Even the Sharingan Must Kneel

"It looks exhausting... this training method is quite unique."

Nohara Rin watched the bangs on Kiyohara's forehead, which were soaked with sweat, feeling that this training method was somewhat similar to that of the weirdo Might Guy from their class.

"It's alright, you get used to it."

Kiyohara tried his best to make his tone sound normal. He moved slightly without a trace, shifting his position so that the shadow of the stone rod no longer fell directly onto Nohara Rin's face.

"This is a method to... well, train core strength and power-generation techniques, allowing the waist and stance to act as one."

Kiyohara explained casually, though he felt it was more about building endurance and stamina first.

As for the sword techniques, the older Kiyohara would likely teach him those later.

"I see..."

Nohara Rin nodded as if she understood, and seeing the layer of sweat on Kiyohara's handsome face, she took out a handkerchief and handed it to him.

"By the way, for our mission, we need to transport supplies to another outpost ten kilometers away."

"I heard that Kirigakure activity is very frequent over there."

Nohara Rin said.

"I understand."

Kiyohara nodded slightly, indicating he understood.

Although he and Nohara Rin were not originally in the same squad, for the sake of efficiency and covering a wider area, the original squads were often split up to carry out different missions.

Thus, after tidying up, Kiyohara placed the rare stone rod in his tent and prepared to follow Nohara Rin and the others to carry out the mission.

By the time Kiyohara arrived, the others had almost all gathered.

"Kiyohara, how is your Lightning Release training coming along?"

While waiting for the others to check the supplies, Kakashi stepped forward to strike up a conversation.

"Not bad, I've pretty much mastered it."

Kiyohara nodded.

Kiyohara had already learned the Lightning Release: Lightning Current Technique that Kakashi had taught him.

Not only that, but during this time, he had also learned the Wind Release: Gale Palm that Namikaze Minato had given him.

"That's good. We will definitely encounter Kirigakure attacks this time, so it's best not to be careless."

Kakashi said to Kiyohara.

Before Kiyohara could say anything, Kakashi continued:

"Those who don't know how to protect their companions are trash; I have already prepared myself for that."

Seeing Kakashi's enlightened expression, the sense of "surrogate literature" in Kiyohara's heart grew stronger.

Oh no, he wouldn't really be projecting his guilt over Obito onto him, would he?

"Ahem, my ninja way is also to protect my companions."

Kiyohara said.

"We should get going."

Nohara Rin walked over and said.

The jonin leading the team this time was actually Kakashi.

Because Kakashi was the only jonin among them.

Seeing this, Kakashi had no choice but to take one more look at Kiyohara before turning around to have the others prepare to depart.

Soon, a transport squad was weaving through the forest.

"By the way, if I were to learn Konoha-Style Kenjutsu: Willow, about how long would it take?"

On the way, Kiyohara asked the older Kiyohara.

Don't let the fact that this move was developed by an old man like Maruboshi Kosuke fool you; in reality, its level reached S-rank, and it was a composite sword technique that fused genjutsu and kenjutsu.

If he could learn it, it would be a very powerful sword technique.

"Your spiritual energy is strong, which means your Yin Release talent will be excellent. You'll get twice the result with half the effort learning this."

The spirit form of the older Kiyohara appeared.

"Is that so?"

Kiyohara knew this must be thanks to the fusion with Renegade Kiyohara; otherwise, in the past, his evaluation would certainly have been that his spiritual energy was mediocre.

"However, I also received a Last Words Book, so my spiritual energy is also stronger than the average person. If you inherit this part of my talent, I estimate you can take it to the next level."

The older Kiyohara continued.

"Then, before that, about how long will it take?"

Kiyohara only wanted to know exactly how much time it would cost.

"With my guidance, two months should suffice."

The young man Kiyohara said.

When necessary, he could possess Kiyohara, allowing him to experience the techniques firsthand, which would make the learning process much faster.

"That's a bit long..."

Kiyohara frowned slightly.

It wasn't that he was being overly ambitious, but this was a battlefield; a two-month gap could very easily lead to his untimely death.

"I need to go earn more money first."

Kiyohara thought to himself.

He had already saved up a portion of money, and if he could loot a few more bags during missions, he could find a craftsman to forge a ninja blade, fulfill a dying wish, and secure a stat boost first.

Half a day of travel passed in a tense rush.

The team ventured deep into the forest area. The light around them grew dim due to the canopy, and the air became damp.

Along the way, Kiyohara frequently discussed swordsmanship with the young man Kiyohara, asking him about various techniques.

"Something's wrong, three o'clock direction."

Suddenly, the young man Kiyohara stopped discussing the previous topic and looked ahead.

As a jounin-level swordsman, his perception of danger was far superior to Kiyohara's.

"Someone's there."

Hearing this, Kiyohara spoke up, signaling the others to stop.

The others immediately looked around with vigilance, observing the surroundings.

The entire team halted instantly, their gazes scanning the area warily.

"In what direction?"

Kakashi asked.

His perception in this regard could only be described as average.

He was stronger than chuunin like Genma Shiranui, Nohara Rin, and Kurenai Yuhi, but weaker than those seasoned jounin.

"Over there."

Kiyohara pointed in the direction indicated by the young man Kiyohara.

Almost the moment his voice fell, the surrounding air began to turn damp and hazy at a visible rate.

Wisps of milky-white mist spread from unknown origins, rapidly thickening, coiling around the tree branches, and obscuring everyone's vision.

Visibility plummeted in just over ten seconds, shrinking from several dozen meters to less than ten, and it was still dropping.

"It's the Hidden Mist Technique."

Kiyohara frowned slightly.

"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique" could be called the signature jutsu of Kirigakure ninjas.

Furthermore, this technique also dampened one's perception; in the original story, Zabuza Momochi even used this technique to earn the title of "Demon of the Hidden Mist."

"Damn it, I can't see anything."

The senbon in Genma Shiranui's mouth stopped swaying, and his expression turned grim.

If the enemy was hidden while they were exposed, they would be at a severe disadvantage.

"I'll try using Wind Release."

Kiyohara said.

He then quickly formed hand seals.

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gale erupted from his mouth, sweeping toward the dense mist ahead.

Wherever the fierce wind passed, the white mist was forcibly torn apart, temporarily clearing an area with relatively clear visibility.

However, before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, the mist from further away seemed endless, surging back to fill the void.

In just two or three seconds, the area that had just been cleared was swallowed up by even thicker white mist, and visibility was even worse than before.

"It didn't work..."

Kiyohara frowned slightly.

However, he wasn't panicked in his heart.

He still had a third eye, and that was his future self!

"It's useless!"

A cold, sinister voice seemed to come from all directions, echoing in the thick fog, making it impossible to pinpoint the exact location.

"You Konoha idiots, this is a position carefully prepared by our Kirigakure. How could a mere C-rank Wind Release blow it away? Even the Sharingan would become blind in this thick fog!"

The Kirigakure ninja's tone was clearly mocking.

In the face of the "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique," even the Uchiha, who possessed the Sharingan, would have to kneel!