Immediately afterward, Young Kiyohara took control of Kiyohara's body. The ninja sword in his hand seemed to come alive, no longer delivering stiff chops but transforming into a swift, relentless assault.
The Kirigakure swordsman's originally fierce offensive was shattered in an instant, leaving him to frantically swing his katana in defense.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The dense clash of blades merged into a continuous roar within the thick fog. The two figures traded blows at blistering speed, flashes of steel making Kakashi and the others beside them dizzy.
"Hmph, so what if you have some skill?"
Mizunashi Hebi tried to spit out some harsh words.
Slash!
Suddenly, Young Kiyohara caught the opening created by his speech. Mizunashi Hebi immediately let out a scream, his katana flying from his hand as he clutched the bloody line across his throat, trying to say something.
Unfortunately, his pierced throat could only produce ragged, bellows-like wheezes.
Then he fell to the ground with a thud.
Villains die from talking too much.
Kiyohara thought to himself as he regained control of his body.
He slowly sheathed his sword, feeling waves of weakness wash over him.
Young Kiyohara's possession consumed an enormous amount of stamina.
He glanced at the dead Kirigakure swordsman.
"Even basic swordsmanship can be this strong..."
Kiyohara had felt it deeply. Young Kiyohara had used only the most ordinary sword techniques just now.
"Why haven't I seen you use any of that before?"
Genma Shiranui asked in confusion.
As the three Kirigakure ninja died, the thick white mist around them gradually dispersed.
"Because I didn't have money to buy a sword before."
Kiyohara answered casually.
He crouched down and began skillfully looting the bodies, saying without even looking up:
"Whoever killed them gets the spoils. No objections, right?"
Genma Shiranui opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Kurenai Yuhi remembered that Kiyohara still had loans to pay off and suddenly understood why he was so enthusiastic about looting.
Kakashi silently watched Kiyohara strip the Kirigakure swordsman of everything valuable, including the clearly expensive katana, as well as several scattered ninja tools and cash.
"Take it. You can have my share too."
Kakashi's expression remained calm. Honestly, he did not lack this little bit of money.
Kiyohara could tell that Kakashi did not care. Everything this guy wore was expensive.
What a filthy rich bastard!
That was all Kiyohara could say. It was not like he had a great father who surpassed the Sannin.
Before long, Kiyohara put away the fifty to sixty thousand ryō in cash, Explosive Tags, and useful ninja tools he had looted. Finally, he placed the katana alongside the two Ninja Swords left behind by the Kirigakure ninja he had killed earlier.
He quickly took stock of his gains.
"The cash and the money from selling the Explosive Tags add up to nearly one hundred and fifty thousand ryō. This katana... its quality is exceptional. It could probably sell for over three hundred thousand ryō on the black market. Adding what I saved up before..."
Kiyohara's heart began to race uncontrollably.
It was enough!
Absolutely enough!
There might even be some left over after forging the ninja sword!
Kiyohara carefully sealed all these items away in scrolls.
At last, he had fully gathered the funds needed for Young Kiyohara's second unfulfilled wish: forging a ninja sword of his own!
This would increase Kiyohara's strength once again. After fulfilling the first wish of revenge, he might even become a swordsmanship genius.
After all, Young Kiyohara had been able to learn even S-rank swordsmanship. His talent in this area was actually very strong.
Once the ninja sword is finished in a while, my strength will take another huge leap.
Kiyohara thought.
Wasn't that perfectly reasonable?
Others had to work painstakingly, receive guidance from famous teachers, or improve amid life-and-death crises.
Those traditional methods were dangerous and slow. Worse, years of using the wrong exertion techniques could even ruin or deform one's body.
But he could directly receive the experience of his future self!
And this experience was the correct experience that his future self had built up bit by bit. He only needed to follow the right answers.
Safe and efficient.
The difference was obvious!
"Let's go."
After Kiyohara finished packing up, Kakashi spoke.
He did not know if it was just his imagination, but Kakashi felt that Kiyohara was in a very good mood right now.
Was it because he had made money?
Kakashi shook his head and did not dwell on it.
Kiyohara packed up his things and followed the team as they continued escorting the supplies.
The remaining journey was much safer. Without any more trouble along the way, they arrived at the new outpost and delivered the supplies.
"This time, it was all thanks to you and Kakashi, Kiyohara."
Nohara Rin said with a sigh.
She had not been able to help much herself.
"What are you talking about? Without Rin supporting us from behind, how could we have fought confidently on the front lines?"
Kiyohara said with a smile.
He was in a good mood now.
"Huh?"
Nohara Rin had not expected him to say that.
She had thought Kiyohara would say something like they were all companions, but instead, he was affirming her abilities.
"It's precisely because we have such an outstanding Medical Ninjutsu user as you, Rin, that we can fight without hesitation."
"Is that so?"
It was the first time Nohara Rin had heard someone put it that way.
In the past, Obito only praised her beauty, while Kakashi only thought about how to complete the mission.
Only Kiyohara had noticed her own abilities and talent.
He was not a shallow, boring man.
With that thought, Nohara Rin raised her head and looked at Kiyohara.
Kiyohara had sharply defined features and an exceptionally handsome face.
Even among the Uchiha, he would be among the most striking.
"Thank you."
A happy smile appeared on Nohara Rin's pretty face.
"I only stated the truth."
Kiyohara shook his head.
Nohara Rin was a genius comparable to Sakura Haruno's, or perhaps even stronger than Sakura Haruno.
After all, Nohara Rin already knew the A-rank Medical Ninjutsu, the Mystical Palm Technique, while Sakura Haruno had only learned it after becoming the disciple of a top-tier master like Tsunade.
The current Nohara Rin did not have such resources.
If she had not died so young, no one could say what she might have become in the future.
"By the way, could you teach me some Medical Ninjutsu when you have time?"
Kiyohara asked.
During the journey, he had learned through talking with Young Kiyohara that his chakra natures were Yin and Yang.
With Yang nature, Kiyohara could try learning Medical Ninjutsu.
He could gather some Medical Ninjutsu techniques beforehand. If he inherited Young Kiyohara's talent, he would be able to use them directly.
"Mm, come to my tent tonight."
Nohara Rin thought for a moment before answering.
They still had to return to their original outpost later. Only after finishing that would they have free time.
"Then I'll be troubling you, Rin."
Kiyohara said.
It worked out perfectly. Once he returned, he wanted to find a way to dispose of these items.
There was a small town near the outpost, where some Konoha ninja were stationed. It was essentially a transit point during the war.
Kiyohara planned to sell the items there, then have someone forge a ninja sword for him.
It should not take much time. Kiyohara felt that the ninja sword could be finished in a day.
After all, this world was actually quite modern, and with something as convenient as chakra, Ninja Swords could be forged very quickly.
"Tomorrow..."
Kiyohara felt that tomorrow night should be about right.
Before you continue