The reason Naruto was so resilient in his youth—gravely injured one day and bouncing back the next—was not only due to his Uzumaki bloodline but also because the Nine-Tails' chakra had a miraculous effect on recovery.
When Kakashi saw Naruto cut his hand, he immediately wanted to bandage it, but the wound was already visibly healing, leading Kakashi to silently marvel at the power of the Nine-Tails.
If a related Uzumaki Trait were to pop up, Kiyoshi could not imagine the degree to which his vitality would flourish when stacked.
Take Hashirama Senju, for instance. His vitality was so potent that even decades after his death, the remaining Hashirama Cells became material for fusion and upgrade.
They were used to increase Ninjutsu power, boost chakra and health regeneration, and even suppress the Sharingan.
They were an essential ingredient in the ninja world.
However, Kiyoshi did not want to casually implant the cells of others into his body. Would it still be his own body then?
Would he end up like Madara, constantly sporting Hashirama's face on his chest?
Unless absolutely necessary, Kiyoshi only wanted his own Kiyoshi Cells to be strong.
"Thank you, Kiyoshi." Kushina sincerely thanked him, her bright eyes fixed on Kiyoshi.
Kiyoshi exchanged a few pleasantries with Kushina and then left her house.
Initial contact was enough; he couldn't rush things.
He needed to increase her goodwill before Kushina fully opened her heart to Minato.
If not the exclusive Uzumaki sealing techniques, he needed to get at least one or two standard sealing techniques.
Sealing Jutsu was the future's dominant answer, still relevant even in the Boruto era.
Even someone as powerful as Kaguya, who was considered immortal, was ultimately sealed by the Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei.
*
The Hyūga Clan Compound.
"Natsu, how are you handling things? You can't even arrange a meeting with Kiyoshi Uchiha. Do you intend for me to go and invite him myself?" Ginka Hyūga's reprimand echoed in the room, mixed with the crisp sound of a teacup being gently set down.
Natsu Hyūga stood with her head bowed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes. She quietly replied:
"Yes, Lady Ginka, I will visit him again immediately."
"Hmph, all you do is talk a good game." Ginka glanced at her coldly, placing the teacup on the table.
The Branch Family and Main Family had separate educational systems.
Main Family members received an elite education.
Branch Family members received a truncated education, with only etiquette being consistent.
Everything else, from the Gentle Fist to ideological education, was curtailed.
This was a necessary measure to prevent Branch Family members from developing inappropriate ambitions.
Main Family members might become Branch Family members, but once they did, their descendants would forever remain in the Branch Family!
"Lady Ginka, I will… go immediately." Natsu Hyūga bowed her head, filled with fear and respect.
It wasn't that she didn't want to see Kiyoshi, but Kiyoshi was simply never home.
Ginka Hyūga was dressed in a thick, traditional robe. The Hyūga were a feudal clan, and even their clothing had strict rules.
At this moment, her sleeve had slipped slightly, revealing a fair, rounded arm as she lifted her tea cup for a sip.
"Go. Don't mess this up again." Ginka Hyūga said plainly, issuing a final warning.
Her mature and beautiful figure, which her robe couldn't fully conceal, was underlined by a trace of contempt on her delicate face.
Hearing those words, Natsu Hyūga felt a heavy stone weighing on her heart.
Lady Ginka's commands were always this way—absolute and unrefusable. Yet, she couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of resentment and bitterness deep down.
She was long used to the status of the Branch Family and the Main Family's rule, but that didn't mean she was completely numb.
"Why are you still standing there? Go quickly." Ginka snapped lightly, breaking her train of thought.
Natsu Hyūga didn't dare to say more. She bowed and withdrew.
Outside, she found the basket she had previously filled with pastries and set off for Kiyoshi's house.
"Natsu, are you going somewhere?" Tetsu Hyūga asked.
Like the Uchiha clan, the Hyūga clan had its own district, so they often ran into each other.
Tetsu Hyūga, having just finished his physical training, walked over.
His slender physique had gained a touch of bulk from the intense training of the past few days, making him look a bit more solid.
"I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon."
"Alright, come back early." Tetsu Hyūga said, wiping off his sweat.
Lately, he always saw Natsu carrying something when she went out, as if she were visiting someone.
Suddenly, Tetsu Hyūga realized something.
Visiting… Could it be Kiyoshi Uchiha?
Tetsu Hyūga wanted to ask, but Natsu Hyūga had already walked out with the basket.
Seeing this, Tetsu Hyūga could only keep his speculation to himself.
"Have you finished your Gentle Fist repetitions for today? Don't just stand there daydreaming." Hōmon Hyūga spoke up.
"Not yet, let's keep going." Tetsu Hyūga shook his head, though a faint unease remained as he talked with Hōmon Hyūga.
***
"It's finally complete."
[Pure Genjutsu Scholar (White)]
[Requirement Achieved: Learn 1 pure Genjutsu technique.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Your Genjutsu foundation is solid. All Genjutsu used are enhanced by 5% on top of the original base.]
[Note: Can be further advanced.]
[Advancement Route 1: Merge with "Apprentice Genjutsu Genin (White)" and "Genjutsu's Pride (White)" to advance to "Genjutsu Genin (Green)."]
Kiyoshi looked at the Trait that now displayed as "Completed" and felt pleased.
The [Genjutsu's Pride (White)] Trait was acquired when he defeated Kurenai Yūhi back in the Ninja Academy, and it was now one of the materials for advancing to a Green Trait.
The pattern for Trait advancement truly depended on overall progress.
And it generally took three White Traits to fuse into one Green Trait.
Since [Pure Genjutsu Scholar (White)] accounted for most of the progress, the next two options were now displayed.
"Advance." Kiyoshi clicked on the slightly flashing Advancement Route 1.
Instantly, the three original White Traits turned gray, as if they were locked.
A new Green Trait appeared before Kiyoshi.
[Trait: Genjutsu Genin (Green)]
[Requirement Achieved: Your Genjutsu ability has met the minimum requirement.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: Your Genjutsu ability is a leader among Genin. The effect of Genjutsu influencing the target will increase by 20% on top of the original base.]
[Note: Can be further advanced.]
[Advancement Route 1: Merge with "Lightning Release Genin (Green)," "Fire Release Genin (Green)," and "Medical Genin (Green)" to advance to "Chakra Nature Transformation Master (Blue)."]
Kiyoshi glanced at the effect of this Trait and didn't linger. It was average, similar to other Green Traits.
The main event was next.
Every Trait that could be advanced would display its future route. Whether Kiyoshi opened the Lightning Release Genin Trait or the Medical Genin Trait, it would now show the option to advance to the Chakra Nature Transformation Master Trait.
"Advance to Blue Trait." Kiyoshi clicked on Advancement Route 1 again.
The Traits flashed, revealing a completely new Trait before Kiyoshi.
Before Kiyoshi could clearly read the words on it, he felt an intense heat surge through his body.
It was like suddenly being dropped into boiling water. Wisps of steam rose from Kiyoshi's entire body.
The pathways within every cell felt a momentary tearing sensation, yet the chakra circulating throughout his entire circulatory system had a peculiar cooling effect.
This commotion caught the white snake's attention.
The white snake, burned by the heat, flicked its tongue, unable to understand why its master was suddenly so hot.
Following its instinct, it slid down from Kiyoshi and coiled up in a shaded area to cool down.
It took a full quarter of an hour for Kiyoshi to feel the sensation subside.
He immediately opened the Trait panel.
[Chakra Nature Transformation Master (Blue)]
[Requirement Achieved: Learn four or more Chakra Nature Transformations.]
[Progress: (Completed).]
[Effect: You have a brand new understanding of Chakra Nature Transformation. Increases resistance to existing Chakra Natures. The power of combination Ninjutsu increases by 40%.]
[Note: Can be further advanced.]
"Forty percent." Kiyoshi thought that was decent.
After all, it was a percentage increase, not a fixed value. As his understanding and proficiency in Ninjutsu increased, the base power would rise, making the percentage boost quite effective.
An idea immediately sparked in his mind.
Combination Ninjutsu was actually a very common method of using Ninjutsu.
For example, Naruto's favorite Harem Jutsu.
It was essentially a combination of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and the Sexy Technique Jutsu.
Another example was the Gale Water Vortex Jutsu., which was a combination of Naruto's Rasengan and Yamato's Water Release: Exploding Current.
These were all applications of combination Ninjutsu.
However, there was no need to limit himself to combat-oriented combination Ninjutsu; auxiliary combination Ninjutsu was also valuable.
For instance, the Flying Thunder God Jutsu was when two people simultaneously used the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, stacking the effect twice in an instant.
Expanding this line of thinking, Kiyoshi could overhaul his current training methods.
His existing Lightning Release body tempering technique had to be conducted within safe limits, as it was essentially a process of tearing and stimulating cells. Exceeding this limit would not only damage the circulatory system but also cause physical harm.
What if he used Medical Ninjutsu to heal and tear simultaneously?
The effect of his Lightning Release body strengthening would likely increase and accelerate by several times.
There was no rule that complex Ninjutsu must be a combination of compatible Natures.
Even entirely unrelated or mutually antagonistic elements could be combined.
"Come here." After pondering for a moment, Kiyoshi closed the Trait panel and called the white snake over.
The white snake raised its small head, its tongue catching the change in the air's scent, and slowly crawled onto Kiyoshi's hand.
Kiyoshi stared at the white snake and suddenly remembered that the Inuzuka clan's Inuzuka Style: Human Beast Transformation was also a type of combination Ninjutsu.
The white snake also had healing, or regeneration, effects.
Could he merge with it in battle and use it as a blood pack?
Furthermore, this technique wouldn't require Kiyoshi to divert too much focus to chakra control.
"One Blue Trait is enough to impact my existing fighting style. I need to acquire more Blue Traits quickly." Kiyoshi thought to himself.