For the next few days, Jingyi exercised tirelessly.
Jōnin?
It's just a job title.
In these troubled times, strength is what truly matters not empty ranks or titles.
Jingyi understood this very well.
Of course, he had sparred and exchanged techniques with Might Duy and his son Might Guy, picking up quite a bit from them taijutsu moves like the Konoha Strong Whirlwind and even early insights into the Primary Lotus.
But taijutsu alone wasn't enough.
These were just side skills.
What he needed was true open-source strength a way to grow exponentially.
Training without a clear path would take years. He couldn't afford to just wait and hope to stumble upon breakthroughs.
No he had to be proactive!
As he ran through the village, he pondered deeply.
And soon, an idea took root.
Where to start?
Problem children!
Like Hatake Kakashi.
Coincidentally, today he spotted him.
Kakashi sat silently by the riverside, tossing his father's White Fang dagger up and catching it again and again.
When he noticed Jingyi jogging past, he glanced over with narrowed eyes, then quickly retrieved his dagger and returned to staring at the river, deep in thought.
In the next moment
A gust of wind.
Jingyi appeared behind him with the Body Flicker Technique.
His speed was extremely fast!
Kakashi reacted instantly but still wondered why Jingyi had approached without any warning.
Turning around warily, he stared at Jingyi, silently questioning him.
"What are you looking at?"
"???"
Kakashi blinked, confused by the sudden question.
"I can see you're troubled," Jingyi said seriously. "That's why I'm thinking of beating you up a little."
But instead of attacking, he plopped down next to him.
"Still stuck on swordsmanship?" Jingyi asked casually. "I told you before you focus on mastering the dagger, and I'll help where I can. It's a win-win."
"I'm not giving up!" Kakashi said firmly, clutching the White Fang dagger tightly.
"Sure didn't look like it when you were chucking it into the river."
As he spoke, Jingyi lightly plucked the dagger from Kakashi's grip, twirling it expertly.
In the next second, he channeled chakra into the blade.
A faint blue shimmer appeared, then deepened into a dense, dark blue hue Water Style chakra condensing into a fine blade around the metal.
Then
Shing!
A swing of the dagger split the ground, carving a deep, narrow trench with a sharp burst of water pressure.
"Not bad!" Jingyi admired sincerely.
As expected, the White Fang dagger, forged by Sakumo Hatake, could handle elemental chakra infusion though it was best suited for Lightning Style, Water Style could still be used decently with enough control.
Kakashi was stunned.
Why does it look like he's having more fun with it than me?
Jingyi tossed the dagger back to him casually.
Kakashi caught it and without warning, lunged forward in a swift counterattack.
His speed was excellent for his age!
However
The figure in front of him turned into a log with a puff of smoke.
Substitution Technique.
Kakashi clicked his tongue in frustration.
Even though he had pulled his strike to the back of the blade and adjusted his strength, Jingyi still easily escaped.
"Your speed's good," Jingyi said from behind him, "but your attacks are too straightforward."
He smiled lightly.
Kakashi's strength was impressive for a genin, no doubt about that, but he lacked battle-hardened experience. Compared to the future Kakashi the one who would join Anbu and master countless skills the current Kakashi was still raw.
"Tch! I'll beat you one day!" Kakashi muttered, sheathing the dagger.
With determination burning in his heart, he turned and left without another word.
He needed to become stronger.
Jingyi didn't chase after him.
Sometimes a nudge was enough words weren't needed.
Problem children like Kakashi didn't listen easily, but once they set their minds to something, they grew at a terrifying speed.
Sure enough
[Teaching Task Complete: 'Guidance on Development Path']
[Evaluation: Excellent!]
[Reward: Iaido Slash technique obtained.]
Oh?
A reward?
Jingyi smiled with satisfaction.
This kid Kakashi was stubborn but underneath that, he was deeply influenced.
Luckily, the system was here to recognize the effort!
He glanced at the reward details.
"Iaido Slash" the art of the sword draw strike, perfected by masters like Mifune of the Land of Iron.
Mifune's style emphasized pure kenjutsu without chakra, but Jingyi wasn't that strict he fully intended to use chakra to enhance the technique.
And better yet
The system reward meant he didn't even need to practice it. Instant mastery!
"A pity I don't have a proper sword yet," Jingyi mused.
The White Fang dagger was good, but too short for true Iaido.
When will the Seven Ninja Swordsmen come attacking Konoha?
Or maybe
He thought of the Sword of the Thunder God, the legendary blade of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Supposedly, it was still stored by Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
Maybe he could borrow it?
Worth a try.
Decision made, Jingyi headed straight for the Hokage Building.
When he arrived, Sarutobi Hiruzen was reviewing reports from the Academy early graduation candidates.
"Shisui Uchiha, Asuma Sarutobi... Who else?"
He glanced at Rin Nohara's file but shook his head slightly.
Rin was talented, especially in chakra control and medical ninjutsu not quite fitting for the type of combat team Shisui and Asuma needed.
Sensing someone at the door, he smiled.
"Come in, Jingyi."
"Lord Hokage."
Jingyi entered, bowing respectfully.
Hiruzen smiled warmly. "I was just about to summon you. Would you be interested in leading a genin team, now that you've been promoted to jōnin?"
"I'd be honored," Jingyi replied without hesitation.
"You already taught Shisui and Asuma before they specifically requested you. For the third member, I'm deciding between Rin Nohara and Kurenai Yuhi. What's your opinion?"
Without thinking too much, Jingyi answered, "Kurenai Yuhi. Rin is better suited for medical ninjutsu development, and her skills would be wasted trying to fit into a direct combat team."
Besides everyone knew Obito Uchiha was hopelessly attached to Rin. It would be unwise to separate them.
Hiruzen nodded. "I agree."
He wrote down the team assignment decisively.
Then, glancing up, he asked, "But I doubt that's the only reason you came, right?"
Jingyi chuckled awkwardly. "Indeed. Hokage-sama, I've been training in kenjutsu recently... but I lack a proper chakra blade. I heard that the Second Hokage's sword, the Thunder God Blade, is kept by the village... Could I perhaps borrow it?"
"Ah, that sword..." Hiruzen smiled thoughtfully.
"It was indeed Tobirama-sensei's personal weapon, but... it's unique. Are you sure it's suitable for your style?"
"I'll be careful," Jingyi promised. "Besides, it's just temporary , once I find something more fitting, I'll return it. If necessary, I can even exchange it for one of my newly developed techniques."
Might Duy and Might Guy.
Sakumo Hatake's dagger is special but doesn't amplify Water Style naturally it's just high-quality chakra-conductive metal.
Kakashi already knew Substitution and basic fast reactions at this point.
Mifune's Iaidō is canon sword draw technique.
Thunder God Sword is canonically kept in Konoha after Tobirama's death.
Kurenai Yuhi and Rin's skillsets are correctly placed (medical vs genjutsu).
Sarutobi Hiruzen being the Third Hokage handling this kind of paperwork fits perfectly.
Minor adjustments for Naruto world terminology (e.g., Body Flicker instead of instant body movement).