Chapter 163: Observation
Regardless of what conclusions Ishiro and Ikura drew from the files, the final decision still had to be based on the students' actual performance.
The two first passed by the classrooms of various graduating classes, making an overall observation of the students in each class.
Originally, graduating classes no longer had theory lessons. Today's lesson might have been specially added by the teachers to facilitate Ishiro and Ikura's observation. In this class, the teacher explained some relatively profound content and encouraged students to speak up.
It had to be said, the students' performance was indeed proactive, especially those from the ordinary classes. They knew that in terms of practical combat, they definitely couldn't compare to the students in the top classes. If they could win the esteem of seniors Ishiro and Ikura through theoretical knowledge, that would be for the best.
Of course, these teachers also considered that Ishiro and Ikura were only two people; what if a student's insightful answer wasn't heard by them? So, the teachers required students not only to stand up to answer but also to write their answers on paper, which would then be handed over to Ishiro and Ikura by the teacher.
To be honest, Ishiro was quite interested in this idea. If he had known earlier that the teachers would do this, Ishiro might have even proactively prepared a few questions.
So now, Ishiro and Ikura chatted while also paying attention to the sounds of students answering the teacher's questions coming from the classrooms.
"Teacher, I believe the key to kunai throwing lies in prediction. We must master using kunai to limit the enemy's evasion direction, step by step leading the enemy into a pre-planned trap."
"Teacher, although medical ninjutsu is an auxiliary type of ninjutsu, the Chakra Scalpel is a sharp tool that can both save lives and kill. I believe medical-nin should not always rely on the protection of teammates but should learn to protect themselves."
"Teacher, the essence of chakra is the manifestation of both physical and spiritual energy. The body's attributes determine a ninja's chakra nature. If the body is fixed, does that mean chakra is also fixed, and a ninja's upper limit is also fixed?"
...
Unique statements from students continuously reached Ishiro and Ikura's ears. Most of what the students said might seem very high-level and impressive for their current stage, but to Ishiro and Ikura, it appeared very immature and naive.
However, there were also some questions that Ishiro and Ikura themselves hadn't considered, and some students' insights closely matched Ishiro and Ikura's own thoughts.
For example, regarding the question about a ninja's upper limit, another student provided an answer based on their own understanding.
"I believe a ninja's upper limit exists, but this limit can also be broken. The key to breaking the limit lies in breakthroughs. Because chakra is composed of both spiritual and physical energy, I believe there are also two methods to break these shackles. One is to seek spiritual sublimation, and the other is to find a method for a physical breakthrough."
This answer was very close to Ishiro's own theories. After hearing this answer, Ishiro deliberately observed this student a few more times.
It was a girl, not tall, with bright eyes. From her appearance, her physical constitution seemed average. Perhaps it was precisely because her physical constitution was average that she thought of seeking a breakthrough, eventually forming this set of theories. It was just unknown whether she had taken any action based on these theories.
After thinking for a moment, Ishiro sent a signal to the teacher of that classroom. This teacher was a Chūnin. Although he had taught at the school for many years and was far from the battlefield, he still possessed the basic qualities of a Chūnin. He immediately noticed Ishiro, disguised as Yoshiwara, gesturing to him.
Not knowing what "Yoshiwara" wanted, this Chūnin teacher, after having everyone write down their answers on paper, pretended to casually walk outside the classroom. He then performed a hand seal and created a clone to stay in his place, while his real body walked towards Ishiro.
Seeing this teacher approach, Ishiro asked, "Senior, I am Ishiro. What is the name of the girl who answered just now? Can you have her write down her thoughts in detail?"
Before this teacher could even ask, he heard Ishiro's words. He quickly understood Ishiro's meaning, then, overjoyed, immediately replied, "No problem, I'll arrange it right away. By the way, this student is named Ogura Saki." After saying this, the teacher hurriedly turned around and went back.
He knew that if Ogura Saki's answer could satisfy Ishiro, then an opportunity to change her destiny was likely coming.
Watching the teacher walk away, Ishiro shook his head, then flipped through the thick stack of files in his hand and found the information on Ogura Saki. Ikura was also curious and leaned over to take a look.
Well, Ogura Saki's grades were much better than Matsutani Shinya's; she was a hardworking genius type. The little girl was very competitive. When she enrolled, her ranking in the class was not high, but after several years of study, her grades were already among the top few in this ordinary class.
However, her physical talent was indeed not very good. Her chakra amount was a major weakness, which was also related to her humble background. Her father was a Genin, and her mother was a civilian who had only attended the Ninja Academy but failed to graduate.
Therefore, her physical upper limit was relatively low, which manifested as very poor stamina. But the little girl was quite smart and had come up with many techniques for using shuriken, so her practical combat ranking was not low.
Ishiro had noticed this little girl before. After all, being able to significantly improve her ranking in the class through her own efforts showed that the little girl was indeed a very hardworking student. Such students were very much worth cultivating.
However, the file described that Ogura Saki was skilled in shuriken throwing, and this was Ishiro's weak point. So, she had been directly eliminated from Ishiro's priority list last night.
But now, after hearing Ogura Saki's words, Ishiro felt it was necessary to observe this little girl again.
Ikura reacted quickly. After reading the file, he first frowned. Then he asked speculatively, "Do you think this Ogura Saki, like you, will choose chakra fusion to develop her own Kekkei Genkai?"
Ishiro nodded and said, "I hope so. If she really thinks this way and is working towards this direction, then it can be said that this Ogura Saki will be the disciple most suited to me."
Ishiro had learned many miscellaneous things, but his main focus had always been singular: fusing chakra, developing Kekkei Genkai, and elevating the evolution of life.
Among Ishiro's current three disciples, Kawakita's learning basically relied on talent. Although Ishiro had helped Kawakita considerably externally, Kawakita's qualitative progress relied solely on his talent. The help Ishiro provided wasn't substantial; instead, Shiden had taught Kawakita many things.
Kajiyama Ri was most similar to Ishiro in terms of developing ninjutsu. His progress in developing ninjutsu was good, and it was estimated that he would have results soon.
Chiko Tomoe had made the most progress, but her progress, while related to Ishiro, was fundamentally independent. Ishiro had merely helped release her hidden talent.
In terms of similarity to Ishiro, none of the three could compare to this Ogura Saki. Of course, this was still contingent on Ogura Saki's subsequent answers satisfying Ishiro.
Forcing himself to resist looking at Ogura Saki's response process, Ishiro continued to select disciples with Ikura. After all, even if Ogura Saki was accepted as Ishiro's disciple, the number was still insufficient.
As the two walked and listened to the students' answers, it wasn't long before Ikura also encountered a student who interested him. One student's understanding of Earth Release surprised even Ikura.
This kind of understanding didn't help much with a student's current strength, but it was very useful for future development, especially after becoming a Jōnin or even an Elite Jōnin, as it could allow a ninja to form their own fighting style. Moreover, it was the kind of fighting style that was particularly suited to bringing out a ninja's strengths.
This point was very important. Ishiro's current strength was neither here nor there precisely because he lacked such a fighting style. Ishiro had the Light/Heavy Rock Technique and the Camouflage Jutsu, which were originally very suitable for sneak attacks. But unfortunately, Ishiro lacked a powerful offensive method for sneak attacks.
Whether it was A-rank ninjutsu, sword ki, or even Porcelain Release, they would immediately expose Ishiro, and none of these methods possessed the kind of power that could overwhelm most enemies.
Facing peers, Ishiro only had the option of slowly grinding down the opponent.
So Ikura was very excited when he heard this student's answer because this student not only had this understanding but, more importantly, this student was also skilled in Earth Release, which made him a good match for Ikura.
Ishiro teased from the side, "What, have you decided on the first spot?"
Ikura smiled and nodded. Regardless of this student's other talents, his understanding of Earth Release alone was enough for Ikura to take him as a disciple.
Ikura mimicked Ishiro's earlier action and called out the teacher of this class. During this process, Ishiro looked at this class's number, then, as if remembering something, took out Matsutani Shinya's file.
"It seems Matsutani Shinya is also in this class."
Then Ishiro and Ikura looked into the classroom together. Almost at the same time, they both knew which one was Matsutani Shinya.
Because he was the only one in the entire class who seemed uninterested, even looking a bit drowsy.
The two exchanged a glance, both somewhat speechless. Others were trying their best to show off their strengths, while he looked like he was completely given up trying.
After the teacher came over, Ikura first asked for the name of the student from before. After Ishiro confirmed that the strange one was indeed Matsutani Shinya, the two left.
As they walked, both simultaneously looked at that student's file: Nakata Tatsunori. His strength was considered quite good in the ordinary class, similar to Ogura Saki's, also among the top few.
However, Nakata Tatsunori was better at practical combat, while his theory scores were a bit lower. If it weren't for the theory classes dragging him down, his ranking would be even higher.
After walking a bit more, the two arrived at the top class area. Ishiro still needed at least one more spot, while Ikura needed two more. Furthermore, the two individuals Ikura had originally been most interested in were both in the top class.
However, the theory lesson in the top class didn't give either of them that "brightened eyes" feeling.
But it didn't matter; there was still the practical combat class in the afternoon.
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