexpectedly.
After crossing over, they finally came in handy.
Yūhi Shinku bowed and left.
If he stayed too long, his daughter would notice him.
But.
Kyōichi knew that Kurenai's sensory abilities were strong. She had probably already sensed him.
Because she was training even harder now.
"Eat something."
"I can't let them down."
"Effort is the cheapest thing in the ninja world. While you're improving through hard work, so is everyone else. So, on the battlefield, coordination and command are more important."
Except for cheaters and maniacs.
Kyōichi thought to himself.
Clearly, Kurenai wasn't a cheater, nor was she a taijutsu maniac like Might Guy.
During these days, every team was undergoing special training.
Shisui had already mastered several wind-release techniques that didn't require tools, such as the Vacuum Wave.
Recently, he had been practicing genjutsu.
The Willow Technique, as well as a light-sword technique Kyōichi had created himself.
Although Shisui guessed that there might be issues with tools during the Chūnin Exams, he felt his main focus should still be on swordsmanship—his Body Flicker Technique hadn't been neglected either.
As for Asuma, it was even simpler.
He also wanted to continue training without letting the Chūnin Exams affect his progress, so…
Kyōichi taught him the Flying Swallow.
What comes from the people, goes back to the people!
Kyōichi naturally gained a lot as well.
Aside from proficiency.
In wind-release ninjutsu, he had mastered another technique.
Wind Release: Pressure Damage!
A terrifyingly powerful technique, considered one of the flagship wind-release techniques.
Although he didn't have any special enhancements in wind release, having an extra technique was always better than not having it.
At the same time.
The Chūnin Exams were about to begin.
Kyōichi received the news in advance and came to the venue to arrange the exam area.
Most of the resource points were sealed in boxes, and the surroundings were sprinkled with medicine to prevent wild animals from damaging them.
After finishing, the Hokage arrived.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Kyōichi, is the exam area ready?"
"Yes, the resource map for the exam area was prepared in advance. It can be shown to the students after the first exam."
Kyōichi took out a large scroll.
Inside was a map of the exam area.
Sandaime nodded, glanced at the entire Forest of Death from above, and then coughed lightly. "Kyōichi, Konoha is short on funds right now. I promised you an A-rank reward, but we really don't have much money."
"Huh?"
Are you trying to stiff me?!
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not saying I won't pay. It's just that money is tight right now, so we can compensate you with other things, like ninjutsu or supplies."
Sandaime coughed lightly.
Kyōichi's expression clearly showed that he had misunderstood.
"That's not a problem. I was actually planning to make a chakra weapon. Do you have any chakra iron, Hokage-sama?"
Obviously, he did.
Because Asuma's knuckle knives hadn't been made yet.
"Well…"
Sandaime hesitated for a moment but finally nodded. "No problem, but you'll need to add some money."
"Understood!"
Kyōichi happily reached an agreement.
Chakra iron was something money couldn't necessarily buy.
This was definitely a win.
"The exam is about to start. We'll discuss the details later."
Sandaime breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as they could negotiate, it was fine.
He was just worried this kid would insist on money.
At this moment, the ninjas began entering the venue.
Outside, apart from the team leaders, only two people hadn't gone in—Hatake Kakashi and Might Duy, who had been promoted to Special Jōnin.
At this moment, Duy was crying tears of joy, forming a striking scene alongside Might Guy.
Sandaime looked around.
Not many were participating.
Because some had already been promoted during the war, and the remaining long-term Genin hadn't signed up. So, most of the participants this time were Genin who had graduated in the past three or four years.
Observing.
"How's Tsunade doing?"
"She's fine. She's made some money recently and paid off part of her debt. You don't need to worry about debt collectors coming to Konoha."
"Tsunade can make money?"
Sandaime was shocked, his face full of surprise.
Definitely her real teacher.
Kyōichi wanted to laugh but still explained to him, "It's not from gambling."
"Oh, that makes sense. With her skills, as long as she doesn't gamble, she can make money in any industry."