"You look like you're suffering... This kind of training... it's really unusual."
Rin Nohara watched as sweat soaked through Kiyohara's bangs. The way he trained reminded her a little of that oddball from class—Might Guy.
"It's not too bad. You get used to it."
Kiyohara kept his tone casual and quietly shifted his position so the shadow of the massive training rod would stop falling directly on Rin's face.
"It's a method for... training core strength and refining force transmission. Helps unify hip and leg movement."
That's the excuse he gave, though honestly, it felt more like a method to grind up stamina and raw strength. The sword technique itself—he'd rely on Future Kiyohara for that.
"I see..." Rin nodded, half-understanding.
Seeing the sheen of sweat on his handsome face, she quietly pulled out a cloth and offered it to him.
"Oh right, it's our turn for a mission—we're transporting supplies to a forward base ten kilometers out."
"I heard there's been a lot of Mist activity around there."
"I got it," Kiyohara nodded calmly.
Even though they weren't technically on the same squad, field efficiency meant original teams often got shuffled around.
After wiping off the sweat and stowing away the heavy stone bar inside his tent, Kiyohara followed Rin to the meeting point.
By the time he arrived, most others were already there.
"Kiyohara, how's your Lightning Release training coming along?"
Kakashi approached him while the others checked their gear.
"Not bad. I've pretty much got it down."
Kiyohara nodded.
He'd already mastered the Lightning Release: Lightning Current Technique that Kakashi had taught him.On top of that, he'd recently learned Wind Release: Gale Palm, the scroll reward from Minato.
"Good. We're likely to run into Mist ambushes. Don't let your guard down."
Kakashi nodded seriously—then added without missing a beat:
"If you can't protect your comrades, you're scum. I'm ready for that now."
Kiyohara almost staggered.
That line reeked of 'projected guilt.' Was Kakashi… projecting his unresolved feelings for Obito 'onto him?'
"Ahem, my ninja way is also to protect my comrades," Kiyohara quickly offered.
"We should get going."
Rin walked over, calling them to move out.
Kakashi, now technically the ranking jōnin, took command.
And with that, the transport squad darted into the forest.
As they moved…
"How long would it take to learn Konoha-ryū Sword Style: Willow?" Kiyohara asked mentally.
Even though it was created by the unassuming Maruboshi Kosuke, the technique itself was an S-rank kenjutsu—a fusion of genjutsu and swordplay.
If he could master it, it'd be a major boost to his arsenal.
"You have strong mental energy. That means you're well suited for Yin Release—makes the process a lot easier."
The spectral form of Future Kiyohara (Swordsman) hovered beside him.
"Huh, probably thanks to fusing with Rogue Kiyohara," Kiyohara thought to himself. In the past, he would've barely passed as mentally average.
"I also received a Will, which enhanced my spiritual power. If you inherit that potential too, you may go even further."
"So how long?"
"With my guidance, two months."
Future Kiyohara's tone was confident.
He could even possess Kiyohara during training to provide muscle memory, greatly speeding things up.
"That long, huh..."
Kiyohara frowned slightly.
Not that he was greedy—it was just… on the battlefield, two months of training could mean life or death.
'I better focus on getting paid first.'
He'd saved up a good amount. After another mission or two, he could afford a decent sword.
Then he'd complete one of the two current wills and get the next stat boost.
Half a day later, the group moved deeper into the forest.
The canopy grew thick, blocking sunlight. The air turned cool and damp.
Along the way, Kiyohara kept discussing sword technique with his future self.
Then—
"Something's wrong. Three o'clock."
The swordsman's voice suddenly sharpened.
His honed instincts were far beyond Kiyohara's.
"Someone's there."
Kiyohara halted the group, scanning the forest.
The whole team went still, eyes sweeping the shadows.
"Direction?"
Kakashi asked, his sensing ability middling—better than average but not top-tier.
"That way."
Kiyohara pointed where Future Kiyohara indicated.
At that moment, the air thickened.
Wisps of fog curled out of nowhere, spreading fast.
It slithered up the trees, blotting out vision—within seconds, visibility dropped from dozens of meters to less than ten.
And it kept getting worse.
"Mist Hiding Technique..."
Kiyohara frowned.
Water Style: Hidden Mist Technique—a signature jutsu of Mist ninja.
It reduced not only vision, but sensory perception. Even someone like Zabuza Momochi built his legend on this jutsu.
"Damn it, I can't see a thing."
Genma stopped twirling his senbon. His face turned grim.
Enemy hidden, allies exposed—bad situation.
"I'll try a Wind Release."
Kiyohara rapidly formed hand seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A massive gust surged from his mouth, tearing into the mist ahead.
For a brief moment, a pocket of clear air opened.
But before anyone could react—
The fog surged back in, thicker than before, swallowing everything.
"Didn't work..."
Kiyohara grimaced.
But he wasn't panicking.
Because he had a third eye: his future self.
"Pointless."
A chilling voice echoed from all around, reverberating through the dense fog.
"Fools of Konoha… this is our domain—carefully crafted by the Hidden Mist.You think a mere C-rank Wind Release can disperse it? Even the Sharingan is blind in this fog!"
Mocking. Cold.
"In the face of the Hidden Mist's signature technique—even the Sharingan must bow!"