"Are people from the Land of Lightning always this naturally gifted?"
Kurenai Yuhi declined Asuma Sarutobi's candy; she was afraid eating too much would make her gain weight.
Asuma was practically her childhood friend—they'd known each other since before either of them entered the Academy.
"Someone in my family fought Cloud shinobi once. According to them, yeah, they're like that," Asuma said, recalling the image of dark-skinned, heavily built men—muscular giants straight out of war tales.
They looked nothing like the thin, frail-looking Uchiha Kiyoshi.
"But Kiyoshi's skin isn't dark at all," Asuma muttered.
The old man had told him that although most of Kumogakure's shinobi were dark-skinned, a small number had pale complexions.But their universal trait was being built like brick walls.
How they trained like that… who knew?
"No idea," Kurenai said with a shake of her head.
She wasn't particularly interested in how strong Kiyoshi might be physically.What she really wanted to know was—what was his talent in genjutsu?
Her father had always said the Uchiha were unparalleled in illusions.Anyone who awakened the Sharingan would naturally become a genjutsu master.
Kurenai didn't accept that.
Her father had spent a lifetime perfecting genjutsu—how could someone surpass him just by opening their eyes?
Among all first-years, only Uchiha Kiyoshi had awakened a Sharingan.
Rumor said even Lady Tsunade had personally come to inspect him.
Kiyoshi felt a stare and looked over.Kurenai Yuhi was quietly observing him.
Why is she staring at me? he wondered.
He thought for a moment, then dismissed the concern, occasionally humoring the chatter around him while focusing on the translucent panel before him.
[Entry: Long-Distance Runner (White)]
Requirement: Run 5 kilometersProgress: (Completed)Effect: Your lower-body strength increases, improving endurance for long-distance travel. Footwork power +5%.Note: Can be further upgraded.
"A single class, and I gained another entry," Kiyoshi thought, closing the panel.
Heat surged through his legs, warming every cell. His muscles felt denser, stronger.Kicks and lower-body taijutsu would definitely feel the boost.
"I wonder if climbing, throwing weapons, or other drills will trigger more entries," he pondered.
"Kiyoshi! Are you contemplating the meaning of youth?"
Might Guy asked seriously, as if seeing a fellow warrior of passion.
"…"Kiyoshi didn't respond.
Ten minutes later, after the class had rested enough, Umino Rukei announced the results.
"Might Guy: first place. Kakashi: second…"
He continued reading the list, and Kiyoshi placed sixth.
Kiyoshi's expression didn't change.
He had only begun physical conditioning recently.Jumping straight to sixth place already said plenty about his natural potential.
The others trained like this every semester.He was surpassing them after mere days.
No wonder Yakushi Nonō had said he was suited to taijutsu.
"All right, everyone. Be ready for next week's sparring class. Here's the matchup list."
Because of Kiyoshi's recent transfer, the class now had an odd number of students.Rukei glanced over and noticed Obito walking over to talk to Rin.
"Obito—temporarily, you'll spar with Kiyoshi next week," the teacher announced. "The list rotates weekly."
Obito froze.
Wasn't this the perfect chance to show off?
If he beat Kiyoshi handsomely in front of Rin, she'd understand he only "got lucky" last time.
"I understand, Umino-sensei!" Obito shouted enthusiastically.
Rukei nodded. Obito wasn't talented, but his attitude was good.And with Obito's poor taijutsu ranking, pairing him with Kiyoshi would help the new student adjust.
"All right—class dismissed."
And with that, the day's lessons ended.
After school, Kiyoshi once again sought out Nohara Rin to teach him more chakra control.
This time, Kakashi and Obito were both present.
Kiyoshi trained just as earnestly as before.Today's exercise was still tree-walking—but on a much taller tree, requiring longer and steadier chakra control.
By sunset, Kiyoshi was the first to leave.
"Kiyoshi, leaving early today?" Rin asked.
"I've been in Konoha a month now. I want to try some local food."
"Ahh, I see." Rin nodded.
Some snack stalls were genuinely good.She knew one little girl— Mitarashi Anko—who loved visiting a shop for sweet red-bean soup with dango.
…
After leaving, Kiyoshi did not head home immediately.He wandered the village streets for a while, before casually stepping into a simple "Sushi Shop."
He had barely entered when a server approached him.
"You're here to try our newly developed dish—squid sushi, right?"
She had short golden hair, and her apron barely covered the generous curves beneath her gray shirt.
Samui.
Kiyoshi recognized her instantly.
One of the very few women in the original Naruto storyline who could rival Tsunade in sheer… magnitude.
He withdrew his gaze after a moment, frowning slightly.
Samui already looked like she was in her mid-teens.This didn't match the original timeline at all.
Had his transmigration already caused a butterfly effect?
"Yes, I'm here for the squid sushi," Kiyoshi said calmly, playing along.
Samui was from Kumogakure—if she was here, cloud leadership must have sent her.And approaching him directly meant she recognized his face.
"You're the first customer to try the new dish. Please follow me."
Samui led Kiyoshi deeper into the shop.
"This dish must use the freshest squid, and the customer must personally choose it," she explained.
Soon, they reached a room filled with glass tanks.Fish swam lazily, bubbles rising through water filters.
Samui didn't stop.She pressed her hand against the wall.
Black sealing formulas flickered.A section of wall slid open.
A dark passage revealed itself.
At the far end, a man with dreadlocks turned around.
"Yotsuki Kiyoshi. A pleasure to meet you. I am Samoto."
"That surname is long gone. I am Uchiha."Kiyoshi replied evenly.
Samoto's hairstyle wasn't unusual in Konoha—during Iruka's outdoor class in the first series, when Hiruzen explained the Will of Fire, one student had the same hairstyle.
It wasn't uncommon at all.