This kid, he's completely black on the inside

"Alright."

Kyōichi didn't refuse.

Exchanging secret techniques was common practice among many ninja.

Of course.

Family inherited secret techniques were generally not taught externally. Such techniques were more often self-created, like Jiraiya's hair techniques.

The Hair Needle Senbon was very useful, there was no reason to refuse.

He explained the theory and method of the Seven Days Breath once, and then elaborated on some of the localized effects he had developed so far with skin breathing -

Leg amplification, increasing speed.

Hand amplification, speeding up hand seals.

And even, he wanted to achieve one-handed seals in the future, so Ninjutsu and sword skills could be combined.

Jiraiya listened, fascinated.

After all, he was one of the Legendary Sannin, with deep knowledge reserves. With his foundation in skin breathing, he quickly learned local amplification - in fact, this was the effect Jiraiya coveted the most.

Compared to the original Seven Days Breath, he preferred the localized stimulation of active techniques.

After some experimentation...

Jiraiya said, "This technique is so useful that even though the learning curve is compared to S-rank jutsu, I think it can be slightly promoted as a learnable forbidden technique."

"Oh? I was thinking of reducing the learning difficulty a bit more..."

"Difficult, very difficult!"

Jiraiya understood Kyōichi's intentions.

If he could lower this technique to A-rank difficulty, many Jōnin and elite Chūnin would have a chance to master it, greatly increasing battlefield survival rates.

But cellular stimulation itself was delicate work.

Without sufficient chakra control, it was impossible to master it. What Kyōichi was researching now with skin breathing was even more difficult. Even lowering it, it was impossible to reach A-rank.

Kyōichi could only sigh regretfully.

"Now it's my turn to teach you, my technique is called Hair Needle Senbon..."

With hand seals, chakra extraction techniques, learning Ninjutsu was not difficult.

Kyōichi quickly grasped it.

But he was very curious, what was Jiraiya's original motivation for creating this technique?

To avoid getting beat up while peeping?

He couldn't figure it out.

After exchanging secret techniques, Jiraiya bid Kyōichi farewell, then chuckled and left.

No doubt he got "lost" again.

Kyōichi shook his head.

The Legendary Sannin really had...unique hobbies.

He glanced at the system panel.

[Completed 'Secret Technique' Exchange]

[Evaluation: Mediocre]

[Reward: Fire Sealing Method]

Mediocre?

Kyōichi was surprised at first, then understood the reason.

Jiraiya didn't need to be taught at all. In fact, after explaining the principles, Jiraiya had already mastered the active techniques. He was just too embarrassed to openly freeload.

So the system rated it as an "exchange" rather than teaching, with a low evaluation.

However.

The Fire Sealing Method could even seal Amaterasu, it was very useful in itself - if the Fourth Raikage knew the Fire Sealing Method, would he have needed to cut off his arm directly?

Grasping similar concepts was still useful.

He obtained the Hair Needle Senbon, the Fire Sealing Method was basically freeloading. Moreover, sealing techniques were extremely precious, with extremely difficult learning curves. Learning one was definitely worth it.

Thinking this, his thoughts instantly aligned.

As for Jiraiya...

As a righteous person, he could not tolerate such things happening.

Exiting the forest, he happened to run into a female teacher from the Academy and casually mentioned to her that someone was lurking around.

Soon after.

A wretched cry rang out, followed by furious yelling.

Kyōichi lightly coughed and left the area, deeply concealing his merits and fame.

After some time.

Jiraiya appeared resentfully in front of Kyōichi.

"Little Kyōichi, I had just hidden away when someone came right after, you must have sold me out!"

"Lord Jiraiya, I didn't do that. Someone just happened to be passing by. Oh right, I heard you almost died from this in your early years?"

Kyōichi chuckled.

Jiraiya gnashed his teeth, the two understood each other implicitly.

However, thinking of this kid's identity...

He shivered all over.

If Tsunade knew he had almost brought Kyōichi to do that, she would certainly beat him half to death.

"Alas, I'm the kind of person who gets lost easily. You see the misunderstanding this caused. Can't drink this wine, cough cough, I'm leaving, leaving now."

Jiraiya coughed awkwardly, then decisively took his leave.

Returning to the village, he remembered.

Why did the name Kyōichi Kamida sound so familiar?

In Minato's letter, he mentioned many times how much he admired his talented junior, who had all kinds of ingenious ideas and was especially amazing in education - that guy seemed to be named Kyōichi as well.

"Minato is still young after all."

Jiraiya sighed.

This kid looked pure, but was actually black on the inside, just like Orochimaru.

Of course.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with Kyōichi.

Creative, full of enthusiasm for the village, willing to share many techniques to strengthen the Leaf -

Not to mention the Academy.

Kyōichi had done very well.

This year's graduates were definitely the highest overall quality compared to previous years. Their Ninjutsu foundations were extremely solid, and they could quickly integrate into Genin teams.

The joint training was also a great idea.

Many things weren't difficult, but no one would think of them. Many of Kyōichi's ideas were like this.

In Jiraiya's eyes, Kyōichi was the same type of person as Orochimaru.

Kyōichi didn't know Jiraiya evaluated him so highly. After parting with Jiraiya, he went straight to the Hokage building to fulfill his promise and submit the intermediate results of his active techniques research.

As a result.

He met the Third Hokage, who spoke of a thorny matter before he could even mention his techniques.

"Asuma came back and told me he wants to take on B-rank missions to train himself. This is your doing, isn't it?"

"Misunderstanding!"

Kyōichi coughed repeatedly upon hearing this.

That Asuma, he really went and caused trouble?

He was just joking!

"Alright, stop pretending. I know your capabilities, and Asuma has also improved greatly, matured in many ways. First take a look at this..."

The Third took out a mission scroll.

Kyōichi was stunned for a moment.

There really was a mission?

He accepted it and read it for a while, his expression gradually becoming serious.

The mission location - the Land of Rivers!

This was intelligence provided by the bandits they had captured.

Those people were originally roaming samurai from the Land of Rivers.

Although they also robbed for a living in the Land of Rivers, they generally didn't dare come to the Land of Fire. But recently, the Land of Rivers had an influx of ninja who cleared out the rampaging bandits, forcing these people to flee to the Land of Fire.

Northern Land of Rivers, ninja...

Akatsuki?

Kyōichi thought of this possibility.

He solemnly said, "Lord Hokage, this isn't a B-rank mission, is it?"

This kind of mission could escalate to A-rank or even S-rank at any time.

Kyōichi and the others might not be able to handle it.

He wasn't reckless like Kakashi, clearly knowing the mission circumstances in the Land of Waves yet insisting on completing it alone with his subordinates. If he hadn't held back, Naruto and Sasuke would have been in grave danger.

"Of course not."

The Third nodded, then said after a pause, "Minato's team left two days ago for the Land of Rivers to carry out a C-rank mission. Although it shouldn't be too dangerous, I still want you to provide backup support. This is Minato's kunai."

"This mark is for the Flying Thunder God?"

"Yes, if you encounter any danger, Minato will be able to teleport everyone to your side. Right now the Anbu are occupied in other countries, there are no extra manpower at all. I can only have you go complete this, the village will pay the reward."

The Third sighed.

The Land of Wind, Earth, and Lightning all needed monitoring. Orochimaru had just come and mentioned Kyōichi's words, saying the eastern Land of Water also needed people sent.

The Great War had just ended alas...

"Understood, I'll head out immediately."