Some of those futures might contain experience, some might hold bloodline power, and others might offer stacked innate talents.
"I only received two 'Last Will Letter.' I had just reached jōnin-level strength, but because I got careless and stepped on an exploding tag trap, I died."
"So that's how it is..."
Kiyohara thought silently. 'It seemed the so-called Last Will really was a time anchor. If he died in the future, would he also be wrapped up as a "relic" and delivered to another version of himself from some other possible timeline?'
He finally understood why the missing-nin Kiyohara had been so enthusiastic about explaining everything the moment he appeared.
Even cooperation between a past self and a future self needed to follow the most basic rule—mutual benefit.
Ultimately, the man simply wanted Kiyohara to fulfill his dying wish.
Thinking of this, Kiyohara's heart couldn't help but stir with excitement.
If one future self could double his talent, what about two, three, or even more?
Theoretically, if this stacking went on forever, then sooner or later he could punch an Ōtsutsuki to death with three blows.
At that point he wouldn't just live in the shinobi world—
He would rule it.
After all, even the Eight Gates, when opening the Gate of Death, only claim to grant dozens of times a Kage's power.
The only thing Kiyohara didn't know was whether there would be any loss in power during transfer. After all, these were all versions of himself who had died in the future. Most likely, the stronger the future version, the more that could be inherited.
"So, what are your last wishes?"
"Hmm… two of them. The first is simple: go do what you want to do.
To Kiyohara's surprise, the missing-nin Kiyohara had an extremely simple request.
"What I want to do?"
Kiyohara froze for a moment.
What he wanted was obvious—to become stronger, obtain power beyond human limits, and survive.
And after gaining power beyond human limits, he to live a life without fear of dying like an ant.
"For the first... of course, it's to become strong.
And the second… I want to eat at Ichiraku Ramen right now."
Kiyohara admitted that sometimes going to the mall for a cone of fries was also a form of enjoyment.
"Ichiraku Ramen, huh... now that you mention it, I haven't eaten it for a long time."
The missing-nin Kiyohara's tone carried a hint of melancholy.
In truth, he wanted to see what his younger self was thinking back then.
After growing up, he lived a life similar to a novel protagonist's.
Unfortunately for him, his script had been written badly.
As a missing-nin, he had no legitimate way to take missions.
Once someone was entered into the Bingo Book, the wanted order lasted a lifetime.
Unless one was willing to live as a powerless civilian forever, anyone who wanted to grow stronger would inevitably have to re-enter the shinobi world.
Once, when he was seriously injured by an ANBU pursuit squad and even using chakra was difficult, he nearly went to sell his blood to survive.
"You're a jōnin—can't you afford ramen?"
Kiyohara was puzzled.
"The taste isn't the same, you know? After becoming a rogue-nin, I couldn't even step through Konoha's gates."
The missing-nin Kiyohara shook his head.
Konoha was filled with hidden masters everywhere. How could a civilian-born jōnin like him come and go freely?
"I see..."
Kiyohara nodded.
A bowl of Ichiraku ramen was only a few dozen ryō—hardly any money at all.
"So, what's your second wish?"
Kiyohara looked at the missing-nin's spirit. It already seemed dimmer than when it first appeared. He didn't know how long the man could last.
"To become a chūnin. A legitimate one."
The missing-nin Kiyohara sighed.
He looked at the current Kiyohara and shook his head slightly.
"I originally wanted to say 'become a jōnin,' but it's obvious I won't last that long. I'm not even in a true soul. I'm more like an echo—a piece of data left behind. Destined to fade when time runs out."
If he weren't in this state, he would've wanted to find a vessel and see if he could continue living.
Failing to become a jōnin, eventually becoming a missing-nin, and dying—
That had always been his deepest regret.
Right now he had jōnin-level strength, yet had never obtained the official jōnin title.
"Alright."
Feeling the urgency, Kiyohara hurried to Ichiraku Ramen.
"Uncle Teuchi! One deluxe bowl of ramen—add a bit of everything!"
"Oh? Kiyohara, you're back early today?"
Teuchi glanced at him with a warm smile as he busied himself preparing the ramen.
Kiyohara was someone he had watched grow up. The boy had lost his parents at a young age, but he had been strong and responsible enough to take care of himself.
"Well, I was craving your ramen, Uncle Teuchi."
Kiyohara grinned. When the ramen was served, he gave a small "Itadakimasu," then devoured it enthusiastically.
The missing-nin Kiyohara's spirit floated out of the urn, hovering silently as he watched the younger version of himself eat, as well as the scenery around them.
In this state, only Kiyohara could see him, so he didn't draw any attention.
Soon, Kiyohara finished the noodles and even drank the remaining broth in one go.
The most important part of ramen is the soup!
That was where the essence lay.
After completing the first wish, Kiyohara saw a glowing orb emerge from the missing-nin Kiyohara and merge into his body.
He instantly felt part of the missing-nin's essence fuse with him.
It must be... talent.
Kiyohara sensed a deeper connection to Wind Release and Lightning Release. Many things he previously didn't understand suddenly became obvious—
Like a high-schooler doing elementary school homework: almost guaranteed success.
Along with this came a new jutsu:
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Kiyohara had never known this jutsu before, but now a surge of knowledge about Wind Release: Great Breakthrough poured into his mind, making his head feel swollen from the influx.
"Uncle Teuchi, here's the money."
Leaving the payment on the table, Kiyohara rushed back to his shabby little house in the southern part of the city.
He formed the hand signs:
Ox → Horse → Bird,
guiding chakra through his body's chakra network.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A moment later, the breath he exhaled was infused with wind-release chakra, instantly transforming into a violent gust.
The blast shoved the stone bench in the yard into the wall with a loud bang, nearly punching a hole through it.
"This power..."
Kiyohara felt the sudden depletion of chakra and nodded with satisfaction.
The destructive power of ninjutsu increased with chakra volume and personal mastery. A skilled ninja using Great Breakthrough could flatten an entire section of forest.
"It just consumes a bit too much." He exhaled.
A civilian-born ninja could never avoid the bottleneck of limited chakra reserves.
But as the missing-nin Kiyohara's glowing essence fused into his body, Kiyohara felt his spiritual energy increase a little—which in turn meant his chakra increased as well.
"Looks like you've gained part of my talent... and a jutsu,"
the missing-nin Kiyohara said.
In his timeline, he wasn't so lucky. From the two Last Will Letters he had received, he only got two E-rank jutsu—nothing else.
"What are your chakra attributes?"
Kiyohara asked.
After all, with infinite possible futures, who knew whether another version of himself might have different chakra affinities?
"Wind and lightning."
"I'm wind and lightning as well."
So, it seemed their futures weren't too different.
He could ask much more about the future—chakra fundamentals didn't change, so maybe there were new jutsu to learn.
"It's just... to officially become a chūnin, I need to complete the Kannabi Bridge mission..."
Kiyohara rubbed his chin.
That part was... difficult.
"Don't be afraid. At the critical moment, I'll step in."
The missing-nin Kiyohara said calmly.
He explained that for a limited period, he could possess Kiyohara's body to help him fight—but doing so would greatly accelerate his own dissolution.
"You can even do that?"
(End of Chapter)