"Good. That's all I needed to hear."
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
As long as this future version could still explode into gold coins for him later, then everything was fine.
Recently, the speed at which Yotsuki Kiyohara was fading away had become faster and faster, and it constantly gave him the feeling that he was running out of time.
After all, every spirit body in existence had a limited lifespan.
That fact came with both advantages and disadvantages.
The disadvantage was obvious. If he encountered some especially powerful future self, but that future self disappeared before its last will was completed, then Kiyohara would lose the opportunity to inherit that future's legacy.
Unless, somehow, he could obtain something similar to a "last testament" left behind by that future timeline, allowing him to complete the unfinished wish afterward.
But the advantage was equally clear.
If he ever encountered some terrible future version of himself, like a madman Kiyohara or villain Kiyohara, then he could simply seal them inside the urn and wait for time to erase them completely.
"Come then, my past self. Inherit my final lightning."
Yotsuki Kiyohara slowly spread his arms.
Then his body dissolved into countless specks of light.
The glowing fragments drifted forward like snowflakes, pouring into Kiyohara's body one after another.
At that moment, Kiyohara felt as though his entire body was undergoing a complete transformation.
The first change was the increase in spiritual energy.
The mental world within his consciousness expanded once more.
Then came the changes to his flesh.
The complete bloodline of the Yotsuki Clan, tempered and perfected over generations, was now truly merging with him.
He could clearly feel it.
His affinity for Lightning chakra had increased by several levels, and every cell in his body seemed to be cheering in excitement.
Finally, there was the explosive surge in chakra reserves.
His chakra pathways felt like rivers whose banks had suddenly widened, allowing them to contain vastly greater amounts of energy.
His chakra level rose continuously from 13.1 Kakashi units until it finally stabilized at 15.2 Kakashi units.
An increase of 2.1 Kakashis.
Equivalent to the total chakra reserves of two ordinary jonin combined.
Kiyohara slowly opened his eyes, and deep within his pupils, a streak of black lightning seemed to flash past.
Right at that moment, Darui moved.
Taking advantage of the instant Kiyohara had closed his eyes to absorb the power, Darui completed his final hand seal.
"Lightning Release: One Lock Thunder Chain!"
An exceptionally thick bolt of black lightning burst forward, shooting directly toward Kiyohara's chest.
Darui had used his full strength in this attack. Wherever the black lightning passed, the air itself carried a scorched, burnt smell.
Kiyohara simply raised his right arm and blocked with the outer side of his forearm.
Clang!
A deafening metallic collision echoed through the air.
Steel Release: Steel Hardening
Earth Release: Earth Spear.
The black lightning slammed violently into Kiyohara's arm, exploding into a dazzling mass of black light.
But when the light faded, Kiyohara's arm remained completely unharmed.
There was not even a trace of burn marks on his skin.
Only a faint redness where the lightning had struck, and even that redness rapidly faded within seconds.
"How is that possible..."
Darui's voice sounded dry and hoarse.
Black Lightning Release was famous for its terrifying corrosive power. Once it struck an enemy, the lightning would continuously destroy their cells and tissues.
But Kiyohara had not only endured it head on, he had done so without suffering the slightest injury.
Kiyohara lowered his head and glanced at his arm thoughtfully.
At the instant of impact, he had clearly sensed the black lightning invading his skin.
But the depth of penetration had been extremely limited.
The feeling it gave him was almost like an increase in lightning resistance.
Because Darui's Lightning Release actually felt weaker to him now.
After thinking about it carefully, Kiyohara quickly understood the reason.
Pakura's Scorch Release bloodline limit had altered her DNA, granting her a certain level of immunity to heat itself.
That was why she could expose her bare back under the blazing sun of the Land of Wind without even getting sunburned.
Storm Release, meanwhile, likely granted him a certain degree of resistance toward Lightning Release.
And now that he had inherited the complete Yotsuki bloodline, that aspect of his body had improved even further.
"The resistance increase is even greater than I expected."
Kiyohara pondered silently.
Then suddenly, a possibility appeared in his mind.
If he continued stacking different bloodlines together, would there come a day when he became completely immune to all elemental ninjutsu?
Wouldn't that essentially be another form of obtaining the "Six Paths Body"?
After all, one of the most iconic traits of Ten Tails jinchuriki and other Six Paths level beings was their ability to ignore ordinary ninjutsu attacks.
Only physical attacks and sage techniques could truly affect them.
"You're not going to kill me?"
Darui suddenly asked.
He had just consumed an enormous amount of chakra. If Kiyohara wanted to kill him now, he could do so at any moment.
Yet Kiyohara had merely stood there quietly, as if savoring something.
Kiyohara came back to his senses and glanced at him.
"Why would I kill you?"
"I'm a shinobi of Kumo. And you're from Konoha..."
"Oh, that?"
A faint smile appeared on Kiyohara's face.
Leeks were the kind of thing that became more valuable the more they grew before harvest.
Right now, Darui still knew only a limited number of Black Lightning techniques. Once he learned more of Kumogakure's secret Black Lightning ninjutsu, Kiyohara could harvest him again and copy them all at once.
That would maximize the benefits.
"Today, I only came here to learn Black Lightning Release. That's all."
He sheathed his shinobi blade and turned toward the door.
But just before leaving, Kiyohara stopped without turning back.
"Oh, right. Tell Samui that the way she called me 'Master' last time sounded pretty good."
Darui: "..."
The door closed.
Darui remained standing there motionless.
Only after a long while did he slowly loosen his grip on his sword.
His palms were soaked with cold sweat.
He stared at the charred black marks left on the wall by the Black Lightning, then looked down at his own trembling hand. In the end, he could only shake his head with a bitter smile.
"Kiyohara..."
He probably would never forget that name for the rest of his life.
A monster like that, given enough time, would inevitably become Kumogakure's greatest threat.
After leaving the outpost, Kiyohara did not linger.
He immediately began his return journey to Konoha.
His mission had been to escort the merchant caravan to the Land of Hot Water. Now that the escort was complete and he had also achieved his own objective, there was naturally no reason to remain here any longer.
Along the way, he constantly experimented with the newly acquired Black Lightning techniques.
Compared to ordinary Lightning Release, Black Lightning Release consumed more chakra, but its power was also significantly greater.
The complete Yotsuki bloodline had also altered his Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Just as Kiyohara continued researching these changes, he suddenly noticed movement among the trees more than a hundred meters away.
In an instant, the Sharingan in his eyes turned crimson.
The three tomoe rotated slowly.
The world within his vision abruptly slowed down.
The texture of tree bark, the veins of leaves, even the grains of dirt on the ground became astonishingly clear.
And within that patch of shadow beneath the trees, he saw a figure almost perfectly fused with the surrounding environment.
White Zetsu.
Kiyohara's pupils contracted slightly.
One of Madara's watchers had actually followed him all the way here?
There was no time to think further.
The White Zetsu disguised within the shadows seemed to realize it had been exposed. Its body suddenly retreated backward, attempting to merge into the denser bushes behind it.
Its movements were incredibly fast, like flowing liquid.
But Kiyohara was faster.
"Lightning Release: Black Panther."
His right hand clenched slightly in front of him.
This was the Black Lightning technique he had just learned from Darui.
Crackle!
Black lightning burst from his hand.
In midair, it twisted and transformed into a leopard formed entirely from pure dark lightning.
Compared to the barely stable version Darui had used, the lightning panther released by Kiyohara was far more solid and condensed.
White Zetsu did not even have time to scream.
The lightning panther pierced directly through its chest.
Sizzle.
White Zetsu's body convulsed violently for a few moments before going completely still.
Dead.
Kiyohara walked over to the corpse and crouched down beside it.
A bowl sized hole had been blasted through White Zetsu's chest, and the corrosive properties of Black Lightning had turned the surrounding flesh into a grayish brown color.
"Hashirama cells... and White Zetsu cells."
A flicker of interest appeared in Kiyohara's eyes.
These were valuable materials.
He immediately drew his shinobi blade and swiftly dissected several tissue samples, sealing them into a specially prepared storage scroll.
The Wood Release properties contained within the White Zetsu cells, along with that nearly perfect camouflage ability, were both things worthy of extensive research.
When Kiyohara finally stood up, his gaze swept across the surrounding forest.
There was only one.
Madara had probably sent more than a single watcher, but at least this area was temporarily safe now.
He no longer lingered where he was.
His figure transformed into a streak of blue black lightning that shot directly into the sky, abandoning the land route entirely.
Meanwhile, within the distant Mountain's Graveyard, deep inside endless darkness, a pair of scarlet Rinnegan slowly opened.
Madara listened quietly to White Zetsu's report without speaking.
"Black Lightning Release... Storm Release... he even learned the secret techniques of the Third Raikage..."
Madara's deep voice echoed throughout the vast cavern.
Half of White Zetsu's body emerged slowly from the ground.
"One of the White Zetsu units was killed by Kiyohara. The technique he used was Black Lightning Release, and afterward he also recovered the corpse."
Madara fell silent for a moment.
"And what about Obito and Black Zetsu's side?"
"Nagato's doubts are becoming increasingly severe. Yahiko and Nagato have begun developing ideological disagreements, and the expansion of the Akatsuki has drawn the attention of the Land of Rain's daimyo. External pressure is gradually turning into internal fractures."
"Black Zetsu says that within at most three months, Nagato can be guided toward the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"Three months..."
Madara muttered softly.
He slowly closed his eyes once more, and within his mind appeared Kiyohara's scarlet three tomoe Sharingan.
The growth speed of that young man had already surpassed Izuna's.
If left unchecked, sooner or later he would become the greatest obstacle to the entire plan.
But at the same time...
The corners of Madara's mouth shifted slightly upward.
It was an expression almost resembling admiration.
"Among the heroes of this world, only Hashirama and this child are worthy."
He spoke in a low voice to himself.
Other than his younger brother Uchiha Izuna, who within the Uchiha Clan had been second only to Madara himself, the only outsider Madara had ever truly acknowledged was Hashirama.
Now perhaps Kiyohara should be added to that list as well.
With a growth rate like his, even if he had been born during the Warring States Era, he would still have been considered an elite among elites.
White Zetsu listened to Madara's evaluation from the side and did not feel that it was exaggerated at all.
Because Kiyohara really did resemble a younger version of Uchiha Madara in many ways.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Kiyohara did not immediately return to Konoha. Instead, he first went to the orphanage managed by Yakushi Nono.
During wartime, the orphanage housed far more children than usual, and even from a distance he could hear the noisy commotion coming from inside the courtyard.
The moment he arrived at the entrance, a figure suddenly ran out from the side door.
"Kiyohara-sama!"
It was Kabuto.
Compared to the last time they met, the boy had grown taller again. His thin shoulders were wrapped in a worn out coat that had been washed so many times it had almost turned white, while behind his glasses, his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.
He hurried over to Kiyohara, breathing somewhat heavily.
"It's been a long time, Kabuto."
Kiyohara spoke calmly.
He sized the boy up carefully.
The amount of chakra inside Kabuto's body had clearly increased compared to before.
"Nono's training for you seems pretty good."
Kiyohara commented.
"Mhm. Director taught me a lot. Chakra extraction, the Three Basic Techniques, medical ninjutsu, and many other things."
Kabuto spoke everything in one breath before lifting his head again. His eyes contained a cautious but unmistakable sense of anticipation.
"Director said I learn very quickly... Kiyohara-sama, does that mean I can finally go to Konoha and become a shinobi...?"
"There's no problem with that. With your talent, attending the Shinobi Academy will allow you to receive even better education. Then in the future, you can come back and help the orphanage."
Kiyohara replied.
Kabuto nodded repeatedly.
Kiyohara found himself a little curious.
With Nono still alive and Kabuto growing up in a relatively healthy environment, what kind of path would Kabuto eventually walk?
But regardless of what path he chose, becoming one of Kiyohara's tools was practically inevitable.
"I'll come pick you up later. First, I want to go see Nono."
Kiyohara turned around.
Kabuto froze briefly before an explosion of joy appeared in his eyes.
Soon afterward, Kiyohara arrived alone at the private laboratory he had funded and entrusted to Yakushi Nono's management.
The laboratory stood at the edge of the orphanage inside an inconspicuous two story building. From the outside, it looked no different from an ordinary residence, yet inside it possessed remarkably complete medical and research facilities.
Yakushi Nono was currently standing at a workstation recording data.
She wore a white lab coat, and her golden hair was simply tied behind her head. Upon hearing the door open, she raised her gaze.
The moment she saw Kiyohara, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Kiyohara-kun, did your mission go smoothly?"
"It did."
Kiyohara walked beside the workstation and removed White Zetsu tissue samples from a sealing scroll.
"Also, I brought back something interesting."
He placed the samples onto a sterile tray.
Nono leaned closer for inspection, and behind her glasses, her eyes widened slightly.
"This is... some kind of biological tissue? The chakra reaction is extremely strange. It possesses plant like properties, but also a humanoid structure..."
"White Zetsu."
Kiyohara briefly explained where it came from.
"It's related to Hashirama Cells. I need you to analyze its cellular structure, especially how it's capable of coexisting with Wood Release."
"Hashirama Cells?"
Nono immediately put on gloves and carefully placed a tiny piece of the sample under a microscope.
Whether it had been Konoha in the past or Danzo's Root organization, countless studies had already been conducted regarding Hashirama Cells.
After all, the original Wood Release experiments had once mobilized the resources of the entire village.
It was only after the experiments became forbidden that Orochimaru and Danzo continued the research in secret.
A few moments later, Nono inhaled sharply.
"Incredible... the cell activity far surpasses ordinary humans, and this organism called White Zetsu actually doesn't suffer rejection from the Hashirama Cells. This kind of balance is simply... Kiyohara, where exactly did you obtain material like this?"
"On the way back."
Kiyohara did not elaborate further.
"Also, has there been any progress in the research on the Ketsuryugan?"
Only then did Nono shift her attention away from the White Zetsu samples.
She walked to another cabinet and removed a thick report.
"There have been some discoveries. The ocular power of the Ketsuryugan is essentially a highly specialized form of Yin Release chakra, but unlike the Sharingan, the Ketsuryugan's Yin Release is more focused on direct material interference, especially blood manipulation..."
She opened the report and pointed toward a series of complicated data charts.
"To put it simply, the Ketsuryugan uses Yin Release chakra to directly interfere with the target's blood environment, whereas the Sharingan focuses more on mental interference by invading the target's nervous system through visual ocular power."
Kiyohara glanced through Nono's report.
Very good.
At least she was not someone useless who merely collected a salary.
"If the two could be combined..."
Kiyohara fell into thought.
"In theory, it's possible. But the practical difficulty would be extremely high."
Nono replied.
"The nature transformation of Yin Release chakra itself already requires extraordinary mental control. Simultaneously controlling two entirely different Yin Release pathways would easily lead to brain nerve damage if even the slightest mistake occurred. Unless..."
She paused and looked toward the fully formed diamond shaped seal on Kiyohara's forehead.
"Unless the user possesses enormous chakra reserves and extremely powerful cellular regeneration abilities capable of enduring the backlash from repeated trial and error."
Kiyohara touched the Yin Seal on his forehead.
Indeed.
With this seal, he might finally be capable of attempting training methods that had once been far too dangerous.
"I'll leave the White Zetsu samples to you. If you need any resources, submit the request directly."
He returned the report to her.
"And one more thing."
"Kabuto has already completed his foundational training. Starting today, he'll officially join Konoha. I'll report it to the Hokage and bring him to the Shinobi Academy."
Nono nodded after hearing this.
In truth, she still felt a sense of belonging toward Konoha itself. The only thing she truly disliked was Root.
As long as Kabuto did not end up joining Root in the future, then in Nono's opinion, Konoha would still be a very good destination for him.
By the time Kiyohara left the laboratory, evening had already arrived.
He continued his journey back toward Konoha.
Several days later, he finally returned to the village.
The moment Kiyohara pushed open the door to his home, he saw Tsunade sitting on the sofa with one leg crossed over the other, holding a document in her hand.
Hearing the door open, she lazily lifted her eyes and glanced at him.
"So you still remembered to come back?"
Her tone sounded unpleasant, but Kiyohara could hear the concern hidden beneath it.
"I got delayed for a few days."
Kiyohara replied.
He removed his shoes and walked over to sit beside the sofa.
"What is sensei reading?"
"Battle merit assessment documents."
Tsunade tossed the file toward him.
"The old man's side moved surprisingly fast. Your achievement in killing the Third Mizukage has already been officially entered into the records. Also, news came from the Kirigakure front line. After losing the Mizukage's command, their offensive has completely shrunk back. In the short term, they probably won't make any major moves again."
Kiyohara glanced through the file.
The merit assessment had been ranked as Special Grade.
The corresponding rewards included compensation exceeding even an S Rank mission, expanded authorization to access certain ninjutsu, and one opportunity to make a reasonable request directly to the Hokage.
The rewards were extremely generous.
But to the current Kiyohara, the truly valuable part was probably only the ninjutsu access permissions, which would allow him to explore the ninjutsu archives for hidden treasures.
After decades of accumulation since Konoha's founding, there were bound to be secret techniques unavailable anywhere else.
As well as the forbidden techniques recorded within the Scroll of Seals.
"The old man giving you those rewards is just official business. But as your teacher..."
Tsunade stood up and stretched her shoulders.
"I still haven't gone to fight for your personal reward yet."
She walked in front of Kiyohara and reached out to rub his cheeks.
She did not hold back her strength at all, carrying the same bold personality she always had.
"Tomorrow morning, come with me to the Hokage Tower."
"To do what?"
"To demand benefits, obviously!"
Tsunade answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"You killed the Mizukage of Kirigakure. Do you know how much face that earned for Konoha? How could a simple entry in the records possibly be enough? Shinobi tools, medicinal materials, rare resources, even permission to browse the forbidden techniques in the Scroll of Seals. We'll squeeze out as much as we possibly can."
Kiyohara could not help laughing.
As expected.
This was exactly Tsunade's style.
"Sensei, wouldn't this be a little..."
"A little what?"
Tsunade glared at him.
"You're my disciple. You earned these achievements, so it's only natural for me to fight for benefits on your behalf."
Kiyohara fell silent.
Then suddenly, a thought crossed his mind.
Perhaps when Tsunade went to the Hokage Tower tomorrow to demand rewards, she also planned to conveniently fleece some extra benefits for herself as well?
After all, if he remembered correctly...
Tsunade's gambling funds were almost gone again.
(End of Chapter)