After all, at the moment, there were only two people who stood out the most in front of Hiruzen.
One was Minato.
The other was Kiyohara.
Although Fugaku was confident that the Uchiha Clan, along with some non-Uchiha allies from the Konoha Military Police Force, would support him, it still lacked the feeling of official endorsement.
If only one Uchiha could become Hokage, then Kiyohara was undoubtedly his greatest competitor.
"Does it really matter who becomes Hokage?" Itachi asked.
"Mm, it doesn't."
Fugaku nodded.
If the Uchiha Clan could truly produce a Hokage, then whether it was himself or Kiyohara really did not matter.
Either way, it would greatly improve the clan's standing within Konoha.
It was still too early to discuss such matters. Fugaku picked up his kunai and continued maintaining it.
The next day.
When Kiyohara pushed open his bedroom door and went downstairs, Tsunade was already sitting in the living room.
Her long golden hair was loosely tied behind her head.
"Sensei."
Kiyohara walked over to her.
"Hm?"
Tsunade raised her head, her brown-gold eyes looking at him.
"I'd like to spar with you."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Spar?"
"Yeah. I want to experience my Sensei's strength firsthand."
Kiyohara smiled.
Crossing her arms, Tsunade leaned back against the sofa.
The posture made the curves of her figure even more obvious, while the pale skin visible beneath her collar appeared and disappeared from view.
"Kid, let me remind you. I may have hemophobia, but I can still fight."
She paused.
"Though it's true that I haven't trained seriously in a long time. I've gotten a little rusty."
"That's fine."
Kiyohara smiled lightly.
"I won't use my full strength."
Tsunade's eyebrow rose even higher.
Not his full strength?
This brat really thought he had her figured out?
She stood up and rolled her shoulders and neck. A series of faint cracking sounds came from her joints.
"Fine then. Let's do it."
As she walked toward the door, she passed by Kiyohara and casually patted his shoulder.
"But don't cry if you lose."
Kiyohara laughed.
"Don't worry, Sensei. I won't."
The training ground.
Tsunade rotated her wrists.
As long as there was no blood involved, a simple sparring match would not affect her performance.
She had removed her green coat, leaving only a gray sleeveless shirt and a pair of dark cropped pants.
The pant legs tightened below her knees, exposing a section of her fair calves.
Standing on the dirt ground, her toes curled slightly as she gripped the earth beneath her feet.
Ten meters away, Kiyohara stood opposite her.
He had also removed his outer clothing, leaving only his black chainmail armor.
"Ready?"
Tsunade asked.
"Ready."
Kiyohara nodded.
The moment his words fell, Tsunade vanished from where she stood.
In the next instant, she appeared at Kiyohara's right side.
Her right leg rose high into the air before chopping down with terrifying force.
Heavenly Foot of Pain!
An enormous amount of chakra had been poured into the attack.
The moment it descended, the air itself roared.
Lightning flashed beneath Kiyohara's feet.
Leaf Body Flicker.
Tsunade's kick struck nothing but empty air.
Instead, it smashed heavily into the ground.
Boom!
The earth exploded.
Fragments of rock flew in every direction, while a deep crack spread forward from beneath her foot.
Kiyohara appeared five meters away.
But before he could even stabilize himself, Tsunade had already closed the distance again.
Her fist, empowered by monstrous strength chakra, punched directly toward him.
Kiyohara turned sideways and dodged.
The force of the punch brushed past his cheek.
At the same time, his own right fist shot toward Tsunade's waist.
Tsunade twisted her body and threw out a punch of her own.
The two fists collided.
Bang!
A dull explosion echoed through the training ground.
The shockwave expanded outward from the two of them, cracking the earth and sending dust flying.
Tsunade was forced back three steps.
Each step left a deep footprint in the ground.
Kiyohara remained where he stood.
Not even half a step backward.
Tsunade raised her head and stared at him.
A trace of shock flashed through her eyes.
That brat's strength...
She lowered her gaze toward her fist.
Her palm felt numb.
That punch just now had been close to her full power.
Yet Kiyohara had blocked it so casually and even forced her backward.
Had this kid's physical strength already surpassed hers?
"Sensei, are you alright?"
Kiyohara's voice sounded from ahead.
Tsunade looked up.
Kiyohara stood there calmly.
His breathing was steady.
He was not even sweating.
"I'm fine."
Tsunade rotated her wrist and suppressed the emotions in her heart.
"Again."
She charged forward once more.
The two moved rapidly across the training ground.
The sounds of fists and kicks colliding rose and fell without pause.
Every impact created another shockwave.
The cracks in the ground became more numerous and deeper.
The entire training field looked as if it had been plowed over.
The longer Tsunade fought, the more alarmed she became.
Every punch she threw was blocked.
Every attack she launched was dodged or deflected.
And that kid's stamina...
She had already begun panting.
Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
Her breathing had become heavier.
Yet Kiyohara's breathing remained steady.
His movements were still smooth and effortless, as though he knew nothing of fatigue.
Left with no choice, Tsunade activated Yin Seal.
Drawing upon the burst of chakra from the seal, she increased both the speed and power of her attacks.
Yet Kiyohara still managed to receive them all.
After a while, Tsunade dropped to one knee.
She gasped for breath.
Sweat ran down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground.
Her golden hair had become damp, with several strands sticking to her face.
Even her gray sleeveless shirt had been soaked through, clinging tightly to her body.
Tsunade raised her head and looked at Kiyohara.
He stood not far away.
His breathing had quickened slightly, but he was nowhere near as exhausted as she was.
"Sensei, do you want to continue?"
Kiyohara felt that Tsunade seemed weaker than he had imagined.
Or perhaps he himself had grown too strong too quickly?
Either way, Tsunade had not given him the pressure he had expected.
"No more."
Tsunade shook her head.
Walking up to him, she flicked his forehead with a finger.
"You brat. You really don't hold back at all."
Kiyohara rubbed his forehead.
"But Sensei wasn't fighting with everything she had either, right?"
"Hmph."
Tsunade turned her face away, but the corners of her lips curled upward slightly.
At least the kid knew how to give her an excuse to save face.
"Enough. Come with me to the casino."
"Sure."
The casino was packed with noise and activity.
The moment Tsunade entered, she seemed like a completely different person.
Her steps became noticeably lighter.
She squeezed her way to a dice table, skillfully exchanged money for chips, and immediately began betting.
Standing behind her, Kiyohara watched as she placed bet after bet.
And lost again and again.
Less than thirty minutes later, half of her chips were already gone.
"Another low..."
Tsunade stared at the dice on the table, her brows tightly furrowed.
"Again!"
She pushed another stack of chips forward.
Kiyohara remained standing behind her without saying a word.
He knew that at times like this, Tsunade would not listen to anyone's advice.
Another half hour passed.
The last of Tsunade's chips disappeared.
She stared at the completely empty space in front of her and let out a sigh.
"Let's go."
She stood and walked toward the exit.
Kiyohara followed behind.
Outside the casino, the night wind carried a faint chill.
Tsunade stood at the entrance and tilted her head up toward the sky.
The stars tonight were particularly bright.
"Sensei."
Kiyohara stepped up beside her.
"Hm?"
"You'll definitely win next time."
Tsunade turned her head to look at him.
Under the moonlight, her brown-gold eyes glimmered faintly.
"You really do know how to comfort people."
She reached out and ruffled his hair.
What Tsunade had not expected was how powerful Kiyohara had become and how quickly he had progressed.
Losing to him felt perfectly normal.
After all, Kiyohara's battle achievements were already dazzling enough.
"Sensei, you should head back first. I'm going to see Kurenai and exchange some genjutsu experience."
Kiyohara spoke.
Earlier, while chatting with Kurenai, she had mentioned that her father would not be home tonight.
Only her family's cat would be there.
"Go ahead."
Tsunade waved her hand casually.
"Oh, and if I don't come back for dinner, don't wait for me."
Kiyohara added.
Sometimes he became so busy that he simply would not return for meals.
Tsunade already knew this, so she merely nodded and said she understood.
Kurenai's home.
When Kiyohara knocked on the door, the sound of approaching footsteps came from inside.
The door opened.
Kurenai leaned out halfway.
She was wearing a light pink nightgown.
Her long hair hung loosely over her shoulders, still damp from a recent bath.
Clearly, she had just finished washing up.
Her cheeks appeared even fairer than usual from the steam of the hot water, and tiny droplets still clung to her eyelashes.
"Kiyohara?"
She blinked, then stepped aside.
"Come in."
Kiyohara walked into the house.
A cup of unfinished hot tea sat on the coffee table, and beside it lay an open notebook filled with notes on genjutsu.
"You just finished bathing?"
Kiyohara sat down on a cushion.
"Yeah."
Kurenai nodded and sat beside him.
She sat with her knees bent beneath her. The hem of her nightgown slid up to the middle of her thighs, revealing a stretch of fair skin.
Her legs were pressed together, her calves angled slightly outward. Her slender ankles rested against the tatami floor, her feet bare.
"Learned any new jutsu lately?" Kiyohara asked.
Kurenai's eyes lit up.
"I have. It's called Demonic Illusion: Mirage."
She straightened her posture and formed hand seals.
Chakra flowed through her body.
The next moment, Kiyohara saw another Kurenai appear beside her.
The figure looked exactly the same.
The same appearance.
The same nightgown.
The same posture.
The illusion smiled gently at Kiyohara.
Kiyohara reached out and lightly touched the image.
Kurenai immediately stopped him.
"If someone attacks this illusion, they'll be counterattacked. It's basically like a self-destruct trap."
"I see."
Kiyohara withdrew his hand.
He already knew this technique. Kurenai had used it in the anime as well.
He had simply wanted to test its effectiveness.
"Well?" Kurenai looked at him proudly.
"It's a good technique."
Kiyohara nodded.
Then his gaze shifted back to Kurenai herself.
The neckline of her nightgown was somewhat low.
From his angle, he could see a glimpse of fair skin and gentle curves.
Her collarbones were delicate.
Her shoulders were smooth and elegant.
Below her collarbones, deeper contours could vaguely be seen.
Kiyohara's eyes lingered on her for a moment.
Kurenai noticed his gaze.
A faint blush appeared on her cheeks.
She rolled her eyes at him.
There was no annoyance in her expression.
Only the indulgent look of someone who had already seen through him long ago.
Then she stood up and turned her back toward him.
"I'm wearing stockings today."
Kurenai spoke softly.
She knew Kiyohara liked them.
She had also guessed there was a good chance he would come looking for her today.
After all, she had told him earlier that she would be home alone tonight.
Kiyohara's gaze fell to her legs.
She was wearing a pair of black thigh-high stockings.
Thin as silk and fitted tightly against her long legs.
Beginning at her ankles, they traced upward along her calves, passed her knees, and disappeared beneath the hem of her nightgown midway up her thighs.
Under the warm yellow light, the stockings carried a faint sheen that made her already beautiful legs appear even more attractive.
Kurenai sat down on the sofa.
The position accentuated her figure.
The fabric of the nightgown stretched slightly, outlining graceful curves.
Through the thin material, the stockings could still be vaguely seen clinging to her skin.
Kiyohara swallowed unconsciously.
"I'm going to borrow the bathroom."
He stood up and quickly took a shower.
When he came back out, Kurenai was still sitting near the sofa.
"May I?"
Kiyohara extended his hand and gently placed it at her waist.
Her body trembled slightly.
She nodded.
Then one of the straps of her nightgown slipped from her shoulder.
A section of smooth skin was revealed.
As though a layer of mist had quietly faded away.
"Let's go inside."
Kiyohara lifted Kurenai into his arms.
As certain thoughts crossed her mind, Kurenai's breathing gradually became quicker.
Soon, they entered the room.
Kiyohara wrapped his arms around Kurenai.
Kurenai responded by embracing him as well.
Perhaps because she felt overheated, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her skin.
Her long hair became damp and stuck messily against her face.
Time slowly passed.
Eventually, her gaze lost focus, and only indistinct sounds escaped her lips.
The next morning.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains and entered the room.
Kiyohara opened his eyes.
He felt completely refreshed.
There was not even the slightest trace of fatigue.
The feeling was strange.
He had clearly expended a great deal of energy the previous night, yet now he felt as though he had just awakened from a perfect night's sleep.
He raised his hand and looked at his palm.
The more future power he inherited, the stronger his body's recovery ability became.
Once the snowball started rolling, it was almost impossible to stop.
If he obtained even more futures and more bloodlines...
As the snowball continued growing larger and larger, sooner or later Kiyohara would become the strongest person in the history of the shinobi world.
At the same time, the stronger he became, the harder it would be for him to die.
And the harder it became for him to die, the easier it would be to continue accumulating power.
It was an endless positive cycle.
Kiyohara shook away his thoughts and looked down.
Kurenai was hugging him tightly.
She was curled up in his arms.
Her face was buried against his chest.
Her arms wrapped around his waist.
One leg rested across his own.
The nightgown had long since disappeared somewhere, and only a thin blanket covered her body.
Her long hair spread across the pillow, with several strands stuck to her cheeks.
The black strands were slightly tangled together from sweat, resting against her fair skin.
A trace of fatigue still lingered on her face.
Kiyohara remained still and simply watched her.
After a while, Kurenai's eyelashes fluttered.
She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him sleepily.
"...Kiyohara?"
Her voice was slightly hoarse.
"Yeah."
Kiyohara answered softly.
Kurenai gradually became fully awake.
Then she noticed something.
Her body felt a little sore.
The discomfort was not severe, but it reminded her of everything that had happened the night before.
Her face immediately turned bright red.
Kiyohara raised his hand.
A green glow appeared in his palm.
Medical chakra flowed into her body.
The warm chakra circulated through her system.
Wherever it passed, the soreness and exhaustion gradually faded away.
Kurenai blinked in surprise.
Soon she felt considerably lighter.
"How do you feel?" Kiyohara asked.
His chakra control had become extremely precise.
If he wished, he could repair even that.
But there was no real point.
All he needed to do was restore Kurenai's body to normal.
"Very good..."
Kurenai replied quietly.
The pain was already gone.
On the contrary, with Kiyohara right beside her, she even felt a faint sense of excitement.
"I meant how did yesterday feel?"
Kiyohara smiled.
Kurenai froze.
Then a flood of memories surfaced.
The way she had held him so tightly.
The things she had said without being able to control herself.
Her face grew redder and redder until it looked as though it might burst into flames.
Without hesitation, she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her entire body.
"I don't know!"
Her muffled voice came from beneath the blanket.
"I don't remember anything at all!"
Kiyohara reached over and tried to pull the blanket away.
Kurenai clung to it stubbornly.
The two struggled for a while before Kiyohara finally gave up.
"Alright, alright. I won't ask anymore."
He patted her through the blanket.
"It's time to get up."
Silence filled the blanket for a moment.
Then it slowly slid down, revealing Kurenai's head.
She looked at him.
A trace of embarrassment remained in her crimson eyes, but there was even more warmth and affection there.
"...Okay."
Kurenai answered softly and sat up.
The blanket slid down along her body.
The morning sunlight illuminated her graceful figure.
Kiyohara's gaze lingered on her.
Kurenai noticed, but instead of hiding, the corners of her lips curved upward slightly with a hint of pride.
She stood up barefoot and walked toward the wardrobe.
Half an hour later.
"Want to go out for a walk?"
Kiyohara had already gotten dressed.
He sat eating the breakfast Kurenai had prepared.
"Sure."
Kurenai nodded.
Under normal circumstances, she definitely would not have had the energy to go out.
But thanks to Kiyohara's medical ninjutsu, she felt incredibly well now.
Not only had she made breakfast, she had even found time to wash the stained bedsheets.
"Alright."
Kiyohara nodded.
On the streets of Konoha.
The sun shone brightly.
Asuma walked down the road in the best mood he had experienced in a long time.
Having just returned from the battlefield, he had finally completed his report at the Hokage Tower and could enjoy a few days of rest.
Then, while walking through Konoha's streets, Asuma spotted two familiar figures.
Kiyohara.
And Kurenai.
The two were walking side by side while browsing the roadside stalls.
Today, Kurenai wore a light red dress.
The hem ended above her knees, exposing a section of her fair calves.
A gentle smile rested on her face.
Asuma immediately stopped walking.
For a moment, he simply stared at Kurenai without saying a word.
Kurenai...
She had become even more beautiful.
It was not merely her appearance.
There was a radiance coming from within.
Like a flower nourished by fresh rain, every petal had fully opened, releasing an irresistible charm.
It almost seemed as if she were glowing.
Asuma was completely stunned.
Had Kurenai always been this beautiful?
"Asuma?"
Kurenai noticed someone staring at her.
When she turned around and saw Asuma standing nearby, she waved.
Asuma snapped out of his daze and quickly walked over.
"Kurenai. Kiyohara."
He greeted them.
"Long time no see."
Kiyohara nodded.
The current Asuma already looked very similar to his appearance as an adult.
Kiyohara suspected it was due to Asuma focusing heavily on taijutsu training.
Combined with puberty, his beard had grown rapidly, leaving traces of stubble that had not been completely shaved.
"Asuma, what's wrong? You look a little strange."
Kurenai felt that something seemed off about him.
"N... nothing."
Asuma quickly shook his head.
"I just got back. I'm a little tired."
After a brief pause, he asked,
"You two... are shopping?"
"Yeah."
Kurenai nodded.
"We bought a few things and were just about to head back."
As she spoke, she raised the paper bag in her hand.
It contained several freshly purchased snacks.
Asuma nodded.
"Then... then I'll be going."
He turned around to leave.
"So soon?"
Kurenai looked surprised.
"The old man told me to get back early."
Asuma did not actually want to leave so quickly, but his father had already given strict instructions.
The moment he returned to the village, he had to report in.
After taking a few steps, he could not help looking back.
Kurenai and Kiyohara were still standing there, talking together.
Kiyohara lowered his head slightly while looking at her.
A trace of envy appeared in Asuma's heart.
If only he and Kurenai had been assigned to the same team.
Then he would have had far more opportunities to spend time with her.
(End of Chapter)