Completing one ninjutsu would push the progress to a little over 33%.
It was now at 45%.
This was because after learning the Clone Technique, Kiyoshi immediately shifted his focus back to [Lightning Release: Iron Armor].
Kiyoshi learned this ninjutsu very smoothly.
It could only be said that the Yotsuki clan was naturally suited for Lightning Release and Taijutsu.
"I should be close."
Kiyoshi let out a breath.
The [Sturdy Physique] Trait had not yet been triggered, but he estimated that he could meet the requirement after a little more practice.
The current him was world's apart from the him of two months ago.
He was no longer frail and skinny, someone who looked malnourished at a glance.
"Hey, Kiyoshi, aren't you leaving yet?"
Kakashi's voice called from outside the door.
"Coming."
Kiyoshi tidied his belongings, grabbed his cloth bag, and walked out.
The place where he lived was on the outskirts of the Uchiha compound, making it convenient to visit and avoid having to go deep into the settlement.
For some reason, Kakashi often came to find him.
The two walked to the Ninja Academy together.
From Kakashi, Kiyoshi learned one thing:
Kakashi's father had gone to perform a confidential mission and seemed to be finally returning.
Kiyoshi knew this mission was likely the secret one where Sakumo had to infiltrate the enemy camp as the squad leader.
Given the current pre-war sensitivity, this mission was probably very influential to the Land of Fire.
Then, Sakumo Hatake would face the choice between the mission and his comrades.
The result was that he chose his comrades.
"So, it's already here," Kiyoshi thought.
Within the next few days, news of the mission's failure would spread.
This would be followed by one-sided public condemnation, even by the comrades he saved.
Kiyoshi glanced at Kakashi.
Soon, Kakashi would graduate this year and quickly be promoted to Chūnin.
"Kakashi, Kiyoshi-kun."
Rin Nohara enthusiastically greeted them as they entered.
Her eyes were mostly focused on Kakashi.
Kiyoshi nodded.
Whenever Kakashi was present, Rin Nohara's post-class explanations would be more detailed.
If it were just Kiyoshi alone, Rin Nohara would have stopped tutoring after a few days at most.
But since Kakashi kept showing up, Rin Nohara never mentioned stopping her guidance.
Of course, Obito would also come in, making various excuses.
"Alright, class is starting."
After a brief chat, the Chūnin teacher responsible for history clapped his hands on the desk.
A figure hurriedly rushed in.
"I accidentally helped too many old grandmothers."
Obito tried to sneak in but was caught red-handed by the Chūnin teacher.
"The grandmothers you can never finish helping, is it? Go stand at the back."
The Chūnin teacher didn't want to listen to Obito's nonsense.
The boy was always late.
On the first day of enrollment, when he needed documents to complete registration, Obito still managed to be late.
"Uh... really."
Obito scratched the back of his head.
Kiyoshi looked up at Obito.
The un-corrupted Obito genuinely enjoyed helping old grandmothers.
He turned his head and spoke to Rin Nohara, asking about shuriken throwing techniques.
Obito glanced down and saw the arrogant Kakashi looking speechless.
And Kiyoshi, whispering with Rin at the back.
"Hurry up and go," the Chūnin teacher urged.
Obito retracted his gaze and obediently walked to the back.
"Obito, the next class is a different subject. You won't be punished for long," Obito deliberately took the aisle next to Rin Nohara.
Hearing Rin Nohara's comforting words, the depression in Obito's heart vanished instantly.
"Rin is truly the best to me!" Obito thought as he walked to the back, even fantasizing about becoming Hokage, reaching the pinnacle of life, and then marrying Rin.
***
After school.
Uchiha Compound.
Soon after Kiyoshi returned home, someone came to fetch him, leading him to an ancient-looking building.
Hazuki Uchiha led Kiyoshi there.
"Yakusen, one D-rank Lightning Release scroll." Hazuki Uchiha spoke.
She wore a long, deep purple Uchiha robe with the Uchiha Fan crest on the sleeves, and a tear mole dotted the skin beneath her eye.
Kiyoshi stood behind Hazuki Uchiha.
Hazuki Uchiha was the person Fugaku sent to guide Kiyoshi in retrieving the scroll.
She was also the mother of Izumi Uchiha.
She also died at Itachi's hands.
But he had to wait a month for Hazuki. Kiyoshi knew very well that they hadn't taken this seriously at all.
They only came to resolve it when they couldn't postpone it any longer.
If it weren't for Fugaku's direct command, Kiyoshi probably wouldn't have gotten this scroll.
Any other Uchiha would have received it in two or three days at most.
It was normal to face marginalization and discrimination within the Uchiha clan.
After all, the Uchiha was an arrogant clan.
If Kiyoshi were a half-blood born to a Hidden Leaf native, it might not have been a big deal.
But he was a person from the Land of Lightning.
Perhaps the Uchiha ancestors had lived in the Land of Lightning, but that was too long ago.
So long that no Uchiha considered themselves related to the Land of Lightning.
In Sasuke Shinden, Sasuke only learned about the Uchiha's history with the Land of Lightning from a member of the Chinoike Clan.
"The new clan member?" Uchiha Yakusen poked his head out. He looked to be in his early forties, and the crisscrossing scars on his cheek made his smile look ferocious.
"Yes, he is Kiyoshi Uchiha."
Yakusen grinned, his scars bunching up.
"An Uchiha half-blood is rare, and one sent from a place as far as the Land of Lightning is even rarer."
Hazuki didn't reply, simply gesturing for Yakusen to retrieve the scroll.
Kiyoshi stood still, observing the interior layout of the house.
"Heh, a first for me." Uchiha Yakusen forced an unpleasant smile.
There were precedents for Uchiha half-bloods, but this was the first time one had been sent from a place as far as the Land of Lightning.
He turned and walked toward the iron door in the back, pulling out a key to unlock it.
The light from outside shone into the dark room, creating a sliver of brightness.
But deeper inside, where the sunlight couldn't reach, it remained dim and shadowy.
White dust floated in the air.
Uchiha Yakusen lit a few oil lamps, and the previously dim room was now bathed in an orange-yellow glow.
The room was lined with old bookshelves, filled with various scrolls.
"Lightning Release is over here."
Uchiha Yakusen walked into an area marked with the character "Lightning," selected one D-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu, and held it.
"Can't I choose myself?" Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow.
He still wanted to pick a ninjutsu suitable for himself.
Uchiha Yakusen looked at Hazuki Uchiha, his hand holding the scroll suspended in mid-air.
Hazuki Uchiha's delicate face gently shook her head:
"Fugaku didn't mention it. I cannot take the liberty of making that decision."
"Did you hear that?" Uchiha Yakusen grinned again, his scars bunching up once more.
"Understood, thank you."
In the end, Kiyoshi said nothing and accepted the scroll.
After getting the scroll, the two left the room.
Uchiha Yakusen locked the iron door and sat back down on the stool beneath the eaves outside.
"Fugaku is the Clan Head. We need to obey his orders." Hazuki Uchiha suddenly spoke after they had walked some distance.
"I know, Lady Hazuki. This is for my own good. After all, I wouldn't know which ninjutsu suits me best."
Kiyoshi nodded, smiling.
He didn't mind their hostility.
He would simply collect some interest later.
Isn't that fair?
Hazuki paused, looking at Kiyoshi's honest smile, clearly not expecting him to be so sensible.
A soft smile relaxed her brow: "It's good that you think that way. You truly are a good child."
***
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