(Okabe's POV )
After Kazeo left, Okabe sighed heavily, his fingers tightening into a fist.
'This is the part I dislike about teaching at the academy, to reject a talented student. Kazeo is one of the brightest students—easily in the top five in all aspects. And yet, despite his talent, he's still naive. He thinks skill alone is enough to get what he wants. It's not. Kenjutsu, though… I have no doubt Kazeo would pick it up quickly. The boy was diligent, his first-rank status proof of that. But talent without strategy? That's just a bigger target on your back.. '
Technically, a teacher can teach students beyond the syllabus, but most don't because investing extra time outside the academy is a hassle.
'I see my younger self in him. That same hunger to be more, to carve out a path beyond what life dictated. But talent without strategy? It's just a bigger target on your back.'
His eyes darkened for a moment. 'I was just like him once—an orphan with nothing but ambition, begging for scraps of knowledge from teachers who saw me as just another nameless student. No one taught me anything for free. I had to trade, to scheme, to fight for every ounce of power I gained. And in the end? I still got used. People took advantage of my desperation, dangled knowledge in front of me only to make me their pawn. That's why I won't hand Kazeo Kenjutsu on a silver platter. If I do, he'll never understand the weight of what he's asking. Orphans have to learn that nothing in this world is given—only taken, bargained for, or stolen.
He'll struggle. He'll search for another teacher and taste rejection. And that will be necessary for him. If he wants to wield a blade, he needs to understand that power isn't just about swinging a sword—it's about knowing when to swing, why to swing, and what it'll cost. Still… if after all that, his fire doesn't die out, if he still stands tall despite the setbacks… then... Maybe I'll sharpen his blade myself.
---------
(3rd POV )
After his meeting with Okabe, Kazeo didn't waste time. He sought out other teachers still present at the academy, hoping someone—anyone would be willing to teach him. But his search quickly turned into a string of disappointments. Some teachers were on missions, others were enjoying their well-earned vacations, and the few he managed to find all gave him the same answer, either they didn't know Kenjutsu or what little they did know wasn't enough to teach properly.
It was frustrating. He had ranked first in his class, proving his dedication and skill. 'Shouldn't that be enough? Shouldn't talent open doors? If I were an Uchiha or a Hyūga, I wouldn't even have to ask. They'd teach me without question but I am just an orphan here'. Gritting his teeth, he forced down his frustration, he knew he wouldn't get what he wanted in the academy , so he shifted his approach. Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and made his way straight to the library.
--------
In the Library -
Kazeo approached the librarian, keeping his voice low. "Where can I find the scroll on Body Flicker Jutsu?"
The librarian barely glanced at him before pointing towards the D-section. Kazeo nodded in thanks and made his way through the dimly lit aisles, the faint scent of old parchment filling the air. Finding the scroll, he pulled it from the shelf and ran his fingers over the worn cover before heading to a secluded corner.
With a sigh, he sat down and unrolled the scroll.
'I'll have to find an alternative to Kenjutsu later'. He exhaled sharply. 'I thought being the top-ranked student would mean something—that they'd at least teach me something extra. But I was wrong'.
His fingers tightened around the edges of the scroll as he thought about his current limitations. 'I still only know basic academy-level Taijutsu and a few Genjutsu and rasengan and no other real combat techniques. I'll start with Body Flicker—it'll complement my physical training. I'll keep sharpening my Genjutsu for a few more days, and after that... maybe I'll try learning some Wind or Earth jutsu.'
As he began reading, his brows lifted in surprise at the very first warning:
"If you lack chakra control or physical conditioning, don't bother learning this jutsu yet."
He thought. 'How straightforward.' A smile tugged at his lips. 'Good thing I don't lack either.' His eyes traced the explanation:
Body Flicker Jutsu
The user gathers chakra in their legs and feet, enhancing muscle response and reaction speed.Upon release, the chakra bursts outward, propelling the user forward at extreme velocity.
He leaned back, processing the details. 'Only the Tiger seal is required? That makes it simple... but focusing chakra precisely in my legs while moving at such speed—that's going to be the real challenge.'
The scroll detailed the limitations as well: At first, the flicker distance will be short—only a few meters. Mastery begins at 100 meters. It also suggested using smoke or leaves as cover to mask movement. 'Makes sense. If the enemy doesn't know which direction you flickered in, it gives the user an edge'. What truly caught his attention was the mention of sustainability. Unlike what he initially thought, it wasn't about flickering multiple times but about how long one could maintain the technique.
'If I can flicker 100 meters in a second and sustain the jutsu for 10 seconds'... His eyes widened. 'That means I could cover a kilometer in an instant'. With that thought, he carefully noted the chakra molding process in his own scroll before heading home.
The moment Kazeo got home, he created three shadow clones.
"You," he pointed at one, "focus on learning the D-Rank Genjutsu."
The clone nodded and got to work. Meanwhile, Kazeo and the remaining two clones focused on Body Flicker. At first, chakra molding was simple—it took only two days to get the basics down. But execution? That was an entirely different beast.
Days passed in frustration. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't flicker even a few meters. Each attempt drained his chakra at an alarming rate. He could only try ten times before his reserves hit rock bottom, forcing him to meditate for hours just to recover.
His clones? Even worse. Each one could barely attempt it twice before dispelling, making them nearly useless for practice.
Except on Sundays, his only break from Body Flicker training—where he dedicated himself to Genjutsu refinement, his entire focus remained on mastering this technique.
The days blurred together in exhaustion and repetition. Sweat-soaked clothes, sore muscles, the constant burn of chakra depletion. Nearly a whole month passed, and he still couldn't perform the jutsu.
--------
Kazeo stood in the middle of the training ground, fists clenched, his breath coming in short, sharp bursts. His legs ached like hell, and his chakra reserves were scraping the bottom of the barrel.
'Damn it... This is way harder than I thought.'
Two days. That's all he had before the academy reopened. And in all that time? He'd made progress in Genjutsu, sure. But Body Flicker? He had barely managed to flicker a single meter.
Frustration gnawed at him. 'I thought this would be easy. That's why I picked it. If I had known it would be this difficult, I would've waited until next year when my chakra would be higher.'
He exhaled sharply, tilting his head back to glare at the sky. He wasn't a quitter. And something inside him whispered that he was close—just one more week, maybe two and he'd crack it. But there was a problem.
Every time he used the Body Flicker, his vision tunneled. He couldn't react, couldn't see properly, and at this speed, that was a death sentence. He needed to sense his surroundings while moving.
'I need help.' His gaze hardened and fingers twitched. There was only one person he could turn to. 'Okabe.'
'God, please don't let him turn me away again.'
--------
Inside Okabe cabin -
He expected rejection. Hell, he was already bracing for it. But this time? Okabe didn't dismiss him immediately. Instead, he studied Kazeo, tapping his fingers on the desk before finally saying,
"In second year, different departments in Konoha recruit elite students straight from the academy. Those who get selected receive specialized training and can join their field after graduation."
Kazeo's frustration stalled for a second.
'That is… good.'
"Being a sensor is one of those fields," Okabe continued. "If you're selected, you can start training early."
That got his attention. Kazeo already knew the answer but he still asked. "And Kenjutsu?"
Okabe's lips barely moved. "There's no such program."
Kazeo's fingers curled into fists. 'Of course not. That would be too convenient'.
Still, this wasn't a complete dead end, the information was useful. He might not get Kenjutsu training, but being a sensor? That was totally possible if he have talent in that field.
As Kazeo left, Okabe's gaze lingered on him, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. He let out a slow sigh, rubbing his temple.
"I'm an idiot…" he muttered to himself. "He speaks with some maturity that I forgot—he's still just a kid. Of course, his decisions will change. He's trying to figure things out, just like we all did."
For a brief moment, he considered calling Kazeo back. But he didn't.
"Let's see how far he goes on his own first."