"You?"
"It's easier to focus while standing," Kiyohara replied.
Seeing that, Kakashi simply sat down and began explaining the Lightning Style technique he had just mentioned.
The jutsu was called Lightning Style: Lightning Current Technique.
Its core principle: allowing Lightning-style chakra to be channeled into ninja tools.
"Ah… chakra flow, huh."
Kiyohara immediately grasped the concept.
Chakra Flow was a relatively advanced technique. Plain chakra could easily be infused into the human body or objects. But once chakra underwent elemental transformation, it became much harder to embed.
Otherwise, every ninja would be enchanting their kunai with elemental chakra before throwing them—like adding Fire, Lightning, or Wind attributes as a default.
Take Shisui Uchiha's Uchiha Style: Blazing Sword Dance—a jutsu that infused a small blade with fire-natured chakra, turning each swing into a trail of flame. That was one such case of successful chakra infusion.
When Kiyohara had previously added wind-natured chakra to his shuriken, it was based on the same principle.
But those were just raw injections—not refined into true ninjutsu.
"Exactly. After activating Lightning Current Technique, the arcs become much more powerful," Kakashi said.
As he spoke, he pulled out a kunai and demonstrated the jutsu.
Crackle—!
Electricity instantly coiled around the weapon, brilliant blue arcs dancing and flashing.
Sure enough, it was far more potent than Kiyohara's raw infusion of lightning chakra.
"This scroll has the method. Study it well."
Kakashi handed over a scroll—inside was the full jutsu formula.
Just as Kiyohara was about to ask why Kakashi carried it with him, Kakashi added, "I've been researching Lightning techniques for a while. This scroll was left behind by my father. It's just a C-rank jutsu, though."
That jogged Kiyohara's memory.
In the future, Kakashi did learn techniques like Lightning Kunai Slash—where he imbued Chidori's energy into a kunai, granting it devastating force and the ability to be thrown.
"Thanks, Kakashi."
Kiyohara gave him a grateful pat on the shoulder.
Too righteous. What else could he say?
"It's nothing."
Kakashi shook his head. He also benefitted from these talks.
And besides, it was just a C-rank technique. Kiyohara would've earned it eventually.
Just as they were about to resume their Lightning-style discussion, an Anbu arrived at the door.
The masked operative delivered the date and location of Kiyohara's Chūnin Selection Exam.
"Then take these days to focus on training," Kakashi said, waving as he left.
"Chūnin Selection, huh…"
Kiyohara rubbed his chin.
He had plenty of time.
Since their squad was nominated directly, they didn't need to do the written exam—just practical sparring against other Genin.
And worst case? He had Rogue Kiyohara for backup.
He doubted there were any Genin around who could genuinely take on a Jonin-level fighter.
The only reason he'd survived so many deadly encounters during the last mission was because Rogue Kiyohara could possess his body at critical moments.
The others? Without some divine blessing, they had no way of closing that gap.
Not everyone was the reincarnation of Indra or Ashura, after all.
Two Days Later
In those two days, Kiyohara devoted everything to mastering Lightning Current Technique and integrating it with his own Guided Shuriken Lightning Conduction style.
With Rogue Kiyohara offering 24/7 in-house coaching, his progress was astonishing.
Truly a personal mentor operating at max time efficiency.
Apart from eight hours of sleep, eating, and bathroom breaks, he hadn't stepped outside.
Even Kakashi hadn't come to disturb him—he knew Kiyohara was preparing for the exam.
While Kiyohara hadn't achieved perfect command over the technique yet, it was solid enough for real combat.
Finally, the day arrived.
In the Bath
"So today's the day, huh?"
Kiyohara splashed water on his face, pushing back his jet-black hair. The showerhead poured hot water over his back, trickling down his developing muscles.
"Still too lean… I need to start training in taijutsu."
He frowned at his reflection.
Most shinobi had solid muscle tone—only those who let themselves go truly got chubby.
And somehow, this thought reminded him of Anko Mitarashi.
Once the sultry black-stockinged dominatrix of the village, now in Boruto, she'd ballooned into a sweet potato auntie.
Gone was Anko Mitarashi—welcome Anko Sweet Potato.
"I wonder if there's a future version of me who specialized in taijutsu… or one with a kekkei genkai."
If he had access to future selves like Yotsuki Kiyohara or Senju Kiyohara, he could train his body far more efficiently.
According to the will system, Kiyohara was the anchor point—the root from which infinite future versions branched.
Just like the trunk of a tree splitting into countless limbs.
Rogue Kiyohara was just one of those branches—one that happened to share his current timeline and background as a civilian.
But that didn't mean the others couldn't differ.
There could be versions of him who were born with unique bloodlines or in different villages.
Because after all… Kiyohara was a transmigrator.
His very birth was unstable—he could've landed anywhere.
Which meant the future selves he received were not necessarily linearly tied to his civilian origin. It wasn't:
Civilian → Rogue Kiyohara → Taijutsu Kiyohara → Uchiha Kiyohara…
Rather, it was:
Probability-based multiverse — a superposition of all potential Kiyoharas. All of them anchored in the same root existence.
In that sense, the so-called "future" wasn't strictly his own future, but a possibility branch.
The Will System didn't lock onto his physical timeline—but onto his being.
Its true power was allowing him to pluck fruits from any part of the tree—regardless of how distant or improbable.
Because in the end, they were all Kiyohara. All outcomes of the same core.
"But whether any of this is real… still needs proof," Kiyohara whispered.
It was still only a theory.
He'd need to collect more Wills—more urns—to confirm.
Still, he had a hunch: after completing Rogue Kiyohara's wish, the next scroll might arrive.
Rogue Kiyohara had been visibly fading. Only the urn kept him from vanishing.
But after fusion… who knows?
He might disappear entirely.
Or… he might remain, persisting in another form.
"Kiyohara! Today's your Chūnin Selection Exam! Why haven't you left yet?"
A familiar voice floated in through the bathroom window—Kurenai Yuhi.