Someone as insignificant as Kiyohara normally would never have caught his attention.
But this was a critical time, and his physical condition no longer allowed him much time to deliberate.
He had to decide on an executor for the "Eye of the Moon Plan" as soon as possible. Only then could he peacefully remove the tubes.
Sleep soundly until his resurrection, when he would make his appearance as a savior.
"Hashirama, I will prove everything I stand for. I can reach... the other shore."
Uchiha Madara spoke slowly into the pitch-black, empty cave.
He unconsciously touched his chest.
Part of Hashirama's flesh was there. It was through that that he had awakened the "Rinnegan" and devised so many plans.
Just as Kiyohara pretended to be sensing the distance, Renegade Kiyohara's spirit drifted back.
His expression was rather grave.
"What is it?"
Kiyohara hurriedly asked.
Don't scare me.
Could it be that they had already been surrounded by an Iwagakure unit?
Was there still time for him to write his Last Words Book?
"Up ahead is where Rin was captured. Obito is almost here."
Renegade Kiyohara said.
Without realizing it, they had already reached the vicinity of Kannabi Bridge.
This place had become the weakest point in their defenses.
It was foreseeable that Namikaze Minato had reached the front lines and caused the Iwagakure forces considerable trouble.
That was why some of the Iwagakure ninja in the area had been sent over there, resulting in this shortage of troops.
"Is that so?"
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
He understood the meaning hidden in Renegade Kiyohara's words.
Once Obito arrived, Kakashi would come after him too, following a period of inner struggle.
Kakashi's left eye would be slashed blind here, while half of Obito's body would be crushed beneath a boulder.
This had to be the closest Uchiha Madara had ever been to observing this place.
Although he had sensed nothing, Kiyohara always felt that White Zetsu was hiding nearby.
White Zetsu possessed the "Mayfly Technique," allowing it to freely merge with the earth. It was practically impossible to guard against.
I have no bloodline, so I probably won't interest Uchiha Madara. At most, he'll see me as a possible obstacle to the plan, or perhaps an opportunity to push Obito into darkness.
Kiyohara thought to himself.
Uchiha Madara had arranged for Nohara Rin to be implanted with a Tailed Beast, leaving her no choice but to kill each other with Kakashi. He wanted Obito to taste the utmost despair and awaken the darkness in his heart.
He simply had not expected Nohara Rin to choose suicide, though that only triggered the darkness in Obito's heart even more effectively.
Good thing I fought Obito before setting out. I hope he doesn't pick me as a sacrifice.
Kiyohara mused.
If Obito still had not fallen into darkness after Kakashi and Rin died, Kiyohara suspected Uchiha Madara would have everyone around Obito die before his eyes until he finally broke and achieved the desired result.
He did not want Obito to say something like, "Come back to life, my beloved," for his sake.
Even when Obito's grandmother died, he had not considered reviving her. His mind had been set solely on becoming Hokage in the world of "Infinite Tsukuyomi" and living an exciting life with Rin.
That was romance-brain at its absolute extreme.
"They won't be easy to deal with. When the crucial moment comes, remember to possess me."
Kiyohara said.
He gave himself an extra layer of insurance.
The Iwagakure Jonin Taiseki could turn invisible. Kiyohara might not react in time against him.
"You could also choose not to go."
Renegade Kiyohara said.
Another option was for Kiyohara to wait here until everything was over.
"If I don't go, who knows what kind of butterfly effect might occur? The bridge must be destroyed. Only then will my achievements be enough."
Kiyohara said.
Renegade Kiyohara's spirit was clearly running out of time.
Who knew when the next Last Words Book would arrive, or which version of Kiyohara it would bring?
What if the future version was even weaker than he was now—like "Ordinary Kiyohara" or "Chef Kiyohara"? Then he would have wasted an opportunity to grow stronger for nothing.
He had to earn enough achievements to be promoted to Chunin as quickly as possible, so he could obtain the rest of Renegade Kiyohara's talents.
Then Kiyohara would learn Wind Release and Lightning Release ninjutsu quickly as well.
One person plus another person—the stacking of talent was terrifying.
It was not merely one plus one equaling two. It could very well produce a chemical reaction and yield even better results.
"Fine. I'll help you when the critical moment comes."
Renegade Kiyohara nodded.
He also wanted his past self to fulfill his final wish, so he was willing to help the present Kiyohara.
"So how far can you go when you take over?"
Kiyohara asked curiously.
Renegade Kiyohara had possessed him several times before, but Kiyohara still did not know just how much strength he could wield.
Even with the techniques of a Jonin, his physical body was only at the level of a Chunin.
"It's not a problem. I can bring out all of your body's potential."
Renegade Kiyohara began explaining.
The human body was actually incredibly powerful, but in order to protect itself, it instinctively imposed limits.
However, Renegade Kiyohara was effectively another source of power. He could directly ignore those limitations and crank the output to its maximum.
"So it's like the 'Eight Inner Gates'?"
Kiyohara understood what Renegade Kiyohara meant.
The "Eight Inner Gates" worked on the same principle. They could remove the brain's restrictions and unleash one hundred percent of the body's capabilities, overloading the body's potential to increase one's strength.
"Then if I learned the 'Eight Inner Gates,' could you force them open too?"
Kiyohara asked.
"In theory, yes. It doesn't matter whether you know it. As long as I know it, we can use it. But I don't know the 'Eight Inner Gates.'"
Renegade Kiyohara said.
In a sense, the "Eight Inner Gates" also counted as a forbidden technique.
Furthermore, the technique rarely spread beyond its holders. Only Shinnō, the leader of the Land of Sky, had learned some of the "Eight Inner Gates."
As someone who had followed Orochimaru, Renegade Kiyohara naturally had no channels through which to access that technique.
Orochimaru had no interest in taijutsu whatsoever. He was focused entirely on replacing his body with a vessel possessing a Kekkei Genkai and attaining immortality.
"Alright."
Kiyohara nodded.
Now he had confidence.
The people inside were merely Jonin as well.
At worst, he could shout, "Future me, save me!"
"Let's head over now. Try not to make any noise."
Kiyohara turned to Kurenai Yuhi and Genma Shiranui.
This time, the three of them were providing support together, greatly increasing their safety.
"Kakashi, Obito!"
Nohara Rin looked at Obito and Kakashi, who had come to rescue her.
Because the two had interrupted it, the Genjutsu enveloping her had temporarily failed.
"Leave these two brats to me. I'll continue casting the Genjutsu."
Kakkō said to Taiseki.
Taiseki nodded slightly, his figure remaining hidden in the shadows.
"Damn it, he disappeared again."
Kakashi and Obito wore grim expressions.
This guy's ability was far too unfair.
"They're just two brats."
Taiseki shook his head.
He drew a Kunai and moved without making the slightest sound, circling behind Obito and Kakashi.
"Kakashi!"
Nohara Rin cried out worriedly.
At that moment, a thunderous boom came from outside the cave.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A fierce gust blasted into the cave. The dust it stirred clung to Taiseki's body, outlining his figure.
Kiyohara had arrived!
Before you continue