Much of the previously suppressed information had leaked out, and many people now knew that Kiyoshi and Tsunade had gone together to scout the battle where ten thousand Hidden Stone ninjas fought the Third Raikage.
Because of this, Kiyoshi had become a topic of constant discussion during that time, with people saying the Uchiha clan had produced a massive genius. This even caused the reputation of the Uchiha clan to slightly improve.
In a war, everyone knows to align themselves with powerful ninjas for mutual protection. The Uchiha clan was, naturally, the premier choice.
Obito also nodded. Even if he hadn't "eaten the pork," he had seen "the pig run"; he had specifically studied much about the abilities of the Sharingan. He did this so that once he awakened his own, he could make a stunning debut.
"I see," Kakashi nodded. He hadn't seen many Uchiha use this specific ability, so he figured that even within the Uchiha clan, not just anyone could learn it.
High in the sky.
Rin Nohara's legs felt weak, and she didn't dare look down at the terrain below. Humans have an instinctive yearning for flight, but similarly, they have an instinctive fear of heights.
"It's... it's too high, Kiyoshi," Rin whispered, letting go with one hand to hold down her skirt.
"So Rin is afraid of heights?"
Kiyoshi refined a portion of [Wind] Style chakra and surged upward once more. The surrounding sea of clouds churned, rolling around the two of them like a boundless sea of snow. Rin could no longer worry about her skirt; she wrapped both arms around Kiyoshi's neck, trembling slightly.
After steadying herself, a trace of anger flared in her eyes. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Kiyoshi speak first:
"Kakashi should have developed the ninjutsu he wanted by now, shouldn't he?"
These words caused Rin's eyes to dim slightly. Kiyoshi was right; Kakashi had finally developed that technique. Her time spent communicating with Kakashi was growing shorter, because the advanced Lightning Style formulas involved later on were simply not something that could be mastered through theoretical knowledge alone.
Even with Kiyoshi's help, though her Lightning Style chakra refinement was indeed faster than before, it was a drop in the bucketânowhere near enough.
"His father's death had too great an impact on him," Rin sighed softly.
"Is that so?"
The warm air from Kiyoshi's breath brushed against Rin. In the cold high altitude, there was a touch of warmth. Unknowingly, Rin's body felt a bit feverish, and her mouth went dry. Her legs rubbed together in an instinctive, bewildered reaction.
"Put me down, Kiyoshi."
Rin could feel Kiyoshi's firm chest. The masculine scent of the other party left her flustered.
"If you encounter any trouble or need anything, come find me."
Kiyoshi suddenly spoke this way, giving Rin a meaningful look. After this event, if things went as expected, Kakashi would receive a Sharingan transplant. As the only non-Uchiha in the village to openly have a Sharingan, it would inevitably cause a massive public outcry. In the original story, even Itachi was curious about this issue.
Ultimately, due to a lack of legal standing, the clan didn't reclaim the Sharingan from Kakashi. However, just because others didn't take it back didn't mean Kakashi wouldn't face psychological pressure. Nor did it mean all members of the Uchiha clan could accept the reason; it was just that Fugaku suppressed the matter to avoid further conflict.
After all, Kakashi had the "Son of the White Fang," "Genius Boy," "ANBU," and "Student of Minato" buffs. It could be said that Kakashi was already tied to the Hokage faction; the village high command even allowed Kakashi to know about top-secret matters like Kushina giving birth.
'If you, Rin Nohara, don't want Kakashi to end up like the White Fang of the Hidden Leafâunable to withstand the pressure and choosing suicideâyou will have to pay a price and make a trade.'
Kiyoshi's eyes flickered. Unfortunately, Rin assumed he was talking about Lightning Style matters and didn't grasp the true meaning, simply nodding her head.
*Whoosh!*
Accompanied by the sound of the wind, Kiyoshi brought Rin down to the ground.
"Hey, put Rin down already!"
The moment Kiyoshi stepped onto the ground, Obito couldn't wait to urge him. He didn't want to see this guy holding Rin at all; every extra second his heart bled.
"That's enough, Obito. This is for the mission," Rin said, releasing her hands from Kiyoshi's neck. Her feet hit the earth, and she smoothed out her skirt. Although she was a bit embarrassed, with Kakashi watching, Rin put on a graceful front, not wanting Kakashi to misunderstand.
"Hmph, Rin, you're just too soft-hearted. You're so pretty; I bet Kiyoshi stayed up there so long just to hold you longer," Obito said indignantly. He had seen with his own eyes that Kiyoshi surged higher for a stretch. Minato-sensei had only told him to test his speed, yet he dawdled for half a day.
"Obito, if you keep targeting your fellow clansman like this, I'm going to tell your grandmother," Mikoto said, her cheeks slightly flushed upon hearing Obito's words.
Would Kiyoshi be interested in a young girl like Rin? If it were before, Mikoto would have said yesâthey were all young people. But now, Mikoto dared to say no. Kiyoshi... had said more than once that she was his ideal type.
Mikoto had always found this issue a headache. After all, her relationship with Fugaku was just a step away from being official, and the age gap between her and Kiyoshi was large. The two were truly unsuitable. Yet Fugaku had told Mikoto to build more bonds with Kiyoshi, leaving her caught in the middle.
"Don't tell my grandmother, please!" Obito's tone softened instantly as he begged Mikoto for mercy. Telling his grandmother would lead to a lecture about not cherishing his clansmen.
"Let's all be harmonious from now on."
Mikoto could see Obito was acting out of jealousy and tried to persuade him not to overthink it; Kiyoshi wouldn't be like that. But she couldn't state the basis for her reasoning.
"Your speed is very fast. Therefore, the plan will proceed as follows."
Minato Namikaze used a pen to draw on the map spread over the flat soil, marking a route and a location.
"This is the route the Stone will take through the Land of Grass. According to intelligence, on this front, the enemy has already gathered over a thousand ninjas."
"A... bridge. This is an infiltration mission, then," Kakashi said, seeing the spot Minato pointed to.
"Correct. Your mission this time is to infiltrate the enemy's rear, destroy this bridge used for logistics and supplies, and then retreat immediately. Jonin Mikoto and I will head to the front line to strike the enemy. You and Kiyoshi are Jonin; you will each lead a team and act as captains."
Minato explained some details. The Hidden Leaf Village was currently facing an unprecedented lack of combat power, so this was a move of necessity.
"Jonin Mikoto and I will accompany you as far as the border. You don't need to worry about that." Minato put away the map.
"Yes!" Kakashi and the others replied.
...
The geography of the Land of Grass was unique, like a country swallowed by giant vegetation. Towering trees had intertwined roots, and the air was thick with the scent of damp earth. Mottled light and shadow fell on mushrooms the size of houses, creating a natural maze.
A team of ninjas moved slowly through a path of tangled vines. The surroundings were deathly silent, save for the rustling of wind through the leaves.
Kiyoshi, walking among them, suddenly saw movement far off through the layered leaves. Somewhere under a tree, a hidden figure was faintly visible. In the next instant, he stopped without warning.
The [Hyuga Fundamentals (Blue)] Trait could be triggered as long as he concentrated. In his eyes, there was clearly someone under a tree a kilometer away.
"...?"
Rin Nohara, unprepared, almost crashed into his back. A cry of surprise nearly escaped her but she forced herself to swallow it, hurriedly stabilizing her stance.
Seeing this, Obito's face darkened, and he couldn't help but complain: "Hey! What are you doing stopping suddenly? Rin almost ran into you!"
Tekka and Inabi also looked back in confusion. Their gazes swept quickly through the forest, and they even instinctively activated their Sharingan, warily checking the surroundings.
Minato Namikaze narrowed his eyes, and his [Yang] Style chakra spread out. In his invisible perception, much to his surprise, there was indeed someone there. But Kiyoshi hadn't activated any sensory techniques or spread out his chakra.
How did he do it? Minato wondered.
Mikoto stared at Kiyoshi. In the next moment, her eyes turned crimson, adorned with three tomoe. Her normally gentle, Yamato Nadeshiko-like face gained a touch of eerie elegance.
"Someone is there, a kilometer away," Kiyoshi said calmly.
A kilometer away? In a hidden spot?
Tekka and Inabi's brows furrowed simultaneously, while Mikoto's pupils contracted slightly, a hint of surprise rising in her heart. Her Sharingan hadn't found anything amiss, yet Kiyoshi could detect a target at such a distance?
Kiyoshi drew a black kunai from his tool pouch. Immediately after, [Lightning] Style chakra flowed silently, and azure electric arcs climbed up the blade of the kunai.
Chakra Flow: Lightning Style!
The kunai instantly crackled. Electric arcs spun on the surface of the kunai, forming a ring. To generate magnetism, one must cut the current.
As the magnetism was generated, the air began to grow restless. An invisible attraction spread out; dead leaves on the ground vibrated slightly, and light dust gathered uncontrollably toward the kunai, as if pulled by an invisible force.
Minato's gaze froze. He could clearly feel that the kunai in Kiyoshi's hand was more than just Lightning Style chakra.
"Magnetism?"
Minato frowned slightly. This kind of formula should fall under the category of secret techniques, right? Even if the Sharingan had a copying function, it should only be able to copy ordinary ninjutsu. How could it possibly copy a secret technique like this?
"...[Lightning Style: Magneto-Vortex Kunai]."
Kiyoshi whispered, a faint sharp glint passing through his eyes. In the next instant, the magnetism erupted!
The kunai was violently propelled by an invisible force. Amidst the burst of lightning, it shot out from his hand.
*Shuaâ!*
The lightning trailed a dazzling arc. Driven by the dual force of electricity and magnetism, the kunai pierced through the air at a terrifying speed, striking accurately toward the target a kilometer away along a perfectly straight line.
*Puchi!*
A cluster of blood suddenly exploded beneath a certain tree, splashing the trunk and leaves in that area. Only then, by the sight of the blood, could the others see the person who had been hidden there.