The leaves on the ground were finally swept up, floating in mid-air.
It was at this moment that a current flashed inside Kiyoshi's right arm, significantly increasing his cellular activity.
He fiercely drew the small tachi sword and swung it at the leaf.
A crack gradually appeared in the leaf in mid-air. It then split into two halves and fell toward the ground.
Kiyoshi slowly transitioned from the drawing posture to sheathing his sword. The blade faintly reflected a metallic cold gleam.
"It truly relies on speed as its foundation," Kiyoshi thought.
His vision could keep up with the leaf's speed, catching its trajectory. The drawback was that his body's reaction speed couldn't match it, and his precision was insufficient.
His time training swordsmanship was too short, he was not yet skilled enough to hit a leaf with a single strike.
However, the extreme speed happened to compensate for the lack of precision.
If one strike wasn't enough, he'd use two.
If two weren't enough, he'd use three.
Kiyoshi's first strike just now missed, so he quickly made a micro-adjustment and struck a second time, slicing the leaf in half.
Because of the extreme speed, a ninja with insufficient perception would only see Kiyoshi draw the sword, a blurry swing, and then the leaf splitting open.
"You have comprehended a new Trait: [Apprentice Swordsman Ninja (White)]"
The translucent panel appeared before Kiyoshi's eyes.
[Trait: Apprentice Swordsman Ninja (White)]
[Requirement Achieved: Use a form of swordsmanship.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Your swordsmanship training speed increases by 10% on top of your existing foundation.]
[Note: Can be further upgraded later.]
Before buying the used small tachi, Kiyoshi had used a kitchen knife to whittle a tree branch into the silhouette of a "sword," using it to practice the Hidden Cloud Style Swordsmanship.
After practicing for five days, today, Kiyoshi barely managed to execute [Hidden Cloud Style Swordsmanship: Flying Bird] and acquired a new Trait.
This allows Kiyoshi's swordsmanship training to be 10% more effective than that of an average person.
"The strength of an average Genin is about this level," Kiyoshi thought.
He put down the small tachi and went into the house for a drink of water.
The strength gap between one Genin and another is larger than that between a human and a dog.
The strong ones are like Kosuke Maruboshi, the eternal Genin.
He was demoted because he acted too hastily on a mission, giving rash orders that led to the deaths of two comrades.
He swore to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, that he would remain a Genin forever, yet his true strength could be considered elite even among Jōnin.
He demonstrated impressive strength in the original work.
The weak Genin are those children from civilian families.
The Three-Body Technique, which ninjas with clan heritage rarely use, is the strongest ninjutsu for them.
If they can use the Three-Body Technique and know some basic common sense, they can be rushed into service as a Genin.
"I still need to graduate as quickly as possible." Kiyoshi put down his water cup.
The [Sturdy Physique] Trait should be acquired this week. He could then directly synthesize the [Lightning Release Genin] Trait.
Continuing to stay at the Ninja Academy would be a waste of time. It would be best to graduate early.
For other ninjas, graduating early might mean becoming cannon fodder sooner.
But Kiyoshi was different.
He would be exposed to more situations, have more opportunities to trigger the Trait panel, fulfill the conditions on the panel, and rapidly strengthen himself.
***
Ninja Academy.
In addition to physical training, ninjas must also learn shuriken throwing techniques.
Most ninjas carry shuriken with them.
There are many Ninjutsu related to shuriken, such as [Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu], [Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson], and so on.
"Listen up. The shuriken is a ninja's last line of defense. When a ninja's chakra is insufficient to perform Ninjutsu, if their shuriken throwing technique is good enough, they might be able to avert disaster..."
Fujimoto Kyōhei, the Chūnin teacher in charge of teaching shuriken throwing, spoke eloquently from the front, occasionally taking out several different types of shuriken for the students to identify.
There were Fūma Shuriken, which were much larger than normal shuriken, as well as finer distinctions like right-angle and curved shuriken.
Kiyoshi quietly watched the various shuriken displayed by Fujimoto Kyōhei.
The Uchiha clan was among the best when it came to shuriken throwing techniques.
"Kiyoshi, how is your shuriken throwing technique?" Kurenai Yūhi parted her lips and asked.
Kiyoshi was a transfer student.
Shuriken throwing was taught last semester, so it was placed late in this semester's curriculum.
Kurenai Yūhi was very curious about the throwing technique of Kiyoshi, who was both from the Land of Lightning and the Uchiha clan.
"I don't know. I haven't practiced much," Kiyoshi shook his head.
A person's energy is limited. He must make the optimal choice in the shortest time.
First, his body needed to become strong enough to hold more chakra, and then he could learn more Ninjutsu.
While the two were talking, Asuma Sarutobi watched Kiyoshi and Kurenai Yūhi from the back.
Seriously, who are the childhood friends here?
Asuma Sarutobi was about to lose it.
He wanted to apologize to Kurenai for what happened before, but he couldn't find a good opportunity to intervene.
"Asuma, are you in a bad mood?" Inuzuka Zhi walked over and asked.
"No."
How could he admit that his childhood friend was talking non-stop with another guy?
Asuma Sarutobi waved his hand, pretending nothing was wrong.
As the Hokage's son, countless expectant eyes had been cast on him since childhood.
Therefore, Asuma Sarutobi did not want others to see any sign of his inadequacy.
"Alright, everyone, practice on your own first."
Fujimoto Kyōhei waved his hand, handing out the shuriken the academy lent to the students.
There were twenty dummies on the training ground for the students to practice on.
"Where is Kakashi?" Obito asked.
He hadn't seen Kakashi all day.
"The teacher said this morning that Kakashi took the day off. Obito, were you even listening in class?" Rin Nohara said as she finished receiving her shuriken and returned to her practice area.
The shuriken were blunt, and it was obvious they had been used for many years.
"Hehe, Rin, I forgot." Obito chuckled foolishly.
"But Kiyoshi-kun is really popular. He's already gotten to know so many people in such a short time," Rin Nohara said softly, her voice pleasant.
Kiyoshi used to follow the three of them when they practiced.
Now, without her noticing, Kiyoshi seemed to have a good relationship with the class's star student, Kurenai Yūhi.
"Hmph, it's just because he's a foreigner. Everyone is curious," Obito snorted.
Once everyone's curiosity wore off, Kiyoshi Uchiha would just go back to the way he was.
He looked in Kiyoshi's direction and saw Kiyoshi, holding a shuriken, walking toward Rin Nohara, with Kurenai Yūhi following behind him.
"Has Kakashi been absent all day?" Kiyoshi asked plainly.
Because he anticipated acquiring the [Sturdy Physique] Trait today, and today's schedule was all physical training classes, he had been focused on his workout and hadn't noticed when Kakashi disappeared.
"Yes, maybe Kakashi has something going on," Rin Nohara replied.
"That guy Kakashi is definitely practicing in secret at home," Obito suddenly said, suspicious.
He didn't believe Kakashi was a true genius, he must be secretly practicing behind everyone's back, which is why his grades were so good.
"Obito, Kakashi isn't like that," Rin Nohara's brow furrowed slightly upon hearing Obito's words.
Kiyoshi didn't pay attention to their ensuing conversation.
At that moment, he only had one thought on his mind.
Nine times out of ten... the White Fang of the Leaf has returned. And returned in failure!
***
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