The translucent Trait panel appeared before Kiyoshi.
He acquired this Trait shortly after attempting Water Surface Walking.
The progress bar had already reached 25%.
With four more days of continuous effort, he should be able to obtain the [Water Walker (White)] Trait.
"It can be shorter."
Kiyoshi closed the panel and continued to push his body, refining chakra.
As a mixed-blood of the Yotsuki and Uchiha clans, Kiyoshi possessed more chakra than most people.
The Uchiha clan was already known for having large amounts of chakra.
The only clans that surpassed the Uchiha were the Senju and Uzumaki clans, who were described in the data books as clans "possessing extremely large amounts of chakra."
However, Kiyoshi possessed an additional advantage besides his Uchiha bloodline: the Yotsuki clan!
Known for their Taijutsu ninjutsu and adaptation to the electrical currents of Lightning Release, their physical energy must naturally be abundant.
Kiyoshi could train for longer periods than others.
Chakra is a mixture of spiritual energy and physical energy. One can increase their chakra through continuous physical training.
This is because the process both tempers the will and gradually strengthens the body.
Sometimes, others couldn't continue training, not because they didn't want to, but because their chakra quickly ran out.
This was the "limit."
For civilian ninjas, the achievements they could reach, even with their full effort, were immediately discernible.
The strongest among them was Might Guy when he activated the Eight Gates, but he burned out all of his chakra, pursuing a moment of brilliance to briefly catch up to those born standing at the pinnacle.
The descendants with Ōtsutsuki blood flowing in their veins.
Kiyoshi was fortunate to belong to the latter.
Tracing back his ancestry, the source was also Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
The night wind blew, and a solitary figure walked on the water's surface.
The ceaselessly flowing river also washed away the sweat dripping from Kiyoshi's body.
***
Land of Lightning, Hidden Cloud Village.
In one of the canyons, a waterfall cascaded down, its roaring like thunder that never ceased.
At the bottom of the waterfall, a dark-skinned man emerged from the water. On his bare upper body, a tattoo of the word "Lightning" could be seen on his right shoulder.
"Is there any news, Dōtai?"
The Third Raikage looked at Dōtai, who was walking toward him, wearing a black hat and an eye patch covering his right eye.
Dōtai was his most trusted subordinate.
"Yes, Kiyoshi Yotsuki made contact with the ninja we placed in the Hidden Leaf a few days ago. Samatodo's report is very detailed."
"Good. This matter must not be messed up."
The Third Raikage patted Dōtai's shoulder. His hand, larger than Dōtai's head, patted him gently.
"Understood."
Dōtai respectfully nodded to the burly, heavily-muscled man before him, who looked like he was cast from steel.
"Have you finished investigating his lineage?" The Third Raikage asked again, his dark upper lip moving constantly, emitting a coarse voice.
"It has been investigated." Dōtai presented a scroll.
The Third Raikage opened it, then frowned slightly.
"Is he actually related to the Second Raikage?"
Kiyoshi Yotsuki was born in a small place called the Suikō Valley and inherited the Yotsuki clan's talent.
His particular branch clan had weak ninja strength in the parental generation, so they managed the Yotsuki clan's external businesses.
Upon closer calculation, Kiyoshi Yotsuki was even related to the Second Raikage!
He was a distant "nephew."
The Second Raikage was actually also from the Yotsuki clan.
He was the only Yotsuki clan member among the Raikages of these generations.
The First Raikage and he himself both had dark upper lips, but the Second Raikage did not.
However, since all of them had dark skin and a powerful build, others generally thought they looked similar.
"He is an Uchiha, so it will not affect the succession of the next Raikage," Dōtai said.
The Third Raikage had a son, who was already the prospective next Raikage and could already be referred to as "A."
The waterfall struck the water surface, splashing waves and raising a hazy mist.
Dōtai could not clearly see the Third Raikage's face.
"His Bloodline is very important to the village. Bring him back as soon as possible."
"Yes, Third Raikage-sama."
***
Several days passed in this manner.
The autumn rain poured down, and the sky was overcast, bringing a hint of coolness.
"Excuse me, Kiyoshi."
"Is there something I can help you with, Sister Mikoto?"
Kiyoshi held an umbrella and opened the gate to his courtyard.
This was Mikoto's third visit since she brought Nonō Yakushi last time.
He remembered that the first time Mikoto led him back, the sky was also this overcast.
"Today isn't a school day, is it? Fugaku asked me to invite you over for a gathering. We are all clan members, we should meet more often."
A gentle face with refined features was revealed beneath the umbrella.
Today, Mikoto was not wearing her ninja combat uniform, but ordinary casual clothes.
Being a ninja was just a job.
It included mandatory missions and corresponding days off.
There was no need to constantly wear the ninja combat uniform on days off.
Mikoto's ordinary casual clothes still could not conceal her curvaceous figure.
Her dark, beautiful hair contrasted with her white single-layer clothing. Even in the overcast light, her fair skin still looked radiant and moving.
Kiyoshi put on a look of being touched and agreed to go.
The two walked along the streets of the Uchiha compound, each holding an umbrella, one in front of the other.
A casual glance revealed the fan of flames emblem in many places.
***
Fugaku's front door was not closed.
Mikoto led Kiyoshi to the courtyard in the back, where there was a considerable open space.
*Boom!*
Fugaku opened his mouth and exhaled, condensing a blazing fireball in the air, about three meters in diameter.
Raindrops that met the fireball instantly turned into steam.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Kiyoshi's eyes narrowed. This was the Uchiha's signature ninjutsu, virtually every Uchiha ninja knew it.
"You're here."
Fugaku looked at the two, one tall and one short.
"Why are you practicing outside in this heavy rain? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?" Mikoto complained teasingly.
"Hahaha, I am 'Wicked Eye Fugaku,' how could I simply catch a cold?" Fugaku felt a warmth in his heart from Mikoto's concern.
The fireball in the air abruptly dissipated, leaving behind a trace of residual heat.
"Come inside."
He had an itch to practice this move just now. It was a very short time, and he hadn't gotten much rain on him.
He turned and walked toward the house.
"Kiyoshi, are you adapting well to the Ninja Academy these past few days?" Fugaku stood on the porch, looking at the boy behind Mikoto.
"Very well," Kiyoshi replied.
He put down his umbrella, leaning it against the porch.
This area could also be called a corridor.
"The slippers are here." Fugaku pointed in a direction.
"Okay."
Kiyoshi changed into the slippers and stepped onto the wooden floor.
Mikoto had changed her shoes before Kiyoshi. After Kiyoshi had changed, the three entered the room together.
"I asked Mikoto to make all of these. Kiyoshi, please try some."
Upon entering the room, Kiyoshi saw a table laden with fine dishes.
The fragrance of the food filled the air.
"Sister Mikoto's cooking is excellent," Kiyoshi said, seemingly with emotion.
In his mind, he wondered if their relationship had already progressed this far.
Was this approaching the status of more than friends but less than lovers?
"Yes, Fugaku begged me to come, so I did." Mikoto laughed.
This was actually her first time visiting Fugaku's house.
The Uchiha was a major clan, and while their rules were not as strict as the Hyūga clan's, they still had more rules than a civilian family.
Since the two had not yet confirmed their relationship, they naturally could not engage in such intimate activities.
If it weren't for the excuse of Kiyoshi, Mikoto would not have come to Fugaku's place today.
Unless their relationship was already confirmed.