Jiraiya came and went, as light as a breeze.
Though Ui had seriously considered clubbing him over the head and dumping him in the river, he ultimately refrained. On one hand, he was a "good person." On the other, he wasn't entirely sure who would end up in the water if things actually came to blows.
So, he suppressed his negative emotions—emotions fueled primarily by the fact that Jiraiya had mocked both his Water Style proficiency and his "clunky" training methods.
In the end, the Sage hadn't offered a single high-efficiency tip. This wasn't necessarily out of pettiness. Nature Transformation is, by its very essence, a slow and stubborn process of accumulation. There are no real shortcuts to be conjured, and Jiraiya believed a shinobi's techniques should be born from their own intuition—that only things earned through one's own struggle truly become part of their arsenal.
Furthermore, Jiraiya felt that a ninja's growth should be gradual. Having discussed Ui's progress with Minato and Kushina, he knew the boy was already a marvel. To be proficient in two elemental transformations at such a young age was already incredible; there was no need to rush a third. Nature should take its course.
Growth, Jiraiya believed, wasn't just about jutsu.
How did Orochimaru define a ninja? He believed a ninja is one who can use ninjutsu. How did Jiraiya explain it? He believed a ninja is one who can endure anything.
The difference in their philosophies was stark.
Of course, Jiraiya didn't explain any of this to Ui. For Ui, the clock was ticking. The war was far from over, and he knew his return to the front was a matter of when, not if. To face the coming storm, he needed every scrap of power he could muster.
Technically, if Ui's peak combat effectiveness was 100, mastering Water Style wouldn't push that number to 110. Regardless of his versatility, Lightning Style would always be his strongest suit (outside of specialized sealing arts). But combat isn't just about peak numbers. More jutsus meant more options, more flexibility, and a greater ability to catch an enemy off guard. Versatility is its own kind of strength.
However, his progress remained... steady.
Ui had no idea that in the future, a certain protagonist would use the "cheat code" of Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu to train with thousands of bodies at once, mastering Wind Style in record time. Ui had never even considered using clones that way.
Even if he knew, he couldn't do it. He didn't have the monstrous chakra reserves required, and more importantly, he wouldn't do it. Ui's individual training efficiency was high—far higher than Naruto's—but the massive influx of information and mental fatigue from thousands of clones would likely fry his brain the moment the jutsu was released.
The jutsu ate his brain—that would be a pathetic way to go. Unless it was absolutely life-or-death, Ui would never choose a training method that put that much strain on his mind. A healthy brain was his most vital asset.
(Well, that's true for everyone, but for Ui, it was especially true.)
The Summons
Five days after his return to Konoha, Ui was at home. He sat at his table, staring at a glass half-filled with water.
He pressed his palms together, formed a seal, and concentrated his chakra into his left palm. He laid his arm flat on the table and pressed his hand against the glass.
Slowly, the water level began to rise. It crept up the sides of the glass until it reached the rim and spilled over.
In another world, this might look like Hatsu training for an Enhancer, but here, it was the pure extraction and manifestation of Water Release chakra.
Water Style: We Don't Just Transport Water, We Produce It.
Compared to five days ago, the progress was significant. At this rate, he'd be able to perform low-level Water Style jutsus within a month. In three months, he'd likely have the conversion rate necessary for B-rank techniques or higher—at least in terms of raw chakra volume.
Ui didn't let go of the glass. He wanted to test his sustained output, even with a tiny amount of chakra.
But then, he stopped. He cut the flow, pulled his hand away, and casually wiped his damp palm on his shirt. He stood up and walked to the front door.
He reached for the handle and pulled.
An ANBU operative was standing exactly on his doorstep. It wasn't a coincidence.
"Kamishiro Ui. You are summoned by the Third Hokage."
The ANBU blinked behind his mask, momentarily surprised that Ui had opened the door before he could knock, but he didn't dwell on it. He was a professional.
"Time?" Ui asked, nodding.
That was the best part about dealing with ANBU: no small talk, no pleasantries. Just business.
"Immediately," the operative replied.
"Understood."