"I'll help treat your wounds, Kiyohara."
Rin immediately stepped forward, lifting her hands as she activated Mystical Palm Technique, beginning to treat the injuries in Kiyohara's hand where the bone blade had pierced straight through.
Naturally, her proficiency in medical ninjutsu far surpassed Kiyohara's by an immeasurable margin.
In just a short while, Kiyohara's hand wound had already healed more than halfway. He couldn't help feeling deeply impressed—so this is the power of an A-rank medical ninjutsu.
"Fortunately, it missed the vital points, but the injury is still not light. Try to avoid using this hand for the next few days."
Rin reminded him softly.
"I understand, Rin."
Looking at her gentle demeanor, Kiyohara thought to himself that women like Rin were the bane of lonely young men. No wonder Obito had been so devoted to her. In his world, Rin had been the only kind girl who ever paid attention to someone like him—a dead last at the bottom of the class.
Kiyohara silently nodded and then began rummaging through the battlefield as if it were second nature. He carefully gathered the remaining intact fragments of Kaguya Masaru's shining, pale-white bones, storing them individually inside sealing scrolls.
He also searched through the rest of the Mist shinobi.
Kurenai watched him and, to be honest, she still didn't understand why Kiyohara was always so short on money.
Once Kiyohara finished sorting everything, he did a full inventory:
Aside from the ruined armor, he recovered four usable Kirigakure-style armors, sixty-two shuriken, ten kunai, and three bags of soldier pills.
Most items had been destroyed during the battle—this was all he could salvage.
A short while later, Genma and the eight ninja hounds returned.
"We pursued them for a stretch, but they were very alert and used the complex coastal terrain to shake us off. They went north," Genma reported, sounding slightly frustrated.
Pakkun added, "The scent's a mess, and there are signs of reinforcements. It looks like this infiltration team isn't the only one Kirigakure sent."
Mei's ninjutsu had completely scrambled the air currents and scents, making further pursuit impossible.
Kakashi's expression darkened.
"Let's return and report to Lord Orochimaru."
…
At the Uzushiogakure ruins encampment, inside the main tent…
Orochimaru listened to Kakashi's concise report. His golden, slit pupils lingered on Kiyohara for a long moment. His tongue unconsciously flicking across his lips.
"To handle two bloodline-limit users alone, kill a member of the Kaguya clan, and repel Terumi Mei… Kiyohara-kun, you have impressed me once again."
His hoarse voice carried a faint thrill, like he was appreciating a valuable experimental specimen.
"It seems your mastery of the Konoha Body Flicker Technique is coming along nicely."
He turned to the jōnin responsible for security, his tone suddenly turning cold:
"Kiri's probing has already begun. The subsequent attacks will only become fiercer. Pass down the order—double the vigilance at every post, increase patrol frequency, especially along the coastline. The enemy we may face… might not be just ordinary Mist-nin."
Orochimaru suspected that Kirigakure's major invasion could begin within the next few days.
When that happened, the entire Uzushiogakure Ruins would turn into a giant blood-soaked slaughterhouse.
If the battle went poorly, they would have to retreat dozens of miles back into the Land of Fire to establish a second defensive line.
The surrounding ninjas responded solemnly, and the atmosphere grew heavy with tension.
Kiyohara understood—this was the moment.
He stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Lord Orochimaru, I wish to contribute more to the village. My sensory abilities are decent, and I can take on more active reconnaissance or harassment assignments. I request permission to operate alone or lead a small squad outside the base."
"Oh?"
Orochimaru looked at him with interest, lightly tapping the armrest with a finger.
He knew Kiyohara valued his own life as much as Orochimaru did.
So why would he voluntarily take the initiative?
A moment later, Orochimaru understood.
He was the one in power; Kiyohara was the subordinate. Naturally, the boy sought benefits—after all, the Konoha Body Flicker Technique had already given him a taste of reward.
Kiyohara then presented the remains and blood of Kaguya Masaru.
"Heh heh… I do like shinobi's who take such initiative."
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment. He hadn't expected Kiyohara to offer this so openly.
Clearly, this boy truly sought knowledge.
As he inspected the remains, a flash of heat flickered in Orochimaru's eyes.
Yes—these were exactly the kind of presents he loved.
What new discoveries could he extract from them?
With that thought, he pulled out a mission scroll containing a list of assignments.
"These are all sensory-type missions. Not too dangerous. Take a look."
Kiyohara quickly scanned the list and fixed his gaze on one particular task:
[Recon Land of Fire's coastline behind Uzushiogakure.]
[Note: Possible Sunagakure infiltration. Intelligence suggests presence of assassination squads.]
The location was isolated, the objective clear. Perfect for fulfilling Magnet Release Kiyohara's first last will—killing one Sand ANBU.
And it was also a mission that needed to be done.
Kiri had already begun infiltrating the island. Ensuring the coastline of Land of Fire was secure was vital—otherwise, a pincer attack from both sides would devastate Konoha.
With a conflict this large, word would inevitably spread. Other nations had undoubtedly turned their eyes toward the region.
Shinobi warfare meant infiltration and counter-infiltration. This battle needed to be fought well—or disaster would follow.
Kiyohara pretended to ponder, then pointed at that mission.
Orochimaru let out a dry, rasping laugh.
"Very well. You have two days. Manage the timing yourself. I await your good news, Kiyohara-kun."
"Yes, sir."
…
That night, beneath a hazy moon…
After leaving Orochimaru's tent and informing Kurenai and the others, Kiyohara sped northwest.
He needed to fulfill the wish quickly, gain Magnet Release, and prepare for the brutal battles to come.
However, just as he approached the edge of the encampment, a green figure burst toward him with a loud shout, kicking up dust like a green tornado.
"Well, if it isn't my eternal rival, Kiyohara! To meet you on this night is the perfect moment for youthful passion to clash!"
Might Guy raised a shining thumbs-up. His teeth gleamed brilliantly under the moon, and the flames of youth burned fiercely beneath his thick eyebrows.
Kiyohara stopped, staring at the overly energetic taijutsu maniac.
He had no desire for any "youthful clash."
"Guy, I'm on an urgent mission right now. We can race another day."
He said plainly.
The moment he heard the word mission, Guy's expression became serious.
"It's a secret mission. I must go alone. Guy, save your strength for the battlefield—use it against the Mist-nin."
Kiyohara also thought to himself: since Guy was here, Might Duy must also be nearby on assignment.
And thinking of the upcoming confrontation with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist— the legendary clash of supreme early‑stage power—was fast approaching.
Kiyohara had to grow stronger quickly if he wanted to survive the storm, let alone influence its outcome.
Guy could open the Death Gate, briefly reaching Six Paths level, nearly ending the war. And Duy's Death Gate…?
"I understand!"
Guy stood upright, nodding vigorously.
"Then we shall settle the score when your mission is done! Youth does not wait—but youth must also endure! Good luck, Kiyohara!"
With another brilliant thumbs-up, he rushed away—running on a single finger while doing upside-down handstands.
"...Training the Eight Gates is truly brutal."
Watching Guy continue his practice even in such a state, Kiyohara seriously doubted that even if he obtained the technique, he could train like Guy.
A will that could restrain itself so fiercely, combined with a body that could recover after extreme training—it was practically the so-called "Taijutsu Holy Physique."
A normal shinobi wouldn't last a few days before completely ruining their body.
Unless they were like Kiyohara—resorting to forbidden drugs, and relying on his cheat.
Though, after overdosing often enough, even your speech patterns would become abstract.
He once heard a taijutsu user say, after doping too much:
"Without drugs, you might become a strong taijutsu specialist. But a strong taijutsu specialist without drugs… that's unlikely."
"Time to go. I must complete all of Magnet Release Kiyohara's remaining wishes before I can move on."
He wasn't satisfied with his current chakra reserves—they were too low.
He could barely cast a few jutsu before running dry. He needed to keep stacking future strength and boost his attributes.
…
Meanwhile, on a distant island off the coast of Uzushiogakure's ruins…
Seven figures gathered quietly in the night.
The storm was about to break.
(End of Chapter)