"Do you want to go for a walk?"
Kiyohara asked.
It wasn't very late yet.
Just right—he could also take the opportunity to exchange some knowledge about medical ninjutsu with Rin.
"Sure."
Rin nodded.
She had actually been thinking the same thing.
The two of them walked side by side along the streets of Konoha.
In the end, Kiyohara invited Rin to his home.
She bent down slightly, and the hem of her nurse's skirt tightened faintly. Soon she removed her shoes.
The pale soles of her feet flashed briefly before she slipped into the indoor slippers Kiyohara had prepared.
Kiyohara went into the kitchen and brought out tea leaves, teacups, and some newly purchased tea bags.
Now that he had money, he certainly wasn't going to treat himself poorly.
Once he learned how to control gold dust with Magnet Release, he planned to move to a better house.
This small place no longer matched his temperament.
Moreover, it wasn't convenient for daily training. Ideally, he wanted a house with a larger backyard.
At present, he could already control many other metals little by little.
Only gold dust still posed some difficulty.
After all, in the original story, the only one shown capable of controlling gold dust was Rasa.
Even though Gaara Hiden mentioned that Rasa had other disciples, those disciples could at most control other metals, not gold dust itself.
Rin knelt across from him at the low table. The white stockings beneath her nurse uniform were strikingly visible.
They extended to just below her knees, and above that, her fair thighs were left bare.
"Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever shown you my tea-making skills, Rin."
Holding a teacup, Kiyohara caused the air above it to ripple and distort as though twisted.
He was infusing Fire Release chakra onto the surface of the cup, something akin to chakra flow which required extremely refined chakra control.
The heat generated caused the surrounding air to move, creating thermal convection.
From a distance, it looked as if the air itself were warping.
Rin immediately noticed the phenomenon.
Seeing Kiyohara's palm redden slightly, she understood at once that he was using Fire Release.
Then she watched as he poured cold water into the cup and placed a tea bag inside.
The cold water began to boil, and within a dozen seconds, a cup of hot tea was ready.
He can attach Fire Release chakra to sterilize the cup, precisely control the chakra to boil water, and not damage the cup or tea bag… Such chakra control…
Rin was inwardly astonished.
Was Kiyohara this proficient even in Fire Release training?
How versatile was he exactly?
The only abilities she hadn't seen him demonstrate yet seemed to be fūinjutsu or Water Release ninjutsu.
"It's still a bit hot. You can wait a moment before drinking."
Kiyohara smiled faintly and pushed the cup toward her.
The temperature inside wasn't excessively high, it had just reached the boiling point. In this weather, it would cool down quickly.
"Thank you."
Rin looked at him and couldn't help drifting off for a moment.
Young. Powerful. Handsome.
Any one of those qualities alone would draw attention.
Yet all of them were gathered in one person.
To her, Kiyohara felt almost too dazzling, too outstanding.
"What's wrong?"
After preparing a cup for himself in the same manner, Kiyohara looked at the distracted Rin.
"S-Sorry… I was spacing out."
Rin lowered her gaze slightly, not daring to meet his eyes.
She couldn't very well confess the reason she had been distracted—that would be far too embarrassing.
Kiyohara chuckled softly.
Then he asked,
"So, Rin, are you working as a nurse now?"
He glanced at her outfit.
"Mm… I've been helping Doctor Miyako recently."
Rin nodded.
Miyako was the medical shinobi who had taught her medical ninjutsu.
"I see."
Kiyohara nodded thoughtfully.
"Then take a look at the medical ninjutsu I've recently learned."
As he spoke, a soft green glow appeared in his palm.
"That's… the Muscle Regeneration Technique?"
Rin recognized it immediately.
Then she watched in surprise as Kiyohara demonstrated several other medical ninjutsu in succession.
"?"
Her eyes widened in confusion.
Had Kiyohara gone somewhere to "stock up" on medical ninjutsu?
Why had he suddenly learned so many medical ninjutsu?
"They… they're all correct."
Rin shook her head.
The techniques he performed were precise and textbook-perfect.
"Someone must have taught you, Kiyohara-kun?" she asked curiously.
"Yes."
Kiyohara nodded.
He had learned them from Yakushi Nono.
"I see."
Rin nodded in understanding.
The two then began discussing medical ninjutsu in depth.
Although Kiyohara had considerable talent in Yang Release and could copy techniques with the Sharingan, his practical understanding and experience with medical ninjutsu were still lacking.
After exchanging ideas with Rin, he improved significantly.
Rin, sitting across from him, felt the same.
There were even a few medical techniques she didn't know.
Though they were few, she still learned quite a lot. Thanks to certain medical concepts from Kiyohara's previous life, she found many of his ideas refreshingly novel.
She glanced at the sky outside and felt, inexplicably, that time had passed too quickly—if only it would slow down.
"It's getting late. I should head back."
Rin stood.
"Take care," Kiyohara replied with a nod.
From Rin, he had copied the Mystical Palm Technique.
Yes, once again relying on the all-purpose Sharingan.
With the three-tomoe insight of Uchiha Kiyohara's spiritual presence assisting him, he learned it swiftly.
However, the Sharingan only forced open the doorway. From beginner to mastery still depended on himself.
For example, Kakashi favored Chidori the most, his proficiency with it was highest, and it suited his combat style best.
"I should buy some fish to practice on."
Kiyohara stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Medical ninjutsu was generally practiced on fish.
The Mystical Palm Technique should suffice for treating internal injuries.
…
Obito stood in a vast expanse of white space.
This was Uchiha Madara's genjutsu. Though the world appeared blank, the caster could project his will to create and control anything within it.
Connected to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Madara could even expand the illusion and refine it in every detail.
Obito listened as Madara recounted everything, finally learning the true origin of it all—the Sage of Six Paths and the Ten-Tails.
These were among the most secret truths in shinobi history.
The Madara who appeared here bore the appearance of his youth.
"Alright, Obito. I've already taught you the Uchiha clan's forbidden techniques and the Six Paths techniques… including those related to Yin–Yang Release."
Madara looked at him steadily.
They left the genjutsu world and returned to reality.
"You've seen my true appearance. If you ever replace me, no one will detect a flaw."
Madara spoke calmly.
After all, almost everyone from his era was dead. Only a handful knew fragments of the past.
Then Madara began to act.
He pressed his palm against a White Zetsu, releasing something like black liquid.
"I've infused this one with my will. Think of Black Zetsu as half of me, though he's still an inferior creation. You can use Yin–Yang Release to create more of them and treat them as expendable pieces."
Elsewhere, from the abdomen of a White Zetsu embedded in the wall, a twisted black chakra rod slowly emerged.
"This black chakra rod was formed from my will. If you use the Six Paths techniques, it will prove useful…"
The aged Madara sank back into his wooden chair, breathing heavily.
Originally, he had intended to pass everything to Obito and then remove the tubes sustaining him with the Demonic Statue's chakra, ending his lingering existence.
But after discovering Kiyohara, Madara decided to observe Obito a little longer, just in case of unforeseen complications.
He had already taught Obito everything necessary.
After all, once he died, his resurrection would depend entirely on external factors.
If Black Zetsu failed to guide events properly, his grand resurrection plan would become a joke.
To have lurked in the shadows of the shinobi world for half a lifetime, only to die without leaving a ripple—
That was not a future Uchiha Madara would accept.
"No problem."
Obito nodded.
Under Madara's instruction, they had sparred even within the genjutsu world.
His combat experience had skyrocketed.
More importantly, he felt the Mangekyō Sharingan nourishing his body.
His strength was rapidly synchronizing with the power of his heart, and combined with the immense vitality granted by Hashirama's cells, he was now utterly different from his former self.
"Remember, go find Nagato. My Rinnegan is with him. That is the key to everything."
"I've told you everything. Go. Act. In the outside world, you are… Uchiha Madara."
Madara's voice grew fainter, nearly dissolving into murmurs.
He drifted into a half-sleep.
Obito glanced at him, then turned and walked out, cloaked in black.
Blinding sunlight streamed in from outside.
How long had it been since he had felt the sun?
He could no longer remember.
The only thing he had not forgotten was betrayal.
This world was false.
Even if he returned to those people, when the day truly came for death, everything would still be forgotten in the end.
Moreover, Obito understood something very clearly.
Anyone could do it, just not him.
If there was no Kakashi, then there would be Kiyohara.
A girl as outstanding as Rin would never lack people by her side.
He simply refused to admit it.
"Heh… this is what a false world looks like."
Obito narrowed his eyes, gradually adjusting to the sunlight outside.
If that was the case, then he would create a world where Rin liked him!
But before doing any of that, Obito decided to return to Konoha first and take a look.
He put on a mask.
Sss—
The space around him rippled like a vortex.
His figure began to twist and rotate, drawn into a black point at the center, and then disappeared entirely.
…
Elsewhere.
Inside the Hokage's office, smoke lingered thickly in the air.
Outside the window, the streets of Konoha were bustling with people; the shadow of war seemed, for the moment, driven away by the warm sunlight.
Hiruzen sat behind his wide desk, his brows tightly furrowed.
The pipe in his hand had long since gone out, yet he did not even notice.
Spread before him was the latest intelligence report from the Kikyo Mountain front.
The situation could be described as unfavorable.
A few days earlier, Danzo had left Konoha.
He had claimed he was heading to the front lines.
However, the ANBU had reported that Danzo seemed to have gone to the Land of Rain instead.
Moreover, Orochimaru had joined Root and was now working under Danzo.
Though not a formal membership in the conventional sense, the two had clearly reached a cooperative relationship.
They had collaborated before, but never so openly.
Hiruzen took a deep draw from his pipe, only to realize it had already gone cold.
He smiled bitterly and relit the tobacco.
Still, it wasn't all bad news.
He thought of Kiyohara.
That young shinobi who had begun to shine on the battlefield.
According to reports, Kiyohara had not only performed excellently in combat but had also obtained intelligence regarding Sasori.
To be honest, Hiruzen had even felt the impulse to take Kiyohara as his disciple.
But he was already over fifty years old and had the legendary Sannin as his students.
Taking Kiyohara now would be inappropriate.
In another year or two, his strength would begin to decline rapidly, moving from the tail end of his prime into true old age.
"If Danzo sets his sights on Kiyohara…"
Hiruzen's brows furrowed even more deeply.
He knew his old friend all too well.
Danzo's attitude toward the Uchiha clan had always been conflicted—he feared their power, yet longed to bring that very power under his control.
An Uchiha like Kiyohara, with a special identity of having the bloodline, yet distant from the clan was precisely the kind of prey Danzo would find ideal.
More importantly, if Kiyohara became Orochimaru's disciple, Danzo would have every reason to draw Kiyohara into his sphere of influence through Orochimaru.
At that point, Kiyohara might become a crucial chess piece in Danzo's hand.
The last time Danzo had acted so impatiently had already revealed how highly he valued Kiyohara.
And besides, Kiyohara was already serving as Orochimaru's assistant.
That would not do.
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a plume of smoke.
The smoke curled in the air, just like the tangled thoughts in his mind.
Someone needed to provide balance.
Jiraiya.
That was the first name that surfaced in his mind.
His own disciple, one of Konoha's heroes, a seemingly carefree man who nevertheless carried a deep sense of righteousness.
If Jiraiya could take Kiyohara as a disciple, that would undoubtedly be the most ideal outcome. Jiraiya's stance was absolutely reliable, and his teaching style suited a shinobi like Kiyohara, one who carried the Will of Fire in his heart.
With that thought, Hiruzen extinguished his pipe and stood up.
"Someone."
An ANBU appeared instantly in the office, kneeling on one knee.
"Bring Jiraiya here."
"Yes."
About twenty minutes later, the office door was pushed open.
"Old man, what do you need? I was just about to head back to the front lines!"
Jiraiya strode in casually, his long white hair hanging loosely, his forehead protector tilted crookedly.
Though his tone was light, the exhaustion in his eyes could not be hidden. War weighed on everyone, even on one of the legendary Sannin.
"Sit."
Hiruzen returned to his seat and gestured.
Jiraiya shrugged and pulled over a chair.
"Make it quick. Things aren't looking good at the front, I need to get back as soon as possible."
Hiruzen nodded and went straight to the point.
"I want you to take on a disciple."
Jiraiya blinked, then waved his hands dramatically.
"Old man, you know I'm not taking students anymore! I'm searching for the Child of Prophecy!"
"This child is different."
Hiruzen looked at him steadily.
To be honest, even as Jiraiya's teacher, he sometimes felt Jiraiya was bordering on obsession.
For the sake of a vague prophecy, Jiraiya had been wandering the world since the end of the Second Shinobi War.
If not for the outbreak of the Third Shinobi War, Jiraiya like Tsunade would rarely have returned to the village.
He had even stayed in the Land of Rain for three whole years, teaching three Rain orphans his skills, yet leaving them there instead of bringing them back to Konoha.
If one day Konoha went to war with the Land of Rain again, what would that make of things?
"Alright, old man. Since you put it that way, I'll take a look."
Jiraiya waved dismissively and left the room.
In truth, he already had two vague candidates in mind for the Child of Prophecy.
One was his student from the Land of Rain.
The other was… Namikaze Minato.
Could Kiyohara be a possibility?
Of course.
Anyone could be, it was simply a matter of probability.
And in Jiraiya's view, his first two candidates were far more likely than Kiyohara.
The door closed.
Hiruzen sat alone in the office for a long while, silent.
Jiraiya's response had been a polite refusal.
Then the next option was…
Tsunade.
Hiruzen summoned ANBU once more and asked them to bring Tsunade.
"Old man, what do you want this time?"
Tsunade frowned slightly.
One glance at her expression was enough for Hiruzen to guess she had lost at gambling again.
Whenever she returned to Konoha, she practically lived in the casinos.
He didn't beat around the bush.
"I want you to take on a disciple."
"What?"
Her frown deepened.
"You called me here just for that? Old man, you know I don't take students."
"This child is special."
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"You've met him before. It's Kiyohara."
Tsunade's expression shifted faintly. Kiyohara's talent in medical ninjutsu was indeed impressive.
She had taught him for a single day and understood the true value of his potential.
"So what? There are plenty of talented kids."
"His identity is sensitive."
Hiruzen met her gaze directly.
"He's carrying out missions under Orochimaru, and Danzo's interest in him is growing. I need someone to guide him onto the right path."
Tsunade fell silent. She did not want to involve herself in politics.
She was tired of factional struggles and power games.
"I don't want to get mixed up in that."
"Tsunade. If you don't take Kiyohara as a disciple, Danzo might—"
"What does that old fossil want now?"
She frowned.
She naturally knew about his granduncle Tobirama's disciple, Shimura Danzo.
"He's currently Orochimaru's assistant. Orochimaru has joined Danzo's Root."
Hiruzen kept it brief.
He himself hadn't expected Orochimaru to grow so close to Danzo.
Still, regarding the candidate for Fourth Hokage, he already had some ideas.
"How about this, you teach Kiyohara for a period of time. Help him avoid the spotlight for now."
Hiruzen said.
Once the war ended, he would step down and begin selecting the Fourth Hokage.
"This…"
Tsunade hesitated.
But when she looked at the wrinkles on Hiruzen's face, she suddenly realized that the once mighty "Professor" had truly grown old.
"I'll allocate three million ryō to you for medical ninjutsu research."
"No problem. Since I'm already here, I'll teach him for a few months."
Her last trace of hesitation vanished instantly.
Research funds?
With her ability, couldn't she produce something at will?
Whatever money remained would naturally become her commission.
"…"
Hiruzen looked at his money-loving disciple and was speechless.
…
The next day.
Kiyohara received the news that Tsunade would personally teach him for several months.
"So which side am I on now?"
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
On one side, he was Orochimaru's assistant. On the other, Tsunade would be guiding him for months.
It was obvious that Tsunade's sudden willingness must be the work of Konoha's higher-ups.
Otherwise, she would at most spare a few days for him, as before.
Several months was a long time—long enough that the war might nearly be over.
Though the war was brutal, it was already approaching its conclusion.
"Whatever."
Kiyohara shook his head.
Accepting Tsunade's guidance didn't mean he ceased being Orochimaru's assistant.
He just needed to be careful of that old man, Danzo.
He had no intention of offering up his heart for some old man's ambitions.
…
Several days later.
Deep within the forest outside Konoha.
Space rippled like water, a vortex forming out of thin air and expanding outward.
From its center emerged a figure, a mysterious man wearing an orange spiral mask and a black cloak.
"Obito, how does it feel to return to Konoha?"
White Zetsu, spiraling around him, spoke.
At the moment, White Zetsu was attached to Obito's body, masking his presence.
Only in this way could they avoid detection.
The Mayfly Technique was unique to White Zetsu, allowing movement underground and evasion of sensory detection.
After all, Konoha still had the Hyūga clan.
They had to conceal their traces as much as possible.
"Looks like nothing has changed."
Obito stood at a high vantage point, gazing over the walls at the buildings within.
Everything appeared the same as in his memories, yet entirely different.
In the past, Konoha had felt warm, bright, full of hope.
But now, through the eyeholes of his mask, the world seemed covered by a gray filter, everything false and unreal.
Because Rin was gone.
No—Rin was still alive.
But that Rin was no longer his Rin.
Obito's fists tightened slightly.
"Let's go."
His figure once again sank into a swirling vortex of space.
The first place he went was the Uchiha clan compound.
Using Kamui, Obito easily passed through Konoha's barrier.
He arrived at the Uchiha district.
Though the clan's security was strict, before Kamui it was meaningless.
The compound was quiet.
During wartime, most of the Uchiha's main forces were on the front lines; the remaining shinobi were patrolling as part of the Konoha Military Police.
At this hour, those left in the village were mostly ordinary clan members—the elderly, women, and children.
The streets were nearly empty, with only occasional patrol members passing by.
Obito arrived at what had once been his home.
His grandmother had long since passed away.
All that remained here were relics of the past.
"Well then…"
After a brief moment of remembrance, Obito decided to go see Kakashi and Rin.
(End of Chapter)