"The reason I called you all here is because I'll be leading this mission."
Namikaze Minato spoke once the team had assembled.
"Your original squad leader has been reassigned. From now on, the three of you—Kiyohara, Kurenai, and Genma—will be temporarily attached to my team."
He looked at the three of them as he spoke.
"Yes, Lord Minato."
Genma Shiranui nodded.
With Minato leading the squad, the mission might turn out surprisingly easy.
Everyone else seemed to relax as if they were going on a spring outing—but Kiyohara didn't dare lower his guard.
This team only had two real powerhouses: Namikaze Minato, and Kakashi—who was just about to become a jōnin.
Everyone else was a chūnin.
Kiyohara was the only genin.
He'd delayed taking the Chūnin Exams for as long as he could, hoping to avoid high-risk missions.
But now that Konoha was critically short-handed, even genin veterans like him—and fresh graduates from the Academy—were being sent to the battlefield.
Officially, this was a support mission.In reality, they were probably cannon fodder—meant to distract the enemy.
The real goal was to destroy the bridge.The more people involved, the better the chance of confusing the enemy and buying time for the demolition team.
"To get a better grasp of your abilities, I'd like to run a little test."
Minato continued.
He already knew his own team well, but not the three new additions.
After all, being a genin didn't always mean weak—some just hadn't taken the exam yet.
"Obito, you'll spar with Kiyohara."
Minato called out.
Kakashi was too overpowered. Rin was a medic-nin.Obito was the only suitable choice.
"Heh, sounds good. Been wanting to stretch a little!"
Obito grinned, adjusting his goggles. His expression was relaxed—as if this was just a warm-up.
He didn't take this nameless genin seriously.
After all, he was a member of the Uchiha clan.Even without awakening his Sharingan, confidence ran in his blood.
"Alright."
Kiyohara nodded and stepped forward.
While he'd focused mostly on ninjutsu training, the rogue Kiyohara had also taught him direct combat skills over the past few days.
You didn't survive as a rogue-nin without being strong.So while Kiyohara hadn't learned many jutsu, he'd gained a lot of practical fighting techniques.
"Begin."
Minato gave the signal.
Kiyohara steadied himself.
His chakra had already been close to a chūnin's even before.Now that he'd merged with his future self's power, he easily surpassed most average chūnin.
He was confident—he could win this.
Obito wasn't bad, but without the Sharingan, his judgment and reactions were still immature.
The rogue Kiyohara's ghost hovered quietly behind him.
"Remember, Obito has Uchiha-level physical traits. Just wait for an opening."
Kiyohara nodded subtly.
"Begin!"
Minato declared again.
Obito moved first!
He kicked off the ground, sending dirt flying as he rapidly closed the distance.
A kunai whistled through the air, aiming straight for Kiyohara's throat.
Kiyohara drew his own blade in a flash.
Clang!Sparks flew as the metal clashed in a burst of light.
Kiyohara blocked the strike, then stepped back half a pace to absorb the force.
"Whoa, fast…"
Obito had underestimated him.
He thought this guy was just some genin, but clearly, he wasn't ordinary.
Obito flipped his kunai, slashing upward, then down in a swift combo.
Kiyohara's body moved instinctively, responding like it had been trained for this.
"Your angle's wrong. Deflect like this..."
The rogue ghost guided him, critiquing every move.
And with each adjustment, Kiyohara's rhythm sharpened.
Obito wasn't just fighting Kiyohara.He was fighting the ghost coach of a rogue-nin.
With every second, Kiyohara's movements became smoother, more aggressive.He went from clumsy apprentice to precise fighter, his attacks slicing at impossible angles.
And he was clearly getting better mid-fight.
"His footing's weak. Center of gravity is too far back. Press him from the left."
Kiyohara's wrist turned.His kunai shifted from thrust to slice—aimed right at Obito's left side.
Obito staggered. His guard faltered just a bit.
The tide turned.
Blow by blow, Kiyohara began to push him back.
Obito's eyes widened.This was just a civilian kid—but he was growing at terrifying speed.
A few minutes ago, he was barely keeping up.Now he was starting to dominate!
"How is this possible?!"
Obito's confidence cracked.He was sweating now—and Rin was watching.
He couldn't lose in front of her.
No way.He was an Uchiha!
He reached into his pouch and flicked his wrist—three shuriken glinting between his fingers.
Uchiha Shurikenjutsu—their specialty!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Three shuriken flew out, cutting toward Kiyohara from top, middle, and low angles—perfectly spaced to box him in.
"Remember what I taught you."
The rogue voice whispered.
Kiyohara nodded slightly.He pulled out a single shuriken.
Whip!
It shot out late—but curved mid-air and struck the tail of the first incoming shuriken.
Clink!
The impact shifted its path—It veered like a boomerang and struck the other two in turn.
Clink! Clink!
A crisp chain of metallic chimes rang out.Obito's perfect throw shattered—his three shuriken scattering uselessly to the ground.
"What?!"
Obito's eyes bulged.
A shuriken that curves?!He hadn't even learned that technique yet—and Kiyohara had mastered it?
He hesitated for a split second. That was all it took.
Kiyohara's figure flickered.Before Obito could react, his arm was seized by an iron grip.
A sharp twist. A foot hooked behind his ankle.
"Ugh!"
His balance was gone—The world spun.
Thud!
He slammed into the dirt, coughing dust.
Kiyohara's kunai hovered inches from his throat.
The match was over.
Silence blanketed the field.
Even Kakashi—always aloof—raised an eyebrow in surprise.