"Asuma can't do it. After a whole wave of verbal lectures, I didn't gain much just a bit of improvement in weapon proficiency..."
Jingyi twirled a kunai in his hand.
He had gotten quite good with kunai, and even his swordsmanship seemed to have improved slightly. But compared to the rewards he got after training with Shisui, Asuma's contribution this time was clearly minimal.
Never mind.
Better than nothing.
He created a shadow clone and started preparing some food for himself.
Just then, a figure flashed into the courtyard.
"Kanda Keiichi, Lord Third ordered me to inform you that the Jōnin Selection Exam will be held in five days, in the morning. Please report to the Forest of Death."
"Understood. Thank you."
After Keiichi bowed slightly, the ANBU disappeared in a blink.
Once the ANBU left, Keiichi sat in thought, reflecting on recent events.
"Most of the shinobi have returned. That means things on the front lines have stabilized... The academy graduation exams might start soon too."
"And now they're holding a Jōnin exam... Konoha must be short on team leaders."
During the war, many of Konoha's shinobi had been deployed outside the village, and few Chūnin or Jōnin remained behind. Even basic missions like pet retrieval and firewood hauling were piling up.
Plus, there were many casualties among the Genin. New recruits were urgently needed to replenish the ranks.
However
Even after graduation, Genin don't operate independently. They must be assigned to teams, each led by a senior shinobi.
Most team leaders were Chūnin, but Konoha preferred to have Jōnin lead teams of children from prominent clans.
It was an unspoken rule of the village.
But now
Even Jōnin were in short supply.
The Third Hokage might not be saying it outright, but Keiichi knew it clearly after this brief period of peace, Konoha would soon face battles against both Kirigakure and Iwagakure.
Since the Second Great Ninja War began over a decade ago, Konoha hadn't really had a chance to rest. The village was stretched thin outwardly stable but internally strained.
No wonder Yūgakure would later attempt to kidnap Hinata Hyūga, and the Third, along with the Hyūga clan, chose to endure it quietly.
Keiichi understood the reasoning but he didn't agree with it.
"The Hyūga Head dying that way... unforgivable."
Also...
Konoha's current state wasn't unrelated to the leadership of the Third Hokage and Danzō Shimura.
The First Hokage was undoubtedly the strongest, but it was under the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, that the village truly prospered thanks to solid governance and policy.
What happened after that?
As soon as Tobirama died, Konoha began a continuous cycle of war with other villages, and its decline never really stopped.
Even within the village, the Sannin couldn't hold things together.
Whose fault is that?
It couldn't always be pinned on the Uchiha.
The truth was simple Hiruzen Sarutobi was not an effective ruler.
As he prepared to eat, Kanda Keiichi contemplated his next steps.
Becoming a team leader had already been part of his plan.
"In the war against Kirigakure and Kumogakure, I want to build merit. But more importantly, I need people my own trusted circle. If Danzō ever tries to move against me, I must be able to fight back."
Of course...
Orochimaru had enough strength and status too, but even he eventually had to run from Danzō.
Because Orochimaru had his own skeletons.
So I won't leave any leverage behind.
With that thought, Jingyi saw himself more clearly and let go of his earlier confusion.
For now
Train. Improve. Prepare.
"No classes tomorrow. I'll go meet Maito Dai and Maito Gai practice, exchange techniques. If it goes well, maybe I can learn more about the 'Seven-Day Training Method' and the Eight Gates technique."
---
The next day.
New faces in Konoha's ninja uniforms kept appearing.
Shinobi returning from the front lines.
Jingyi paid them no mind. He ran along the outer training path, while a shadow clone back home diligently practiced swordsmanship.
His skills had improved.
But
In real combat, it still might not be enough. His swordplay wasn't yet as instinctive or effective as his other combat methods.
He needed more training.
"Kanda-senpai! Let's spar!"
"Train properly."
Jingyi didn't respond.
Maito Gai trailed behind, unable to contain himself. He suddenly leapt up and launched a kick at Jingyi.
Jingyi tilted his head, dodging easily.
Gai flew past but before he landed, a green blur came charging at full speed.
"Gai! You little punk! How dare you ambush Kanda-sensei!"
Bang!
Maito Gai was sent flying, crashing near a large rock.
Matt Dai.
Jingyi sighed.
He had met the two a couple of times now, but their personalities were still hard to get used to.
Still, they always went full power. The fact that Gai could take those beatings and remain unscathed made it clear he was built for the Eight Gates. He'd been conditioned since childhood.
Jingyi ignored them and kept running.
They would catch up eventually.
But then
He narrowed his eyes toward the forest edge.
Someone was watching.
He focused.
That chakra
Hatake Kakashi!
He didn't react. He kept running as if unaware.
Closer...
The leaves rustled.
Suddenly, Kakashi appeared behind him, a tanto drawn, blade nearly touching Jingyi's neck.
"Hmph."
Before he could sheath his blade
The "Jingyi" before him vanished like smoke.
A clone?! When?!
Kakashi's eyes widened.
He reacted instantly, jumping back and performing hand signs mid-air.
Earth Release
He tried to sink into the ground.
But
He couldn't.
The terrain was already laced with someone else's chakra, blocking his Earth Release escape.
Unbelievable!
In just seconds, the enemy had used substitution and teleportation jutsu, and had sealed his retreat using Earth Release techniques.
This guy's a real battlefield veteran.
Then
Clang!
"As expected of Hatake Kakashi."
Kanda Keiichi now stood before him, gripping the blade Kakashi had held just moments ago.
Kakashi was stunned.
In a split second, the tide had turned completely.
If the kunai in Keiichi's right hand had been used instead, he could've ended Kakashi on the spot.
Incredible.
He was only six or seven years older than Kakashi, but the gap between them felt immense.
What crushed Kakashi even more
Was the feeling that even with six or seven more years of growth, he might still not be able to win.
No
"If I can perfect my Lightning Release and train harder... I will catch up!"
Kakashi clenched his fists, silently swearing to himself.
"Kakashi, I told you yesterday you're not his match, and yet you still came to challenge Kanda-sensei!"
Gai finally caught up and laughed mockingly.
Though
He himself had a bruised face and puffy lips, clearly just taken a beating from Matt Dai.