"It looks really tough… this kind of training method is… quite unusual."
Rin looked at Kiyohara, whose bangs were already soaked through with sweat. Somehow, this method of training reminded her of that eccentric guy, Might Guy back in their academy days.
"It's fine. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad,"
Kiyohara tried to make his tone sound as natural as possible. Without calling attention to it, he quietly shifted his position so that the massive stone rod's shadow no longer cast itself directly across Rin's face.
"This is a type of… well, a method that trains core strength and refine striking technique. It helps unify the waist and legs."
Kiyohara answered casually. In truth, he felt this was mostly about building stamina and raw strength first. As for actual sword techniques, his future self, the youth Kiyohara would definitely teach him those later.
"I see…"
Rin nodded, half understanding. When she noticed the sheen of sweat covering Kiyohara's handsome face, she took out a cloth and handed it to him.
"Right, it's our turn to take on a mission. We're supposed to transport supplies to another outpost ten kilometers away."
"I heard Mist-nin activity over there has been really frequent."
Rin said softly.
"I understand."
Kiyohara nodded slightly, signaling he got the message.
He and Rin weren't originally in the same squad, but for the sake of efficiency and wider coverage, teams were frequently split up and reassigned to different tasks.
After tidying up, Kiyohara placed the heavy but rare stone rod back into his tent and prepared to head out with Rin and the others.
By the time he arrived, most people were already gathered.
"Kiyohara, how's your training with Lightning Release going?"
While waiting for the others to finish checking supplies, Kakashi walked over to him.
"Not bad. I've pretty much mastered it."
Kiyohara nodded.
He had already learned the Lightning Release: Lightning Current Technique that Kakashi taught him. Not only that—during this period, he had also mastered the Wind Release: Gale Palm that Minato had given him.
"That's good. We'll definitely run into Mist ambushes this time. Don't let your guard down."
Kakashi said seriously.
Before Kiyohara could reply, Kakashi continued:
"Those who don't protect their comrades are trash. I've accepted that truth."
Seeing Kakashi looking as if he had suddenly achieved enlightenment, Kiyohara felt even more like some kind of emotional stand-in. Damn it—don't tell him Kakashi was projecting all his guilt about Obito onto him!
"Cough… my ninja way is also to protect my comrades."
Kiyohara said dryly.
"We should get moving."
Rin walked over and called out.
For this mission, the acting squad leader was Kakashi, since he was the only jōnin among them.
Kakashi gave Kiyohara one last look before turning around and ordering everyone to prepare for departure.
Soon, the supply transport team was weaving through the forest.
…
"By the way, if I start learning Leaf-Style Willow', how long will it take me?"
During the journey, Kiyohara asked his future self.
Although this technique had been invented by an old man like Maruboshi Kosuke, its rank was actually S-level and it was a composite technique combining genjutsu and kenjutsu. If he mastered it, it would be extremely powerful.
"Your spiritual power is strong. That means your Yin Release talent is exceptional. Learning this will take half the effort."
The young Kiyohara's spirit form appeared.
"Is that so."
Kiyohara knew that merging with Missing-nin Kiyohara was definitely the reason behind that. In the past, the evaluation he would receive was always "average spiritual power."
"But I also once received a Last Will System, so my spiritual power is stronger than the average person's too. If you inherit this part of my talent, you should reach an even higher level."
Youth Kiyohara added.
"So how long will it take before I can start actually learning it?"
Kiyohara only wanted to know how much time he needed to invest.
"With my guidance… about two months."
Youth Kiyohara said.
If needed, he could even possess Kiyohara's body to give him firsthand experience, so the learning speed would be extremely fast.
"Two months, huh…"
Kiyohara frowned slightly.
It wasn't that he was impatient, but this was a battlefield. Two months was more than enough time for someone to die from a random ambush.
'I'd better go make more money first.'
Kiyohara thought.
He had saved some already. If he could loot a few corpses during missions, then he could hire a blacksmith to forge the blade. Completing one last wish would give him another huge boost.
…
Half a day passed as they hurried along the route.
The team entered deeper into the forest. The canopy overhead blocked out sunlight, making the surroundings dim and humid. Along the way, Kiyohara kept exchanging sword insights with his future self, asking about different techniques.
"There's something ahead. Three o'clock direction."
Suddenly, Youth Kiyohara stopped discussing techniques and looked forward.
As a kenjutsu jōnin, his danger perception was far sharper than Kiyohara's.
"Someone's there."
Kiyohara immediately warned the others to halt.
Everyone grew tense, scanning the surroundings.
"What direction?"
Kakashi asked.
In terms of sensory skill, he was only average—stronger than Genma, Rin, and Kurenai, but weaker than veteran jōnin.
"Over there."
Kiyohara pointed according to his future self's indication.
Almost the moment he spoke, the air began thickening at a speed visible to the naked eye. Wisps of milky-white mist rose from nowhere, quickly growing dense and clinging to the tree trunks, obscuring their vision.
Within seconds, visibility dropped from dozens of meters to less than ten—and it was still falling.
"It's the Hidden Mist Jutsu."
Kiyohara frowned.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu was practically the signature of Mist shinobi. It also dulled sensory perception. In the original timeline, Zabuza even earned the title "Demon of the Hidden Mist" with it.
"This is bad—we can't see anything."
Genma stopped twirling the senbon in his mouth, his expression growing grim.
If the enemy was hidden while they stood exposed, things would get dangerous fast.
"I'll try Wind Release."
Kiyohara said.
He quickly formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust roared from his mouth, sweeping into the thick mist. Where the wind passed, the fog was torn apart, opening a temporarily clear area.
But before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the mist from farther away surged back instantly. Within two or three seconds, the cleared area was swallowed again—becoming even denser than before.
"No good…"
Kiyohara frowned.
But he wasn't panicking.
He still had a third eye—his own future self.
"It's useless!"
A cold voice echoed from all directions, making it impossible to tell where it came from.
"You Konoha idiots, this is a battlefield we Mist-nin have prepared. A mere C-rank Wind Release can't disperse it. Even the Sharingan becomes blind in this fog!"
The Mist ninja's voice was dripping with mockery.
In the face of the Hidden Mist Jutsu, even the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan had to kneel!
(End of Chapter)