The Future of the Uchiha Clan Lies With Me

"Meow!"

The cries of a cat intermittently sounded out.

Kurenai was keenly aware of the cat's location, but in the jungle, the trees and plants blocked her path, preventing her from moving quickly.

Sometimes it looked like she was about to catch up, but then the cat would dart into the bushes and vanish in the blink of an eye.

"My speed is good, but my utilization rate is too low," Kyōichi shook his head.

It's fine. Go slowly and get a few runs in, so Kurenai understands where her shortcomings lie. Then I can give her some pointers - that will be more effective.

He was in a tree, pondering sword techniques.

Yesterday was the first time he had used the Leaf-Style Willow against someone. He was increasingly certain that the Willow could be incorporated into Iai Beheading.

He didn't need that long for Genjutsu control at all.

Just an instant would allow him to behead the enemy.

Creating original techniques was not something that could be accomplished in one go. After all, it wasn't a system-issued technique. Kyōichi only had a rough idea for now. To integrate it further, he would need to expand his knowledge.

"Sensei...may I take a short break?"

Kurenai was panting heavily.

She was utterly exhausted. Her hair and clothes were covered in dust and leaves, a far cry from her usual graceful and composed appearance.

However, she still hadn't caught that cat.

In fact, she felt like it had gotten even faster. Before, she could still keep up, but now it was increasingly difficult.

"Take a short break. Let me tell you where your problems lie," Kyōichi said.

"Mm," Kurenai nodded.

Poor physique, slow speed.

"You can actually match its speed. Use the Body Flicker technique if you must, but you lack flexibility and can't control your speed well. Also, what about Genjutsu?" Kyōichi continued, "You don't specialize in Taijutsu. Why don't you try using Genjutsu to restrain it when you catch up?"

"Ah? I can use Genjutsu too?"

Kurenai was taken aback.

She thought she understood, but it turned out she didn't.

Genjutsu...

Of course!

Why didn't she use Genjutsu when she caught up, since she didn't rely on Taijutsu?

She was instantly enlightened.

Naturally, Kurenai knew that even with Genjutsu, it wouldn't be easy to catch the silly cat.

Casting Genjutsu required hand seals!

The cat was agile, and might run off again while she was still weaving signs.

She would need to consider the environment and come up with tactics.

But she wasn't stupid.

Soon, Kurenai's eyes lit up.

"Sensei, I understand now. I'll go catch it right away!"

...

In the Hokage's office.

"Catching cats can be used as training too?"

The tobacco in the Third Hokage's hand was nearly burnt out, but he didn't notice at all. His face was full of astonishment.

Most of these cats were pets of the nobles.

They weren't very difficult to catch due to their speed. They could usually be dealt with quickly, so they were more often used as preparatory teamwork training for Genin teams.

However, Kyōichi had come up with an unconventional approach, assigning it to Kurenai to hone her speed and adaptability.

The Third hadn't considered this before.

After his initial surprise, he actually thought it made a lot of sense!

"What about the other two, chopping firewood and carrying water?"

The Third Hokage first looked over at his son.

Asuma was carrying water - two large buckets at a time, suspended from a rod across his shoulders. He ran from the relatively far riverbank to the water tank.

Spilled some? Carry again.

Was this training Taijutsu?

Then he used the Telescope Technique to observe Shisui.

Shisui was chopping firewood.

But differently - he was using blade techniques, seemingly exploring how to split the logs with minimal exertion.

"This kid sure has a lot of odd ideas," the Third Hokage took a puff, only to find the tobacco had already burned out completely. He was instantly heartbroken.

He didn't get a single puff in.

What a waste!

After the heartache, Sarutobi Hiruzen's thoughts returned to considering whether this could be promoted on a wider scale.

It seemed unfeasible.

Each team's circumstances differed, it couldn't be applied universally.

More importantly, he realized many in Konoha had rigid mindsets - including himself.

Chopping firewood, carrying water, catching cats.

They did see these D-rank missions as opportunities to train Genin, some were even created by the village for that purpose, but they hadn't deliberately tried to hone the Genin through them. Instead, the focus was more on developing teamwork.

While it was fine for now since missions had piled up, allowing him to assign all three in one go, what about normally? If one team took three missions, what about the other Genin?

However, he could have the elite teams try imitating this.

Sarutobi Hiruzen thought.

At the same time, he focused the Telescope Technique on Shisui.

Uchiha Shisui, could he become a second Uchiha Kagami?

"I hope so, otherwise..."

He let out a sigh and released the technique.

...

In the afternoon, nearing dusk.

Kurenai finally caught the cat in her exhausted state. She went to turn in the mission and collect her reward for the day.

On her way back to Konoha, Kyōichi and the others encountered Team Minato at the barbecue restaurant. They had passed the bell test today.

"Shisui, Asuma!"

Obito waved wildly when he saw them, as if he was the one treating them to this meal.

Namikaze Minato was beside him, beaming as he saw Kyōichi.

Noticing empty seats, he pointed and said, "Kyōichi-kun, why not join us?"

"Sure, we'll order some more dishes," Kyōichi didn't decline.

It would be foolish to turn down free food. The three brats probably starved through lunch on ration pills.

Kakashi looked away with a cold demeanor.

But his eyes kept surreptitiously glancing at Kyōichi's sword.

Minato found it amusing.

Kakashi was usually very composed, unlike boys his age like Obito. But in front of Kamida Kyōichi, he lost that calm, mature attitude.

Minato knew Kakashi was curious. After a glance, he was also somewhat surprised himself.

"Kyōichi-kun, could that sword be the Nidaime's?"

"I'm just borrowing it from the Hokage since I'm poor," Kyōichi sighed.

If he was as wealthy as the Sarutobi clan, he could have directly commissioned a chakra blade like Asuma.

Why did he have to borrow weapons to get by?

At first the Genin didn't know which sword it was, but after some thought they recalled, "The Sword of the Thunder God?"

"Yes," Kyōichi drew out the Raijin no Ken.

The blade was slender and the edge very thin.

If used for simple chopping, the sword wouldn't withstand more than a few strikes before shattering - like Sakumo's tantō, it was a chakra blade that needed to be wielded with chakra.

Shisui had deeply studied swordsmanship, so he also knew a lot about the Raijin no Ken. He quickly recalled the testing from that day.

Sensei hadn't used any strength at all!

"With Sensei alone being so powerful, let alone Konoha... those clan members sticking to the Police Force, growing increasingly arrogant, how foolish!"

This was the sole thought in Shisui's mind.

He had come to understand the clan's thinking to some extent recently. They desired power and prestige, believing the Uchiha were one of the village's founders and deserved to share in its glory and victories.

But times had changed.

Forget Sensei Kamida, even this Namikaze Minato - how many in the clan could rival him?

The more he observed, the more Shisui was grateful for his own choice.

If things continued as they were, the Uchiha were doomed sooner or later. Perhaps the clan's future depended on people like Obito and himself.