Very quickly, Kiyohara's consciousness sank deep into his mind.
Unlike the urn belonging to Magnet Release Kiyohara, which bore the markings of Sunagakure, this urn before him possessed a stone-like grayish-brown texture throughout. Clearly branded upon its surface was the emblem of Iwagakure, resembling two overlapping slabs of rock.
Kiyohara focused his thoughts and reached out to touch this new urn.
A spirit form, visible only to Kiyohara—slowly emerged from the urn within his mental world.
"So even after living so cautiously… I still ended up dead, huh."
The newly appeared Kiyohara let out a long sigh, his tone filled with regret.
He looked about the same age as the present Kiyohara, dressed in a shinobi outfit of interwoven brown and red. His right arm was bare, while his left was covered by a long red sleeve. The exposed arm and his face were slightly darkened, as though he had lived under the blazing sun for years, his skin tanned by constant exposure.
"You're… another version of me?" The new Kiyohara asked.
Kiyohara took the initiative to speak. "Yes. Judging by the situation, you've already used the 'Last Will System,' haven't you?"
"I have. But the day before yesterday, a future version of me appeared—and the very next day, I died," the new Kiyohara said, sighing once again.
"That's… unlucky," Kiyohara muttered, then asked curiously, "So how did you die?"
"As you can see, I'm a shinobi of Iwagakure," the new Kiyohara said, pointing at the shinobi forehead protector on his head and the clothes he wore. After a brief pause, he continued, "And I also possess a bloodline limit."
"!"
Kiyohara's expression instantly brightened.
Another future self with a kekkei genkai?
That was excellent news.
Even if it were a somewhat underwhelming bloodline limit, it would surely be useful sooner or later. And even if it weren't, Kiyohara felt it would still help complete the genetic puzzle of the Ōtsutsuki.
After all, many bloodline limits in the shinobi world ultimately originated from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Moreover, Kaguya had once consumed the "God Tree Fruit," also known as the "Chakra Fruit," which contained vast natural energy and an enormous aggregation of genetic factors. That was why the ninja world later saw the emergence of countless kekkei genkais.
Chakra itself could alter genes and hereditary factors.
Anyone even remotely connected to the Ōtsutsuki lineage tended to awaken a bloodline limit.
Those closer included clans like the Uchiha and Uzumaki.
Those further removed included clans such as the Kaguya clan.
"So what is your kekkei genkai?" Kiyohara asked impatiently.
"It is—Steel Release."
Steel Release Kiyohara spoke, his voice deep and heavy, like stone grinding against stone.
"Steel Release…"
Kiyohara remembered that this bloodline limit allowed one to harden the body to resist physical attacks, very similar to Earth Release: Earth Spear.
However, since it was a bloodline limit, its effects were far superior to ordinary Earth Spear techniques.
"That's right," Steel Release Kiyohara said. "My bloodline limit is Steel Release. It allows me to temporarily harden my body and even my chakra, granting extremely powerful defensive capabilities. Relying on this kekkei genkai, I achieved a respectable status within Iwagakure."
"However, over-reliance on Steel Release's absolute defense… ultimately became the reason for my death."
There was a trace of self-mockery in his words.
"During an encounter with an elite squad from Kumogakure, I relied on Steel Release to directly tank their attacks. Aside from that, all my ninjutsu were Earth Release techniques.
"Unfortunately, I ignored the fact that Steel Release's defense isn't truly absolute. Its effectiveness is closely tied to chakra reserves and the user's own understanding of Steel Release."
"So that's how you died?" Kiyohara asked.
"Yes," Steel Release Kiyohara nodded. "Among the five basic chakra natures, there are inherent counters. Earth Release is naturally restrained by Lightning Release, unless the Earth Release user is vastly stronger than the Lightning Release shinobi."
He shook his head.
"In the end, my chakra was completely exhausted. I could no longer maintain Steel Release, and I was killed by a Lightning Release user. In my final moments, I could even smell my own flesh being roasted—"
Listening to Steel Release Kiyohara's grim, dark-humored account, Kiyohara couldn't help thinking of Deidara and Sasuke.
From beginning to end, Deidara's Earth-based techniques had been utterly countered by Sasuke's Lightning Release—mechanically and mercilessly.
"So, what is your last will?" Kiyohara asked.
"My last will …"
Steel Release Kiyohara rubbed his chin, thinking carefully.
Kiyohara waited patiently.
In the mental world, time passed in an instant. Even if they lingered here, in the real world it would only be a fleeting moment of distraction.
"My last will has two parts," Steel Release Kiyohara continued, his tone firm.
"First—learn at least one B-rank Lightning Release ninjutsu. Damn it, if you can't beat them, join them! I want you to make up for my regret and use Lightning Release to utterly humiliate those Kumo bastards who rely on it!"
"B-rank Lightning Release…"
Kiyohara pondered silently.
D-rank jutsu were for genin-level learning, C-rank for chūnin, and B-rank corresponded to jōnin-level techniques.
If he wanted to exchange merits for a jōnin-level Lightning Release technique, he was just a little short.
Previously, Kiyohara had already used his merits to exchange for an Earth Release technique—Earth Release: Earth Flow Spear. Had he not done so, it would have been just enough.
But no one could have predicted this situation.
"I'll complete it," Kiyohara said. "Is there anything else?"
The merit gap wasn't large—one or two more missions would be enough. The first will was relatively easy.
"Second—find and defeat at least one Iwagakure shinobi who possesses the Steel Release bloodline limit. My Steel Release must not be inferior to anyone else's."
Steel Release Kiyohara continued, "From what I heard from the future self I encountered, as long as you complete the first will, you'll inherit the bloodline limit. Once you obtain Steel Release, completing this second will shouldn't be difficult."
"That's true," Kiyohara nodded slightly.
Compared to the Magnet Release Kiyohara, who was borderline unhinged—Steel Release Kiyohara was clearly much more cautious.
He had simply overestimated his own toughness and fallen due to carelessness.
Good. Kiyohara mentally noted yet another possible way he could die in the future.
He silently warned himself never to repeat such a mistake.
Otherwise, getting stabbed to death would truly be a lesson in humility.
His consciousness returned to reality. Kiyohara slowly opened his eyes, the flickering campfire reflected within them.
Steel Release—a powerful defensive bloodline limit, yet defeated by chakra exhaustion.
Kekkei Genkai's were not invincible. Comprehensive development and a solid foundation were just as important.
"So… what Earth Release jutsu do you know?" Kiyohara asked.
By practicing a specific nature transformation extensively, one could deepen their understanding of that chakra nature.
He wanted to squeeze a bit more benefit out of Steel Release Kiyohara.
"What do you want to learn?" Steel Release Kiyohara asked.
"Do you have any offensive techniques?" Kiyohara replied.
"I can teach you Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique first," Steel Release Kiyohara said, his spirit hovering behind Kiyohara.
Only if his past self grew stronger would it be possible to fulfill his wishes.
"Alright," Kiyohara agreed, communicating with Steel Release Kiyohara through his thoughts.
In Kakashi's eyes, Kiyohara was simply staring at the campfire without moving.
"Do I need to cut open the sleeve on my arm?" Kiyohara asked.
Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique was a ninjutsu mastered by most Iwagakure shinobi. By channeling chakra, the user covers their right hand or a specific limb with rock-like material, forming a massive stone fist for powerful strikes.
The hardened stone could even surpass the hardness of ordinary granite, as long as Earth Release chakra continued to be supplied.
That was why Iwagakure shinobi often left their right arm exposed—to facilitate this technique.
"No need. Just use it normally," Steel Release Kiyohara replied.
He then began explaining the principles of the technique in detail.
Kiyohara listened intently.
"Kakashi, you should sleep first. I'll take the first half of the night watch," Kiyohara suddenly said.
"Sounds good," Kakashi replied.
With travel scheduled early the next morning, splitting the night watch ensured both of them could rest without affecting the next day's journey.
In fact, this was how they usually operated.
Such was the daily routine of a shinobi.
When the time came, Kiyohara ended his exchange with Steel Release Kiyohara and woke Kakashi.
After laying out his sleeping bag, Kiyohara finally rested.
A night passed.
The next day, the four-person team continued their journey.
As they traveled, Kiyohara repeatedly reviewed the hand seals and chakra flow required for Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique, refining his understanding of Earth nature transformation.
After several days of travel, the group finally arrived one morning at a Konoha outpost located in the rear.
This outpost was larger than their previous camp, with more complete facilities—essentially a small military fortress.
More Konoha shinobi were stationed and resting here, and the air was thick with tension.
As Tsunade led them toward the laboratory area, one figure caught Kiyohara's attention.
The man was speaking with Tsunade, occasionally glancing at Kiyohara with an unsettling gaze—like a researcher studying a rare specimen.
Hiruko!
Kiyohara's heart tightened as he immediately recognized him.
He hasn't defected yet?
According to the movie canon, Hiruko was a contemporary of the Sannin.
However, his talent paled in comparison, and like Orochimaru, he eventually strayed onto a twisted path.
Kiyohara remembered that in the original story, Hiruko later defected and developed the Chimera Technique, which allowed him to steal others' kekkei genkai—and he even placed a cursed seal on Kakashi.
"Is he interested in me? Has news of my Magnet Release spread already?"
Kiyohara remained vigilant, reminding himself to be wary of this man.
"Lady Tsunade, regarding research on cellular activity and chakra nature affinity, if we could get Orochimaru's assistance, progress would surely be faster," Hiruko said, pushing his glasses up, a hint of fanaticism in his tone.
"He's the boldest researcher I've ever seen. Perhaps Orochimaru will one day become the smartest man alive?"
"The smartest… man?"
Kiyohara couldn't help thinking silently:
How can you just assume Orochimaru's gender?
Tsunade clearly had little interest in the topic.
She had only come here because Konoha was desperate for manpower, and she couldn't bear to watch the village her grandfather left behind fall into ruin. That was why she agreed to serve as a rear-line medical shinobi.
She frowned and interrupted, "I need to immediately analyze antidote samples. Where's the lab?"
"This way," Hiruko said, leading the way. However, the probing gaze lingering on Kiyohara never fully disappeared.
Before entering the laboratory, Tsunade turned back to Kiyohara's group and Hiruko. "You all wait outside. Without my permission, no one is to enter—especially you, Hiruko. Don't interfere with my work."
"Understood," Hiruko said, shrugging.
Kiyohara and the others withdrew as instructed.
As they left, Kiyohara could still feel Hiruko's gaze fixed on his back.
At the temporary tent assigned to them inside the outpost, Kiyohara set aside thoughts of Hiruko for the time being. After resting briefly, he found a secluded spot and began practicing Earth Release ninjutsu.
Following Steel Release Kiyohara's guidance, he attempted to channel chakra into Earth nature transformation and coat it over his arm.
The process went fairly smoothly.
Kiyohara had inherited Earth nature talent from Magnet Release Kiyohara, so learning it now wasn't particularly slow.
…
At noon, Kiyohara bit his index finger and formed hand seals. "Summoning Technique!"
Bang!
After a puff of white smoke, the massive green invisibility chameleon appeared in the open space.
After several days of rest, her wounds had mostly healed.
"As expected, summoned beasts are incredibly tough," Kiyohara shook his head.
The moment the invisibility chameleon appeared, her instinct was to activate camouflage and flee.
But Kiyohara was prepared.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
Countless fine grains of iron sand rained down like a storm, striking the ground around the chameleon and forming a dense encirclement.
Though it didn't strike her directly, it severely restricted her movement, and the interference from the iron sand greatly weakened her invisibility.
"ROOAAR!"
The invisibility chameleon let out an angry growl, her crimson eyes locked onto Kiyohara.
"Still not convinced, huh," Kiyohara said calmly, black iron sand once again rising around him.
"Then we'll continue—until you understand who your master is."
He didn't aim to kill her. Instead, he controlled the iron sand like whips, lashing against her tough scales with dull, heavy impacts.
Only by wearing down a wild summoned beast's ferocity could one establish a relationship of obedience.
When the invisibility chameleon no longer dared to hiss at him, Kiyohara looked at her expressionlessly, idly playing with a condensed iron sand pellet in his hand.
Taming a summoned beast was nothing more than carrot and stick.
The stick was already in place. As for the carrot—perhaps he could later find food she liked.
He recalled various accounts of summoned beasts.
Some nearby small nations were said to harbor even larger chameleon clans, including colossal ones like the Giant Snake-Tailed Chameleon contracted by the Six Paths of Pain, or the Shiromari encountered by Naruto and Kiba.
Although Shiromari were lizards, their appearance and abilities were quite similar to chameleons—and they were terrifying beings capable of transforming into enormous castles.
"If there really is a larger chameleon clan nearby… if I could contract a stronger individual, or guide this promising one to evolve—"
A thought took root in Kiyohara's mind.
The growth of summoned beasts often fed back into the shinobi themselves.
Of course, the best outcome would be locating her clan and contracting a truly powerful individual.
After a round of "physical persuasion" and chakra suppression, the invisibility chameleon's wild nature was temporarily subdued, leaving her listless.
Kiyohara stopped while he was ahead and dispelled the summoning, sending her back.
The path forward was clear—and a new bloodline limit now awaited him.
(End of Chapter)