A ninja's application of chakra can be broadly categorized into "Nature Transformation" and "Shape Transformation." To become a Jonin, one must master at least two Nature Transformations—converting chakra into elements like Water, Lightning, Wind, or Earth.
Shape Transformation, on the other hand, dictates the physical form of the chakra, determining the range and destructive power of a jutsu.
Right now, the electrical currents on Kiyoshi's body were weaving together, generating a layer of pitch-black armor. It was a high-density solidification of physical chakra, not unlike the structure of [Susanoo].
*Crackle!*
Arcs of lightning flickered incessantly, and Kiyoshi's black hair billowed in the brilliant glare. From a distance, he appeared to be bathing in the core of a thunderhead, clad in a Lightning Style Armor overlaid with the translucent cloak of his [Senjutsu Shroud].
Even the phantom spirit snakes surrounding him were now armored, radiating a much sharper, more lethal aura. This was the pinnacle of chakra control—the ability to effortlessly manifest one's mental constructs into reality.
*Clang!*
The [Executioner's Blade] slammed into Kiyoshi's Lightning Armor, only to become deeply embedded in the crackling arcs, unable to move forward a single inch.
"What...!" Juzo Biwa's heart hammered against his ribs. The Lightning Style jutsu Kiyoshi was currently using possessed defensive capabilities that surpassed even the Cloud Village's [Lightning Style Chakra Mode]. What kind of jutsu was this?
"The blade is excellent, though I wonder if its wielder knows how to bring out its potential."
In Juzo's eyes, Kiyoshi's figure became blurred and ethereal. An afterimage! Kiyoshi was no longer there! His pupils shrank to pinpricks, and he violently swung the Executioner's Blade behind him. Experience allowed him to predict his enemy's intent, but it was not enough to stop it.
*Splurt!*
The Executioner's Blade spun into the sky, still held by a severed arm—the fingers tightly gripping the hilt. Juzo stared in shock as he felt a warm liquid drenching his side. Then came the subtle, stinging pain.
He looked down to see his arm had been severed at the root. The cut was so smooth it was as if a hot knife had passed through butter. No resistance. No friction.
As his brain fully processed the loss of the limb, a wave of agonizing pain washed over him.
"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen... you really do have some skill," Kiyoshi remarked. In his left hand, he held Samehada; in his right, a long blade woven from arcs of lightning and flame, emitting blood-scented steam. It was Juzo's blood, evaporating instantly under the high heat.
*Thud.*
The Executioner's Blade and the severed arm finally hit the ground with a soft vibration.
"Careful! Kiyoshi Uchiha's speed has increased again!" Juzo clutched his stump, ignoring his sword as he scrambled backward.
Kiyoshi's speed had spiked so suddenly that it was nearly impossible for the human eye to track. Fuguki Suikozan, Jinpachi Munashi, and Kushimaru Kuriarare stood frozen. When a familiar rhythm suddenly shifts to a higher frequency, the mind needs time to adjust. But this was a battlefield; no one gives the enemy time to get used to their speed.
Ameyuri Ringo's brow was knit tight. Even she couldn't react to Kiyoshi's current pace.
'If he had wanted my life just now, wouldn't I be...'
"Kiyoshi Uchiha is moving!" To counter Kiyoshi's high speed, Kushimaru Kuriarare thrust his blade into the ground.
Longsword Ninjutsu: Earth Spider Sewing!
His weapon was the [Longsword: Nuibari], a blade said to pierce everything and sew it together. Now, the wire-like blades were hidden deep within the earth, crisscrossing to detect every vibration in the soil.
The movement of an ant, the swaying of grass—nothing could hide from the Nuibari. Thus, he immediately detected the movement beneath Kiyoshi's feet.
"Hiramekarei Unleashed!" The wielder of the [Twinsword: Hiramekarei] gathered all the chakra he could muster into his twin blades, causing them to erupt in brilliant light.
*Whish! Whish! Whish!*
Countless chakra light orbs flew outward. If he was hard to catch, they would simply use saturation fire!
"Clever, but useless against me."
Kiyoshi didn't rely on magnetic levitation to deal with them. His research into magnetism hadn't yet reached the sheer velocity of his electrical flow.
As long as his arcs carried a [Flying Thunder God Formula] to the destination, he could teleport there instantly. This space-time jump from Point A to Point B was incredibly difficult to counter. Even Madara's brother had fallen to the [Flying Thunder God Slash].
Kiyoshi's figure flickered in and out of existence, appearing like dozens of afterimages surrounding the Swordsmen. Not a single chakra orb touched him. As the light faded, Kiyoshi slammed his foot into the ground.
*BOOM!*
Soil erupted, and the wire blades hidden beneath were forced out. Clad in his flowing Lightning Armor, Kiyoshi easily caught the wire blade with his hand. With a powerful yank, the Nuibari was wrenched from Kushimaru's grasp and into Kiyoshi's hands.
"That's three."
Kiyoshi counted the swords in his possession. In front of the remaining Swordsmen, he pulled out a sealing scroll and stored them inside. The Executioner's Blade, Samehada, and Nuibari were all excellent trophies.
'These... can be used to squeeze the Land of Water in the future,' Kiyoshi thought. The war wouldn't last forever. When the peace talks began, the Land of Water would never allow these legendary blades to remain in foreign hands; they would pay a massive price to recover them.
Kiyoshi wasn't like Naruto, who would leave a blade like the Executioner's Blade as a grave marker for Zabuza Momochi. Without plot armor, a treasure like that would be stolen the same night!
'And it can be used to further my connection with Mei Terumi.' Kiyoshi glanced at Mei deep in the forest. Her aura was becoming more alluring, and her eyes were currently filled with a touch of terror. Kiyoshi nodded with satisfaction.
In the original story, Mei was always the calm, unflappable older sister figure. Seeing her show such genuine emotion before him was a fine bit of spice. Molding her into the shape he desired—that was the true essence of "nurturing."
"The remaining swords aren't for taking today."
Kiyoshi shifted his gaze from Mei to Rin Nohara. Today, Rin was the main event. She was the crucial piece in Obito's descent into darkness. That was how to maximize the profit.
In the official databooks, Obito's "Intelligence" stat was only a 2, both early and late in his life. To put a 2 in perspective: the only person lower was a Genin-level Choji Akimichi, who had a 1. By the *Book of Sha*, Choji's intelligence had risen to a 4. Even Naruto, who didn't know the meaning of simple idioms, eventually reached a 6. While the truth was harsh, the fact remained: Obito's intellect and knowledge were severely lacking.
Against a character like that, Kiyoshi had plenty of methods.
"Alright, time to head over."
***
Kakashi gasped for air, staring at the kidnapped Rin. His left eye was starting to blur—a sign of chakra exhaustion. Even without using the Sharingan's active abilities, it drained chakra every second. Now, having used its dynamic vision to keep up with the extreme speed of the [Chidori], the drain was immense.
He swallowed a few soldier pills. He could hear the thunderous crashes from the rear where Kiyoshi was fighting. If Kiyoshi was still standing, how could he fall here?
'Obito... I will keep my promise to you. Wait for me, Rin!'
As his chakra flickered back to life, electricity erupted in his palm again as he charged back into the Mist Anbu.
"Well done, Kiyoshi!" Might Duy stole a glance at the battle while clashing with the Anbu. To face the Seven Ninja Swordsmen alone without losing ground—and even confiscating their weapons—was a feat for the ages. The village truly had produced an incredible young man. "Guy, from now on, Kiyoshi is your goal!"
"I know, Dad! There will be another great rival on my road of youth!" Guy shouted. Beside Kakashi, he now had a new opponent in his heart: Kiyoshi Uchiha!
"Hmph." The Three-Tails Jinchuriki watched the scene, unable to remain calm. He formed hand seals, struggling to channel the massive Tailed Beast chakra within him. The Three-Tails was naturally attuned to Water Nature; its chakra would massively amplify any Water Style jutsu.
*Rumble!*
Three massive water dragons condensed behind him, charging majestically toward Duy, Guy, and Kakashi. The Mist Anbu used the opening to launch a coordinated attack.
"Hurry, apply the charm!"
A Mist Anbu reached toward Rin's heart with the Forbidden Individual Curse Tag. Rin's face twisted in pain as the sealing formulas wrapped tighter around her, as if trying to crush her organs into a single mass.
Kakashi tried to intervene, but he and Guy were forced back by the overwhelming water dragons. Duy wanted to shatter the dragons, but he feared the shockwave from his Seventh Gate attacks would kill Rin.
***
"What should we do? Kiyoshi Uchiha seems like he's going to mess up the plan," White Zetsu muttered, emerging from the high ground to watch the battle. He was communicating with his clones. "Should we tell Madara?"
"Madara likely knows; he's the one controlling the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. Keep observing and report back."
White Zetsu ended the mental link, but in that split second of distraction, he lost sight of Kiyoshi.
Where did he go? Zetsu rubbed his eyes. These humans were truly much faster than artificial beings like them.