"Could there be a 'Six-Armed Spider Kiyohara' one day?"
That thought briefly crossed Kiyohara's mind.
Who said his future selves had to be human? What about Toad Sage Kiyohara? Giant Lizard Kiyohara?
'Come to think of it,' he mused, 'Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode technically works best with toads…'
After all, whether you succeeded or failed, you'd start turning into a toad regardless.
Even Naruto, with his so-called "perfect" Sage Mode, still had toad-like eye markings. And Jiraiya—he practically turned halfway into a frog.
But that made sense—Mount Myōboku Sage Mode was created by toads, not humans.
For the toads, Sage Arts had no side effects. In fact, they extended lifespan.
There was the Great Toad Sage, who'd lived for over a thousand years… and even Fukasaku and Shima were over 800.
So if a future version of him managed to master Sage Arts and toadification—
'Would Toad Kiyohara be the perfect successor to that power?'
He wasn't sure.
—
Rin finished her first-aid work and started gathering straight branches from nearby trees.
Kiyohara and Kakashi wordlessly joined in. Together, they lashed the wood into a makeshift stretcher using strong vines and secured the unconscious Kidohyou onto it.
They wasted no time.
Kiyohara and Kakashi took turns carrying the stretcher, hurrying back toward the Konoha forward base.
By dusk, they arrived.
Their return, escorting a half-dead, six-armed enemy shinobi, naturally drew some attention.
The logistics ninja in charge of processing prisoners and loot took one look at Kidohyou—those six arms and the brutal, concave chest—and stared at the team.
"Country of Fields… a shinobi from the Six-Armed Spider Clan."
The processing officer reviewed the confiscated items and Kiyohara's report, nodding with quiet approval.
"Their secret techniques and webs are troublesome. Good job bringing him in alive."
Because the enemy had a special body type—likely a bloodline or secret art user—and might possess critical intelligence, the team received a substantial bonus far above the standard C- or B-rank mission payout.
200,000 ryō.
Kiyohara couldn't help but feel a bit ironic.
The guy who wanted to sell them off… ended up getting sold instead.
Besides the money, they also gained merit points.
Kiyohara wasted no time.
He went directly to the ninjutsu exchange center within the forward base.
During wartime, the village had relaxed restrictions on advanced jutsu—so long as you had the merit points to pay for them.
Kiyohara had long had his eye on a B-rank Lightning Release jutsu:
Lightning Release: Rage Thunder Arrows.
It gathered lightning chakra into the right hand and launched multiple arrow-like bolts from the palm.
It was similar to "Lightning Release: Flash Arrow," but with greater range and power.
Exactly what Kiyohara needed—a long-range strike to complement his iron sand's close-range dominance.
Iron Sand might be fast, but it still had mass. He had to push it with magnetism every time.
Lightning—even chakra-based lightning—moved faster.
He quickly completed the exchange.
As expected, he wasn't handed a scroll directly. Instead, an instructor guided him through the key principles and let him copy essential diagrams—to avoid leaks.
That training drained half his merit points.
But it was worth it.
Just as he stepped out of the exchange center, a logistics ninja flagged him down and handed him a coin pouch.
"Chūnin Kiyohara, here's this month's wartime stipend. Please sign here."
"Thank you."
It was payday.
This "basic income" was the village's monthly stipend for deployed shinobi. Small, but helpful.
Especially in wartime, where not every ninja could consistently complete missions—many were stuck in logistics or patrol roles.
Kiyohara weighed the pouch and smiled faintly at the soft rustle of bills inside.
In the Land of Fire, there were both coins and banknotes.
The village issued Leaf-branded bills, usually paper.
Since he had the afternoon off, Kiyohara headed toward a small waystation town nearby.
It was half logistics base, half entertainment hub—food stalls, inns, sake shops… even a few less savory establishments.
"Boss, one house special crispy chicken, please."
"You got it!"
Soon, he was handed a massive, steaming portion wrapped in oiled paper. The scent was heavenly.
After days of rations and soldier pills, this was culinary salvation.
Just as he found a spot to enjoy it, a familiar figure walked out of the local gambling house.
Tsunade.
Her expression? Not great.
She was storming past when she sniffed the air—then stopped abruptly.
"…Mmm? That smells amazing."
Kiyohara turned.
Blonde hair, powerful curves… even after losing her shirt at the tables, Tsunade still looked stunning.
Her gaze locked onto the fried chicken in his hand.
Then, almost as an afterthought, she looked at him.
"You just finished a mission?"
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Kiyohara gave a small nod.
Judging by the look on her face, she must've lost everything again… probably depending on Shizune for dinner tonight.
"How'd it go?" she asked, eyes still glued to the chicken.
Kiyohara noticed.
He remembered from the databook: Tsunade loved strong liquor and poultry.
He hesitated… then handed her the chicken.
"Please, Lady Tsunade. It's yours."
You had to bait the big fish with tasty morsels first.
He needed someone powerful on his side—especially once he started revealing more of his bloodline limits. Tsunade was perfect insurance against future trouble.
Even Tsunade looked surprised.
She had just planned to stare longingly.
But this kid…
"…You're quite the thoughtful one, huh?"
She took it with a raised eyebrow, then bit in with unreserved gusto.
Oil shimmered on her lips. Her golden eyes narrowed in satisfaction.
"Mmm—this is good."
After two bites, she suddenly remembered the chicken wasn't hers.
She looked down at the food she'd already ravaged, then at Kiyohara—still calmly standing beside her.
She felt slightly awkward.
But pride wouldn't let her admit it.
She shoved the chicken toward him.
"Here. You eat too. Don't just watch me like a weirdo."
Kiyohara shook his head. "You eat, Lady Tsunade. I'm not hungry."
In truth, he had already relaxed a bit after the mission. His appetite wasn't pressing.
Tsunade misunderstood.
She frowned. "Eat. That's an order. Refueling is part of your job as a ninja."
He looked at the chicken—with her clear bite marks on one side.
A brief pause.
Then he took it… and took a bite on the other side.
"…It really is good."
Tsunade nodded in approval—then wolfed down the rest.
Then she froze.
Wait… they'd just shared food.
Had she… indirectly kissed this kid?
Tsunade cleared her throat awkwardly.
"You shy or something, kid?"
She decided to deflect the tension.
"Of course not."
"Oh really…"
Tsunade leaned in, scrutinizing his face.
Then her eyes darted to the coin pouch on his hip.
Still full. Just received. Fresh.
"…You got your stipend today, didn't you?"
Kiyohara calmly swallowed and nodded. "Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Her eyes sparkled with interest. All earlier embarrassment gone.
She rubbed her fingers together meaningfully.
"Ahem… you didn't forget our agreement, right?"
She tried to frame her loan request as a formal, honorable thing.
"There've been… expenses. Research costs, you know how it is—"
Here it comes.
Kiyohara sighed inwardly.
He knew the drill.
She saw him as an easy target. A sheep to fleece.
Still, he pulled out 70,000 ryō and handed it over.
Some of it was from the reward, some from his stipend.
Now Tsunade was truly surprised.
Most people avoided lending her money. She was infamous for not paying it back.
Even Jiraiya had stopped helping.
But this kid…
Looking at his handsome face, she suddenly found him very pleasing to the eye.
"Don't worry, I won't just take it," she promised.
"If you ever need help with medical ninjutsu or taijutsu, just come find me. I'll be around in a few days. Or set a time—I'll make it happen."
Kiyohara nodded. "Got it."
"Alright, off you go."
She waved him away, practically humming as she headed back to the casino with renewed confidence.
She clutched the money pouch like a lucky charm.
Time to win it all back.
Kiyohara watched her go.
"…Charging straight into the fire."
For a second, he was tempted to bet against her.
But he knew better—casinos were rigged, and Tsunade's luck was tragic.
Back to business.
He turned and headed for his assigned tent at the base.
Time to master "Lightning Release: Rage Thunder Arrows"…
Once he did that, he could fulfill Steel Kiyohara's first wish—and inherit the Steel Release bloodline.
If that body could handle more intense magnetic field rotation, it would be a huge step forward.