When one's insight is sufficient, they can see the flow of chakra and then attempt to copy the Ninjutsu of other ninjas.
*Bang!*
The blades clashed again, the sharp sound echoing in the courtyard.
Kiyoshi capitalized on the momentum, deflected the blade, and thrust with force, driving Kakashi back several steps.
There was no other technique, it was simply brute force taking over.
Kiyoshi utilized [Hidden Cloud Style: Flying Bird] to vitalize the cells near his wrist.
Because of his first green Trait, [Lightning Release Genin], which increased his adaptation to "Lightning" by 20%, Kiyoshi was able to gather more Lightning Release chakra in his wrist to use [Hidden Cloud Style: Flying Bird].
The external manifestation was that speed drove strength, and every strike hit with greater force!
Under the tremendous power, Kakashi's short sword let out a sharp crack, then snapped in two, the tip falling uselessly onto the ground.
"It broke." The broken sword in Kakashi's hand remained in a parrying position, sweat trickling down his cheek from his forehead.
Kiyoshi slowly sheathed his sword. As he did so, he noticed the blade was slightly curled. He knew he needed to get it maintained.
"You have comprehended the Trait: [Befriending Through Swordsmanship (White)]."
[Trait: Befriending Through Swordsmanship (White)]
[Requirement Achieved: Defeat Kakashi Hatake through swordsmanship.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Chakra consumption is reduced by 10% when you use swordsmanship.]
The familiar Trait panel voice sounded.
Kiyoshi felt a little comforted.
At least he acquired a new Trait.
The sword wasn't ruined for nothing, a small fee for maintenance was all it needed.
After all, opportunities to acquire Traits were rare.
"Do I need to compensate you for your sword..." Kiyoshi asked.
If Kakashi asked him to pay, Kiyoshi would have to stall.
Kakashi shook his head, placing the broken sword back into its sheath, saying:
"No need. This was just a training sword anyway."
"I see." Kiyoshi could only conclude that Kakashi was simply wealthy.
Who could blame him? Kakashi had a good father.
Having completed so many missions, he couldn't possibly be short on money.
Kakashi lowered his head, looking at the broken pieces of the sword on the ground, seemingly lost in thought.
Seeing this, Kiyoshi approached, lightly patting Kakashi's shoulder.
"Kakashi, do you know why you lost?"
"Because you have the Sharingan, and another factor is that this sword has been used for too long, it was probably on the verge of breaking anyway."
"..." Kiyoshi realized that before Kakashi's mental breakdown, his personality was quite sharp-tongued.
"No, it's because your mind is in chaos. Legend says that when Lord Sakumo uses swordsmanship, a layer of white light appears on his blade, but I didn't see any white light on yours."
Kakashi's eyes flickered for a moment. He didn't speak, remaining silent, as if suppressing all his emotions deep within his heart.
Kiyoshi looked at him and said:
"I don't want to rub salt in your wounds. I just want to say, this isn't your fault. Don't let those rumors control you."
If you sink into despair like this, how will I consistently acquire Traits?
Kiyoshi only hoped Kakashi would actively strive to become stronger.
He still hadn't acquired the Trait related to the White Fang's swordsmanship.
He only got the [Befriending Through Swordsmanship] Trait, which reduces chakra consumption by 10%.
Kiyoshi was very satisfied with this Trait.
Swordsmanship and Taijutsu are similar in nature, some moves require chakra, while others don't.
However, the more powerful the Taijutsu or swordsmanship, the more it relies on chakra. For example, the Eight Gates Released Formation is a Taijutsu where the user unleashes the limitations on the 'gates' that control and suppress chakra flow within the body, generating massive amounts of chakra to reinforce the body and unleash physical techniques beyond normal human limits.
With this Trait, if a single strike required 10% of Kiyoshi's chakra, while others could only swing ten times, he could swing one extra time.
And since it could be upgraded, he wondered how much chakra consumption could ultimately be reduced if it reached its peak.
"Keep up the effort." Kiyoshi said.
Kakashi still didn't speak, but he pursed his lips and nodded slightly.
He knew Kiyoshi was right, but the village's attitude toward his father truly baffled Kakashi.
He was even beginning to wonder if the importance of the mission truly surpassed that of one's comrades.
"That's enough for today." Kiyoshi backed away a few steps, raising the small tachi that was now sheathed in his hand.
"Next time we spar, you need to break my sword to make it fair."
Strictly speaking, this match was not a victory for Kiyoshi.
It was just that Kakashi's sword broke, and he lacked the fighting spirit, so he conceded defeat.
Things would be different once Kakashi became obsessed.
At this moment, Shizune was still observing the two outside the courtyard.
A few strands of her black short hair rested against her cheek.
"Kiyoshi is that strong?"
Shizune remembered that the first time she accompanied Lady Tsunade to examine Kiyoshi, he was just an ignorant ordinary person.
He was just lucky to have awakened the Sharingan.
Yet, in such a short time, he could spar with Kakashi and even appear to have the upper hand?
"As expected, the Uchiha clan produces elites," Shizune sighed.
Naturally, she silently excluded a certain perennial dead last in their class.
***
The next day.
The news about Sakumo Hatake had spread throughout the Ninja Academy.
"Are you okay, Kakashi?"
Rin Nohara immediately sought out Kakashi, wanting to comfort him.
"I'm fine."
Kakashi's dead-fish eyes were even more listless than usual, clearly having heard numerous criticisms and insults directed at his father on the way to school.
"Are you really okay..." Rin Nohara looked worried. She wanted to do something for Kakashi but didn't know how.
"What are you guys talking about?" Obito asked, confused.
If he hadn't been training intensely with Kiyoshi, Rin Nohara, and Kakashi recently, falling asleep as soon as he hit the bed every night and thus overcoming his habit of dozing off in class, Obito would still be sleeping at his desk right now.
"You don't know, Obito?" Rin Nohara looked at Obito in confusion.
Obito was surprisingly uninformed.
"I don't know," Obito shook his head innocently. What was he supposed to know?
"You guys talk," Kakashi stood up from his desk and walked over to Kiyoshi.
"Kiyoshi, do you have time to spar with swords today?"
"Yes." Kiyoshi nodded.
"Kakashi, Kiyoshi already promised me," Kurenai Yūhi, sitting in the bottom left corner, turned back, her eyes wide and her cheeks puffed out.
She had gained a lot of ground recently.
To defeat Kiyoshi, she would specially train for a period after returning home.
"It will be quick," Kiyoshi said.
It didn't matter if he ran two ATMs simultaneously.
Sparring with swords didn't take much time, Kurenai Yūhi's request could be postponed slightly.
"Kakashi..." Rin Nohara bit her lower lip, watching Kakashi go talk to Kiyoshi.
"I absolutely... must do something for Kakashi."
Rin Nohara looked at Kiyoshi, who was sitting in front of Kakashi, and an idea sparked in her mind.
Since Kakashi sought out Kiyoshi, it meant they got along well.
If it was Kiyoshi-kun, he surely would know how to comfort Kakashi, right?
***
50 stones for bonus.
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