Seeing this, Obito immediately took off his sports jacket in a flurry and jumped into the water with a splash.
"Idiot, you're supposed to stand on the water's surface, not dive in." Kakashi retorted sharply.
Obito said, "Hey, you're the idiot, Kakashi. It's too hot, can't I cool down first?"
Obito popped his head out of the water, his orange sunglasses now speckled with water.
"Is that so?" Kakashi said, his tone unchanged.
"Don't underestimate me."
Watching the argument between Kakashi and Obito, Rin giggled.
"Alright, alright, everyone stop arguing."
Whenever this happened, Rin would step in to smooth things over.
Kiyoshi had no interest in joining their antics and focused on his training.
He had no interest in getting close to Obito or changing his mindset.
After all, even Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, and Rin couldn't change him for the better so how could he?
In the original story, the only ones who could truly enter Obito's heart were Kakashi and Rin.
Witnessing the person he loved being killed by his best friend, Obito felt extreme hatred for everyone in that instant.
He hated Minato for not being there even though he was the fastest ninja in the world.
He hated Kakashi for failing to protect Rin even though he was a genius.
He hated Kirigakure for abducting Rin.
This was the fundamental reason why Obito was determined to execute the Eye of the Moon Plan.
It was an extreme manifestation of his feelings.
Minato and Kushina were exceptionally good to him, but he still killed without hesitation.
'Rin, on the other hand, is worth getting to know better.' Kiyoshi thought.
Rin's talent is quite good.
Moreover, if she is given enough time, she might become Kiyoshi's trump card to restrain Obito.
After all, Kamui has the best track record among all Mangekyō pupil techniques.
It's much better than Amaterasu, which can't kill anyone.
Contacting Obito is even riskier than contacting Kumogakure.
Kumogakure at least has a history of infiltration, such as abducting Kushina and being discovered at the border.
Kiyoshi had considered this point when making contact.
As for Obito, who knows if Madara has sent White Zetsu, with it's maxed-out infiltration abilities, to Konoha to monitor Obito?
There's a high probability of Obito turning to the dark side.
It's always good to have an extra layer of insurance.
Gradually, the golden gauze fell, replaced by a starry night sky.
It was already evening.
The light from the distant street lamps shone over, illuminating the water's surface with shimmering ripples.
Training Ground No. 3 was located near the center of the village.
Obito's grandmother picked him up, and Rin was also picked up by her parents.
They had all informed their families of their whereabouts beforehand.
A man wearing a green ninja vest, with the same white hair as Kakashi, walked over.
"Kakashi, it's time to go back."
"Yes, Father."
Kakashi nodded and followed the man.
At this time, only Kiyoshi was left, still training by the river.
Sakumo patted Kakashi's head and walked home with him.
After walking for a while, he looked back at Kiyoshi.
"Is he Uchiha Kiyoshi, who came from the Land of Lightning?" Sakumo asked.
The Uchiha clan had recently brought back a new member from outside, which had caused quite a stir.
This was the first case of one of Konoha's ninja clan's bloodline being leaked.
The Hyuga clan, which has one of the three great dōjutsu like the Uchiha clan, has never leaked their bloodline to the outside world.
The weaker Yamanaka clan, Inuzuka clan, Akimichi clan, Nara clan, and so on, have also never experienced such a situation either.
This made Kiyoshi the center of attention.
Most people were wondering if a person from the Land of Lightning who had never received Konoha education in his childhood could successfully inherit the Will of Fire.
"He is Uchiha Kiyoshi." Kakashi said, turning his head.
They were now far away from Kiyoshi and could only see a figure training there.
"He seems to be a determined child."
Sakumo saw deeper with his keen insight.
Kiyoshi could now only barely keep his feet on the surface, but they were still half-submerged, with the water covering his steps.
But how long has it been since Kiyoshi has enrolled to Ninja school?
"It seems that Kiyoshi will be a respectable opponent for you in the future, perhaps even stronger than Might Duy's son." Sakumo said seriously.
In addition to the Uchiha's Sharingan, Kiyoshi also reportedly possesses the talent of the Yotsuki clan.
There are only two outcomes for mixed-blood marriages between ninja clans.
First, the offsprings become stronger than ordinary purebloods, inheriting the talents of both bloodlines.
Second, the bloodlines interfere with each other, causing the offspring to fail to inherit either bloodline and becoming an ordinary person.
Among the two, the probability of the second outcome is particularly high.
Therefore, people from different clans rarely marry each other.
Kiyoshi should be… the former.
Such rapid learning speed and physical endurance are not something an ordinary Uchiha clansman achieve.
Sakumo glanced at Kakashi's forehead, which was covered in sweat.
Clearly, even his own son, who was known as a genius, could not withstand such long hours of training.
"I agree." Kakashi said.
Kakashi didn't feel much about his father saying that Guy would be a respectable opponent.
Looking at Kiyoshi's solid footing and rapid progress, he somewhat agreed to his father's statement.
If Kiyoshi wasn't a transfer student and had trained early on like the other students, how strong would he be by now?
Kakashi didn't know the answer to this question.
But he guessed that Kiyoshi might also have been praised as a genius like him.
The father and son walked further and further away.
After they had completely left, Kiyoshi looked in the direction they had left.
"Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo…"
Before long, he will commit suicide at home because he failed a mission and couldn't bear the pressure of the villagers' constant condemnation.
'Time is running out.' Kiyoshi thought to himself.
The number of missions Sakumo had done before his death was recorded in the official databook.
27 S-rank missions, and 123 A-rank missions.
This meant that Sakumo was a veteran ninja who had seen countless partings and deaths.
And ninjas are naturally inseparable from the dark side of espionage and assassination.
His hands must have been stained with blood but he still died by suicide.
His body was discovered by Kakashi.
Seeing his father that he admired commit suicide like a coward, left Kakashi with an indelible psychological trauma.
Perhaps only Sakumo himself knew why he had committed suicide.
But it is very likely inseparable from politics.
When Minato had introduced Kakashi's father to Obito, he had said "It is said that even the legendary Sannin are afraid of him."
The specific situation can only be seen by the benevolent and wise.
All Kiyoshi can do is get stronger quickly.
Even someone like Sakumo ended up like this.
What's more, he is from the Land of Lightning, a member of the Yotsuki clan, and an Uchiha.
This series of labels has already made his image increasingly subtle.
Danzo and the others have probably already set their sights on him.
The only way to be safe is to quickly become stronger.
Kiyoshi turned around, and continued his training.
It's still early, and the nightlife on Konoha's bustling streets has just begun. He still has time to train.
[Water Walker (White)]
[Requirement: Walk on the surface of water with both feet as if walking on flat ground.]
[Progress: 25%]
[Effect: In special terrains, you become more proficient in Chakra control, and your chakra "endurance" is longer than ordinary people, increasing by 5% on the original basis.]
[Note: Can be upgraded.]