Kakashi couldn't wrap his head around it. For Thunder Breathing to unleash its true power, he needed to… breathe a certain way? It made no sense.
As they traveled toward the Land of Grass, a journey of five to six days, Qianyu explained. "It's not normal breathing. It's called Total Concentration Breathing. Its core function is to strengthen the heart and lungs, forcing the blood to absorb massive amounts of oxygen in an instant. It temporarily boosts physical capabilities dramatically.
"Only by combining Thunder Breathing with Total Concentration can you grasp its true essence. Without the breathing method, anyone trying to learn it only mimics the form, never the intent. The difference is vast. Master Total Concentration, and your focus sharpens. Your vision improves, too."
"A breathing technique… that powerful?" Kakashi asked, skeptical.
"You'll understand once you learn it," Qianyu said with a nod. "I'll start teaching you when we reach the Land of Grass."
Kakashi remained doubtful. He'd never heard of anything so unconventional. But if it could truly provide an instant physical boost, its applications wouldn't be limited to just sword techniques. The potential was intriguing.
During their journey, Qianyu didn't start any lessons. Instead, he assessed Kakashi's current abilities. Just as Orochimaru had tested him before tailoring a training plan, Qianyu needed to understand his new student's foundation.
A few days of observation gave him a clear picture.
Kakashi was a genius, no doubt. An elite chunin at six years old. He excelled at the Hatake clan's sword techniques, combining them with Body Flicker for devastating hit-and-run attacks. His speed was exceptional, rivaling even Minato Namikaze in their academy days.
His ninjutsu, however, was average. His chakra natures were Lightning and Earth, and he only knew some basic elemental techniques. It was likely due to his age, or perhaps his father wasn't the best teacher in that regard.
With this knowledge, Qianyu began crafting Kakashi's future training. Now that he was Kakashi's teacher, he had to be responsible. Besides, Kakashi could very well become a long-term companion on the path ahead.
Priority one: the breathing technique. To elevate Kakashi's combat power now, mastering Thunder Breathing was the only real option.
Next: reaction speed, dynamic vision, and some advanced Lightning and Earth Release ninjutsu.
As for the Sharingan… now that Kakashi was his student, Qianyu wasn't sure if that infamous encounter with Obito Uchiha would even happen. Even if it did, Qianyu had no intention of letting Kakashi transplant that eye.
In his view, the drawbacks for Kakashi were crippling. The damn thing had turned him into a meme—the universal unit for pathetic chakra reserves. Sure, he'd copy a thousand jutsu with it. Useful? Not even a little.
The constant chakra drain was a massive handicap. In a real fight, he'd be lucky to pull off a handful of techniques before hitting empty. The title 'Copy Ninja Kakashi' sounded more like a joke than an honor.
With Kakashi's innate talent, Qianyu believed his ceiling would be far higher without the Sharingan. And that was without Qianyu's guidance.
Qianyu was confident in his own growth. The skills he'd acquire from the system and could pass on to Kakashi would be far superior to copying a thousand jutsu only to be a 'three-second man' in battle.
For someone without Uchiha blood? That Sharingan was more curse than gift. Let someone else deal with it.
Look at Orochimaru. He coveted the Sharingan so much he wanted Sasuke Uchiha's entire body. Was it because he couldn't get a spare eye? Please. Orochimaru could have grabbed one anytime. He knew the drawbacks, so he sought a perfect vessel instead.
Even Danzō Shimura didn't implant the eyes directly. Orochimaru gave him a Hashirama-cell arm to act as a battery, housing the stolen Sharingan.
No. For Kakashi, the path was clear.
With a solid training plan mapped out, they finally crossed into the Land of Grass.
They reported to the Konoha forward base and went straight to Sakumo Hatake's quarters.
Sakumo wasn't surprised to see Qianyu. News had already reached him: Orochimaru's notoriously active disciple was being transferred from the Land of Hot Water.
But seeing Kakashi beside him? That was a shock.
"Kakashi? What are you doing back here?"
"Father," Kakashi announced formally. "I've taken Master Qianyu as my teacher."
Sakumo's mouth opened slightly as he turned his gaze to Qianyu.
He'd assigned Kakashi to a standard three-man cell under a jonin commander, hoping his son would bond with teammates, make friends… and now the boy came back with a master instead.
What a 'pleasant' surprise.
Sakumo studied Qianyu. He didn't know the young man personally, only by reputation. And what a reputation it was—mostly vicious gossip.
Sakumo paid such rumors no mind. If anything, he found Qianyu impressive. To thrive under such pressure, to be acknowledged by one of the Legendary Sannin, and to reach jonin rank in just a few years? That spoke of formidable talent.
He'd also studied the battle plans Qianyu had a hand in devising for the Land of Hot Water. Analyzing the situation and forces at the time, Sakumo's assessment was: Radical. Recklessly so. But brilliant.
It was an all-or-nothing gambit. Success or failure, the cost would be steep. But if it succeeded, the gains would dwarf the losses. He respected Orochimaru for having the guts to approve it.
Most importantly, as Orochimaru's disciple, Qianyu was firmly in the Hokage's camp.
So, despite this being their first meeting, Sakumo's impression of Qianyu was positive. He had no objection to Kakashi becoming his student. The young man was clearly exceptional, and his lineage was sound—only his public image was tarnished.
Sakumo offered a smile. It was an awkward, unpracticed thing on his usually stern face. "So, Qianyu. You're Kakashi's master now. I'll be leaving him in your care." As a man who rarely smiled, the expression looked painfully stiff.
Qianyu met his gaze squarely. "Kakashi is exceptional. I will teach him everything I can. You have my word, Lord Sakumo."
Sakumo gave a firm nod. "For Kakashi to learn under you is an opportunity. I am confident in you."
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