Most ninjas, they always carried a small, easy-to-use pot, one for each ninja squad.
It turned out Obito had somehow gotten a black pot, claiming it could defend against shuriken and be used for cooking.
"I saw an older man doing the same thing yesterday. He also carried a black pot. What was his name, Maru…"
"Kosuke Maruboshi." Kiyoshi said faintly.
"Hey, that's him!" Obito looked at Kiyoshi in surprise, never expecting Kiyoshi to know that person. "So there's a reason I'm carrying this!" Obito shook the pot behind him. He was very excited for his first long-distance mission.
Kakashi looked at Obito speechlessly, then took out a sealing scroll and retrieved some ingredients.
Kiyoshi watched them busily working and sat aside, taking a piece of raw meat from his bag to feed the White Snake.
Before long, the sky gradually darkened, and dinner was ready.
After everyone finished eating, they started setting up their tents. Minato and Yūki also went ahead to set up traps and a perimeter line. This would allow them to react immediately if anyone or any wild animal approached.
"Kakashi, don't train too hard. You can stop and rest once in a while." Rin hesitated for a moment, then spoke to Kakashi, who was currently flipping through a scroll.
Kakashi glanced at Rin and replied:
"I know, Rin." He then continued reading the scroll, contemplating his doubts.
Rin wanted to say more, but seeing Kakashi's focused expression on the scroll, she didn't want to disturb him further. She meekly went over to the other side.
Kiyoshi glanced around. Kurenai was washing the dishes. Asuma went to help Minato and Yūki set up traps. Obito was fast asleep, exhausted from a day of travel.
Kiyoshi stood up and sat beside Rin, saying to her:
"If you want to help Kakashi, you should find a way to reach him."
"But the current Kakashi is very resistant to outsiders." Rin shook her head slightly.
Kakashi had already fallen out with many teammates, which was why he was assigned to their current squad. When Rin first heard this news, she was overjoyed. However, Kakashi treated them with even more detachment than he had during the Ninja Academy days. He was now more focused on mission completion rates.
"Then let's continue our previous training." Kiyoshi pointed to the tent, indicating they should go inside. If Kurenai saw them outside, he would have to spend effort explaining.
His current control over Lightning Release was much higher, allowing him to gradually use the internal electric network to temper his internal organs.
Kiyoshi was very careful, always keeping it within the range his body could accept. Even so, his physical training was advancing rapidly.
It was several times more efficient than traditional methods like Might Guy's running and weight training. One day for him was equivalent to several days of training for Guy.
This was the advantage of having Lightning Release and high chakra control. Among the five basic chakra natures, only Lightning Release provided the best body activation.
"...Okay." Rin nodded. Although her progress in this area was slow, any progress was good. Maybe one day she could help Kakashi develop his new Jutsu.
"It's a bit cramped." Rin said. The small tent felt crowded with two people in it. This was the first time Rin had been this close to a male. The hot air from Kiyoshi's breathing hit Rin's skin. It gave her goosebumps. But remembering it was for Kakashi, she suppressed these unnecessary feelings.
She closed her eyes and reached out her hand. Kiyoshi took Rin's soft hand. He intended to continue refining Lightning Release chakra on the surface of her skin, letting Rin feel how non-attribute chakra transformed into an attribute, thereby increasing her chakra nature.
Of course, this method was purely fabricated by Kiyoshi. It was only theoretically possible. But for someone like Rin, who was desperate to get closer to Kakashi and wanted to share his burdens, this was a lifeline.
No matter how absurd it was, Rin would brainwash herself into believing the method was useful without Kiyoshi needing to say anything.
This was why many people, after being scammed, still believed the con artists would return their money. It was simply an inability to accept the harsh reality.
After a while, Rin felt a tingling sensation in her hand. She silently refined chakra internally, trying to transform her chakra nature into Lightning.
Several more minutes passed, and Rin still felt nothing. She didn't know if it was her sweat or Kiyoshi's, but their palms were both wet and clammy with sweat.
"Kiyoshi, I still don't feel anything." Rin hung her head, looking very disappointed.
Seeing this, a slight curve appeared at Kiyoshi's lips, and he said:
"Is it because the contact area is too small?"
"Too small an area?" Rin was confused.
"Yes, the palm of the hand is too small. If we expand the area, for example, by spreading it over most of your skin, you should be able to feel the chakra nature." Kiyoshi said calmly. This was a matter of increasing the output. If one area of skin was one machine, bringing in a few more machines would increase efficiency, wouldn't it?
"That makes sense." Rin thought about it for a moment and felt Kiyoshi's reasoning was sound. After all, the current was very weak, causing only minor numbness at most.
"Then I will start channeling it towards your arm." Kiyoshi nodded. He slowly increased the intensity of the Lightning Release chakra in his palm.
A weak current immediately surged into Rin's body. Kiyoshi carefully controlled this current to radiate and spread. Rin's body felt a tingling, numb sensation.
After some time, the voices of Minato, Yūki, and Asuma grew closer from a distance. Kiyoshi stopped inputting chakra and stepped outside.
"Let's stop here for today, Rin."
"Okay." Rin nodded. After Kiyoshi left, she immediately drew the tent flap closed, planning to go to sleep. Just as she was about to turn over, she realized she was drenched in sweat.
Her fine dark hair was stuck to her forehead, and her clothes clung tightly to her body, outlining her figure.
She felt sticky all over.
"That's strange." Rin thought to herself that the weather must be too hot. She subconsciously rubbed her leg.
***
Several days later.
The group finally arrived at the Land of Demons. The Land of Demons was not only geographically remote, but the attire of the people here was also relatively outdated, more closely resembling the Warring States period.
Many guards wearing armor and carrying longbows patrolled everywhere, protecting the supremely honorable Priestess.
Seeing the arrival of Kiyoshi and the others, they approached to question them. Upon learning that they were ninjas from the Hidden Leaf who had traveled a long distance, they quickly let them through and sent someone to report to the venerable Priestess.
***
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