The next day.
Beside the urn in his mental world, he summoned the spirit body of White Snake Kiyohara.
"Future me, regarding Ryuchi Cave's sage arts, is there any shortcut?"
Kiyohara asked directly.
After all, now that he already had a white snake, if he still did not learn the Sage Arts of Ryuchi Cave, then this trip would have been pointless.
White Snake Kiyohara's pale golden vertical pupils shifted slightly as his forked tongue flicked out.
"A shortcut? There are no true shortcuts in training. However, if I temporarily attach myself to your body and use my experience to guide the flow of natural energy inside you, then you can experience the complete Ryuchi Cave Sage Mode ahead of time."
"You could consider it lowering the threshold for your future training."
Kiyohara immediately grinned after hearing this.
Toad Kiyohara had used a similar method before.
To put it simply, this was basically an experience card.
If he could do this several more times and let his body become accustomed to the flow of natural energy, then when he officially cultivated it himself later, the results would naturally be twice the effort for half the work.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's do it."
Kiyohara agreed readily.
The spirit body of White Snake Kiyohara transformed into a pale stream of light and slowly merged into Kiyohara's body.
In that instant, Kiyohara felt a cold chakra begin flowing through specific meridians.
Purple markings different from Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode gradually appeared around his eyes. They looked more slender and sinister, while his pupils slowly transformed toward vertical snake pupils, though they had not completely stabilized yet.
Faint white scale patterns appeared on the surface of his skin, and a thin membrane formed over his eyes.
"Hm?"
The possessed White Snake Kiyohara suddenly let out a surprised sound.
"Your body... why does it feel so strange?"
He carefully sensed this vessel.
"Besides the Uchiha bloodline and the blood of the Yotsuki Clan... why are there also traces of those toads from Mount Myoboku's? Just what kind of path did the past me walk?"
Kiyohara responded within his consciousness.
"Just a coincidence. I inherited a little legacy from the Toad Kiyohara."
"A little?"
White Snake Kiyohara widened his eyes.
"This is far more than just a little... wait... this... this is?"
His perception reached even deeper.
He sensed the "Power of the White Snake" cells that Kiyohara had once absorbed from Orochimaru's early experiments.
Previously, those cells had merely lain dormant, quietly enhancing Kiyohara's regeneration and flexibility.
But now, stimulated simultaneously by the White Snake Kiyohara spirit and Ryuchi Cave's natural energy, they seemed to awaken from slumber and burst forth with unprecedented activity.
"You already had White Snake cells inside your body?"
Even White Snake Kiyohara seemed uncertain now.
Looking at the chaotic stew inside Kiyohara's body, he honestly did not know how to describe it.
His flesh was composed of all sorts of bloodlines, while his mental world was filled with a graveyard of urns.
This other version of himself was truly difficult to evaluate.
"I originally thought you would have a pure human body... but now it seems you're only wearing a human shape."
White Snake Kiyohara remarked.
Kiyohara sensed the changes within his body and smiled.
"There's no helping it. This is a world that values bloodlines."
It was just like in the world of Dragon Ball. Gather all seven Dragon Balls, and you could summon Shenron.
In the shinobi world, gather enough Kekkei Genkai, and you could attempt to revert to an Otsutsuki bloodline.
After all, most Kekkei Genkai ultimately originated from the Otsutsuki ancestors. They had merely branched out and spread over thousands of years.
As expected, having many descendants really was a blessing.
If the Sage of Six Paths had nine sons instead, the shinobi world's bloodline limits would probably have become even more diverse and flourishing.
That afternoon.
Inside Training Ground Three, two figures rapidly crossed paths while dense metallic clashes and thunderous crackling sounds echoed continuously.
It was Kiyohara and Kakashi.
Today, Kakashi unusually was not reading his little orange book. Instead, he was fully focused on battle.
The covering over his Sharingan had already been pushed up, and the three tomoe rotated within his scarlet eye. Yet the technique in his hand was not the Chidori that relied on the Sharingan, but rather a deeper-colored lightning release that appeared purple.
"Lightning Release: Purple Electricity!"
Kakashi shouted in a low voice.
The lightning gathered in his palm no longer formed a high speed piercing strike. Instead, it exploded outward into flashing arcs of electricity as Kakashi swung upward and smashed directly toward Kiyohara.
Kiyohara's figure blurred as he slipped past the edge of the lightning, surprise flashing through his eyes.
Previously, while casually chatting with Kakashi, he had only briefly mentioned the name Purple Electricity and simply described it as "a substitute for Raikiri," essentially nothing more than a conceptual PowerPoint presentation.
Yet Kakashi had actually relied on his own mastery of Lightning Release to forcibly turn that concept into reality.
"Interesting."
A slight smile rose on Kiyohara's lips as his interest was piqued.
It seemed Kakashi had also developed Lightning Release: Purple Electricity ahead of schedule.
"Let me personally experience the power of your Purple Electricity."
He raised his right hand, and brilliant blue lightning gathered within his palm. This time, it was the standard Chidori.
In the next moment, Kiyohara charged directly toward Kakashi.
Clang!
Crackle! Crackle!
Chidori collided against Purple Electricity as blue and violet electric arcs exploded wildly and eroded one another.
Kakashi groaned and retreated three steps. The Purple Electricity in his hand flickered unstably, clearly falling behind in a direct clash of pure lightning power.
However, his eyes grew even brighter.
His Sharingan captured every change in Kiyohara's lightning chakra, attempting to learn from it.
After several exchanges, Kiyohara suddenly changed tactics.
The color of the lightning arcs dancing in his palm deepened.
He was directly imitating Kakashi's Purple Electricity.
Kakashi's pupils contracted sharply.
Although he knew Kiyohara's Sharingan possessed copying abilities, Purple Electricity was a technique newly created from Kakashi's own understanding of Lightning Release. Many details regarding chakra nature transformation were extremely personalized.
Yet after merely a few exchanges, Kiyohara had already grasped the fundamentals and even begun attempting improvements.
In the end, Kiyohara successfully condensed a more refined mass of lightning in his palm. Although it was not as skilled as Kakashi's, it already possessed the basic framework.
"Not bad."
Kiyohara dispersed the lightning and nodded.
"You've controlled the violent nature of the chakra very well, and the balance between area damage and single-point destruction is also excellent. However, there's still room for improvement in the stability of the shape transformation. You could probably continue optimizing it."
Kakashi removed his mask and let out a breath, admiration visible on his face.
"Kiyohara... you can basically learn it after one look and even immediately point out ways to improve it. I originally wanted to treat Purple Electricity as a secret weapon."
Kiyohara walked over and patted his shoulder.
"No matter how secret a weapon is, it only has value when used. Besides, your ideas are excellent. This technique has enormous potential."
Compared to the original Chidori, Purple Electricity's greatest advantage was that it required neither hand seals nor Sharingan assistance.
Although it was slightly slower, its power had not weakened in the slightest. In fact, its destructive range had become even broader.
It had to be said that Kakashi truly was a monstrous genius in Lightning Release.
At that moment, Kurenai, who had been watching from the side, walked over with eager anticipation in her eyes.
"Kiyohara, spar with me too. I recently came up with some new ideas regarding genjutsu and want to test the effects."
Kiyohara glanced at her and smiled.
"A new genjutsu? You should test it on someone else first. If you use it directly on me and I end up reflecting it back, you'll probably suffer for quite a while."
His Sharingan and spiritual power granted him extremely high resistance against genjutsu.
Kurenai pouted and turned toward Rin Nohara nearby.
"Rin, then how about you help me test it?"
Rin had been watching their sparring with great interest. Hearing that, she nodded immediately.
"Sure. I also want to see how much you've improved."
The two widened the distance between themselves.
Rin quickly formed hand seals as water vapor spread around her.
"Water Release: Water Wave!"
Several streams of water lashed toward Kurenai like whips.
Yet Kurenai remained completely calm.
Instead of forming seals and casting a visual genjutsu as usual, she lightly parted her red lips and released a string of tones mixed with chakra fluctuations.
Her voice was pleasant, almost as though she were singing.
The song was not loud, but it possessed astonishing penetrating power, as if it directly drilled into the listener's mind.
The sound also seemed to contain traces of wind attribute chakra, allowing it to spread farther and become harder to guard against.
Rin's movements suddenly slowed.
A momentary daze appeared in her eyes.
It felt as though multiple overlapping shadows had appeared before her vision. Kurenai's figure became blurry and elusive, while her control over the Water Release began showing flaws.
However, at the very instant the genjutsu was about to fully take effect, the vast and dormant Three Tails chakra inside Rin Nohara suddenly fluctuated on its own. A savage force burst through the restraints of the illusion.
Rin instantly regained clarity and hurriedly stabilized the nearly out of control Water Release, though her offensive momentum had already slowed.
She looked at Kurenai in surprise.
"Kurenai, was that just now... a sound-based genjutsu? Combined with Wind Release for transmission?"
Kurenai stopped her technique, a proud smile appearing on her face while her cheeks flushed slightly.
"How was it? I referenced Kiyohara's suggestions and combined some sound-based shinobi techniques with traditional genjutsu. I tried integrating chakra into sound waves so it could bypass vision and directly affect hearing and the brain."
"I've actually been experimenting in this direction for a while already and even developed a similar technique before. This one counts as a new version though, and it's still incomplete. I didn't expect you to break free so quickly."
Rin sincerely praised her.
"It's already amazing. If it weren't for the... special chakra inside me helping out, I definitely would've fallen for it just now. Kurenai, you've improved so much!"
Kurenai became a little embarrassed from the praise, but her sparkling eyes still drifted toward Kiyohara as though silently saying, "See? I've been working hard too."
Kiyohara gave her an approving glance, making the smile on Kurenai's face grow even brighter.
After that, everyone continued training.
Meanwhile, Kiyohara and Kakashi kept discussing the deeper mysteries of Lightning Release.
Might Guy was also present at Training Ground Three.
At the moment, he was training Itachi.
The two of them were both dressed in green skintight outfits as they continuously ran laps around the training ground.
Every single step Guy took was accompanied by a loud shout about youth.
Under sheer helplessness, Itachi could only continue shouting along with him.
During this period of time, he had also realized something.
Although this training method was incredibly abstract, it genuinely did help temper the body.
Itachi could only grit his teeth, maintain his stiff expression, and throw away his useless pride.
Still, deep down, he felt fortunate.
At the very least, Izumi had not seen him even once so far.
That evening, Kiyohara arrived at Kushina's residence.
The person who opened the door was Kushina herself. She still looked as energetic as ever, her long red hair dazzling like flames.
The moment she saw Kiyohara, her eyes lit up.
"Oh my, it's Kiyohara! Hurry in, hurry in! It's only been a while, but you seem taller again... and sturdier too!"
Kiyohara smiled as he entered.
"Kushina-senpai, is Sister Kyoko home?"
"Kyoko? She's out on a mission today and hasn't returned yet."
Kushina blinked.
"Or is it... you want to study fuinjutsu again?"
She wore an expression that clearly said, "I've already seen through you."
Kiyohara admitted it honestly.
"I really do have some fuinjutsu questions I'd like to ask about."
The moment Kushina heard that, she immediately puffed out her chest and vigorously slapped it, causing quite a dramatic wave of motion as she laughed boldly.
"Why ask Kyoko? I basically know everything she does! Come on, sit down. Leave fuinjutsu to me. What do you want to learn?"
She enthusiastically pulled Kiyohara over to sit and immediately launched into an endless stream of explanations.
Kushina's attainments in sealing techniques truly were extraordinarily high. Her explanations were easy to understand despite their depth, and many of her unique insights benefited Kiyohara immensely.
Time passed quickly amidst the focused learning session. Only when the clock on the wall pointed to nine at night did Kiyohara suddenly realize how late it had become, prompting him to stand and bid farewell.
Kushina reluctantly escorted him to the door.
"Come visit again next time!"
Kushina's social circle was actually quite small. Aside from Tsunade, Minato, Kyoko, and juniors like Kiyohara, she did not really interact much with others.
After thanking her, Kiyohara left.
Just as he went downstairs, he happened to run into Minato passing through the area.
"Lord Minato."
Kiyohara nodded in greeting.
Seeing Kiyohara emerge from Kushina's residence, Minato looked slightly surprised, though he quickly revealed his usual gentle smile.
"It's Kiyohara. You came to see Kushina? Discussing ninjutsu this late into the night?"
"Yes. I asked Kushina-senpai about some fuinjutsu issues."
Approval flashed through Minato's eyes.
"So diligent. No wonder your progress is so astonishing. Be careful on the way back."
As he watched Kiyohara's departing figure, Minato silently thought to himself that someone as studious and talented as Kiyohara would undoubtedly become one of Konoha's pillars in the future.
Several days later, after learning that Orochimaru had returned to the village, Kiyohara proactively headed to his underground laboratory.
At the entrance of the laboratory, a girl wearing a fishnet undershirt beneath a brown coat was baring her teeth while rapidly forming hand seals toward a summoning array.
It was Anko Mitarashi.
Sweat covered her forehead as she attempted to summon more venomous snakes, but her chakra control seemed somewhat unstable.
The sound of Kiyohara approaching distracted her. Her hand seals immediately faltered, causing several venomous snakes that had just emerged from the summoning array to suddenly lose control.
One of them abruptly raised its head. Its poisonous fangs gleamed coldly as it lunged directly toward Anko's own wrist.
"Careful."
At the same moment Kiyohara's voice sounded, one of his hands had already shot out and grabbed the snake by the neck, stopping its venomous fangs mere inches from Anko's skin.
"Who the hell is the blind idiot interrupting this great lady..."
Anko jumped in fright before instantly becoming furious as she turned around to curse.
However, the moment she clearly saw Kiyohara's face, the scolding words stuck in her throat.
The young man standing before her possessed a tall and upright figure with exceptionally handsome features.
Aside from Kiyohara, Anko had never seen a man in the village who was both this handsome and this refined. For a moment, she froze in place.
The anger on her face unconsciously faded, replaced by a faint blush.
"S-Sorry... I wasn't talking about you..."
Anko's voice unconsciously softened, even becoming slightly stammered.
She quickly straightened herself and adjusted her clothes.
Kiyohara released the snake and casually tossed the dizzy creature back into the summoning array. Looking at Anko's reaction, he found it somewhat amusing.
"It's fine. I interrupted your training. Is Orochimaru-sama inside?"
Kiyohara asked.
He suddenly felt that Anko was not nearly as unruly as she had seemed in the original story.
At least, not toward him.
"H-He is!"
Anko nodded hurriedly and proactively moved aside to lead the way.
She knew Kiyohara was Orochimaru's assistant.
It was just that she rarely got opportunities to see him. She had only caught glimpses of him a few times before, and each time she had been stunned by his appearance.
"I'll take you in. Orochimaru-sensei only returned not long ago."
As she led him forward, she secretly observed Kiyohara from the corner of her eyes.
So this was the Kiyohara rumored to have recently killed the Mizukage?
Just as impressive as the rumors said... and unbelievably handsome too.
Anko silently muttered to herself, feeling her cheeks becoming a little hot.
Deep within the laboratory, Orochimaru stood before a machine recording data.
Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around.
His golden vertical pupils slightly brightened when he saw Kiyohara, and a smile appeared on his pale face.
"Kiyohara-kun. What a rare guest. It's been quite a while."
Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Kiyohara politely responded.
Orochimaru put down the clipboard in his hands and observed Kiyohara with interest.
"I heard Kiyohara-kun's performance on the battlefield was astonishing. Even the Third Mizukage... hehe, truly formidable for someone so young."
Then, his tone shifted as he casually asked:
"What are Kiyohara-kun's thoughts regarding the village's future? For example... the candidate for the next Hokage?"
Kiyohara immediately understood.
Orochimaru was probing his stance.
His expression remained calm as he answered smoothly.
"Orochimaru-sama possesses profound knowledge and research capabilities unmatched in the shinobi world. If you were to become Hokage, you would surely lead Konoha toward new frontiers. You have great prospects."
The smile on Orochimaru's lips deepened. Clearly, he enjoyed the compliment, though he still was not satisfied.
"What about Minato Namikaze?"
"Lord Minato possesses extraordinary strength and tremendous military achievements. He is deeply trusted by the Hokage and beloved by the villagers. He is naturally one of the most popular candidates and has great prospects."
A faint wrinkle appeared between Orochimaru's brows.
"And Tsunade?"
"Tsunade-sensei's medical abilities are practically divine. She has saved countless wounded shinobi and holds immense prestige within the medical system and among many shinobi. If she were willing to take on the responsibility, she would likewise have great prospects."
Orochimaru fell silent.
The smile on his face was beginning to crack slightly.
This Kiyohara truly spoke without leaving even the slightest opening.
He had praised everyone in a complete circle. Every single person supposedly "had great prospects," which essentially meant he had said absolutely nothing.
That level of smoothness and tact did not seem fitting for someone his age at all.
It could only be said that Kiyohara was not merely a genius in terms of strength.
Unlike the arrogant brutes of the Uchiha Clan, his head was not filled with nothing but power, power, and more power.
Although the Uchihas were indeed stronger than most shinobi, their emotional intelligence and political sense were practically zero.
The Uchiha Clan's awkward position within Konoha was not solely caused by suppression from the village leadership. Part of it also stemmed from how many people they had offended.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's nostrils twitched slightly.
Those snake-like vertical pupils abruptly narrowed as he stared fixedly at Kiyohara, as though trying to see through him completely.
Why did he smell... the scent of a snake coming from Kiyohara?
(End of Chapter)