"But before these eyes… it's still not enough."
With Kiyoshi's perception, catching Sarutobi Asuma was effortless.
If we speak purely in terms of what the eyes can see—
The Byakugan grants x-ray vision, a 360-degree field with no blind spots, and long-distance sight.
But the Sharingan… possesses unparalleled dynamic vision.
Bang!
Kiyoshi's slender blade blocked the serrated edge of Asuma's weapon.
As the two clashed, Wind Release and Fire Release intertwined—wind feeding the flames. In an instant, the fire swelled explosively, bursting like a brilliant firecracker.
"Sharingan!?"
Asuma froze for a moment, feeling the heat rush toward his face.
Just now, it seemed like a flash of crimson had passed through Kiyoshi's eyes.
But it was too fast—he couldn't catch it clearly, nor confirm whether it was real.
Wait…!
Asuma's gaze sharpened.
More importantly—how did Kiyoshi know this technique?
There was no doubt—
This was… Chakra Flow!
Seeing Asuma's shocked and puzzled expression, Kiyoshi exerted force through his wrist.
Clang!
Asuma's chakra blade was knocked into the air.
The skin on his fingers showed clear abrasions, almost torn open.
Among the eight ninja attributes, one of them is "Strength."
And strength encompasses wrist power, leg power, and overall muscular force.
With the dual bloodline of the Yotsuki clan and the Uchiha, Kiyoshi's raw power surpassed Asuma's.
At present, Asuma was still just a lean youth—not the rugged, bearded man of the future.
Even then, Kiyoshi doubted Asuma could ever surpass him in pure strength.
After all, the Yotsuki clan had survived in harsh, brutal environments—only the strongest physiques endured. The weak had long been eliminated by nature itself.
Pain shot through Asuma's nerves, snapping him out of his shock.
They were still in battle.
Gritting his teeth, Asuma swung the chakra blade in his other hand toward Kiyoshi, while his now-free hand assisted in forming seals.
The pale blue edge of the blade intensified, emitting a sharp, hissing sound.
Kiyoshi smiled faintly.
The future "Flying Swallow," huh?
"Flying Swallow" didn't refer to Asuma's knuckle-shaped chakra blades, but rather the Wind Release chakra nature infused into them.
Like a swallow spreading its wings in flight, releasing two dazzling streaks of light in close combat.
Though not yet fully developed, it already showed traces of its future form.
"In that case… I'll make my move too."
Kiyoshi had his own technique—"Flying Bird."
No flashy effects—just a method of force application and chakra acceleration, pushing speed to the extreme.
In that instant—
Kiyoshi moved.
His blade, radiating scorching red heat, seemed to vanish from Asuma's sight.
Even the oppressive temperature disappeared along with it.
Alarms blared in Asuma's mind.
It's coming!
He sensed the movement of wind—
But it was too late to react.
The first sensation was impact—his arm felt like it had struck solid rock.
The second—
Kiyoshi suddenly appeared closer… then farther away.
Asuma's pupils shrank.
It wasn't that Kiyoshi was retreating—
It was himself being sent flying!
Boom!
It felt as though Asuma wasn't holding a chakra blade—but a heavy lead weight, dragging his entire body backward.
Crack…
A tree behind him caught his body. Its rough bark split into spiderweb-like fractures.
His right hand—still gripping chakra—was embedded deep into the trunk.
"Asuma…!"
Kurenai Yuhi's eyes widened.
Moments ago, one wielded a fiery red blade, the other a pale blue chakra knife.
In just one exchange, Asuma's weapon was knocked away—
Then, in a blur, he was sent flying backward.
Is this the foundation of great clans…?
To Kurenai, this was nothing like the childish sparring from their academy days.
You have acquired the trait [Wind Release Seed (White)].
[Trait: Wind Release Seed (White)]
[Requirement: Defeat Asuma's "Flying Swallow" using Fire Release's elemental advantage.]
[Progress: Completed.]
[Effect: Your chakra gains enhanced affinity with Wind Release, allowing you to refine this attribute.]
[Note: Can be further upgraded.]
"Gaining a new chakra nature… after birth?"
Kiyoshi was slightly stunned.
This alone could save him years of training.
"Looks like I got lucky."
The system had recognized even the incomplete form of "Flying Swallow" as valid.
Which meant—
He could now begin training Wind Release techniques.
Mastering multiple elemental styles would allow a ninja to adapt to any battlefield.
In the future, Asuma would reach the level of an elite jonin—one of Konoha's strongest Wind Release users.
Take it one step further, and he could even contend with a Kage.
Of course… that was only theoretical.
Asuma would die in his thirties at the hands of the Akatsuki, his strength forever frozen at that moment.
If facing the fully developed "Flying Swallow" of that era—
Kiyoshi didn't think it would be this easy.
"Cough… cough…"
Asuma struggled to breathe, taking a while before he could speak.
"Kiyoshi… your strength is insane. And how do you know Chakra Flow?"
He pulled his hand out of the tree trunk.
If he hadn't gathered chakra in advance to perform Chakra Flow, that impact alone might have fractured his bones.
Even with medical ninjutsu, he would've been bedridden for a day or two.
But more than the pain—
He was shocked.
Wasn't Chakra Flow his domain?
And yet, without warning, Kiyoshi had caught up to him.
"Because I'm a genius."
Kiyoshi stroked his chin.
After all, the Uchiha clan producing geniuses was nothing unusual.
Though, admittedly, the trait system had helped along the way.
Asuma had no response.
Silently, he stood up and put the previously knocked-away chakra blade back into his ninja pouch.
"Kiyoshi… I've never seen you train this."
Kurenai walked over gracefully, pointing at his blade.
The flames had faded, leaving only a dim red heat slowly dissipating.
"I train after you leave."
"…I see."
Kurenai nodded.
Whenever she was with Kiyoshi, they practiced genjutsu together.
There really wasn't time for anything else.
"Asuma, you're strong. I just had the advantage of Fire Release countering Wind Release. Otherwise, the outcome would be uncertain. For the Chunin Exams… you'll most likely pass. Let's participate together—Kurenai's genjutsu also meets the standard."
Kiyoshi turned toward Asuma.
The five elemental natures—
Counter and reinforce one another.
And Fire… just happens to counter Wind.