Konoha Hospital.
"I'm back."
Mikoto nodded.
As usual, tonight was another secret gathering time.
"Getting late, I'll head back first. This one's on me."
After chatting for about an hour, Mikoto paid the bill and left.
Kushina was left alone, bored and aimless.
Her social circle now only consisted of three people.
Minato had introduced her to his three disciples, but she wasn't really familiar with them.
She sat there blankly for a while, then went home.
…
Kiyoshi's home.
After returning, Kiyoshi bought a standard sword outside and began training, attempting to infuse it with Wind Release chakra.
His previous ninja sword had already been sent to the Ninken clan for reforging.
The request was to add more chakra metal and embed the red stone into the guard.
From the Land of Demons mission, Kiyoshi had gained 500,000 ryō. He immediately invested around 400,000 into a new blade.
Once war breaks out, there would be no time for maintenance.
So he chose to maximize its strength in advance.
Buzz…
A sharp cutting sound echoed as wind chakra wrapped around the blade. Kiyoshi carefully maintained the balance.
As expected, he obtained a new trait:
Wind Release Novice (5%)
His learning speed had greatly improved compared to before.
Even C-rank jutsu could now be learned relatively quickly.
"Wind Release… isn't just for cutting. It should also enhance speed."
He thought.
Currently, his only movement technique was basic Body Flicker, slightly enhanced by Lightning Release stimulation.
With Wind Release, that could be further optimized.
Wind chakra could form a compressed airflow layer around the body, reducing air resistance and improving movement speed.
By sunset, Kiyoshi was already drenched in sweat.
Such training had become his daily routine.
Unless he could surpass Six Paths-level beings, he would not stop.
At that moment, a new green trait appeared:
Fatigue Resistance (Green)
• Requirement: Repetitive physical training to form subconscious habit
• Effect: Muscle memory improves efficiency, reduces unnecessary energy consumption, endurance increases in long battles, fatigue reduced by 20%
• Note: Can further evolve
"Endurance, huh…"
He wiped his sweat and removed his chain armor, revealing a strong upper body.
He already had Muscle Memory (White), which improved efficiency by 10%.
However, it could not correct incorrect movement habits.
The new trait mentioned optimization of movement efficiency.
The white trait became locked in gray—suggesting evolution was possible.
Perhaps in the future, his body would react faster than his mind, like pure instinct.
Something like Ultra Instinct.
He closed the panel.
Sometimes instinct was faster than thought.
This would improve his survival ability significantly.
Knock knock.
Someone was at the door.
Kiyoshi signaled the white snake. It immediately opened the door.
"Snake!"
Hyūga Silverflower stepped back in shock, startled by the sudden sight.
Behind her, Hyūga Summer tried to suppress a smile.
She had seen the snake before and was already prepared.
"That is Kiyoshi's summoning beast."
Silverflower calmed down and entered.
Inside, Kiyoshi stood in the courtyard, shirtless, sweat glistening on his sculpted muscles.
Silverflower briefly froze.
She had not expected him to be so physically developed.
Then she quickly looked away.
She had a fiancé.
Staring too long would cause rumors, especially in the conservative Hyūga clan.
"Welcome, Lady Silverflower. Please come inside."
Kiyoshi said calmly.
He wore loose pants, his tall frame already above average for his age.
Lightning Release training and natural talent had given him a well-balanced physique.
He could easily have become an actor in another world.
"…Yes."
Silverflower and Summer entered and removed their shoes before stepping inside.
"Please have tea."
Kiyoshi served tea using supplies he had taken from Miroku during his previous mission.
"Thank you."
Silverflower sat formally at the low table, maintaining noble etiquette.
Summer stood behind her.
Kiyoshi sat opposite them.
"I and Summer are classmates, correct?"
Silverflower smiled.
"Yes."
Kiyoshi nodded.
He did not use traditional seiza, preferring cross-legged sitting instead.
They exchanged small gifts.
Silverflower then spoke carefully:
"I believe there were misunderstandings between us in the past…"
"Oh? Summer mentioned that. We've already cleared those misunderstandings."
"I see."
Silverflower smiled, appearing satisfied.
However, Summer's hand tightened slightly on her skirt, her expression subtly shifting with unease.
(End of Chapter 129)