"This is something you can only know once you go there."
Namikaze Minato smiled, neither expressing his own opinion nor denying Yukitsuki's remark.
Sizzle sizzle.
The meat hissed on the iron plate, filling the air with the aroma of grilled meat.
Kiyoshi picked up a slice of cooked meat, dipped it in some chili, and ate it—it could easily be a signature dish; this restaurant's taste was indeed excellent.
Hiss…
Hearing the white snake's urgent hissing, Kiyoshi fed it two slices of uncooked meat.
Watching Kiyoshi feed the snake, Yuhi Kurenai noticed he was surprisingly kindhearted.
As time passed, the atmosphere at the table gradually became lively.
"I'm full. I'll go rest for a bit."
Kakashi put down his chopsticks and went to a breezy corner to be alone.
He preferred solitude.
"Kakashi…"
Rin Nohara looked toward him.
"Have you made any progress recently with the Lightning Release we've been discussing?"
"No real progress."
Rin paused mid-bite, her eyes dim, softly saying,
"I can't refine the chakra nature of 'Lightning'—I'm a bit behind Kakashi."
No matter how much theory one knew, without experimentation, it remained only on paper.
Creating a new jutsu required countless trials.
"What are you two talking about?"
Curious, Yuhi Kurenai turned her red eyes toward them.
Ever since seeing Rin at Kiyoshi's house, Kurenai had been intrigued, wanting to know the reason.
"Kakashi wants to create a new jutsu, and Rin wants to help him."
Kiyoshi explained—there was nothing to hide.
Many jutsus were still developing or being refined; nearly every ninja had dreamed of creating their own.
Whether one could actually succeed was another matter.
"Young people having ideas is a good thing."
Minato sipped water; too much grilled meat made him a bit full.
"But developing a jutsu isn't that simple—take it slowly."
He had experience; it had taken him three years to develop the Rasengan, and he fully supported Kakashi's efforts.
"I'll go see Kakashi."
Kiyoshi stood.
Developing a jutsu was normal, but who could know Kakashi was secretly working on an S-rank jutsu, Raikiri?
Currently, it was called Chidori.
"Kakashi, how's the new jutsu development going?"
"Got a bit of a lead."
Kakashi turned to Kiyoshi.
Creating a jutsu was extremely difficult; he only had a small breakthrough.
The plan: use Lightning Release to activate the body's chakra pathways, surpassing normal limits, concentrating lightning chakra instantly to generate a devastating cutting strike.
Yet, whether to use one of the twelve basic hand seals or invent a unique seal remained a question.
Also unresolved: how to efficiently refine Lightning chakra and maintain it longer in the body.
Developing a jutsu was never quick; it demanded immense time and effort.
"Kiyoshi, you understand Lightning Release, right? Rin said you taught her a lot."
Kakashi asked.
"I know a bit."
"Let's practice."
"This place isn't suitable—try somewhere else?"
Kiyoshi suggested.
Having spent some time training Kakashi, he should have grown strong—maybe it was time to push further.
"Alright."
Kakashi didn't hesitate, agreeing immediately.
Among his peers, only Kiyoshi could keep up with him.
Others progressed too slowly, or their specialties didn't align with Kakashi's.
Kiyoshi was similar—both practiced swordsmanship and had calm, steady combat styles.
On the rooftop of Yakiniku Q, the two quickly jumped out the window, using chakra to adhere to the walls and ascend.
"Are Kiyoshi and Kakashi sparring?"
Rin, noticing Kiyoshi heading to Kakashi, kept an eye on the situation.
Hearing them mention practicing, she grew curious.
"Rin, just eat—don't care if they spar, it's boring."
Obito busily grabbed grilled meat, urging Rin to eat.
Now that the troublesome two were gone, he wanted to make the most of his time with Rin.
"Let's go see."
Minato said, curious about Kiyoshi.
It wasn't unusual for an Uchiha to be strong, but an Uchiha with a pure 'Will of Fire'? That was rare.
The Uchiha had the spirit of Will of Fire, but arrogance and stubbornness had twisted it into the 'Uchiha-style Will of Fire.'
Minato wanted to select the next Hokage and, following Sarutobi's advice, needed to build a personal team first.
Originally, Minato intended only to nurture Obito—too many Uchiha might upset other influential ninja clans.
But Kiyoshi was different; he had Sarutobi's attention.
Thus, Minato wanted to see what kind of person Kiyoshi was.
"What's so interesting about this?"
Yukitsuki frowned.
As the Chunin exam's supervising Jonin, he had witnessed Kiyoshi's performance firsthand.
He felt uneasy—why could an Uchiha open his eyes and become so strong casually, while the rest of them, the commoners, had to work twice as hard?
The world of the Sage of Six Paths was unjust.
Just as the Second Hokage said, the Uchiha were a proud, arrogant, and evil clan.
"I'll go then."
Minato smiled politely and followed.
"I…I'll go too, Teacher Yukitsuki."
Yuhi Kurenai set down her plate, taking small steps to follow.
Rin quickly said she wanted to go as well; the two girls followed Minato.
At the table, only Yukitsuki, Asuma Sarutobi, and Obito remained.
They exchanged glances.
"Ahem, I'll go too."
Asuma couldn't sit still; he didn't want to leave Kurenai alone with Kiyoshi.
"Wait for me."
Obito coughed, sneering at Asuma's devoted behavior, ignoring his earlier remark about it being meaningless.
"Let's go."
Asuma spoke.
Unlike Obito, he had a legitimate childhood bond with Kurenai—just slightly disrupted by Kiyoshi's presence.
Soon, the large table had only Yukitsuki left.
"Why is everyone so focused on this Uchiha?"
Yukitsuki burned with jealousy but could do nothing.
...
On the rooftop, the evening wind whipped Kiyoshi's Uchiha cloak.
He preferred light gear, only wearing chainmail underneath.
(End of Chapter)