"Kakashi's Yamamaru has been used for quite some time already and has gathered a lot of data. I already have an idea for the next generation."
He looked at her.
"The one I'm preparing for you will incorporate... some special things."
Kiyohara said.
He planned to fuse the power of Ketsuryugan into it.
Nono had been researching and developing that project all this time.
After receiving the White Zetsu limbs that Kiyohara had sent over, the experiments had finally made some progress.
Since it was difficult for humans to transplant kekkei genkai, then they could simply transplant them into summoned beasts instead.
Just like how Itachi had transplanted Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan into a crow.
And Samehada was far sturdier than any human. Even a cloned version was still a weapon born for battle.
If he could successfully integrate Ketsuryugan's abilities into it, Kiyohara felt that he could create a blade capable of controlling blood and casting genjutsu.
That would perfectly compensate for Kurenai's problem with chakra endurance.
"Hehe..."
Kurenai could not suppress the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
The curve of her mouth kept rising higher and higher.
Then she raised her head and pretended to remain calm.
"Let's go already. Don't keep Lady Tsunade waiting."
Kiyohara smiled.
"Alright."
He turned toward Kakashi.
"We'll go find Senior Kosuke later."
Kakashi nodded.
The three of them left the forest clearing and headed toward the camp.
When Kiyohara returned to the command tent, Tsunade was standing before a map.
"Back already?"
Without even looking up, her brown-gold eyes remained fixed on the yellowed map spread before her.
"Just received some news. The Iwagakure forces have started moving."
Kiyohara walked over and stood beside her.
"So soon?"
"Mm. Based on their current pace, they probably won't be able to launch an attack today. Tomorrow is more likely."
Tsunade lifted her gaze.
"With Kitsuchi captured, they're probably trying to rescue the Tsuchikage's son."
At that moment, a voice suddenly echoed within Kiyohara's mind.
"My young self, they've sped up their advance."
It was the spirit of Hyuga Kiyohara.
"There are people outside."
Kiyohara's brows twitched slightly.
Tsunade noticed the subtle change in his expression.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
Kiyohara replied.
He turned and walked toward the tent entrance.
"Sensei, I'll step outside for a moment."
Tsunade frowned slightly but said nothing.
After leaving the tent, chakra erupted beneath Kiyohara's feet, and he shot into the sky.
He ascended over a hundred meters into the air and looked down over the mountains and forests below.
"I just used the Byakugan to observe them. On the surface, they're pretending to stop nearby for temporary rest, but in reality they're pushing forward in one continuous advance."
Hyuga Kiyohara said.
The spirit could leave Kiyohara's body and wander within a limited range. However, the farther away it moved, the faster it would dissipate.
Since Hyuga Kiyohara possessed the Byakugan, he did not need to travel very far to observe the outside world.
"Is that so?"
Kiyohara attempted to look into the distance with his Sharingan.
However, the Sharingan's long-range vision ultimately had its limits.
"Even though I'm only a spirit, I can still possess you briefly."
In the next instant, Kiyohara felt a strange chakra flow into his eyes.
The sensation was unusual.
It felt as though cool streams of water were pouring into his eye sockets, slowly spreading along his optic nerves before finally gathering deep within his eyeballs.
His vision began to change.
The canvas walls of the tents became transparent.
He could see the patrolling shinobi outside.
He could see the chakra flowing through their bodies.
He could see the faint glow of their chakra pathways.
Then his field of vision continued expanding.
Past the camp.
Past the outer forest.
Past the rolling hills.
Farther and farther outward.
Roughly ten kilometers from the camp, he finally saw countless figures.
Every single one of them radiated blue chakra flames from within their bodies, resembling fireflies moving through the darkness.
The Iwagakure army!
Kiyohara slowly adjusted to the Byakugan's abilities.
This telescopic vision truly was extraordinary.
The Byakugan possessed the ability to see through all things.
Compared to his sensory ninjutsu, it was clearer and more precise.
He could see the hand seals they were forming.
He could see the shinobi tools they carried.
He could even make out the tense expressions on the faces of several leaders at the front.
"I see them."
Kiyohara said.
The Byakugan was incredible, but he did not truly possess it yet.
He could only borrow its power temporarily.
The strain it placed on his physical body was immense.
Only after inheriting the Byakugan would he be able to use it freely.
He continued observing.
The Iwagakure forces were steadily advancing toward the camp.
Their speed was not particularly fast, and they maintained a concealed formation.
The nearest units were already less than four kilometers away.
"Good."
Hyuga Kiyohara ended the partial possession.
Kiyohara blinked a few times as he adjusted to his normal vision again.
Then he descended back to the ground.
The moment he landed, two figures rushed over from nearby.
One was a shinobi from the Aburame Clan.
The other was a shinobi from the Hyuga Clan.
"Captain Kiyohara!"
The Aburame shinobi spoke first.
He wore a pair of black sunglasses.
That was a common appearance among members of the Aburame Clan.
The clan specialized in concealment and secrecy.
Most of them wrapped themselves tightly and even covered their faces behind dark glasses.
"My kikaichū informed me that the Iwagakure forces have arrived. They're less than five kilometers from the camp!"
Aburame Shikuro reported.
The Aburame Clan maintained contracts with their insects, feeding them chakra in exchange for their service.
Kiyohara nodded.
He knew the clan possessed all sorts of insects.
Naturally, some specialized in sensing chakra.
"They're four kilometers away, right? I already know."
He then looked toward the Hyuga shinobi.
The Hyuga shinobi froze for a moment.
How did Captain Kiyohara know?
However, he did not ask further questions.
He simply assumed it was one of the abilities granted by Kiyohara's Sage Mode.
Some information about Kiyohara's Sage Mode had already spread.
The most notable characteristic was its astonishing sensory capabilities.
"Immediately inform Lady Tsunade. Prepare for battle."
Kiyohara turned and walked back toward the command tent.
"Everyone, battle stations!"
The alarm echoed throughout the camp.
The previously peaceful encampment instantly erupted into activity.
Shinobi rushed out of their tents and quickly assembled into formation.
Standing at the center of the camp, Kiyohara swept his gaze across the gathered forces.
Kakashi stood in the front row.
Yamamaru was already unsheathed.
Rin stood beside him.
Kurenai took a deep breath and prepared herself for combat as well.
Maruboshi Kosuke had somehow appeared among the crowd.
He still wore his old, worn-out outfit.
The large cooking pot and travel pack on his back had not even been set down yet.
Nevertheless, his weathered blade was already clenched firmly in his hand.
Guy stood beside him.
He had removed the weighted bands from his ankles and was lightly stretching his legs.
"They're here."
A Hyuga shinobi suddenly spoke.
Everyone followed the direction of his gaze.
Among the forested mountains, numerous figures were rapidly approaching.
Stone shinobi.
At the front was a middle-aged man dressed in purple robes.
His bright red hair and beard stood out sharply against the dull gray uniforms of Iwagakure.
His gaze swept across the camp before settling upon Kiyohara, who stood at the front of the assembled forces.
"Leaf... shinobi."
His voice was deep and heavy.
"Hand over Kitsuchi."
"If you want Kitsuchi back, then Iwagakure must agree to a ceasefire with Konoha."
Tsunade stepped forward and spoke.
"Hmph."
Roshi immediately recognized Tsunade.
Although Tsunade's reputation was famous throughout the shinobi world, she had not fought in battle for a very long time.
In Roshi's eyes, a shinobi who stayed away from the battlefield for too long was a shinobi who had grown complacent.
"Attack!"
Following Roshi's command, countless figures burst from the forest.
Kunai and shuriken rained through the air like a storm.
The battle had begun!
Kakashi vanished from his position.
In the next moment, he appeared beside three stone shinobi.
Yamamaru carved a pale violet arc through the air.
The arc of lightning trailing behind the blade was simply too fast.
So fast that the three stone shinobi did not even have time to react.
Slash.
The blade sliced through their necks.
The instant blood sprayed into the air, Kakashi had already turned toward his next target.
His movements were clean and efficient.
Every strike aimed directly for a vital point.
There was no unnecessary flourish, no wasted motion.
The blade art that had once made the entire shinobi world tremble in fear.
The White Fang's kenjutsu.
At this moment, it had been reborn in Kakashi's hands.
"Water Release: Water Tornado!"
Rin formed hand seals with both hands as chakra surged through her body.
A gigantic water tornado rose before her, roaring as it crashed toward the Iwagakure formation.
The water spun at such terrifying speed that it resembled countless razor-sharp blades.
Three stone shinobi failed to dodge in time and were swept directly into its vortex.
Short screams rang out.
Then they were completely drowned beneath the thunderous roar of rushing water.
Rin remained standing where she was, maintaining the enormous water tornado.
Her breathing stayed calm and steady.
Everything Kiyohara-kun taught me...
I have to use it properly.
She silently repeated those words in her heart.
I can't disappoint Kiyohara-kun.
"Demonic Illusion: Sound Bind!"
"Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death!"
Kurenai parted her crimson lips slightly.
A series of faint syllables escaped her mouth.
At the same time, her hands rapidly formed seals.
Two techniques were unleashed one after another.
The sound itself was not loud.
Yet it possessed astonishing penetrating power.
Five stone shinobi who were in the middle of forming hand seals suddenly froze.
Their eyes immediately became unfocused.
Just as they were about to regain consciousness, illusionary branches emerging from the ground wrapped around their bodies.
Kurenai's figure flashed.
She appeared beside one of them.
Blood sprayed.
She frowned slightly and shifted her body aside to avoid being stained by the blood before turning toward her next target.
Maruboshi Kosuke stood behind the crowd.
The blade in his hand slowly rose.
His opponent was an Iwagakure jonin.
The man was tall and heavily built.
His arms possessed a stone-like coloration.
It was obvious that he specialized in hardening techniques.
"Old man, get lost!"
The jonin grinned viciously and charged forward.
His fists carried overwhelming power.
Kosuke did not retreat.
He merely turned slightly to the side, allowing the punch to miss.
At the same time, his blade gently thrust forward.
The edge pierced beneath the jonin's armpit.
That was the blind spot beyond the protection of his hardening technique.
Slash.
The Iwagakure jonin's eyes widened.
He stared in disbelief at the blood pouring from beneath his arm.
This old man was dressed like a mere genin.
How could he be this strong?
He had underestimated his opponent.
He had failed to dodge.
"Y... you..."
He wanted to say something.
But only bloody foam emerged from his throat.
Kosuke pulled back his blade and calmly walked toward his next target.
"Move aside! Move aside!"
Might Guy's voice suddenly rang out from behind.
He exploded forward with both legs.
His entire body shot out like a cannonball.
The speed was astonishing.
So fast that the surrounding shinobi could only see a green blur rushing past.
"Leaf Rock Destroying Rise!"
His knee shot upward and slammed into a stone shinobi's chest.
Crack!
The enemy flew backward like a kite with its strings cut.
He smashed through three trees before finally stopping.
Guy landed and casually rolled his ankle.
"Senior Kosuke, let me help you!"
Kosuke glanced at him.
A faint smile appeared on the old man's face.
"Young man, you've got spirit."
The two stood side by side.
Facing the enemies surging toward them once more.
Leaf and stone shinobi collided across the battlefield.
Explosions from ninjutsu erupted one after another.
Kunai clashed against kunai.
Blades struck blades.
Screams, roars, and battle cries merged into a single chaotic symphony.
Then, suddenly—
A terrifying wave of heat exploded from the center of the battlefield.
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
The middle-aged man dressed in purple had somehow climbed atop a massive boulder.
His hands formed seals before his chest.
The muscles in his throat swelled.
"Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique!"
He opened his mouth.
Several enormous magma spheres erupted outward.
Their surfaces glowed with molten crimson light.
The air itself warped under the extreme temperature wherever they passed.
The gigantic magma balls hurtled toward the most densely packed section of Konoha's forces.
"Dodge!"
A leaf shinobi shouted in alarm.
But it was already too late.
The magma spheres were too fast.
Their area of effect was too large.
Just as they were about to crash into the crowd—
A figure suddenly appeared before them.
Kiyohara.
His hands formed seals before his chest as an immense amount of chakra surged forth.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Boom!
A colossal wall of water erupted from the earth.
The towering barrier rose dozens of meters high.
Azure currents flowed endlessly across its surface.
The instant the magma spheres struck the wall—
Hissssss!
A deafening shriek echoed through the battlefield.
White steam exploded upward, completely engulfing the area.
When the steam finally dispersed—
The magma spheres had vanished.
Only puddles of cooled black lava remained on the ground, still emitting thin trails of smoke.
Kiyohara stood behind the water wall.
His clothes had been dampened by the steam.
Several strands of black hair clung to his forehead.
His gaze crossed the battlefield and settled upon Roshi.
Roshi was staring back at him.
Their eyes met in midair.
"So you're Kiyohara?"
Roshi spoke.
"The brat who killed the Third Mizukage and captured Kitsuchi?"
Kiyohara smiled faintly.
"I believe there's only one me in the shinobi world."
Roshi was the Four Tails Jinchuriki.
However, unlike most Jinchuriki, he had learned from his tailed beast instead of merely borrowing its power.
Originally, he had possessed no Lava Release abilities.
Yet through his connection with the Four Tails, Son Gokū, he had mastered Lava Release himself and obtained the Lava Release kekkei genkai.
Seeing Kiyohara smile, Roshi snorted heavily.
A trace of arrogance appeared on his face.
"Good."
He jumped down from the giant boulder and began walking toward Kiyohara.
Step by step.
Each footstep melted the ground beneath him.
Blackened footprints were left behind wherever he walked.
"I'll kill you first."
"Then rescue Kitsuchi."
He raised a hand.
Molten lava churned within his palm.
If he could kill Konoha's genius, it would deal a devastating blow to Konoha's morale.
At the same time, it would greatly inspire Iwagakure's forces.
Boosting morale.
The time was now.
"It'll count as a great achievement as well."
The moment he finished speaking, he opened his mouth once again.
Another stream of magma spheres erupted forth.
Although Roshi and Onoki did not get along particularly well, he still acknowledged Iwagakure as his village.
He was willing to contribute to it.
That was his own interpretation of the Will of Stone.
Facing the incoming magma spheres, Kiyohara raised his right arm.
His five fingers clenched into a fist.
"Super Strength!"
He threw a punch.
Boom!
His fist collided directly with a magma sphere.
The giant molten projectile exploded in midair, scattering countless blazing fragments in every direction.
Kiyohara's fist had already turned pitch black.
Steel Release!
Earth Release: Earth Spear!
The molten lava, hot enough to melt steel itself, shattered like fragile porcelain beneath his fist.
One sphere after another exploded.
Roshi's pupils contracted slightly.
This brat...
Actually used his bare fists to block Lava Release?
"Interesting."
He stopped walking and began forming seals.
"Let's see how much more you can take!"
A blazing crimson glow spread across his entire body.
In the next second, molten lava covered him completely.
The air around him distorted.
Heat waves spread outward from his body.
Nearby shinobi were forced to retreat.
His skin transformed into glowing molten rock.
Streams of lava flowed across his body.
Every step melted the earth beneath him, leaving charred footprints in his wake.
This was Lava Release Chakra Mode.
By coating his body in Lava Release chakra, his taijutsu received a tremendous enhancement.
Anything he touched would melt.
At the same time, the lava armor greatly increased both his offensive and defensive capabilities.
"Lava Release Chakra Mode, huh?"
Kiyohara observed him carefully.
In terms of pure offensive enhancement, Lava Release Chakra Mode arguably surpassed Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
The temperature of that lava was likely somewhere between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Celsius.
In other words, every casual attack carried power comparable to the Fire Release: Thermobaric Bomb technique Kiyohara had developed earlier.
The current Roshi resembled a walking volcano.
Of course, this form was not nearly as fast as Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Nor did it possess the same penetrating power.
And...
The lava was ultimately created through chakra.
It was different from naturally occurring substances.
That meant it possessed a significant weakness.
The elemental strengths and weaknesses of chakra nature transformations.
'In that case...'
'Water jutsu will be the answer.'
Kiyohara thought to himself.
He planned to unleash large-scale Water Release techniques later in order to weaken Roshi.
The current Roshi was actually stronger than the version who would fight Kisame several years later.
After all, he had not yet abandoned his life as a stone shinobi to become a wandering monk.
His abilities had not deteriorated.
Then Roshi raised his hand.
The lava covering his palm began gathering together.
It became thicker.
Denser.
Hotter.
Eventually, it formed the shape of an enormous molten fist.
"Lava Release: Lava Fist!"
He swung.
The giant lava fist roared toward Kiyohara.
The air exploded with shrill shockwaves along its path.
The ground cracked under the overwhelming heat.
Kiyohara formed hand seals.
Behind him, a water dragon far larger than any normally produced by Kirigakure shinobi emerged.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
The massive dragon surged forward.
Roshi's expression changed.
He immediately dodged.
How was this guy's water dragon even bigger than those used by Kirigakure specialists?
Moments later, Roshi charged toward Kiyohara once again.
Kiyohara continuously bombarded him with Water Release techniques.
At the same time, his Sharingan carefully observed the Lava Release chakra flowing within Roshi's body.
"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet Technique!"
Kiyohara formed seals and released an enormous shark-shaped water projectile.
Roshi countered by launching a lava spear through a Lava Release technique.
However, the moment the spear collided with the shark, the water construct instantly absorbed the chakra contained within it.
The shark then grew even larger and more powerful.
Roshi frowned.
And wasn't Kiyohara supposed to specialize in Lightning Release and Fire Release?
Why was he constantly attacking with Water Release?
Not only that, but his Water Release techniques were absurdly powerful.
Roshi even suspected that Kiyohara's mastery of Water Release might have reached the level of Senju Tobirama himself.
Damn it.
He desperately wanted to ask how someone born in the Land of Fire and carrying Uchiha blood could possibly possess Water Release techniques of such terrifying caliber.
Did that make any sense at all?!
Unfortunately, Kiyohara gave him no opportunity to speak.
Whenever an opening appeared, another Water Release technique would immediately come crashing toward him.
The battle became increasingly frustrating.
"Fire Release chakra and Earth Release chakra forming a kekkei genkai..."
Kiyohara continued observing.
He was wondering whether he could replicate it himself.
After all, Earth Release and Fire Release were among the chakra natures he excelled at the most.
(End of Chapter)