"Too bad it wasn't a defensive jutsu…"
Kiyohara sighed as he reviewed his newly acquired Earth Release jutsu scroll.
He had hoped for something like Earth Release: Earth Spear, the jutsu that hardened one's skin to resist even explosive tags—a defensive technique famously used by Kakuzu.
But—
"It doesn't matter," said Magnet Kiyohara.
"Back when you first used [Magnet Release: Magnetic Field Shift], you were like I was in my early years—clumsily dragging around a power your body couldn't bear."
"Once you truly master it, you'll realize—it's not you moving. It's the magnetic field around you that pushes you forward. You'll be faster than lightning."
It was a radical idea:
Why defend when you can dodge everything?
Previously, Kiyohara hadn't awakened the Magnet Release bloodline, so his future self had merely simulated the sensation.
But now that he possessed the true kekkei genkai, he'd gradually refine his control, absorbing magnetic energy from the earth itself—like riding a natural maglev system.
His speed would soon surpass even most teleportation-type ninja.
"I see…"
Kiyohara nodded, intrigued by the layered implications.
He couldn't help wondering just how far Magnet Kiyohara had refined this jutsu in his prime.
The more perfected it was, the less strain it would place on the body.
Conversely, a stronger body meant a higher threshold for power.
Finishing the second will should unlock full mastery of the bloodline.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Maybe this seemingly obscure technique was a sleeping dragon after all.
If he could offset the speed lag and turn it into an advantage… it would be an enormous boon.
"In this world, speed is everything."
After all, Minato Namikaze was feared across the ninja world for one reason: the sheer velocity of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
If Kiyohara ever gained a bloodline like Swift Release too…
He dared not imagine how fast he'd become.
He stored the scroll, then headed to the medical tent to purchase a few high-grade military ration pills—smaller side effects, better chakra recovery.
Naturally, this cost him a chunk of ryo—20,000 to be exact.
But as always, quality had its price.
He still had gear to sell off—armors and loot from recent encounters—but would deal with that later.
'Once Yakura finds out her disciple Makki was captured, she'll retaliate. Most likely she'll exploit the chaos of the upcoming Mist invasion—either to strike back or rescue the girl.'
His top priority now was simple:
survive the invasion.
Only then could he bait Yakura properly.
He tossed the ration pills into his pack and moved on.
On his way back to his unit's camp, Kiyohara spotted a familiar figure rushing toward the medical tents: Rin Nohara.
"Rin," he called out.
She stopped, looking worn but still soft-spoken, and smiled.
"Is it a mission report, or… is your injury acting up again?"
She glanced toward his previously pierced hand.
Kiyohara shook his head and pulled something from his pouch—
a small bracelet, braided with light purple threads and centered with a brown wooden bead carved from natural grain.
He handed it to her.
"Happy birthday, Rin."
Rin blinked.
Eyes wide, disbelieving.
She looked at the bracelet, then back at him.
Today was her birthday.
She'd nearly forgotten, what with all the chaos, and even Kakashi hadn't said a word…
But Kiyohara remembered.
"Kiyohara… thank you."
Her voice trembled slightly as she gently traced the wooden bead with her finger.
"I didn't think anyone besides my family would remember. Not even Kakashi…"
Kiyohara smiled lightly.
"The island's been busy. Kakashi… probably just got caught up in missions."
"Yeah… probably."
She nodded slowly.
She'd been so busy she forgot herself.
"How'd you even know?"
"I saw it back in the academy, when they had us register our information."
Kiyohara replied casually.
In truth, he knew from a databook in his past life—Rin's birthday was November 5th.
Rin nodded again, recalling that moment from school records.
She slipped the bracelet on carefully—the soft lilac thread made her wrist look even more delicate.
"Thank you, really. I'll treasure it."
"By the way, how's your training in medical ninjutsu going? Need help?"
She wanted to return the kindness somehow.
"If possible, I'd like to learn an internal organ healing technique."
Meanwhile, in the Mountains' Graveyard…
"Obito, look closely," came the rasping voice of Uchiha Madara, echoing through the cave.
"This is the world you cling to. These are the companions you're willing to die for."
Obito's lone Sharingan eye locked onto the visual feed projected by White Zetsu—
a magically preserved image taken from Konoha's war camp.
It showed Kiyohara giving Rin the bracelet.
Her smile—pure, warm, happy—was aimed at another man.
Though he couldn't hear the words, the picture alone drove a blade through Obito's heart.
"No… that can't be…"
He choked, voice hoarse with disbelief and pain.
She'd smiled like that—
but not for him.
She had a new light in her eyes.
A smile he'd never seen.
No! Rin said she'd always be watching him! Always waiting!
How could she smile like that for someone else?!
Even if he had died—shouldn't she at least mourn for ten years before moving on?!
But instead…
He was barely cold in the grave, and someone else had already stepped in?
Obito shuddered.
A strange cold settled over him.
"Everyone gets replaced, Obito,"
Madara whispered with poisonous calm.
"This thing you call 'bonds'—
in the face of time and reality, they're worthless."
With each word, he drove the darkness deeper.
Soon, with just the right trauma…
The Mangekyō would awaken.
Only then could the real stage begin.