"So impressive~"
On a distant mountain, White Zetsu was watching everything unfold.
"His normal growth rate is way too fast. It's abnormal."
Black Zetsu frowned.
He couldn't help wondering whether that brat Kiyohara had somehow awakened some ancient ancestral potential.
While Black Zetsu and White Zetsu talked, the battle on the field raged on.
"Aaaagh!"
The Third Mizukage let out a scream of agony.
He had calculated everything, except for the fact that Kiyohara's Storm Release lightning could penetrate his blood armor so easily.
His Blood Release was mixed with his own chakra, which should have reduced conductivity to some extent.
But now, the Third Mizukage felt as though every muscle in his body was being torn apart by electricity. His organs churned violently, and his vision kept blackening.
Enduring the pain, he tried to retreat from the blood lake.
In water, Storm Release's power would only increase further.
But Kiyohara wasn't going to give him that chance.
"Sage Art: Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Kiyohara formed seals with one hand.
Normally, Water Dragon Bullet required forty-four hand seals. But now Kiyohara could perform it one-handed.
And he had simplified it down to only four signs.
That was the same number Tobirama Senju used.
The deeper one's understanding of a technique, the fewer hand seals it required.
Even Chidori, which originally needed two hands to form, was eventually simplified by Sasuke to a single-handed seal.
A giant dragon made of water burst from the lake and slammed hard into the Third Mizukage's chest.
The sheer impact sent him flying backward, crashing heavily into the rock wall at the edge of the blood lake.
Broken stones rained down.
The Third Mizukage coughed up a mouthful of blood. At least three ribs in his chest had snapped.
He struggled to rise, only to realize that one leg and one shoulder had gone temporarily numb from the lightning strike.
"Water Release: Heavenly Weeping."
Seeing that, the Third Mizukage immediately opened his mouth.
Sharp water needles shot out from his mouth, slicing through the air.
In his youth, the Third Mizukage had seen Tobirama Senju use this technique. He had lived through the great battles of the Warring States era.
And the greatest advantage of this technique was that it required no hand seals at all. It could be launched instantly as a surprise attack.
"You're trying to catch me off guard?"
Kiyohara's fingers darkened to a black sheen as he caught one of the water needles between them in an instant.
Then he took a deep breath, his chest swelling before he forcefully exhaled.
Water Release: Heavenly Weeping!
The Third Mizukage was shaken.
How did Kiyohara know this technique?
Had he already mastered it long ago, or had he copied it in the middle of battle?
Either possibility sent a chill down his spine.
At the brink of death, the Third Mizukage unleashed the last of his potential.
"Water Release: Water Body Flicker Technique!"
In an instant, his body liquefied, turning into a pool of bloody water that merged into the blood lake below.
Even so, he was still a fraction too slow.
Splurt.
A water needle pierced his right shoulder, leaving a blood hole clean through it.
The Third Mizukage dropped to one knee in the blood lake, his face white as paper. Blood loss, serious injuries, excessive chakra consumption… this elderly Kage had finally reached his limit.
In the distance, several Kirigakure jonin sensed that something was wrong, and their expressions changed drastically.
"Mizukage-sama is in danger!"
"Hurry, support him!"
Without hesitation, they charged toward the center of the battlefield.
But Kiyohara was faster.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Binding."
Kiyohara extended his right hand. Lightning chakra gathered in his palm and formed into a giant hand of electricity, seizing the Third Mizukage whole in its grip.
"Cough… cough…"
The Third Mizukage struggled inside the lightning hand, blood continuously spilling from his mouth.
He could feel the chakra inside that hand eroding his meridians and destroying his internal organs.
He raised his remaining left hand, trying to form seals for one last gamble.
But Kiyohara gave him no chance.
The lightning hand clenched.
Crack.
The sound of bones shattering.
The Third Mizukage's pupils instantly dilated.
He opened his mouth, as though trying to say something, but only bloody foam came out.
The lightning hand released him.
The Third Mizukage's body slid limp from its grasp and fell into the blood lake with a splash, slowly sinking beneath the surface.
The dark red liquid quickly swallowed him, leaving only ripples spreading across the water.
The Kirigakure shinobi charging toward them froze in place.
The nearly invincible Third Mizukage in their minds… had died just like that?
At the hands of a boy who looked no older than his teens?
One Kirigakure jonin's legs gave out beneath him, and he collapsed to his knees, his voice trembling.
"Mizukage… sama…"
Another ninja snapped back to himself and roared hoarsely,
"Avenge Mizukage-sama!"
But what answered him was Kiyohara slowly turning around, those crimson Sharingan eyes fixed on him.
The three tomoe spun lazily, and the Kirigakure ninja suddenly drew his own blade and aimed it at his own throat.
A chill ran up the spines of every Kirigakure shinobi present. Not one of them dared take another step forward.
"Don't go any closer! It's time to retreat!"
Shū Motoyoshi shouted, ordering everyone to fall back.
Though the Third Mizukage ruled Kirigakure, not every ninja was truly loyal to him.
Some among them answered instead to Genji's faction.
"Move, now!"
"Retreat and wait for orders from the others!"
Once part of the force began withdrawing, the rest of the Kirigakure shinobi scattered as well.
Kiyohara sheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping over the fleeing Kirigakure shinobi before turning toward the distant battlefield where the Six-Tails and the One-Tail were clashing.
That side seemed close to ending as well.
Kiyohara could no longer sense any especially large chakra surges there.
With the Third Mizukage dead, this battle should be over soon.
"So you killed the Third Mizukage too?"
Yotsuki Kiyohara's spirit floated out.
Probably because his first lingering wish had been fulfilled, his spirit had become noticeably dimmer, as if it was about to disappear.
"He was too old. And I'm not weak."
Kiyohara shook his head.
More importantly, the Third Mizukage had never managed to break through Kiyohara's defenses or wound him.
Kiyohara suspected that this had prevented the Mizukage's true Blood Release from being fully brought to bear.
The rumored Blood Release techniques that could make an enemy's blood erupt from their body, for example, had never been used.
It could be said that Kiyohara's Steel Release was a natural counter to him.
No blood, no contact medium, no proper way to activate it.
"Kiyohara!"
Kurenai's voice called from the distance.
Kiyohara turned and saw Yuhi Kurenai stumbling through the receding bloodwater toward him.
Behind her, Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi, Rin Nohara, and the others were rushing over as well.
"I'm fine."
Kiyohara stepped forward and caught her by the arm before she could trip.
Kurenai grabbed his wrist.
Her eyes quickly swept over his body and saw only some damage to his clothes.
"Really… not hurt at all?"
She still sounded doubtful.
That had been the Mizukage.
Kirigakure's Third Mizukage!
"Really."
Kiyohara released her, showing he was unharmed.
"The Third Mizukage's Blood Release was troublesome, but not enough to injure me."
By then, Asuma had arrived too.
He looked at the blood lake slowly receding, then at Kiyohara—who seemed to think killing a Mizukage was perfectly normal—and wore an expression like he'd seen a ghost.
"You… you killed the Third Mizukage…"
Asuma's voice was dry.
"Didn't I?"
Kiyohara asked back.
"Was I supposed to invite him out for tea instead?"
That joke loosened the tense atmosphere a little, but Asuma's expression remained complicated.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end only ran a hand hard through his hair.
The Third Mizukage might have been old, but he was still a Kage.
And now he had died at the hands of a ninja barely in his teens.
If news of this spread beyond the battlefield, it would shake the entire shinobi world.
This was a glory—this was a battle record—more dazzling than anything even Minato Namikaze had ever achieved.
After all, aside from the Third Raikage, the Third Mizukage was only the second Kage to die on the battlefield.
The Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Kazekage were both still alive and well.
As for the Third Kazekage, he had died before the war began and served as the spark that ignited it—and even then, he had died by assassination.
"So… so amazing…"
Rin Nohara, standing at the back, muttered to herself.
She looked at Kurenai, still holding Kiyohara's arm, as if she wanted to say something, but no words came.
"Kirigakure is retreating!"
A Sand shinobi's shout came from the distance.
Everyone looked up. Sure enough, the Kirigakure forces, now leaderless, were beginning an orderly withdrawal.
"Start rescue operations immediately!"
Kiyohara's voice snapped everyone back to reality.
"Heavily wounded first. Lightly wounded help with support. Kakashi, take a squad and secure the eastern side. Make sure Kirigakure doesn't try anything on the way out."
"Understood."
"Asuma, Kurenai, you two handle the initial treatment of the wounded on the west side."
"Yes!"
"Rin, the medical team needs you."
Rin nodded and ran toward the medical tents.
Kiyohara personally led a squad of Konoha ninja deep into the battlefield, searching for the wounded left behind.
The blood lake was rapidly receding.
Now that the Third Mizukage's chakra was no longer sustaining it, the dry sand was quickly absorbing the water created by his technique, revealing dark red mud soaked through with blood beneath it.
During all this, Tsunade sent word through Katsuyu. After learning Kiyohara was safe, she only replied briefly with, "We'll talk when you return," before throwing herself back into the heavy burden of logistics command.
But Kiyohara could hear from Katsuyu's tone that his teacher had clearly breathed a sigh of relief.
By dusk, the last of the Kirigakure forces had withdrawn from the border of the Land of Wind.
…
Inside Sunagakure's main command tent.
Baki stood before the map, reporting the battle's outcome to those present.
"…Kirigakure has completely withdrawn from the Land of Wind. The Six-Tails jinchūriki retreated badly wounded. Our own One-Tail jinchūriki's berserk state has also been brought under control."
He paused, and his gaze settled on Kiyohara.
"The Third Mizukage and Kaguya Ryūno both died at Kiyohara's hands."
The moment those words fell, every eye in the tent turned toward Kiyohara.
Despite his youthful appearance making it all feel somewhat unreal, no one dared underestimate him.
Killing the Kage of an entire village was a feat worthy of being recorded in shinobi history.
"If the Hokage hears this news, he'll be very pleased, Kiyohara."
Minato Namikaze wore a sincere smile and patted Kiyohara on the shoulder.
"The Third Mizukage's Blood Release was extremely troublesome. I only fought him briefly, but I know how difficult it was to deal with. For you to find a way around it and kill him in such a short time… that's truly remarkable."
Minato said this honestly.
He did not possess Kiyohara's Steel Release, nor Earth Release: Earth Spear.
All he could do was use Body Flicker to evade. Once caught, the Third Mizukage's Blood Release would have pinned him down and done full damage.
Of course, speed was also Minato's greatest strength.
Kiyohara opened his eyes. His Sharingan had already faded back to ordinary black.
"You praise me too much, Minato-sama. If you all hadn't been holding back the tailed beasts and wearing down the Third Mizukage first, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly for me."
"No need to be modest."
Minato shook his head.
"This is honor you earned."
On the other side of the tent, Rasa stood with his arms folded, watching the scene.
That boy had grown stronger again.
And this time, he had defeated the Third Mizukage without even relying on the Magnet Release he was best known for.
Rasa recalled the earlier time Kiyohara had used Magnet Release to oppose him.
Back then, Kiyohara had been brilliant, but still within the realm of something understandable.
Now…
At the moment, Sunagakure and Konoha were allies. But after the war ended?
What would a genius with such terrifying growth speed become for Sunagakure—a blessing, or a disaster?
…
At the Graveyard of the Mountains.
Madara Uchiha learned of the Third Mizukage's death the very moment it happened.
Soon after, White Zetsu, who had been hiding there watching the battle, brought back the full report.
"He even developed… Storm Release…"
Madara opened his eyes and stared into the darkness of the cave.
That, at least, was something he had not expected.
At this rate, it seemed Kiyohara might possess truly exceptional talent when it came to bloodline limits.
Far beyond anything Obito Uchiha could compare to.
At the moment, Obito's greatest advantage was that his Mangekyō Sharingan technique was extremely powerful.
Madara found himself wondering what kind of Mangekyō technique Kiyohara would awaken.
If Kiyohara's Mangekyō ability turned out to be equally outstanding, then Madara really would have to think seriously about whether he had misjudged things back then.
…
Several days later.
Kiyohara led the Konoha forces back to the coastal camp in the Land of Rivers.
The camp atmosphere was lively.
News that the Third Mizukage had been killed had already spread, and the Konoha shinobi looked at Kiyohara with eyes full of awe and admiration.
Kiyohara first went to the medical tents to confirm that the wounded had been settled properly, then headed to Tsunade's tent.
Tsunade was holding two jugs of alcohol. She had clearly already been drinking, and her cheeks were flushed, while her golden-brown eyes glistened in the dim light.
"Sensei."
Kiyohara greeted her and sat down.
"Well done, brat."
Tsunade said.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without you, Sensei."
Kiyohara replied.
Hearing that, Tsunade smiled in satisfaction.
Then she told Kiyohara to drink with her.
Naturally, he refused.
"You're no fun."
Tsunade pouted and had to keep drinking by herself.
Before long, she had downed another full flask in huge gulps.
Kiyohara felt like she was basically drinking water.
"Oh, right, Sensei. How much longer are we supposed to stay stationed here?"
Kiyohara asked.
If Kirigakure reduced its attacks on Sunagakure after this, then there'd be no need to keep so many ninja here.
"No idea. We'll see."
Tsunade shook her head.
That would depend entirely on what Kirigakure decided to do next.
"You killed the Third Mizukage. They probably won't be able to keep dragging this out much longer."
Tsunade said.
"That's what I was thinking too."
Kiyohara agreed.
"Sensei, are you still trying to treat your hemophobia?"
Kiyohara had previously seen her trying to confront it directly.
"I am."
Tsunade frowned as soon as he asked.
Unfortunately, the results had been minimal.
Seeing that, Kiyohara suggested trying more psychological therapy, perhaps even developing a kind of medical ninjutsu that targeted the mind itself.
"Brat, what kind of medical ninjutsu would that even be?"
Tsunade laughed at the idea.
If something like that existed, she would have tried it herself long ago.
"Then have you ever tried combining it with genjutsu?" Kiyohara asked.
"Genjutsu?"
"Exactly. Genjutsu would make psychological treatment much easier."
Kiyohara said.
Genjutsu could make the target speak the thoughts buried deep in their subconscious. It could also make the target feel as though they were truly experiencing certain situations.
Hearing that, Tsunade felt there was some logic to it.
"That's an interesting idea. It really might be worth trying."
After thinking it over carefully, Tsunade answered him.
The two of them continued discussing related ideas for a while.
As the night deepened, Tsunade drank several more flasks.
"Pour me another drink!"
she slurred.
The smell of alcohol mixed with the faint herbal scent unique to her and came washing toward him.
Kiyohara looked up.
"Sensei, you're drunk."
"I'm not drunk!"
Tsunade shot back, though her body swayed slightly despite herself.
"You're the one… you're the one who's drunk!"
"I haven't had a drop."
"Then… then why is your face red?"
Tsunade bent down and leaned close to his face, her warm breath brushing against his skin.
Only then did Kiyohara realize just how close they had become. Close enough to clearly make out the curve of her eyelashes.
Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol like peach blossoms in early spring. In her eyes, the dim light of the tent flickered, along with the reflection of his own face.
Those eyes, usually so forceful, were now hazy with an unusual softness.
"That's just your imagination, Sensei."
Kiyohara looked away and tried to stand.
But Tsunade's body suddenly gave way, and she pitched forward.
Instinctively, Kiyohara reached out and caught her by the waist. The moment his hand touched her, he felt the firm curve of her waist beneath the layer of her shinobi vest.
"I told you… I'm not drunk…"
Tsunade mumbled as she nearly collapsed completely into his arms.
The scent of alcohol and her warm body surrounded him.
Kiyohara could feel the soft weight of her chest pressing lightly against his arm, warmth seeping through the fabric between them.
"Sensei, you need to go lie down."
Kiyohara tried to steady her upright.
"Not going…"
Tsunade instead wrapped her arms around his neck, throwing a childish little fit.
"You… you pour me another drink. I'll prove… prove I'm not drunk…"
Kiyohara was momentarily speechless.
He could practically hear what Tsunade was plotting from here.
She just wanted to use being drunk as an excuse to squeeze out a few more drinks.
But seeing her in this rare, completely unguarded state, Kiyohara still found it amusing.
This side of Tsunade wasn't something one got to see very often. Probably only when she was drunk.
"All right, all right. You're not drunk."
He used the tone one might use to soothe a child.
"Let's get you to bed first. You can drink again tomorrow, okay?"
"Hmph!"
Only then did Tsunade loosen her grip. Swaying a little, she turned to go back.
Seeing that, Kiyohara put out the light in the tent and helped her back to her sleeping quarters.
Once they reached her tent, Tsunade lifted the flap and, while walking, undid the fastenings of her shinobi vest. She tossed the outer layer onto the ground, revealing the fitted black shirt beneath it.
Then she flopped straight onto the bed.
The weight of her full curves sank into the mattress, leaving her lying facedown with her back exposed.
Her long blonde hair spilled across the pillow, with a few strands stuck to the sweat-damp side of her neck.
She shifted a little, trying to make herself more comfortable.
The hem of her shirt rode up slightly with the movement, revealing a strip of pale, toned skin at her waist.
"Remember to take your shoes off before sleeping."
Kiyohara reminded her.
"I said I'm not drunk… I can take them off myself…"
Tsunade muttered, but made no move to do so.
Her breathing gradually evened out. She was clearly already in that half-asleep, half-awake state.
Kiyohara sighed and crouched beside the bed.
First he straightened the sandal she had kicked off carelessly, then took hold of her ankle and gently removed the other shoe she was still wearing.
Her foot was smaller than he had expected, with a beautiful arch, pale soles, and rounded toes.
It was hard to imagine that feet like these could unleash the kind of monstrous strength that could shatter mountains.
One Heaven Kick could crack the ground across dozens of meters.
Kiyohara set her shoes aside neatly, then pulled the thin blanket over and draped it over her.
After doing all that, he stood by the bed for a moment, making sure Tsunade was truly asleep, before finally turning to leave.
"Good night, Sensei."
Kiyohara said, then blew out the oil lamp inside the tent.
~~~
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