In the trees, two figures silently followed.
One of them stifled a laugh.
The other’s facial muscles twitched, his expression so twisted that the blond-haired ninja almost burst out laughing.
An extre training competition...
This "junior" really ca up with sothing wild.
If such a competition really took off, Konoha’s future would be quite the spectacle!
Below, Kyohiko heard a faint chuckle and imdiately perked up.
Soone’s here?
He hadn’t sensed them, but he could pinpoint the sound’s location.
This was another ability he had gained after improving his Body Flicker Technique.
The Kiri-nin had left Konoha shortly after the negotiations that day, so whoever was following them now had to be from Konoha. No need to worry too much.
After the training session, the original team of three gathered.
"Kyohiko, Kurenai, since sensei hasn’t returned yet, have you decided who you’ll go to the Land of Hot Water with?"
"Don’t worry, sensei will definitely have arrangents. We just need to focus on training and getting stronger."
Kyohiko replied.
Even if Jiraiya was unreliable, he wouldn’t forget sothing like this.
Kyohiko glanced up at the trees.
Still not moving?
Or have they already left?
No sound, so they probably haven’t left.
"Senior in the trees, won’t you co down and chat?"
In the trees?
Kakashi and Kurenai looked around.
They hadn’t sensed anyone!
After a mont, a red-haired woman jumped down from one of the trees: "How did you find ? I thought I was well-hidden, with no flaws."
"I heard laughter."
Kyohiko answered.
He looked up—
Hmm, her hair was very long, almost reaching her waist.
Kushina’s eyes widened slightly, filled with disbelief, before she couldn’t help but chuckle, then burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, Minato, you got caught and still won’t co down?"
"..."
Minato jumped down from the tree, looking slightly embarrassed.
He was the one who had laughed earlier.
Being discovered by a junior wasn’t exactly sothing to be proud of.
However.
Although he hadn’t been able to hold back, his laughter had been very faint. At the ti, Kyohiko had been talking to the others, yet he still managed to hear Minato’s soft chuckle?
Minato was visibly surprised.
"Is your hearing innate?"
"No, it’s trained."
Kyohiko explained the purpose, process, and insights of his blindfolded training, fabricating a comprehensive story that stretched the tiline of his sound and hearing training to over a year, making it hard for anyone to doubt.
As for Kakashi...
Don’t ask.
Just say it’s natural talent.
Minato was deeply impressed.
He had never thought...
That such thods could be used to improve and compensate for the limitations of vision at high speeds.
Minato’s face was full of admiration.
"Kyohiko, did you co up with all this in the past year or two? That’s... truly remarkable!"
He was also a commoner.
Minato knew very well that without access to many jutsu or books, a commoner could only research the Three Basic Techniques and the Body Flicker Technique.
For soone his age to have researched Body Flicker Technique to this level...
He was far behind!
"You two, if you have any insights, you can exchange them on the way. They’re very tired today, so let them rest early."
"On the way?"
"Sensei is still in the Land of Hot Water. Tomorrow, Minato will take you to Yugakure."
...
The next day, the four gathered at Konoha’s village gate.
After a while, Kakashi arrived in a series of Body Flicker Techniques: "Whew, good thing you haven’t left yet."
Minato glanced over, noticing Kakashi was carrying one sword and holding another, and seed thoughtful.
"I’ll go register. If you have anything to say, make it quick."
Minato headed to the gate.
Kakashi handed over the sword he was holding: "Kyohiko, this sword is similar to the practice blade, but it’s sharpened and more durable. It’ll be useful for you."
"Thank you."
Kyohiko didn’t refuse. After accepting the sword, he tested it out.
Although he didn’t know much about swords, it felt just right in his hands, perfectly suited for him.
Clearly.
Kakashi had put a lot of thought into finding this sword.
"It’s nothing. Maintaining a sword takes effort, so it’s better to give it to soone who needs it."
Kakashi smiled.
Gai was doing handstand exercises nearby, while Kurenai was reading a book.
Everyone was busy.
"Let’s go."
After Minato finished registering, he led them out of the village.
As they were about to leave.
A group ran past the village gate, led by Genma and Ebisu, with a few younger children following behind.
They shouted their lap counts as they sprinted past the gate.
Kakashi’s eyes flickered, and under the strange gazes of the others, he gritted his teeth and joined the running group.
...
[Under your guidance, the "extre training" movent and spirit have gained small-scale recognition and promotion]
[Reward: Eight Gates (Beginner)]
"Genma really brought a group to train together!"
Kyohiko chuckled.
"Hahaha, this is the essence of youth!"
Might Gai was thrilled.
He felt like his spirit was spreading throughout the village.
Imdiately, Gai ran ahead a good distance, then returned doing a handstand, full of energy.
Minato’s smile stiffened.
"Is he always like this?"
"Pretty much."
Kyohiko nodded, while secretly observing the system.
Eight Gates.
This was indeed related to "extre training."
And—
Did this an Gai had already started practicing the Eight Gates?
Kyohiko looked at Gai ahead, carefully pondering the new mories in his mind.
Eight Gates.
At the beginner level, it only included the principles of the Eight Gates and the thods and techniques for opening the First and Second Gates. However, the conditions and costs of opening them still required the body to et certain standards.
Just like the beginner-level Superhuman Strength technique.
Kyohiko still rembered...
The first ti he used the Superhuman Strength, his hand had bled.
But with his current abilities, opening the First and Second Gates shouldn’t be a problem. They could serve as a trump card.
The four of them moved forward together.
Along the way, Minato kept observing.
He noticed...
Whether it was Gai, Kyohiko, or even Kurenai, they all trained like mad, seizing every mont to exercise or study, never taking breaks voluntarily.
Often, it was Minato who had to remind them to rest and not overdo it.
"We’re almost at the Land of Hot Water."
Minato smiled.
The scenery ahead changed dramatically, from forests and wilderness to a misty, spring-filled landscape.
This was the Land of Hot Water.
A country filled with hot springs and the fragrance of flowers.
Kyohiko glanced around and couldn’t help but sigh—
Such a beautiful country. No wonder it was known as the "Land of Peace."
Unfortunately.
The so-called Land of Peace...
As he was deep in thought, a sharp sound suddenly ca from the shadows.
Kyohiko, now highly sensitive to sound, imdiately recognized it as a projectile and shouted, "Watch out! Ambush!"
In the next mont.
Whoosh!
Minato had already teleported away.
With the enemy’s identity unknown, Kyohiko didn’t act imdiately. Instead, he quickly threw two kunai, deflecting two others that were carrying explosive tags.
Then...
Water Release: Water Wall!
Boom!
Explosions rang out, and water splashed everywhere.
Kyohiko instantly drew a large amount of chakra, the surrounding water swirling to dissipate the force and protect the center.
By now, Gai and Kurenai had realized what was happening—
They were under attack!
Outside, screams echoed.
Minato had taken action!
Kyohiko blocked the first wave, but then, a faint sound ca from underground.
"Watch out below!"
Crack!
The ground collapsed.
A hand reached out from beneath Kyohiko’s feet and grabbed him.
But.
In the next mont, the figure disappeared.
It was a shadow clone!
Then—
Boom!
A fist struck the ground, causing it to split open, blood gushing like a spring.
"Be careful!"
Kyohiko quickly popped a soldier pill into his mouth.
Earth Release.
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