Chapter 38: Kenjutsu Instructor
Currently, Kaito only possessed one A-rank jutsu among all the techniques he had mastered—the Rasengan, which he was still developing.
If he could learn another high-level technique, his offensive capabilities would increase dramatically.
However, he restrained his desire for this Fire Release series for two important reasons.
He hadn't properly trained his Fire Release nature transformation yet, and this jutsu series also didn't appear to synergize well with his Wind Release techniques.
All in all, these five elemental jutsu could be effectively combined with the fundamental survival skills that Genshu had taught them.
Fire Release: Ember could start fires for signaling or cooking, and Water Release: Gunshot could extinguish them.
Wind Release: Gust could cover tracks and erase evidence. Earth Release: Mud Wall could provide defense and create concealment for hiding.
And Lightning Release: Static String could temporarily paralyze small animals for a minute or two for capture. So these techniques were all very practical for field operations.
By the second week of the semester, Genshu announced in class:
"Today we begin learning basic kenjutsu, and I've invited a specialized instructor to guide you all."
Genshu had seriously considered this matter after Kaito had asked him for sword training. He concluded:
"Kenjutsu training is something any shinobi can benefit from learning. So if it's only arranged privately for Kaito, that wouldn't be fair to the other students. If among these thirty students someone else has natural talent for swordsmanship, that would be a valuable discovery."
"Even if no one else develops serious interest in kenjutsu, simply learning how to use an alternative weapon would be helpful for their future as shinobi. So I discussed it with the Hokage and specially arranged for a qualified instructor."
Kaito was pleasantly surprised to hear this announcement, but after thinking it over, he felt it made complete sense from an educational perspective.
Everyone proceeded to the Academy training grounds together.
Upon arriving, they saw Genshu conversing with a tall, muscular man who carried a katana on his back. Genshu introduced him formally:
"He will be teaching you the fundamentals of kenjutsu. His name is Nakatani Michi. He is a chunin, just like myself."
Everyone respectfully greeted Nakatani Michi with a formal bow.
Nakatani Michi first provided background on the history and philosophy of swordsmanship in Konoha. He delivered a rather passionate speech about the way of the sword and the life of a swordsman.
He discussed how both the First and Second Hokage were skilled with blades. He also emphasized the concept of viewing the sword as a natural extension of one's body.
Kaito sensed the intense 'Might Guy energy' radiating from this instructor's passionate demeanor.
After a 15-minute inspirational speech, Nakatani finally began explaining the practical fundamentals of kenjutsu.
He demonstrated how to properly grip a sword, what stances to adopt, how to execute basic strikes, and other foundational techniques.
Kaito paid extremely close attention to every detail of the instruction.
But not everyone shared his enthusiasm.
Students from the Nara, Akimichi, Inuzuka, Aburame, and Hyuga clans showed essentially zero interest in learning swordsmanship, as their clans had their own specialized fighting styles.
A week later, Nakatani Michi asked the class who wished to continue pursuing serious kenjutsu training.
Besides Kaito, only one civilian student and one person from the Hatake clan expressed willingness to continue.
Nakatani Michi spoke individually with the three interested students to learn more about them—why they wanted to pursue kenjutsu, and to what extent they hoped to develop their skills.
When Kaito was asked this question, he replied earnestly:
"I want to develop my swordsmanship as extensively as possible and make it my primary method of close-quarters combat."
Nakatani Michi praised him warmly:
"That's an excellent attitude. One day you will become a formidable swordsman. But do you have any specific thoughts on which sword style you wish to pursue?"
Kaito wasn't certain what specialized options were available in Konoha. So he shook his head honestly and said:
"No, I don't have enough knowledge yet. Could you explain all the paths available for sword training in the village?"
Nakatani Michi replied with obvious pride:
"In Konoha, we have several advanced sword kata. For example, I know the Crescent Moon Dance, which is one of Konoha's most sophisticated kenjutsu styles. There are many fundamental forms you must master before you can properly learn this advanced technique."
Kaito blinked in surprise and asked:
"Dance techniques?"
Nakatani Michi chuckled, then explained:
"Well, they're not literally dances. They are precise movement sequences that must be performed in specific patterns. These patterns can create extremely deadly effects in combat. For example, certain movements can generate afterimages to confuse opponents, or make you seemingly vanish, or create the illusion that you haven't moved at all. But because these flowing movements resemble elegant dances, they're traditionally called that."
Kaito showed a thoughtful expression while thinking to himself:
"I know about these techniques, of course. However, while kata-based sword dances have impressive visual effects, their inherent tactical limitations are significant. A truly formidable opponent can easily disrupt these choreographed movements. Baki was able to directly counter the Crescent Moon Dance with superior defensive techniques. That's partly why Hayate Gekko died so easily against him."
Although if someone mastered all these various kata completely, they could potentially synthesize an extremely advanced personal sword style, it would require ten years or even longer of dedicated training.
Kaito didn't have that much time to invest. He simply wanted direct, practical sword techniques.
This style would possess high offensive power, enable skillful defensive applications with the blade, and allow nimble movement for evasion or pursuit as needed.
Simply channeling Wind Release chakra through the sword would already make it extremely lethal against most ordinary shinobi.
Now, how should he express this preference diplomatically?
Kaito couldn't directly say "your style has serious weaknesses." Nor could he say something like "if Madara Uchiha asked if you could dance, and you showed him your Crescent Moon Dance, he'd probably laugh and bury you under a meteor!"
Wait, that doesn't sound quite like Madara's style. He'd probably just drop several meteors without warning. Yes, that's more accurate.
Kaito carefully continued:
"I don't want to focus on learning various kata dances right now. I simply want to learn how to use a sword for powerful, direct offensive strikes."
After pausing for a few seconds to gather his thoughts, he continued:
"Um... I'm not sure if this is possible, but is there a method to make the blade more lethal through chakra flow? Or perhaps techniques for projecting ranged sword slashes?"
Kaito had to phrase this very carefully here. After all, chakra flow wasn't mentioned in any Library scrolls he'd accessed. So he had to present it as his own original idea.
Nakatani Michi was initially somewhat disappointed that Kaito didn't want to learn Konoha's traditional sword kata.
But upon hearing these questions, he looked genuinely surprised:
"Did this kid conceptualize chakra flow independently? And isn't he essentially describing the ranged techniques that samurai from the Land of Iron use? This child's way of thinking is remarkably innovative and practical."
"Unfortunately, I myself haven't fully mastered chakra flow, and I don't know the samurai flying slash techniques at all."
Nakatani Michi felt troubled, thinking:
"What should I do now? It would be far too embarrassing to admit I don't know these techniques. The Crescent Moon Dance doesn't actually require chakra flow to execute. And properly learning chakra flow takes tremendous time and effort, which is why most of us chunin never fully master it."
He contemplated for a moment, then finally sighed and admitted:
"You're asking about chakra flow—where we channel chakra through the blade to dramatically increase its lethality. However, this is an extremely advanced technique, and very few shinobi in Konoha have truly mastered it. So, unfortunately, I cannot teach you that."
"As for ranged sword slashes, samurai from the Land of Iron can perform them, but the technique is a closely guarded secret and would be extraordinarily difficult to learn without proper instruction."
Kaito showed a visibly disappointed expression. He thought to himself in frustration:
"This guy is completely useless for what I need! Couldn't Genshu have at least found someone who actually understands these advanced techniques to teach me?"
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