Are You Here to Restock!

Kiyohara turned off the faucet, quickly dried his body with a towel, and changed into a clean ninja outfit.

Opening the door, he saw Kurenai Yuhi standing outside the courtyard gate, with Genma Shiranui leaning against the doorframe, a senbon needle dangling from his mouth.

"Kurenai, Genma, why are you two here?"

Kiyohara was somewhat surprised.

Kurenai Yuhi blinked her signature red eyes and spoke up:

"We heard you're participating in the Chunin Exams today. Genma and I happened to be free, so we stopped by to see just how many tricks you've been hiding up your sleeve."

Genma Shiranui shifted the senbon to the other side of his mouth and mumbled vaguely:

"That's right. Lord Minato praised you to the high heavens earlier; we all want to see it for ourselves."

"Then let's head out together, so we aren't late."

The three of them walked toward the exam venue together.

Along the way, the number of pedestrians gradually increased, many of whom were ninjas or related personnel heading to the same destination.

Taking advantage of the walk, Kiyohara began to converse with Renegade Kiyohara.

"About the 'Last Words Book'..."

"You mentioned before that when you were alive, you had received last words from other 'possibilities' as well, right?"

"Correct."

Renegade Kiyohara responded.

"The first time was when I was helping Orochimaru escort some data. I accidentally ran into an attack from another village. After I escaped with heavy injuries, it suddenly appeared in my consciousness."

Renegade Kiyohara's tone carried a hint of reminiscence.

"The future I encountered was a follower of the Jashin Cult, whom I could call 'Believer Kiyohara'. His only dying wish was to experience a profound sense of pain.

So, I completed it through self-torture. Unfortunately, he didn't have any abilities; he only allowed me to increase my mental energy."

Renegade Kiyohara added slowly.

"So that's how it is."

Kiyohara understood in his heart, then continued:

"Does that mean it's possible for me to receive last words from a version of the future that possesses a Kekkei Genkai?"

This was a question he cared about deeply.

If the "Last Words Book" anchored all possibilities of the existence known as "Kiyohara," then theoretically, any "Kiyohara" who possessed special talents or Kekkei Genkai due to different origins or encounters could become a source of power for him.

Renegade Kiyohara was silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before speaking after a long while:

"Theoretically... it's possible. However, I haven't figured out the mechanism myself. Based on my experience, these two 'Last Words Books' appeared about a month apart. I don't know what the pattern is.

It could be soon, or it could be a long time before the next one. After I received the second one, I never encountered a third until my death, because the dying wish hadn't been completed yet."

"I see, there is only one 'Last Words Book' at a time."

Kiyohara rubbed his chin.

Renegade Kiyohara paused, then continued:

"I suppose so. And even if you receive one, the inheritance is random. It could be a portion of combat experience, an insight into a certain nature of Chakra, or even a portion of the other person's Chakra reserves. What I inherited back then was mostly the fragmented techniques of that 'me' right before death."

"As for Kekkei Genkai..."

Renegade Kiyohara's tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

"I have never encountered a future that possessed a Kekkei Genkai, so I cannot be sure. But even if that future possessed one, whether it can be inherited through the form of the Last Words Book, and how much can be inherited, remains an unknown."

Kiyohara silently digested this information.

It seems that although the "Last Words Book" is miraculous, it is not an omnipotent wish-granting machine without limitations.

It is more like a randomly opened treasure chest; what you get depends entirely on luck.

Currently, the legacy of Renegade Kiyohara is enough for him to digest for a long time and can provide a massive boost.

Otherwise, after the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, the Konoha memorial stone might have had the light, fleeting name of "Kiyohara" added to it, and Kakashi would be the one coming to pay his respects.

"I understand."

Kiyohara nodded slightly.

Regardless, this experience from the "future" is invaluable.

"Then, after I complete it, what will happen to you?"

Kiyohara asked a crucial question.

"Based on my observations, my consciousness will vanish and sink into the Ash Box, unable to come out again. Furthermore, the Ash Box itself will continuously dissipate until it disappears completely."

Renegade Kiyohara said.

"All the Ash Boxes in my mind are gone now. As for whether there is a way to slow it down, I don't know."

Facing the Renegade Kiyohara who knew nothing, Kiyohara had no choice but to figure things out bit by bit on his own.

After all, the Renegade Kiyohara had died too early after obtaining it, so he hadn't fully understood the Last Words Book.

I certainly can't die that early; I have to at least live until Boruto.

Kiyohara thought to himself.

Living until that non-flammable series would count as having experienced all the exciting milestones of the ninja world, so it wouldn't be a wasted trip.

Of course, if he could avoid dying, Kiyohara would definitely choose to live; he didn't want to become the "old grandfather" for his self in another timeline.

I'll see one month after completing the last wish to see if I can receive a new Last Words Book.

Thinking this to himself, Kiyohara looked up at the building ahead.

The Renegade Kiyohara had long since crawled into the Ash Box; he would crawl inside whenever he was idle to reduce his energy consumption.

In this state, he could neither see the outside world nor hear the thoughts in Kiyohara's mind.

Unless Kiyohara actively tapped on the Ash Box with his intent, the Renegade Kiyohara would have no way of sensing anything.

"That building ahead is the site for the Chunin Exams; there are quite a few people."

Kurenai Yuhi looked ahead.

She had come to this place last year and successfully became a Chunin.

"Is that so."

Kiyohara nodded.

It was fortunate that it was currently the Third Great Ninja War, so there was no need to be forcibly tied to a squad like in Naruto's era.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for Kakashi to become a Jonin on his own.

"So nostalgic."

Genma Shiranui took out his Senbon, as his second uncle was also working here as a proctor.

Every time he was seen with something dangling from his mouth, he would get a lecture about not having a proper attitude.

"What is there to be nostalgic about."

Kurenai Yuhi shook her head.

The building ahead had been temporarily designated as the examination hall for the Chunin Exams.

Due to the wartime period, the process was simplified; the written exam and team missions were canceled, and the participants' comprehensive abilities were evaluated directly through live combat sparring.

The Genin who could be recommended here were all standouts who had performed brilliantly on the battlefield or were considered by their Jonin captains to possess the qualifications of a Chunin.

"Let's head in."

Kiyohara said.

He noticed that over a dozen Genin had already gathered, and the atmosphere was slightly heavy.

After all, everyone was a competitor, and the spots were limited.

Some would pass, and some would fail.

This meant there was a conflict of interest, so it was impossible for the atmosphere to be very friendly.

"Then Genma and I will head to the spectator stands."

Kurenai Yuhi's voice was crisp and pleasant as she spoke in a low tone.

"Go ahead, and remember to get me some food. After all, you'll be watching my performance later, so you don't mind paying a little for the ticket, right?"

Kiyohara smiled slightly.

He was reluctant to spend his own money.

"What do you want to eat?"

"Hmm, three bags of potato chips, two bottles of Zenzai, and if possible, three skewers of dango."

Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened upon hearing this.

How shameless.

Are you here to restock your pantry or what!