Immediately, the atmosphere changed.
Young Kiyohara, controlling the body, didn't hack or slash wildly. The sword seemed to come alive in his hands, transforming into a viper.
It was no longer a rigid tool; it was an extension of his will.
The Hidden Mist Jonin, Mizunami, found his fierce offensive instantly neutralized. He was forced onto the back foot, frantically parrying strikes that seemed to bypass his guard.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sparks illuminated the thinning fog. The clash of steel rang out like a bell tolling a funeral rite.
"Hmph!" Mizunami gritted his teeth, desperate to regain momentum. "So what if you have a little str—"
Splat!
He tried to speak. That was his mistake.
Young Kiyohara seized the micro-second opening created by the distraction.
The blade flashed.
A thin, red line appeared across Mizunami's neck.
The Jonin's eyes went wide. His Tachi flew from his grasp. He clutched his throat, trying to stem the tide, but only a wet, wheezing sound emerged—like a broken bellows.
Thud.
He collapsed into the mud, dead.
'Villains always die from talking too much,' Kiyohara thought, the modern trope flashing through his mind.
The spirit withdrew.
Kiyohara felt a wave of weakness wash over him. The possession burned through physical stamina like fuel.
He steadied himself and looked at the corpse.
"Even Basic Swordsmanship is this strong..."
He marveled. The Spirit hadn't used a secret technique—just fundamental spacing, timing, and precision.
"Why haven't I seen you use a sword before?" Genma asked, confused, as the mist finally dispersed.
"Because I didn't have the money to buy one," Kiyohara lied effortlessly.
He squatted down and began skillfully patting down the corpse.
"Whoever kills gets the loot. No objections, right?"
Genma opened his mouth, then closed it. 'Fair enough.'
Kakashi watched silently. He saw Kiyohara strip the expensive Odachi, the cash pouch, and the high-grade exploding tags.
"Take it," Kakashi said calmly. "You can have my share too."
Kiyohara paused.
'Rich bastard,' he complained internally.
Kakashi was the son of the White Fang; he probably had an inheritance that could buy a small country. Kiyohara, on the other hand, was drowning in debt.
He quickly tallied the haul:
* Cash & Tags: ~150,000 Ryō.
* The Odachi: High quality. On the Black Market? At least 300,000 Ryō.
'450,000 Ryō. It's enough!'
Kiyohara's heart raced.
This covered the forging fee, the materials, and left a surplus.
With the Chakra Metal from the bridge mission and this cash, he could finally fulfill the Second Dying Wish.
'Once the sword is forged, I get the full inheritance,' he plotted. 'I'll become a swordsmanship genius overnight.'
Why train for years and risk deformity when you can just download the correct muscle memory from the future? It was safe, efficient, and scientifically sound.
"Let's go," Kakashi ordered.
The team reorganized and continued the transport. The rest of the journey was quiet; the death of a Jonin squad had cleared the immediate area.
They reached the outpost without incident.
"We have you and Kiyohara to thank," Rin sighed, wiping her forehead. "I... I wasn't much help."
"Not at all," Kiyohara smiled at her. "Without Rin backing us up, how could we have the confidence to fight on the front lines?"
"Eh?"
Rin blinked.
She was used to Obito praising her looks ("Rin, you're so cute!") or Kakashi ignoring her to focus on the mission.
Kiyohara was the first to validate her competence.
"It's precisely because we have an excellent Medical Ninja that we dare to be fearless," Kiyohara stated factually.
"Is... is that so?"
Rin looked up at him.
Kiyohara wasn't just handsome; he was observant. He saw her value.
"Thank you," she beamed, a genuine smile lighting up her face.
'I'm just stating facts,' Kiyohara thought.
Rin was a prodigy. At her age, she could use the Mystical Palm Technique (A-Rank). Sakura Haruno wouldn't learn that until she apprenticed under Tsunade years later.
If Rin hadn't been turned into a Jinchūriki bomb, she would have been a legendary medic.
"Oh right," Kiyohara added casually. "When you have time, could you teach me the basics of Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Medical Ninjutsu?"
"Yes. My nature affinities are Yin and Yang. I figure I have the aptitude."
"Mhm!" Rin nodded eagerly. "Come to my tent tonight. I'll teach you."
"I appreciate the trouble, Rin."
Kiyohara nodded.
The timing was perfect.
Near the outpost was a transit town garrisoned by Konoha. It had a blacksmith.
With Chakra-enhanced forging, a sword could be processed in a single day.
'Tomorrow,' Kiyohara decided. 'I sell the loot, forge the blade, and unlock the next level of power.'
....
.....
.....
Support my patreon and get early access to chapters
patreon.com/ImmortalDaoWriter