"Secret Technique?"
A ripple stirred in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart as he thought back to the Eight Gates technique that Jingyi had used during the recent exams.
He recalled that Jingyi had mentioned the Eight Gates were developed by a man named Might Duy.
Might Duy...
The name triggered a rare moment of contemplation in the Third Hokage.
After a few moments, Hiruzen lifted his head and asked, "Did you collaborate with Might Duy to create the Eight Gates?"
Jingyi shook his head and replied, "No. The Eight Gates were developed by Senior Duy alone through over twenty years of dedicated training. I had no hand in its creation. My own technique is called 'Seven-Day Breathing'. I developed it myself while studying medical ninjutsu."
He then began explaining the principles behind Seven-Day Breathing and its first activation method.
"Body activation through controlled oxygen intake? You managed to develop a taijutsu technique of this level?"
The Third was visibly astonished.
While the principle made sense using enhanced oxygenation to stimulate the body Hiruzen quickly realized the dangers. Without a sufficiently strong body, this method could easily cause oxygen toxicity.
After some thought, he took a deep breath and said solemnly, "This technique must be classified as an S-rank forbidden art. It can only be used in absolute necessity!"
"I understand," Jingyi said. "Senior Duy and I are also working on simplifying it adjusting the breathing method to lower the risk. If we succeed, we hope to reclassify it as an A-rank forbidden technique."
If that could be achieved, it would allow many more elite Chunin and Jonin to safely learn the technique.
More importantly, if it succeeded, it might be possible to apply for official research funding.
"It's a good idea," the Third Hokage said, rubbing his temples, "but actual application will be extremely complicated."
"Don't worry, Hokage-sama," Jingyi said. "Even if someone copies the basics, the full Seven-Day Breathing method will remain hidden."
He smiled lightly and added, "If we succeed, our forces will suffer fewer casualties in the next war."
Hiruzen nodded gravely. "We can't discard a good idea just because it's difficult... Very well. Submit the simplified version once it's ready."
Then, to Jingyi's surprise, Hiruzen pulled out a scroll from his desk.
After undoing the seal, a sword appeared: The Thunder Sword, a weapon crafted years ago at the Hokage's commission. Though its raw power was remarkable, its material was fragile and required careful handling.
"I'm giving you this sword," the Third said. "It's not perfect, but treat it with care."
Jingyi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
He had originally planned to seize weapons from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen someday, but receiving such a gift now was a huge boon.
Of course, that didn't change his future plans.
More blades were always welcome.
He even thought of legendary blades like the Kusanagi Sword though he didn't know where the Grass clan that guarded it was located. Otherwise, he would already be scheming to find it.
The Third smiled, then added, "The exam is tomorrow. Class starts the day after. Don't be late."
After Jingyi left, Hiruzen sat there for a long time, deep in thought.
Eventually, he called an Anbu ninja.
"Bring me all the information we have on Might Duy."
A few moments later, the Anbu returned, looking puzzled.
"Sir, Might Duy is... just a Genin. His files are in the lower ninja archives."
"What?"
A Genin?
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned.
He trusted Jingyi there was no doubt about the authenticity of what he said about the Eight Gates. After all, to even study such a dangerous technique would require years of theoretical knowledge and practice.
No teenager could fake that.
Which meant Might Duy really had created it despite being a Genin!
Hiruzen flipped through Duy's meager file.
It was pitifully thin.
Unlike heroes like Konoha's White Fang or Kosuke Maruboshi, Duy had lived in near-total obscurity, spending decades doing only D-rank missions, barely leaving a mark.
Yet somehow, this man had created a forbidden technique so powerful it could turn the tide of battle.
Hiruzen closed the file and sighed heavily.
"I have failed in my duties..."
Konoha, desperately short on elite ninja during the wars, had let a genius like Might Duy languish unrecognized.
---
Meanwhile, Jingyi carried the Thunder Sword out of the Hokage Building.
Twice.
If the Third Hokage still couldn't understand after this... then truly, he was growing senile.
The current Might Duy was different from the one in the original timeline.
Though he still specialized in the Eight Gates, he had also incorporated some of the moves that Might Guy would eventually create like the Konoha Whirlwind.
While he hadn't yet unlocked monstrous techniques like Morning Peacock or Daytime Tiger, his base strength was already at the level of a high Jonin.
And yet... he's still stuck doing D-rank missions?
The Third really is blind sometimes.
Not that it was surprising.
This was, after all, the same man who had allowed the tragedy of Hatake Sakumo the White Fang of Konoha to unfold without intervention.
Whether through negligence or incompetence, Hiruzen had allowed too many great ninja to slip through the cracks.
And even if Jingyi himself rose to Jonin quickly...
The road to Hokage would be filled with obstacles and political traps.
Jingyi laughed quietly to himself.
Forget it. Focus on surviving first.
The coming war and the Night of the Nine Tails those were the real priorities.
The next day, after finishing his morning training, Jingyi arrived at the Ninja Academy.
Today was the graduation exam.
Normally, this would be just a formality especially for someone like him but the Third Hokage had unexpectedly appointed him as the chief examiner for ninjutsu.
Interestingly, some other promising instructors were present too, such as Kurenai Yuhi and Ebisu.
It was clear that the Third had high hopes for this batch of graduates.
Soon, the students began filing into the room.
And among them
Obito Uchiha.
For once, he wasn't late!
...Or so it seemed.
Two minutes after the exam began, there was a knock at the door.
"Teacher? I..."
Obito poked his head in, clearly panicking.
And then he froze the chief examiner was none other than his own teacher, Jingyi.
And he'd still arrived late.
"Same rules," Jingyi said calmly. "You'll need to combine Transformation and Clone techniques in your demonstration."
"Yes, sir!"
Obito gulped and began forming hand seals.
With a puff of chakra, two clones appeared next to him. Both transformed: one into Jingyi himself, and the other two into his fellow examiners.
However
"The clones' height and size don't match exactly," Jingyi pointed out. "And look carefully today, I'm wearing a different ninja tool. You missed that."
Obito slumped in place, almost crying.