This era was still quite different from the one Naruto experienced iure.

  The sele for the in and Jōnin exams was decided entirely by the vilge. The joint in Exams, after all, were a product of post-war diplomacy, a strategy for peacetime inter-vilge petition.

  Thus, this Jōnin exam was an internal affair within Konoha.

  During wartime, the promotion process for Jōnin was usually straightforward. However, the current situation was uhe war was nearing its end.

  Yes...

  The Third Hokage had mentioo Kyoichi that the war on the frontlines had essentially cluded. Sunagakure had sued for peace, and ninjas from both sides had begun withdrawing. The flict was in its final stages, and some shinobi were even expected to return to the vilge soon.

  Discussions about the ninja academy graduation exams were also underway.

  “Looks like I o speed things up. With so many little mbs, it’d be a shame not to shear them.”

  Kyoichi silently schemed.

  Based on his uanding of the system, teag the wave of lessons on the Body Flicker Jutsu could bring him signifit rewards.

  But...

  Simply teag children only provided so much.

  “This system... it needs more research.”

  From what he could gather from the beginner rewards, the bes he’d earned so far weren’t particurly impressive. There had to be a way to unlock higher rewards!

  The day, Kyoichi had no csses scheduled. He left a shadow e to practice swordsmanship while he went out for physical training.

  The streets were noticeably busier.

  It seemed some ninjas had already returned!

  Kyoichi spotted a familiar figure.

  green...

  Might Guy.

  At the age of seven, Guy had graduated from the ninja academy. During one exam, he eve up against Obito, cutting off his hand seals mid-attempt at a Grand Fireball Jutsu.

  After jogging a little further, Kyoichi saw another “familiar face.”

  Might Duy!

  Dressed identically, except for a bit more facial hair, he was essentially a rger version of Guy.

  Might Duy?

  Kyoichi’s mind lit up.

  Now that romising target!

  While others might uimate him, Kyoichi knew full well how strong Might Duy’s body was.

  In the inal story, despite g formal taijutsu teiques, Duy used sheer physical strength and the Eight Gates Formation to single-handedly annihite the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

  If he mastered actual taijutsu teiques, the results would be unimaginable!

  Kyoichi felt a surge of excitement.

  If he could guide Duy, the system’s rewards would surely be extraordinary.

  However...

  Rushing in to offer unsolicited advice might just make Duy think he was crazy. He’d have to take it slow.

  With that thought, Kyoichi tinued his run as usual.

  At first, Duy didn’t notice him.

  But by the sed p, Duy began to take note of the young man running tirelessly around the vilge.

  A ninja with such dedication to physical training? And so young—no older than fifteen or sixteen!

  Duy’s curiosity iqued.

  By the third and fourth ps, Might Guy couldn’t hold baymore.

  Kyoichi smirked inwardly.

  Kids are so impatient—they just ’t resist a challenge.

  As Guy picked up the pace, Kyoichi followed suit.

  Thanks to his awakened Senju bloodline, Kyoichi’s recovery was swift. While his body wasn’t as robust as Duy’s, he thought to himself: If I ’t outrun your dad, I at least outrun you!

  After an huy noticed something uling—Kyoichi wasn’t even out of breath. This older boy had clearly been holding back. If he pushed himself, he could easily overtake Guy without much effort.

  Just as Guy debated whether to remove his weights...

  “Guy! You fool!”

  Thud!

  A dull, heavy sound.

  Might Guy went flying after being kicked by his father.

  In an instant, Might Duy darted over and cradled his son’s head, tears streaming down his face.

  “You idiot! Hard training isn’t for showing off or peting out of pride!”

  “Yes, Father, I uand now...”

  Duy took a deep breath.

  No wonder Kisame had called Guy a “rare beast.” The sheer etricity of this father-son duo was already clear.

  The two of them hugged each other a openly.

  Even though Kyoichi had seen this dynami the anime, experieng it in real life filled him with sedhand embarrassment. In his time, these two would’ve been sidered the pinnacle of “socially fearless” individuals.

  They were too much.

  Even to the bystanders, the sight was awkward.

  Kyoichi debated whether to quietly slip away aurn ter.

  Fortunately, the g soon stopped.

  “Thank you for your patieh my son!” Duy said gratefully.

  Though he wasn’t sure of Kyoichi’s rank, Duy could sehat the boy was at least a in, possibly higher.

  “It’s just training. No harm done.”

  Kyoichi shook his head and tinued jogging. After a while, he stopped in a wooded area to practie teiques.

  Specifically, taijutsu teiques.

  Kyoichi ractig the Leaf Whirlwind, a erstone move in Guy’s Strong Fist style. Many advaeiques were derived from this basic move, and its difficulty level wasn’t particurly high.

  In fact, Kyoichi’s shadow e had already mastered the move after half a day’s training.

  At first, Duy and Guy didn’t pay much attention.

  But after passing by several times and seeing Kyoichi repeatedly practig the spinning kick, their curiosity iqued.

  Finally...

  “Aren’t you two supposed to be running?”

  “Ah... apologies! We couldn’t help but watch your training. We meant no disrespect!”

  Duy immediately bowed in apology.

  While ninja training wasn’t usually a private affair, openly another’s teique could easily cause misuandings.

  “It’s nothing. This move is still a work in progress. If you’re ied, feel free to join me. By the way, my name is Kanda Kyoichi. I teach at the ninja academy. And you are?”

  “You’re a teacher at the academy?”

  Guy was surprised.

  Kyoichi didn’t look much older than him...

  “Yes, I am. And you?”

  “Sensei, I am Might Duy, and this is my son, Might Guy,” Duy introduced them formally.

  “You both have incredible physiques. Would you like to colborate on developing taijutsu teiques?”

  “Well...”

  “You’d really teach us?”

  Duy hesitated, but Guy’s excitement alpable.

  This teique was exactly his style—he wao learn!

  “It’s just taijutsu,” Kyoichi said nontly.

  He demonstrated again, this time kig a tree with a spinning motion.

  The sturdy trunk shook violently.

  “See? It’s just a basic spinning kick. But when bined with physical strength and chakra, it achieve varying levels of power.”

  To prove his point, Kyoichi aimed at a nearby rock.

  Boom!

  The rock shattered with a single kick.

  “Amazing! Father, did you see that?”

  Guy turo Duy, eyes shining with admiration.

  He desperately wao learn.

  But...

  Duy had oold him it took him twenty years to master the Eight Gates. If he got distracted by learning other teiques, it might hinder his progress.

  Guy hesitated.

  Duy was also unsure.

  Both father and son were outcasts in the vilge, often ridiculed and looked down upon. This young ie his youth, was friendly and even offered to teach them taijutsu...

  “Sensei, I...”

  “It’s just taijutsu.”

  Kyoichi didn’t push them. Instead, he tinued practig.

  Guy began mimig the movements.

  Duy hesitated for a moment but ultimately chose not to stop his son.

  Gcell