Kiyohara carefully arranged the ingredients he had purchased one by one: the specially prepared herbal powders for soldier pills, along with several jars of differently colored sugar powders neatly lined up across the counter.
"Kiyohara, it looks like you've prepared far more ingredients than what's usually used for ordinary soldier pills," Rin said curiously as she leaned closer, gazing at the dazzling assortment of bottles and jars spread across the kitchen table.
"Lady Tsunade said that traditional soldier pills focus only on restoring chakra quickly, but they neglect the taste," Kiyohara explained calmly. "No matter how effective something is, if it tastes terrible, people will instinctively resist eating it on the battlefield."
On this point, Sakura would certainly have plenty to say. She had once modified the traditional soldier pill as well, and the effect was even better than the standard version. But the result… Naruto's face had turned completely green after eating it. That was only natural—some medicinal ingredients inevitably clash with flavor. How to balance efficacy and taste ultimately depended on the skill of the maker.
"One tablespoon of vegetable juice, six strips of bean snacks, ten mixed nuts, two teaspoons of sesame seeds, a pinch of seven-spice chili powder, and twenty-five raisins."
Kiyohara began reviewing the standard process of making ordinary soldier pills for Rin. These were all fundamental basics.
Even the Book of the Shinobi had detailed the required conditions. Soldier pills were not truly mystical; chakra was, at its core, derived from physical stamina. Restore stamina quickly, and chakra could be refined once more. And how does one restore stamina rapidly? Naturally, by replenishing a wide variety of nutrients in time.
As Kiyohara explained attentively, Rin found herself momentarily distracted while watching him.
"Did you hear everything?" he asked.
"I—I heard," she replied, snapping back to attention.
These things were not unfamiliar to her.
"Alright, now I'll explain Lady Tsunade's improved version."
Kiyohara took out the key ingredients of the day, the various special medicinal herbs and poured some into a large bowl. He had already asked Tsunade whether he was allowed to share the formula, and she had casually told him not to publicize it widely.
After all, it was merely an enhancement to soldier pills, not some deeply classified secret. Many medical-nin developed their own improvements anyway.
"Okay."
Rin quickly focused, her small face tinged faintly red as she listened intently. Seeing Kiyohara's serious expression as he began explaining again reassured her.
"Lady Tsunade's version reduces the amount of harsh, stimulating herbs and increases the use of mild, nourishing ingredients."
He scooped out a pale-yellow powder from another jar.
"This is a specially prepared herbal powder. It gently stimulates the chakra pathways. Compared to directly using strong stimulants, it's safer, and the effects last longer."
Rin carefully observed his movements. His wrist was steady, and every scoop of powder was weighed precisely on a small scale, accurate down to the gram.
Before long, Kiyohara completed a single improved soldier pill.
Rin took a bite and could not help exclaiming, "Th-this really tastes like candy!"
"Of course. I added quite a bit of sugar," Kiyohara replied.
The process itself was not difficult. With the formula in hand, he believed Rin would be able to replicate it perfectly on her second attempt.
"Though it's still a bit hot," Rin said after taking a small bite, placing the rest of the pill into a small bowl.
Each soldier pill was about the size of two thumbs put together.
"You can cool it down with some wind first."
At Kiyohara's fingertips, a faint current of wind began to swirl as he wind-style chakra. His affinity for wind release had grown remarkably strong; something like this was effortless for him.
The subtle airflow gently blew over the soldier pill. After a short while, he gestured for Rin to try again.
She took another small bite, and this time her eyes lit up.
"The taste is really good, and the chakra recovery speed is impressive too."
She carefully sensed the change in her stamina.
For an ordinary person, such a subtle difference might be imperceptible. But for shinobi—especially those with refined chakra control—even minute fluctuations in physical energy were detectable. She could clearly feel some of her strength returning. After all, she had trained all afternoon at the Third Training Ground and then accompanied Kiyohara to purchase ingredients before coming here.
"You should try making one too, Rin," Kiyohara suggested.
"Alright."
She nodded.
Soon enough, Rin produced a soldier pill identical to Kiyohara's. After allowing it to cool, she tasted it and found the flavor quite pleasing. More importantly, the improved version enhanced effectiveness by roughly fifty percent compared to ordinary soldier pills.
Rin could only sigh inwardly in admiration—truly worthy of Lady Tsunade.
Though admittedly, the process was somewhat complicated and the cost not insignificant.
"Would you like to try the one I made?"
Rin held out a soldier pill in her palm. Her hands had been carefully washed, appearing clean and fair.
Kiyohara took one and tasted it. It was indeed well made.
Rin seemed to embody the image of a traditional, gentle young woman. No wonder Obito had been so devoted—what adolescent boy could withstand such quiet charm?
As she watched Kiyohara eating the pill she had made, Rin suddenly found her thoughts drifting. A deeper blush spread across her cheeks.
Someone like Kiyohara—who could cook, practice medical ninjutsu, excel in combat, and treat his companions with such consideration—truly seemed to possess every admirable quality one could imagine.
Kiyohara-kun will surely steal the hearts of many girls in the future, the thought surfaced unbidden.
Her face grew warmer, and she quickly lowered her head to stare at the soldier pill in her hand. Around her wrist was the bracelet Kiyohara had once given her.
Just as she was lost in thought, Kiyohara's voice pulled her back.
"Alright, now I'm going to start cooking."
"I'll help too. I can cook a little," she offered.
"No need."
He shook his head gently. He felt that working alone would be more efficient.
Seeing this, Rin could only begin tidying up the soldier pills instead.
Kiyohara asked her to sit outside and rest for the time being.
…
After a short while, when Kiyohara had finished arranging all the dishes neatly upon the table, Tsunade descended from upstairs.
She was wearing a white nightgown, still heavy with sleep, and slowly made her way down from the second floor, her steps unhurried and languid.
The soft fabric of the nightgown clung closely to the curves of her body, outlining the full and mature silhouette of her figure with quiet elegance.
Her long golden hair cascaded loosely over her shoulders, a few stray strands resting against her cheeks, carrying with them the unmistakable air of someone who had only just awakened.
"Hm? It smells wonderful."
Tsunade inhaled lightly, drawing in the aroma, and walked toward the dining table.
"It smells so good… Kiyohara, what are you tinkering with this time?"
Rubbing her eyes, Tsunade stepped into the kitchen, only to pause for a brief moment when she saw Rin standing there.
"Oh? We have a guest."
"Lady Tsunade!"
Rin quickly rose to her feet and bowed respectfully.
"There's no need to be so formal."
Tsunade waved her hand casually and moved to the table, where she noticed that the dishes Kiyohara had prepared over the past few days had grown increasingly unique and creative.
Steamed fish. Fried chicken cutlet. Tempura…
Yet the most eye-catching dish of all was a piece of tofu placed prominently among them.
The tofu had been cut into a perfect cube, meticulously carved to display the pips of a die. Sauce had been carefully drizzled over its surface, making the carved dots stand out even more distinctly.
"A special dish made just for my sensei," Kiyohara said.
Tsunade lifted her gaze and looked at him.
"You turned a dice into a dish?"
"I thought it would make things a bit more creative," Kiyohara replied with a faint smile.
In his previous life, after all, there had been people capable of carving an entire dragon out of a single radish.
"Do you like it, Sensei?"
Tsunade did not answer immediately.
She pulled out a chair and sat down, her eyes still fixed on that cube of tofu shaped like a dice.
"You don't mind that I gamble, yet you even make a dice as part of the meal?"
She raised an eyebrow slightly.
Among shinobi, there were traditionally three taboos, and very few shinobi involved themselves in gambling; at most, they might frequent pleasure houses from time to time.
The reputation of a gambler had never been particularly good.
It was only because Tsunade's title as one of the Sannin shone so brilliantly that it overshadowed such rumors.
Kiyohara took a seat as well.
"Lady Tsunade's love of gambling is merely a hobby. I've heard that the First Hokage also gambled. And besides, Lady Tsunade has always treated me very well. These are simply things a disciple ought to do."
Kiyohara spoke calmly.
Interestingly enough, Hashirama Senju who had always appeared so honest and upright had also enjoyed gambling.
Tsunade had grown up watching him gamble, and in time she had unconsciously inherited that very habit.
Of course, for Tsunade now, such behavior was more a way of numbing herself than anything else.
A faint flicker passed through her eyes.
For some reason, she felt a subtle stirring within her heart.
Perhaps… she had not chosen this disciple wrongly after all.
"Let's eat first," Tsunade said, shaking her head slightly as if brushing aside her thoughts.
"Rin, stay and eat with us."
She called out to Rin, who had been on the verge of leaving.
"…All right, Lady Tsunade."
Rin paused briefly, then decided to remain and share the meal.
After all, opportunities to dine together with one's idol were exceedingly rare.
Once Shizune arrived as well, Tsunade picked up her chopsticks and began with a bite of the steamed fish.
The fish was tender and fresh, the seasoning thoroughly infused, and the heat perfectly controlled.
Next she tasted the fried chicken cutlet, then the tempura…
Every dish was delicious; Kiyohara's culinary skills were undeniably impressive.
He seemed to improve with each passing day.
At times, Tsunade even found herself wondering whether this brat had activated some kind of Sharingan and secretly gone to restaurants to steal their techniques.
Finally, Tsunade's chopsticks reached toward the tofu die.
She picked up a corner, hesitated for just a moment, and then placed it into her mouth.
It was specially prepared tofu, smooth and delicate in texture, carrying a subtle soybean fragrance balanced by the savory richness of the sauce.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly; her brows relaxed, and the tension at the corners of her eyes softened.
She savored it carefully, then picked up another piece.
"How is my secret-recipe tofu?" Kiyohara asked.
"The craftsmanship speaks for itself."
Tsunade swallowed and opened her eyes to look at him.
"You brat—if you didn't become a shinobi, you could open a restaurant and make quite a name for yourself."
Kiyohara smiled.
"Is that so?"
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
Rin watched the exchange between master and disciple, warmth filling her heart as she marveled at how close their relationship was.
She picked up a piece of the tofu die and placed it into her mouth.
It truly was delicious. Still, she couldn't help but wonder why Kiyohara had shaped it like a die in the first place.
At this point, Rin still had no idea that Tsunade was, in fact, a habitual gambler.
"Rin, eat a little more," Kiyohara said, placing a piece of fish into her bowl.
"You've always taken the trouble to teach me medical ninjutsu."
"I didn't really do much. It's just that you learn quickly, Kiyohara…"
Rin replied shyly.
"If you hadn't taught me, there would've been nothing to learn. You can come by more often in the future," Kiyohara said casually.
Tsunade lifted her head, still chewing her food. "Rin, you don't need to stand on ceremony with Kiyohara. This brat cooks well, eat as much as you like."
Though spoken casually, those words warmed Rin's heart.
She nodded firmly.
"Mm!"
Dinner continued in a warm and gentle atmosphere.
Tsunade ate two full bowls of rice, drank two bowls of soup, and in the end finished all of the tofu dice as well.
Kiyohara, on the other hand, chewed slowly and deliberately, occasionally serving more food to Tsunade and Rin.
After dinner, Kiyohara took out a delicate little box and handed it to Rin.
"I made some soldier pills today. Take some back with you. The green ones are mint-flavored, and the yellow ones are caramel-flavored."
Rin accepted the box and opened it. Inside, two colors of soldier pills were arranged neatly in rows, each one round and perfectly formed.
"Thank you, Kiyohara-kun!"
"No need to be polite."
Kiyohara walked her to the door.
"Be careful on your way back."
Holding the box in her arms, Rin walked home under the glow of the streetlights illuminating the roads of Konoha.
She turned back for a moment to glance in the direction of Tsunade's house, where the lights were still shining warmly through the windows.
Lowering her gaze, she looked at the box of soldier pills in her hands, then gently touched the bracelet on her wrist.
Today had felt full, meaningful, and complete.
…
After several peaceful days passed, Tsunade received an urgent notice for a Jonin meeting.
Almost at the same time, Kiyohara received the same message.
"It seems something major has happened."
Tsunade changed into a standard set of shinobi attire, leaving her green haori with the bold red character for "gamble" draped over it at home.
She tied her long golden hair up into a high ponytail, and in an instant her entire bearing transformed—crisp, efficient, and sharp. Compared to the languid, drowsy woman who had come downstairs in her nightclothes earlier, she now seemed like a completely different person.
Kiyohara's outfit was much the same as Tsunade's. He wore the regulation flak jacket, a black chainmail undershirt fitted beneath it, arm guards, and every other essential piece of equipment that a shinobi ought to carry. Not a single item was missing.
None of these things required chakra to function, yet having them properly equipped could significantly increase one's chances of survival.
He carefully checked his shinobi tool pouch, ensuring that everything was in place.
Typically, on occasions like this, departure would take place that very afternoon. Therefore, both Kiyohara and Tsunade had prepared their gear in advance.
"Nervous?" Tsunade asked while adjusting her forehead protector.
"It's my first time attending an official Jonin meeting."
"I'm fine," Kiyohara replied.
At the previous Jonin meeting, he had not yet qualified to attend.
After he officially became a Jonin, there had not been another meeting until now.
The two of them stepped out of the house one after the other and headed toward the Hokage Tower.
By the time Kiyohara and Tsunade arrived, quite a few people were already standing in the corridor.
The sounds of conversation, footsteps, and the rustling of papers blended together, creating an atmosphere that was heavy and tense.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kiyohara observed the people around him.
Sure enough, just as he had expected, nearly all of Konoha's major shinobi clans had sent representatives.
The most conspicuous were members of the Sarutobi clan—not only the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also several elderly members of the clan, all dressed in traditional dark kimono with solemn expressions.
The Hyūga clan's head, Hyūga Hiashi, was present as well.
When Hiashi's gaze swept across Kiyohara, it paused ever so slightly, as though he had taken a particular interest in this outsider who bore Uchiha blood.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio stood together; Nara Shikaku was speaking in a low voice to Yamanaka Inoichi, while Akimichi Chōza wore a grave expression.
A representative of the Inuzuka clan stood nearby with a shinobi hound at his side. A member of the Aburame clan was wrapped tightly from head to toe. And from the Shimura clan… Kiyohara spotted Shimura Danzo himself.
Although the Shimura clan seldom appeared in the spotlight, it was undeniably a major clan in its own right.
Beyond them were representatives from numerous medium and smaller clans—Kazematsuri, Ise, Kurama, Gekkō, Yūhi, Mimura… Some of them Kiyohara recognized; others he was seeing for the first time.
Some were young, others advanced in years. Some radiated sharp confidence, while others maintained a restrained and low-profile demeanor. Yet without exception, every one of them was an elite within Konoha's shinobi system, at minimum a Jonin.
There were not many Jonin present this time.
After all, the majority were deployed outside the village, carrying out missions and participating in the ongoing war.
"Let's go in," Tsunade said quietly, taking the lead and pushing open the doors to the conference room.
At once, all eyes turned toward them.
Kiyohara could feel the weight of those gazes—curiosity, scrutiny, evaluation, vigilance… and countless other unspoken emotions concealed within.
The conference room was spacious.
Hiruzen sat at the head seat, a pipe held between his lips. Beside him were the two advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane.
The seating had already been arranged according to an unspoken rule: the closer one sat to the front, the greater one's status and influence.
Tsunade walked straight to an empty seat in the front row and sat down. Kiyohara found his own seat slightly farther back. The arrangement was based on Jonin seniority, and as a newly promoted Jonin, his position was naturally toward the rear.
However, due to his connection with Tsunade, he was permitted to sit beside her.
As he took his seat, he could feel the attention directed at him.
To his left sat a shinobi from the Yamanaka clan; to his right, a middle-aged Jonin from the Akimichi clan.
Both cast subtle sideways glances at the young Jonin, sizing him up.
Gradually, the conference room filled.
Kiyohara silently counted; there were indeed quite a number of people.
Densely packed.
Although it was called a Jonin meeting, Special Jonin were also qualified to attend.
Special Jonin could be considered a "junior version" of Jonin—possessing Jonin-level ability in certain areas but lacking in others, hence the "special" designation.
Once they compensated for their shortcomings, they could be promoted to full Jonin.
"Then, let us begin."
Hiruzen tapped his pipe lightly.
The room fell silent in an instant.
"The latest intelligence from Kumogakure."
He gestured to an ANBU at his side, who handed over a document.
"They have once again deployed the Two-Tails Jinchūriki onto the battlefield, placing considerable pressure on our lines. Iwagakure has made no major movements for the moment, but there have been minor skirmishes along the Sunagakure border as well."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room.
"The front lines require reinforcements. After assessment, it has been decided to dispatch five hundred shinobi to support the Kumo front."
A faint murmur rippled through the crowd.
"As for the commander."
Hiruzen continued.
"Namely—Namikaze Minato."
The blond man seated in the front row rose to his feet.
"Yes."
"You have previously engaged A and B duo before so you possess experience," Hiruzen said.
"This mission is to stabilize the front line. If necessary, you may take the initiative and launch an offensive. The specific tactics will be left to your judgment in the field."
"Understood."
Minato nodded and resumed his seat.
"As for medical support."
Hiruzen turned his gaze toward Tsunade.
"Tsunade, you will lead the medical corps to the front. Medical resources there are strained—they require your expertise."
Tsunade, one leg crossed over the other, nodded casually.
"Got it."
"And in addition…"
Hiruzen's eyes shifted toward Kiyohara's position.
"Kiyohara."
Once again, all attention converged upon him.
Kiyohara stood.
"Present."
"You will serve as captain of a medical-nin subunit."
Hiruzen said evenly.
"Like Tsunade, you possess both medical and combat capabilities. This position requires someone of that caliber."
A wave of whispers spread through the room.
Some nodded in approval. Some furrowed their brows thoughtfully. Others exchanged meaningful glances.
Kiyohara could sense the meaning behind those looks—surprise at his youth, careful evaluation of his abilities.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kiyohara replied.
He was somewhat surprised. It seemed that Hiruzen intended to make significant use of him.
At the same time, the other clan leaders cast thoughtful gazes in his direction.
Though Kiyohara had not joined the Uchiha clan, he possessed Uchiha blood.
What did such a signal represent?
The heads of the shinobi clans all began to ponder.
(End of Chapter)