Chapter 56: Sword Assessment
Renjiro nodded, thinking, 'Not bad at all. Hodaka's tactical analysis still needs considerable improvement, but the other two demonstrate much better strategic thinking.'
Then he announced, 'Alright, that's enough for today. Go home and treat your injuries properly. We'll meet here tomorrow morning at 5:00 AM sharp. You have an assignment for tomorrow: write down your complete daily training schedule and bring it with you. Kaito, you stay behind. Hodaka, Mieko, you two are dismissed.'
After receiving permission to leave, they bid farewell and departed slowly.
Kaito had to suppress the strong urge to laugh—the way those two walked was extremely awkward and stiff from their injuries.
However, this amusement quickly vanished as a terrible realization struck him.
'Wait a minute! I'm the only one who didn't get beaten up. So he's making me stay to...'
He quickly dismissed the thought.
'No way. He's a renowned battlefield commander from the Great Shinobi War—he wouldn't be that petty.'
He screamed internally, 'Where the hell are the child protection laws in this village? And why has that old Hokage been sitting in office for decades without enacting proper regulations against training-related child abuse!'
Kaito kept watching his teammates leave in their awkward manner, desperately hoping his suspicions weren't correct.
On Training Ground 17, only Kaito and his new instructor remained.
Renjiro asked directly, 'Why didn't you use a sword during our sparring match just now?'
Kaito replied honestly, 'Because I don't own a sword yet. I checked the prices at the weapon shop, and even the cheapest serviceable blade costs 12,000 ryo, which I can't afford on my Academy stipend.'
This answer matched Renjiro's expectations. He nodded and said, 'From this point forward, I'll personally teach you proper kenjutsu. Don't worry about obtaining a sword—I have several spare blades you can use for training. First, we'll assess your current swordsmanship level and determine the appropriate blade size for you. Afterward, the Third Hokage will commission two custom samurai-style swords specifically for you.'
Kaito nodded his gratitude respectfully.
Renjiro retrieved a scroll from his pouch, spread it on the ground, and carefully unrolled it.
Kaito immediately recognized it as a storage scroll. Judging by the complexity and number of fuinjutsu seals, it was likely created by Renjiro himself.
Renjiro made a hand seal, and twelve swords of varying sizes materialized on the scroll in small puffs of smoke.
Kaito picked up two of them, similar in dimensions to the training blades he'd used at the Academy, and said, 'Sensei, these are approximately the size I've been using at school.'
Renjiro nodded approvingly, 'Good, then we'll start with those. Let's spar first—I want to properly assess your current swordsmanship ability.'
Subsequently, Kaito and Renjiro began their kenjutsu match.
During the exchange, both had distinctly different thoughts.
Kaito was relieved his instructor was no longer the overwhelming 'monster' he'd been during the team assessment earlier. Renjiro, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about Kaito's swordsmanship performance.
He analyzed carefully, 'This child's fundamentals are remarkably solid, especially considering he's only been practicing kenjutsu for less than a year. However, beyond those basics, he has essentially nothing. His swordsmanship lacks any recognizable style—it's just straightforward, instinctive attacks and defenses. Although he performs adequately in both offense and defense, it's only because he effectively utilizes his natural speed and physical strength. If I were to match his current speed and strength exactly, he probably wouldn't last even 5 seconds against proper technique.'
Their exchange continued for several more minutes before Renjiro called a halt. He concluded his assessment, 'He's like an unpolished gemstone! Having no established style means he also has no ingrained bad habits to correct. While this might present challenges eventually, it will make learning a single cohesive swordsmanship style much more efficient. Of course, since he hasn't practiced any formal kenjutsu style yet, I can't predict how quickly or slowly he'll master samurai swordsmanship techniques.'
Renjiro suddenly accelerated his movements, matching Kaito's speed precisely, and skillfully struck both swords in rapid succession. This created an opening, and he placed the tip of his blade near Kaito's throat. He said calmly, 'Alright, that's sufficient assessment. Now I'll teach you some proper techniques.'
He then demonstrated several fundamental samurai sword techniques for Kaito to observe, imitate, and practice repeatedly.
The training session lasted for three full hours, after which Renjiro finally dismissed Kaito.
After dismissing his student, Renjiro needed to report directly to Hiruzen.
Upon entering the Hokage's office, Hiruzen asked immediately, 'How are the children performing?'
Renjiro replied candidly, 'Very promising, Hokage-sama. They're significantly stronger than average fresh genin. Hodaka's taijutsu has already reached chunin level, and Mieko's ninjutsu capability is comparable—only her chakra reserves need substantial increase. Kaito's ninjutsu techniques aren't bad either. Although his offensive jutsu are somewhat weaker than Mieko's, his chakra reserves exceed hers considerably. Most surprisingly, his tactical thinking already matches someone who's experienced numerous C-rank missions.'
'Moreover, even without actively strategizing beforehand, they're intelligent enough to recognize and exploit openings created by their teammates. Even if I were to administer another survival test right now, they would easily pass and qualify as full genin.'
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully, 'Just as their Academy performance indicated they would be. However, Kaito's tactical analysis ability is genuinely surprising. I suppose that explains why he achieved first place so easily on the written examination.'
Then he asked with particular interest, 'What about Kaito's kenjutsu skills?'
Renjiro shook his head slightly, 'It's difficult to say definitively at this early stage. His fundamentals are solid, but whether he can advance to true mastery depends entirely on his natural talent and dedicated effort.'
Hiruzen replied, 'Understood. I'll leave his training in your capable hands.'
He then dismissed Renjiro with a nod.
The next morning, Kaito woke at 4:20 AM, thinking with mild irritation, 'I thought waking up at 5 AM was early enough already. Now this guy wants us assembled there at 5 AM sharp! Not to mention Training Ground 17 is fifteen kilometers from my apartment. Oh well, at least I can incorporate a morning run. I wonder if his training regimen will be as intense as my usual routine, so I can safely increase the pressure of my body weight seals during the run.'
Around five o'clock in the morning, Kaito arrived at the training ground and noticed his teammates were already present.
He greeted them with a simple good morning, then waited for Renjiro to appear. Their instructor materialized promptly at exactly five o'clock and said, 'Good morning, everyone.'
The three genin returned his greeting respectfully. Renjiro began immediately, 'Starting today, we'll meet here every morning at 5 AM without exception. We'll begin each day with rigorous physical conditioning.'
Then he looked directly at Mieko and said, 'Kaito and Hodaka both possess excellent physiques for their age. But Mieko, you don't have any body weight seals to increase your physical burden, do you?'
Mieko shook her head.
Renjiro stated firmly, 'Go home today and have your parents arrange proper training seals for you. You need to obtain those seals before the end of this week.'
Mieko nodded obediently, 'Yes, Renjiro-sensei.'
Then he turned to Hodaka and Kaito and asked, 'What is the maximum weight capacity your current training seals can support?'
Hodaka replied, 'Mine can support a maximum weight of 125 kilograms.'
Kaito answered, 'Mine can support a maximum weight of 250 kilograms.'
Hodaka glanced at Kaito with visible envy, since his training seal scroll was clearly superior quality.
Renjiro asked again, 'Alright, so what percentage of maximum capacity do you typically use during training?'
Hodaka replied, 'Thirty percent.'
Kaito answered, 'Thirteen and a half percent.'
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