His control over this ninjutsu had become even more refined and efficient.
"So, this is the effect of stacking talent, huh?"
Kiyohara rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
No wonder Orochimaru went through such lengths to replace vessels. Sometimes, the difference truly is worlds apart.
Kiyohara then clenched his fists slightly, feeling the abundant vitality coursing through his body.
This stamina could be converted into chakra at any moment.
If he were still the old Kiyohara, he absolutely wouldn't have such a large chakra reserve.
He would need some time to properly adapt to and digest this new power.
"Mm… hopefully the next future inheritance is something related to taijutsu."
Kiyohara muttered as he stroked his chin again.
Although an increase in spiritual energy also meant a big boost to his chakra, if the gap between spiritual and physical energy became too large, problems would start to appear.
Just like Kurenai's disciple, Kurama Yakumo.
The Kurama clan possessed a kekkei genkai related to Yin Release, but too strong of a spiritual energy would actually suppress the body instead.
Yakumo's spiritual strength was overwhelming, resulting in a frail and sickly body.
Only when the body and spirit grew together, side by side, would chakra develop in the most stable and healthy way.
Kiyohara even suspected that Hashirama Senju might have died early partly because his physical and spiritual energies were imbalanced.
After mistakenly believing he had killed his closest friend, Uchiha Madara, perhaps his spirit collapsed, leading to an untimely death.
It was strange. Hashirama's cells brimmed with vitality—so much so that villains across generations treated them as treasures, grafting them into their bodies.
As the source of those legendary cells, how could Hashirama himself have poor vitality?
And yet… such a man died at fifty or sixty years old.
Of course, it was also possible that the battle against Madara had consumed too much of his life force.
Or maybe Asura's chakra believed the elder brother's reincarnation had passed away and followed soon after.
There were countless possible explanations, but the same question always remained:
Hashirama Senju died far too early.
"Next mission should come within a few days. I should find a a good smith to forge my weapons first."
Kiyohara thought to himself.
As for the loans?
He would definitely drag them out as long as he could.
"…Although, at this rate, Iwagakure probably won't be able to hold on much longer."
Another thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
The reason Sarutobi Hiruzen eventually stepped down and selected the Fourth Hokage wasn't because he was too old.
It was because he stepped down in disgrace.
And the reason?
Simple.
During the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, the enemy's crucial supply route was destroyed.
The remaining Iwa-nin were defeated by Minato, and combined with Konoha's forces, over a thousand Iwa-nin from the surprise attack were slaughtered—more than half of them died.
Seeing this, Iwagakure realized they were on the verge of collapse.
But before Iwagakure could take any significant action, Hiruzen himself—on behalf of Konoha—voluntarily requested a ceasefire agreement.
He acknowledged all of Iwagakure's military actions and surrendered Konoha's right to demand reparations.
It was like having a massive advantage in a game—one decisive push away from destroying the enemy's crystal—only for Hiruzen to suddenly press the surrender button and force everyone else to surrender as well.
Even Danzo couldn't hold back his fury, cursing that countless allies had died on that battlefield, and now their sacrifices were being wasted.
Hiruzen simply claimed everything was his own responsibility and resigned from the position of Third Hokage as atonement.
Absurd as it sounded…
that was exactly how it happened in the original story.
"After that, they'll shift their main forces to deal with Kirigakure."
Kiyohara silently analyzed.
Uchiha Madara's hidden hand was the Mist Village.
He would need to be extremely careful during missions moving forward.
(TN: I'm comparing two translations when I edited this and other one has guilt but I chose disgrace since I think it makes more sense?)
…
A few days later
Hokage Building.
Evening had fallen, and the lights in the Hokage's office glowed brightly.
Hiruzen sat behind his wide desk, a familiar pipe in his mouth.
White smoke curled upward, casting a faint haze over his stern features.
A gentle knock sounded at the door before it opened.
It was Minato, who had just finished a mission and returned from the border.
"Lord Third."
Minato bowed respectfully.
"This is the detailed report. Also… news from the front lines—the Iwa forces near the Land of Grass have retreated thirty li."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen put down his pipe and accepted the scroll Minato handed over.
A faint ease appeared on his face.
"You've worked hard, Minato. This is good news. If we can resolve the crisis with Iwagakure, we will be able to focus our strength on handling the pressure from Kumogakure and Kirigakure."
He skimmed quickly through the report and nodded in satisfaction.
"You always seem to bring good news."
His gaze then landed on another file on the table—the final list of those who passed the recent chunin selection.
He picked it up, paused briefly at the name "Kiyohara," then handed the list to Minato.
"Take a look at this. The boy, the one you recommended, defeated a member of the Uchiha clan a few days ago."
Minato was slightly surprised as he accepted the list.
"Kiyohara? He participated in the selection?"
He quickly scanned it and found the name.
"I thought that with his performance during the Kannabi Bridge mission, he would be directly promoted. But proving himself through the test is good too."
Hiruzen lifted his pipe again, inhaling deeply, exhaling smoke with the slow rhythm of a seasoned smoker.
He exhaled a long stream of smoke.
Minato endured the haze silently.
After all, who visited the Hokage's office without inhaling secondhand smoke?
Minato couldn't help wondering how much tax revenue tobacco generated for the Land of Fire…
"Direct promotion is possible," Hiruzen said, "but having him go through the selection process allows us to see his potential, temperament, and adaptability against various opponents more clearly.
"A report can only tell so much. Seeing it firsthand is different.
And now, it seems your praise in your recommendation letter was not exaggerated."
Minato immediately understood the Third's intention.
This wasn't questioning his judgment—it was careful nurturing of talent.
In wartime, Konoha had lost too many excellent shinobi, especially chūnin and jōnin ranks who formed the backbone of the village.
Kiyohara, a civilian orphan whose parents had died for Konoha, was pure in bloodline, loyal in spirit. His talent was promising.
He was exactly the kind of shinobi the village needed to nurture.
This was the Third Hokage's way of thoroughly evaluating his value to determine what resources and position to give him in the future.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Minato nodded with a touch of emotion.
"Kiyohara is indeed a promising one. Most importantly, he has a firm heart dedicated to protecting his comrades. In the current situation, that is especially precious."
He recalled what Rin had told him afterward—how Kiyohara stayed behind alone to delay the enemy and held off an Iwa-nin bravely.
"Pure roots, strong ability, good character …"
Hiruzen's eyes returned to the list.
"He is a seedling worth cultivating. Minato, since you are familiar with him, keep an eye on his growth in the future."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Minato answered seriously.
He already admired Kiyohara greatly; with the Hokage's clear instruction, he would gladly offer more guidance and opportunities to this promising junior.
(End of Chapter)