Do You Know the Will of Fire?

"The Clone Technique is the most fundamental yet chakra-efficient ninjutsu for shinobi. In the training grounds, we can use high-powered ninjutsu without worrying about chakra consumption, but it's different on the battlefield."

"Conserving a bit of chakra may save a life."

Kyōichi began by explaining his own understanding and techniques of the "Clone Technique".

Some came from his predecessors, but more from the "Clone Technique" knowledge provided by the system.

Everyone listened attentively.

Things were different now compared to the past.

Consecutive wars caused disconnect between the young and old in Konoha, with more and more children graduating early to join the war, like Kakashi, Might Guy, etc.

Many in this mixed class may go to war this year.

The guidance from a veteran shinobi was truly useful to them.

At this moment, even the rascal Obito didn't dare whisper.

"Sensei, how can we use less chakra?"

"Sensei..."

It was Q&A time.

Everyone eagerly raised their hands.

Kyōichi patiently answered them one by one.

The bell rang.

Class dismissed!

"Alright everyone, practice on your own after class, feel free to ask me questions after class or next lesson. You're dismissed if there's nothing else."

Kyōichi let out a sigh of relief internally.

He had completed the first shinobi lesson quite perfectly.

Having awed them at first, teaching them wouldn't be too difficult afterwards.

However...

It seemed the lecture notes he had prepared earlier were redundant.

There was no way to teach verbatim in an actual class.

These weren't ordinary students, many were geniuses and future legends. Each had their own thoughts, he wouldn't be able to rein them in without substantial knowledge.

"Right, Obito, my class is first thing tomorrow morning. Run 200 laps around the field if you're late."

"Huh?"

Obito was stunned.

Why say this right before leaving? What if he really was late tomorrow?

"See you all tomorrow."

Kyōichi said and body flickered away immediately.

Upon returning to the office, the first thing he did was check the system.

He had heard a prompt when class ended but didn't listen carefully.

[First shinobi lesson taught]

[Evaluation: Excellent]

[Reward - Water Dragon Bullet Technique]

Water Dragon Bullet?

That technique with 44 hand seals?

Kyōichi was stunned for a moment.

But he soon realized he had misunderstood the system.

This was the simplified version by the Second Hokage, with only 4 hand seals. Along with the boost he got from awakening the Senju lineage earlier, this reward was definitely not bad.

"I'll try it out later."

Kyōichi thought to himself.

He hadn't tested the power of Water Release ninjutsu since activating the system and awakening his lineage, and didn't have an accurate assessment of his current abilities.

That wouldn't do.

...

Outskirts of Konoha.

After class, Kyōichi came here and found a spot by the river.

Then -

Shadow Clone Technique!

An identical clone appeared.

"Time is precious, you go practice taijutsu moves, I'll try out the power of ninjutsu."

"..."

Damn.

Why don't you switch our jobs?

The shadow clone wanted to retort, with a speechless expression.

But what could it do?

It was just a clone.

It had no choice but to get up and practice taijutsu moves in the woods, hoping to develop techniques like the Leaf Whirlwind on its own - that would be a gain.

The real Kyōichi checked his chakra reserves.

Still plentiful.

"With this much chakra, having 3 shadow clones working simultaneously shouldn't be an issue. Not comparable to Naruto, but more than adult Kakashi."

Kyōichi was quite satisfied.

Naruto had more than just superior lineage, he also had Nine Tails chakra and Ashura chakra - totally incomparable.

He looked around.

Finding an open space, he quickly weaved signs...

Water Dragon Bullet Technique!

Next moment, water surged and formed a dragon shooting upwards with a roar. The ground was smashed into a large crater by the high-speed water dragon.

Immense power!

Despite some reduction from being far from the river, the difference wouldn't be too big, just slightly higher chakra consumption.

"This provides offense and defense."

Kyōichi thought.

With Water Wall, Water Dragon Bullet and Wild Water Wave, there were no major deficiencies in his current abilities.

Of course, only at Chunin to Jonin level.

Compared to elite Jonin and higher, his skills were still too limited.

But no rush. With the system, he had a long road ahead.

He got up, about to go back for a good meal.

As for the clone...let it keep training.

Just as Kyōichi took a step, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation of chakra. He turned to look there.

"Who is it?"

"Sensei, it's me."

A figure slowly emerged from behind a tree.

No need to look to know who it was, just from the voice.

Uchiha Shisui.

"Shisui, did you come to see me about something?"

"Yes, I have some questions and hope to ask Sensei."

Shisui immediately bowed.

Seeing Kyōichi's warmth without any impatience, he came over, looking hesitant.

"Let's hear it."

"Sensei, I originally planned to graduate early this year, but after crossing hands with you, I'm worried...would graduating early become a burden on my teammates?"

Shisui voiced his concerns.

Kyōichi was stunned briefly before feeling like laughing.

Seemed like he had dealt Shisui quite a blow.

He thought for a bit before replying, "With your abilities, you're definitely not weak. You won't drag your team down on the battlefield, but I don't recommend graduating so early unless the battlefield situation is dire."

"Please advise me, Sensei!"

Shisui bowed solemnly.

"Have a seat, let's chat like friends."

Kyōichi sat down and pointed to the grass, signaling Shisui to also take a seat.

Shisui did as told.

"Do you know the First and Second Hokage's original intention for founding the Academy?"

Shisui shook his head.

"Do you know the Will of Fire?"

"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns. The fire lights up the village and lets the sprouting leaves grow."

Shisui nodded this time.

The Third had mentioned it before, and it was compulsory curriculum.

"One layer of meaning is that children are Konoha's future. The First and Second founded the Academy to keep children off the battlefield for as long as possible."

Kyōichi explained.

His grandma was from the Senju clan, so he had learned a lot of their history. Nothing too secretive to worry about certain peeping individuals.

Shisui looked thoughtful.

"Battlefields force people to mature quickly, but you're only 5 years old. Spending another year or two will let you develop greater skills and maturity. Going to war later won't be too late."

Kyōichi said.

Was the village lacking Genin in the battlefield?

No, it was Chunin and Jonin that they were lacking.

The Third wanted children on the battlefield early to force their growth under high pressure.

"But..."

Shisui hesitated.

He recalled the First and Second seemed to have said something similar, yet many children were now sent to war early.

Like Kakashi.

That senior graduated at 5, and he heard Kakashi was already a Chunin with amazing war contributions.

"Battlefields make people grow quickly, but you also lose many things prematurely. Rushing ahead isn't necessarily good."

Kyōichi couldn't help but recall the Kakashi snippets in his mind.

His predecessor was on Kakashi's team before.

That guy...

Let's just say his temper was truly awful, hard to like at this stage.

"I understand now, thank you Sensei."