The next day, 4 a.m.
Kazuya Kinoshita woke the two boys and led them to the training ground.
"Since you've already refined your chakra, it's time to start learning ninjutsu," he said.
He pulled out two chakra testing papers and handed them over. "Channel your chakra into these papers. They will reveal your elemental affinity. There are seven types of chakra: Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, Earth, Yin, and Yang. Fire, Water, Wind, Lightning, and Earth are the five major elements."
Shigeru Uchiha poured his chakra into the paper. One corner caught fire, then the paper split down the middle and crumpled.
"Fire, Wind, and Lightning… not bad," Kazuya observed.
Hikaru Kinoshita did the same, but his paper first burned at a corner, then got wet, crumpled, broke, and finally split down the center.
"This… five elements?"
Kazuya froze for a moment. How did this kid manage to hit the jackpot again? First, the awakened bloodline, now a prodigy in training, and now five elemental affinities?
He knew this was extremely rare. Only someone like the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had mastered all five elements, earning a fearsome reputation as a ninjutsu expert.
"Unbelievable!" Shigeru Uchiha exclaimed, still holding his test paper. He didn't feel discouraged, though. Even with only three elements, he knew he could still become a great ninja.
Hikaru, however, barely reacted. For someone with his talent, these things were just basic operations. His real concern was Kazuya. "Stop staring and teach us ninjutsu already."
"Right," Kazuya said. He gestured with his hands. "Ninjutsu – Shadow Clone Technique!"
A puff of white smoke appeared, and suddenly there was another Kazuya in the training ground.
"This is an E-rank ninjutsu," Kazuya explained. "The Shadow Clone, Substitution, and Transformation Techniques are known as the three fundamental ninjutsu. Don't underestimate them; they mark the foundation of a genin's skillset and form the basis for more advanced techniques."
He carefully introduced the three techniques and emphasized that the boys only needed to master these for now. The real focus was on building their bodies.
As civilian-born ninjas, they didn't have access to a wide array of jutsu. Their early combat relied primarily on taijutsu.
And that's when their real trial began. Kazuya could already see their potential. If they survived, both would grow into powerful ninjas.
Adopting the demeanor of a strict instructor, Kazuya raised the difficulty tenfold compared to his own childhood training.
Six months later, at the Ninja Academy:
Kazuya stood on the podium, a hint of emotion in his gaze. His first batch of students left a lasting mark on him.
Today was class assignment day. Students who hadn't yet refined chakra would be placed in the ordinary class to learn practical skills. Those with weaker talent would go to the middle class.
"Hikaru Kinoshita, Shigeru Uchiha, Class 1. Report tomorrow."
The other students stared with envy. Class 1 was the Genius Class, mostly filled with prodigies from prominent families. Civilian-born ninjas were rare.
Hikaru had made remarkable progress over the past six months, thanks to the structured system and Kazuya's strict guidance.
As his talent became evident, he even received frequent invitations from Danzo, including a recent proposal to visit a Root base.
Hikaru refused outright. Going there would be like a meat bun getting tossed to a dog one way ticket, no return. He had no intention of risking that.
Despite his worries about Danzo's intentions, he knew just knowing Shigeru and Mikoto Uchiha wasn't enough. He had to keep growing.
He opened his system panel.
[Multiverse Proficiency Panel]
Name: Hikaru Kinoshita
Age: 6
Ability: Rubber Fruit Beginner (46/100)
Skill: Chakra Extraction Intermediate (459/10,000)
Abilities: Kunai Throwing Advanced (585/10,000), Taijutsu Intermediate (256/1,000), Hand Seals Advanced (1,258/10,000)
Ninjutsu: Shadow Clone Advanced (16/10,000), Transformation Advanced (14/10,000), Substitution Advanced (15/10,000), Fireball Advanced (18/10,000), Water Ball Advanced (14/10,000), Lightning Ball Advanced (17/10,000), Wind Wall Advanced (14/10,000)
Most of Hikaru's jutsu were C-rank or lower. To advance, D/E-rank jutsu required 100 proficiency points to level up, and C-rank required 1,000.
Over the past six months, he focused on taijutsu and body conditioning, constantly pushing his limits.
Thanks to the Rubber Fruit, his recovery was phenomenal. No matter how tired he was, a meal and rest would fully restore him.
Seventh Training Ground
"Rubber, rubber, barrage!"
Hikaru crouched, his fists flying in a rapid onslaught toward Shigeru.
Shigeru weaved between the strikes like a graceful butterfly.
Hikaru smiled, knowing he could not actually harm him. Their daily sparring had made them intimately familiar with each other's moves.
"Rubber, rubber, Wind Fist!"
Hikaru formed hand seals, combining Wind Release with his right punch to accelerate it.
The strike thundered forward. Shigeru barely managed to dodge with a tilt of his head.
"That punch is so fast, Hikaru," Shigeru thought. If the blow had targeted his face directly, there would have been no time to react.
"The principle is attaching wind to your punch. You can also attach it to your body to accelerate yourself," Hikaru explained.
Shigeru tried, but controlling the explosive wind was difficult.
"Don't rush. I believe you can master it. Once you succeed, it will be your unique jutsu: a wind-based ninja taijutsu. I heard the Lightning Shadow from the Land of Lightning became famous using his unique lightning ninja taijutsu."
"Really?" Shigeru said, doubting himself. Even though he wanted to be strong, he never considered himself a prodigy, especially compared to Hikaru.
"Of course. You're Shigeru Uchiha. One day, we'll dominate the ninja world together."
"Dominate the ninja world?"
"Isn't that a cool goal? Fine, let's change it how about becoming Hokage first?"
Shigeru blinked. "Uh… okay?"
Hikaru smirked. "First become Hokage, then dominate the ninja world. Cool enough?"
Shigeru couldn't argue.
"But right now, I'm starving. What are we eating today?"
Shigeru groaned inwardly. Considering Hikaru's insane appetite, he felt speechless. Half of Hikaru's speed came from talent; the other half came from being fueled by his incredible food intake.