The next day, Kiyosuke once again visited Hiruzen Sarutobi and received another jutsu from the Second Hokage: Water Release: Water Blade.
...
By the waterfall near the Konoha training ground
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Fla Bullet!"
Standing atop the river’s surface, Asuma released a blazing column of fire that roared forward like a dragon, splitting into three streams that surged toward Kiyosuke.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Though he couldn’t form the Water Dragon with just four hand seals like the elite, Kiyosuke extended the sequence to fifteen seals. It drastically reduced his speed—he couldn’t even imagine how long it would take to perform all forty-four.
Still, a mighty water dragon rose from the river, lifelike and fierce, roaring silently as it surged toward Asuma’s new technique.
The two jutsu collided. Water smothered fire, and the opposing forces canceled each other out in a hiss of steam.
A white mist drifted over the water’s surface.
Kiyosuke suddenly vanished, reappearing a mont later as he rose from beneath the river.
He wiped the water from his face and muttered, "Looks like this technique is even harder to learn than I thought."
The Water Release: Surfing Strike required not only a deep understanding of Water Release but also lightning-fast reflexes. It was all about swift movent underwater—rushing toward the enemy to launch a surprise attack. It could be used offensively or defensively, depending on the situation.
Looking closely, several shadow clones were still practicing the technique underwater, darting swiftly through the currents.
"Looks like you still haven’t quite gotten the hang of it. Want to ask Orochimaru-sama for so tips?"
"Yeah, maybe I’ll go see him this afternoon. I’m starving. Let’s grab so food first."
"Sure. Want to get so barbecue?"
"Nah, too greasy. Let’s just get so ran."
"Again? Didn’t we just have that last night?"
"Better than barbecue. I’m not in the mood for sushi or sashimi either. Co on, let’s head to Ichiraku."
"Fine, fine. Let’s go."
...
Ichiraku Ran
The two chatted and teased each other on the way there.
As they lifted the curtain at the entrance of Ichiraku Ran, Kiyosuke called out,
"Hey, Teuchi-san, one miso ran, please!"
"I’ll have the soy-sauce pork bone noodles," Asuma added.
"Got it. Please wait a mont," said the chef calmly.
Teuchi squinted as usual, his Rinnegan-Sharingan hybrid eyes cleverly concealed. He kept his focus on the job.
"Well, if it isn’t Kiyosuke and Asuma. You guys are back too, huh?"
That familiar voice made them both turn.
It was soone with spiky hair—none other than Obito, whom they hadn’t seen in a long ti.
"If it isn’t Obito the underachiever! When did you get back?"
"Who are you calling an underachiever?" Obito rolled up his sleeves. "Asuma, you looking for a fight? I’ll have you know, I’m not the sa Obito I used to be!"
"Alright, alright, Obito, settle down," Rin sighed, tugging at his arm. She smiled warmly at the other two. "Long ti no see, Asuma, Kiyosuke."
"Hey, Rin."
"It’s been a while, Rin."
As Kiyosuke and Asuma exchanged greetings with her, Kakashi walked in. He gave them a cold nod, keeping up his aloof vibe.
"You guys are back too, huh?" said Minato as he entered behind Kakashi. Clinging to his arm was a beautiful red-haired woman, practically glued to him.
"Minato-sensei! Kushina-san!"
"Hello, Minato-sensei! And this is...?"
"Hi. This is Uzumaki Kushina," Minato introduced. "Kushina, this is Asakawa Kiyosuke. The one I ntioned to you before."
So this was the current Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina!
"Oh, so this is that Kiyosuke you talked about? What a cute little guy!" she clapped her hands and imdiately rubbed his face like an overly familiar auntie.
"..." Kiyosuke stood frozen.
Minato gave a helpless smile and pulled her back.
"Sorry about that. Kushina’s a bit... outgoing."
"A bit"? That’s putting it lightly...
Still, Kiyosuke just chuckled. "It’s fine. Are you all back on leave?"
"Sothing like that," Minato replied. "I also brought Obito and Rin back to participate in the Chūnin Exams."
"Huh? I thought everyone already got promoted to Chūnin?" Kiyosuke asked, puzzled. Asuma and Kurenai were already Chūnin—why not Obito and Rin?
Minato explained, "Well, only those of you who made it to the second round of the third stage in the last exams—and a few other experienced genin who perford well on missions—were promoted. Obito and Rin only officially carry the Chūnin title. In truth, their actual rank within the village is still Genin."
Turns out, that whole "everyone’s a Chūnin now" thing was just for show. The war broke out too fast—there was no ti to revise all the records. So they slapped Chūnin titles on a bunch of Genin and tossed them straight into battle. In reality, only a small number of them had truly earned the promotion.
Bringing Obito and Rin back this ti served two purposes: one was to let them actually take the Chūnin Exams, and the other was for Kakashi to try for the Jōnin Exams.
Yes—Kakashi was already strong enough and qualified in all aspects to beco a Jōnin.
Hearing this made Kiyosuke’s heart sink.
If he rembered right, not long after Kakashi made Jōnin... sothing bad happened to Obito.
Definitely not a good on.
Minato noticed the change in his expression. "What’s wrong, Kiyosuke?"
"It’s nothing. Just rembered sothing unpleasant."
Looks like he’d better start working on getting himself assigned to the Earth Country front.
The Lightning Country front had already stabilized, thanks to Jiraiya. But now the Earth Country was stirring up trouble.
They’d launched a surprise attack inside the Fire Country. Konoha was forced to send reinforcents. That’s probably why Minato had been recalled—to prepare for redeploynt.
During the war between the Lightning and Earth countries, the Third Raikage had made a legendary stand—holding off ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi alone to ensure his comrades could retreat. He fought for three full days and nights before finally dying of exhaustion.
The tale shook the entire ninja world.
Kiyosuke and the others had only learned about it on the road. Iwagakure had paid a heavy price in that battle, but the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, still dared to split his forces and try a sneak attack on Konoha. That old bastard really had guts.
After the Third Raikage’s death, the pressure on Jiraiya eased up significantly. Only then was Minato granted leave. But with Iwagakure’s sudden offensive, Minato would likely be deployed again soon.
Kiyosuke composed himself and smiled.
"Don’t worry about . Anyway—Obito, you idiot, are you sure you can pass the Chūnin Exams?"
"Don’t underestimate ! I’ve grown a lot!"
Obito puffed out his chest, full of confidence.
"You don’t look like you’ve grown much! Still short as ever," Kushina teased with a laugh.
"Shut up! Who asked you? I grew five centiters since last year!"
"No way! You totally didn’t!"
"I did!"
Obito and Kushina bickered away, while laughter filled the warm, cozy space of the ran shop.
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