Jingyi glanced at Shisui and Obito.
These two really are complete opposites.
Obito was lounging carelessly, clearly unconcerned with anything serious. At the moment, all he needed was food and fun. Carefree, energetic and admittedly, good-natured.
But no brains to speak of, Jingyi thought, exasperated.
Shisui, on the other hand...
Well, he's missing a muscle in the brain too, but it's on the right side so he's not completely hopeless.
At this moment, Shisui seemed deep in thought. Jingyi observed him quietly.
> [You've guided Shisui Uchiha's thinking and altered the course of his life.]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
[Reward: Secret Technique - Steam Tower]
This was the first time such an inexplicable notification had appeared. It likely meant that Shisui had just had a significant realization. Jingyi was curiousn what exactly was he thinking just now?
Still, the reward wasn't bad.
Steam Tower, he mused.
Wasn't that the technique used by the Second Mizukage's summoning beast? Could it be learned?
In the next moment, the knowledge and principles of the jutsu flowed into his mind, and Jingyi's expression grew odd.
This technique...
It's a prototype.
A combination of dense mist and illusionb creating mirages with fog, meant to confuse the enemy's senses.
But there was a problem.
Jingyi didn't yet know the Hidden Mist Technique, which was key to sustaining the illusion.
Seems I'll need to get my hands on Kirigakure's Hidden Mist Jutsu...
If he could learn it, it would elevate his stealth abilities, especially in future encounters with Mist-nin. And beyond that...
Could I merge it with my swordsmanship?
A mirage-style kenjutsu... fascinating.
Jingyi's mind raced with ideas.
Nearby, Minato Namikaze watched with admiration.
No wonder Jingyi became a Chūnin at thirteen and rose to Jōnin in just over a year. With a mind that never stops turning, it's only natural that he's progressed so quickly.
He didn't have elite instructors but he was paving his own path.
"Kakashi! Just you wait I'll beat you with my Sharingan!"
"Oh, the eternal underdog," Kakashi said dryly.
Minato turned to Obito. "Obito, there's no such thing as an unbeatable genius. With enough effort, thought, and training, you can surpass Kakashi even without relying solely on your Sharingan."
Jingyi remained oblivious to Minato's high opinion of him, his thoughts still circling around illusions, fog, and kenjutsu.
Even without the Hidden Mist Technique, I might simulate it using evaporated moisture from water-based ninjutsu. Not stable but workable.
His strength lay in speed. A single misjudgment by his opponent could be fatal.
Unless it was a technique like Kamui.
Still, this wasn't genjutsu it was visual misdirection. Perhaps even the Sharingan might struggle to see through it.
Definitely worth researching.
Later, Minato insisted on covering the cost of their meal. Jingyi didn't argue it was a fair trade for helping with training.
As more teams passed their exams, mission assignments increased. Jingyi accepted three D-rank missions, keeping to his usual schedule.
This time, however, there was a small change.
Asuma was assigned to chop wood, while Shisui went to fetch water.
There was a reason for the switch.
"You've mastered wind chakra nature transformation, right?" Jingyi asked.
"Yes, sensei."
"Good. Try combining it with your kunai to cut wood. Once you've mastered it, I'll teach you a ninjutsu."
He planned to teach Asuma the Vacuum Blade. A B-rank technique, perfect for the wind-style combat Asuma would eventually hone especially when paired with his chakra blades and Flying Swallow technique.
As for Kurenai, her assigned cat-catching mission was nearby. Jingyi let her work while he continued training himself. A shadow clone observed Shisui's sword practice.
During the afternoon, he ran into a few familiar faces Team Guy, Team 7, and even Might Duy.
Unlike Guy, who was already in a team, Duy had remained a Genin for decades. He couldn't be placed in a squad and completed missions solo.
But today, Duy seemed... disheartened.
"Senior Duy, something on your mind?"
Jingyi sat on a nearby branch. Duy had recently been recommended for promotion. He shouldn't have been so gloomy.
Was it... anxiety?
"Jingyi! Ah... it's hard to explain," Duy sighed.
Jingyi appeared next to him in a flash. After a short conversation, he understood. The Third Hokage had spoken with Duy about the Eight Gates not to claim it, but to commend him. He was to be promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin for his taijutsu mastery.
It was good news.
But Duyi was unsure. After twenty years as a Genin, he was lost. Becoming a Tokubetsu Jōnin overnight was a shock to his system.
So, he continued doing D-rank missions today's was carrying water.
"Tokubetsu Jōnin is different from full Jōnin," Jingyi explained. "It means you've mastered a specialty. You don't have to lead a team or take on elite missions. You're free to live how you choose."
A full Jōnin, like Naruto would eventually become, required a certain amount of tactical knowledge and leadership skills. Tokubetsu Jōnin, though, had fewer requirements.
Duy was silent for a moment.
"But… a Tokubetsu Jōnin still doing D-rank missions…"
Jingyi raised an eyebrow. "You never minded doing them as a Genin, but now you do?"
Duy scratched his head awkwardly. "I guess... I don't know. It just feels different."
"Oh, by the way," he added, brightening. "I adjusted your seven-day call training method! I meant to ask for feedback."
"Really? Let's see it," Jingyi said, intrigued.
"No need to hold back."
Duy launched forward with a powerful kick.
Jingyi blocked it, suppressing some of the force with chakra, but his arm still ached.
"Again," he said, smiling.
Duy nodded and kicked again faster, stronger. Jingyi reinforced his arm with Earth Spear this time.
Bang!
Jingyi was forced back a few steps.
"Interesting…"
"Try again."
This time, Jingyi grabbed Duy's ankle mid-kick but before he could react, the other leg came whipping around in a spinning heel.
It was fast.
"You're close to opening the First Gate, aren't you?"
"I developed this by improving my post-activation mobility," Duy said. "When I get into the rhythm, the Gate begins to open involuntarily, giving me better control over my body."
He didn't have much formal theory but he had instinct and dedication.
It showed.
Jingyi nodded, impressed.
This… has potential.