"Kakashi, what are you planning to give?"
Kakashi fell silent for a moment.
"A book, I guess."
That was his final answer.
Recently, he had become somewhat fascinated with certain books that explored the interplay between men and women through the lens of yin and yang.
However, Kakashi felt that Kiyohara probably would not be interested in that sort of thing, so he planned instead to give him some of the Hatake clan's blade techniques that his father had left behind.
"Oh! Speaking of gifts!"
Guy suddenly clapped his hands together, his eyes shining with an almost blinding brightness.
"I'll give Kiyohara my taijutsu insights and training methods. I've even thought of a name for it, it will be called 'The Manual of Youthful Training!'"
Hearing that Guy intended to give something quite similar to his own idea, Kakashi cast him a slightly surprised glance.
Would Guy's theories really be that good?
"Everyone is really putting their hearts into this," Rin said with a sigh of admiration.
"It should be… probably…" Asuma scratched the back of his head.
His feelings, however, were somewhat complicated.
He wondered if Kurenai would be this thoughtful when it came to his own birthday.
Such thoughts drifted in and out of Asuma's mind.
The next day.
After giving a brief notice, Kiyohara headed toward the orphanage.
The place felt somewhat desolate. Without injured shinobi coming for treatment, the only people who entered and left were the orphans themselves and a few nearby villagers.
But during this turbulent period, even the villagers rarely came by.
This made the orphanage's finances even more strained.
There were no subsidies from treating shinobi, and no charitable donations from nearby villagers.
The only things they could rely on were some leftover funds from the past and the allowance distributed by Konoha.
Compared to the ever growing number of orphans, the subsidy felt like a mere drop in the bucket.
On the second floor, Nono Yakushi stood by the window, looking outside as she let out a quiet sigh.
She had no idea how long the money Kiyohara had left behind would last.
At that moment, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure outside the window.
"Kiyohara?"
She froze for a second, then pushed up her round framed glasses and quickly came downstairs.
Just as Kiyohara reached the door, Nono opened it.
"Kiyohara."
"Director Nono."
Kiyohara greeted her.
Nono raised her head, and behind her lenses, a hint of surprise flickered in her eyes.
"You've come back at this time… did something happen on the front lines?"
"Everything is fine."
Kiyohara took out a glass tube. Inside was the remaining half portion of the "Power of the White Snake."
"This is a biological extract refined from a white snake. I need you to help me analyze this technique."
Upon hearing this, Nono instinctively looked at the item in Kiyohara's hand.
The mention of a white snake made her think of a certain person.
"This is Orochimaru's…"
"That's right."
Kiyohara did not deny it.
Whether it was Orochimaru, Nono, or Tsunade, all of them had some level of expertise in biological science. After all, medical ninjutsu could not be separated from biological knowledge.
Even Naruto's final prosthetic arm, made using Hashirama's cells, had been cultivated by Tsunade.
It combined mechanisms with living flesh, allowing Naruto's arm to perfectly transmit chakra without affecting his hand seals or ninjutsu.
"But…"
Nono looked at Kiyohara.
There was no research equipment here.
Scientific work required equipment above all else.
Seeing what she was thinking, Kiyohara took out two small cloth pouches from his robe.
"These are gold bars of relatively high purity. Exchange them for funds and purchase more precise experimental equipment. Whatever you need for research, just buy it."
He pointed at the larger pouch.
Then he pointed at the smaller one.
"This one is for the orphanage. It should improve your living conditions."
Kiyohara said calmly.
With the method of extracting gold from sand, as long as he was willing to spend time, he could always find gold of high purity.
As for the lower purity remnants, he kept them for combat use.
Nono accepted the pouches. When she opened them, the gold bars inside reflected a heavy, warm glow under the light.
She paused for a moment, then pushed her glasses up, her expression turning serious.
"Kiyohara, this is too valuable. The orphanage does not need this much…"
"Consider the extra as an early investment. If there are any promising children, let me know in advance."
Kiyohara replied.
There were definitely talented individuals in the orphanage, otherwise Danzo would not have targeted this place to recruit people.
In the original story, there were clear scenes of orphanage children treating injured shinobi.
Medical ninjutsu was far more difficult than the basic five nature transformations.
Not every shinobi could use it. Those who could had sufficient chakra reserves and precise control, which meant that if they became shinobi, they had the potential to reach at least chunin or even jonin level, far beyond ordinary genin.
Nono finally nodded gently.
"I understand. I will set up a small laboratory as soon as possible, in the basement of the orphanage. It will be sufficiently concealed."
Over the next few hours, the two continued discussing matters related to the "Power of the White Snake."
Kiyohara listened carefully and occasionally raised a few questions.
Although Nono's overall abilities had declined somewhat, after continuously treating injured shinobi during this period, her medical skills had largely recovered.
"I will find a way to acquire white snakes and send them over," Kiyohara said.
Such things were plentiful on the black market. As long as one had money, they could be obtained.
If necessary, he could even take some directly from Orochimaru's laboratory.
Kiyohara then stood up, preparing to leave.
"Kiyohara-senpai, you're here too?"
Kabuto returned carrying a hoe over his shoulder.
With the orphanage's finances tight, the children all did whatever they could to help.
For example, they reclaimed nearby wasteland and planted crops such as potatoes, trying to ensure that no one went hungry.
"Mm. You've grown taller recently."
Kiyohara looked at Kabuto.
Kabuto was a natural born spy. His ability to disguise himself was so high that he had deceived Konoha, deceived Sasori of the Red Sand, deceived the Akatsuki, deceived his fellow Sound shinobi, and even Orochimaru had never fully understood his true thoughts. His exceptional talent had earned admiration from both Orochimaru and Sasori.
Yet Kiyohara knew that Kabuto's lifelong issue was a single question: who exactly was he?
After losing his memory, his only home had been the orphanage, and his only family his adoptive mother, Nono.
But due to Root's scheme, Nono failed to recognize him, and in his shock, Kabuto interrupted his medical ninjutsu, leading to her death.
That event had plunged him into confusion and darkness.
Kiyohara was curious to see just how strong this "steadfast Kabuto" could become.
After all, just like Minato who made it home, a healthy Itachi, or Jiraiya with full intelligence, every shinobi's upper limit could actually be pushed further under the right conditions.
"This ninjutsu is for you."
Kiyohara handed over a Wind Release jutsu to Kabuto.
Kabuto's chakra nature affinities included wind, earth, water, yin, and yang, so learning Wind Release posed no problem.
"Thank you, Kiyohara-senpai."
Kabuto spoke earnestly.
He was deeply grateful that Kiyohara had helped his adoptive mother, supported the orphanage, and even saved his life.
So he wanted to repay him in some way.
"It's nothing."
Kiyohara shook his head.
Kabuto worked quickly, and once he learned more ninjutsu, Kiyohara could copy them using the Sharingan. It was a guaranteed profit.
After chatting for a bit longer, Kiyohara returned to the Konoha camp.
The next morning.
The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed, and the forest was still shrouded in a hazy veil.
Kiyohara formed hand seals.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Three identical clones appeared beside him.
Kiyohara asked them if they had the "Last Will System," and they all shook their heads.
"As expected…"
Kiyohara nodded.
"Shadow clones are ultimately materialized chakra. They carry my thought patterns, but they do not possess independent existence."
He pondered further.
"The 'Last Will System' is not bound to the body, nor to chakra. It must be tied to the soul, or something even deeper, perhaps that kind of spiritual state of my future self."
After thinking for a while, Kiyohara created more shadow clones and had them train together in Wind Release jutsus, developing the nature transformation of wind chakra.
Due to the limitations of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, the number he could create was not particularly large, unless he used the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.
However, that would greatly increase fatigue. Not everyone could be like Naruto, enduring countless experiences of death and accumulated exhaustion without even frowning.
After all, this technique was classified as a forbidden jutsu.
After training for some time, Kiyohara began to gather azure chakra in his palm. It spun rapidly, producing a low humming sound.
This was the basic form of the Rasengan.
Then, he guided wind chakra into it.
At first, it became a Wind Release: Rasengan, gaining small spiraling air currents.
Then it gradually grew larger, spinning faster and faster.
The wind blades inside it were like countless fine needles, constantly slicing.
If someone were caught within it, they would likely be riddled with holes in an instant.
When it reached the size of about two heads in radius, the violent wind nature chakra tore apart the balance of the Rasengan.
The sphere exploded in his palm, leaving several fine cuts on his right hand.
Fresh blood seeped out, but Kiyohara merely flicked his hand lightly. Medical chakra flowed through his palm, and after using the Mystical Palm Technique together with the Power of the White Snake, the wounds closed rapidly, the cuts disappearing as if they had never been there.
For the next attempt, Kiyohara deliberately slowed the rate at which he infused wind nature chakra.
Fine, dense air currents began to appear across the surface of the sphere, like a thin layer of white gauze wrapping around a core of blue chakra.
Then one of his shadow clones stepped forward and extended its hand, helping him stabilize the formation of the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
In an instant, a sharp, piercing sound erupted from Kiyohara's hand.
It was like the shrill cry of countless birds beating their wings at the same time, an overwhelming, cutting resonance that filled the air.
The sphere was no longer purely blue. Instead, it transformed into a swirling mixture of white and blue, and from its surface extended four sharp chakra wind blades, each one spinning at high speed as it sliced through the air.
Kiyohara could clearly feel how unstable the power in his hand was, as if he were gripping a storm that could erupt at any moment.
At the same time, he could sense the immense pressure being placed on the chakra pathways in his arm.
"It does not seem as severe as Naruto's…"
Kiyohara was not sure whether it was because his current chakra reserves exceeded Naruto's normal state, but although his chakra system was under great strain, it had not reached the level described in the original story where using the technique would leave him completely powerless.
Finally, he faced a steep rock wall and, from a distance of thirty meters, hurled the jutsu in his hand forward with all his strength.
"Wind Release: Rasenshuriken!"
The moment it left his hand, it carved a curved arc through the air, and everything along its path was cut apart as if it were soft tofu, trees severed cleanly without resistance.
The instant the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken struck the rock wall, it produced a hissing sound like countless tiny blades slicing at once.
The entire cliff face was torn apart completely, reduced to a cloud of fine dust.
The aftermath even shaved down a small hill behind it, flattening it entirely.
Dust slowly drifted down, like a gray snowfall blanketing the surroundings.
Kiyohara stood where he was, breathing slightly heavier.
The chakra consumption of this technique was astonishing, but its destructive power had undoubtedly reached the threshold of an S rank ninjutsu.
"Kiyohara!"
A familiar voice came from the entrance of the valley.
Kurenai ran toward him.
She had come to look for him and had followed this direction. Just as she was about to arrive, she heard the massive explosion. Thinking it was an enemy attack, she had immediately rushed over with a kunai in hand, only to find Kiyohara standing alone before a massive crater.
"This… this was your doing?"
Kurenai looked around in disbelief.
The flattened hill, the completely vanished rock wall, the deep gouges carved into the ground.
This level of destruction was far beyond what ordinary ninjutsu could achieve.
Kiyohara brushed the dust off his body and walked toward her.
"A newly developed Wind Release jutsu called Rasenshuriken. I was just testing its power."
"Testing?"
Kurenai's eyes widened.
"You are telling me this terrifying destruction is just a test?"
"Yes. The technique is not yet complete."
Kiyohara shook his head.
A completed Rasenshuriken would further reduce the burden on the user's arm.
"Sometimes I really cannot understand the world you geniuses live in," Kurenai sighed softly.
It seemed that in terms of wind techniques, Kiyohara had already reached an overwhelming advantage.
In both wind nature and genjutsu, it would be difficult for her to surpass him.
That made Kurenai start thinking about what other area she could use to compare herself with him.
Several days later, at the Konoha camp.
Tsunade had changed into a set of shinobi combat attire suited for movement. Black pants wrapped around her long legs, and her full figure was outlined perfectly by the fit of the outfit.
She tied her long hair into a golden ponytail and checked the medical kit she carried with her, along with a deck of playing cards, which made Kiyohara raise an eyebrow.
"Sensei, we are going on a mission, not a vacation."
"The casinos in the Land of Rain are quite unique. This is a rare opportunity."
Tsunade replied without the slightest embarrassment.
"And the journey is boring. It is something to pass the time when we rest."
Seeing this, Kiyohara could only go along with her.
That was just how gamblers were.
Soon, the two stepped outside, where Kurenai and Shizune were already waiting.
The four person squad quickly set off toward the border of the Land of Rain.
The sky over the Land of Rain was always covered by a layer of dull gray.
Endless drizzle fell like the breathing of the nation itself, soaking every inch of land.
Half a day after entering the territory, they met Konan in the agreed upon valley.
Kiyohara, with the sharpest eyesight among them, spotted her first. In the distance stood a cold and elegant blue haired young woman wearing the black robe of the Akatsuki.
At this time, the Akatsuki had not yet turned dark, and their cloaks did not bear the red cloud patterns.
"Long time no see," Kiyohara said.
Konan looked at Tsunade and suddenly felt that she seemed familiar.
Was this not the famous Princess Tsunade?
"Konan."
Tsunade looked at the beautiful young woman. On the right side of her head was a paper flower.
She still remembered Konan from more than ten years ago, when the girl had made paper flowers for them.
Back then, Konan had been very young.
After so many years, she had truly changed as she grew.
"Is Jiraiya sensei still very busy recently?"
"More or less."
Tsunade nodded.
Jiraiya was either busy fighting wars or constantly searching for his so called Child of Prophecy.
Tsunade felt that he was becoming somewhat obsessed, completely influenced by those toads.
"How are things on your side?" Kiyohara asked.
"Worse than what we reported. In the past half month, we have lost seven companions."
"Who is attacking you?" Tsunade asked directly.
"On the surface, they are shinobi from the Amegakure, but…"
Konan paused briefly.
"Their combat methods and coordination patterns are clearly different from Hanzo's direct forces. Recently, there have also been attackers from the Iwa, but their earth release techniques are clumsy, more like a disguise."
The moment Kiyohara heard this, he immediately understood that Danzo was behind it.
Just then, explosions and screams suddenly came from the distance.
"They are here again."
Konan's expression changed as two large paper wings emerged from her back.
"Eastern mountain."
The four of them followed immediately.
After passing through a dense forest, what appeared before them was a temporary Akatsuki camp.
Or rather, the ruins of one.
Three crude wooden houses were burning, and five or six bodies lay scattered on the ground.
More than a dozen shinobi dressed as Amegakure shinobi were surrounding and attacking the remaining four Akatsuki members.
Tsunade quickly closed her eyes.
Kiyohara handed her one of his Anbu masks so she could cover her face.
He had many such masks, some used for missions and others for infiltration, each with slight differences.
Then Kiyohara charged forward first.
"Wind Release: Rasengan!"
A mass of chakra formed in his palm, its surface wrapped in sharp spiraling currents.
A Rain shinobi swung a blade at him. Kiyohara sidestepped and pressed his palm against the man's chest.
Boom!
With a dull, crushing sound, the shinobi's chest armor and ribs were completely shattered by the rotating force. His body was sent flying backward, crashing into two of his comrades and severely injuring them as well.
"Demonic Illusion: Absolute Lotus Bloom!"
Kurenai unleashed her genjutsu.
The three Rain shinobi at the front froze simultaneously, their eyes turning vacant.
In their illusion, a massive lotus flower suddenly grew from the ground, slowly closing and distorting their vision as it bound them tightly.
In reality, they simply stood motionless, allowing Akatsuki kunai to pierce their throats.
Shizune scattered a handful of fine poison needles from her shinobi tool pouch.
"Scatter!"
The needles rained down like a storm over the enemies on the left.
Three Rain shinobi hurriedly used Water Release: Water Formation Wall to defend themselves, but Shizune's needles had been specially treated and pierced straight through the water barrier.
Two of them were struck in the neck, their faces turning black within seconds as they collapsed.
Konan's fighting style was the most unique.
She floated in midair, two pairs of large paper wings spread out behind her as countless sheets of paper shot toward the enemy like blades.
The papers were astonishingly sharp, easily slicing through armor.
One Rain shinobi attempted to counter with fire release, but a sheen of oil flickered across the surface of Konan's paper, revealing a special treatment that made them resistant to both water and oil.
In a short time, all twelve of the attacking Amegakure shinobi were wiped out.
However, the Akatsuki side gained two more corpses.
Konan slowly descended, her paper wings folding back in.
Kiyohara looked at the bodies scattered across the ground and stepped forward to examine them, but found nothing unusual.
That was normal. If anything could be discovered so easily, then Danzo would not deserve to be the leader of Root.
However, with his knowledge of the storyline, Kiyohara already knew who was behind all of this.
He was not particularly worried.
His new self should arrive tonight.
Kiyohara was very curious about what kind of Kiyohara it would be.
"How many attackers like this have there been recently?" Kiyohara asked as he stood up.
"More and more."
Konan also rose to her feet, rainwater sliding down her delicate face, making it impossible to tell whether it was simply rain or something else entirely.
(End of Chapter)