CHAPTER 54

Since acquiring the Gravity Barrier and successfully setting it up, Uchiha Kiyo had been testing it relentlessly.

The Gravity Barrier proved to be highly effective, but Uchiha Kiyo, lacking a Saiyan-like physique, could only progress gradually. He estimated that it would take him two to three months to fully adapt to training at 1.1 times gravity before increasing the intensity.

His previous hardening technique did not conflict with the Gravity Barrier, and both could function simultaneously. However, rather than producing a multiplicative effect as he had initially hoped, their benefits merely added together. After repeated trials, he found that hardening was less effective than the Gravity Barrier when it came to strengthening his body.

Given the choice, investing effort into training under increased gravity was far more beneficial than persisting with the hardening technique.

After a few days of experimentation, Uchiha Kiyo abandoned using the hardening technique for body strengthening. However, he did not stop training in hardening altogether, as its defensive applications were invaluable. If he could master it to the point of activating it instinctively in combat without impairing his movements, it would become a formidable defense.

Of course, such a feat was beyond his current capabilities. But having a goal was important.

Under the intense gravitational pull, his strength training yielded double the results compared to standard body conditioning. Uchiha Kiyo aimed to develop a solid physical foundation before his growth spurt kicked in.

Before he knew it, another month had passed.

Since their mission in Jumucheng, the Third Team had been training continuously for two months, achieving rapid progress. They had now reached the level of ordinary Chunin.

Uchiha Kiyo's progress was the most pronounced. With two months of dedicated training, his physical strength had skyrocketed, and his taijutsu had officially reached the level of an elite Chunin.

Namikaze Minato's Graduation

Today marked the one-year anniversary of Uchiha Kiyo's graduation.

At the same time, it was also the graduation day of Namikaze Minato's class.

This particular graduating class was filled with future powerhouses. In addition to Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, the class included Uchiha Mikoto—Kushina's close friend and the future mother of Sasuke Uchiha—and Uchiha Fugaku, the future head of the Uchiha Clan.

Additionally, the Hyuga Clan's twin prodigies, Hyuga Hiashi and Hyuga Hizashi, were among the graduates. The legendary Ino-Shika-Cho trio—Akimichi Choza, Nara Shikaku, and Yamanaka Inoichi—were also part of this cohort.

Although Uchiha Kiyo had limited interaction with most of them, he was familiar with Minato and had occasionally crossed paths with others.

To celebrate their graduation, Minato invited Uchiha Kiyo and Nawaki to join the festivities.

Uchiha Kiyo had no reason to refuse. Besides, it was free food—how could he turn that down?

Since Sarutobi Shuo was also part of their team, he tagged along, providing an opportunity to introduce him to Minato.

They met at an Akimichi family barbecue restaurant in one of the largest private rooms.

Minato, Kushina, Uchiha Kiyo, Uchiha Mikoto, Uchiha Fugaku, and Nawaki sat around a large round table, enjoying the feast.

"Hey, Kiyo! You've been a ninja for a year now. You must have gone on lots of missions, right? What's it like out there? Missions must be really exciting, huh?"

Kushina, brimming with curiosity, bombarded Uchiha Kiyo with questions.

Since he was a close friend of Minato's, Kushina had grown comfortable around him and didn't hesitate to speak freely.

"Well…" Uchiha Kiyo scratched his head. "Missions aren't really that exciting once you've done a couple. We're not out there playing around—missions are serious work.

That said, the outside world is definitely different from the village."

"Huh? You've only done two missions?" Kushina blinked in disbelief. "But didn't you guys start doing missions six months ago? You're telling me you only finished two in all that time?"

Her reaction immediately set off Nawaki.

"What?! What do you mean, 'only two'?! The two missions we completed were both B-rank!"

"So what? That's still just two missions!"

"Oi! What kind of look is that?! You looking down on me?! Let's take this outside!"

"Hah? You wanna go? Let's do this!"

Having lived in the Senju Compound since arriving in Konoha, Kushina had known Nawaki for a long time.

Their biggest similarity was their shared dream of becoming Hokage. But rather than bonding over it, they frequently butted heads. Whenever they met, they ended up arguing—just like now.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Minato hurriedly stepped in.

"Alright, alright! Settle down, both of you!"

Minato turned to Kushina and explained, "Completing two B-rank missions within a year of graduation is actually impressive. B-rank missions are meant for Chunin-level ninjas. Kiyo and his team were able to complete two already—it's no small feat."

"Yeah," Uchiha Mikoto nodded. "It's rare for Genin to get B-rank missions at all."

"Right," Uchiha Fugaku added. "Even most Chunin struggle with B-rank missions."

Meanwhile, Uchiha Kiyo pulled Nawaki back to his seat. To steer the conversation in a different direction, he changed the subject.

"By the way, Minato—congratulations on your graduation! You guys are officially Genin now. Have you been assigned your Jonin instructor yet?"

Minato took the hint and followed the conversation shift.

"Yeah, we have. My teammates are Akimichi Takato and Inuzuka Jiro. They were part of an older class, but there was an odd number of students in their year, so I was assigned to complete their squad.

As for our Jonin instructor, he's a Sarutobi—Sarutobi Ichita."

"Huh?"

Uchiha Kiyo's eyes narrowed slightly.

Wait a second… wasn't Minato originally Jiraiya's disciple?

But as far as he knew, Jiraiya only had two students—Minato and later Nagato. If Minato's team already had a Jonin instructor, did that mean Jiraiya wasn't officially his teacher yet?

Could it be that Minato would train under Sarutobi Ichita first before eventually becoming Jiraiya's apprentice?

Uchiha Kiyo made a mental note to keep an eye on this development.

Kushina, Mikoto, and Fugaku then took turns introducing their teams.

Kushina was assigned to a team with a member of the Yakushi family and a medical-nin-in-training. This meant that her opportunities to go on missions would be limited.

Well… that was unfortunate.

Mikoto and Fugaku ended up on the same team with another Uchiha, and their squad was led by an experienced Jonin from their clan.

Their future was set—their team was expected to join the Konoha Military Police Force after a period of field experience.

Uchiha Kiyo nodded to himself. That made sense.

Fugaku would steadily rise through the ranks of the police force, eventually becoming its captain and later the Uchiha Clan Head.

As the dinner went on, the conversation flowed easily, and the group deepened their understanding of each other.