"Since the essence of Steel Release is also a form of chakra, aside from simply coating the surface of the body, is it possible to alter its shape?"
Kiyohara asked Steel-Release Kiyohara.
He wanted to know whether Steel-Release Kiyohara had developed it any further—
for example, could steel spikes protrude from the surface of the body?
Or could it be separated from the body to form simple steel cones or steel needles for ranged attacks?
Or perhaps be combined with other elemental releases?
"Of course," Steel-Release Kiyohara replied, a trace of pride on his face. "I developed a method to infuse the hardening of Steel Release directly into weapons."
With that, he began explaining it to Kiyohara.
When ninjas attach chakra to weapons or other objects, this technique is collectively referred to as "chakra flow."
There is Fire Release chakra flow, Lightning Release chakra flow, Wind Release chakra flow—
all of it, at its core, is simply a manifestation of chakra nature transformation.
His bloodline Limit, Steel Release, followed the same principle.
It could harden certain materials to a degree—for instance, picking up a leaf and temporarily increasing its hardness.
Though it was far from true steel, it was sufficient for temporary use, serving as a makeshift throwing knife or close-combat weapon.
"So that's how it is…"
Kiyohara felt a little disappointed. Once this chakra was attached to other objects, its effectiveness dropped sharply; the degree of hardening was even slightly inferior to actual steel.
He had a feeling that if Steel-Release Kiyohara ever met Youth Kiyohara, the two would probably get along extremely well.
Youth Kiyohara's lifelong pursuit had been the ideal of "everything is a weapon"—picking up a random branch from the ground and using it to face an enemy.
"But you probably can't do it yet," Steel-Release Kiyohara added. "Your inheritance isn't complete enough."
"Probably," Kiyohara nodded.
No matter what, each version of his future self had their own specialty, developing different effects in their own ways.
As the saying went, there were no useless kekke genkai or ninjutsu—only useless shinobis.
Over the next few days, Kiyohara focused on consolidating the Lightning Release technique he had just learned.
As for Steel Release training, he carried it out even more discreetly, always having Steel-Release Kiyohara's spiritual body keep watch for him.
Meanwhile, the probing actions of the Kiri shinobis grew increasingly frequent.
An invisible pressure filled the outpost; from time to time, news arrived of supply lines being harassed, and patrol squads encountering small groups of Kiri-nin became more common.
One day, Kiyohara saw Tsunade, Shizune, and a group of medical and logistics personnel hurriedly retreating inland under the protection of several ANBU members.
Clearly, the higher-ups had judged that the risk along the coastline was rising sharply, and pulling back crucial medical forces was an inevitable decision.
Inside Orochimaru's tent.
Standing opposite him was a Root shinobi, delivering an order from Shimura Danzo.
"Lord Danzo wants you to find a way to bring Kiyohara into Root."
The Root shinobi belonged to the broader ANBU system as well and thus wore a mask.
"Danzo…"
Orochimaru's golden slit pupils fixed on the Root shinobi.
That old man had finally noticed Kiyohara.
But Orochimaru had more thoughts of his own at the moment.
He needed to cultivate his own power base; he couldn't rely on Root shinobi forever.
Moreover, Kiyohara was different from many of the ninjas he had met before.
He was not a monkey.
"I understand," Orochimaru said. "Tell Danzo not to bother me for a while. I'll do the experiments he wants."
He licked the corner of his mouth and dismissed the Root shinobi.
These past few days, he had occasionally asked his subordinates to report on what Kiyohara was doing.
The answer was always the same—training.
Orochimaru appreciated that greatly. Only those who could endure the monotony of training could go far.
Still, there was something he wanted to know.
In the shinobi world, geniuses usually fell into two categories.
One achieved greatness through bloodline.
The other relied on intellect.
Before awakening Magnet Release, Orochimaru had believed Kiyohara belonged to the latter—he was human, not a monkey.
Now that Magnet Release had entered the picture, Orochimaru was curious whether Kiyohara would change.
As for Root—
Orochimaru had no intention of sending talented individuals to that old fox Danzo.
If he wanted to become Hokage, he needed his own subordinates and faction; otherwise, he would end up as nothing more than a puppet.
"Kiyohara, why haven't you let me come find you these past few days?"
Kurenai stood on the path back, hands on her hips, blocking his way.
"How's your ninjutsu training going?"
"I succeeded," Kiyohara nodded.
During this period, he had focused entirely on Lightning Release: Furious Thunder Arrow, and had finally grasped the basics.
"Then when are you going to make time to train with me?" Kurenai asked curiously.
These past few days, she had already mastered all the new genjutsu her father, Yuhi Shinku, had taught her.
"In a few days," Kiyohara said.
A true sigma man had to hold the line when faced with temptation.
Training with Kurenai would certainly be pleasing to the eye, and they could exchange insights on genjutsu as well,
but Kiyohara had deliberately lowered its priority.
Training in genjutsu right now offered limited returns.
Maxing out his proficiency in Steel Release was the correct choice.
The atmosphere at the coastal outpost was growing increasingly oppressive; if someone told him the Kirigakure would launch a surprise attack tonight, Kiyohara would believe it.
In such circumstances, thinking about his own strength made it impossible to sleep.
Steel Release Kiyohara had died from chakra exhaustion, dying unable to use Steel Release.
So Kiyohara wanted to raise his capabilities as much as possible, then seek out Steel Release users from the Hidden Stone.
In the original story, after Hiruko defected, he captured a Steel Release shinobi from the Hidden Stone to steal their Bloodline Limit.
"Alright then," Kurenai could only nod.
"Has Asuma come looking for you lately?" Kiyohara asked casually.
"He has," Kurenai shrugged, "but it seems he won't be staying near the eastern coastline much longer. They're about to withdraw inland, probably today or tomorrow."
"The Hokage's order?"
"I heard it came from the medical division."
"I see."
Kiyohara understood immediately.
It was the work of Asuma's extraordinarily influential mother.
Everyone knew fighting was about to break out here, and the odds weren't good. A partial withdrawal was already underway to avoid catastrophic casualties.
"Lately, you really should be more careful."
Kiyohara tossed a scroll to Kurenai.
She opened it and found notes Kiyohara had compiled earlier.
They were mostly basic genjutsu, but the perspectives were quite novel.
Warmth spread through Kurenai's heart. This guy was always nowhere to be seen, but at least he still did decent things.
"There are also some other elemental techniques in there," Kiyohara added.
To be honest, for those without a kekkei genkai, specializing in genjutsu yielded very low returns.
Most people studied it their entire lives and still couldn't compare to an Uchiha casually activating the Sharingan.
Moreover, genjutsu could be dispelled by allies, making it a major disadvantage in group battles unless everyone was controlled at once.
"Learning more ninjutsu is always a good thing," Kiyohara said.
Kurenai was an old classmate with whom he shared deep mutual understanding. He didn't want anything to happen to her.
On the battlefield, things changed in an instant; nothing was surprising.
Especially as his own power grew stronger, the butterfly effect he caused would only grow larger.
For example, Ao had already died by his hand; in the future, it would be far harder for Terumi Mei to detect the genjutsu on Yagura.
"Kurenai went to find Kiyohara again."
From a distance, Asuma watched the scene.
Damn it!
So what if he was handsome and good at genjutsu—was that really such a big deal?
He had learned some too. Once he mastered a bit more, he'd secretly shock everyone!
Asuma shouted inwardly.
"Let's go, Asuma," said his teammate Inuzuka Shi.
A pitch-black puppy lay sprawled atop his head.
Ninjas of the Inuzuka clan all contracted with dogs; their secret techniques relied on cooperation between human and canine—they were masters of canine combat.
"I know," Asuma said. "I'll say goodbye to Kurenai first, then go."
Inuzuka Shi followed Asuma's gaze and immediately understood.
Kiyohara was handsome; Kurenai was beautiful.
Honestly, Inuzuka Shi felt they looked more like a perfect match than Kurenai and Asuma ever did.
"Asuma, your path shouldn't end here," Inuzuka Shi patted Asuma on the shoulder.
A simp was a simp at the end of the road, often ending up with nothing.
"?"
Asuma looked at his teammate in confusion, feeling there was something odd about his expression.
When Kiyohara returned and was about to undress for a bath, he suddenly noticed a pale-skinned young man watching him.
It sent a chill across his scalp.
Orochimaru!
Kiyohara looked at the man who had appeared silently and without warning, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kiyohara greeted.
"Heh heh, no need to be nervous, Kiyohara-kun. I just have a few questions for you," Orochimaru smiled.
He always had more patience when dealing with geniuses.
"Kiyohara-kun, according to my information, you are already quite proficient in the nature transformations of Wind, Earth, and Lightning chakra—and jōnin only require two," Orochimaru said, implying that Kiyohara already possessed the potential to apply for the jōnin qualification exam.
Rank was merely a matter of time.
Orochimaru stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over Kiyohara's well-trained physique, the contours of his muscles clearly defined.
Kiyohara quickly adjusted his shirt.
"What would you like to ask, Lord Orochimaru?"
"Kiyohara-kun, you understand chakra nature transformation very deeply—Wind, Earth, Lightning, and now Magnet Release. What I'm curious about is this: what is it that drives you to study power so diligently?"
Kiyohara fell silent for a moment.
It was a question he had asked himself before.
"At first, it was to survive," he said calmly.
"On the battlefield, power is the currency of survival. But later—"
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Later, I became curious about why chakra can give rise to such distinct natures as fire, water, lightning, wind, and earth, and even combine into bloodline limits. The principles behind this—exploring that process itself might allow one to approach some form of truth."
Kiyohara had polished his answer somewhat.
Speak human words to humans; speak ghost words to ghosts.
Since Orochimaru liked this kind of answer, Kiyohara gave him exactly that.
If Hiruzen had asked, he would have immediately spoken of the Will of Fire and protecting the village.
"Truth?"
A curve appeared at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth.
"Perhaps it's nothing more than idle speculation," Kiyohara shook his head.
"I just feel that since we possess such an incredible power as chakra, we shouldn't be satisfied with merely using it to kill or be killed. It should be able to reveal more things—that's why I train in so many different elemental techniques."
The tent fell silent for a few seconds.
Then Orochimaru let out a low chuckle.
"Hehehe… interesting. Kiyohara-kun, you are different from the vast majority of shinobi. They pursue power for missions, for the village, for hatred or protection—but what you pursue, like me, is truth itself."
(End of Chapter)