Hearing this, Kiyohara said, "Lady Tsunade, please forgive my bluntness, but this is far too dangerous. Kiri has just suffered a setback, yet their main forces remain intact, and their defenses will certainly be extremely tight."
Tsunade knew that what Kiyohara said was the truth.
Kirigakure's invasion this time had been ferocious. Although they were temporarily repelled, there was no way they would simply give up.
Their battle lines were stretched thin, and logistics and supplies would inevitably become an issue, meaning they would likely adopt a strategy of "feeding the war with war." As a result, an even larger-scale offensive was very likely to follow.
Searching for a specific gravestone within an area where the enemy had concentrated heavy forces was no different from looking for a needle in the ocean—and the odds of survival would be slim at best.
"I understand the risks involved. I'm not asking you to go right now. Kiri won't occupy the former site of the Uzushiogakure for long," Tsunade said, shaking her head.
Naturally, she would never place one of the village's shinobi in such danger purely for her own personal desires.
"Then—Lady Tsunade, why did you choose me?" Kiyohara asked, somewhat puzzled.
There were so many shinobi, yet she had singled him out. Why?
"Your Magnet Release can be used for acceleration, right? And Orochimaru also gave you the 'Konoha Body Flicker Technique,' didn't he?" Tsunade said casually.
In truth, she had initially wanted to ask Minato for this favor. Given Kushina's relationship with Minato, she could have persuaded him.
However, Minato was currently tied down on the front line against Kumo and couldn't spare the time.
Later, she happened to meet Orochimaru, who mentioned that Kiyohara was extremely fast—among the fastest even within the category of Body Flicker–specialized shinobi.
That was how today's proposal came to be.
"So that's how it is," Kiyohara nodded.
Shinobi who specialized in Body Flicker techniques were actually quite rare. Like sealing specialists, genjutsu specialists, or medical shinobi, they belonged to a category of shinobi who deeply focused on a single field.
"However, during wartime, I may not always be able to spare the time. I will do my best to complete it, Lady Tsunade."
Kiyohara indicated that he still had other missions to carry out and was usually quite busy.
The unspoken implication was that this would require additional compensation.
However, Kiyohara phrased it tactfully and politely, without offending anyone.
Seeing this, Tsunade spread her hands.
Behind her, Shizune immediately understood and took out two scrolls.
From their previous interaction, Tsunade knew that this little brat, Kiyohara, was interested in medical ninjutsu.
"The last time, I gave you 'Hemostasis Technique and 'Detoxification Technique,' right? Those two are basic medical ninjutsu. Beyond that, it depends on your aptitude," Tsunade said.
Shinobi whose Yang-release chakra did not meet the standard were not suitable for practicing medical ninjutsu.
"I don't know whether you possess Yang-release chakra, nor do I know how your aptitude is, but I'll teach you these first. Consider it part of your payment in advance. Once the task is completed, there will be more," Tsunade continued.
At this point, Shizune handed the two scrolls to Kiyohara.
Kiyohara accepted them and discovered that they were two C-rank medical ninjutsu.
One was "Pain Suppression Technique," which could temporarily block local pain nerves and alleviate pain.
The other was "Regeneration Technique," which could accelerate cell division and promote the regeneration of deep muscle tissue and minor tissue loss.
Both were quite decent medical ninjutsu.
"Lady Tsunade, once the Mist shinobi withdraw, I'll immediately go and check on Senior Dan Katō's grave," Kiyohara said as he accepted the scrolls, expressing that he would take care of such a small matter without hesitation.
"Very good," Tsunade nodded in satisfaction.
She only wanted an answer and was not in a hurry.
After all, Kirigakure launching a large-scale invasion of the Land of Fire was only a matter of time. Tsunade believed it wouldn't take more than two months.
She then waved her hand, signaling for Kiyohara to leave for now.
Kiyohara also noticed that Tsunade's complexion was rather pale, likely lingering aftereffects of her hemophobia.
Thus, he didn't linger and exited the tent.
The cool night breeze brushed against his face, slightly dispersing the heavy medicinal scent lingering inside the tent.
Kiyohara clenched the two brand-new medical ninjutsu scrolls tucked against his chest. Their cool touch invigorated his spirits.
This meeting with Tsunade had yielded far more than he had expected.
Before doing anything at all, he had already received tangible rewards, and judging from Tsunade's tone, once the situation of Dan Katō's grave was confirmed, he would likely receive even more medical ninjutsu.
Of course, what Kiyohara valued wasn't just the medical techniques.
More importantly, it was establishing a connection with Tsunade.
In the shinobi world, unless you were strong enough to single-handedly crush the entire world, you still needed backing, influence, and connections.
As he inherited more and more futures, the number of Kekkei Genkai on Kiyohara's body would likely continue to increase.
Eventually, this would inevitably become known to others.
At that point, having a powerful backer would be extremely important.
If Kiyohara were a disciple of either Orochimaru or Tsunade, who would dare to casually lay a hand on him?
Even Danzō would have to think twice.
However—Kiyohara felt that if he were to take Orochimaru as a master, it somehow felt like Orochimaru would covet his body.
After all, according to the original storyline, a few years later, Orochimaru should more accurately be called "Orochimaru-hime"—or perhaps "Auntie Snake."
Whether to go further in his pursuit of power, or because his right arm had been severed by Itachi, in any case, Orochimaru abandoned his original body and possessed a woman instead.
'Forget it, thinking about that is still too far off. Focus on the present first,' Kiyohara thought to himself, shaking his head.
He scanned the area and spotted Kurenai and Genma not far away, then walked toward them.
As he walked, he continued to experience the gradual changes in his body.
He had completed the second unfulfilled wish and finally fully merged with Magnet Release Kiyohara.
Because of this, Kiyohara looked forward with great anticipation to the next "Last Will" that would arrive next month.
What kind of bloodline limit would appear next?
As he continued walking outward, he could feel the transformation brought about by the complete inheritance of Magnet Release steadily fermenting within his body.
That solid sense of security brought by an increase in strength was something no external object could ever compare to.
Meanwhile, racing through the night, Pakura relied on her superb ninjutsu and familiarity with the terrain to finally break through Konoha's pursuit net, returning with her disciple Maki and the last remaining Sunagakure shinobi to a relatively safe area under Sunagakure's control.
After taking a brief rest in a hidden sand cave, Pakura leaned back against the cold rock wall. The wound on her right arm—torn open by an iron-sand coin and edged with scorched marks—continued to send waves of sharp pain through her.
There were no medical shinobi here, so her disciple Maki could only provide rudimentary treatment.
That Konoha brat—
A trace of gravity flashed through Pakura's orange-brown eyes.
That black, high-speed flying object—that blue arc of electricity—why did it feel so familiar?
The more she recalled it, the deeper her doubts grew.
Unfortunately, the night had been too dark, and Kiyohara's technique too fast for her to see clearly.
"Teacher Pakura, there seems to be something stuck to your arm," Maki said while tending to the wound, noticing tiny remnants of black powder still embedded in the injury.
They were almost as thin as strands of hair.
Hearing this, Pakura examined it closely and recognized it as a type of mineral.
"This is… iron sand?"
A thought that even she herself found startling suddenly surfaced.
"Could that have been—Magnet Release?"
(End of Chapter)