Ninjutsu has its limits in range, and the same applies to thrown tools. However, Kiyoshi's magnetism could continuously propel a tool forward, adding a secondary driving force. While this naturally consumed more chakra than ordinary techniques, the payoff was significant: it was far faster and traveled much further than any conventional throw.
This was an original move created by Kiyoshi. Its principle was straightforward, yet it required exquisite chakra control. With his ocular power—which far surpassed a standard three-tomoed Sharingan—and his various professional Traits, he could execute it with ease.
If anyone else tried to mimic him, the current would likely snap the kunai or the magnetism would spiral out of control, potentially causing the weapon to recoil onto the user.
"Everyone, stay sharp," Minato Namikaze warned.
The Stone ninjas had clearly set up defensive perimeters around Kannabi Bridge in advance. They had now officially stepped into the enemy's alert zone.
"Dammit, why did that kunai fly so far?"
Mahiru was on another tree, cold sweat pouring down his face. He was an elite among the Stone Jonin, possessing lethal swordsmanship and incredible speed. He had once earned the title "Fast as the Gale."
But right now, what had saved his life wasn't his speed, but his skills in concealment and infiltration. His flaws were fewer and his techniques sharper than his comrade's, so he hadn't been hit.
His partner, barely five meters away, had been obliterated—his upper body gone, leaving only a hollow lower half that slumped to the forest floor with a wet thud.
Near the remains was a small crater, inside of which lay a kunai glowing red from high-temperature friction. Under the heat and impact, it had been reduced to a half-melted lump of iron.
*Gulp.*
Mahiru swallowed the saliva pooling in his throat. If that thing had hit him, there was no doubt he would be the one lying in two pieces right now.
"That... that person is..."
What terrified Mahiru even more was that the person who just killed his comrade was an unfamiliar Uchiha. Next to him stood a blonde youth who looked suspiciously like... Minato Namikaze.
Was Leaf's overall strength this formidable? Mahiru's sweat dripped onto the knee-high grass as he began forming hand signs, simultaneously signaling his other hidden comrades. For now, they had to test the waters.
"The enemy is using the [Shadow Clone Jutsu]. Since Shadow Clones are physical manifestations of chakra, even the Sharingan struggles to tell them apart when the chakra is distributed evenly. We have to rely on combat experience to deduce the real one," Mikoto reminded the others as they warily pushed forward. As a seasoned Jonin, her experience was vast.
However, the opposition seemed to consist of several Jonin who were managing their chakra distribution perfectly.
"It seems so," Kakashi said, looking at Minato. "Minato-sensei, I'm going to charge in. Please cover me."
Kakashi didn't ask Mikoto or her team for cover because of a lack of coordination. Two teams temporarily joined together lacked the necessary rapport; they weren't familiar with each other's habits or limits.
"Don't be reckless, let Kiyoshi act first—"
*Crackle!*
The faint sound of electric friction rang out, sounding like the chirping of thousands of startled birds. The [Lightning] Style chakra suddenly congregating in Kakashi's hand cut Minato off.
"Minato-sensei, you said Kiyoshi and I are both Jonin, captains of our respective teams. I want to test a new ninjutsu I'm developing. The whole team must follow the captain's instructions—those are the rules."
Having witnessed Kiyoshi's terrifying technique, a trace of impatience had surfaced in Kakashi's heart. He emphasized the word "rules." He wanted to see how his own formula compared to the one Kiyoshi had developed.
*Zzzzzzt...*
Unable to fully control the massive amount of Lightning Style chakra causing cellular activation in his right hand, Kakashi used his left hand to grip his right wrist. The grass and soil beneath him began to give off a scorched smell under the stimulus of the electric arcs.
"...Alright." Seeing the determination in Kakashi's expression, Minato could only nod. He had intended for Kiyoshi to continue using the kunai-enchantment technique, but given Kakashi's persistence, he had to see this new move.
Appointing both as captains was meant to temper them, after all. If they were strong enough, they could stall for time even deep in enemy territory.
"Take this!"
The chakra in Kakashi's hand reached its peak, forming brilliant blue arcs.
Chidori!
Kakashi struggled to hold the chakra. Even with many enemies, this technique should finish them in an instant. Just as swift as Sensei's "Yellow Flash" title, it wouldn't be inferior to Kiyoshi's arts!
*Kaka-kaka-crackle!*
Kakashi charged. The dust kicked up by his wake caused Rin to instinctively shield her face with her arms.
"I didn't expect him to charge in a straight line." Mahiru cursed silently. This white-haired brat was nowhere near as calm as that Uchiha from before! The Shadow Clones and his comrades immediately drew kunai and shuriken, unleashing a barrage of long-range tools at Kakashi.
Cold steel cut through the air toward the boy. Minato's hand moved toward the pouch at his waist, ready to throw a kunai to clear the path for Kakashi, but someone was faster.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Sparks ignited in the air. Every projectile thrown by the enemy was intercepted by the shuriken Kiyoshi had tossed!
"The Uchiha's [Manipulated Shuriken Jutsu]!" Inabi exclaimed. Kiyoshi had held the shuriken between his fingers and released them all at once—a quintessential Uchiha technique. Moreover, by using the momentum of the enemy's own weapons, he had intercepted dozens of projectiles with only eight shuriken.
"Dammit!" Mahiru immediately began to relocate his original body. Who exactly was this Uchiha?
...
[Trait: Tool Mastery (Green)] Obtained.
[Trait: Shuriken Master (Green)] Obtained.
While covering for Kakashi, the Trait panel pinged in Kiyoshi's mind. The former granted him better adaptability with various tools, increasing power by 10%. The latter increased the training speed of shuriken-related ninjutsu—like the [Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu]—by 10%.
'Better than nothing,' Kiyoshi thought, closing the panel.
In front of him, Kakashi was still sprinting. By tracing the flight paths of the tools Mahiru's team had thrown, Kakashi had pinpointed their locations. However, with the speed granted by [Chidori], Kakashi's dynamic vision and body were unable to maintain control.
Seeing this opening, Mahiru drew his katana, preparing to deliver an upward slash to Kakashi's body.
"Just a little more..." Kakashi's eyes widened as he felt the chill of impending pain near his ribs. The [Chidori] in his hand was too difficult to redirect at this velocity. At this rate, he would be sliced open from the side!
In the next instant, Kiyoshi transformed into a bolt of lightning. Following a thunderous boom, he slammed into the gap.
"...What!" Mahiru stared at the Kiyoshi who had suddenly appeared, blocking him with a ninja blade. Having been entirely focused on Kakashi, Mahiru was caught completely off guard by Kiyoshi's sudden intervention.
*Crack.*
Cracks appeared along the length of his katana. Unable to withstand the force of Kiyoshi's charge, Mahiru stumbled back, trying to dissipate the impact. Unfortunately, Kiyoshi flicked his wrist, instantly snapping the shattered katana in two.
*Slash!*
A line of blood erupted across Mahiru's chest.
"Who... who are you? You aren't the 'Yellow Flash,' so why are you so fast?" Mahiru asked, gasping through the pain. He had finally recognized the blonde youth as Minato Namikaze. His superiors had said that if they encountered Minato, they could retreat without penalty. But who was this stranger? A rising star?
Mahiru, suffering from extreme blood loss, felt his vision go dark and went silent forever. Even in death, he remained confused.
"Kakashi, it seems you can't handle this technique yet. Why don't you tell me the formula? I'll see if I can perfect it," Kiyoshi said, the lightning on his body fading as he flicked his blade, leaving a trail of blood on the ground.
The [Chidori] Kakashi was developing was essentially an S-rank tier ninjutsu in terms of potential. Excluding the [Flying Thunder God], the highest rank technique Kiyoshi possessed was A-rank. He naturally wanted a hand in such a prize.
"...Very well." Kakashi nodded without hesitation. Kiyoshi's mastery over Lightning Style was certainly not inferior to his own; in fact, it was likely stronger. Kiyoshi excelled in Nintaijutsu, while Kakashi focused on offensive ninjutsu. Covering the whole body in Lightning Style chakra was far more difficult than focusing it in one hand.
"Are you alright?" Minato used the [Flying Thunder God] to finish off the remaining enemies before checking on the wounded Kakashi. Rin was already using medical ninjutsu to heal the wound.
Obito, meanwhile, looked shaken. While Kiyoshi and Kakashi had been talking, a Stone ninja had lunged at him. Fortunately, Minato had saved him just in time. Minato shook his head inwardly; both Kakashi and Obito were still too immature.
In contrast, Kiyoshi—who had once been in their class—was much more composed. Kiyoshi's techniques were practical, and his timing in saving Kakashi was perfect. Even Tekka and Inabi, though Uchiha like Kiyoshi, probably couldn't have reached that level.
"Obito, this is a battlefield. Don't let your mind wander."
"I know, Minato-sensei," Obito muttered. Losing face like that in front of Rin was embarrassing.
"And one more thing... Kakashi. That technique you used just now—it's best if you don't use it again. It concentrates power for a high-speed thrust, which provides great speed and destruction, but you become so fast you can't see the opponent's counterattack. Therefore, the technique is incomplete."
Kakashi remained silent.
"If you want to develop a formula, it's better to make it a projectile-style technique like Kiyoshi's. That way, you can ensure your safety from a distance," Minato emphasized. He could tell Kakashi was distracted and hadn't truly taken the advice to heart.
"...Before we split up for the mission, I have one more thing to say. For a ninja, 'Teamwork is everything'."