The afternoon class was a test session.
A chunin instructor stood at the front and announced the rules.
They were simple:
Use the shortest possible time to hit thirty scattered targets with shuriken.
"Next, Uchiha Kiyoshi."
Hearing his name, Kiyoshi stepped forward.
With a casual flick of his wrist—
A shuriken embedded itself into a target.
The proficiency he needed for shuriken throwing wasn't particularly high. His progress had already reached 88%.
Even without fully acquiring the related skill, his accuracy had improved significantly.
Targets that appeared as mere black dots to others—
Kiyoshi could see clearly.
And that alone greatly improved his aim.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
After striking one target, he immediately moved forward.
Each dummy was placed far apart.
To minimize time, a ninja had to run while throwing.
Before long, Kiyoshi let out a faint breath.
"9 points."
The instructor recorded his score. The full mark was ten.
"You've improved very quickly, Kiyoshi."
He couldn't help but remark.
Perhaps…
Only Kakashi surpassed him in talent.
If Kiyoshi had enrolled earlier—what would things look like now?
And on top of that… he possessed the Sharingan.
The instructor shook his head.
The borders had been unstable lately. Many comrades returned from missions injured.
Kiyoshi gave a slight nod and returned to his seat.
"Kiyoshi, you've improved so fast!"
"Do you have any training secrets?"
After several months at the academy, his classmates had grown familiar with him and often approached him.
But Kiyoshi rarely wasted time on such interactions.
He wished he could split his time in half.
"It's just hard work. If everyone trains diligently, improvement will come quickly."
He replied with a polite smile.
Next was Kakashi.
Expressionless, he threw his shuriken.
Efficient. Precise.
It took him only a short moment to complete the test.
As Kiyoshi carefully observed, hoping to learn something from his technique—
A gentle voice spoke beside him.
"Kiyoshi… can I talk to you?"
It was Nohara Rin.
The purple markings on her cheeks stood out under the sunlight.
Kiyoshi raised his eyes and nodded calmly.
"Kiyoshi… we've known Kakashi longer than you. So why does he choose to train with you?"
She went straight to the point.
Hoping to find an answer.
Kiyoshi thought for a moment before replying:
"Because Kakashi needs an outlet."
"To release his emotions… and to escape the gossip in the village."
He paused briefly.
"I don't think you practice swordsmanship, do you?"
"…No."
Rin lowered her head.
Her academic performance was good—above average.
The academy had already introduced basic medical ninjutsu, and she excelled in it.
Even an instructor had extended an invitation—
After graduation, she could join the medical corps for further training.
But in terms of combat…
She wasn't particularly skilled.
"And if things continue like this…"
"Kakashi might develop problems."
"Problems?"
Rin looked confused.
She couldn't understand what he meant.
"…Who knows."
Kiyoshi didn't explain further.
He simply turned and walked away.
Of course, he was referring to psychological issues.
This…
Was the darkness of Konoha.
The so-called Will of Fire sounded noble—
Yet someone who abandoned a mission to save comrades…
Was condemned by the entire village.
If the higher-ups had praised Hatake Sakumo for saving his comrades,
and at the same time imposed a penalty for the failed mission—
With both reward and punishment—
Would things have ended like this?
Instead, no one in authority spoke up.
Even those he had saved turned against him.
If the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had voiced support—
Who would have dared to criticize Sakumo?
After all, he was known as the "Professor of Ninjutsu"…
Even hailed as the strongest Hokage.
At least—
That's what the new generation believed.
Rin stood still, frowning deeply.
When she turned her head, Kakashi had already finished and blended back into the crowd.
…What should she do?
Several days passed.
Kiyoshi spent all his extra time training at home, preparing for early graduation.
"You have acquired the trait: [Three Basic Techniques (White)]."
[Requirement: Learn Clone Technique, Transformation Technique, and Substitution Technique.]
[Status: Completed.]
[Effect: Your understanding of these techniques surpasses ordinary people. Effectiveness increased by 5%.]
[Note: Can be upgraded.]
At last, he had completed the training of the three basic techniques.
What took ordinary ninjas years—
He had compressed into just a few months.
Of course, that standard applied to civilian ninjas.
Clan ninjas with secret techniques or bloodline limits learned much faster.
Even so—
Kiyoshi's speed was considered fast even within the Uchiha clan.
"Upgrade."
He opened the panel.
Ever since acquiring [Water Walker] and [Tree Climber], an upgrade path had appeared.
Now, the conditions were fulfilled.
"You have acquired a new trait: [Solid Foundation (Green)]."
[Effect: Chakra capacity increased by 20%.]
A sudden pain struck him.
As if his entire body was being torn apart.
From muscles—
To bones—
To every nerve.
It felt like something was stretching him from within… then filling him with power.
"Chakra is a fusion of mental and physical energy…"
A thought flashed through his mind.
"That means… my body will also grow stronger."
One minute.
Two minutes.
Fifteen minutes later—
His already sturdy physique had grown even further.
Kiyoshi looked down at his hands.
Stronger. Thicker.
After removing his shirt—
His muscle definition had become even more pronounced.
His fingers felt more powerful… yet more flexible.
He straightened his body and moved his neck.
The changes were undeniable.
Even his height—
Seemed to have increased slightly.
His pants had risen just a bit.
"…I'm still growing."
Pain still lingered in every cell of his body.
But alongside it—
Came a powerful sense of strength.
And an unusually clear mind.
His body… was evolving.
And this was only the beginning.
Chapter End