Kiyoshi felt a thought stirring in his mind. Turning, he began practicing throwing shurikens.
Kikashi Sakumo, he realized, would soon be unable to withstand the pressure of the village's gossip—suicide was almost inevitable.
It was something Kiyoshi couldn't change. All he could do was treat it as a marker of time, a point to measure his own progress.
After Kakashi graduated, Obito, Rin, and the others would follow. Small conflicts would arise, gradually escalating. Eventually, when the Third Kazekage was poisoned and taken by Sasori, Sunagakure would plunge into chaos upon discovering their leader missing.
That event would become the spark for the Third Ninja World War.
"Kiyoshi?"
Akira Yuhi's soft voice broke through his thoughts. She noticed him focused on throwing shurikens.
Glancing at the shuriken in her hand, she mimicked him and began practicing as well.
A translucent panel appeared before Kiyoshi's eyes.
[Attribute: Robust Physique (White)]
[Requirement: Physical ability far surpassing peers; awaken the corporeal potential of the Yoru clan.]
[Progress: Complete]
[Effect: Muscles gain more strength; physical power increased by 5%.]
[Note: Can be further upgraded.]
Immediately after, another panel appeared:
[Attribute: Shuriken Throwing Technique (White)]
[Requirement: Master the essential shuriken technique for ninjas.]
[Progress: 1%]
[Effect: Shuriken throwing power increased by 5%.]
[Note: Can be further upgraded.]
Two notifications sounded in quick succession in Kiyoshi's mind.
Attributes he had fulfilled were marked as "Comprehended," while incomplete ones were labeled "Acquired." It made little difference in the end, but seeing the Robust Physique attribute appear caused a subtle shift in his dark eyes.
"Finally… I can combine my first green attribute."
A warm energy spiraled through his limbs and core, like soaking in a hot spring.
Clenching his fists, he felt a surge of strength.
"The Long-Distance Runner attribute boosted my leg strength by 5%, and Robust Physique adds another 5%… do they stack?"
Kiyoshi pondered as he hurled a new shuriken.
With a soft "thunk," it embedded itself one-third deep into a practice dummy. His previous throws barely pierced the surface. This was the effect of the Robust Physique attribute.
"I wonder if Wind Release: Spinning Shuriken counts under the shuriken attribute."
Akira's voice spoke up, surprised:
"Kiyoshi, you're so strong!"
She had seen his clumsy earlier attempts, but now his shuriken flew with incredible speed, instantly embedding in the dummy.
"If this were flesh and bone… would it pierce the bone?"
"Just lucky—the spot is weak," Kiyoshi shook his head.
He quickly found an excuse to leave the training field and slipped into the restroom, intent on synthesizing a new attribute.
Opening his attribute panel, he noticed the advancement path under [Apprentice Lightning Ninja (White)] flickering slightly.
Concentrating, he clicked mentally. A new pop-up appeared:
"Advancement Path One requirements met. Proceed with upgrade?"
A mechanical, emotionless female voice spoke.
Kiyoshi nodded.
"Proceed."
In the next moment:
[Attribute Acquired: Lightning Ninja – Genin (Green)]
[Requirement: Meet minimum physical standards for a Lightning Ninja Genin.]
[Progress: Complete]
[Effect: Your meridian system adapts to Lightning better, increasing efficiency by 20%.]
[Note: Can be further upgraded.]
"Meridian system…"
Kiyoshi immediately began refining his chakra and activated Lightning Release: Iron Body. The electrical currents flowed smoothly through his delicate meridians, far better than before.
"So… I can channel more Lightning chakra through my meridians now."
A ninja's strength depends not just on total chakra, but also the meridian system, which determines chakra flow throughout the body.
The meridians are microscopic, reaching every cell. All refined chakra first circulates through these meridians.
The Lightning Chakra Mode attaches lightning chakra to the body's surface, activating the body to increase hardness and speed. However, every area has a limit for chakra accumulation.
When Sasuke faced Itachi, his emotional intensity forced him to gather too much Lightning chakra in his hand to release Chidori, damaging his skin.
Now, with a 20% boost in his meridian system's lightning adaptability, Kiyoshi could push Lightning techniques like Chidori to a higher limit.
Satisfied, he closed the panel and returned to shuriken practice, aiming to advance the new attribute further.
As dusk approached and school ended, Kiyoshi found a reason to excuse Akira, sending her home. He headed to Kakashi's house.
After White Fang's death, Kakashi would descend into obsession, relentlessly studying Chidori—later refined and renamed Lightning Blade during his ANBU days.
The hand signs for both techniques were identical: Rat—Boar—Monkey.
Kiyoshi's goal was to gain more attributes before Kakashi's swordsmanship skills deteriorated completely.
White Fang had spent his life mastering the short blade, yet Kakashi broke through it in just a short time… a clear sign of his waning precision in chakra control over the weapon.
On the streets, whispers carried news:
"Did you hear? White Fang's mission failed!"
"Wasn't he said to be more skilled than the Legendary Sannin?"
"No one knows for sure. This mission could cause serious damage to the village and the Land of Fire."
Ninjas, more aware than civilians, spread the news quickly. Yesterday's silence was gone; today, everyone was talking about Kikashi Sakumo's failed mission.
Kiyoshi observed—these people only learned today. Students at the ninja academy remained unaware due to isolation. By tomorrow, the news would reach every student.
After a while, Kiyoshi crossed a small fish pond and arrived at a spacious residence.
This was Kakashi's home, shared only with his father, Kikashi Sakumo.
"Kakashi, are you home?"
He called outside. Soon, the sliding door opened, revealing the interior.
Chapter End