In fact, Uchiha Kiyo doesn't feel ashamed about retreating. Everyone makes mistakes—even the most meticulous of shinobi can miscalculate. This wasn't a mistake in the original timeline; it was a rehearsal, a calculated simulation within a parallel reality.
This layout was meant as a test, a means to rehearse the plan. If it failed, experience would be gained. As long as the same error isn't repeated in this current timeline, it's acceptable.
Moreover, the reason for the collapse wasn't due to poor planning on Uchiha Kiyo's part, but rather a lack of power. Compared to true peak Super-Kage level combatants, his strength at the time simply wasn't enough to influence the battle meaningfully. Thankfully, in this current timeline, there remains ample time for him to grow and eventually participate in the ultimate conflict.
That said… the rhythm was a bit off. The real problem was that Uchiha Kiyo hadn't anticipated his interference would snowball so drastically, accelerating key events far ahead of schedule.
"Actually, I should've accounted for that," he muttered. "When I return to the original timeline, I need to be more restrained. Stirring up the balance of power too early shortens the time I have to prepare and risks triggering irreversible consequences." Uchiha Kiyo understood this well. Even if he returned, his interference should be limited—perhaps taking out Danzō again, but not going as far as prematurely inciting the Uchiha Massacre or other critical events. Many pivotal points had yet to occur and needed precise intervention.
Upon reentering the timeline, Uchiha Kiyo's approach was far more refined. He had proactively infused himself with an abundance of Dragon Vein chakra, forming a protective field around his body during the temporal traversal.
This wrapped chakra became a stable buffer zone, shielding him from the harsh spatial distortions of the timeline—the infamous "space blades." The chakra's presence could even redirect external spatial turbulence, lessening the threat.
With this technique perfected, Uchiha Kiyo no longer needed to flee or evade through unstable space.
A pulse echoed through his being as his mind activated the Dragon Vein chakra. With a shimmer—
"I'm back!"
The sensation of returning struck Uchiha Kiyo immediately. Everything felt subtly—but undeniably—different.
What had changed? The answer lay in the soul—his very essence.
He began transferring his insights and experiences to his clones.
"Since I'm back, I'll resume direct research on the Soul Cultivation Technique. The clones will continue with their respective responsibilities."
Although the simulation timeline ended in a breakdown, it wasn't a total loss—he'd gleaned valuable insight.
In truth, it wasn't so much a breakdown as it was a matter of strength—Uchiha Kiyo simply couldn't control what followed.
Afterward, he activated the Soul Sharing and Annihilation technique, synchronizing memories with his clones.
"Hmm… Has the Soul Cultivation Technique advanced?" he wondered.
Just days earlier, progress had stalled, but now things were moving again.
The Soul Cultivation Technique—designed to absorb natural energy and reinforce the soul—had long been in development. Its earlier iterations produced weak results. Now, though, the technique had undergone a breakthrough. Without delay, Uchiha Kiyo sat cross-legged and began experimenting.
After all, the Dragon Vein chamber was secure.
Or so he thought—then his mind flashed to a name.
An Lushan!
He quickly assessed the influence of residual rule interference. Fortunately, the effects accumulated slowly over time. Uchiha Kiyo, now freshly restored, was unharmed.
"Tch. Though nothing went wrong this time, and I've refined the theories, An Lushan's betrayal is unforgivable."
"No need to wait six years for Naruto to handle it. I'll end him myself."
Indeed, Uchiha Kiyo now recognized that with sufficient strength, he could rewrite many events.
Destiny, after all, was determined by power.
Spreading his chakra throughout the Dragon Vein and activating spiritual perception, he quickly locked onto An Lushan's location.
Body Replacement Technique.
With heightened mastery, Kiyo no longer needed to prepare replacements in advance. He could shape them mid-movement with pinpoint chakra control.
An Lushan turned toward the figure suddenly appearing before him, stunned.
A moment later, recognition dawned.
"It's… you?"
Uchiha Kiyo didn't waste time responding. He formed the Qi Yuan Slash.
A glimmer of light sliced through the air. An Lushan's core was obliterated—he was dead in an instant.
Returning to the Dragon Vein chamber, Kiyo laid down protective seals and resumed cultivation of the Soul Technique.
Uchiha Kiyo guided natural energy through chakra filters to prevent physical contamination. His body had yet to reach the level of innate constitution—too much exposure risked spiritual assimilation.
He formed hand seals.
The Soul Cultivation Technique borrowed heavily from the Reincarnation Art. The core concept lay in temporarily deepening the bond between body and soul using that same mechanism.
This bond manifested as life force—the latent cellular energy. Normally, natural energy would be absorbed, augmenting cell vitality and feeding back into the soul.
The Soul Cultivation Technique reversed that. It artificially deepened the soul-body connection via the Reincarnation Technique, creating a pseudo-hollow state. This heightened cells' absorption potential for natural energy and in turn accelerated soul growth.
Earlier versions of the technique were less effective. But over the past few days, his clones had integrated advanced methods from reincarnation research. The result was significant progress.
Opening the chakra pathways, he let the filtered energy enter his cells. The volatile currents nourished the soul, while the gentler streams seeped into the body—slowly strengthening his physical form.
"Actually, while cultivating the soul, this method also benefits the body," Kiyo thought. "They're compatible. This qualifies as part of the comprehensive Yuan Yang Technique—Qi, soul, and body, all cultivated in unison."
Uchiha Kiyo reined in distractions, maintaining tight control over the energy flow to prevent overload or unwanted transformation.
"…Wait. My left eye still hasn't recovered."
Guiding gentle natural energy toward the damaged eye, he began revitalizing the cellular potential there. The filtered stream supplemented and nurtured the weakened tissue.
Thirty minutes later, Kiyo ceased cultivation, inspecting the results.
He could feel it—his soul had strengthened. Not dramatically, but clearly.
More importantly, the recovery of his left eye had visibly accelerated. From near blindness—five or six hundred degrees of impairment—it had improved to just around one hundred. With the Sharingan activated, there was virtually no discernible difference.
Of course, this only meant surface functionality had returned. Full restoration would still take time.
"Overall, this is a success."
The Soul Cultivation Technique could now be considered complete. What remained was optimization—refining details, enhancing efficiency.
"Next… the critical goal is to achieve innate constitution."
Uchiha Kiyo was growing restless. In the simulated future, being forced to flee left him feeling humiliated.
"I won't let that happen in this timeline."
There was time. If he couldn't attain sufficient power before the Fourth Great Ninja War, then he'd have no choice but to retreat again…
Unless he could retrieve the root of his soul from the Pure Land before then, his foundation would remain lacking.
And no—this wasn't cowardice.
This was strategy.
What others might call evasion, Kiyo deemed comprehensive preparation.
"I do things the right way."
---
In the future...
Though Uchiha Kiyo vanished, events did not halt.
His clones, Uchiha Hui and Uchiha Shin, had sealed themselves moments before Kiyo activated the temporal passage. The seal auto-released after five minutes.
Without contact from the original, they deduced he had successfully returned.
Understanding their roles, they sprang into action using the Instantaneous Body Technique.
Uchiha Hui remained in the shadows. Uchiha Shin joined the fray, posing as part of the Immortal Organization—though he didn't intervene directly, just positioned himself closer to the battlefield.
Madara Uchiha had been resurrected, catching everyone off-guard.
Even Madara himself was shocked. His Rinnegan—gone. Replaced with vacant black voids.
Where was it? His eyes? His supreme Dojutsu?
Damn that junior!
Resurrecting him without his consent? Without completing his own arrangements?
He had intended to reclaim the Rinnegan himself after settling some scores. Now, things were out of sequence.
Still, Madara wasn't panicked. Unexpected, yes. But within acceptable parameters.
Emerging on the battlefield, his sudden reappearance caused a stir. Next to him stood Kiyo Uchiha—who had orchestrated his resurrection.
But with the Rinnegan missing, everyone froze.
So, the revived Madara… couldn't use his Rinnegan anymore?
The entire battlefield fell into a stunned silence.