Kyoichi g Shisui and Obito.

  The two of them were por opposites.

  Obito was carefree and unburdened, happy as long as he had food to eat and games to py. His disposition was extraordinarily kind, but he cked critical thinking.

  In trast, Shisui…

  He wasly a genius either, but ever since meeting Kyoichi, it seemed like his thought process had found the right path, and he didn’t seem so clueless anymore. At this moment, he appeared to be deep in thought.

  Kyoichi’s assumption wasn’t baseless.

  [You have guided Uchiha Shisui’s thoughts and altered the course of his life.]

  [Evaluation: Good.]

  [Reward: Mist Paviliosu.]

  This was the first time an evaluation had appeared so mysteriously. Clearly, Shisui had gained some sort of insight just now, and Kyoichi was curious about what exactly he had been thinking.

  As for the reward—it was intriguing.

  The Mist Paviliosu…

  Wasn’t that the Seizukage’s summoning teique?

  How could this be learned?

  Kyoichi was slightly surprised as the principle and knowledge of the teique flowed into his mind. His expression turned odd.

  This teique…

  How should o it?

  It was a half-finished product.

  The Mist Paviliosu used dense mist to create mirage-like illusions, thus achieving the effect of genjutsu.

  The problem was…

  Kyoichi currently didn’t know any mist-based illusion teiques.

  “Looks like I o figure out how to acquire the Hidden Mist Jutsu,” Kyoichi thought.

  If he could obtain it, it would signifitly improve his stealth capabilities, especially against Mist Vilge ninja.

  Not that he was pining about the freebie.

  And perhaps…

  It could even merge with his swordsmanship?

  Illusion Sword Teique…

  Kyoichi’s mind began spinning with ideas.

  Minato Namikaze observed him quietly and couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration.

  No wonder Kyoichi had bee a in at thirteen and a Jōnin just a year ter. His stant habit of p and refleg on tactid teiques must have helped him accumute a wealth of knowledge and skill over time.

  Unlike himself, who had Jiraiya as a mentor, Kyoichi had no one guiding him.

  “Just you wait, Kakashi! Once I awaken my Sharingan, I’ll definitely beat you!”

  “Hmph, dream on, dead st.”

  “Obito,” Minato said thoughtfully, “there’s no such thing as an absolute genius. If you put in enough effort, think deeply, and train diligently, you’ll have a ce to surpass Kakashi—even without the Sharingan.”

  Kyoichi was the perfect example of a hardw genius.

  Of course, Kyoichi wasn’t aware of the high regard Minato had for him. At the moment, his thoughts were still on the possibility of bining his swordsmanship with the Mist Paviliosu.

  Perhaps…

  Water-based ninjutsu that geed vapor could also create a mirage-like effect, though it wouldn’t be as stable.

  But…

  The crux of his swordsmanship eed. If he could fuse his oppo’s vision, even for an instant, it could be fatal.

  Except against someone like Kamui.

  And this was visual misdire rather than traditional genjutsu. Even the Sharingan might not see through it easily.

  There was definitely research potential here!

  ---

  After the meal, despite Kyoichi’s efforts, Minato insisted on c the bill.

  Kyoichi didn’t mind.

  It was just a meal, and he’d been teag Minato’s students for free anyway. He ate with a clear sce.

  As more squads passed their evaluations, the number of teams taking on missions also increased. Kyoichi mao secure three tasks for his team—though it took some effort.

  The routine remaihe same.

  This time, however, Asuma was assigo chop wood, while Shisui carried water.

  Switg Asuma had a specific purpose.

  “You’ve already mastered Wind Release chakra transformation, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, Sensei.”

  “Good. Use Wind Release chakra with your kunai to chop wood. Once you’ve mastered it, I’ll teach you a eique.”

  Kyoichi inteo teach him Vacuum Bde.

  It was a B-rank teique with siderable power. Since Asuma didn’t yet have his chakra bdes, his bat style was still unfocused. This teique would align well with his future use of the Flying Swallow teique.

  Meanwhile, Kurenai was nearby, busy with her own task of catg a cat. Kyoichi left her alone for now, fog on his own physical training while a shadow onitored Shisui, and practig swordsmanship simultaneously.

  ---

  During this time, Kyoichi ran into several familiar faces: Might Guy’s team, Team 7, and even Might Duy.

  Unlike Guy’s team, Might Duy was a veteran Genin who had long surpassed the age for team assigs. For over two decades, he had trained and uaken missions alooday was no exception.

  However…

  Duy seemed unusually peoday.

  “Duy-senpai, what’s with the sighs?” Kyoichi asked from a tree branch.

  Logically, Duy should be in high spirits, sidering he was on the cusp of a promotion.

  Could he actually be troubled by it?

  “Ah, Kyoichi-sensei… It’s hard to expin.”

  Duy sighed deeply.

  Kyoichi fshed to his side. After a brief chat, he learhat the Hokage had spoken with Duy about the Eight Gates.

  Hiruzen didn’t demand the forbidden teique from him. Instead, he expressed his io promote Duy to the rank of Tokubetsu Jōnin, specializing in taijutsu.

  This should have bee news.

  But after being a Genin for two decades, Duy had grown aced to his role. Suddenly being elevated to Tokubetsu Jōni him at a loss, unsure of how to adapt.

  So…

  Despite the promotioill took on a D-rank mission—carrying water.

  “Tokubetsu Jōnin is different from Jōnin,” Kyoichi expined. “You’re being reized for your unique expertise. There’s no requirement to lead teams or take on special assigs unless you want to. You tinue living as you always have.”

  “Really?”

  Duy seemed surprised.

  “Of course. Why should it matter if you’re doing D-rank missions as a Tokubetsu Jōnin?”

  That made sense.

  Duy nodded in agreement, though something about it still felt off. Scratg his head, he said, “ht! I modified your Seven Heavens Breathihod. I wanted you to take a look, but I’ve been so busy tely that I fot.”

  “Oh?”

  Kyoichi’s i iqued. “Let’s test it out.”

  “Alright!”

  Duy took a deep breath and unched a kick at Kyoichi.

  The force was tremendous!

  Kyoichi blocked it with his arm, using chakra to mitigate some of the impact, but it still stung.

  “…”

  Duy’s kick came even faster and harder!

  Sensing danger, Kyoichi used Earth Spear to reinforce his arm.

  Boom!

  The impact forced him back several steps.

  “What?”

  Kyoichi was shocked. After a moment of thought, he said, “Try it again.”

  “Alright…”

  Duy took another deep breath before attag once more.

  This time, Kyoichi was ready and mao grab Duy’s ankle.

  At that moment…

  Duy’s swung toward Kyoichi’s head!

  “It’s definitely effective. But… are you sure this isn’t close to opening the First Gate?” Kyoichi asked.

  “When I use the improved teique, I feel the First Gate partially opening on its own. It gives me better trol over my body.”

  Duy nodded early.

  His modifications were based on intuition rather than theory. Whether they were good or bad remaio be seen.

  Gcell