After leaving, Kiyoshi took out the sword technique scroll and glanced at it.
It was called "Yun-in Style Swordsmanship: Flying Bird."
The principle was simple: activate the cells with Lightning Release to temporarily increase speed, winning by outpacing the opponent.
"I need a blade."
Kiyoshi tucked the scroll away, thinking to himself.
He wasn't an official ninja yet, so he couldn't earn rewards from missions.
The only thing he could do was quietly get scrolls from the Cloud Village to enhance his abilities.
Weapons and money? Out of the question.
Anything beyond Kiyoshi's reach would immediately draw attention—people would start questioning where he got it.
Ninja tools cost money, out of your own pocket.
Even Shikamaru Nara, with his explosives and smoke bombs, had to consider them "valuable" to justify usage.
Ninjas must watch their heads while working, paying for consumables on missions.
Kunai and shuriken were inexpensive and standard consumables.
Even the prestigious Uchiha clan didn't supply everything.
In Itachi's True Legend, Shisui's father broke a leg during a mission, and the young Shisui had to earn money to support the family—a clear glimpse of ninja expenses.
For Kiyoshi, the monthly allowance from the Uchiha only covered basic living costs.
Saving for snacks was fine, but buying a proper sword? Impossible.
"If it doesn't work out, I'll just use a wooden sword for now."
Kiyoshi thought.
Before graduating from the Ninja Academy, a wooden sword was enough for training.
Once he became a Genin, he could take missions and buy a real iron blade.
"Kiyoshi-kun!"
As he worried about money, a voice called out from afar.
Kiyoshi turned—Akane Yūhi.
"Something you need?"
Kiyoshi replied calmly.
His personal preference leaned toward mature women.
Akane was far too young.
"Last time… didn't we agree to practice genjutsu together?"
Akane's red eyes focused on Kiyoshi, her small lips slightly parted.
Kiyoshi recalled that they indeed had agreed.
But lately, he had been training "Lightning Release: Iron Block" to strengthen his body, putting this minor matter aside.
"…Alright then."
Kiyoshi nodded.
This was a perfect chance to test his genjutsu.
At the Ninja Academy, he had no real opportunity to use Sharingan genjutsu; the instructors taught only basic techniques and theory.
He agreed to Akane's request and followed her to a sparsely populated training field.
"Isn't that Uchiha Kiyoshi?"
Obito, helping an elderly woman, wiped the sweat from his brow, and his eyes caught a familiar figure.
No doubt about it.
The dark blue Uchiha robe and the slightly taller frame—Kiyoshi.
Obito could never forget Kiyoshi's back.
Every time he saw Kiyoshi discussing jutsu with Rin Nohara, he couldn't join in.
He had books but lacked practical skill—so frustrating.
Could this person really be from the Land of Lightning?
Since Kiyoshi arrived at the Academy, he had been rapidly increasing his strength.
For Obito, who always lagged behind, Kiyoshi seemed like a true Uchiha elite.
"When did he get to know Akane?"
Obito wondered, confused how Kiyoshi had a connection with the eldest daughter of the Yūhi clan.
"Thanks so much, Obito."
The elderly woman's voice trembled.
"No problem at all."
Obito waved cheerfully, enjoying the praise.
"Still helping granny?"
Asuma Sarutobi appeared, hands in pockets, brown jacket, chewing a candy stick.
Without candy, Asuma felt uneasy.
"By the way, have you seen Akane?"
He didn't wait for an answer and added:
"She went to the small forest with Kiyoshi."
Obito pointed toward the third training field.
"With Kiyoshi?"
Asuma raised his voice.
Why would Kiyoshi know Akane?
"Just there," Obito hurriedly said, leading the elderly woman away.
Asuma, always a playboy, immediately ran toward the direction Obito pointed.
In a secluded forest, Akane turned to Kiyoshi.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
Kiyoshi nodded.
"Good."
Akane formed hand signs, then drew three shuriken from her ninja pouch.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The shuriken flew toward Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi's black pupils spun rapidly. He drew kunai and deflected them.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The shuriken landed, stabbing into the soil.
This was just the opening move.
Since it was a genjutsu exchange, it wouldn't stop there.
Next, Akane swung her kunai at Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi's kunai blocked her attack; the black kunai locked in front of them.
"Strong…" Akane thought.
Kiyoshi must have been training physical skills—his force made her wrists ache.
Time to use that jutsu…
Akane used the brief pause to send out a clone.
A clone identical to her, surrounded by pink sakura petals.
Genjutsu: Naraku Clone!
The clone thrust kunai toward Kiyoshi.
"This technique…"
Kiyoshi recognized it.
It was the Yūhi clan's traditional genjutsu, designed for surprise and unpredictability.
"Why isn't he dodging?"
Akane wondered.
Her attacks were already underway, but Kiyoshi froze, holding his kunai against hers.
He didn't make any other move.
In the flash of lightning, Akane grew more confused.
Just as the sakura-clone's kunai nearly pierced him, she prepared to end the genjutsu.
"This genjutsu is nice, but its level isn't that high."
A warm breath touched the back of her neck.
Her pupils shrank—Kiyoshi!
He was behind her!
(End of Chapter)