The private training ground Kenji had rented lay shrouded in evening shadows, perfect for his nocturnal schedule. Located in a secluded section of Konoha's training facilities, the area offered privacy while remaining within the village's protective barriers. Senju Kaito arrived precisely on time, carrying a leather satchel containing basic training equipment.
"Lord Kibutsuchi," Kaito greeted with professional courtesy, though his skepticism remained evident. "Before we begin any physical training, you must understand the fundamental concept underlying all ninja arts—chakra."
Kenji adopted an expression of attentive curiosity, though he already possessed theoretical knowledge from his previous life's memories. "Please, enlighten me, Sensei."
Kaito gestured for him to sit cross-legged on the ground, then assumed a similar position facing his unusual student. "Chakra is the combination of physical energy drawn from the body's cells and spiritual energy gained through experience and study. These two forces blend within every living being, but most civilians never learn to access or manipulate this power."
He extended his hand, and Kenji watched as visible energy began to swirl around Kaito's palm—a controlled demonstration of chakra manipulation. "The first step for any aspiring ninja is awakening their chakra networks. This process typically takes weeks or even months for children, and adults..." Kaito's expression suggested he expected significant difficulties.
"I assume you haven't awakened your chakra yet, which is completely normal for someone of your background," Kaito continued. "We'll begin with basic meditation techniques to help you access your internal energy."
"I'm ready to attempt whatever you suggest," Kenji replied, maintaining his facade of eager inexperience.
Kaito began explaining breathing exercises and concentration methods designed to help civilians access their dormant chakra networks. For nearly an hour, he guided Kenji through various meditation techniques, expecting to see gradual signs of awakening over multiple sessions.
"Now, try to feel for any warmth or energy moving through your body," Kaito instructed. "Don't force it—simply allow your awareness to—"
He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening in surprise. Chakra was flowing visibly around Kenji's seated form—not the tentative, flickering energy of a newly awakened civilian, but the steady, controlled aura of an experienced practitioner.
"Lord Kibutsuchi," Kaito said slowly, "your chakra is already awakened. Not only that, but the quantity..." He paused, reassessing his student with new eyes. "This is the chakra capacity of an elite chunin."
Kenji feigned surprise, allowing confusion to cross his features. "Is that... unusual? I had assumed this was normal."
"Normal?" Kaito stood abruptly, pacing as he processed this revelation. "Most genin possess a fraction of the chakra you're displaying. This level of capacity typically requires years of training and development."
"Perhaps," Kenji ventured hesitantly, "it's related to my illness and recovery? I consumed enormous quantities of rare medicinal herbs and underwent various treatments. Could such measures have affected my spiritual development?"
The explanation was plausible enough to give Kaito pause. Certain rare herbs were known to enhance spiritual energy, and a noble's access to exotic treatments might indeed produce unusual results. Still, the instructor's analytical mind struggled with the implications.
"It's... possible," Kaito admitted reluctantly. "Some medicinal compounds do affect chakra development, though nothing to this extent. Regardless, this changes our training approach significantly."
Instead of spending weeks on chakra awakening, they could immediately progress to molding and control exercises. Kaito demonstrated the basic techniques for shaping and directing chakra flow, expecting his student to require considerable practice before achieving even rudimentary success.
Instead, Kenji replicated each demonstration with disturbing precision. Within an hour, his chakra control rivaled that of his instructor—a level of mastery that should have required months of dedicated training.
"Impossible," Kaito muttered, watching his student perform complex chakra manipulation exercises with effortless grace. "Your control is nearly equivalent to my own. This shouldn't be achievable for someone without formal training."
Kenji maintained his expression of pleased surprise. "I've always been a quick learner, and perhaps my recent experiences have enhanced my focus and determination."
Kaito's skepticism was reaching new heights, but the evidence before his eyes was undeniable. "There's a test to determine your chakra nature—the elemental affinity that will shape your future ninjutsu development. However, I didn't bring chakra paper today, as I expected to spend several sessions just on basic awakening."
He shook his head, still processing the evening's revelations. "We'll conduct that test next time. For now, let's move to physical training—taijutsu fundamentals and basic weapon techniques."
The remainder of the evening proved equally surprising for the veteran instructor. Kenji's physical capabilities exceeded all expectations, his movements fluid and precise despite his claims of being a pampered noble. His reflexes during taijutsu practice were sharp, his form adapted quickly to corrections, and his accuracy with thrown weapons improved at an alarming rate.
After three hours of intensive training, Kaito finally called a halt, expecting his student to be exhausted. Instead, Kenji appeared barely winded, his breathing only slightly elevated despite the demanding exercises.
"Are you... not tired?" Kaito asked incredulously.
"I mentioned that my recovery has left me in significantly better physical condition than before my illness," Kenji reminded him diplomatically. "I feel I could continue for several more hours if necessary."
Kaito stared at his student with a mixture of bewilderment and growing respect. Everything about this assignment was confounding his expectations. "Our next session is in two days. I'll bring chakra paper to test your elemental affinity."
Two days later, Kaito arrived with a small square of special paper designed to reveal chakra nature through contact. "This paper is infused with chakra-sensitive materials," he explained. "When you channel your energy into it, the paper will react according to your elemental affinity."
Kenji accepted the paper and focused a small amount of chakra into it, curious about what his demon-enhanced physiology might reveal. The results were immediate and striking—one portion of the paper began to burn with intense flame while another section became saturated with moisture.
"Fire and water," Kaito announced, his tone reflecting amazement rather than surprise at this point. "Dual elemental affinities are exceptionally rare, occurring in perhaps one out of a hundred ninja."
"Is that... beneficial?" Kenji inquired, though he already understood the implications.
"Beneficial?" Kaito laughed, the sound tinged with disbelief. "Most ninja spend their entire careers mastering techniques from a single element. Having natural affinity for two elements, especially opposing ones like fire and water, provides enormous versatility in combat applications."
He continued his explanation of chakra natures, describing how yin and yang release—spiritual and physical energy manipulation—couldn't be tested with paper but represented the most advanced forms of chakra application.
Their training sessions continued with remarkable consistency. Kenji's progress in every area exceeded all reasonable expectations, his mastery of fundamental techniques advancing at a pace that left his instructor alternately amazed and suspicious.
Two months later, construction of Kenji's custom residence was finally complete. The compound featured everything he had requested—reinforced walls, minimal sunlight exposure, soundproofed training areas, and modern equipment specially imported at considerable expense.
Standing in his new home's central courtyard as evening settled over Konoha, Kenji finally allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The months of careful planning and patient execution had established him securely within the village's structure.
He activated his system interface, curious about his progress during the intensive training period.
**TEMPLATE SYSTEM ACTIVATED**
**Host: Kenji Nakamura**
**Template: Muzan Kibutsuchi (19%)**
**Twelve Kizuki: Locked**
**Primary Abilities:**
**1. Biological Manipulation – Can restructure body at will; create weapons, grow limbs, alter organs.**
**2. Cellular Regeneration – Instantly heals from wounds, even decapitation (unless hit by specific weaknesses).**
**Special Traits:**
**Immortality – Cannot age or die naturally.**
**Sunlight Weakness – Incinerated by direct sunlight.**
**Ultimate Technique:**
**"Perfect Demon Physiology" – Full release of body manipulation, enhancing all attributes and spawning countless whip-like appendages capable of shredding enemies instantly.**
The template integration had advanced steadily during his chakra training, progressing from 15% to 19%. More importantly, he could feel the changes throughout his body—enhanced strength, improved reflexes, and an almost supernatural awareness of his physical capabilities.
His custom gymnasium occupied an entire wing of the residence, equipped with modern training apparatus that would have been impossible to acquire through normal channels. Weight systems, conditioning equipment, and specialized tools for practicing weapon techniques filled the space.
The private library he had assembled contained extensive collections on trap construction, assassination techniques, and strategic analysis—materials freely available through Konoha's recently established ninja library system. Hashirama's vision of an educated ninja population had inadvertently provided Kenji with access to knowledge that would have been closely guarded secrets in other villages.
During recent training sessions, it had become apparent that Kaito had little left to teach him. Kenji's mastery of basic taijutsu exceeded his instructor's capabilities, his chakra manipulation surpassed veteran levels, and his accuracy with thrown weapons approached perfection. The demon physiology underlying his human facade provided advantages that no amount of conventional training could replicate.
"My lord," Takeshi's voice interrupted his contemplation. His loyal retainer had been managing the household's daily operations with characteristic efficiency. "Senju Kaito has arrived for this evening's session."
Kenji nodded, though he suspected tonight's training would be among their last formal sessions. He had extracted everything possible from basic instruction, and Kaito's growing suspicions about his student's true capabilities were becoming increasingly difficult to deflect.
The instructor's arrival confirmed his expectations. Kaito's expression reflected resignation more than enthusiasm as he surveyed the elaborate training facilities.
"Lord Kibutsuchi," Kaito began formally, "I believe our training arrangement has reached its natural conclusion. You have mastered everything I am authorized to teach, and your capabilities now exceed the scope of basic instruction."
"I see," Kenji replied, though he felt a surge of anticipation rather than disappointment. "I'm grateful for everything you've taught me, Sensei. Your guidance has been invaluable."
Kaito studied his former student with analytical eyes. "If you truly wish to continue advancing, you would need access to advanced techniques and specialized instruction. However, such training is restricted to active village ninja."
The implication was clear—Kenji had reached the limits of what could be taught to a civilian, regardless of his exceptional capabilities. To progress further, he would need to find alternative methods.
After Kaito departed, Kenji stood alone in his training ground, contemplating the next phase of his development. The foundation had been laid, but true power would require more than conventional instruction.
His enhanced senses detected the familiar tingle that preceded a system update, and he focused his attention on the interface appearing in his vision.
The template integration stood at exactly 19%, tantalizingly close to what he suspected would be a significant threshold. At 20%, new abilities might unlock, providing access to powers that would dwarf anything conventional ninja training could offer.