"So fast!"
Shisui couldn't help exclaiming.
He thought that the teacher might be very powerful, but he never imagined that Jingyi's Body Flicker Technique was so fast that he almost didn't need to form hand seals. It could be said that there was no warning when it was activated.
Just now, he hardly felt any chakra fluctuations.
This means…
If Jingyi lurked in the shadows and suddenly rushed out to kill him, he might not have had time to react.
"Amazing."
The other students were also astonished.
They didn't understand.
But—
Soon!
It was almost impossible to see clearly—it was nearly teleportation.
"Shisui, show everyone your version."
"Yes!"
Shisui said nothing more.
He formed hand seals, mobilized chakra, and then flashed behind Jingyi.
But—
His speed was clearly slower.
It seemed like a small difference, but in fact, the gap was obvious at a glance.
"Do you all understand?"
"Yes!"
Shiranui Genma nodded excitedly.
He understood.
Even though it was the same Body Flicker Technique, the details in chakra control and hand seals were different. It might seem like a minor distinction, but in actual combat, that difference could determine victory or defeat—life or death.
"What I'm teaching today are the subtleties of the Body Flicker Technique."
From the beginning, Jingyi explained many intricate aspects of it.
The eyes of all the commoner children were shining—including the children from smaller clans like Shiranui Genma—because although what Jingyi taught wasn't a secret technique, it was incredibly valuable to those with limited access to advanced knowledge.
Sarutobi Asuma listened from the side, but he was filled with confusion.
Why would a teacher…
How does a clan establish itself?
It's through these kinds of skills and secret techniques, but here at the Academy, Jingyi was freely sharing his own insights and understanding with the students—no less than handing over a clan's foundation to outsiders.
It didn't make sense.
At this point, Asuma was not yet the man who had returned from the Land of Fire's Daimyō escort mission, nor someone who had grasped the true meaning of the "Will of Fire."
He was confused—full of questions and curiosity.
In Asuma's mind, a normal person would use these skills to strengthen their clan, not share them with others like this…
After class—
Asuma hadn't absorbed much of the lesson.
"The war is almost over. The shinobi are returning to the village, and everyone may be reassigned into new classes, divided by performance. There won't be many chances to study together again."
Jingyi said with emotion, "Actually, these techniques aren't part of the curriculum. I didn't have to teach them."
"!!"
Hearing that, Asuma immediately perked up.
Exactly.
He was curious!
Not only him—many of the students were very curious, including Shisui.
"But war has been constant in recent years. The war with Sunagakure just ended this year. No one knows what the next year will bring. My parents died early on the battlefield, and I was only lucky enough to survive through certain... accidents."
"This year, many of you will graduate. I hope you all survive."
"You're dismissed."
Jingyi waved his hand, indicating that class was over.
But—
None of the students left. Everyone vaguely understood the situation.
The teacher might be leaving.
As Jingyi mentioned, this class was originally formed due to the wartime shortage of teachers. Now that the war was over, things wouldn't be as mixed anymore.
And…
"There's no way someone as strong as sensei would just be a regular teacher. He must've already been assigned to the Jōnin forces."
Yūhi Kurenai said softly from behind.
Her father worked as an instructor for Chūnin and Genin, so Kurenai knew very well what the average Chūnin's strength looked like.
There's no way a Jōnin would be idle.
Especially not during wartime.
Asuma was deeply shocked.
He remembered his father's words—
The Will of Fire.
What is the Will of Fire?
Maybe what Jingyi-sensei was doing... was exactly that!
"Don't overthink it, you brats. Off you go. Don't forget to train after class. I'll be checking your progress next time."
Jingyi had only just thought of saying those words.
First, to express some "heartfelt words."
Second…
He wanted to test if the system's rewards were tied to the students' emotional responses. If so, he'd gain more experience by tapping into it.
Also—
Isn't moral education still education?
If you don't talk about ideals, how will people like Hiruzen know?
Jingyi admired himself.
Actually—
He was right. Quite a few people were watching him now.
The Third Hokage was one of them.
Upon seeing this scene, Hiruzen was shocked—
Then deeply moved.
As expected—
Kanda Keiichi was someone who truly understood the Will of Fire!
"As expected of my teacher's student."
Hiruzen was overwhelmed with emotion.
He used the Telescope Technique to monitor things, and had also seen Uchiha Fugaku at the school gates. Thinking of the Uchiha clan, he couldn't help but laugh.
Kanda Keiichi was really something!
He was only appointed as a temporary teacher, yet now Shisui had become a model student, like Obito once was.
It's a pity he's not my own student…
If he became Tsunade's disciple, maybe he'd even have a shot at the Hokage position in the future.
The Third Hokage fell into contemplation.
…
"Shisui."
At the school gate.
Shisui followed Jingyi out. Along the way, he asked about more details of the Body Flicker Technique.
Upon seeing Fugaku at the gate, Shisui was briefly stunned, then turned and bowed.
"Sensei, do you want to become a Jōnin in the future?"
"Barring surprises, yes."
Jingyi paused for a moment, then nodded lightly.
The Jōnin exams were only needed because he lacked formal merit. In his case, it would be more of a formality—
Even if not officially promoted, he had the confidence.
"I see. Thank you, Sensei… I'll go now."
A smile appeared on Shisui's face.
Then, he took a deep breath, cleared his thoughts, and walked toward Fugaku.
Fugaku narrowed his eyes slightly, gave Jingyi a nod from afar, and then left with Shisui.
After returning to the clan—
Only then did Fugaku speak. "Shisui, is that the teacher who was recently reassigned?"
"Yes, his name is Kanda Keiichi. He's a very good teacher."
Shisui answered respectfully.
"I heard that recently, you've been spending time with Obito—helping the villagers carry water and firewood?"
"Yes. I noticed that the commoners didn't seem to like me at first, but they didn't treat Obito the same way. I was curious, so I observed and tried it myself. Sure enough, the villagers stopped avoiding me."
A smile lit up Shisui's face.
He looked up at Fugaku and said, "Lord Patriarch, I think our clan should try to communicate more with them—otherwise, they'll keep misunderstanding the Uchiha."
"…"
Fugaku was stunned for a moment. He gently patted Shisui's head, speechless.
Shisui was only five years old.
But it was the words of this child that surprised him most.
Because Shisui, despite being so young, already viewed things from the perspective of the clan—not just as an individual.
That was rare!
He looked at Shisui for a few more seconds, then finally sighed deeply.
"You're right... but it's easier said than done. Still, it's good that you're thinking this way. You're different from Obito."
Obito acts purely on emotion.
Shisui, on the other hand, acts with observation and intent. The difference put Fugaku more at ease.
"Lord Patriarch, may I request to join another Jōnin's team after graduation?"
Shisui asked again.
"You want to join Kanda Keiichi's team?"
Fugaku was conflicted.
Previously, he might not have agreed, but Shisui's words made him realize how mature and insightful the child had become, and—
Shisui didn't know, but Fugaku did.
Right now, Uchiha was like a fish on a chopping block. They wanted to try but lacked direction.
And now, it seemed they had a chance through Shisui!
Getting close to Kanda Keiichi might be the springboard to Hokage's Anbu once again.
Thinking this through, Fugaku nodded lightly and said, "I understand. If Kanda Keiichi is promoted to Jōnin and is willing to lead a team, I'll put in a recommendation with the Third Hokage."
"Thank you, Lord Patriarch!"