Upon hearing her request, Kiyohara responded evenly,
"Tsunade-sama, with all due respect—that's far too dangerous. Kirigakure may have just suffered a setback, but their main force is still intact. Their defenses will be tight."
Tsunade nodded. She knew he was right.
The Kirigakure invasion had been aggressive, and although repelled for now, there was no way they'd back off so easily.
Their supply lines were long, and they'd likely resort to "feeding the war with war"—continuing the fight in hopes of securing resources.
It wouldn't be surprising if they launched an even larger assault soon.
"In any case, I'm not asking you to go right now. Kirigakure won't hold Uzushiogakure for long."
Tsunade waved the concern off.
She wasn't the type to recklessly endanger a fellow shinobi just for personal reasons.
"Then… Tsunade-sama, may I ask—why me?"
Kiyohara found it strange. There were plenty of shinobi. Why him, specifically?
"Your Magnet Release allows acceleration, right? And that snake Orochimaru gave you Konoha Shunshin no Jutsu too, didn't he?"
Tsunade spoke casually.
In truth, she'd originally planned to ask Namikaze Minato—thanks to his relationship with Kushina, she could've convinced him.
But Minato was tied up on the Kumogakure front.
Then she ran into Orochimaru, who mentioned that Kiyohara was unusually fast—even among shinobi specializing in teleportation-style movement.
That's what brought her to this idea.
"I see…" Kiyohara nodded.
Shinobi specializing in Shunshin techniques were rare—just like sealing, genjutsu, or medical ninjutsu specialists. It was a niche path with deep mastery.
"Still, given the war… I may not always have the time. I'll do what I can, Tsunade-sama."
Kiyohara's tone was courteous, but the subtext was clear: this'll cost extra.
He was tactful, not overstepping—but he made sure his meaning was understood.
Tsunade raised her hands with a half-smile.
Behind her, Shizune got the message and pulled out two scrolls.
From their last encounter, Tsunade knew this brat was interested in medical ninjutsu.
"I gave you Hemostasis Technique and Poison Antidote Technique last time, right? Those are basics. From here on, it depends on your chakra nature."
Tsunade's voice was matter-of-fact.
Without sufficient Yang-nature chakra, a shinobi simply couldn't practice high-level medical techniques.
"I don't know if you have a Yang affinity—or whether you've got the talent. But I'll give you these first. Think of it as early payment. There'll be more once you finish."
She waved Shizune forward, who passed the two scrolls to Kiyohara.
Kiyohara opened them. Two C-rank medical jutsu:
Pain Suppression Technique – temporarily disables local pain receptors to ease suffering.
Cellular Regeneration Technique – accelerates cell division to promote the regeneration of muscle tissue and minor internal injuries.
Both were highly practical.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama. As soon as Kirigakure withdraws, I'll head out to confirm Kato Dan-senpai's grave."
Kiyohara accepted the scrolls and made his promise.
"Good."
Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
She wasn't expecting immediate results. She just wanted to know the truth.
And she suspected Kirigakure's occupation wouldn't last more than two months.
She waved him off.
Kiyohara noticed the pale tint to her complexion—no doubt a lingering effect of her hemophobia—and quietly took his leave without delay.
Outside, the cool night breeze brushed across his face, clearing the lingering scent of medicinal herbs.
He clutched the newly obtained scrolls, their cool texture invigorating his senses.
This meeting had exceeded all expectations.
'He hadn't even done the job yet and already got paid. And by the sound of it, there's more to come once I report back…'
Kiyohara knew Tsunade wasn't just giving him techniques. She was giving him a connection.
In the shinobi world, unless you were powerful enough to beat everyone solo, you needed backing—faction, prestige, influence.
And with each legacy he inherited, Kiyohara's Kekkei Genkai count would likely keep growing.
Eventually, others would notice.
When that happened, having powerful allies would be essential.
If he became Tsunade or Orochimaru's disciple…
Who'd dare touch him without thinking twice?
Even Shimura Danzō would have to tread carefully.
'But still… if I become Orochimaru's student, I have a feeling he might covet my body…'
After all, if things followed canon, a few years from now Orochimaru would stop being "Orochimaru-sama" and become more like… "Lady Snake."
Whether it was for evolution… or because of that whole Itachi-arm-cutting thing, Orochimaru eventually gave up his body and possessed a woman.
"Anyway, it's too early to worry about that. One thing at a time," Kiyohara thought, shaking his head.
He spotted Kurenai and Genma waiting nearby and made his way over.
As he walked, he could feel the changes still echoing in his body.
After completing the second legacy, he had fully integrated with Magnet Kiyohara.
And now, he looked forward to the next month's Will Scroll.
Who would appear next?
What new power would awaken?
Each step he took, he could feel the residual transformation deepening—the solid sense of growth no outside force could replicate.
Meanwhile…
Thanks to her speed and familiarity with the terrain, Pakura finally escaped the pursuit net, bringing Maki and the surviving Suna-nin back to their territory.
In a hidden sand cave, she leaned against the cold wall.
Her arm still throbbed from where the iron coin tore through her flesh—ringed with blackened, scorched flesh.
There were no med-nin present. Maki could only apply rudimentary first aid.
'That brat from Konoha…'
Pakura's amber eyes narrowed with unease.
That black, high-speed projectile…
Those flickering blue arcs of lightning…
'Why… did that seem so familiar…?'
The more she replayed the moment, the deeper her confusion grew.
Unfortunately, it was too dark that night. Kiyohara's jutsu had moved too fast. She hadn't gotten a clear look.
"Pakura-sensei… there's something stuck in your wound."
Maki, tending to her arm, noticed something odd—tiny black grains, as fine as hair.
Pakura leaned closer.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Iron sand…?"
And just like that—
A sudden, impossible thought struck her—
'No way… that kid uses Magnet Release?'