Chapter 21: Detecting Chakra Reserves
In contrast, students from the Hyuga Clan, Akimichi Clan, Inuzuka Clan, Aburame Clan, and Uchiha Clan possessed noticeably more chakra.
Overall, Uchiha Rai ranked sixth in the class for chakra capacity, while Hyuga Hodaka ranked seventh.
While this aligned with his general expectations, the person who ranked fifth in chakra reserves surprised him considerably.
He thought to himself:
This is genuinely unexpected. The fifth highest chakra capacity belongs to Shimura Shin. I'd estimate that Danzo must have provided a comprehensive training regimen specifically for children of his clan.
As for the top-ranked students, there were no real surprises:
Well, these Senju clan members truly possess exceptional chakra reserves. Even the two with less natural talent have nearly 50% more chakra than Uchiha Rai. And Senju Teru's chakra capacity is more than double Rai's—it's even greater than mine currently!
Anyway, everyone's chakra levels fell within reasonable expectations. Only Shimura Shin represented an anomaly.
This indicated that most students hadn't yet begun any dedicated training to substantially increase their chakra reserves.
However, this made sense considering they were only seven years old.
Regardless, if his classmates didn't start intensive chakra expansion training immediately, Kaito should be able to rapidly increase his reserves and surpass even Senju Teru within the next year.
He then attempted to measure Genki's chakra capacity. After gauging it, he concluded:
Interesting. Genki and Yamanaka Shin possess very similar chakra reserves. I suspect there isn't much fundamental difference between an elite chunin and a tokubetsu jonin in terms of raw chakra. The distinction is that a tokubetsu jonin has achieved jonin-level mastery in one particular specialized skill, while their other abilities remain at elite chunin level. For Yamanaka Shin, his specialty obviously lies in his Sensor-type capabilities.
Kaito had to acknowledge that being a Sensor-type was genuinely convenient for intelligence gathering.
Unless the person being observed was also a trained Sensor-type, virtually no one would realize they were being actively sensed and analyzed.
He believed that all Kage-level shinobi would develop at least basic sensory abilities to some degree.
Though he certainly didn't plan to provoke any Kage-level ninja anytime soon.
Anyway, he'd learned sufficient information from observing this class.
Kaito wanted to examine students in other Academy classes, especially those who would graduate and become genin this year.
Although his 25-meter radius chakra field seemed relatively insignificant in an open outdoor area, within the Academy building's confined structure, its coverage was actually quite extensive.
With these thoughts, he began focusing his sensory perception on chakra signatures outside their classroom.
He first observed the classroom where Takeshi was attending and discovered the students' chakra levels inside were disappointingly low across the board!
Then he shifted his attention to a classroom where he knew the highest grade level was currently having lessons.
He systematically measured their chakra capacities.
Kaito observed that some students possessed pitifully low chakra reserves—barely above civilian levels.
He suspected most of those individuals would never successfully become genin.
However, on average, their chakra levels were approximately 20% higher than Senju Teru's current capacity, and several students possessed substantially greater reserves.
Kaito guessed those particular children were also likely from the Senju Clan.
He concluded analytically:
I see. I estimate that by the conclusion of this Academy year, my chakra reserves should reach levels generally considered adequate for genin rank. And I already know all three Academy techniques. So in terms of chakra capacity and basic ninjutsu proficiency, I should achieve genin-level competency within a year.
Even regarding taijutsu skills, Kaito anticipated reaching that benchmark in less than two years.
However, this alone wouldn't be sufficient to genuinely pass the graduation examination. The graduation requirements extended far beyond just taijutsu and ninjutsu techniques.
The Academy curriculum would eventually cover essential skills like covert operations, establishing field camps, non-lethal target incapacitation, self-rescue techniques after capture, proper first-aid kit usage, and even hunting, cleaning, and cooking wild game for survival.
Without this comprehensive knowledge and practical training, attempting to become an active shinobi would essentially be suicide.
Not to mention, the very idea of graduating extremely early was strategically foolish for someone in his position.
Itachi had been different—he was the Uchiha Clan Head's son with substantial backing and protection.
Kaito, conversely, was merely an orphan. Early graduation would attract entirely too much unwanted attention from dangerous parties.
Besides, from a ninjutsu development perspective alone, Kaito still had extensive techniques to master.
He still needed to learn fundamental jutsu like the Body Flicker Technique, not to mention actual Wind Release and Earth Release combat techniques.
Additionally, Kaito possessed almost no practical knowledge of genjutsu applications, and there remained much to study regarding kenjutsu and chakra flow through weapons.
Therefore, graduating prematurely before extracting everything valuable the Academy could teach him would be meaningless.
He'd only seriously consider early graduation if he reached a point where he could no longer make significant progress within the Academy's structure.
After contemplating these strategic considerations, Kaito finally refocused his attention on the meditation exercise of expanding his chakra field's effective radius.
The remainder of class proceeded in similarly tedious fashion.
However, at the conclusion of the lecture, Genki announced something that visibly excited many classmates:
"This year, we will finally begin teaching you actual ninjutsu techniques."
Kaito wasn't surprised by this announcement whatsoever.
Last year, he'd already gathered comprehensive information about the Academy's curriculum structure.
For regular students in standard classes, ninjutsu instruction began in the third year.
However, for elite-track classes, ninjutsu training commenced in the second year—a full year earlier.
Since Kaito had already independently mastered the three Academy techniques, he wasn't particularly interested in this development.
However, he did have one significant concern.
He needed to convincingly conceal the fact that he could already perform these jutsu proficiently.
He'd need to learn how to realistically fail at executing these techniques without developing any detrimental habits in the process.
Kaito figured he could simply form the hand seals without actually molding any chakra, or alternatively gather chakra during several seals but deliberately skip one critical seal in the sequence.
He'd need to test this method thoroughly first.
His plan was to wait until approximately 7-8 classmates had successfully demonstrated the technique, then "suddenly succeed" himself as though he'd just learned it.
During the first week back, Genki simply reviewed material covered the previous year and conducted assessment tests on all students.
Observing some students' progress rates left Kaito somewhat speechless with disbelief.
Genki was also noticeably surprised, though it represented a pleasant development for him as an instructor.
In the Leaf Concentration Exercise, Hyuga Hana, Senju Teru, and Shimura Shin could all now maintain the leaf for over half an hour continuously!
Uchiha Rai and Hyuga Hodaka both exceeded 25 minutes.
To avoid arousing any suspicion about his true abilities, Kaito deliberately released his leaf after exactly 36 minutes.
His internal thoughts were:
Damn! If they maintain this intensely competitive drive, by this year's end they'll likely reach over one full hour! Although I'm expected to continue leading the class, I should demonstrate that I've relaxed somewhat and haven't made dramatic progress. Genki might be slightly suspicious, but if he questions me, I'll simply claim I've been somewhat lazy during the break.
Genki was genuinely impressed by the results. He thought to himself with satisfaction:
Four children can maintain the leaf for over half an hour, and the other two should achieve that milestone within the coming months. This cohort of students is exceptionally talented. I suspect young Kaito's example stimulated them to train harder. Before graduation, they should be capable of learning tree-climbing and even water-walking techniques. Excellent! This means I can request a substantial performance bonus from the Hokage.
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