Just as Tsunade took a step forward, preparing to go and find Kiyohara, Kurenai suddenly spoke from beside her.
"Lady Tsunade, there's movement."
Tsunade followed Kurenai's line of sight.
She sensed it as well.
And that direction was exactly where Kiyohara had gone.
Everyone turned to look toward the forest.
In the darkness of the night, a figure rapidly approached.
His speed was extremely fast. After a few leaps, he arrived in front of the camp and landed lightly.
It was Kiyohara.
He looked somewhat disheveled. His upper clothing was almost completely destroyed, with only a few strips of fabric hanging from his body, exposing his well defined upper torso.
"Sorry, sensei, I came back late,"
Kiyohara said.
"I ran into a bit of trouble and it took some extra time."
There had been too many things to collect, and rummaging through everything had taken him a while.
After all, he had just gone through a battle, and many items had been affected or scattered during the fight.
Kiyohara could only take the most valuable and easiest to retrieve items first.
Tsunade looked at Kiyohara, and the tension on her face visibly eased.
"Are you injured?" she asked.
"No. I know earth release hardening techniques, and I can also use the Mystical Palm Technique, so there's no need to worry about me."
Kiyohara moved his arm slightly.
"En Oyashiro and his subordinates have all been dealt with. The Kusagakure outpost has also been cleared. For the time being, no one should be chasing us."
Even so, Tsunade carefully examined Kiyohara's condition.
After confirming that there was indeed nothing wrong, she allowed him to rest for a while.
Kusagakure would not react that quickly. With the chaos of war, even the great nations were already short on manpower, so the situation for smaller countries would only be worse.
"Thank you."
Uzumaki Kyoko suddenly spoke, looking at Kiyohara, Tsunade, and the others.
If it were not for them, she would probably still be there, suffering as a slave.
"It's nothing."
Kiyohara looked at her and smiled slightly.
"The Uzumaki Clan is an ally of Konoha. Saving you is only natural. And once you arrive in Konoha, you will be able to meet your clansmen. I believe she will be very happy."
At the mention of possibly meeting someone from her clan, a spark of light finally appeared in Kyoko's eyes.
After Kiyohara rested and recovered some chakra, Tsunade stood up and said, "Let's go. The timing is about right. Kusagakure will likely send people to investigate that place soon. We will travel through the night and leave the Land of Grass as quickly as possible."
No one objected.
After a brief cleanup, the group of five set off under the cover of night, heading toward the Land of Fire.
Kiyohara walked at the rear of the group, acting as the rear guard.
As he traveled, he sorted through the gains from this battle in his mind.
Aside from the changes in his strength, the most valuable spoils were the Ketsuryūgan and the information about Onigashiro.
He wondered whether the Ketsuryūgan would cause rejection if transplanted.
The Sharingan consumed a great deal of chakra, but the Byakugan consumed much less, placing a smaller burden on the user.
Although the Hyuga Clan's chakra was much stronger than that of ordinary people, compared to great clans like the Uchiha or Senju, it was still somewhat lacking.
After all, they were only a separated branch.
The true main lineage existed on the moon.
However, the Hyuga Clan and the Otsutsuki Clan on the moon had likely not been in contact for thousands of years. Otherwise, calling in reinforcements would have easily ended the Third Great Shinobi War.
The power of the Tenseigan on the moon was capable of annihilating the main branch of the Hamura lineage in a single strike.
Even Toneri, after seizing Hyuga Hanabi's high purity Byakugan, managed to form a Tenseigan capable of splitting the moon in half.
According to Toneri himself, the main branch had been wiped out when he was still a child, leaving him as the last descendant of the branch family.
Since Toneri was about the same age as Hinata, it meant that his father was still young at this time, and the Otsutsuki on the moon were likely still alive, merely engaged in internal conflict.
If Ketsuryūgan consumed little chakra, perhaps he could arrange a pair for Kurenai.
Kiyohara glanced at her.
In a world where bloodlines determined strength, lacking a kekkei genkai was truly a disadvantage.
Especially for genjutsu. Taijutsu at least had the Eight Gates, but genjutsu had no equivalent system.
Even the strongest genjutsu capable of affecting the entire world, the Infinite Tsukuyomi, required a bloodline to use.
En Oyashiro also had a daughter, and her age should be about the same.
As he traveled, Kiyohara continued to think.
Although in later records En Oyashiro's daughter appeared to be a young girl, in reality her true age was unknown. She only looked young, and since En Oyashiro had never properly educated her, instead forcing her into harsh shinobi training where failure meant no food, her mental development was also stunted.
If her eyes were given to Kurenai, would that be suitable?
Moreover, it might not even be necessary to remove her eyes directly. There was a technique in the shinobi world known as cloning.
Although cloning technology was only prominently shown later, Orochimaru had already begun to touch upon it at this time.
After all, the arm that Danzo kept wrapped in bandages was not originally his.
It belonged to someone named Shin.
Later, that person would call himself Shin Uchiha and create hundreds of clones of himself.
After some thought, Kiyohara temporarily set the matter aside.
It was still too early to consider such things.
The most practical step now was to first study the power within En Oyashiro's Ketsuryūgan.
As for why Kiyohara did not directly give En Oyashiro's eyes to Kurenai, he had already noticed that those eyes were larger than normal human eyes, making direct transplantation impractical.
If he wanted to use them, the eye socket would first have to be able to accommodate them.
Several days later.
Konoha.
Tsunade did not bring Kiyohara and the others back to the camp.
Since it involved the Uzumaki Clan, she personally escorted Kiyohara and the others as they brought Uzumaki Kyoko back.
When the iconic Hokage Rock of Konoha came into view, Kyoko stopped walking.
She raised her head and looked at the carved faces of the Hokage on the cliff, especially the First Hokage Senju Hashirama and the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
This was her first time coming to Konoha.
Although she had previously been in the Land of Fire, she had never stepped into the village itself.
Tsunade walked to her side and also looked up at the statues of her grandfather and granduncle.
"That is Konoha."
Tsunade spoke.
"The Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan are relatives. The two clans have always been very close."
However, both of these once glorious clans had declined in the same way.
The Senju had voluntarily disbanded, integrating into Konoha and abandoning the Senju name.
The Uzumaki, on the other hand, had been directly wiped out, nearly driven to extinction in the shinobi world.
Uzumaki Kyoko fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
She did not say anything, but the fist she had been clenching slowly loosened.
As they headed toward the Hokage building, a shinobi spotted Tsunade and immediately greeted her.
"Lady Tsunade, you're back!"
"Yes."
Tsunade nodded.
"Inform the old man that I have something important to report."
"Yes!"
The group passed through the streets, heading toward the Hokage building.
Along the way, the villagers of Konoha all showed respectful expressions when they saw Tsunade.
But when they noticed the red haired woman behind her, they began to whisper among themselves.
"Red hair… is she from the Uzumaki Clan?"
"I heard that after the fall of Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki Clan almost disappeared…"
"Since Lady Tsunade brought her back, could she be…"
"Isn't there already one in the village? Though she's rarely seen."
Amid the hushed discussions, Uzumaki Kyoko lowered her head and quickened her pace.
Inside the Hokage's office.
When Tsunade pushed the door open, Hiruzen was seated behind his desk, reviewing documents.
Seeing Tsunade, he smiled.
"Tsunade, the mission is complete? Why did you return early… hm?"
His gaze fell on Uzumaki Kyoko, and his pupils contracted slightly.
As someone who had lived through the era when Uzushiogakure was destroyed, he was all too familiar with that head of red hair.
"This is…"
Hiruzen set down his pen and stood up.
Tsunade had not reported this situation in advance.
Before the Anbu could even deliver reports about what had happened in the village, Tsunade had already brought Uzumaki Kyoko straight to the Hokage building to meet him.
"Uzumaki Kyoko. A surviving member of the Uzumaki Clan we discovered at the border of the Land of Grass."
Tsunade briefly and concisely explained the course of the mission, from discovering the outpost to rescuing Kyoko.
Naturally, she also mentioned how Kiyohara had stayed behind alone to cover their retreat and deal with En Oyashiro.
This was what Kiyohara had told them on the way back.
However, he had deliberately omitted the parts about the curse mark and the Ketsuryūgan.
That location was far away in the Land of Grass, and he had already erased most traces. It was nearly impossible to verify what had truly happened.
In other words, the only witness to the entire event was Kiyohara himself.
After hearing the report, Hiruzen's expression became serious.
"To think the Kusagakure would dare treat members of the Uzumaki Clan like this… and En Oyashiro was involved as well…"
He then looked at Uzumaki Kyoko, and a kind, grandfatherly smile appeared on his aged face.
"Miss Kyoko, welcome to Konoha. From today onward, this will be your home."
"Um…"
Uzumaki Kyoko hesitated slightly and glanced at Tsunade.
Here, Tsunade was the only person she had any familial connection to.
"There's no need to worry. No one in the village will dare do anything to you. You can live with Kushina."
Tsunade patted her chest confidently, assuring her.
"Yes, living with Kushina would be good."
As Hokage, Hiruzen naturally considered more factors.
That included the matter of the jinchuriki, which would now gain additional security.
Hearing this, Uzumaki Kyoko bowed slightly.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"No need to be so formal."
Hiruzen waved his hand.
He turned to the Anbu at the side.
"Go and bring Kushina here."
"Yes!"
The Anbu disappeared in an instant.
During the wait, Tsunade suddenly extended her hand.
"Old man, where's the money?"
"Hm?"
Hiruzen was taken aback.
"The mission reward."
Tsunade spoke as if it were only natural.
"It was originally just a simple reconnaissance mission, but because we rescued a member of the Uzumaki Clan, killed En Oyashiro and his subordinates, and destroyed the Grass outpost, the difficulty has increased to at least A rank. According to A rank standards, this mission should be worth at least one million. Also, Kiyohara killed En Oyashiro on his own, so that part needs to be calculated separately."
While securing benefits for herself, Tsunade did not forget to raise Kiyohara's value and obtain more for him as well.
As the big beneficiary, she would not neglect the smaller one.
Hiruzen could not help but laugh bitterly.
"Tsunade, that's not how accounting works…"
"How is it not?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"We saved a member of the Uzumaki Clan and prevented the bloodline of Konoha's ally from being cut off. How great a merit is that? Kiyohara killed En Oyashiro and removed a scourge from the shinobi world. How great a contribution is that? What's wrong with asking for some money? Has Konoha's finances become that poor?"
A series of questions left Hiruzen with nothing but a helpless smile.
There was simply no way for him to deal with Tsunade.
He glanced at Kiyohara and saw that he stood quietly, eyes lowered, wearing an expression that seemed to say he would follow whatever decision his superiors made.
"This kid…"
Hiruzen shook his head helplessly.
He could not tell whether entrusting Kiyohara to Tsunade had been a good decision or not.
But then he thought of Orochimaru, who had gotten involved with Danzo, and Jiraiya, who indulged himself in pleasures whenever he returned to the village. Compared to them, Tsunade's flaws seemed minor.
"Tsunade, I will issue the reward according to the highest A rank standard. As for the portion involving En Oyashiro, I will need to verify it before distributing it, but you will not be shortchanged."
Only then did Tsunade withdraw her hand in satisfaction.
Just moments ago, her fingers had been cracking loudly. From the sound alone, one could imagine how terrifying the force of that punch would be.
At that moment, the office door opened again.
Kushina, having received the Anbu's message, had rushed over to the Hokage building at once.
"Is there… someone from my clan here?"
A beautiful red-haired woman pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Ever since she had come to Konoha, she had always been alone.
Even during her school years, there were people who bullied her, tugging at and tearing her long red hair.
To them, red hair was a symbol of something strange, something abnormal.
Mito-sama was already elderly and could not look after everything personally.
After Mito passed away, Kushina was left completely alone.
In a village as vast as Konoha, she could not find a single member of her own clan.
"That is her, Uzumaki Kyoko."
Tsunade pointed toward Kyoko as she spoke to Kushina.
Kushina's gaze immediately locked onto the only other red-haired person in the room besides herself.
"You…"
The moment she heard the surname Uzumaki, saw that iconic red hair, and sensed the unusually large chakra within Kyoko's body, Kushina instantly realized that this was her clanswoman.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Kushina rushed forward and embraced Kyoko tightly, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"It really is a clansman… I thought… I thought that after the fall of Uzushiogakure, I would never see another one again…"
Kyoko's eyes also reddened as she returned the embrace, the two of them clinging to each other as they cried.
The Uzumaki clan had been destroyed so suddenly, their country annihilated and their people scattered.
No member of the clan could truly accept such a fate.
Now that two people from the same homeland had finally met again, it was only natural that their eyes filled with tears.
Watching this scene, everyone in the office fell silent.
Tsunade turned her face away, Kiyohara lowered his head and stared at the ground, and Hiruzen let out a deep sigh.
Shizune and Kurenai also sighed softly.
As women, they were more sensitive and empathetic, able to deeply understand the sorrow contained in this reunion.
After a long while, the two finally separated.
Kushina wiped away her tears, only then noticing the others in the room.
She first bowed respectfully to Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama."
Then she turned to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-nee, thank you for bringing Kyoko back."
Finally, her gaze fell on Kiyohara.
This was the first time Kushina had properly met him face to face.
"Kiyohara, thank you as well."
Kushina spoke earnestly.
"I have heard about it. You stayed behind alone and defeated En Oyashiro. I will remember this kindness."
Kiyohara shook his head.
"Kushina-senpai, you give me too much credit. It is simply what I should have done."
"No."
Kushina insisted.
"If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. As long as it does not go against my principles, I will help."
She spoke with her usual straightforward and energetic tone.
Seeing this, Kiyohara did not refuse and simply nodded.
"Then I will thank you in advance, Kushina-senpai."
Only then did Kushina smile. She took Kyoko's hand again and said excitedly, "Come on, Kyoko, let's go to my place. I will cook for you, and we can talk properly about everything that has happened over the years."
She eagerly pulled Kyoko out of the office, even forgetting to formally excuse herself.
Hiruzen looked at Tsunade and said, "Let them have their time together."
Tsunade nodded and prepared to leave as well.
"Wait."
Kiyohara suddenly spoke.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Kiyohara looked at Hiruzen and asked, "Hokage-sama, is the Anbu still recruiting?"
This question caught everyone off guard.
Hiruzen froze for a moment before responding.
"You want to join the Anbu?"
"Yes."
Kiyohara nodded.
"I believe that experience in the Anbu will help me grow faster. Moreover, my Sharingan and Magnet Release give me advantages in reconnaissance, tracking, and assassination."
Hiruzen studied him carefully.
He had originally planned to place Kiyohara into the Anbu anyway.
Kiyohara's background was clean, his strength was outstanding, and his potential was immense. He was exactly the kind of talent the Anbu needed.
But he had not expected Kiyohara to take the initiative.
"Are you certain?"
Hiruzen asked in a serious tone. He glanced at Tsunade, signaling her to take the others outside.
Tsunade hesitated for a moment, but in the end she said nothing.
She understood that this was her disciple's decision.
So she led the others out of the room.
After they had all left, Hiruzen continued, "The work of the Anbu is different from that of ordinary shinobi. You will be required to carry out the most dangerous and darkest missions. Once you join, your identity will become classified. You may not even be able to openly acknowledge that you are a member of the Anbu."
"I am certain."
Kiyohara nodded.
Otherwise, how could he complete the lingering wish?
Hiruzen pondered for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. In three days, come to the underground level of the Hokage Building to report. You will receive your Anbu equipment and mask. As for your squad assignment, it will be arranged at that time."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama."
A trace of joy flashed in Kiyohara's eyes.
Joining the Anbu was only the first step.
Next, he needed to achieve merit as quickly as possible and be promoted to squad leader.
Only then could he fulfill the second wish of Anbu Kiyohara, take the position of squad leader, and fully inherit his curse mark power.
At that time, his strength would experience another leap.
"Oh, and one more thing," Hiruzen added. "If others ask whether you have joined, remember to say no."
"Yes."
Kiyohara nodded.
After all, the Anbu's identity had to remain secret.
Though in reality, this secrecy was somewhat amusing, because those close to an Anbu shinobi usually knew they had joined.
Even outsiders with good information networks often knew as well.
For example, Konoha's well-known figure Kakashi Hatake.
Whether villagers or enemies, many people knew exactly who he was.
When Kiyohara stepped out of the Hokage Building, the sky was already approaching dusk.
"Let's go."
He noticed that Tsunade and the others were waiting for him below.
Just as Kiyohara was about to say something, Tsunade stepped forward and flicked his forehead.
For a moment, Kiyohara felt as if a vast expanse of snowy mountains was rushing toward him, nearly burying him entirely.
Fortunately, Tsunade stopped after that single flick.
"This mission can be considered a complete success. How about we go gamble for a bit?"
She shook the money pouch in her hand, her face full of confidence.
(End of Chapter)