While the Sand Village's foundation in Taijutsu and physical combat was far stronger than that of smaller nations, it lagged behind the other Great Five Hidden Villages of comparable standing. In fact, Taijutsu users were at the very bottom, even looked down upon by Puppetry and Ninjutsu users.
This only changed in the original timeline after Gaara discovered Shion, who developed the Seven Days Breathing Method.
Chiyo teaching these two Ninjutsu—one for defense and one for escape—was also a result of her concern that Qingshui and Sasori would suffer the same fate as her son and daughter-in-law.
"The Wind Rush Technique is somewhat difficult to learn at first, but it's a crucial life-saving ability. Fortunately, my Wind Release is decent, so as long as I dedicate some time to it, mastering the first stage shouldn't be hard.
Conversely, the Mechanism Shield Seal Ninjutsu is rated B-rank primarily because of the difficulty in crafting the related mechanisms within the Puppet. When using it, you simply need to channel Chakra along the corresponding pathways, so it's actually a swift, hand-sign-free Ninjutsu that relies on tools.
I just need to create mechanisms suitable for my use based on the principles Chiyo provided."
Qingshui examined the Ninjutsu scroll, deciding to assign the practice of the Wind Rush Technique to his Avatar in the DC Universe first.
Once the Avatar mastered this Ninjutsu, it would mean he had already gained successful experience in its practice and understood the relevant techniques. His main body learning it afterward would be incredibly simple.
Early the next morning, Team Nine, reassembled, received news from Fukami Senran that they would be heading to the battlefield in two days.
Pakura and Baki had no objections to going to war.
They were all upright ninjas, having grown up under the Sand Village's system since childhood. Their loyalty to the Sand Village was very high, and neither was very old, being at that passionate age where they yearned to achieve great feats.
What truly surprised them was Qingshui becoming a disciple of Chiyo and Ebizo.
"Qingshui, you really became a disciple of Lady Chiyo and Lord Ebizo?"
Baki's eyes widened as he looked at Qingshui.
It was like being an undergraduate in college and suddenly hearing that someone in your class had been taken on as a student by an academician at the school.
And two, at that.
"No one would lie about something like this, would they?"
Qingshui glanced at Baki, exasperated.
Though this guy was Rasa's right-hand man in the original timeline, the younger version of him now was a complete blockhead.
"Um, Qingshui, can I ask you a favor? It's… you know, Lady Chiyo is an idol to all female ninjas in the village. Could you get me an autograph from Lady Chiyo?"
Pakura's small hands were clenched into fists pressed against her chin, her eyes sparkling with adoration.
In this era, the incredibly popular Chiyo was the goal in the hearts of most female ninjas, followed by Tsunade, who had only recently gained fame as one of the Sannin.
"Uh… if I see Teacher Chiyo next time, I'll bring it up for you."
Qingshui scratched his head.
Fukami Senran chewed on dried lizard meat, waiting until the three finished talking before he spoke:
"We're gathering for the battlefield in two days. Although you'll be assigned to a relatively safe reserve unit, you still need to be prepared. Qingshui, for Puppetry, you have Elder Chiyo and Elder Ebizo to guide you, so I won't say much more."
"Regarding your Ninjutsu and Kenjutsu training, bring up any questions you have as soon as possible. While the village will issue a certain amount of ninja tools and Military Ration Pills, it's always good to stock up more yourselves. Don't let an accident happen on the battlefield because you lack these things."
"Even if there's some left after the war, you can still use them in future missions. You won't lose out…"
After a lengthy monologue, Fukami Senran began to offer specific guidance tailored to each person's situation.
It had to be said, Fukami Senran truly had substance. In terms of strength, he wasn't top-tier in the Sand Village, but his teaching ability and the breadth of his knowledge made him unparalleled in the Sand Village. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been assigned to cultivate this team.
Even for Qingshui's nascent Medical Ninjutsu, Fukami Senran knew a little, and he also understood some Sealing Jutsu. Furthermore, he was proficient in Wind, Fire, and Lightning Release Ninjutsu, as well as the Sand Hidden Style Swordplay, inherited from the First Kazekage, Retsu. He could provide comprehensive guidance for all three of them.
And now, Fukami Senran believed that besides continuing their current training, Qingshui's trio needed additional assignments.
"In short, you are all at a golden age for a ninja to improve their strength, but your current skill level far exceeds that of your peers. Therefore, your progress is being constrained by your physical development and Chakra quality, which require sustained effort."
"So, your progress has slowed down. During this period, my personal advice is to make up for your shortcomings. For example, Qingshui and Pakura, no matter how good your Puppetry and Ninjutsu are, you need to improve in areas like Taijutsu. There isn't a single famous strong ninja in the Ninja World who has obvious weaknesses."
"If there is, after that person becomes famous, their enemies will put their information under a magnifying glass, carefully observing it to find their weaknesses. Then, what awaits that person is either death due to their own weakness, or overcoming that weakness, making it impossible for enemies to target them from that angle anymore."
"So, starting today, Qingshui, Pakura, you also need to hone your Taijutsu. It's best to train with Baki and me, and dedicate some of your excess energy to Kenjutsu. The more skills you have, the more cards you'll have to deal with various situations in the future."
Fukami Senran spent the entire morning guiding Qingshui and the other two.
After they arrived at the front lines, although they would still be together, it would be difficult to find such a relatively free period for instruction again.
After the guidance session ended, Qingshui continued his daily training with the Puppet Force.
However, an additional training item had been added:
Kenjutsu.
Qingshui's foundational sword skills weren't entirely nonexistent, but they were relatively weak.
In the past, all he knew was the mere basics taught at the Ninja Academy, primarily how to properly hold a sword and some simple strikes and footwork combined with Ninjutsu, just enough to understand how to use these weapons for killing.
More advanced techniques and training methods had to be learned through other means, such as those passed down within certain ninja clans, or the relevant knowledge found in the village's Sand Hidden Style Swordplay.
Unfortunately, the First Kazekage's true strength lay in Ninjutsu, not Kenjutsu. Although he created this sword style to fill a void in the village's repertoire, the Sand Hidden Style Swordplay was actually a tier below the Konoha Style Swordplay developed by Tobirama Senju of the neighboring Konoha Village.
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