Tano Motoyo looked at her mother and said, “That’s why I said he’s mysterious.” “Before we were assigned into teams, I didn’t even know he existed.
And nobody else seemed to notice him either.” Mei Senju asked, “You said he’s strong.
What makes you think that?” Although she was not a ninja herself, she had still grown up within the Senju Clan.
Because of that, she could make fairly accurate judgments based on the information she was given.
Tano Motoyo thought back to the team evaluation earlier that day.
“After our teams were assigned, our instructor tested us.” “It was some kind of mental ninjutsu.” “Tree and I almost couldn’t endure it.
Our minds were on the verge of collapsing.” “But Kai seemed almost completely unaffected.” “After the test ended, our instructor said that most of the mental pressure had actually been directed at Kai.
What Tree and I felt was only the aftermath.” “And even then, Kai didn’t seem to feel any pressure at all.” “Even Sensei looked shocked.” “And when we told Asuma-sensei about it, he also found it unbelievable.” As she listened to her daughter’s explanation, Mei Senju’s expression gradually became more serious.
This was no trivial matter.
“From the way you describe it, that child really does possess mental strength far beyond ordinary people.” “You said your instructor was a jōnin who came from ANBU.” “Ninja from ANBU are known for having exceptionally strong mental fortitude.” “If even someone like that failed to pressure him…” “Then that child must possess extraordinarily powerful spiritual energy.” “And people with that kind of spiritual strength usually have extremely precise chakra control.” “They may even possess enormous chakra reserves as well.” At that thought, Mei Senju’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“This is a very serious matter.” Although she was not a ninja, she had access to a great deal of the Senju Clan’s historical records and understood the principles behind ninjutsu quite well.
And because members of the Senju Clan were naturally known for their immense chakra reserves, she understood the relationship between spiritual energy and chakra better than most ordinary people.
To resist the mental techniques of an ANBU jōnin required not only extremely refined chakra control— But also enough chakra to sustain the resistance.
Otherwise, it would end up like Sakura.
Although Sakura possessed excellent chakra control, if an opponent’s chakra vastly surpassed hers, she still would not be able to effectively resist powerful genjutsu.
“Someone with both exceptional chakra control and massive chakra reserves…” “How could a person like that remain completely unnoticed for six years?” “It doesn’t make sense.” “And he’s only a child, yet he managed to hide himself that thoroughly for so long.” “There’s definitely something unusual about him.” Originally, Tano Motoyo had only been curious about Kai.
But after hearing her mother’s analysis, even she began to realize just how extraordinary he might be.
Looking at her mother, she asked, “So… does that mean Kai really is very strong?” Mei Senju looked at her seriously.
“It’s still too early to say for certain.” “But as long as nothing unexpected happens, his future will likely be extraordinary.” “Even the most talented graduates from the Ninja Academy would not be able to calmly resist the mental pressure of an ANBU jōnin.” “Tano… that child really is mysterious.” “Until we learn more about him, it would be better for you to keep some distance.” Although Tano Motoyo was not happy hearing that, she understood that her mother’s concern came from a place of care.
And after hearing Mei Senju’s analysis, even she felt that Kai’s abilities exceeded her understanding.
No matter how much she liked him right now, she still had to listen to her mother.
Meanwhile, Kai had no idea that the events of the evaluation had already caused Mei Senju and her daughter to become wary of him.
But even if he knew, he would not have cared.
The moment he revealed a portion of his strength during the test earlier that day, he had already been mentally prepared for this possibility.
Back at home, Kai did not extract chakra before sleeping like he normally did.
Instead, he lay directly on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His consciousness had already entered his inner mental space.
“You have remained idle for one day.” “Chakra doubled.” “Physical abilities doubled.” “You have obtained Exceptional Learning Ability.” “As long as your body and chakra meet the requirements, you can learn any ninjutsu at the same speed as the greatest geniuses in this world.” Suddenly, Kai felt a pleasant numbness spread through his entire body, so comfortable that he nearly let out a sound.
His mind also became clearer than ever before.
All the ninjutsu theory that had once confused him now felt completely understandable.
Not only could he remember it perfectly— He fully comprehended it as well.
It felt as though, if someone demonstrated a technique to him now, he could learn it after seeing it only once.
Just like Itachi Uchiha.
Returning from his mental space, Kai stared at the ceiling in shock.
Closing his eyes, he could feel chakra surging throughout every part of his body.
The dense chakra coursed through his chakra pathways almost as though it had become tangible.
The sensation was indescribably exhilarating.
“My chakra doubled again…” “At this point, my chakra reserves should already be at elite jōnin level.” “And my physical abilities are probably around chūnin level in taijutsu.” This kind of improvement was already terrifying.
After all, very few ninja specialized purely in taijutsu.
Among taijutsu-focused ninja, reaching chūnin-level physical ability was already uncommon.
“Too bad I still barely know any ninjutsu…” “That’s honestly kind of awkward.” Thinking about how he only knew the Three Basic Techniques, Kai felt that in actual combat, he might not even be stronger than an ordinary chūnin.
Right now, what he desperately needed was a practical combat-oriented technique.
After all, his system worked through passive accumulation.
He first needed to learn something before he could continue improving it automatically.
If he did not know any techniques, there was nothing for the system to develop.
At present, the only things he was proficient in were the Three Basic Techniques.
But relying solely on those in real combat would make surviving difficult, let alone fighting properly.
And ninja were professional killers.
They would use every dirty trick imaginable.
Trying to fight real ninja with only the Three Basic Techniques was practically suicide.
Kai was not arrogant enough to think he could challenge jōnin already.
Truthfully, he was not even confident about defeating a chūnin yet.
“Still, tonight’s gains were already incredible.” “With Exceptional Learning Ability, I should be able to learn basic ninjutsu just by watching them once or twice.” “After tomorrow’s mission, I’ll head to the training grounds and see if anyone is practicing techniques.” “At the very least, I need to learn some offensive ninjutsu.” “I don’t want to become a pure taijutsu ninja.” Although the Eight Gates Technique was incredibly powerful— Leaving aside whether he would ever have a chance to learn it, he was not interested in it anyway.
The consequences of using the Eight Gates were far too severe.
Besides, it was Might Guy’s signature technique.
He would not casually teach it to outsiders.
The only people known to master the Eight Gates were Guy, Kakashi, and Rock Lee.
Kakashi was Guy’s closest friend.
Lee was his direct disciple.
And Kai?
Of course, Kai never planned on learning it in the first place.