Chapter 36: Learning Kenjutsu
Seeing Hyuga Hodaka's complete indifference toward the new students, Kaito thought:
"Well... asking him was probably pointless. He's usually very cold about anything that doesn't directly involve taijutsu training. But this information is sufficient. I wonder if I can leverage what I learned to negotiate for some C-rank jutsu from Genshu."
After their conversation concluded, Kaito decided to remain seated next to Hodaka.
Although his relationship with most classmates wasn't particularly close due to frequent sparring matches, he got along reasonably well with Hyuga Hodaka and had gotten along with Senju Teru better than with the others.
Unexpectedly, Genshu didn't enter the classroom alone today, but was accompanied by an elderly man.
When they entered, everyone immediately stood up to greet them respectfully, as the old man was the Academy's principal.
After the principal entered, he first made some light conversation with the students. Then he began discussing the Will of Fire philosophy. Finally, he encouraged the students to strive for early graduation this year.
Kaito was quite surprised by this direct approach. He had only one thought:
"Wow, they're really desperate for new shinobi!"
After the principal's speech ended, Kaito pondered:
"It seems I won't be able to avoid participating in the graduation exam this year. Then again, I've already learned most of what the Academy can teach me. Only genjutsu and kenjutsu remain. And the advanced fuinjutsu scroll. However, if they're all this desperate for graduates, I might actually have a chance at requesting those chakra blades!"
Subsequently, the principal introduced three new students. He announced:
"Since three students from your class have already become genin, we've transferred three students from other classes to join yours. Please welcome them and help them adjust."
The three children introduced themselves to the class. They were the top three performers among the remaining 400+ students from the year.
Some students seemed happy to have new classmates, while others felt indifferent about the additions, showing mixed reactions throughout the room.
Kaito's analysis was:
"So that's their strategy. This way, they can prevent other students from feeling overwhelming pressure because a few exceptional students graduated early. These three transfers can also help fill the void left by the graduates, so their absence isn't constantly felt, but they'll still serve as benchmarks for others to measure against. Moreover, the new students in this elite class will also have to work considerably harder, and if they can keep pace with this class's level, they'll become very capable shinobi in the future. This is actually a very clever administrative move!"
As Kaito silently appreciated the cleverness of this strategy, one person in the classroom was extremely unhappy. That person was the homeroom instructor, Genshu, who thought bitterly:
"Last year, I already taught everything in the curriculum to all these students! All I had to do this year was wait for them to internalize the knowledge and pass the graduation exam. But now I have to teach these three new kids everything from scratch again!"
As he pondered this gloomily, he suddenly thought of something that made him genuinely shudder:
"Wait... if more students graduate early this year, does that mean even more transfers will join this class, and I'll have to teach them all over again?"
At this horrifying thought, his shoulders visibly slumped, and he felt truly depressed. He sighed internally:
"This isn't what I signed up for when I became an instructor!"
After introducing the new students, the principal departed.
Then Genshu announced this year's curriculum, which surprised Kaito once again. Genshu explained:
"This year, your primary focus is on mastering everything I've taught you over the past three years. This includes the three basic Academy jutsu and all fundamental shinobi skills. In addition, I will also teach you five new E-rank elemental jutsu."
"They are Fire Release: Ember, Wind Release: Gust, Lightning Release: Static String, Earth Release: Mud Wall, and Water Release: Gunshot."
"These techniques are not mandatory requirements for graduation, but if you can utilize them, they will prove very helpful to you in future missions. I already explained elemental affinities to you last year. So later this week, I will test everyone's chakra nature, and you must learn at least the jutsu corresponding to your primary affinity."
"If you wish to graduate early, learning all five of these elemental jutsu will significantly improve your chances. Your former classmate, Shimura Shin, was able to perform all five basic elements. That exceptional versatility was one of the reasons he graduated so early."
Mentioning Shimura Shin's achievement ignited the competitive spirit throughout the entire class. Genshu was genuinely pleased with this reaction. He thought:
"It's still satisfying to see them so motivated and driven. I should thank Shimura Shin for his impressive performance in last year's exam. Otherwise, I might not have decided to structure the curriculum this way."
Kaito thought to himself:
"This is genuinely surprising. I didn't expect Genshu to teach all five basic elemental jutsu. But this isn't really a problem for me personally. I've already mastered two of these five techniques on my own."
After class concluded, Kaito borrowed a practice wooden sword from the Academy's training equipment storage and began practicing basic swings and forms.
He had two fundamental ideas driving his desire to learn proper swordsmanship.
The first was to channel Wind Release chakra into the blade, making it extraordinarily sharp, so that even if an enemy blocked with their own weapon, he could still cut through and strike them down. This could make him extremely lethal in close-quarters combat.
The second concept was to perform ranged slashing attacks or thrusts at mid-range distance, similar to techniques used by Zoro and Mihawk in One Piece from his previous life.
Of these two ideas, the first seemed very realistic and achievable. Kaito was confident he could master it relatively quickly.
But he felt far less certain about the second concept. His memory of minor technical details in Naruto had become somewhat blurry over time, so in his recollection, there seemed to be only one shinobi truly capable of using ranged physical pressure slashes.
That was Might Guy when performing techniques like Morning Peacock and Evening Elephant.
However, even if pure physical force slashes couldn't be projected at range, chakra-based slashes could definitely replicate the effect. Just like what samurai from the Land of Iron could accomplish.
And by infusing Wind Release chakra, this capability could be dramatically enhanced.
After an hour of self-directed practice, he felt disappointed with his swordsmanship progress. He thought:
"Although I watched plenty of sword-fighting anime in my previous life, I don't have access to a proper training methodology here. I really should go find Genshu-sensei and ask for guidance."
So he returned the practice sword to storage and went to find Genshu.
When he located Genshu, he saw the instructor conversing with another teacher. He waited patiently nearby for them to finish.
Upon noticing Kaito waiting, Genshu politely interrupted his conversation and asked about the reason for the visit.
Kaito said respectfully:
"Sensei, I want to learn proper kenjutsu. Can you teach me?"
Genshu almost cried internally, thinking:
"First, that principal forces me to re-teach three new transfer students from scratch! Now this prodigy comes asking me to personally teach him swordsmanship. As if I don't have mountains of other responsibilities. And he hasn't even taken the graduation exam yet!"
He composed himself and sighed audibly.
"I can't really refuse him, though. I do need to have a serious conversation with him. I genuinely hope he takes the graduation exam this year. If he stays another year or two and other students start imitating him by requesting specialized personal instruction, my life will become absolute hell!"
Kaito was surprised by Genshu's heavy sigh. He thought:
"What's wrong with him? Shouldn't teachers always be enthusiastic when students want to learn additional skills?"
Genshu replied after a moment:
"I don't personally use swords much in my own fighting style. But I have several trusted friends who specialize in kenjutsu. I'll arrange for you to train with them."
As he spoke, he thought with relief:
"It's fortunate I've made so many good connections over the years—I can delegate student requests to them!"
Kaito nodded gratefully. Genshu asked a few more questions about his training progress. Then the conversation shifted to the more important topic. He asked directly:
"Kaito, what are your current thoughts regarding the graduation examination?"
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