"What a pity it's not a defensive jutsu."
Kiyohara couldn't help feeling a small trace of regret.
He remembered that within the shinobi world there existed another jutsu called Earth Release: Earth Spear. Although its name sounded like an offensive ninjutsu, in truth it hardened the user's skin to an astonishing degree. After using it, even Kakuzu could withstand the explosive power of paper bombs.
"Whether you have defensive jutsu or not doesn't matter." the phantom of Magnet Release Kiyohara explained. "Earlier, when you used Magnet Release: Magnetic Field Rotation, your movements were just like mine in my youth—clumsily relying on your own flesh to bear the force. Once you truly learn to control it, you will realize: it's not you who are moving.
It's the magnetic field around you that 'pushes' you, allowing you to move faster than lightning itself."
His philosophy was simple: if the enemy could not hit you, defense was unnecessary.
Previously, Kiyohara didn't yet possess the Magnet Release bloodline limit, so the spirit could only barely allow him to experience what that sensation was like.
But once his body gradually adapted to Magnet Release, he would be able to manipulate magnetic fields with exquisite precision, drawing on the natural magnetic force within the earth. It would grant him an effect similar to magnetic levitation.
At that time, Kiyohara's speed would far surpass many shinobi who relied on body flicker jutsu.
"Is that so…"
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
He hadn't expected there to be such a deeper aspect to this technique.
He had no idea how far Magnet Release Kiyohara had perfected this jutsu during his lifetime, nor how much of the burden could be reduced by further refinement.
But one thing was certain—only by fulfilling the second last will could he acquire complete mastery over Magnet Release.
Kiyohara rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Looking at it this way, the Magnet Release technique Magnetic Field Rotation was indeed excellent.
If its speed flaw could be turned into an advantage, it would become a powerful weapon in battle.
In the shinobi world, nothing surpassed speed.
Even Minato's fame came primarily from the speed granted by the Flying Thunder God Technique.
If Kiyohara later obtained the Swift Release bloodline on top of Magnet Release…
He didn't even dare imagine how fast he might become.
After a moment of silent contemplation, Kiyohara stored away the Earth Release scroll and went to the medical corps, exchanging for several high-quality soldier pills.
These special soldier pills had far fewer side effects and restored chakra much more efficiently—they were, at present, the most practical supply item.
Of course, they cost him a sizeable amount of money.
He still had a whole batch of gear stripped from fallen enemies that he had yet to sell. He planned to deal with it later and convert everything into cash.
'Pakura will never let her disciple's capture go unanswered.' Kiyohara thought silently.
'Most likely, she'll use the chaos of the Mist's attack to attempt a rescue or revenge.'
'So right now, the most important thing is surviving the invasion.
Only if I live through it can I use the subsequent chaos to fish out Pakura.'
He weighed the soldier pills in his hand, then placed them into his ninja pouch and resumed walking.
They had cost him twenty thousand ryō—but quality had its price.
On his way back to his squad's outpost, Kiyohara happened to run into Rin, who was rushing toward the medical tent.
"Rin," he called out.
"Kiyohara?"
Rin stopped. Though her face was fatigued, her expression still held its warm, gentle smile.
"Is it something about a mission? Or is your hand injury worsening?"
She instinctively glanced at Kiyohara's hand—the one that had previously been pierced by a bone blade and healed by her.
Kiyohara shook his head. He reached into his pouch and took out a small bracelet woven with a delicate pale-purple cord. Hanging from it was a polished walnut-brown bead with natural wood grain.
He held it out to her.
He had made it using plants taken from the Land of Fire's shoreline, weaving it during the boat trip.
In the shinobi world, where even summoning beasts grew to enormous proportions, there were countless strange flowers and fruits.
Kiyohara always suspected this was due to the presence of natural energy, especially in the three sacred lands, where the vegetation grew even more bizarre.
But the common trait among them all was one word—big.
"This is for you. Happy birthday, Rin."
Rin froze.
She blinked her large eyes, looking back and forth between Kiyohara and the bracelet in disbelief.
Today was her birthday…
Even she had nearly forgotten because of the nonstop battles and medical work. Kakashi hadn't mentioned it either.
She never expected Kiyohara to remember.
Much less prepare a gift.
"T-This… Kiyohara, thank you!"
She carefully accepted the bracelet, her fingers gently brushing the warm wooden bead. Her expression momentarily turned dazed.
"I never expected… that anyone other than my family would remember my birthday… Not even Kakashi…"
Kiyohara said casually:
"It's been incredibly busy on the island. Kakashi… probably just forgot due to missions."
"Mm… probably."
Rin nodded.
She herself had forgotten—so she couldn't really blame him.
"How did you know it was today?"
"I happened to see it during school registration back at the Academy."
Kiyohara said smoothly.
In truth, he had learned it from his random browsing in his previous life.
"I see… I guess that really did happen once."
Rin slowly slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. The pale-purple cord accentuated her fair skin.
"Thank you so much, Kiyohara. I'll treasure it."
Then she added gently:
"So, how's your medical ninjutsu? Do you need any help?"
After receiving Kiyohara's gift, Rin naturally wanted to give something back.
"If possible… teach me the medical technique for healing internal organs."
Kiyohara replied.
…
Meanwhile, in the Mountain's Graveyard…
"Obito, do you see it clearly? This is the world and the comrades you cherished, the ones you swore to protect with your life."
Madara's aged voice echoed through the cavern.
Obito's remaining Sharingan stared fixedly at the image projected in front of him—information relayed by White Zetsu through a special technique.
He had always known that Madara wasn't just some old man. Despite his age, he commanded mysterious White Zetsu subordinates, and he seemed to know everything about the outside world.
This was definitely no ordinary missing-nin.
Given how cautiously the older generations treated his name, Obito always suspected Uchiha Madara had once been overwhelmingly powerful.
But he had no time to think about that now.
His mind was filled entirely with the scene before him.
It was the Konoha camp in Uzushio, Kiyohara giving a bracelet to Rin.
Rin smiling gently—at another man.
Though the words were inaudible, the warmth of the scene was undeniable. Rin was smiling at another man—a smile Obito had never seen before.
That smile pierced his heart like the sharpest kunai.
"No… impossible… Rin, she…"
His voice was hoarse with pain and disbelief.
He could not accept it.
After his "death," Rin's life… continued.
She even smiled at another man—warmly, gratefully.
He didn't want that…
Obito wanted Rin to think of him always.
She had once said she would watch over him forever.
But now she… had a replacement?
Even if he truly were dead, couldn't she at least wait ten years?
He dies one day and she has a new companion the next?
Obito suddenly felt a deep chill in his chest, and a strange sensation of something green sprouting atop his head.
"Everyone can be replaced, Obito."
Madara looked at him calmly.
Step by step, he was stirring the darkness in Obito's heart.
At last, with the deepest wound, he would push Obito to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Only then would the stage reach its climax.
"Listen well, Obito. Bonds—when faced with time and reality—are fragile, easily shattered."
(End of Chapter)