"Thank you, Rin."
Under Rin Nohara's guidance, the vague concepts of medical chakra flow finally clicked. Kiyohara had successfully mastered the basics of the Antidote Technique.
"I didn't expect you to be interested in these things, Kiyohara-kun," Rin said with a sigh of relief.
Being the only medic on a team was a heavy burden. Having someone else who understood the basics made her feel less alone.
"Did you sign up for the Medical Corps program at the Konoha Hospital?" she asked curiously.
"I haven't," Kiyohara shook his head. "I learned the theory from Lady Tsunade."
"Lady Tsunade?!"
Rin gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. To any aspiring Medical-nin, Tsunade was a god. She was the woman who revolutionized the field, the legendary Sannin who stood at the apex of healing.
Seeing the sparkle in Rin's eyes, Kiyohara knew she was suffering from "Idol Worship Syndrome." She clearly didn't know about Tsunade's gambling addiction, her debts, or her terrifying temper.
'Let's preserve the dream,' Kiyohara decided. 'Telling her the truth would be like telling a child Santa Claus is actually a drunk in a casino.'
"Right, Rin. Which Tenketsu (Chakra Points) do you focus on for the extraction?" Kiyohara asked, steering the conversation back to technique.
Controlling the release point of chakra was high-level stuff.
Most Jonin could only emit chakra from their hands, feet, or mouth. That's why fireball jutsu didn't shoot out of people's elbows.
The Hyūga Clan were the only ones who could emit chakra from every single pore in their body. This unique ability allowed them to use the Gentle Fist (Jūken) and the absolute defense of Rotation (Kaiten). Without the Byakugan to see the points, trying to replicate that style was impossible.
For normal medics, precision was key.
"Umm, there are these ones here..."
Rin reached out, hovering her hand over Kiyohara's palm to point out the specific meridian lines.
Kiyohara frowned in concentration. "Show me."
He grabbed Rin's hand, turning it palm up. He used his index finger to trace the line she was describing, pressing lightly on the specific pressure points.
Rin flinched slightly.
'Kakashi is right there!'
Panic flared in her chest, but then she looked at Kiyohara's face. He was completely focused on her palm, his expression serious and clinical. There was no lust, only study.
'Right. In a doctor's eyes, patients are genderless,' Rin scolded herself. 'This is just academic discussion.'
She suppressed the strange feeling of his warm fingers on her skin and continued explaining.
"Hey! What are you two doing?!"
Obito, who had been watching from a distance like a hawk, finally snapped. He stomped over, his face flushed.
"We're discussing Medical Ninjutsu theory," Rin said, not pulling her hand away. "You wouldn't understand, Obito."
"I... What is there that I don't understand?!" Obito sputtered, insulted.
'What does Kiyohara have that I don't? Is the gap really that huge? Just wait until I get my Sharingan! I'll copy every medical book in the library!'
"Huh?"
Obito's eyes zeroed in on their hands.
Kiyohara was still holding Rin's hand. He was actually touching her.
"Rin! Why is your hand in his?!" Obito shrieked.
"Obito, don't misunderstand," Kiyohara said calmly, looking up without letting go. "We are studying the meridian system. It's strictly professional."
"I don't believe it!" Obito pointed an accusing finger. "Since when does Medical Ninjutsu require holding hands?!"
"Idiot," Kakashi sighed from the sidelines. "He is palpating the chakra points to understand the flow. It's basic anatomy."
Kakashi shook his head. He genuinely wondered how the prestigious Uchiha Clan produced... this.
"That's right, Obito. What are you thinking?" Kurenai added, looking confused. "Kiyohara has such an honest face. You're being weird."
"Minato-sensei! Back me up here!" Obito turned to his teacher with pleading eyes.
"They are correct, Obito," Minato nodded sympathetically. "Anatomy study requires tactile feedback."
Obito froze.
'Am I... am I the weird one?'
"Alright, break time is over," Minato announced, standing up. "We need to keep moving."
"Yes, sir!"
The group packed up.
Only Obito moved sluggishly, his soul crushed.
'I've never even held Rin's hand,' Obito thought miserably. 'But Kiyohara just grabbed it like it was a textbook. It's not fair. It's like watching someone else take a joyride on the bike you've been polishing for years but were too afraid to ride.'
"We will travel together for a little longer until we reach the split point," Minato briefed them as they walked. "Then I will head to the front lines. Kiyohara and Kakashi will take command of their respective squads."
"Understood."
They moved into the dense forest of the Land of Grass.
The towering mushrooms blocked much of the sunlight, creating a perpetual twilight.
Thirty minutes later.
Kakashi suddenly raised a fist.
Halt.
He signaled silently to the group behind him. Enemy ahead.
Kiyohara watched this unfold. He recognized the scene from the original history. They had encountered Mahiru, the Iwagakure scout.
Mahiru was a deadly swordsman, known for his speed and his mastery of the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Ah... Mahiru," the voice of the Missing-nin echoed in Kiyohara's mind.
"You know him?" Kiyohara projected his thought.
"I fought him," the spirit replied. "In my timeline, he didn't die here. He survived the war and became a problem later. Eventually, I killed him, but it's a pity I couldn't loot his sword techniques."
"I see."
Kiyohara wasn't interested in swordplay. Even with a cheat guide, mastering Kenjutsu took years of muscle memory. Ninjutsu was faster.
Ahead in the trees.
Mahiru crouched on a high branch, his eyes narrowed.
He had sensed them. Or rather, two of them had sensed him.
'Two of the brats adjusted their breathing instantly,' Mahiru noted. 'They are preparing for battle.'
He glanced at the squad.
A handsome black-haired youth (Kiyohara).
A white-haired boy with a short sword (Kakashi).
'Just kids. I can take them.'
Then, Mahiru's gaze drifted to the back of the formation.
He saw the blonde hair. The white haori.
Mahiru froze. Cold sweat erupted on his forehead instantly.
'That person is... impossible...'
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