"No wonder Chidori requires the Sharingan to unleash its full power."
At the moment, Kyōhiko's Body Flicker Technique (Shunshin no Jutsu) had a similar issue.
His eyesight and reflexes couldn't quite keep up.
While not as fatal as the drawback of Chidori, it still hindered his combat effectiveness.
The solution?
Either enhance his visual perception to match his speed—
Or train his body to adapt to the high velocity.
The former required innate talent—someone like Namikaze Minato was a prime example.
The latter? Might Guy was the best role model.
Keep training!
With unwavering determination, Kyōhiko began practicing his Body Flicker Technique, integrating it with punches, kicks, and kunai strikes.
At first—
His movements were blindingly fast.
But gradually, he slowed down, yet his attacks grew sharper and more precise.
Above him, perched on a tree branch, Jiraiya sat concealed within the foliage, his expression one of sheer astonishment.
As one of the Legendary Sannin—
He understood exactly what the boy below was training.
Mastering the speed!
Kyōhiko's Body Flicker was already impressive—some jonin might not even match his skill in that single technique.
But that wasn't what shocked Jiraiya the most.
What truly stunned him was—
Kyōhiko had realized that speed wasn't just about going faster, but about control.
Many ninjas only grasped this truth after life-or-death battles.
"Incredible…"
Another prodigy like Minato?
Jiraiya's gaze was complex.
This wasn't his first time seeing the boy.
In fact, Kyōhiko often trained near the bathhouse—the same route Jiraiya frequented.
A few times, the boy had nearly exposed Jiraiya's peeping activities.
Yet, because of that, Jiraiya had taken notice of him.
Hardworking. Relentless.
Kyōhiko trained every single day without fail.
But what truly impressed Jiraiya was the boy's mindset.
Kyōhiko wasn't the only hardworking one.
Jiraiya also knew of another boy—a loud, green-clad kid who trained just as fiercely.
But their approaches were entirely different.
The green-clad boy focused solely on taijutsu.
Kyōhiko, however?
From the beginning, he had trained in taijutsu, Body Flicker, and Substitution Jutsu with clear purpose—never blindly practicing.
Now, without any teacher, he had broken through the limits of the Body Flicker Technique and was now refining his control over speed.
Such awareness was rare.
A true genius.
Just like Minato back then.
As Jiraiya watched the boy train below, memories flooded his mind.
As a Sannin, his concealment was flawless—Kyōhiko had no hope of detecting him.
By dusk, Kyōhiko collapsed under the tree, exhausted.
Gazing up at the swaying leaves, he blinked—
Then noticed something odd in the moonlight.
A patch of shadow seemed… off?
Kyōhiko sat up.
"Who's there?"
"Swoosh!"
A bird-like figure darted away into the night, vanishing among the trees.
---
Konoha Ninja Academy.
A classroom full of newly graduated genin chattered among themselves, waiting for their instructor.
Most were gathered by the window, laughing at the younger students training below.
Only two remained apart.
One was Might Guy, doing a one-handed handstand in the corner—his eccentric training method making him stand out like a performance artist.
The other was Kyōhiko, who was watching Guy intently.
Finally, Guy couldn't take it anymore.
Before Kyōhiko's transmigration, he had been a loner in class.
Even now, he kept to himself, focused solely on training—never bothering with social connections.
His relationship with Guy?
They knew each other's names and faces, but that was it.
So…
"Kyōhiko… am I disturbing you?" Guy asked awkwardly.
Kyōhiko shook his head. "No. I actually admire you."
"Admire… me?"
Guy was stunned.
He flipped back onto his feet and sat beside Kyōhiko, a mix of excitement and disbelief on his face—yet also a hint of insecurity.
"Are you mocking me? I barely passed the early graduation exam."
"But you still passed, didn't you?" Kyōhiko replied casually.
Then, with complete sincerity, he said:
"Guy, I've watched you. You may not have talent for ninjutsu, and your comprehension might be average…"
Guy's face fell further with each word.
But then—
"But you have something no one else does—unyielding perseverance and the courage to ignore ridicule. That's a talent in itself. Guy, you're absolutely a genius of hard work!"
"A… genius of hard work?"
Guy froze.
For the first time in his life, someone other than his father had called him a genius.
He felt his face heat up.
"I-I'm not that special…"
"Why not? The Hokage once said, 'Persistence is the greatest talent—one most people lack.' Look around. Who else is training right now?"
Guy scanned the room.
Kyōhiko was right.
No one else was exercising—except for Kyōhiko himself, who was still deftly twirling a kunai while practicing hand signs with his other hand.
And…
That kunoichi, Yūhi Kurenai, sat quietly at her desk, ignoring the crowd.
Guy turned back to Kyōhiko, curiosity in his eyes.
"Did the Hokage really say that?"
Was that the takeaway here?
No, the Third Hokage had never said such a thing—it was a line from the future Hokage, Kyōhiko himself!
Suppressing his amusement, Kyōhiko abandoned the idea of quick rewards.
Just then—
Guy suddenly hugged him.
"But thank you, Kyōhiko! You're the first person besides my father to ever believe in me!"
Tears streamed down his face.
Kyōhiko, usually unshakable, was caught off guard.
This reaction—
Was not what he expected!
Guy's sobbing drew the entire class's attention.
A scene like this was rare—everyone stopped mocking the younger students outside and turned to stare.
Kyōhiko sighed internally, feeling the weight of social embarrassment.
Even worse—
He had paid the price (his dignity) but received no reward.
Was he the clown here?
Guy wept.
Kyōhiko reflected.
Their emotions were not in sync.
Then, a girl's voice broke the awkward silence, shifting the class's focus.
"Guy… who was the first person to believe in you?"
Right—
Who was the first?
Everyone leaned in, curious.
Guy wiped his tears, his face bursting with pride.
"Of course—my eternal rival, Hatake Kakashi!"
The name Kakashi instantly commanded respect—
Followed by skepticism.
"Huh… you?"
Then—
"HAHAHAHA!"
The entire class erupted in laughter—except for Kurenai and Kyōhiko.
"Pfft—I could say Kakashi's my rival too!"
"Yeah, me too!"
"Same here!"
The room filled with mocking amusement.
Kakashi had graduated at five, became a chunin at six.
Guy?
He was seven, just barely a genin.
To call himself Kakashi's "eternal rival"?
Ludicrous.
Guy stayed silent.
Kyōhiko placed a hand on his shoulder, speaking with absolute sincerity—
Maybe the lack of reward meant he wasn't convincing enough.
Time to double down.
"If you aim for first place, you might get second or third. But if you aim for second or third, you'll only reach fourth or fifth—or worse. Guy, believe in yourself. You are Kakashi's eternal rival!"
"KYŌHIKO!"
Guy hugged him again—but this time, his tears were of joy.
This was what a true friend sounded like!
'Father… someone finally understands me!'
Kyōhiko sighed internally.
Guy saw Kakashi as his goal.
But Kyōhiko? His original benchmark had been the future Guy.
Truly, everyone had their own path to greatness.
Just as he mused—
[A ninja's mental fortitude is a crucial part of a Hokage's duties. You have strengthened a genin's resolve and ignited his fighting spirit.]
[Reward: Your foundational taijutsu skills have improved.]
Taijutsu fundamentals?
A flood of knowledge surged into Kyōhiko's mind—techniques for maximizing power in strikes, particularly leg strength and movement efficiency.
He grew even more certain—
The rewards were tied to the impact of his actions and the abilities of the person involved.
For example:
Yesterday's reward (from earning his own trust) enhanced his strongest skill—the Body Flicker Technique.
With Guy, the reward reflected his greatest assets—physical prowess and taijutsu.
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Extra Chapter: On Every 50 powerstones
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