"This is your sword."
A ninja cat, almost humanoid in posture, stood up and opened the sealed scroll.
With a loud pop, white smoke swirled into the air.
When the smoke cleared, there lay a long ninja sword.
Its design closely resembled what Sasuke's Kusanagi sword would become in the future. The handle and sheath were pure white, embroidered with the Uchiha clan's flame fan emblem, while the blade itself was black.
"This is my ninja sword?"
Kiyoshi eagerly picked up the sword and drew it from the sheath.
Had he acted too seriously, it might have made him seem brooding, scheming beyond his years.
So, in front of Mikoto, Kiyoshi tried to maintain his "innocent" side.
Still, he couldn't hide the small thrill in his heart at finally holding the sword.
It was just not as exaggerated as it appeared.
"Alright, alright, give it a try."
Mikoto's voice was crisp, tinged with warmth.
Kiyoshi swung the sword a few times, noting it was at least twice as heavy as the secondhand short blade he had before.
By feel alone, he estimated it weighed around ten kilograms.
He couldn't tell what metal had been used to forge it.
"Feels great, Sister Mikoto."
Kiyoshi slid the sword back into its sheath.
At a length of one and a half meters, it was undeniably long.
"Grandma Cat, can we pack this sealed scroll together?"
Mikoto smiled.
"You little rascal… fine, take it."
The ninja cat waved her hand dismissively.
Mikoto had spent a fair bit here, but a single compact sealed scroll was trivial enough to gift.
"Thank you, Grandma Cat. Kiyoshi, quickly store the ninja sword in the sealed scroll—it'll be more convenient later."
"Got it."
Kiyoshi nodded, taking the scroll from the ninja cat.
One had to admit, Mikoto had a natural knack for household management… and for bargaining.
Pop.
The white scroll had a black circle surrounded by sealing formulas. Once the sword was sealed inside, a large uppercase "Seal" character appeared.
The Ninja Academy taught students how to use sealed scrolls—one of the most accessible forms of space-time ninjutsu.
Items could be stored in the scroll and later summoned at will.
Kiyoshi and Mikoto stayed there for the night, returning to Konoha the next day.
Upon reaching home, Kiyoshi immediately began training.
Drawing the sword, he held the handle with one hand.
The jet-black blade shimmered with a metallic gleam.
Though the design resembled a Kusanagi sword, Kiyoshi knew he hadn't randomly been gifted such a fine weapon.
The Kusanagi wasn't a single, specific blade—it referred to a class of superior-quality swords.
For instance, Orochimaru's Kusanagi was double-edged, while Sasuke's was single-edged.
Boom!
Flames ignited at the hilt, flowing like water from Kiyoshi's palm up to the blade.
At first glance, it looked as if he were wielding a burning torch.
"Temperature's a bit high."
Kiyoshi thought to himself.
Waves of heat licked at him, painting the surroundings in a red glow.
He swung the sword in a circle, leaving a flaming trail in the air.
Over time, the blade gradually cooled.
With the entry [Chakra Flow: Fire Release (White)], Kiyoshi had easily infused the sword with Fire Release chakra.
"If I used 'Kumogakure Style: Asuka Strike,' it should be pretty powerful."
Kiyoshi stopped channeling chakra, letting the black-and-red blade return to normal temperature.
"Good conductivity for chakra too."
After familiarizing himself with his new weapon, Kiyoshi picked up the scroll for the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.
According to his plan, once he completed the basics, he should acquire the ninja's Fire Release skill entry.
"I also need to master chakra flow attachment on the body."
Kiyoshi flipped through the scroll, pondering further.
His so-called "Lightning Chakra Mode" was simply chakra infused across the body. In theory, any type of chakra could be attached in this way.
For example, the Fourth-Tailed Jinchuriki of Iwagakure, Old Violet, had a "Magma Chakra Mode," covering his body in high-temperature magma armor. Anything touched by it instantly melted.
The magma armor was both highly destructive and defensive, making it difficult even for Naruto's Rasengan to break through.
Kiyoshi could do something similar: "Fire Release Chakra Mode," or even attach medical chakra across his body to create a "Medical Chakra Mode."
Tsunade's "Ninjutsu: Creation Rebirth" worked in a similar fashion.
"I need to challenge other Fire Release ninjas one-on-one."
Kiyoshi murmured.
If he remembered correctly, the Chunin Exams were coming up.
As allies of the Land of Fire, the Wind Country would send participants too.
Perhaps Yegura from Sunagakure would come.
She possessed the Kekkei Genkai of Scorch Release; defeating her might grant a related skill entry.
After some thought, Kiyoshi continued reading the scrolls.
Tomorrow, he would meet his team members.
He needed to complete more missions first, to be ready for the Chunin Exams.
…
The next morning, Kiyoshi headed to the meeting point.
"Kiyoshi!"
A pleasantly surprising voice called out.
Perhaps from the cold, Yukihiro's cheeks were flushed as she waved.
"Ah, Kurenai," Kiyoshi nodded.
His teammates assigned by Konoha were likely all non-Uchiha ninjas.
"I actually wondered if it would be you, Kiyoshi. Lucky guess!"
Yukihiro laughed, her red eyes crescent-shaped with a smile.
"Is that so."
Kiyoshi responded flatly.
Was Yukihiro being overly enthusiastic toward him?
He wondered.
Still, Kiyoshi was more intrigued by her potential future appearance: large wavy hair, crimson lips, purple eyeshadow—radiating mature charm.
Her development was promising too.
A slight curve appeared on Kiyoshi's lips. Painting a blank sheet with his own colors was a pleasant experience.
"Kurenai!"
After chatting briefly with her, Asuma Sarutobi and a man approached from a distance.
"Great! We're on the same team."
Asuma exclaimed.
If this isn't fate, what is?
It seemed the heavens wanted to continue their connection from the Ninja Academy.
The man behind Asuma appeared to be in his thirties. His forehead protector was tied tightly, almost uncomfortably so.
"I am Minazuki Yuki. From now on, the three of you will perform missions under my guidance as Genin."
Minazuki Yuki spoke.
"Sensei Minazuki, I, Asuma Sarutobi, will complete the missions with ease!"
Asuma patted his chest confidently.
"Then I look forward to your performance."
Minazuki Yuki smiled broadly, thick lips curving.
After all, not everyone had a Hokage father.
Kiyoshi stopped talking with Yukihiro and looked toward them.
Minazuki Yuki wasn't exactly a good man in the "Itachi Chronicle."
(End of Chapter)