"Hinayuki, how do you feel?"
Hiashi Hyuga approached her.
"I... I am fine."
Looking at a reality that unfolded exactly like the events in the illusion, Hinayuki Hyuga bit her lip and lowered her head.
"I will provide a detailed treatment plan for Lord Hiashi and Lady Hinayuki after I return from my mission," Kiyoshi said, collecting the burnt incense and ashes into a small box.
"We are in your debt, Kiyoshi-kun."
Seeing that Kiyoshi had not deemed the condition untreatable, Hiashi felt a surge of hope. Perhaps there was a chance for his recovery after all. He insisted on Kiyoshi staying for a meal at the Hyuga estate, and Kiyoshi readily agreed.
"Natsu, clean the room," Hiashi ordered.
"Yes, Lord Hiashi."
Natsu Hyuga entered, stealing a quick glance at Kiyoshi and then at Hinayuki.
'Was it really just a simple medical treatment?' Her heart skipped a beat.
'What if... what if Kiyoshi is after the Lady?' The thought terrified her. A Main House member like Ginka was one thing, but this was the wife of the Clan Head.
Natsu lowered her gaze as she swept, watching Kiyoshi and Hiashi walk away deep in conversation, with Hinayuki trailing silently behind them.
'Kiyoshi-kun... what exactly are you planning?'
***
Two nights later, in the woods.
Kiyoshi was moving with his unit toward the front lines near the Land of Grass.
'The Wind Style Jonin trait is ready,' Kiyoshi thought, closing his status panel.
To satisfy the advancement conditions for [Wind Style Jonin (Purple)], which required mastering two A-rank or four B-rank Wind Style techniques, he had successfully acquired the [Wind Style: Rasengan].
Over the last two days, when he wasn't accompanying Tsunade, he had spent his time visiting Kushina and, by extension, ingratiating himself with Minato Namikaze.
By observing Minato perform the standard [Rasengan] and practicing the rotation method from his memories of the original story, Kiyoshi had mastered the jutsu with ease.
The principle of the [Rasengan] was simple: a high-density cluster of chakra created through constant compression and rotation, mimicking a Tailed Beast Bomb. It required vast chakra reserves and precise control—two things Kiyoshi possessed in abundance.
While the [Rasengan] didn't particularly suit his current combat style, he learned it solely to meet the requirements for his trait evolution. Being a non-elemental jutsu, once Kiyoshi infused it with his wind nature, it became [Wind Style: Rasengan]. He followed the same process for his second A-rank requirement: the [Great Ball Rasengan].
In Kiyoshi's hands, these became the [Wind Style: Rasengan] and [Wind Style: Great Ball Rasengan].
'Next, I need to find suitable Water and Earth Style jutsu...'
He rubbed his chin. The Uchiha clan specialized in Fire, Lightning, and Genjutsu; their library was lacking in other elements.
'I can handle the Water Style through Ameyuri Ringo. As for Earth Style...' Kiyoshi decided to use his Anbu identity to request them from the village. Hidden Lead surely had A-rank Earth Style jutsu available, provided one had the merit to claim them.
"I'll be right back," Kiyoshi announced.
"Hurry up with your business," Tekka Uchiha grumbled, leaning against a tree to rest with the others.
Kiyoshi nodded and walked into the shadows. Once he was out of sight, he left a puppet clone transformed into his likeness and used the [Flying Thunder God Technique] to teleport to his secret laboratory in the Land of Grass.
'The research has reached the second stage.'
Kiyoshi looked at the various snakes preserved in containers. The rate of mutation and deformity had decreased significantly. Once a research direction was established, efficiency increased exponentially.
*Click.*
Kiyoshi opened a syringe and injected a small dose of Moryo's power into the White Snake. At this second stage, the power was far more stable than the raw version. As long as the dose remained within limits, it would not go out of control.
"The clinical trials are sufficient."
A faint, metallic scent of blood hung in the lab; the research had cost the lives of countless snakes.
*Hiss...*
The White Snake suddenly grew agitated.
**ROAR!**
The snake's body, normally maintained by a transformation jutsu, began to tremble and swell. Kiyoshi quickly took it outside.
*Rumble!*
The White Snake's body expanded until it rivaled the size of Orochimaru's Manda. Under the moonlight, its white scales became finer and smoother, shimmering like polished glass. On its head, scales were pushed aside as keratinized buds sprouted and hardened into a pair of sharp horns.
Through the vision of his Sharingan, Kiyoshi could see thin wisps of purple-black chakra swirling around the scales—resentment radiating from the biological experiments within the base.
"Come," Kiyoshi commanded.
The massive serpent immediately lowered its head. Kiyoshi reached out and pressed the snake's fangs against his hand; pure Moryo power instantly surged into his body.
'This level of control is enough for now,' he thought. The White Snake served as a living vessel for the power; when needed, he could simply draw it out through the fangs. He expected to harvest plenty of Moryo power on this battlefield.
"Next, I'll experiment with the interaction between Senjutsu and Moryo power."
Kiyoshi stroked the snake's head, and with a low rumble, it shrank back down to the size of a finger and slithered into his sleeve. The commotion drew the attention of Kari Uzumaki, who peeked timidly from behind a tree.
"That snake... it can get that big?" she whispered in awe.
"Things are going to get chaotic soon. Stay inside," Kiyoshi told her, strengthening the base's cloaking seals before departing.
***
"Get some sleep. we move out at dawn."
Tekka Uchiha opened his bleary eyes and checked the time. It was midnight; they had to be up by five. No one suspected that in those few minutes, Kiyoshi had traveled to the Land of Grass and back, evolving his companion in the process.
"Rest," Kiyoshi whispered, patting the snake's head.
*Hiss...*
The snake coiled around his hand.
'Its intelligence hasn't increased much,' Kiyoshi noted.
He sat against the tree. *Crackle!* Internal arcs of electricity surged through his body, silent to the outside world. His internal Lightning Style seals worked overtime, tempering his organs and muscle fibers day and night. Even while the others rested, Kiyoshi never stopped his Training. He was constantly evolving... becoming stronger.
***
Several days later, at the Mountains' Graveyard.
"The Mist Anbu and the Jinchuriki have arrived, haven't they?"
Madara Uchiha opened his eyes, the spinning tomoe faintly visible. He did not speak aloud, communicating only through lip-reading with Zetsu.
"They have arrived, Madara," White Zetsu replied, emerging from the wall and mimicking the silent communication. Fifty meters away, Obito was fast asleep, muttering the names of Kakashi and Rin in his dreams.
"However, a Leaf ninja accidentally discovered where the Jinchuriki is being held."
"I'll send the Seven Ninja Swordsmen," Madara signaled. He shakily formed a hand seal, and miles away, a faint red light flashed in the eyes of the Three-Tails Jinchuriki. The Jinchuriki turned to the Mist Anbu beside him and began issuing orders.
"Continue the surveillance. The plan must not fail," Madara wheezed. His aged body struggled even with such simple jutsu. He was too old. Hashirama Senju, who possessed far greater vitality, was long dead. Healing and regeneration always came at a price; the limit of cell division and the accumulation of battle injuries had taken their toll.
"Yes, Madara." Zetsu sank back into the ground.
Madara turned his gaze toward the sleeping youth. The stage was set. He only needed a boy full of love to fall into the abyss and become an Asura. Obito's deep love for Rin and his comrades would, once corrupted, turn into a profound hatred for the world. Now, he just needed to draw out Obito's power... the power of the Mangekyo.
The world created by the Sage of the Six Paths was a mistake. Hashirama's ideals were naive; as long as the shinobi system existed, conflict would never end. This sinking world could only be saved by the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"I can finally throw the stone to the other shore, Hashirama," Madara whispered in the darkness.
***
Kiyoshi and his team finally arrived at the front lines. Upon entering the camp, he was met by Kakashi's gaunt, anxious face.
"What happened?" Kiyoshi asked, feigning ignorance.
"Rin... she's been taken!"
The normally stoic Kakashi spoke with rare desperation. He explained that Rin and a medical team had been ambushed by Mist ninjas while treating the wounded. They had been kidnapped, but Kakashi had been ordered to stay and guard the post.
Logically, Kakashi knew the order was necessary, but his heart couldn't accept it. Was he really going to abandon Rin... again?
"Orders, you say?" Kiyoshi said noncommittally.
***
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