Far in the distance, Yugito was bound tightly by black curse marks, guarded by one of Kiyohara's Shadow Clones.
It was obvious that this surprise assault had completely wiped out Kumogakure's main fighting force.
The remaining Cloud shinobi had lost all leadership and could no longer stir up much trouble.
Rather, there was a good chance this defeat would trigger internal chaos within Kumogakure itself.
Every generation of the Raikage inherited the name "A." At the very least, from the First through the Fourth Raikage, this tradition had been passed down continuously.
But now, with the Raikage captured and no successor yet chosen who was qualified to inherit the title, Kumogakure was destined to fall into a period of confusion.
Even if they still had several thousand shinobi in reserve, they would struggle to use them effectively.
"Retreat!"
Some of the more perceptive Cloud shinobi had already chosen to withdraw.
Only by preserving their remaining forces would they have any hope of rescuing the Raikage.
For a time, large numbers of Cloud shinobi began retreating.
Although some were intercepted by Konoha's forces, many still managed to escape.
The Leaf shinobi slowly surrounded the battlefield, their faces still filled with disbelief.
They had won?
Just like that... they had actually won?
"We won!"
Someone finally shouted at the top of his lungs.
"We won! Konoha won!"
"We won!"
Cheers exploded across the battlefield.
Meanwhile, Kiyohara had already returned to his normal state.
The chakra stored in the seal on his forehead had been completely exhausted and would need to be accumulated again.
He estimated it would take several days before it was fully replenished.
At that moment, Tsunade walked over.
Her mask had already been stained with blood.
However, because it had no eyeholes, she couldn't actually see the blood splattered across it, so it did not affect her movements in the slightest.
Sensing that Kiyohara's chakra reserves were nearly depleted, she took the initiative to support him.
Kiyohara suddenly felt something remarkably soft pressing against his arm. Turning around, he realized that Tsunade was helping him walk.
"I'm fine, Sensei."
Kiyohara shook his head.
His chakra had simply been consumed too heavily. He had not suffered any serious injuries.
"Don't push yourself."
Tsunade shook her head.
She immediately summoned Katsuyu to transfer chakra into Kiyohara.
After receiving the chakra infusion, Kiyohara's complexion improved noticeably.
He then looked toward the battlefield in the distance.
The Cloud shinobi who could flee had fled, those who could be captured had been captured, and now Konoha's forces were busy cleaning up the battlefield.
"Kumo's supplies didn't have time to be evacuated. There should still be a lot of military equipment left."
Kiyohara said.
That was incredibly valuable loot.
"Indeed."
Tsunade lowered her voice, her eyes shining with excitement.
"We contributed the most in this battle. No matter what, we should be able to get a nice share."
The moment money entered the conversation, Tsunade instantly became interested.
"Let's head back first."
Kiyohara said.
...
Konoha Camp.
When Tsunade supported Kiyohara back into the camp, they were greeted by a deafening wave of cheers.
"Kiyohara is a hero!"
"Long live Commander Kiyohara!"
Countless Konoha shinobi rushed toward him from every direction, their faces filled with the overwhelming joy of surviving the battle.
Kiyohara stood quietly where he was and gave a slight nod.
He said nothing.
His gaze swept across those excited faces, and the corners of his lips slowly curled into a faint smile.
"Kiyohara!"
A figure suddenly rushed out of the crowd and threw herself directly into his arms.
Kurenai hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest as her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Kiyohara quickly felt the fabric over his chest becoming soaked by warm tears.
"It's alright."
He raised his hand and gently rubbed the top of her head.
"I'm fine."
Kurenai didn't answer.
She simply tightened her embrace even further.
Not far away, Rin stood with both hands clasped in front of her chest, her brown eyes reflecting Kiyohara's figure.
Clearly...
She had been here first.
Hm?
No.
After thinking about it carefully, Rin suddenly realized that Kurenai had actually met Kiyohara before she had.
That realization caused the light in Rin's eyes to dim slightly.
After remaining silent for a while, she took a deep breath before walking over.
"Kiyohara-kun."
She stopped in front of him, wearing her usual gentle smile.
"You've worked hard."
Kiyohara raised his head and looked at her.
"Rin, you too."
Rin pursed her lips before gently patting his arm.
"Um... tonight, let me cook something nourishing for you."
Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of cautious anticipation.
Kurenai raised her head from Kiyohara's chest and glanced toward Rin.
For some reason...
She suddenly felt a sense of crisis befitting the main wife.
Although...
She had absolutely no evidence to support it.
Standing some distance away, Tsunade crossed her arms and watched the entire scene unfold.
The corners of her lips curled upward with amusement.
"This brat..."
She shook her head before turning around and heading toward her own tent.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped.
"Oh, right."
Without looking back, she said,
"The prisoners have all been secured. The Raikage and the two Jinchuriki are being held separately under multiple layers of seals. Go deal with them after you've had some rest."
"Got it."
Kiyohara's voice came from behind her.
Tsunade nodded and continued walking away.
Her footsteps were noticeably lighter than usual.
Night gradually fell over the camp.
Bonfires were lit throughout the encampment.
Konoha's shinobi gathered around the flames, drinking heavily and eating large mouthfuls of meat as they celebrated this hard-earned victory.
The members of the Uchiha clan sat together.
Yet every so often, every single pair of eyes drifted toward the same figure sitting quietly in the corner.
Uchiha Shisui.
He leaned against a tree, his body wrapped from head to toe in bandages.
Uchiha Tekka walked over, crouched beside him, and lowered his voice.
"Shisui... those arrows you fired today... what kind of technique was that?"
Shisui looked up at him.
His eyes had already returned to their ordinary black color.
"...A derivative application of Susanoo."
Shisui answered calmly.
"This is the Uchiha clan's... Third Power."
...
Late at night.
The noise throughout the camp gradually faded into silence.
Inside Shisui's tent, candlelight flickered gently.
Shisui had only just found a chance to rest after finally dealing with all the clan members who had come to ask him questions.
Before he could even relax, he received another invitation.
This time...
It came from Uchiha Fugaku.
As the clan head, Fugaku's summons could not be ignored.
So Shisui once again made his way to Fugaku's tent.
"When did you awaken the Mangekyo?"
Fugaku immediately asked the question that concerned him the most.
"It has been quite some time."
Shisui answered.
Fugaku stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
Shisui met his gaze directly.
"Lord Fugaku... you should understand better than anyone what the Mangekyo Sharingan truly represents."
Fugaku frowned slightly.
"Power?"
"No."
Shisui slowly shook his head.
"It represents trouble."
"If the clan learned that I possessed the Mangekyo... what do you think they would think? What do you think they would do?"
"They would believe that the Uchiha could become even stronger."
Shisui continued calmly.
"They would believe that there is no longer any reason to continue enduring."
"They would choose that path."
Fugaku fell silent.
The tent was swallowed by silence.
The candlelight swayed gently, casting the shadows of the two men across the walls of the tent.
Only after a long while did Fugaku finally speak.
"You made the right decision."
...
At the same time...
The ripple effects brought about by Kiyohara and this overwhelming victory continued spreading in every direction.
Inside Nara Shikaku's tent, several people sat gathered around a table.
"You all saw today's battle."
Shikaku spoke first.
Akimichi Choza nodded heavily.
"The kid Kiyohara..."
"He's unbelievably strong."
"Not just strong."
Yamanaka Inoichi continued where he left off.
"His military achievements have already surpassed Orochimaru's."
Silence filled the tent once again.
Shikaku lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers.
"The candidates for the Fourth Hokage..."
"Have become very clear."
He spoke slowly.
"Kiyohara."
"Minato."
"As for Orochimaru..."
Shikaku paused briefly.
"There may still be several other candidates."
Choza scratched his head.
"So... who should we support?"
Shikaku looked at him.
"What do you think?"
Choza considered the question carefully.
"Minato, I suppose. That kid has a great reputation, he's incredibly strong, and..."
He glanced toward Shikaku.
"He's easier to negotiate with."
Inoichi shook his head.
"Kiyohara isn't a bad choice either."
"Besides, he's Tsunade's disciple. Behind him stands the Hokage's own political faction."
"More importantly..."
"He's still young."
Shikaku remained silent for a moment.
"So..."
"We'll play both sides."
He raised his eyes.
"We won't offend either camp."
"We'll show goodwill to both."
"Once the final outcome is decided..."
"Then we'll officially take our position."
Choza and Inoichi exchanged glances before nodding together.
"Let's do that."
...
The Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen sat behind his large office desk, his smoking pipe frozen halfway through the air.
"The Fourth Raikage has been captured..."
"The Eight Tails' Jinchuriki has been captured..."
"The Two Tails' Jinchuriki has been captured..."
After a long silence, he slowly set down the intelligence scroll and released a long stream of smoke.
The war...
Was finally coming to an end.
Even Hiruzen could not hide the joy on his face this time.
"Pass down the order."
He called for an ANBU operative.
"Publicize this victory with everything we have."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The ANBU shinobi hidden in the shadows accepted the order before disappearing.
...
Iwagakure.
Tsuchikage's Office.
Onoki sat upon his massive stone chair, tightly gripping the intelligence report that had just been delivered.
The report itself was very brief.
"The Fourth Raikage captured."
"The Eight Tails' Jinchuriki captured."
"The Two Tails' Jinchuriki captured."
"Kumogakure's main force has completely collapsed."
As he silently read each line, the old Tsuchikage's expression grew increasingly solemn.
After some time, he slowly lowered the report and let out a long sigh.
"Konoha..."
He muttered quietly.
"They've produced another extraordinary individual."
...
Sunagakure.
Kazekage Building.
Rasa stood before the window, silently gazing out at the endless sea of yellow sand stretching beneath the sky.
Holding an intelligence report in his hand,
"Kiyohara..."
Rasa frowned.
Had the shinobi who had once displayed such dazzling brilliance before him truly grown to such an astonishing level?
His thoughts drifted back to the day when Kiyohara had stood face to face against him.
Back then, Kiyohara had certainly been impressive, but he had still remained within the realm of what could be understood.
"Issue the order."
Rasa summoned one of Suna's ANBU operatives.
"Strengthen the border defenses. Also, send someone to negotiate with Konoha about fully resuming the Chunin Exams."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama."
The shinobi behind him accepted the order and immediately departed.
Rasa remained standing alone before the window, quietly gazing at the endless sea of yellow sand.
"Konoha..."
he murmured softly.
"It's about to become prosperous once again."
...
Kirigakure.
It was already deep into the night.
Mei walked up the long staircase before arriving outside Genji's residence.
She raised her hand and knocked gently.
"Come in."
An aged voice answered from inside.
Mei pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Genji sat beside a low wooden table with a map spread out before him.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Mei.
Within his cloudy old eyes was reflected her graceful figure.
"It's already this late. What brings you here?"
Mei sat down opposite him.
"Lord Genji... regarding the war..."
She paused briefly.
"Have we already decided to withdraw our troops?"
Genji looked at her and nodded.
Several months earlier, Kirigakure had already completely withdrawn from the former territory of Uzushiogakure.
Ever since then, they had continuously reduced the range of their military deployments outside the village.
"That's right."
"We're no longer fighting."
Mei froze.
"We're... not fighting anymore?"
"Mhm."
Genji nodded before picking up the tobacco pipe lying on the table and taking a slow puff.
"We can't afford to continue."
Mei frowned slightly.
"But..."
"There are no 'buts.'"
Genji interrupted her.
"Kirigakure has already suffered enough losses. If we continue fighting, all that will happen is that more of our shinobi will lose their lives."
He set the pipe down and looked directly at her.
"This matter is settled."
Mei fell silent.
She looked at Genji's aged face.
She looked into those cloudy eyes.
Suddenly...
She felt that something wasn't quite right.
Yet she couldn't put her finger on exactly what it was.
"...I understand."
She stood up, preparing to leave.
When she reached the doorway, she suddenly stopped.
"Lord Genji."
"Hm?"
"Now that peace has returned... regarding the Chunin Exams..."
In the past, because of the Land of Fire's geographical advantages, many nations had chosen to hold the Chunin Exams there.
As a result, besides conducting Chunin promotions within their own villages, many countries would also send teams to participate in Konoha's Chunin Exams.
Naturally, the shinobi allowed to travel abroad were generally stronger than average.
After all, once outside their village, they represented the reputation of the hidden village standing behind them.
It was also an opportunity to advertise their village, increasing its prestige, earning the trust of more clients, and securing additional missions.
"When the time is right, we'll reopen negotiations with Konoha."
Genji's voice came from behind her.
Mei nodded before pushing open the door and walking out.
The hallway was completely empty.
She stood there quietly, staring into the darkness outside the window.
In her mind, one particular figure gradually appeared.
"Live on... in your ugliness."
She clenched her fists tightly.
"Kiyohara..."
She remembered that infuriating expression of his.
Then she began wondering...
How exactly could she wash away that humiliation once and for all?
After Mei left, the air inside Genji's room suddenly began to distort.
A figure wearing a tiger-striped mask slowly stepped out from the void itself.
"Has she left?"
Obito's voice echoed through the room.
"She has."
The old man's aged face had become expressionless.
His eyes were empty and lifeless.
It was unmistakably the effect of Sharingan.
Obito withdrew his gaze before turning toward the window.
Outside...
The night stretched endlessly into darkness.
"Kiyohara..."
He quietly repeated the name.
Without realizing it, his hand slowly tightened into a fist.
His knuckles turned completely white.
Taking a deep breath, he forcefully suppressed the emotions welling up inside him.
Moments later, his body gradually twisted and distorted before disappearing back into the void.
Only Genji remained inside the room.
He continued sitting beside the low table.
His eyes remained vacant.
His face remained completely numb.
...
Root Headquarters.
Bang!
Another deafening crash echoed through the underground base.
Danzo slammed his fist onto the table, instantly shattering the thick wooden desk into splinters that scattered in every direction.
"Kiyohara... Kiyohara... KIYOHARA!"
He ground his teeth together as he repeated that name over and over.
The rage burning within his lone eye looked as though it might burst into flames at any moment.
The surrounding Root operatives all lowered their heads.
None of them even dared to breathe too loudly.
"Lord Danzo."
A hoarse voice sounded from behind him.
Danzo turned around.
Orochimaru leaned casually against the doorway, a faint smile resting on his pale face.
"Why become so angry?"
"Angry?"
Danzo sneered.
"Do you realize that once this war ends, the position of Fourth Hokage will practically be decided?"
"Kiyohara's military achievements have already surpassed yours!"
The smile on Orochimaru's face never changed.
"I know."
"You know, and you're still smiling?"
Danzo's voice rose sharply.
"You still have the mood to smile?"
Orochimaru looked at him.
A mysterious light flashed within his golden, slit-shaped pupils.
"Danzo..."
"Do you truly believe..."
"That the title of Hokage is really that important?"
Danzo was momentarily stunned.
"What do you mean?"
Orochimaru did not answer.
He walked over to the shattered desk and lowered his head, quietly observing the broken pieces.
"What I have always desired..."
"...was never the position of Hokage."
He spoke softly.
"What I desire..."
"...is immortality."
Danzo frowned.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Orochimaru turned around and looked directly at him.
"Kiyohara's body..."
"...is extremely special."
His voice carried unmistakable excitement.
"If I could obtain that body..."
He stopped speaking.
He did not need to finish.
Danzo had already understood.
His lone eye narrowed slightly.
"You want his body?"
Orochimaru nodded.
"And Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan."
He slowly licked his lips.
"Those eyes..."
"...are quite extraordinary."
Danzo remained silent for a while.
"Are you confident?"
Orochimaru looked directly at him.
"No."
He answered honestly.
"But..."
"It's worth trying."
Danzo pondered the matter.
Only after a long silence did he slowly nod.
"Then..."
"We'll wait."
"We'll wait until the right opportunity appears."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Of course."
He turned and walked toward the doorway.
Just before stepping outside, he suddenly stopped.
"Danzo."
"Hm?"
"Kiyohara..."
"...is truly special."
His voice echoed throughout the vast underground headquarters.
"There are countless secrets hidden within his body."
...
The following day.
Inside Kiyohara's tent.
He sat cross-legged on his bed with his eyes closed, quietly recovering his chakra.
After completely emptying the Strength of a Hundred Seal, it felt as though a part of his body had simply disappeared.
Fortunately, the recovery was progressing quickly.
At this rate...
It would take no more than three days before the seal was completely filled again.
"Kiyohara."
The tent flap was lifted open.
Tsunade walked inside carrying a small cooking pot.
Steam continuously rose from it, accompanied by a rich, mouthwatering aroma.
Kiyohara slowly opened his eyes.
"Sensei?"
Tsunade placed the pot on the small table before him before handing him a bowl and chopsticks.
"Drink some soup."
"It'll help your recovery."
Kiyohara lowered his gaze toward the pot.
Chicken soup.
The broth had been simmered until it became a beautiful golden color, with several red dates and wolfberries floating on the surface.
He picked up the spoon and scooped out a spoonful.
The temperature was perfect.
He took a sip.
The soup was rich, fragrant, and delicious, carrying a faint medicinal aroma.
"It's really good."
Tsunade sat down across from him, folding her arms.
"Of course it is."
"I spent the entire morning making it."
After a brief pause, she suddenly changed the subject.
"I heard you're developing the Land of Whirlpools."
Kiyohara's movements paused slightly.
He raised his head and looked at Tsunade.
"How did you know that, Sensei?"
"I have my own sources."
Tsunade crossed one leg over the other.
"Go on."
"Tell me what's going on."
Kiyohara put down his spoon.
"I just don't want that place to remain abandoned forever."
he replied.
"The Land of Whirlpools..."
"...was once Konoha's ally."
"Now that it's become what it is today, someone should at least do something for it."
Of course...
That was only an excuse.
What Kiyohara truly cared about was fulfilling the last will of by Uzumaki Kiyohara.
Revitalizing that land through indirect means was simply the most practical approach.
After all, Uzushiogakure's fuinjutsu techniques had long since been absorbed into Konoha's archives.
Everything else worth taking had already been divided among the various nations.
What remained was nothing more than barren wasteland that had repeatedly served as a battlefield.
To ordinary shinobi, the place held almost no value.
Unless another great war erupted and someone wanted to use the Land of Whirlpools as a launching point to invade the Land of Fire again.
Tsunade quietly looked at him.
"Just because of that?"
"Mhm."
Kiyohara nodded.
"And..."
"There's also a chance to make a huge profit."
Tsunade's eyes instantly brightened.
"A huge profit?"
"Mhm."
Kiyohara nodded again.
"The tourism industry in the shinobi world is still underdeveloped."
"But in the future, there's definitely going to be a market for it."
"The Land of Whirlpools has an excellent geographical location, and its scenery is beautiful."
"If it's developed properly, it could attract a great number of visitors."
Tsunade listened with complete attention.
"Then..."
"How much have you invested?"
Kiyohara thought for a moment before answering.
"I started with a small goal."
Tsunade blinked.
"A small goal?"
"How much is that?"
(End of Chapter)