Sure, he had been killed by the Eight-Tails.
But if Yotsuki Kiyohara hadn't been strong enough, he probably wouldn't even have had the qualifications to fight it.
The Eight-Tails, Gyūki, Kumogakure's tailed beast, was among the stronger of all the tailed beasts.
"So your lingering wish is revenge against the Eight-Tails?"
Kiyohara asked.
Unexpectedly, Yotsuki Kiyohara shook his head.
"Revenge? No interest. Dead is dead. What ninja doesn't die eventually? I got killed by my own arrogance. I've got nobody else to blame."
He paused.
"My first wish is simple. I want that woman Samui to call me 'master.'"
Kiyohara froze for a second.
"You're into some wild stuff."
He couldn't help saying it.
"You're thinking too much. I stayed single my whole life."
Yotsuki Kiyohara burst out laughing.
"She just always made fun of my skin color."
He explained.
"How?"
Kiyohara was curious now.
"Every time we met, she'd say things like, 'Don't go out at night, I might lose sight of you,' or 'Want me to lend you some foundation?' Damn it, this is a healthy wheat complexion. It's a symbol of masculinity!"
Hearing that, Kiyohara had to admit…
Yeah, that was definitely some dark humor.
"I get it."
Kiyohara nodded.
"And the second lingering wish?"
At that, Yotsuki Kiyohara's expression turned serious.
"Learn black lightning."
He raised his right hand, and pale blue chakra light appeared over the translucent spirit.
That light quickly spread, covering his whole body and forming a dense cloak of lightning.
The electrical current crackled and flashed so fast it was almost impossible to follow its shape.
"Before I died, I had already reached the peak of Lightning Release Chakra Mode."
Yotsuki Kiyohara's voice was low.
"But I was just one step short—just one step—from qualifying to train black lightning… and then the Eight-Tails went berserk."
His tone carried deep bitterness.
Kiyohara thought for a moment, then raised his own right hand.
Inside his mental world, lightning-nature chakra surged out from his chakra points and condensed along his body into a pale blue cloak of electricity.
It wasn't as dense as the one Yotsuki Kiyohara had just shown, but it was definitely Lightning Release Chakra Mode, and already at a pretty advanced level.
Yotsuki Kiyohara's eyes lit up.
"You have it too? Wait… your Lightning Release Chakra Mode feels different from ours."
He stepped closer and examined it carefully.
Kiyohara's version was more… refined.
The lightning was distributed more evenly, and the energy flow followed a more stable pattern. It wasn't like the Cloud's version—violent, explosive, and built around ultimate speed and destructive power.
"I figured it out on my own. I copied the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode with the Sharingan, but I didn't follow it exactly."
Kiyohara explained.
People liked to mock the Fourth Raikage for how badly he performed against Madara during the Five Kage battle, even getting toyed with by genjutsu.
But in the original story—whether in the anime or manga—it was repeatedly stated that he possessed tailed-beast-level chakra reserves.
And he really did have enormous chakra.
He even had more chakra than the Third Raikage.
It was just that the Fourth Raikage never knew how to use that power properly. He was too much of a brute.
Yotsuki Kiyohara stroked his chin and circled Kiyohara once.
"It is different. Yours is steadier, but…"
He stopped in the air.
"You're still a long way off. The essence of Lightning Release Chakra Mode is in completely fusing lightning with the body, filling every single cell with lightning chakra until the body reaches ultimate vitality and speed."
He poked a finger against Kiyohara's chest.
What Yotsuki Kiyohara meant was simple: even if the Sharingan copied the technique, that didn't mean the body had fully adapted to it.
That required constant training over time, forcing the body to use the technique until it could bring out its full effect.
That was why, after enough tempering, even ten thousand Iwa ninja had struggled to break the Third Raikage's defense—until he ultimately died from exhausting himself.
"But the Third Raikage is already dead now, and there are very few successors. As far as I know, the most famous inheritor of black lightning is Darui."
Kiyohara said.
Lightning Release had many different branches.
The Third Raikage had pioneered black lightning.
If ordinary lightning was pig iron, then black lightning was hardened steel.
It might look like just a color change, but in reality, the power difference was enormous.
That meant that to fulfill the second lingering wish, he'd need to get close to Darui and learn how black lightning was used.
"Exactly."
Yotsuki Kiyohara nodded.
"That part's on you. I never learned the method myself. I never reached the qualification."
His voice was full of regret.
Listening to him, Kiyohara got the impression that this future version was basically a… martial maniac?
All muscles, not much subtlety?
Kiyohara shook his head.
Still, if he could inherit the Yotsuki bloodline, it would greatly help his chakra reserves.
Right now, his spiritual energy far exceeded his physical energy.
And if his physical strength increased, the strain of the Eight Gates would decrease while its power would rise.
"And your Storm Release?"
Kiyohara asked next.
Yotsuki Kiyohara didn't just have Yotsuki blood—he also possessed the Storm Release kekkei genkai.
This future version was honestly excellent.
It would not only shore up Kiyohara's weaknesses, but also give him more options.
"As for Storm Release, I use that too."
Yotsuki Kiyohara held out his right hand and spread his fingers. Pale blue chakra gathered in his palm and gradually condensed into a beam.
"Storm Release is a kekkei genkai created by combining Lightning-nature chakra and Water-nature chakra at the same time, so it carries the traits of both."
In Yotsuki Kiyohara's hand, the lightning moved like water—flowing, bending.
That was something ordinary lightning couldn't do.
Pure lightning couldn't be freely shaped; you could only try to control its range.
Only a kekkei genkai like Storm Release could turn lightning into a freely controlled laser, changing direction and angle at will.
"I understand."
Kiyohara nodded.
"I'll do my best to fulfill the wishes. Though for Samui… I'll need a chance to get to Kumogakure first."
"No rush."
Yotsuki Kiyohara grinned.
"I'm already dead. I've got plenty of time to wait. Normally I'll just lie inside the urn to reduce energy loss. But if you really can get that woman to lower her head and call you master… heh, I'll laugh myself awake in the urn."
His tone was full of wicked amusement.
"All right."
Kiyohara nodded.
The first lingering wish was the easy one.
All he had to do was find Samui and hit her with a genjutsu that made her say "master" once.
The second one could actually be handled with the same basic method—just with Darui instead.
"I'll have to find a way to get onto another front."
Kiyohara rubbed his chin.
After thinking for a moment, he began asking Yotsuki Kiyohara about Lightning Release.
After all, in that field, this future version was clearly the expert.
The next day—
Konoha, Hokage Building.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his broad desk, white smoke drifting up from his pipe.
The two advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, sat on either side of him, while Danzo Shimura stood by the window with his back to the others, looking out at the Hokage Rock.
"So, Kiyohara has earned another great merit."
Hiruzen set down the intelligence scroll in his hand.
"Yes."
Homura adjusted his glasses.
"He killed two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen—Fuguki Suikazan and Jūzō Biwa—and seized the Executioner's Blade and Samehada. That's a dazzling achievement for someone of the new generation."
He paused, then added,
"More importantly, this battle dealt a heavy blow to the Mist's morale. In the short term, they probably won't dare launch another full-scale offensive."
Koharu nodded in agreement.
"That child Kiyohara really is promising. Tsunade has taught him well, and the Uchiha clan this time also…"
She didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious.
Kiyohara's war merits would raise the Uchiha clan's standing inside the village even further.
"Hmph."
Danzo suddenly let out a cold snort.
He turned around, his single eye sweeping over the three of them before stopping on Hiruzen.
"All you see are the achievements. You're ignoring the risks."
"Risks?"
Homura frowned.
"Danzo, what exactly do you mean?"
"I mean Kiyohara's rise is too fast."
Danzo stepped up to the desk and braced both hands against it.
"A Uchiha with the Sharingan, Magnet Release, and senjutsu… and now he's killed two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. How do you think the other clans are going to view that?"
Danzo's brow was tight.
Of course, there was another thought he wasn't voicing.
What if Kiyohara's growing fame eventually made him a candidate for Hokage?
Danzo had once known a good-hearted Uchiha like Kagami, but that didn't mean he wanted Kiyohara to rise to power.
At this point, he more or less had a personal grudge against Kiyohara. Too many of his subordinates had died at Kiyohara's hands.
"We should recall him to the village. Otherwise the Uchiha clan may grow even more arrogant."
Danzo pressed on immediately.
"Let Kiyohara undergo my special loyalty-to-Konoha training in Root. Once his strength is more firmly stabilized, then—"
"Danzo."
Hiruzen cut him off.
He knew exactly what Danzo was thinking.
It was nothing more than old ideological baggage.
Danzo believed he alone had inherited Tobirama's purest line of thought, and that was why his methods were always extreme.
Over the years, Hiruzen had more or less turned a blind eye.
After all, no village could exist without a certain degree of darkness.
But that lenience had only emboldened Danzo, letting his hand stretch farther and farther.
Hiruzen was the Hokage.
"Kiyohara is Tsunade's student and a front-line commander. Without a legitimate reason, I
cannot reassign him whenever I please."
"A legitimate reason?"
Danzo visibly choked on the answer.
The two of them locked eyes for a moment. Danzo was the first to look away.
Hiruzen always opposed him when it came to Kiyohara, and Danzo increasingly felt like their little boat of friendship could capsize at any moment.
It was all Kiyohara's fault.
"Hiruzen, you're always like this!"
Danzo glared at him, already knowing he wouldn't be persuaded.
Angrily, he turned and strode toward the door, stopping just before leaving.
"The Uchiha clan carries unrest in its blood. Kiyohara may be loyal for now, but power corrodes the heart—especially the power of the Sharingan."
Even as he left, Danzo couldn't resist scattering a few more poisonous hints about the supposed threat of the Uchiha.
Then he pulled the door open and disappeared from the office.
Silence returned.
After a long while, Koharu sighed.
"Danzo may be extreme, but there is some truth in what he says. Kiyohara's rise in fame is too fast."
Koharu also knew that Kiyohara was now serving as the teacher of Fugaku's son.
That meant Kiyohara did not reject the Uchiha clan.
"Koharu, we're in the middle of a war. We need heroes. Wasn't Minato the same?"
Homura shook his head.
Besides, Kiyohara's fame still lagged behind Minato's by quite a bit.
Minato Namikaze was still the brightest star of them all.
Hiruzen remained silent, slowly turning the pipe in his fingers.
Outside, the carved faces on Hokage Rock stood solemn in the sunlight.
Hashirama. Tobirama. And his own face.
Time was merciless. Even heroes grew old.
Konoha needed new pillars.
Minato was one option—sunny, powerful, beloved by everyone.
Kiyohara… was another.
Complicated and dangerous, but with limitless potential.
In the end, Hiruzen made his decision.
"Publicize Kiyohara's achievements, but don't overdo it. Focus on showcasing the overall strength of Konoha's new generation, not individual hero worship."
He paused, then added,
"And in my name, issue Kiyohara a commendation. As for the Executioner's Blade and Samehada that he wants to keep—approved."
Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance, each seeing the surprise in the other's eyes.
"And one more thing."
Hiruzen picked up his brush and quickly began writing on a document.
"Inform Tsunade that Kirigakure may shift tactics. Tell her to strengthen reconnaissance in the inland direction."
Meanwhile, Danzo had already returned to Root's underground base.
He stood at the observation window of a laboratory. Inside, another surgery was underway.
A Root ninja lay on the operating table, tubes inserted all over his body.
The modifications to his right arm were complete, and two scarlet Sharingan had been set into the eye sockets there, twitching in time with his heartbeat.
"How bad is the rejection response?"
Danzo asked.
The medical ninja behind him answered respectfully,
"Better than expected. The activity of the Hashirama cells is suppressing the negative emotional effects of the Sharingan, but… the test subject's mind is highly unstable. He could collapse at any moment."
"How long can he last?"
"At most three days."
Danzo fell silent.
The power of the Sharingan was proving far harder to control than he had imagined.
Even balanced with the First Hokage's cells, an ordinary ninja's body still couldn't bear the burden of multiple Sharingan.
He needed a more perfect vessel.
Or… stronger eyes.
The image of Kiyohara's three-tomoe Sharingan surfaced in his mind.
If only he could get those eyes…
Besides transplanting Sharingan into an arm, Danzo had also been having subordinates work with Orochimaru's technology, researching additional methods of transplanting Sharingan.
After all, when the Sharingan were placed in the arm, they could at most be used to trigger Izanagi, because the arm had no optic nerve and couldn't actually focus vision.
But if multiple Sharingan could be implanted into real eye sockets and connected to optic nerves, they would be able to focus vision and use the many abilities of the Sharingan—genjutsu, copying, and more.
"The Fourth Hokage…"
he muttered.
Once this war ended, Hiruzen would almost certainly step down.
So Danzo needed to help Orochimaru gain more prestige as soon as possible.
"I won't let you have your way, Hiruzen."
Danzo clenched his fists.
"Konoha doesn't need heroes who stand in the sunlight. It needs roots in the shadows."
"And I am the one most fit to lead Konoha into the future."
His voice echoed through the empty hallway before fading into darkness.
Several days passed in a blur.
Tsunade stood on the high ground of the camp, looking out over the waters under Kirigakure's control.
She wore a dark green combat vest, her golden hair tied up in a high ponytail.
But her brows were furrowed now, and she held a newly compiled battle report and a map in her hand.
"Something's off."
She muttered it under her breath.
Shizune stood beside her holding a clipboard, and looked up when she heard that.
"Tsunade-sama?"
"Look here."
Tsunade pointed at the casualty figures on the report.
"In the past three days, we've had seventeen small-scale clashes with Kirigakure. Our casualties… ten. The Mist's casualties are estimated at around thirteen."
"Isn't that good?"
Shizune asked, puzzled.
"We have the advantage."
"That's the problem."
Tsunade turned and looked toward the ninja preparing inside the camp.
"The Mist's casualties are too low."
She returned to the temporary command platform and spread the coastal map open.
"Based on their normal style, Kirigakure relies on Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique and silent killing for ambushes. In most close engagements, our casualties and theirs should be close to one-to-one—or even slightly worse for us, since their ambushes give them first-move advantage."
Her finger tapped several battle points on the map.
"But this time, they disengage the moment we make contact. They refuse to get tied down.
Their numbers are clearly greater than ours, and yet they're fighting like…"
"Like bait."
Kiyohara's voice came from the side.
At some point, he had already walked up beside the command platform, Samehada strapped across his shoulder in fresh bandages.
Kushina Uzumaki had worked quickly. After finishing with it, she had sent Samehada and the Executioner's Blade back to him the very same day.
He had just received them that morning.
"Sensei noticed it too?"
Kiyohara asked.
Tsunade nodded. Hiruzen had already warned her about the same thing.
He'd told her that the Mist might change its strategy and had ordered her to strengthen inland reconnaissance.
She gestured for Kiyohara to come closer.
"Kiyohara, what do you think?"
Kiyohara stepped up and let his black eyes run over the map in her hand.
"They're stalling."
He pointed toward the islands under Mist control.
"These positions are easy to defend and hard to attack. If they really wanted a decisive fight, Kirigakure could gather its superior numbers and launch a major offensive. But they haven't. Instead, they've scattered their forces and started harassing us everywhere, almost like…"
He paused.
"Like they're trying to cover up a more important movement."
Tsunade rubbed her chin.
Even though she suffered from hemophobia now, Tsunade had been extremely active during the Second Shinobi World War.
She knew military command and battlefield tactics very well.
"A feint to cover a flank?"
"Most likely."
Kiyohara nodded.
"They've lost two members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, which should have hit their morale hard. But instead of pulling back, they've reinforced the area. That doesn't make sense—unless they have a bigger objective."
His finger moved inland from the coast.
"If I were the Mist commander, and I couldn't win head-on, I'd go around."
"Around?"
Shizune looked confused.
"How? There's ocean on this side…"
"The Land of Rivers has inland waterways."
Tsunade pointed at the blue lines on the map.
"If they move upstream from the river mouths, they can penetrate deep inland. It's slower than traveling by sea, but much more concealed."
Kiyohara nodded.
Tsunade looked at him, and approval flashed in her eyes.
~~~
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