"Yes."
Kiyohara nodded.
"Good kid."
Jiraiya, upon hearing this, reached out and gave Kiyohara's shoulder a firm slap. The force was strong enough to make Kiyohara's body sink slightly.
Although Jiraiya was not a specialist in taijutsu, with his physique, his strength was nothing to scoff at.
It was just that he was not quite on the same level as anomalies like Tsunade and Kiyohara.
"That woman Pakura, even I would have to put in quite some effort to deal with her. Yet you actually captured her alive. If Tsunade hears about this, she might be so happy that she forgets all her gambling debts."
Kiyohara continued carrying Pakura on his shoulder as he replied, "You praise me too much, Lord Jiraiya. It was just luck. Her Scorch Release is truly formidable. I nearly got burned into a dried corpse."
"Luck?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and pointed toward the distance, at a massive charred crater with a diameter of over thirty meters.
That was the mark left by Kiyohara's final strike.
"If something with that level of power is called luck, then more than half of Konoha's jonin would have to bury themselves in shame."
Sometimes, excessive humility was a form of arrogance.
Jiraiya could not help but shake his head.
He glanced at Pakura a few times and noticed that although she was unconscious, her breathing was steady. Aside from a few abrasions and burn marks, there were no fatal injuries on her body.
"You showed restraint. Not bad."
Jiraiya stood up, and the look he gave Kiyohara became even more approving.
"You captured the enemy and kept her alive. Pakura holds a special status in Suna. Alive, she is far more valuable than dead. This time, you have made a great contribution, Kiyohara."
Kiyohara nodded. Just as he was about to say something, a series of hurried footsteps came from behind.
"Kiyohara!"
Kurenai was the first to rush over, her red eyes filled with worry.
She ran up to Kiyohara and looked him over from head to toe. When she saw the burn marks on his arm and neck caused by the high temperatures, her eyes instantly reddened.
"You're injured—"
"Just minor wounds."
Kiyohara moved his arm slightly. The charred dead skin flaked off, revealing fresh, tender pink skin underneath.
With the recovery ability of the power of the White Snake, burns of this level would heal completely in less than half a day.
"Rather, you did very well just now, supporting from the rear with genjutsu."
Kurenai's face flushed slightly. She lowered her head and said softly, "I just did what I was supposed to do…"
At this moment, Guy also rushed over. The green vapor surrounding him had already dissipated, but the surging vitality within him still felt abundant.
Seeing Kiyohara, he gave a thumbs up and flashed his signature shining smile. "Kiyohara! That battle just now was incredible. That was the passionate clash of youth. I can't wait to have another taijutsu match with you!"
"We'll talk about it later, Guy."
Kiyohara could not help but laugh and shake his head.
"Kiyohara, you all should head back first. Sunagakure probably won't launch any large-scale invasion today." Jiraiya said.
"Understood, Lord Jiraiya."
Kiyohara nodded slightly and continued walking forward with Pakura on his shoulder.
When he returned to the Konoha camp, Kiyohara handed Pakura over to a female shinobi and told her that he would personally interrogate Pakura later.
The female shinobi recognized that Kiyohara was Tsunade's disciple and nodded in agreement.
After all, members of the Uchiha clan possessed genjutsu and were naturally capable of extracting intelligence from enemies.
On the way back, the Konoha shinobis he encountered all cast admiring gazes at him.
Kiyohara responded with slight nods one by one, but his steps did not stop.
He could understand their feelings.
Pakura's fearsome reputation had spread across the Konoha front lines for quite some time. It was likely that no small number of Konoha shinobis had died under her Scorch Release.
Now that such a powerful enemy had been captured, it was a tremendous boost to morale for the entire battlefield.
Soon, Kiyohara saw rows upon rows of tents.
The medical camp was located on a relatively gentle slope, where dozens of white tents were neatly arranged.
The air was filled with the pungent mix of disinfectant and blood, and from time to time, suppressed groans could be heard from inside the tents.
When Kiyohara lifted the curtain of the main tent, Tsunade was sitting with her back to him at a simple wooden desk, reviewing some documents with her head lowered.
The lighting inside the tent was somewhat dim, with only an oil lamp flickering on the table.
Her golden hair shimmered under the lamplight, but the straight line of her shoulders carried a hint of fatigue.
"Sensei."
Kiyohara spoke.
Tsunade's body trembled slightly as she turned her head.
"You're back? You didn't lose any arms or legs, did you?"
She stood up, walked to Kiyohara, and grabbed his arm without hesitation to inspect it.
"The burn area isn't large, and the depth is shallow. It was treated in time."
Tsunade released his arm, though she noticed that Kiyohara's recovery speed seemed somewhat unusual.
Did he use the Mystical Palm Technique?
However, those details were not important. Tsunade lifted her gaze toward Kiyohara.
"I heard you captured Pakura alive."
"The news spreads quickly."
Kiyohara smiled.
"Her Scorch Release is indeed powerful. The temperature is extremely high. How did you know, Sensei?"
"When it comes to what my disciple has done, how could I, as the teacher, not know?"
Tsunade turned back to the desk and pulled out a freshly delivered battle report from a stack of documents.
"This is the preliminary report from the front lines. It says that Jonin Kiyohara fought Pakura intensely for several minutes and ultimately suppressed her with a self-developed ultra-high-temperature Fire Release jutsu, capturing the enemy commander alive. The entire battle showed an overwhelming advantage."
She sat down again, placing her hands together on the table.
"The Fire Release jutsu you developed far exceeds the temperatures of previous Fire Release techniques. How did you achieve it?"
"I combined Fire Release with Magnet Release."
Kiyohara explained.
"I see."
Tsunade nodded, half understanding.
She was an expert in the medical field, but when it came to Fire Release and Magnet Release, she only knew a little.
However, she clearly understood that the human body did not have strong resistance to high temperatures, even for shinobis.
For an ordinary person, being splashed with boiling water at one hundred degrees was enough to cause burns.
According to the intelligence report, the temperature Kiyohara produced had already exceeded one thousand degrees.
At such temperatures, metals like aluminum, brass, magnesium, and pure silver could already be melted.
If it went even higher, it could melt gold and iron as well.
"What is the name of the technique you developed?"
"Fire Release: Microwave Bullet."
Kiyohara answered.
"Microwaves…"
Tsunade seemed to grasp something.
"Yes."
Kiyohara admitted openly.
There was science in the shinobi world as well.
It was simply a kind of science that had developed along a different path. Many technologies relied on chakra, but technologies related to electricity and magnetism still existed.
From appliances like refrigerators, streetlights, and televisions, it was clear that the technological level of the shinobi world was actually quite advanced.
It was just that sometimes, trying to apply that knowledge to ninjutsu required exceptional talent on the part of the user.
This was constrained by what could be called the limitation of the physical body.
One might have the concept in mind, yet be unable to carry out the corresponding operation, which ultimately came down to the amount of chakra and the degree of control over it.
Otherwise, Konoha could simply mass produce Flying Thunder God users and would have long since crushed the entire shinobi world war.
Which village could possibly withstand an army of shinobis capable of teleporting at will?
Kiyohara's gaze then fell onto Tsunade's desk, where he noticed a bowl sitting there.
Inside was the miso soup he had brought her in the morning. By now it had gone completely cold, with a thin layer of oil congealed on the surface.
"Sensei, is this what you're eating for lunch?"
Tsunade froze for a moment, then awkwardly shifted her gaze away.
"I'm busy. No time."
Seeing this, Kiyohara picked up the bowl and held it in his palm.
Fire Release chakra flowed through his hand, and waves of heat began to radiate outward.
After a few seconds, a faint bubbling sound came from the bowl, and the miso soup began to steam once more.
Kiyohara placed the warmed bowl back in front of Tsunade.
"At least heat it up before eating."
Tsunade looked at the bowl of soup now steaming again, then raised her head to look at Kiyohara's face, which still carried a trace of youthful softness yet had already grown sharp and defined. For some reason, her throat felt a little tight.
She lowered her head, picked up a spoon, and scooped a mouthful of soup into her mouth.
The warm liquid slid down her throat, carrying the savory richness of miso and the fresh taste of kelp.
"Then how exactly did you make use of microwaves?"
Tsunade continued asking.
"I used iron sand to create a strong magnetic field. By accelerating the charged particles inside the fireball, it produces an effect similar to induction heating. To put it simply, it heats the fireball from the inside to a temperature far beyond normal limits."
Tsunade raised her eyes, a thoughtful glint flashing within them.
"So Magnet Release can be used like that. Just how is your brain wired?"
"Maybe it's because I like reading."
Kiyohara said half jokingly.
Tsunade snorted softly and took a few more sips of soup before putting the spoon down.
Her complexion improved noticeably under the nourishment of the warm broth.
"Not only did you win, you even captured Pakura alive. This will be very helpful for our upcoming negotiations. Sunagakure is currently under pressure on the front lines, and the rear is unstable as well. With their hero captured, it will deal a heavy blow to their morale."
She paused, then added, "But don't get too proud. Victory on the battlefield is never the achievement of a single person."
"I understand."
Kiyohara nodded.
He knew Tsunade was worried about him developing an overly arrogant personality.
Although that was what she said, Pakura had essentially been taken down by him alone.
And in a world like the shinobi world, where individuals possessed extraordinary power, individual strength naturally outweighed collective strength.
As for Naruto's so called Shinobi Alliance Technique, it was not without reason that Madara dismissed it as a rabble.
If several hundred genin appeared before Kiyohara now, he could cut through them as easily as slicing vegetables, harvesting them like crops.
That was the change brought about by power.
At that moment, the curtain of the tent was lifted again.
A figure clad in red walked in.
It was Kyoko Uzumaki.
Her long red hair was tied into a ponytail behind her head, and a few loose strands framed her delicate face.
She wore the standard Konoha combat uniform, but at her waist hung a specially made shinobi tool pouch marked with the Uzumaki clan crest.
To be honest, Kiyohara never understood why people in the shinobi world liked to display their clan emblems on their clothing. Was that not simply revealing information to the enemy?
"Tsunade-sama, Kiyohara-kun."
Kyoko greeted them politely, her voice clear and bright.
"Kyoko? What brings you here?"
Tsunade looked somewhat surprised.
"It is an order from the Hokage."
Kyoko explained.
After spending some time here, she had more or less begun to integrate into Konoha.
However, with Konoha currently short on manpower, she had also been sent to the front lines.
"Due to the increased pressure on frontline medical units, I have been temporarily assigned to assist the medical corps. In addition…"
She paused briefly before continuing, "The Hokage believes that my knowledge of sealing techniques may be useful in certain special situations."
Kiyohara immediately understood.
Those special situations likely referred to the potential rampage of the Three Tails inside Rin. The Uzumaki clan's fuinjutsu would indeed be useful in such a case.
It seemed that Hiruzen had made multiple preparations. Kyoko's arrival was likely not just for medical support.
"Good timing."
Tsunade nodded.
"Shizune alone is too busy. With you here, you can share a lot of the burden. By the way, how is your progress in medical ninjutsu?"
"There are many medical techniques in Konoha that I didn't know before. I've learned quite a lot recently."
Kyoko answered seriously.
"That's good."
Tsunade waved her hand.
"Go get settled first. Come back later and give me a detailed report."
"Yes."
Kyoko responded, but she did not leave immediately.
She looked toward Kiyohara, the one who had saved her life. In her eyes, which were the same color as her hair, curiosity flickered.
"Kiyohara-kun, I wonder how your fuinjutsu training with Kushina has been going."
Kiyohara was a little surprised, but he still answered honestly, "I already learned it."
"I see. If you need, I can teach you more."
Kyoko said with a smile.
"Although my level is far inferior to the elders of my clan when Uzushiogakure still existed, the basics are not a problem. After all…"
She paused, her voice softening slightly, "I still carry the blood of the Uzumaki clan."
In the shinobi world, bloodline limits could be inherited, and so could talent.
Members of the Uzumaki clan were generally known for their immense vitality and their specialization in fuinjutsu.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Kiyohara nodded.
It seemed that saving Kyoko had indeed brought good results.
Kiyohara then thought of the orphanage.
After some time, he would need to go take a look and ask Nono about the progress of her research on the Ketsuryugan .
As for Kabuto, Kiyohara also intended to nurture him.
A scientific talent like that, if he followed Orochimaru, would end up living in hiding like a rat in the sewers.
If he followed him instead, he could at least have a more respectable life.
After all, Kiyohara was not a missing-nin, nor did he conduct human experiments that carried the risk of exposure.
"When I have some free time, I will definitely come to you for guidance."
"Then it's a promise."
Kyoko smiled, and only then did she turn and leave the tent.
After the sound of her footsteps faded into the distance, Tsunade finally spoke slowly, "That child Kyoko has good talent and a resilient nature, but unfortunately she was born at the wrong time…"
She did not continue, but Kiyohara understood what she meant.
If Uzushiogakure still existed, if the Uzumaki clan had not suffered that disaster, Kyoko should have grown up under the protection of her clansmen, systematically learning the most core fuinjutsu techniques of the Uzumaki clan.
Instead of struggling forward as she was now, relying on fragmented inheritance and self study.
Tsunade glanced at Kiyohara and suddenly asked, "Kiyohara, why do you want to learn sealing techniques? With your talent, if you specialize in ninjutsu and taijutsu, your future achievements will not be inferior to Minato. Fuinjutsu … do not seem to improve your strength that much."
Kiyohara fell silent for a moment.
Why learn fuinjutsu?
Naturally, it was because this was the direction the times were moving in.
Even someone as powerful as Kaguya was ultimately defeated through sealing techniques.
The task of the two Six Paths empowered Naruto and Sasuke had been extremely simple.
They only needed to touch Kaguya together, and she would be sealed directly.
If a single person could master both Yin Power and Yang Power, they could use Six Paths Chibaku Tensei on their own, and there would be nothing in the shinobi world that could not be sealed.
And such power had essentially been a gift from the Sage of Six Paths to Naruto and Sasuke.
Kiyohara could only say that the depths behind all of this were profound.
If one wanted to use sealing techniques against enemies, yet avoid being countered by sealing techniques in return, then understanding them was something that absolutely had to be learned.
At the highest levels of combat in this world, sealing techniques were something that could rarely be avoided.
"Because I want my abilities to be more well rounded."
In the end, Kiyohara gave this answer.
Tsunade simply nodded.
If it were anyone else, she might have criticized them for aiming too high and lacking a solid foundation.
But when it came to a genius like Kiyohara, it somehow felt reasonable.
"Go on, get some proper rest."
At the same time, in Konoha, inside the Hokage building, the atmosphere in the conference room was completely different from that of the front lines.
There was no smell of gunpowder, no stench of blood, only the soft rustling of documents being turned and the curling wisps of smoke rising from a pipe.
Hiruzen sat in the main seat, a freshly delivered battle report from the front lines spread out before him.
He read the contents over and over again, and with each reading, the curve of his lips rose a little higher.
"Good, very good."
At last, he set down the report and looked around at the people in the room.
On the left sat the two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. On the right sat Shimura Danzo. In front of each of them lay identical copies of the battle report.
"That child Kiyohara has given us another surprise."
Hiruzen's voice carried undisguised satisfaction.
"Capturing Pakura alive… this means that one of Sunagakure's greatest trump cards on the front lines has been removed. In the upcoming negotiations, we will hold absolute initiative."
Koharu adjusted her glasses and said cautiously, "It is indeed a great achievement, but Hiruzen, we must also consider the subsequent impact. Pakura holds a high reputation among the people of Suna. If handled improperly, it could provoke even stronger resistance from them."
"Koharu makes a valid point."
Homura added.
"My suggestion is to keep Pakura secretly detained for now and not disclose the details to the public. Once the situation on the front lines stabilizes, we can decide whether to use her in a prisoner exchange or as a bargaining chip."
Hiruzen nodded. "All of that can be discussed, but right now, the most important thing is that Kiyohara has made such a great contribution. We should grant him a corresponding reward and promotion."
He paused briefly before continuing, "I recall that the Anbu could use some expansion. If so, there would be vacant squad leader positions. With Kiyohara's strength and achievements, he is fully qualified to take such a role."
The moment those words were spoken, Danzo's grip on his cane tightened sharply, veins bulging on the back of his hand.
A slight twitch appeared at the corner of his usually expressionless face.
Homura, ever perceptive, noticed his old friend's abnormality and asked in a low voice, "Danzo, what is wrong? Your complexion does not look good."
He had already noticed something off about Danzo last time.
Could it be that age was finally catching up with him?
Danzo took a deep breath and forced himself to relax.
He slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse. "It is nothing. I was merely thinking of something else."
Yet his eyes, hidden in shadow, were fixed firmly on the name Kiyohara in the report.
Again, it was him.
This Uchiha brat, who had repeatedly disrupted his plans and carried what he believed to be an inherently evil bloodline, had now grown to such a level.
Capturing Pakura alive… even elite jonin of the Root would find that difficult to accomplish.
And an Anbu squad leader?
If Kiyohara truly entered the upper ranks of the Anbu, it would become even harder to make a move against him in the future.
The Anbu had a high degree of independence. Even Danzo, as the leader of the Root, could not arbitrarily interfere with internal Anbu personnel appointments.
He was the uncrowned king within the Root, but not within the entire Anbu.
That domain belonged to Hiruzen, a place his hand could not easily reach or interfere with.
If he tried to cross that line, Hiruzen would not stand by and watch.
"It seems Danzo has a different opinion?"
Hiruzen took a puff from his pipe and asked casually.
"No objections."
Danzo replied coldly.
What objections could he possibly have?
These were all Hiruzen's people.
Thinking of this, Danzo felt a twinge of bitterness.
Why did all the good prospects fall into Hiruzen's hands, while his Root was in desperate need of such promising talents?
Having Minato was already enough, and now another Kiyohara had appeared.
Fortunately, he still held a card in his hand, Orochimaru.
At that thought, Danzo felt slightly reassured.
As long as he could support Orochimaru in becoming Hokage, his room for maneuver would expand significantly.
It might even be possible for Orochimaru to step down later, allowing him to become the Fifth Hokage himself.
After all, Orochimaru was wholly devoted to research.
"Kiyohara has indeed made a great contribution, and he should be rewarded. However, the position of an Anbu squad leader is of great importance. What must be assessed is not only strength, but also leadership ability. I suggest allowing him to remain in his current position for a while longer for further observation."
"What Danzo says also makes sense."
Koharu pondered.
"Kiyohara is still young. Although his strength is outstanding, his management experience and seniority may still be lacking. Promoting him rashly to an important position would not necessarily be a good thing for him."
Hiruzen did not refute them immediately.
He slowly exhaled a stream of smoke, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three advisors before finally settling on the view of Konoha outside the window.
After a long silence, he spoke, "In that case, Shinnosuke happens to be in the village. Let him go to the front lines under the pretext of an inspection and observe Kiyohara up close. If Kiyohara truly possesses the qualities required of a squad leader, we will promote him according to procedure. If not, we will make other arrangements."
This proposal balanced all sides, and both Koharu and Homura nodded in agreement.
Although Danzo was dissatisfied, he could find no grounds to oppose it and could only remain silent.
In truth, this meant that Kiyohara's promotion was already a foregone conclusion.
This was merely going through the formal process.
As for Shinnosuke, he was Hiruzen's eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke, an Anbu captain. Both he and his wife were elite jonin within the Anbu.
"Then it is settled."
Hiruzen made the final decision.
"Meeting adjourned."
Everyone gradually left the conference room.
Homura deliberately slowed his pace, walking side by side with Danzo.
"Danzo, what is really going on with you?"
After stepping out of the Hokage building, Homura could not help but ask.
"Ever since that incident when Kiyohara destroyed that secret base, every time his name is mentioned, your reaction has been off. Could it be… that something happened which I do not know about?"
(End of Chapter)