A ninja's mission pay was only so much. Without some side hustles, how was he supposed to line his pockets?
As for working a regular job, Kiyohara made it clear: working was impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime.
Some of the poorer ninjas would take on side jobs, doing the work ordinary people did.
But Kiyohara had no intention of wasting time on that.
Not long after the Third Shinobi World War ended, the Nine-Tails attack would occur.
Whether Obito turned evil or not, Kiyohara figured Madara would push someone forward to execute the plan.
Crisis would come sooner or later.
"That makes sense."
Genma nodded.
Why hadn't he noticed before how wise Kiyohara was?
While Kurenai and Genma stood there dazed, Kiyohara had already stuffed most of the items into his sealing scroll.
"Some of these are still new. Should fetch a good price."
Kiyohara thought to himself.
"What should we do now?"
Genma had also taken two shuriken from a corpse and slipped them into his ninja pouch.
"Rest for a bit, then we'll hit the next outpost," Kiyohara said.
If they repeated this pattern a few more times, they would definitely draw the attention of an Iwagakure jōnin.
And once that happened, Kiyohara and the others could make their escape.
For a squad as small as theirs—one genin and two chūnin—drawing a jōnin's attention would already count as a major accomplishment.
"Good. We could use the rest," Kurenai agreed.
After the group looted a few more items, they left the outpost.
There was a chance Iwagakure ninjas would double back, so there was no need to stay at their outpost.
The group traveled through the vast bamboo forest, finding a relatively hidden spot to rest temporarily.
"Wonder how Kakashi and the others are doing."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
He had a feeling Madara wouldn't have only Obito as his candidate.
After all, if that boulder had been slightly off target, it would have completely crushed Obito's head.
Kiyohara didn't think Madara would take such a high risk.
At most, it just happened that Obito survived, so he decided to choose him.
The current Madara should be monitoring and observing the battle situation here through White Zetsu.
"I remember he and Obito will have a conflict."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
Kakashi's take: as a ninja, even if it meant sacrificing comrades, you must complete the mission. That was the "rule."
If the mission failed, the war would continue endlessly, potentially causing even more sacrifices.
But Obito didn't care about all that. With his lovestruck brain, he only had Rin on his mind.
"Hope we can get back soon."
Kiyohara thought to himself.
This mission was already more than halfway done.
They just needed to blow up the bridge at the end to complete it.
Over the next day or two, Kiyohara led Kurenai and Genma in constant guerrilla warfare.
When the enemy retreats, we advance.
When the enemy advances, we retreat.
When the enemy rests, we harass.
A smooth little combo that left Iwagakure with no way to respond.
"Damn it, their squad definitely has an excellent sensory ninja!"
Iwagakure ninja Sumashi was furious.
A Konoha ninja squad that appeared out of nowhere was completely disrespecting them.
"But Captain, we don't have enough manpower."
Sumizu spoke up.
If they had enough personnel, they would have already formed an encirclement ring to close in on the Konoha ninja squad.
"The frontline battle is intense. There's nothing we can do about it."
Sumashi frowned slightly.
"No matter what, make sure to strengthen the bridge's security. I suspect they might be a decoy."
"Yes, Captain."
His subordinate Sumizu quickly withdrew.
...
Elsewhere.
Team Kakashi was facing off against Iwagakure ninjas.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Obito spewed a massive fireball from his mouth. The fireball, carrying scorching heat waves, rushed forward.
"Didn't hit anything."
Obito's face looked a bit grim.
The enemy could use invisibility techniques!
Swish swish swish!
Shuriken attacked from the air.
Kakashi quickly raised his blade to parry, knocking all the shuriken away.
"We'll be taking this child with us."
The invisible Sumashi knocked out Rin, preparing to take her away.
He and the Iwagakure jonin Kakkō exchanged glances and quickly disappeared into the bamboo forest.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Rin captured, Obito was frantic and wanted to rush forward.
"Wait, don't chase them, Obito!"
Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then called out to Obito.
"Kiyohara and the others should still be drawing attention for us. The two of us will continue executing the mission."
"But what about Rin?"
Obito looked at Kakashi in shock, not expecting Kakashi to be so heartless.
"The enemy wants to know our intel. They won't kill her immediately. Plus, after the intel leaks, they'll immediately strengthen the bridge's defenses. We must complete the mission before that happens."
"Compared to the mission, saving Rin is what's urgent right now. Your claim that Rin will be fine is just wishful thinking."
Kakashi and Obito's conflict erupted in that moment.
"When you and I were injured, it was always Rin who healed us."
Obito tried to persuade Kakashi.
"That was just Rin's mission."
Kakashi thought of his father's tragedy.
His father, who had even greater renown than the Three Sannin and even had hope of becoming the Fourth Hokage, was driven to suicide.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hadn't come out to stop those slanderous words, which meant the Konoha higher-ups also believed that Hatake Sakumo's mission failure had caused the Land of Fire tremendous losses.
"You really are the worst!"
In that moment, in Obito's heart...
Kakashi was an even worse bastard than Kiyohara.
"those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum.."
Obito didn't want to say anything more to Kakashi. He directly started running in the direction the Iwagakure ninjas had left.
Only Kakashi remained in place, his expression conflicted.
...
Inside a dark underground cave.
White Zetsu slowly emerged halfway from the wall.
"Lord Madara, the plan is already underway. Obito is almost at the designated location."
White Zetsu's voice echoed through the underground cave.
An elderly, decrepit old man covered in wrinkles slowly opened his eyes.
Unlike his aged appearance, those crimson pupils held no cloudiness whatsoever. Instead, they possessed a piercing sharpness.
"I see."
Madara nodded.
"By the way, Lord Madara, there's a young ninja named Kiyohara who seems to be performing quite well too."
White Zetsu mentioned this matter, feeling that Kiyohara might cause problems.
"Kiyohara?"
Madara had occasionally heard this name in the intelligence White Zetsu relayed back.
Supposedly, he had outstanding talent in sensory abilities.
"Just a civilian ninja."
Madara shook his head.
If Kiyohara were a ninja from the clan, then perhaps he would consider Kiyohara as a backup candidate.
For now, he just needed to focus on Obito.
"Still, send someone to keep an eye on him. Don't let him ruin the plan."
Madara spoke again.
"Yes, Lord Madara."
White Zetsu slowly sank back into the wall.