Kiyoshi's Home.
"8% and 2%."
Kiyoshi set down his katana.
The former was the progress for the [Apprentice Wind Style Ninja] Trait, and the latter was for the [Fatigue Resistance] Trait. Both could gain progress simultaneously through his training.
However, Kiyoshi set these two aside for the moment; he wanted to test the [Dark Medical Ninjutsu].
Regarding Mōryō's physical body, Kiyoshi never had any intention of handing it over. Such a valuable resource was something he intended to study alone.
"I need to recruit Rin Nohara," Kiyoshi thought to himself.
He could outsource a portion of the research to Rin. If he gave it to Nonō, she would almost certainly forbid Kiyoshi from making contact with it due to the extreme danger.
As for Orochimaru... Kiyoshi didn't dare give it to him. Who knew what kind of monstrosity he would research into existence?
Only after Kiyoshi achieved a significant lead in this field would he consider collaborating with other ninjas of higher scientific caliber. His plan to recruit Rin Nohara was simply because she was easy to handle. It just so happened that she had something she wanted from him.
Kiyoshi began flipping through the [Dark Medical Ninjutsu].
This was also something he had obtained from the "kind-hearted" Priestess to be used in conjunction with Mōryō. Yomi had fled, but he hadn't had time to take the documents left in the Land of Demons, which worked out perfectly for Kiyoshi.
"It truly deserves the name 'Dark'."
Kiyoshi discovered that much of it involved breaking through the limits of the human body. Naturally, the subsequent consequences were repaired using the omnipotent Mōryō. This was how those Land of Demons ninjas were able to grow strong so rapidly.
"There is quite a lot of necessary reference material here."
Kiyoshi continued reading. After about an hour, the Trait panel reacted, notifying him that he had obtained a new Trait.
"You have obtained the Trait: [Dark Medical Ninja (White)]."
[Trait: Dark Medical Ninja (White).]
[Requirement: Read through 'Dark Medical Ninjutsu' once.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Your 'Strength' value among the eight ninja stats is increased by 5% over its original base.]
[Note: Can be advanced in the future.]
"Vitality..."
Kiyoshi could feel the upper limit of his physical body rising slightly. The so-called "Strength" stat referred to arm strength, leg power, overall muscular force, and so on. Kiyoshi clenched his fist, feeling a substantial sense of power within.
"This Trait should be able to synthesize with the other Medical Ninja Trait," Kiyoshi thought. These two represented medical ninjutsu from different systems and would likely complement each other.
Just as Kiyoshi intended to read through it again to deepen his impression, someone called out to him.
"Kiyoshi."
Shizune had found him and informed him of her purpose. Lady Tsunade requested his presence.
Kiyoshi had a faint realization of why Tsunade was looking for him. It was likely because Yūki's hands were useless for now, preventing him from performing missions, necessitating a change in the Jōnin leader.
This was quite common, similar to how Yamato replaced the injured Kakashi Hatake to lead the new Team 7. Though currently, Yamato didn't go by that name; he was still working for Danzō in the Foundation under the code name "Kinoe."
"Alright, let's go."
Along the way, the two of them picked up Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi.
"Is this Lady Tsunade's home?"
It was Kurenai's first time here, and she was very curious. Lady Tsunade was one of the Sannin, and all of them were rarely seen in the village. They were either out on missions or busy with their own affairs.
"That's right, Kurenai. Want me to give you a tour?"
Due to his relationship with Hiruzen, Asuma wasn't exactly a stranger to Tsunade. He had been here a few times. Tsunade lived on the old site of the Senju clan.
Although the Senju clan had now dissolved and integrated into the Hidden Leaf, the buildings they left behind hadn't all been demolished; some remained. With Hashirama leading them, the Senju had once been the greatest clan in the ninja world. Naturally, their architecture was grand.
Kurenai occasionally let out exclamations of surprise as she looked at the buildings. The expressions of Asuma and Kiyoshi didn't change much. Both came from great clans with plenty of imposing architecture themselves. For instance, the Uchiha's Naka Shrine was something not just anyone could build. Kurenai's family didn't have anything like it.
"It feels similar to the Uchiha," Kiyoshi commented.
The Uchiha and Senju shared a common ancestor. Later, the discord between Indra and Asura led to a thousand-year war between their descendants. Precisely because of this long history of conflict, the cultures of the two clans had permeated each other, and even their architectural styles had gradually become complementary.
"Lady Tsunade, we're here!"
Shizune pushed open the door to reveal Tsunade holding a sake bottle, smelling strongly of alcohol.
"In three days, we will depart for Hidden Sand together."
Tsunade took a sip of sake, her face flushed with a drunken glow. Aside from gambling, Tsunade's greatest hobby was drinking. Alcohol was medicine; it could soothe the sickness of the heart. A dazed Tsunade relied on this to pass the days.
"Yes."
Kiyoshi and the other two spoke in unison. Even Asuma didn't dare to be casual around someone of Tsunade's status. Strictly speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi had gotten a bit of a bargain by becoming Tsunade's teacher.
"Shizune, take them out."
Tsunade waved her hand, having set the date with the three of them, and began dismissing her guests. She just wanted to finish the mission Hiruzen had assigned so she could go back to wasting time.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Shizune bit her lower lip. They had gone to so many places to gather everyone, and Lady Tsunade told them to leave after barely saying a few words.
"Wait."
Tsunade seemed to remember something and called Shizune back. She turned to Kiyoshi, who stood in the middle, already much taller than Asuma, and said:
"Nonō took you as a disciple?"
"I am grateful for Nonō-sensei's favor; she indeed took me as her disciple," Kiyoshi replied.
In the past, he had sought out Tsunade, wanting to establish a connection with her, but she hadn't agreed. So he had gone to find Nonō Yakushi instead.
"An Uchiha who actually possesses the [Yang Attribute]... how rare," Tsunade said, her red lips parting as she exhaled a faint scent of alcohol.
Perhaps because of the [Strength of a Hundred Seal] or some other reason, there was no foul smell of alcohol. Usually, when people drink—especially when alcohol mixes with sweat and saliva—it forms a pungent, sour odor.
Tsunade was currently wearing high-heeled sandals, her pale, fair arches fully visible. Her toes, painted with red nail polish, were slender and well-formed. Even from a distance, there was no unpleasant scent.
"What are you looking at?"
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly. Having spent so much time with Jiraiya, she was extremely sensitive to such gazes.
"Nothing. I was just curious how much Lady Tsunade had to drink."
Tsunade followed Kiyoshi's gaze to the pile of empty sake bottles beside her.
"Why do you kids need to know so much? Come, let me see how your medical ninjutsu is coming along."
Tsunade stretched, shaking her head as her blonde hair fell over her cheeks and onto her chest. Her dark, calf-length pants clung tightly to the lines of her thighs, faintly revealing their shapely contour.
***
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