"Also, Kakashi, you should stop using that technique for now. The way you used it earlier—concentrating all your power into a single-point thrust certainly gives it overwhelming destructive force and speed. But because your speed becomes too high, you yourself won't be able to clearly perceive the enemy's counterattack…"
Minato calmly pointed out the major flaw in Kakashi's newly developed technique with pinpoint accuracy.
Kakashi remained silent.
He understood these weaknesses, but they were extremely difficult to overcome.
He was, after all, a shinobi without a bloodline limit—only a family inheritance of skills. His ordinary eyes could never compare to the insight of those who possessed dōjutsu.
"Before we part ways, Iet me repeat one last time: for a shinobi, teamwork is above everything else."
"Alright, let's move out." Minato concluded, signaling the group to continue forward.
By now, the sky had darkened. They would rest for the night, and tomorrow Minato would leave them.
After setting up a few simple tents, everyone quietly settled down.
The only sound was the occasional crunch of chewing.
'So that's how it works… That's how this Lightning Release technique should be released,' Kiyohara thought to himself.
Though he appeared to be resting, he was actually communicating with his missing-nin counterpart, discussing ninjutsu. Outwardly calm, inwardly he was grinding hard.
At his current age, knowing he only possessed strength comparable to a Chūnin, how could Kiyohara possibly fall asleep?
Thinking of that, he couldn't help glancing at Obito.
Just moments ago, Minato had privately spoken to Obito about Kakashi's father, hoping Obito would understand Kakashi better and prevent conflicts between the two.
After learning that Kakashi's abnormal behavior was due to his father's suicide following a failed mission, Obito had finally started to understand Kakashi's coldness.
And then… he just went straight to sleep.
How can you sleep so easily at your age?
Kiyohara silently shook his head.
Finishing the last bite of his dried rations, he found a secluded spot to train a little.
Minato's sensory perception could extend far outward, and there were no enemies in the vicinity.
That was the only reason Kiyohara dared to expend chakra for training without worrying about being discovered.
"Lightning Release: Earth Walk!"
After refining his chakra, Kiyohara formed hand seals. On the ground before him, numerous pale blue lightning arcs crackled into existence.
"Not bad. Once you fully absorb my talent, you'll become even stronger," Missing-nin Kiyohara remarked with approval.
Kiyohara's innate talent, once combined with a portion of his future self's, had transformed him from an average boy into someone with unexpectedly sharp learning capability.
With missing-nin Kiyohara personally guiding him, his training progress was extremely fast.
"Why do you look more and more transparent lately…?"
Kiyohara stared at the spirit form of his missing-nin counterpart with a hint of concern.
Would he even last until Kiyohara earned the official title of Chūnin and could fuse with the remainder of his talent?
"If you're going to disappear, at least disappear slowly."
"…"
Missing-nin Kiyohara glared at him.
This brat really was himself—no doubt about it.
Back when he was alive and received the Last Will System, he had said similar things to his future spirit selves as well.
"Don't worry. I'll last long enough," Missing-nin Kiyohara said, shaking his head.
Having died once, he had long let many things go.
"Kiyohara, you're secretly training again," a soft voice said from behind.
Kurenai walked out, her ruby-like eyes settling on him.
"Kurenai, have you ever seen Konoha at four in the morning?" Kiyohara asked.
Even though it was currently only eight in the evening.
"Four in the morning?"
Kurenai covered her mouth in disbelief.
So, Kiyohara woke up that early every day just to train?
Come to think of it—she had never gotten up to train at four in the morning before.
At most she woke up in the middle of the night for emergency missions.
"That's right," Kiyohara nodded.
In truth, he had never seen Konoha at four in the morning either… which is why he secretly trained at eight at night instead.
"Then I'll train with you for a bit," Kurenai said.
Looking at Kiyohara's handsome features, she suddenly felt a moment of dazed admiration.
If Kiyohara was working this hard, she absolutely could not slack off.
So, Kurenai began practicing genjutsu right beside him.
Kiyohara, whose talent in genjutsu was lacking, continued practicing Lightning Release.
'Hopefully in the future there will be a Kurama Kiyohara or Uchiha Kiyohara,'
he thought to himself.
That would neatly patch up his genjutsu weakness!
…
The Next Morning
Just as dawn broke, Minato had already taken down his tent.
"From today onward, we'll split up into three groups here. Everyone, do your best."
He then added, voice growing serious:
"Yesterday's enemies was just a lone scout. From now on, it'll be group battles—so do not lower your guard."
Kiyohara, Kakashi, and the others all nodded.
With that, Minato announced their dispersal and headed for the front lines.
Kakashi led Rin and Obito toward Kannabi Bridge.
Kiyohara, meanwhile, took Kurenai and Genma in another direction, planning to deliberately trigger Iwagakure's vigilance and draw attention.
…
Afternoon
"This is the place. There's one Chūnin and two Genin inside. So, this should be the weakest point."
Missing-nin Kiyohara's spirit drifted back, giving Kiyohara detailed intel about the area.
"So, this really is the weakest spot," Kiyohara nodded, then relayed the information to the two behind him.
The Iwa shinobi they interrogated yesterday had revealed a fair amount of information—although vague—so they still needed to confirm things personally.
"Kiyohara, how did you know all that?"
Kurenai wiped the sweat from her forehead.
The bamboo grove was stuffy and humid, and after traveling constantly, she had perspired quite a bit.
"I sensed it."
Kiyohara replied without blinking.
"Sensory ability…?"
That was impressive.
To sense enemy strength from so far, Kiyohara really was exceptional.
"Alright, this seems to be a minor outpost. Let's use it for practice," Kiyohara said.
There were other outposts with more than ten shinobis, but he planned to start with something easier.
"Genma, you'll ambush from the direction they're most likely to flee. Kurenai and I will go inside and draw their attention."
Destroying enemy outposts was the best way to attract Iwa's focus—and it gave Kiyohara a chance to loot supplies.
"Understood," both Kurenai and Genma nodded.
Kiyohara was the squad leader now, so his word was law.
In the next moment, he and Kurenai slipped quietly inside.
"Enemy attack!"
The Iwa Chūnin noticed them immediately and hastily cast a genjutsu on Kiyohara.
"Kurenai, stay back. Watch me," Kiyohara said calmly.
His eyes stared straight into the genjutsu, yet his body remained unaffected.
He began calling for missing-nin counterpart.
Genjutsu tampered with the brain's nerves, and to break free one needed to disrupt the chakra flow within their body.
However…
The Iwa Chūnin had trapped Kiyohara's body in genjutsu.
What did that have to do with missing-nin Kiyohara, who was possessing him?
Missing-nin Kiyohara simply attached to his body partially, ignored the genjutsu stiffness entirely, and took control, walking straight toward the bewildered Chūnin.
The Iwa shinobi's eyes widened in shock.
(End of Chapter)