"You handled this matter very well."
Hiruzen's gaze settled on Miroku, who was standing by the doorway.
It was also the first time he had met the High Priestess of the Land of Demons.
"Lady Priestess, welcome to Konoha."
Hiruzen spoke calmly.
The people of the Land of Demons held their Priestess in absolute reverence. Now that the Priestess herself had come to Konoha, it was practically the same as binding the Land of Demons to the village even more firmly.
This alliance would become even more stable than the one between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
Miroku bowed slightly.
"Thank you very much, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled.
"I am no longer the Hokage. Calling me Advisor will do."
Although he had stepped down from the position, he still retained a portion of his authority.
This was to assist the newly appointed Hokage in becoming familiar with the responsibilities of the office as quickly as possible and learning how to manage the village's affairs.
"There is an open area behind Konoha's mountain that is very suitable for building a shrine for the Priestess. I will have someone make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible."
As he spoke, Hiruzen pulled a map of Konoha out of a drawer and marked off a section on it.
Konoha was enormous. The central residential district occupied only a small fraction of the village.
The overwhelming majority of the land consisted of more than forty different training grounds used by shinobi.
Because of that, the village's shinobi had dedicated places to practice their ninjutsu every day without causing damage to the village itself.
"I understand."
After glancing at the map, Miroku nodded gently.
Judging from the location, it was indeed a quiet and peaceful place.
Hiruzen waved his hand casually.
The Priestess was a special kind of talent. Keeping her in Konoha would only benefit the village.
Furthermore, constructing a shrine would also stimulate Konoha's economy. Every year, countless tourists visited the village. If there were an additional Shrine to visit, it would become another attractive destination for travelers.
Only then did Hiruzen shift his attention toward Kiyohara.
"You've done an excellent job this time. Take the Lady Priestess to the site."
"Yes."
Hiruzen then summoned an ANBU operative and instructed him to notify the appropriate construction workers to begin preparations.
Kiyohara gave a respectful bow before turning around and leaving.
Miroku quietly followed behind him as they walked out of the office together.
After everyone else had departed, Hiruzen summoned Minato, who had only recently returned to the village.
Since both Kiyohara and Minato had been waiting for the Land of Demons' escort to arrive before returning, they had reached Konoha at roughly the same time.
A few hours later...
Behind Konoha.
Construction workers were already bustling around a large open field.
Some were conducting preliminary surveys while others sketched blueprints, discussing how the shrine should ultimately be built.
According to Hiruzen's arrangements, a shrine dedicated to the Priestess would soon rise on this very land.
Standing at the edge of the clearing, Miroku quietly gazed at the construction site.
Several guards from the Land of Demons had also joined in to help.
They hoped to incorporate more of their homeland's architectural style so that the shrine would truly reflect the traditions of the Land of Demons.
After escorting Miroku to the site, Kiyohara expressed his intention to leave.
Miroku did not stop him.
Instead, the two agreed to meet again in a few days to continue discussing the matter concerning Moryo.
"Very well. I'll come to see you again in a couple of days, Lady Priestess."
Having said that, Kiyohara's figure gradually disappeared.
ANBU personnel would escort Miroku, Shion, and the accompanying guards to their temporary residence, so there was no need for him to concern himself with those arrangements.
During the next couple of days, Kiyohara planned to thoroughly research the mysterious being known as Moryo.
"He disappeared..."
Shion stared blankly at the place where Kiyohara had vanished and could not help exclaiming in surprise.
No matter how many times she witnessed it, she still found it incredible.
How could a living person simply vanish without any warning?
"Space-Time Ninjutsu."
Miroku gently stroked Shion's head.
Only then did Shion withdraw her gaze and look toward the empty land before them.
She grasped the corner of her mother's robe with her tiny hand before asking curiously,
"Mom, are we really going to live here from now on?"
Miroku lowered her head and looked at her daughter.
"Yes."
She nodded softly.
"From now on, this will be our home."
Shion's eyes instantly sparkled.
"Yay!"
She released her mother's clothes and happily ran back and forth across the open field.
The setting sun stretched her tiny shadow across the ground.
To Shion, everything here felt completely new and exciting.
Watching her daughter run around so happily, a gentle smile finally appeared upon Miroku's elegant and noble face.
...
Tsunade's residence.
When Kiyohara pushed open the door and walked inside, Tsunade was sitting comfortably in the living room, leisurely eating the fruit Shizune had bought earlier.
Her long legs were stretched out carelessly before her.
Her fair calves were fully exposed, while the wooden sandals she had kicked off lay discarded casually nearby.
Hearing the door open, she raised her head.
"You're back?"
Kiyohara nodded and sat down across from her.
Shizune poked her head out from the kitchen.
"Kiyohara-kun, what would you like for dinner?"
"Anything is fine."
"Then let's have fish tonight."
Shizune put on her shoes before heading outside to purchase a few ingredients and kitchen supplies.
Soon, only Kiyohara and Tsunade remained in the living room.
"You really did an outstanding job this time."
She set the fruit in her hand aside and leaned back comfortably against the chair.
"Sealing Moryo, bringing the Land of Demons over to Konoha, and bringing back the Priestess. Add all of that together and I'd say your chances are practically guaranteed."
Kiyohara simply shook his head.
"There's no need to start celebrating just yet."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Celebrating?"
She did not understand what he meant.
"It just means not popping the sake too early."
Kiyohara explained.
"Oh."
Tsunade nodded in understanding before suddenly leaning closer.
Her beautiful face was now only inches away.
Her warm breath carried a faint fragrance.
"So once you become Hokage, aren't you planning on giving your sensei a few benefits?"
She blinked mischievously, amusement dancing within her amber-brown eyes.
From this distance, Kiyohara could clearly see his own reflection mirrored within her pupils.
"I've already thought everything through."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Tsunade looked puzzled.
"Thought through what?"
Without another word, Kiyohara pulled a scroll from inside his clothes and handed it to her.
Tsunade accepted it before slowly opening it.
The scroll contained an incredibly detailed proposal.
It was packed with dense writing, diagrams, and carefully drawn plans.
"This is..."
Her eyes gradually widened.
"You're planning to build... a casino near the back mountain?"
She lifted her head and stared at him.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
Kiyohara nodded.
"I hadn't originally planned on building the Priestess Shrine behind the mountain. That was simply one part of my larger plan."
After investing in the Land of Whirlpool, Kiyohara had suddenly realized something.
If he could invest in Uzushio's reconstruction, then why couldn't he also invest in Konoha's future development?
Now that the Priestess Shrine would be built there, constructing a casino nearby would almost certainly generate enormous profits.
"When tourists come to Konoha, they won't just visit the shrine. They'll also want some form of entertainment. Gambling happens to be one of the best options."
He continued calmly.
"That way, visitors will leave their money in Konoha. It will stimulate not only tourism but also the gambling industry."
Tsunade listened with complete concentration.
She lowered her head and continued reading through the proposal.
The location of the casino.
Its overall scale.
Its business model.
Its profit distribution.
Every single detail had been written out with astonishing clarity.
"W... When did you make all of this?"
Her eyes were filled with genuine surprise.
"It was finished a long time ago."
Kiyohara smiled.
"Whether I become Hokage or not has nothing to do with it. I have the ability to accomplish this regardless."
The Land of Whirlpool that he had invested in had already begun operating.
Many curious travelers had started visiting its ancient ruins.
After all, the Land of Whirlpool had plenty of attractive selling points.
The greatest fuinjutsu techniques in the shinobi world.
The oldest village renowned for its people's longevity.
Those alone were enough to attract large numbers of tourists.
And as the largest investor, Kiyohara naturally enjoyed the greatest share of the profits.
Tsunade fell silent.
She suddenly remembered the "small goal" Kiyohara had mentioned before.
One hundred million.
Back then, she had assumed he was merely throwing out a random number.
But now...
It seemed he had been completely serious all along.
"Oh, right."
Kiyohara suddenly spoke again.
"In the future, whenever Sensei comes to gamble at one of my casinos, you'll automatically receive a fifty percent discount."
Tsunade blinked.
"Half price?"
"That's right."
He nodded.
To him, it was nothing more than moving money from one hand to the other.
Tsunade stared at him for a long moment, momentarily at a loss for words.
"You little brat..."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You really put a lot of thought into this."
She reached out and gently ruffled his hair.
Kiyohara allowed her hand to remain resting on top of his head for a few moments.
Then he slowly lifted his head.
His gaze settled upon Tsunade's beautiful face.
Gradually...
His eyes drifted downward.
They came to rest upon her lips.
Those soft, full lips were curled into a faint smile.
Tsunade's movements froze ever so slightly.
She noticed the burning intensity in Kiyohara's eyes.
"You little brat..."
For some reason, her voice became noticeably tighter.
"What are you planning to do?"
Kiyohara looked directly into her eyes.
"The disciple has given his sensei so many wonderful gifts. Doesn't Sensei think she should give me something in return?"
"What do you want?"
Tsunade asked quietly.
"Sensei once gave me a lucky kiss."
A smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"So it's only proper that I return the favor by giving Sensei a lucky kiss as well."
The moment he finished speaking, Kiyohara lowered his head and directly captured her lips with his own.
Tsunade's entire body stiffened violently.
Instinctively, she tried to push him away.
But the moment both of her hands pressed against Kiyohara's chest, she discovered that he would not budge in the slightest.
That brat... how could he possibly possess this much strength?
Tsunade was inwardly shocked.
Without even thinking, she had unconsciously used part of her monstrous strength.
Yet Kiyohara had withstood it head-on without moving an inch.
His physical body was simply absurd.
She struggled once more, attempting to free herself.
But no matter how hard she tried, she could not break away.
Kiyohara slipped one arm around her slender waist, gently drawing her even closer into his embrace.
As the saying goes, a woman is like a wolf at thirty and like a tiger at forty.
Tsunade was, after all, a woman.
She had lived alone for many years.
The only companions by her side were Shizune and Tonton.
Every so often she would head to the casino to pass the time, occasionally have a drink, and, on quiet nights when sleep refused to come, simply stare out at the moonlight beyond the window in silence.
She had thought that this was how she would spend the rest of her life.
Until Kiyohara appeared.
This audacious disciple who constantly crossed the line with his sensei, always finding some excuse to take a little advantage of her.
Before long, under Kiyohara's practiced technique, Tsunade's body gradually softened.
His hand slowly slid down from around her waist before coming to rest upon her thigh.
Warm fingers pressed gently through the thin layer of her light blue trousers.
With the slightest squeeze, he could clearly feel the fullness of her thigh.
Firm.
Soft.
Possessing the unique elasticity that belonged to a mature woman.
His fingertips lightly stroked over the fabric, leaving faint wrinkles where they passed.
Tsunade's breathing gradually became uneven.
The feelings she had buried deep within herself for countless years were slowly beginning to awaken.
She did not know how much time had passed.
Kiyohara eventually withdrew his hand from her thigh and wrapped it around her waist once more.
She could feel him exerting just a little strength, intending to draw her even closer.
Without realizing it, her body leaned toward him.
Then...
She suddenly regained her senses.
"No."
Taking a step backward, she broke free from his embrace.
Kiyohara had never intended to hold her by force, so she escaped easily.
Standing before him, Tsunade's chest rose and fell violently.
Her beautiful face was completely flushed.
The crimson color spread from her cheeks to the tips of her ears, disappearing beneath the collar of her clothes.
Her breathing remained rapid.
Her lips were slightly swollen.
"I... I'm going to take a bath."
She spoke in a flustered voice.
Looking at her, Kiyohara merely smiled.
"Alright."
He was not in any hurry.
He had already kissed her.
Was the next step really that far away?
Resting his hand against his chin, Kiyohara watched quietly.
Tsunade did not dare meet his eyes.
She hurriedly turned around and walked toward the staircase.
Her footsteps were unsteady, and she nearly tripped over her own feet.
Soon, her figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs.
The sound of her footsteps gradually faded into the distance.
Then came the sounds of a door opening...
And closing.
The living room was left with only Kiyohara.
He stood there silently, gazing in the direction where she had disappeared.
Just then, the front door opened.
Shizune walked inside.
Tonton was nestled comfortably in her arms.
Confusion appeared in her eyes.
"Where's Lady Tsunade?"
"She went to take a bath."
Kiyohara answered calmly.
"Oh."
Shizune nodded without asking any further questions.
She had only gone out to buy some salt.
Carrying Tonton in her arms, she headed straight toward the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Kiyohara left the house and made his way toward the Forest of Death.
Finding a secluded location where no one was around, he released the seal suppressing Moryo.
Purple-black mist slowly seeped out through the tiny gaps in the sealing pattern.
Gradually, it formed an indistinct silhouette.
The mass of mist became increasingly solid, taking on the appearance of a dragon's head.
"Human."
Moryo's voice echoed from within the dark mist.
"So you've finally decided to listen to me."
Kiyohara completely ignored what Moryo was saying.
Instead, he reached into his sealing scroll and took out a palm-sized black stone.
The entire stone was pitch black.
Its surface reflected a metallic sheen.
It was a Chakra Magnetite.
Even a fragment this small sold for tens of millions of ryo.
"Human, I can grant you power. Real power. Power far beyond ordinary jutsu."
"As long as you release my seal and restore my freedom, I will teach you everything I know."
Seeing that Kiyohara remained completely indifferent, Moryo began to panic.
The thing he feared most was remaining sealed forever.
He immediately increased his bargaining chips, desperately trying to tempt Kiyohara.
But regardless of what he offered...
Kiyohara paid him no attention whatsoever.
Instead, Kiyohara began extracting Moryo's chakra.
A stream of purple-black chakra flowed steadily into the Chakra Magnetite.
Little by little, Moryo's chakra was being stripped away and sealed inside the stone.
"What are you doing?!"
Moryo roared.
"You're stealing my power!"
This was something he had never experienced in over a thousand years of existence.
Before his eyes, the stone's color slowly changed.
From pure black...
To deep violet...
Then finally into a dark purple-black.
Moryo could clearly feel his own strength slipping away.
Even if it was only a tiny amount...
It was enough to throw him into complete panic.
"Stop!"
The mist that formed his body twisted violently as he struggled against Kiyohara's control.
"Human! We can work together!"
Urgency filled Moryo's voice.
"Release me! I'll teach you all of the Dark Medical Jutsu! Every forbidden technique! Every secret art capable of breaking the limits of the human body! I'll tell you everything!"
Listening to Moryo's endless pleas for mercy, Kiyohara frowned slightly.
The next moment, lightning chakra wrapped around his palm.
He casually swung his hand toward Moryo.
Lightning Release: Lightning Palm.
A flash of azure electricity burst forth.
Moryo let out a miserable scream as the lightning struck him.
"Save those tricks for someone else."
"They're useless against me."
Kiyohara's voice was ice cold.
For over a thousand years, every time Moryo had been resurrected, he had committed countless atrocities.
Now that he had fallen into Kiyohara's hands...
It was simply karma finally catching up with him.
Kiyohara's pitch-black eyes suddenly transformed.
They became a vivid crimson.
Mangekyo Sharingan Genjutsu!
In an instant, Moryo fell completely under his control.
Kiyohara immediately began interrogating him regarding the secrets of Dark Medical technique.
He had absolutely no intention of trusting any information Moryo willingly volunteered.
If he wanted answers...
He would simply extract them through genjutsu.
Otherwise, there was always the possibility that Moryo might secretly leave behind hidden traps.
Under the relentless interrogation of the Mangekyo Sharingan's illusion, Moryo continuously revealed one piece of information after another.
Kiyohara listened quietly.
Occasionally he nodded.
Occasionally he asked for additional details.
Meanwhile...
His other hand never stopped working.
An endless stream of purple-black chakra continued flowing into the Chakra Magnetite.
By the time Moryo finally uttered his last word...
The stone had completely transformed into a deep violet color.
Within its surface, the faint outline of a miniature dragon could be seen swimming inside.
Roughly one-third of Moryo's chakra had now been sealed inside the stone.
His body had shrunk by well over half.
Meanwhile, Kiyohara began contemplating another possibility.
Should he remove a portion of Moryo's consciousness...
Leaving behind only the body's natural ability to continuously generate chakra?
"It would be better to let the Priestess handle that."
After thinking for a moment, Kiyohara reached a conclusion.
Since the soul and body could already be separated...
Then separating only part of a soul should not be difficult either.
He could divide Moryo's soul into several portions.
Then leave only the most basic consciousness inside the body, preserving nothing except its ability to continuously produce chakra.
Afterward, Kiyohara resealed Moryo before lowering his eyes to the black stone resting in his hand.
This experiment had gone even more smoothly than he had expected.
At the moment, he was merely using this process as practice.
Miroku had once sealed her own chakra into Shion's bell-shaped sacred artifact using a similar method.
The crimson gemstone used for that purpose was one of the unique specialties of the Land of Demons.
Kiyohara intended to continue researching and experimenting until he succeeded in creating a perfect artificial Tailed Beast.
At the same time...
An even bolder idea emerged within his mind.
The vessel...
Did not necessarily have to be placed inside his own body to become a jinchuriki.
He could instead manufacture the artificial Tailed Beast's vessel into a magical artifact.
Just like Shion's sacred bell.
Rather than serving as a host...
It could function purely as a rechargeable battery that endlessly supplied chakra.
"'To become a dragon is the true path of Sage Arts... Allowing oneself to bear the power of the very source... Only by ascending into a dragon can one transcend the shackles of mortal flesh...'"
Kiyohara suddenly recalled the words spoken by the White Snake Sage.
He lowered his gaze toward the black stone in his hand.
If he could truly create an artificial Tailed Beast...
And then transfer the Dragon Vein's chakra into it...
He would possess an inexhaustible source of chakra.
He would no longer have to endure the Dragon Vein's violent erosion.
He would no longer need to fear losing control.
Nor would he need to worry about dying instantly should the Dragon Vein ever be extracted from his body.
"So that's what it means..."
Kiyohara thought silently.
What the White Snake Sage had sought to accomplish...
Was fundamentally no different from what he was attempting now.
The only difference was that she wished to transform herself into the vessel capable of containing the Dragon Vein's entire power.
Kiyohara...
Preferred a much safer approach.
"An artificial Tailed Beast..."
He decided that his next step would be gathering intelligence on Shinno.
When the time came, he could learn directly from Shinno himself, greatly accelerating his own research.
At the same time, another thought surfaced in his mind.
If he were somehow able to obtain a portion of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's body...
Would it be possible to gradually infuse it with the chakra of each Tailed Beast?
Could that method create an alternative version of the Ten Tails?
After all...
Whether it had been Madara or Obito...
Both had relied upon the Six Paths Ten Tails Coffin Seal to become the Ten Tails' jinchuriki.
Kiyohara was not certain whether obtaining the Ten Tails' power through the Six Paths Ten Tails Coffin Seal might also leave behind some hidden contingency prepared by Kaguya.
After all...
Once Six Paths Madara had been pierced through the chest...
He had immediately become Kaguya's vessel.
"Forget it."
Kiyohara shook his head.
For now...
The Dragon Vein remained the top priority.
At the same time...
Inside the Hokage Tower.
Within the conference room.
Hiruzen looked toward Homura and Koharu.
The final discussion regarding who would become the next Hokage...
Was now officially underway.
(End of Chapter)