"In theory, a Kekkei Genkai can indeed be developed, as long as you have the right chakra attributes."
Kiyohara stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Kekkei Genkai typically came from one of two sources: chakra nature fusion or physical/body mutations.
Generally, when two chakra natures are combined, they produce a new elemental release—what is referred to as a Kekkei Genkai.
For example, the famous Wood Release is simply "Earth + Water = Wood".
"Fire + Wind" creates Scorch Release.
Once a ninja successfully fuses two elements into a new one, their genes are altered, allowing this trait to be passed on genetically.
That's the origin of most shinobi clans—those born with Kekkei Genkai naturally stand apart from the commoners.
But it's also possible to learn one without bloodline inheritance. For example, Ōnoki's Dust Release, which combines three natures, is a Kekkei Tōta—a rarer, more advanced form. He learned it from his master, the Second Tsuchikage, Mu.
"So… what chakra natures make up Magnet Release?"
Kiyohara turned to Magnet Kiyohara, who was still gazing out at the ocean with his arms crossed.
"Wind and Earth."
Magnet Kiyohara answered plainly.
"Wind and Earth, huh? I thought it might be Wind and Lightning, or Lightning and Earth..."
Kiyohara nodded in realization.
But on closer thought, it made sense. If he checked the official databook Jin no Sho, he'd find that Gaara had Wind, Earth, and Lightning natures, while Rasa had Wind, Water, Earth, and Yin.
The common elements?
Wind and Earth.
And Rasa didn't even have Lightning. That confirmed it—two base elements are the minimum for a Kekkei Genkai to emerge.
After this brief exchange, Kiyohara returned to the defensive line to finish his assigned tasks. But mentally, wheels were already turning.
Once his shift ended, he immediately slipped away to a secluded spot and began preparations.
Step One: Supplement his chakra nature.
Since Magnet Release is Wind + Earth, he needed to start training Earth chakra transformation.
He didn't need to master it right away—just show visible signs of training, so others would buy it when he eventually used Magnet Release.
After all, chakra natures can be developed through practice—it just takes time and talent.
Fortunately, Kiyohara had already studied basic Earth Release for mission preparedness.
And during the Kannabi Bridge operation, he'd looted the Earth Release: Underground Submersion technique from an Iwa ninja named Oishi.
Unfortunately, Kiyohara had no Earth affinity, making it painfully difficult to learn.
"What chakra natures do you have?"
Kiyohara asked Magnet Kiyohara.
"Chakra natures… hmm..."
Magnet Kiyohara scratched his chin. Ever since he awakened Magnet Release during his academy years, that had been his primary style.
"Earth, Lightning, and Wind."
'Just as I thought—he has Wind and Earth, plus an extra Lightning affinity.'
Kiyohara made a mental note.
If he could inherit all of Magnet Kiyohara's chakra natures, did that mean his own Lightning affinity would stack? And more importantly—he'd gain Earth Release too?
"You… don't seem to have Earth Release," Magnet Kiyohara said. "You're learning that jutsu way too slowly."
Kiyohara sighed. "...Yeah. I only have Wind, Lightning, Yin, and Yang."
The last two he had inherited from the Swordsman Kiyohara.
"Can you help me with the Earth Release: Underground Submersion? I must be doing something wrong."
"Your Earth chakra transformation is just too inefficient. And it seems like you don't have much natural talent in this area either… Tch, fine. Let me show you. Feel this with your body."
Magnet Kiyohara phased into Kiyohara's body and began guiding chakra through his system.
Kiyohara immediately noticed something new.
The chakra pathways and circulation Magnet Kiyohara used were completely different from his own—routes he'd never even tried before.
'These are real… field-tested techniques.'
He committed the sensations to memory.
For the next three days, Kiyohara continued intense training.
By one evening, soaked in sweat and covered in grime, he stripped off his tattered upper garments, wearing only ninja pants, his upper body bare and steaming.
Underground Submersion was dangerous. It involved tunneling through the earth with one's own chakra—failure meant being crushed alive underground.
Even with Magnet Kiyohara's help, Kiyohara's lack of Earth affinity meant painfully slow progress. At best, he could barely swim through the soil.
His clothing had suffered the most—scuffed and shredded by the terrain.
"Phew…"
He exhaled deeply, wiping sweat from his brow.
Looking down at his own hands, he scanned across his chest and abs.
Sword training had given him a streamlined musculature—not bulky, but lean and powerful, every muscle finely carved and honed.
Beads of sweat rolled down his defined torso as he rinsed off with clear water, breathing evenly to calm his mind.
His spiritual energy still greatly outweighed his physical energy, so he needed to keep developing his body to maintain balance.
The more his body improved, the more chakra he could generate—by merging physical and spiritual energies.
"With this jutsu, I can react better in combat and even perform stealth infiltrations. It's going to be insanely useful."
He smiled.
He'd been trying to learn this jutsu for weeks, but only now could he barely use it.
This was the downside of trying to learn techniques without the proper affinity.
It's why most shinobi stuck to their natural elements. Training a foreign element was like swimming upstream.
Still, under Magnet Kiyohara's guidance, his Earth Release proficiency had jumped significantly.
The guy might be a lunatic, but his combat insights and chakra control were undeniably valuable.
As Kiyohara wiped himself down and cooled his breath, footsteps echoed from behind.
"Kiyohara!"
It was Rin's voice.
She approached with Kakashi by her side.
"I knew you'd be out here training."
She paused when she saw his bare upper body and sweat-slicked skin, her face turning slightly pink—but she quickly masked it with composure and respect.
"Don't push yourself too hard," she said softly.
Kakashi gave him a once-over, his lazy eyes pausing briefly at Kiyohara's toned arms and core.
"You've gotten stronger, huh."
"It's nothing. Just trying to master a new technique."
Kiyohara picked up his shirt and casually threw it on.
'A guy's gotta protect himself out here…'
He noted the looks both Rin and Kurenai had been giving him lately. Definitely strange.
"There's been movement in the surrounding area," Kakashi warned. "This sector might become a breach point in the defensive line. Be on alert."
According to Byakugan reconnaissance, they'd detected signs of enemy ninja several kilometers away.