A cold glint flashed through Danzo's single eye, but it quickly returned to calm.
"You're overthinking it, En."
He spoke in a flat tone.
Homura's surname was Mitokado, and the two had been old friends for many years, so they had always addressed each other directly by name.
"I am only considering the village's future. Kiyohara's growth rate is too fast, so fast that it feels somewhat abnormal. We must ensure that this power is completely under the village's control."
Homura looked at him thoughtfully, and in the end, let out a sigh.
"Is it because he is an Uchiha?"
"Hmph, do you take me for such a narrow-minded person?"
Danzo immediately denied it.
He would not casually speak words that were detrimental to unity.
At least not on the surface.
"I hope so, Danzo. We are all doing this for Konoha, but some methods… should still be restrained."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Danzo remained where he was, watching Homura's departing back. The cane in his hand lightly tapped against the ground.
"Restraint?"
He muttered to himself, a trace of mockery in his voice.
"When the enemy shows you no restraint, your restraint is nothing but foolishness."
Inside the meeting room, Hiruzen did not leave immediately.
He stood by the window, looking out at the countless lights gradually illuminating the village. The pipe in his hand had already gone out, yet he still subconsciously took a puff.
"Shinnosuke."
He called softly.
A figure appeared silently behind him. It was an ANBU shinobi wearing an animal mask. His figure was tall and upright. Although the mask concealed his face, the eyes that were revealed bore a seventy percent resemblance to Hiruzen's.
"Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke knelt on one knee.
He did not address him as father, but as Hokage-sama.
When working, one must use official titles.
"You heard what was said just now?"
"Yes."
"Then go to the front lines. Under the pretense of inspection, observe Kiyohara at close range. Focus on evaluating his leadership ability and his judgment in decision-making."
Hiruzen turned around and looked at his eldest son.
"Remember, do not carry any bias. Kiyohara is the future of Konoha."
"I understand."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke responded in a deep voice.
"Additionally…"
Hiruzen paused, lowering his voice slightly.
"Pay attention to Danzo's movements as well."
"Yes."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke's figure disappeared silently once more, as if he had never been there.
Hiruzen turned back toward the window and let out a deep sigh.
Kiyohara…
The potential this child had displayed had already far exceeded his initial expectations.
If cultivated properly, he might very well become a top-tier shinobi surpassing Minato in the future.
But precisely because of that, greater caution was required.
Konoha had already lost too many geniuses.
The White Fang, Dan… he did not want Kiyohara to become the next one.
At the same time, on another battlefield.
Uchiha Fugaku put down the intelligence scroll in his hand.
On his usually stern face, a rare expression of complexity appeared.
"Father?"
A childish voice came from the entrance.
Uchiha Itachi walked in carrying tea, gently placing the cup in front of his father.
At only five years old, his demeanor already displayed a composure far beyond his age.
"You seem troubled."
Fugaku looked at his precocious son, fell silent for a moment, and eventually pushed the intelligence scroll toward him.
He wanted Itachi to learn by taking Kiyohara as an example.
"Take a look."
Itachi picked up the scroll and unfolded it.
As he read, surprise gradually surfaced in his black eyes, which resembled his father's.
"Kiyohara… captured the Sunagakure's Scorch Release user, Pakura, alive?"
"Yes."
Fugaku lifted the teacup but did not drink, letting the steam rise and blur his vision.
"This is the latest battle report from the Kikyo Pass front line. Kiyohara captured Pakura alive."
He paused, then added, "According to eyewitness descriptions, the Fire Release he used at the end was very likely a completely new technique, and it has reached an A-rank or even S-rank level in terms of learning difficulty."
Shock was written all over Itachi's small face.
A-rank or S-rank only referred to the level of learning difficulty.
But generally, the more difficult a technique was to learn, the more powerful it tended to be.
No one would bother creating a technique that was difficult to learn but weak in power. That would simply be a thankless effort.
Therefore, Kiyohara's Fire Release must represent an entirely new line of thinking.
Although he was still young, being born into the Uchiha clan meant that his understanding of Fire Release far exceeded that of his peers.
Yet a Fire Release jutsu developed by a clan member living outside had already reached a level of intensity that many Uchiha jonin could not match.
Only a very small number of individuals could elevate a B-rank Fire Release technique to the power of an S-rank ninjutsu.
"A shinobi who is not of Uchiha origin surpassing most Uchiha clan members in Fire Release… if this were to spread, the expressions on those old conservatives' faces would certainly be quite interesting."
There was a hint of sarcasm in Uchiha Fugaku's tone, but even more so, a deep concern.
Kiyohara's growth rate was simply too fast.
Sharingan, Magnet Release, and now this level of Fire Release…
Too many elements that inspired fear had gathered in this young man.
More importantly, his relationship with the Uchiha clan was ambiguous.
He was neither an enemy nor truly a member of the clan.
Blood ties could sometimes be strong, and sometimes fragile.
Because they required emotions and the power of bonds to sustain them.
"If one day…"
Fugaku looked at Itachi.
"If one day Kiyohara stands in opposition to the Uchiha, what would you do?"
He spoke calmly in the end.
The hawkish faction represented by the elder Setsuna had always harbored thoughts of a coup deep down, seeking to reclaim the glory that belonged to the Uchiha.
Although there were currently few clan members supporting such an idea, it was not impossible for that momentum to grow in the future.
Unless he became Hokage himself, which would resolve everything at once.
Itachi was stunned.
He was not yet an official shinobi, so he had no qualification to participate in the clan's secret gatherings. He was unaware that some members were already plotting a coup.
He raised his head and looked into his father's unfathomable eyes, unsure how to respond.
The tent fell into a long silence.
In the end, Fugaku waved his hand.
"Go. Go train."
"Yes, Father."
Itachi left.
Fugaku shook his head.
It seemed that Kiyohara had truly placed a great deal of pressure on him, to the point that he had actually tried to seek an answer from a five-year-old child.
Although he was reluctant to admit it, he felt that Kiyohara's talent surpassed even that of his own son.
The next morning, Kiyohara was summoned to Tsunade's tent.
When he stepped inside, Tsunade had already finished preparing.
She had changed into a neat combat outfit, her long golden hair tied into a high ponytail, making her appear far more energetic.
"Sit."
Tsunade pointed to the chair across from her.
Kiyohara sat down as instructed, his gaze naturally falling upon the worn scroll placed on the table in front of Tsunade.
The material of the scroll looked aged, its edges already frayed and weathered, yet the sealing formulas inscribed upon it remained clearly visible, as if time itself had failed to erode their essence.
"Kiyohara, you've been with me for quite some time now."
Tsunade spoke directly, without any preamble.
"For this period, I have been observing you. Your talent, your temperament, your understanding of medical ninjutsu, and your precision in chakra control."
She picked up the scroll and gently pushed it toward him.
"I believe you now possess the qualifications to learn this jutsu."
Kiyohara's eyes settled on the scroll.
Even without opening it, he had already guessed what it contained.
The Strength of a Hundred Seal.
According to what was mentioned in Boruto, this was an ancient fuinjutsu that existed as far back as the era of the Sage of Six Paths.
That alone explained why the scroll looked so worn.
Kiyohara estimated that this scroll had existed for many years, perhaps even dating back to the Warring States period.
As for how Tsunade obtained it, he could not help but speculate.
Since the toads of Mount Myoboku like Fukasaku and Shima had ways of reaching Konoha, then Katsuyu must have her own methods as well.
It was likely that Katsuyu had retrieved this scroll from Tsunade's home, after which Tsunade summoned her here.
"Sensei… this is the Strength of a Hundred Seal?"
"Correct. You guessed it."
Tsunade nodded.
"This technique…"
"Don't get emotional just yet."
Tsunade cut him off.
"The difficulty of learning this jutsu is extremely high. First, you need talent in fuinjutsu, otherwise you won't be able to learn it at all. Second, you must have precise chakra control, or you may fail during the accumulation process, because storing chakra is a long and tedious task. And finally…"
She paused, her gaze turning serious as she looked at Kiyohara.
"Generally speaking, those with greater chakra reserves have an advantage when learning this technique, because only when a certain threshold is reached will the mark of the Strength of a Hundred Seal appear. As for how much chakra can ultimately be stored, even I do not know. With your current chakra reserves, if you can fully master this technique and accumulate chakra for one or two years, the power you could unleash at a critical moment… even I would find it difficult to estimate."
Kiyohara accepted the scroll with both hands, feeling its slight weight as it settled into his grasp.
"I will study it seriously, Sensei."
He spoke earnestly.
One or two years?
In the original story, Sakura had spent three years accumulating chakra before the mark of the Strength of a Hundred Seal appeared.
Tsunade saying he would only need one or two years was already a form of praise.
As for Shizune, she had spent over a decade accumulating chakra without ever forming the seal.
This jutsu itself had an extremely high threshold.
But for Kiyohara, who possessed the "Last Will System," he felt that one or two years would not be necessary.
A few months should be enough to master it, and if something like a "Tailed Beast Kiyohara" came into play, it would be even easier to grasp completely.
"Do your best."
Tsunade smiled faintly, though the smile quickly faded.
"Additionally, there is something I would like to hear your opinion on."
She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice.
"Regarding Rin, the Three-Tails sealed within her is always a hidden danger. Although it is relatively stable for now, if the war continues to escalate, there is no guarantee that something unexpected won't happen."
Kiyohara's heart stirred.
The fact that Tsunade brought this up meant she was already considering various possibilities.
And this issue happened to align perfectly with Kiyohara's own thoughts.
"I think we can try allowing Rin to gradually gain control over that power. If we only let a small amount of chakra leak from the seal, I can suppress her with genjutsu."
Kiyohara said.
"That matches my thinking. I will have Kyoko accompany her as well."
Tsunade spoke softly.
She had heard that Kiyohara's Sharingan had evolved into the three-tomoe form during this battle.
That alone was enough to prove his considerable ability in genjutsu.
Not to mention, there would also be someone from the Uzumaki clan watching over them.
"Then… I'll leave this matter to you. Remember, safety comes first. It's better to proceed slowly than to let Rin fall into danger."
"I understand."
Kiyohara responded solemnly before placing the scroll into his shinobi tool pouch.
"And one more thing…"
Tsunade seemed to recall something and added, "You may teach her some suitable ninjutsu. Rin has talent in medical ninjutsu, and her Water Release is also quite good. These are both directions she can develop in. However, the core medical techniques must not be passed on without my permission."
"Of course."
Kiyohara smiled.
"How could I casually teach others what belongs to my teacher?"
"Smooth talker."
Tsunade shot him a glance, though there was no real anger in her eyes.
"Sensei, you truly are a generous person."
Kiyohara gave a thumbs-up.
Tsunade flicked her finger lightly against his forehead.
"Ow."
Kiyohara covered his forehead. It did not hurt, but he still cried out in cooperation.
Because he had noticed that if he showed no reaction, Tsunade would sometimes flick him again.
"You think everyone is like you, able to learn anything effortlessly?"
Tsunade said irritably.
"Even if I made my techniques public, very few people would be able to learn them. Rin is a good seedling, so teaching her has meaning. It is also beneficial for Konoha."
"I understand, Sensei."
Kiyohara replied.
"Good. Now go make me something to eat. I'm hungry."
Tsunade waved her hand, giving the order without any politeness.
That evening, on an open patch of land at the edge of the camp, Kiyohara, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Rin gathered together for training.
"Kiyohara, I tried out some of the ideas you mentioned earlier about Lightning Release."
Kakashi was the first to speak.
He created a shadow clone.
Both he and the clone gathered Lightning Release chakra in their hands, and through their coordination, the two streams of chakra connected between them, forming a chain of lightning.
From a distance, it looked as if Kakashi and his clone were holding a blue thread between them.
In the next moment, Kakashi and the clone dashed forward simultaneously. The crackling lightning chain extended ahead of them, slicing through every tree trunk in their path.
"I've named it Lightning Release: Lightning Transmission."
Kakashi said as he waved his right hand.
"Not bad."
Kiyohara nodded.
At the same time, he casually copied Kakashi's Shadow Clone Technique as well.
"Compressing Lightning Release chakra into a thread-like form and using high speed to cut targets… it's a good idea. This technique has great potential. If you can compress it further, its cutting power will increase even more."
Hearing Kiyohara's approval, a faint smile appeared on Kakashi's usually indifferent face.
"I thought the same, but for now I can only maintain it for about five seconds, and the chakra consumption is quite high."
"Take it step by step."
Kiyohara encouraged him.
After that, he could find an opportunity to give Kakashi a bit of the Power of the White Snake so that he would not be so drained all the time.
After all, Kiyohara had been constantly benefiting from Kakashi.
He could not help but hope that in the future something like a "Jugo Kiyohara" or a "White Zetsu Kiyohara" would appear.
Kiyohara thought to himself.
If that happened, his own cells would also contain extraordinary power.
Or perhaps even a "White Snake Kiyohara."
If it were integrated in that way, it would definitely be far superior to Orochimaru's method of extracting it afterward.
Kurenai, who had been watching from the side, could not help but speak up as well.
"Kiyohara, I have learned some new Wind Release techniques."
As she spoke, she quickly formed hand seals, eager to demonstrate what she had just mastered.
Streams of wind burst forth from her mouth, whipping through the air and causing the trees to sway violently. In an instant, leaves filled the sky, scattering everywhere.
Some of the trees were even uprooted entirely under the force of the gale.
"How large is the range?"
Kiyohara asked.
"About… ten meters, I think."
Kurenai answered with a hint of uncertainty.
"The larger the range, the weaker the airflow becomes."
"That is already quite good."
Kiyohara nodded.
"Kurenai, your talent in genjutsu is very high, and there is still room for improvement in your Wind Release. If you can combine Wind Release with genjutsu, you might be able to develop some unexpected tactics."
"Such as?"
Kurenai asked curiously.
"For example, using Wind Release to carry sound, thereby expanding the range of auditory genjutsu, or using wind to create visual distortions that enhance the confusion effect of illusions. Or even… if you can infuse genjutsu chakra into the wind itself, you might be able to create an invisible, large-scale illusion field."
Kiyohara explained.
What he said was not without precedent.
After Jiraiya entered Sage Mode together with Fukasaku and Shima, he could use the Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Chant.
Using the toads' song as a medium, they could cast genjutsu to confuse their enemies.
Kurenai's eyes lit up as she nodded repeatedly.
"That makes sense. I will try it tomorrow."
Kurenai felt as if Kiyohara knew everything.
He could discuss genjutsu with Kakashi and at the same time guide her in Wind Release.
They all had one head and two eyes, so why was the gap between them so large?
What Kurenai did not know was that within Kiyohara's inner world, several possible futures had already been buried.
After training there for about an hour, Kiyohara noticed that Kyoko had also arrived.
He greeted her briefly before turning his attention to Rin.
Today, Rin was wearing the standard uniform of a medical shinobi. Perhaps because of the training, the hair on her forehead was damp with sweat, with a few strands clinging to her fair cheeks.
The outline of her figure beneath the uniform had become more defined.
"Rin, have you ever considered drawing out the power within your body?"
Kiyohara asked directly.
Everyone present already knew about Rin's situation from their mission in the Land of Grass, so there was no need to avoid the topic.
"I have tried."
Rin said softly.
"But every time I get close to that boundary, I feel a violent surge of emotions rising within me. I do not dare to go any further…"
Kiyohara fell into thought for a moment.
"In that case, let me enter your mental space and take a look. Do not worry, with me and Sister Kyoko here, we will not let anything happen to you."
Rin nodded with trust.
"Sister Kyoko, help keep watch."
After Uzumaki Kyoko stepped closer, Kiyohara spoke.
"Go ahead. I am ready."
Kyoko indicated that she had already refined her chakra and could use sealing techniques at any moment.
Kushina's seal had only recently been applied and was still very strong, so even if some tailed beast chakra leaked out, it would not be too much.
"Alright."
Kiyohara closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his Sharingan was activated.
He gently placed his hand on Rin's forehead, and his chakra flowed into her body through the point of contact.
In the next instant, he saw an entirely different world.
It was a place that resembled a cage.
Kiyohara knew that this was the mental space where a tailed beast and its jinchuriki could communicate, as well as where the tailed beast usually resided.
Water flowed across the ground here.
His arrival caused ripples to spread across the previously calm surface.
Wave after wave expanded outward until they reached a massive figure.
There, a gigantic turtle-like creature lay quietly.
The Three-Tails, Isobu.
It had three tails, and its entire body was covered in a hard shell lined with sharp spikes.
At that moment, it had its eyes closed, as if in slumber.
Yet the chakra emanating from it was so immense that it was suffocating.
This was the chakra of a tailed beast.
Kiyohara's spiritual form appeared on the water's surface as he walked toward the Three-Tails.
Each step sent ripples spreading outward.
When he arrived before it, the enormous creature slowly opened its eyes.
"Sharingan…"
The Three-Tails spoke, its voice deep and heavy.
"A brat from the Uchiha clan dares to intrude here."
"Three-Tails, I am here to negotiate."
Kiyohara said.
The Three-Tails carefully observed him, and a trace of surprise suddenly flashed through its crimson eyes.
"Why is your spiritual energy so vast? Among humans, you are practically an anomaly. And… you have practiced senjutsu? Why do you carry the aura of natural energy?"
"That is not important."
Kiyohara met its gaze directly.
"I came here to ask you to lend a portion of your chakra to the jinchuriki."
"Lend?"
The Three-Tails let out a mocking chuckle.
"Humans are always like this. You say 'borrow,' but in truth you want to possess it forever. I have seen too many like you. Brat, you are not worthy of trust."
"Then what would it take for you to believe me?"
Kiyohara asked.
The Three-Tails fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"You are strong. Though still young, your spiritual energy surpasses that of most humans. Let me see the measure of your capacity. If you can defeat me here, I will consider your proposal."
The Three-Tails had no interest in further discussion.
The law of the natural world was simple, the strong ruled while the weak submitted.
Even if it refused, Kiyohara would likely resort to force.
Back then, it had been subdued by powerful shinobi in exactly the same way.
The reason had been nothing more than, "Your power is too great, it must be sealed."
The moment those words fell, the Three-Tails' massive body rose abruptly.
It opened its mouth and began to gather a huge sphere of chakra-infused water.
Water Release: Iron Cannon!
Whoosh!
The chakra water sphere shot toward Kiyohara like a cannonball.
But Kiyohara was faster.
The three tomoe of his Sharingan spun rapidly, and his ocular power surged like a tide.
"Binding Illusion."
He cast the genjutsu through his Sharingan.
Itachi had once used this very technique to instantly subdue Orochimaru.
It was also known as the Paralysis Technique.
As his ocular power spread, the Three-Tails' movements froze instantly.
For the first time, shock appeared in its crimson eyes.
"This… this is not the level of ocular power a three-tomoe Sharingan should possess. Who exactly are you?!"
Kiyohara did not answer.
He raised his hand, and within the mental space, countless bolts of lightning began to gather.
This was not the physical world, but a realm of spirit and chakra.
Here, the form of power depended on the user's imagination and spiritual strength.
And Kiyohara's spiritual strength, after merging with multiple possible futures, had already surpassed that of ordinary people.
Just like how Naruto had used Sage Art: Many Ultra-Big Ball Spiralling Serial Spheres against the Nine-Tails in his mental space.
He had created numerous shadow clones, each wielding the same technique.
Under normal circumstances, Naruto would never have enough chakra for such a feat.
Using two Sage Art: Rasenshuriken would already force him out of Sage Mode.
Yet in the mental space, he could use such techniques freely, showing that spiritual and chakra power were the determining factors.
"Lightning Release: Multiple Chidori."
Kiyohara said calmly.
Coincidentally, his greatest strength was his immense spiritual energy.
Bang, bang, bang.
Countless shadow clones appeared, copied from Kakashi just moments ago.
Each of them held crackling lightning in their hands, descending like a torrential storm.
In the next moment, the entire mental space was flooded with blinding lightning.
The Three-Tails roared in fury, but under the relentless barrage of thunder, it was forced down against the ground.
Boom.
The shockwaves from the explosions collided with the lightning, causing the entire mental space to tremble violently.
(End of Chapter)