The technique was still lacking "stability", prone to losing control and exploding in one's hands. Once that difficulty was resolved, Minato Namikaze believed he could finally bring this jutsu into reality. For now, he temporarily named it "Explosive Airflow Rotational Gale Zero-Style Maru."
...
"Finally over."
Uchiha Tekkai exhaled, noticing how different the outside air felt. Their squad had immediately clashed with ninjas from Iwagakure, chasing and fighting for several days. Once it was resolved, the first thing they heard were surviving ninjas discussing Kiyoshi—stories about him snatching scrolls and other feats.
"Yeah… always hearing how ruthless Senpai Kiyoshi is. Coming out now, it still feels unreal. He's really strong," Uchiha Emi nodded. Although Kiyoshi had joined the academy later, Emi accepted that in this world, strength dictated respect.
"Ahem… my strength is comparable to Kiyoshi's," Uchiha Tekkai said, feigning sophistication to his teammates.
"Stop pretending, I don't even want to expose you," Uchiha Yakudan shook his head. Tekkai scratched his head awkwardly.
"Yo, isn't that Kiyoshi?"
Tekkai's eyes lit up as he saw Kiyoshi emerging from the passageway. Behind him were a girl with curly hair and a streetwise-looking boy.
"Didn't see you inside," Tekkai said.
"Got caught up in something, otherwise I would've joined you," Kiyoshi replied naturally. Grouping together was common—either with familiar people or family members. Kiyoshi humored Tekkai's small talk, then abruptly looked toward a direction where a dark green-haired girl stood.
After going out this time, Hinata Natsu should be able to relay the situation to Hinata Ginka. Kiyoshi could feel fluctuating Byakugan power—Ginka's presence being valuable to increase his own. He also thought of Uchiha Hazuki and Kushina. Hazuki could wait a little; Kushina needed a visit.
The Nine-Tails would increasingly stir during this period. By intervening, Kiyoshi could raise her favor and perhaps observe the Nine-Tails' form. Thinking about the future filled him with hope—a contrast to when he first arrived in Konoha, which had felt bleak.
"I should max out the Genjutsu Chunin entry," Kiyoshi thought. Securing a blue entry before the upcoming chaos would be useful. In turbulent times, only strength protects you—and only with strength could Kiyoshi pursue his goals.
"Once we go out, you better give me a proper taijutsu lesson," Yuuhi Red waved her small hand in front of Kiyoshi, noticing his distraction.
"I already prepaid your salary without hesitation. You won't refuse this small request, right?" Red added. Realizing her own weakness, she knew her Genjutsu was strong, her ninjutsu average, and her taijutsu almost a liability. Strong mental power required a healthy body. She intended to train—without altering her figure.
"Of course, no problem," Kiyoshi said, looking at her. Training could also be a form of lighthearted cultivation.
"Red, don't you think my muscles are strong too?" Asuma Sarutobi, noticing the pair laughing and walking ahead, suddenly felt like the third wheel. He hurried up, flexing his biceps, confident in his future as a muscular type.
Their commotion drew attention, but as soon as others saw it was the Kiyoshi who had wreaked havoc inside, their focus returned to him.
Yekura quietly observed Kiyoshi and Red joking together. Her healed scratch marks still throbbed, as if the one who caused them had reached out again.
"Don't do unnecessary things, Yekura," Maki frowned. Ever since Kiyoshi defeated Yekura, she had seemed distracted. Could such a genius truly not accept setbacks?
Maki thought it might be good for Kiyoshi to teach Yekura a lesson. Otherwise, if she faced greater failures later, who knew what she might become?
"I understand," Yekura nodded. Kiyoshi was stronger now. That was fine. She would double her effort to make him pay the price and erase this humiliation. What happened today would be repaid in the future.
"You run fast, Suna's genius," Tomei Mei emphasized "genius" deliberately. Yekura turned—seeing Mei.
"I left that day out of necessity," Yekura explained.
"Hmph, really?" Mei shot her a cold glance and continued walking. If it weren't for their unreliable allies, Kiyoshi could have subdued everyone with just a few strikes. Even someone as strong as Kiyoshi could overturn the battlefield, couldn't he? Each time she recalled failing to avenge her comrades, Mei felt uneasy. They had already spent considerable time together as teammates for the Chunin exam.
Kaguya Shouya remained silent. He mourned the loss of comrades, but not excessively; his mind thirsted for battle. The Kaguya clan named each "Shikotsumyaku" technique as a "dance." Facing Kiyoshi would deepen his understanding of these "dances."
...
Before returning home, Kiyoshi purchased training tools: targets, wooden stakes, and some explosive tags. Previously, he reused worn-out targets and stakes to save money. Now, with sufficient funds, he could treat himself better.
Red followed closely. Kiyoshi even bought her a skewer of dumplings to send her home, asking her to return the next day.
"I'm about to complete the Medical Ninjutsu entry," Kiyoshi noted. The progress had reached 99%, delayed only due to the Chunin exam.
"I should go see Uchiha Hazuki next," he decided. He had initially considered waiting, but lacking Genjutsu scrolls, he might as well obtain some from Hazuki. With a solution in mind, Kiyoshi resumed training in Medical Ninjutsu, aiming to complete the entry tonight.
...
Hinata Clan.
Evening approached, and the busy branch families prepared dinner. Natsu didn't return to her room but sought out Hinata Ginka.
"Lady Ginka, I have something to tell you."
"Oh, Natsu's back. What is it?"
Ginka remembered today was the second round of the Chunin exam. Seeing Natsu like this, she assumed it had gone smoothly.
"What you said that day… Kiyoshi heard it."
"What!"
(End of Chapter)