Kyōichi, Konoha’s Life Mentor

"This is how you distinguish who your allies are and who your enemies are!"

Shisui was excited.

He truly understood now.

Allies weren't born; they had to be cultivated over time.

Helping those elderly ladies with Obito—wasn't that the process of turning enemies into friends?

This was similar!

To change the Uchiha clan and steer the family onto the path he desired, he needed to have his own allies and strength.

In simpler terms…

It was exactly what his sensei meant—when you speak, someone has to listen!

"Very good."

Kyōichi nodded lightly and didn't say more.

There was no need!

Shisui had already understood. As for the rest, he had no concept of it now, and explaining would only confuse him further. It was better to let him focus on building his own group first.

However.

Kyōichi felt that doing all this now was a bit ridiculous. He wasn't sure if Shisui could succeed at this stage.

After all.

He wasn't the famous "Shisui of the Body Flicker" known throughout the shinobi world. 

He was just a five-year-old child. While he was strong among his peers, compared to the entire shinobi population, he was just a drop in the ocean.

As Shisui left, the system notification sounded.

Another wave of rewards!

And this time…

The reward was a genjutsu.

Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change.

This technique surprised Kyōichi. 

He had thought it was a Sharingan genjutsu, but in reality, it was a counter-genjutsu. 

The reason it was associated with the Sharingan was because the Sharingan's powerful insight and ability to break genjutsu were needed.

This genjutsu involved many techniques for breaking illusions!

Kyōichi was confident that if he were caught in a genjutsu now, he could break free instantly, and even…

Counter it!

Without the Sharingan, the effect wouldn't be as strong, but at the very least, it could neutralize the chakra disruption caused by the genjutsu.

Not bad, a huge win!

Kyōichi was quite pleased.

While it wasn't an overwhelmingly powerful technique, it filled a gap in his skillset.

He wasn't lacking in conventional killing moves.

This kind of technique was actually more useful.

Of course.

The key focus right now was still the Yin Seal. If he could figure out a way to make a viable version of it…

Mastering this technique would be incredibly useful no matter what he did.

Originally, this process would have been extremely difficult.

Because sealing techniques were always the most challenging. Any small detail could affect the outcome, leading to complete failure.

However.

Kyōichi knew the principles and all the details of the Yin Seal, and he also had another sealing technique—

Four Symbols Seal!

This was one of the top sealing techniques outside of forbidden jutsu.

Although it wasn't the same technique, some of the formulas and sealing principles were similar and could be referenced.

Kyōichi drew out the sealing formula.

After studying it for a while, he had a sudden insight.

It's just like a reservoir, isn't it?

If the reservoir isn't as large, then store less.

Even if the amount wasn't as much as Tsunade's, it was still better than nothing—he wasn't planning to learn Creation Rebirth anyway. As long as it could work with the Strength of a Hundred Technique and his breathing techniques, that would be enough.

He carefully examined the sealing formula. By removing a few of the formulas, he could reduce the capacity of the Yin Seal.

It was feasible!

However.

He still needed to discuss this with Tsunade.

Kyōichi sent his ideas through Katsuyu.

Recently, Katsuyu's primary function when summoned had been communication. 

Thankfully, Katsuyu was good-natured. 

If it were the toads of Mount Myōboku, they probably would have quit by now!

Not long after.

Tsunade replied.

"Tsunade-sama says that removing these formulas is relatively harmless, so it's fine to try. However, after removing them, the requirements for chakra control will increase significantly. Proceed with caution."

"Thank you very much!"

Harmless?

Then it's settled!

Kyōichi was 70% confident. Since there were no side effects, he could boldly proceed with the experiment.

Soon.

He felt the seal beginning to take shape.

However.

Whether it would leak or not was still unclear. He would only know after channeling chakra into it…

After a while.

Chakra gradually flowed into the seal, but not long after, a small amount of chakra began to leak out from another point.

One of the removed formulas had affected the seal's integrity!

After several experiments, he slowly figured out the trick. However, he had already split off a shadow clone earlier, and after continuous testing, his chakra was almost depleted.

The next day.

After waking up, he refined his chakra and channeled a portion into the modified Yin Seal.

By the afternoon.

About one-fifth of the chakra had leaked out.

However.

This was the best result he had achieved so far.

He had also tried the original version.

When chakra entered, it leaked out through several pathways, causing a dull pain in his forehead. He quickly stopped the attempt.

Modifying an S-rank sealing technique was indeed not easy!

"Forget it. For now, I'll use a simplified version of the Four Symbols Seal to nest another layer and patch up the leaks. When needed, I'll release it. It's a bit troublesome, but it's better than recharging every day."

Kyōichi thought of a temporary solution.

There was no other way.

If he maintained the current state, it was barely usable, but the chakra loss was significant. Since there weren't any battles coming up soon, he might as well store the chakra using the Four Symbols Seal for now.

This had another advantage…

Unless someone unlocked the simplified Four Symbols Seal, no one would be able to tell that he was practicing the Yin Seal.

After temporarily solving the issue, his stomach growled loudly.

After eating, Kyōichi went for a run and checked on Shisui and Kurenai.

Kurenai was practicing the Chakra Scalpel.

This was the medical ninjutsu she cared about the most!

It could be used for both offense and defense.

If she could master it, she would have another trump card for the third exam.

Shisui, on the other hand, was practicing his sword techniques.

From the looks of it, he was using the Uchiha-style sword techniques, incorporating Fire and Wind Release chakra. The power was indeed impressive.

Kyōichi watched for a moment and then left.

Kurenai's ninjutsu scroll was something he had given her, and Shisui didn't need his guidance for now.

Kyōichi had already heard about the third exam.

The Hokage had invited the Daimyō.

Clearly.

This was equivalent to a "genin-level" military demonstration, allowing the Daimyō to see the strength of Konoha's new generation and feel reassured, so he wouldn't be pressured by other major nations into making any rash decisions.

Kyōichi had no intention of interfering with the third exam.

During this time, he just wanted to focus on improving his abilities, integrating the sword techniques he had, while his shadow clone studied the Hidden Mist Technique, medical ninjutsu, and the Mirage Genjutsu.

Everyone was busy!

However.

Despite this, the Hokage still assigned him a mission.

"The Daimyō has agreed to visit Konoha. You and Minato will lead a team to escort him and ensure his safety."

The Hokage said seriously.

"Just the two of us?"

"The children participating in the third exam can't go. Your team will be a mixed unit—Asuma, Obito, and Yamashiro Aoba will form a temporary squad."

In the Hokage's mind, Kyōichi and Minato alone would have been enough.

However.

Considering the Daimyō's mindset, having more people might make him feel more secure.

"Understood!"

Minato agreed immediately, while Kyōichi rubbed his temples and reluctantly accepted.

After all, the Hokage was paying for it.

At the village gate.

Asuma looked both shocked and curious.

Obito, on the other hand, was listless and in low spirits.

Although Might Guy had made it to the third exam, he and Aoba had been eliminated early and weren't qualified to participate. Knowing this, Obito was filled with regret.

If only he hadn't been so reckless!

After registering and leaving the village, Asuma couldn't help but ask, "Sensei, what's our mission this time?"

"Escorting the Daimyō."

"Huh?"