I, Konoha's Sage of Life

"So fast!"

Shisui couldn't help but exclaim.

He had expected his teacher to be skilled, but he never imagined that Kanda Kyoichi's Body Flicker Jutsu would be so fast it seemed almost instantaneous, requiring no visible hand seals.

Just now, he barely sensed any chakra fluctuation.

This meant...

If Kyoichi were to ambush him, Shisui might not even have time to react.

"Amazing…"

The other students were also in awe.

They couldn't understand the mechanics behind it, but one thing was clear—it was incredibly fast.

So fast it looked like teleportation.

"Shisui, now you demonstrate for everyone," Kyoichi instructed.

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, Shisui formed hand seals, gathered his chakra, and flashed behind Kyoichi.

However...

His speed was significantly slower in comparison.

While it might not seem like a huge difference to the untrained eye, to those paying attention, the disparity was obvious.

"Did everyone see the difference?"

"Yes!"

Genma Shiranui nodded fervently, excitement written all over his face.

He had finally understood.

The same Body Flicker Jutsu, but with minute differences in chakra control and hand seal execution, could have vastly different results. In combat, these small details could determine victory, defeat, or even survival.

"Today, I'll be teaching the finer points of the Body Flicker Jutsu," Kyoichi said, delving into the nuances of the technique.

The civilian children were wide-eyed with excitement, as were students from smaller clans like Genma. Kyoichi's insights weren't secret techniques, but they were invaluable to those who had limited access to advanced knowledge.

Asuma, however, listened with growing confusion.

Why would a teacher...

Family clans thrive on techniques and secrets. Yet here Kyoichi was, openly sharing his understanding of the Body Flicker Jutsu in a public setting. It was almost as if he were giving away the very foundation of his clan's strength.

It didn't make sense.

At this point, Asuma hadn't yet matured into the seasoned jonin who would later understand the true meaning of the "King" in the Will of Fire. For now, he was just a confused student, full of questions.

The lesson ended.

Asuma left with his thoughts in disarray.

"The war is nearing its end, and shinobi are gradually returning to the village. Soon, classes will be reorganized by grade. Opportunities to study together like this will become rare," Kyoichi remarked.

"These techniques I've shared today aren't part of the curriculum. I could have chosen not to teach them."

"Ah!" Asuma's ears perked up at this statement.

He wasn't the only one curious—many of the students, including Shisui, were intrigued.

"But in recent years, wars have been frequent. Although we've just ended the conflict with Sunagakure, who knows what might happen next year? My parents died on the battlefield long ago. I was fortunate to survive by chance."

"Many of you will graduate soon. I hope all of you can survive."

"Class dismissed."

Kyoichi waved his hand, signaling the end of the class.

But…

None of the students left.

They had an inkling that their teacher might be leaving them.

As Kyoichi had mentioned, this class had been formed due to the lack of available instructors during the war. Now that peace was returning, the mixed-grade class would naturally be disbanded.

And besides...

"Someone as skilled as Sensei can't remain a teacher for long. He's probably already been recommended for promotion to jonin," Kurenai Yuhi murmured from the back.

Her father was a chunin instructor, so she understood well the typical power level of most chunin. Kyoichi's abilities far surpassed that. The village wouldn't leave someone like him in a teaching role, especially not during wartime.

Asuma, meanwhile, was deeply shaken.

His father's words came to mind.

The Will of Fire.

What is the Will of Fire?

Perhaps Kyoichi's actions were the answer.

"You brats better stop overthinking. Go on, get out of here! Don't forget to practice after class—I'll be checking your progress next time."

Kyoichi's tone was casual, but his words carried weight.

Part of his speech had been genuine, but another part was strategic. He wanted to test whether the system's rewards were influenced by the emotional responses of those he taught. If so, he'd know how to maximize his efforts in the future.

After all, moral lessons were a form of education too.

If he didn't make his deeds known, how would Hiruzen and the others notice?

Kyoichi was quite impressed with his own ingenuity.

Indeed, he wasn't wrong. Several people had been observing him closely—Hiruzen Sarutobi among them.

Watching through his Telescope Jutsu, Hiruzen was stunned, then deeply moved.

As expected...

Kanda Kyoichi truly embodied the Will of Fire!

"Just as I thought, he's a worthy descendant of his teacher."

Hiruzen was filled with emotion.

Through his surveillance, he also noticed Uchiha Fugaku standing near the school gate. Thinking about the Uchiha Clan, Hiruzen chuckled to himself.

Kyoichi was remarkable.

Assigned to a temporary teaching role, he had managed to turn even Shisui into someone as upright and loyal as Obito had once been.

What a talent.

If only he were part of my faction.

If Kyoichi became Tsunade's apprentice, there might even be a chance for him to ascend to the Hokage's seat in the future.

Hiruzen pondered deeply.

---

Outside the school gates…

Shisui followed Kyoichi out, asking several detailed questions about the Body Flicker Jutsu. Kyoichi answered them all without hesitation.

When Shisui noticed Fugaku waiting at the gate, he hesitated briefly before bowing.

"Sensei, are you going to become a jonin soon?"

"Probably," Kyoichi replied after a moment of thought.

The jonin exam was more of a formality for someone like him. His achievements weren't sufficient yet, but his abilities made his promotion inevitable.

"I see. Thank you, Sensei… Well, I should get going now."

Shisui smiled, took a deep breath to organize his thoughts, and walked toward Fugaku.

Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly, gave Kyoichi a distant nod, and led Shisui away.

Back at the Uchiha compound...

"Shisui, that teacher—he's the new one assigned recently?"

"Yes. His name is Kanda Kyoichi. He's an excellent teacher," Shisui replied respectfully.

"I heard you've been helping with chores in the village, carrying water and chopping firewood with Obito?"

"Yes. I noticed that the villagers seem to dislike me, but they don't treat Obito the same way. I was curious, so I observed and tried doing what he does. As it turns out, the villagers stopped avoiding me."

Shisui smiled earnestly, looking up at Fugaku.

"Clan leader, I think our Uchiha clan should also try engaging more with the villagers. Otherwise, they'll continue to misunderstand us."

"Uh…" Fugaku was momentarily stunned, gently patting Shisui's head without saying a word.

Shisui was only five years old.

But his words carried a profound weight, startling Fugaku to his core.

A five-year-old was already considering the clan's position and future, rather than just his own interests.

It was remarkable.

After a long silence, Fugaku sighed. "It's easier said than done… But it's good that you have this perspective. You're different from Obito."

Unlike Obito, who acted purely on instinct and emotion, Shisui's actions were thoughtful and purposeful. This difference reassured Fugaku.

"Clan leader, after I graduate, may I join another jonin's team?" Shisui asked.

"You want to join Kanda Kyoichi's squad?"

Fugaku hesitated.

Previously, he would have outright refused. But Shisui's maturity and intelligence had given him pause. Perhaps this was an opportunity—Kyoichi could serve as a bridge for the Uchiha to integrate better into the village, and maybe even gain favor with the Hokage.

After some thought, Fugaku nodded. "I understand. If Kanda Kyoichi becomes a jonin and is willing to take a team, I'll suggest it to the Third Hokage."

"Thank you, Clan Leader!" Shisui bowed deeply.

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