In the future, a grown-up Koyuki Kazahana would end up much like Kurenai—very much the mature older-sister type—though Koyuki's temperament would be colder and more aloof.
In the original story, she fled the Land of Snow and had no choice but to live under a false name as an actress, eventually becoming one of the most famous actresses in the Land of Fire.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura all went to see one of her films.
"She's still little?"
Kurenai raised a brow.
"I think you're pretty good to her. Not exactly how you treat a child."
Kiyohara turned to look at her.
"Jealous?"
"W-who's jealous?!"
Kurenai turned her face away and quickened her pace.
Seeing that, Kiyohara smiled faintly.
…
Outside the city, Kiyohara took out that lump of white clay again.
He poured chakra into it, and the clay swelled and changed shape.
A moment later, the giant white dragon appeared in the open space once more.
This time, Kiyohara had expanded the little clay house on the dragon's back.
"Let's go."
Kiyohara jumped onto the dragon first.
Kurenai followed right behind him, then Shizune, and finally Tsunade.
The giant dragon slowly rose into the air and flew toward Konoha.
On the ground below, the palace of the Land of Snow grew smaller and smaller until it vanished beneath the clouds.
Inside the little wooden house, Kurenai sat by the window, watching that pure white world gradually recede into the distance.
…
A few days later, Kiyohara and the others returned to Konoha and went to the Hokage Tower to hand in the mission.
"With Kiyohara's technique, going out on missions really does feel more like traveling."
Kurenai said with a sigh.
In the past, a long-distance mission like this would have meant nothing but endless marching.
Sometimes, after walking too far, Kurenai would even get blisters on her feet.
But now, none of that needed to be considered anymore.
"It really is convenient."
Shizune nodded in wholehearted agreement.
A few years ago, when she traveled all over the ninja world with Tsunade, all they had to rely on was their own two feet.
The shinobi world did have carriages and even some modern means of transport, but any money Tsunade saved always ended up going to sake or gambling.
"Ninjutsu changes lives."
Kiyohara said.
At the fork in the road, the group prepared to split up, since Kurenai wasn't headed the same way from there.
Kiyohara leaned close to her ear and left her with a quiet, "Wait for me tonight," before heading off with Tsunade and the others.
"What were you whispering to Kurenai about?"
Tsunade asked curiously.
She had to admit, this disciple of hers really did have one line after another for charming girls.
"I said we should talk later about some yin-yang style techniques."
Kiyohara answered.
After all, Yin-Yang Release was, in legend, the art of creating life itself.
Though Kiyohara did know a low-grade version of it already—something all living things carried by instinct.
"Sounds useful."
Tsunade nodded, completely missing the double meaning in his words.
…
That night, at the Yūhi house.
When the front door opened, Kurenai was sitting in the living room, lost in thought.
Then, hearing a knock, she hurried over to answer it.
But when she opened the door, the one standing outside wasn't Kiyohara.
It was her father, Yūhi Shinku.
He was still wearing his dust-covered flak jacket, and his face showed clear exhaustion.
"Father?"
"How come you came back early?"
"The mission wrapped up smoothly, so I got back sooner."
Yūhi Shinku took off his flak jacket and hung it on the rack by the entrance.
He walked into the living room, sat down by the low table, and let out a long breath.
"This trip to the Land of Grass really wore me out."
Kurenai poured him a cup of hot tea and sat down across from him.
He took it, drank a sip, and then looked at his daughter.
"Kurenai, you seem… especially happy today."
Kurenai froze.
"Do I…?"
"You do."
Yūhi Shinku nodded.
"You've had a smile on your face the whole time. You've been trying to hide it, but you can't fool me."
A faint blush appeared on Kurenai's face.
"It's… it's nothing. I just got back from the Land of Snow, and I'm a little tired. But the scenery there was beautiful…"
He watched her, one brow lifting slightly.
There was something off about his daughter's expression.
But he was far too tired to think much of it.
After finishing his tea, he stood up.
"I'm going to rest. You should get some sleep too."
"Alright."
Kurenai nodded.
After watching her father head into the bath, she sat back down by the table and picked up her now-cold tea.
A small sense of disappointment rose in her chest.
That meant Kiyohara couldn't come.
She pressed her lips together, pushed down the feeling, and stood to put away the tea cups.
…
Late that night.
Kurenai lay on her bedding, staring at the ceiling.
The room was quiet, with only the occasional chirp of insects outside the window.
She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow.
Kiyohara's face rose in her mind again.
"Idiot…"
she muttered softly.
The moment the words left her lips, she suddenly saw Kiyohara standing in the room.
A hand landed on her hip with a light smack.
Slap.
It wasn't loud, but Kurenai's whole body instantly stiffened.
The force wasn't heavy, but the touch sent a warm sensation through the thin fabric of her sleep pants.
Kurenai jumped in shock.
Her eyes went wide, and she turned her head.
Then she pointed toward the room next door.
"My father… my father's here…"
"I know."
Kiyohara smiled faintly.
Nothing like that escaped his perception.
In the next moment, the scenery around them began to twist.
Kurenai's vision blurred. When it cleared, she was lying in another room.
Familiar furniture. Familiar bedding. A familiar scent.
Kiyohara's room.
"Th-this is…"
Before she could finish, Kiyohara had already pulled her under the covers.
"Wh-what are you doing…"
Kurenai's voice wavered.
Kiyohara didn't answer.
He simply raised his hand and, with practiced ease, loosened the strap on her shoulder.
The fabric slipped away.
Moonlight shone in from the window, falling across her pale skin.
A slender waist, and below that, the sudden sweep of her hips, full and rounded.
Before long, Kiyohara had drawn Kurenai fully into the blankets with him.
There was nothing between his hands and her skin now.
Feeling his gaze on her, Kurenai's face grew redder and redder.
"D-don't look…"
she said softly.
"Alright, I won't."
Kiyohara decided that if he wasn't going to look, then he'd just have to use other means instead.
…
No one knew how much time passed.
Outside, the moon slowly sank westward.
Kurenai lay in Kiyohara's arms, breathing hard.
Her forehead was damp with sweat, several strands of long hair sticking to her cheeks. Fine beads of sweat covered her pale skin, glowing faintly in the moonlight.
Her breathing gradually steadied, but the blush remained on her face and neck.
"I can't anymore…"
Her voice was hoarse, full of exhaustion.
"You can."
Kiyohara nodded, finally letting her rest.
Under his guidance, Kurenai had exchanged a few yin-yang style techniques with him.
His physique was now absurdly strong, and it made Kiyohara wonder if maybe Kurenai should train more in taijutsu.
Otherwise, maybe she really wouldn't be able to handle it.
Maybe I should teach Kurenai some Gentle Fist.
That thought crossed his mind.
The Gentle Fist also included methods for increasing flexibility. It could strengthen the body and expand the range of possible movements too.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Kiyohara decided he'd start teaching Kurenai the basics of Gentle Fist in a few days—not for fighting, just for health and conditioning.
…
A few more days passed.
At Training Ground Three, after finishing a lesson with Kurenai, Kiyohara stood in a clearing in the woods, practicing the Uchiha Flame Formation.
A crimson barrier rose from the ground and enclosed him.
Flames flowed over its surface, and the air shimmered from the heat.
"Kiyohara."
A voice came from the trees.
Kiyohara turned.
Uchiha Shisui was walking out of the woods.
He was wearing a green flak jacket today, with a sword strapped to his back.
"Shisui?"
Kiyohara dispersed the barrier and walked over.
"What brings you here today?"
Shisui stopped in front of him and looked up.
Kiyohara was more than half a head taller, so Shisui had to tilt his head slightly to meet his eyes.
"Kiyohara."
Shisui said.
"There's something I've been wanting to ask you."
"What is it?"
Shisui fell silent for a moment.
"Have you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
After hesitating a bit, he finally asked the question.
Kiyohara's brow shifted slightly.
"No."
he said.
He was still just a tiny step away from awakening the Mangekyō. With the right burst of emotional pain or shock, he could probably open it immediately.
But Kiyohara didn't want to awaken it through suffering. He'd rather let the ocular power build naturally until it happened on its own.
His case was special, after all. He could continue stacking mental energy indefinitely.
Shisui watched him, as if trying to judge whether he was telling the truth.
After a long pause, he let out a sigh.
"I've never beaten you. Not once."
"Later, I trained desperately. I mastered the Body Flicker. I mastered all kinds of Fire Release."
"But every time I see you, it feels like you've become stronger again."
He looked straight at Kiyohara.
"Kiyohara, are you really sure you haven't awakened the Mangekyō?"
In Shisui's mind, the only explanation for Kiyohara's level of strength was that he must have awakened it.
"No."
Kiyohara answered honestly.
No meant no.
"I've just trained a little harder than most people."
Kiyohara rubbed his chin.
"I see…"
Shisui nodded at last, though inwardly he couldn't help thinking: if Kiyohara ever did awaken the Mangekyō, how strong would he become then?
"Then have you awakened it?"
Kiyohara asked in return.
"I have."
Shisui nodded.
So far, he hadn't told anyone except Kiyohara.
In his eyes, Kiyohara was already stronger than him, so there was no real need to hide it.
Kiyohara acted properly surprised and said he couldn't believe Shisui had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Shisui waved it off.
"The Mangekyō is really a double-edged sword. The strain it puts on the body is huge."
He looked at Kiyohara.
"I came today because I wanted to spar with you. I want to see just how wide the gap between us really is."
Kiyohara didn't refuse.
He wanted to see for himself how strong Shisui's Mangekyō actually was.
"Alright."
The two of them took up positions in the clearing, fifty meters apart.
"Begin."
The instant the words fell, Shisui drew his sword and his eyes turned crimson.
Three tomoe spun slowly.
His figure vanished from sight.
In the next instant, he was right in front of Kiyohara.
Uchiha Style: Swordsmanship.
Kiyohara turned aside and avoided the strike.
At the same time, his left fist shot toward Shisui's waist.
Shisui's body flickered and split into three afterimages.
Mirage Body Flicker Technique.
The three afterimages arced in midair and attacked from three directions at once.
Kiyohara closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his own Sharingan was active.
He raised a hand and punched at the afterimage on the right.
Bang!
Shisui was knocked backward. He used a shadow clone to catch himself before he slammed into the tree behind him.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Once he stabilized, Shisui formed seals and expelled a huge fireball.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
Kiyohara's fireball was even larger and overwhelmed Shisui's completely.
So this is the difference in chakra reserves?
Shisui thought to himself, then drew a deep breath.
"Kiyohara, this time I'm going serious."
As the words left his mouth, his eyes changed.
The three tomoe rotated, drew closer, and finally merged into an unfamiliar pattern.
The Mangekyō Sharingan.
With the Mangekyō active, every aspect of Shisui's ability rose dramatically—ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu alike.
Uchiha Style: Halo Dance.
He unleashed three flaming slashes in quick succession.
Kiyohara's arm turned black, and he smashed the flaming slashes apart with his bare hand.
In the next instant, Shisui cast a genjutsu on him.
Mangekyō Sharingan: Genjutsu.
Invisible Yin Release chakra directly invaded Kiyohara's body.
But Kiyohara's vast mental energy already contained an enormous amount of Yin Release chakra and naturally resisted that kind of interference.
The result was that Shisui's genjutsu entered him and vanished like a stone dropped into the sea, failing even to shake him.
Shisui's eyes tightened.
A three-tomoe Sharingan blocking a Mangekyō genjutsu?
But Kiyohara gave Shisui no time to think. He formed seals and used Water Release: Twin Dragon Tempest Kill.
After leaving the Land of Snow, what had once been an icy blizzard technique had turned into twin water tornado dragons that rushed toward Shisui.
Shisui's heart tightened. Green ribs suddenly appeared around him.
The ribcage grew larger and larger, then formed into a half-body skeletal giant.
Susanoo.
"Kiyohara, be careful. This is my Susanoo!"
He threw a punch.
A huge green arm crashed down toward Kiyohara with terrifying force.
The air exploded as it came down.
Kiyohara lifted his head.
He looked at the huge green skeleton and smiled faintly.
"So this is Susanoo…"
He wanted to test the hardness of what was known as the Third Power.
He raised his right fist.
Monster Strength.
One punch.
Their fists collided.
Boom!
The shockwave exploded outward from the two of them, splitting the ground, blasting gravel into the air, and tearing trees up by the roots.
Shisui stared in shock.
He watched a crack appear in the skeletal fist of his Susanoo.
The crack spread rapidly—from the fist to the arm, from the arm to the shoulder, from the shoulder to the chest…
Crack.
The skeleton exploded apart.
Shisui staggered backward and looked up at Kiyohara.
Kiyohara stood where he was, slowly lowering his fist.
"So that's Susanoo?"
Kiyohara said.
Then he added,
"Not bad."
Shisui opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
One punch shattered Susanoo…
And that only counted as "not bad"?
He let out a bitter laugh.
He could feel that his Susanoo was still capable of further evolution, and that its defense would only continue to improve.
But the more it evolved, the greater the burden it would place on his body.
Under normal circumstances, he would never use Susanoo unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Kiyohara, I give up."
He knew that without using Kotoamatsukami, he couldn't beat someone like Kiyohara, who possessed multiple kekkei genkai, overwhelming chakra reserves, and a ninjutsu system far beyond that of ordinary shinobi.
At the moment, every cell in his body ached, because Susanoo drew its chakra directly from the body's cells.
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
He could see exactly what the problem was.
Using Susanoo through the Mangekyō placed an enormous burden on the body. It required repeated practice to control it well.
And only the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could use Susanoo without limit.
Otherwise, every use brought the user one step closer to blindness.
"You don't use Susanoo often, do you?"
Shisui nodded.
"No. I'm still not very proficient with it. I can only maintain the first form."
Kiyohara walked over and held out a hand.
Shisui took it and stood up.
"Kiyohara, are you absolutely sure you don't have the Mangekyō?"
Kiyohara looked at him.
"I don't."
Shisui was quiet for a moment.
"Then why is your ocular power… so strong?"
"Strong ocular power doesn't automatically mean Mangekyō."
Kiyohara said.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan can be strong too."
Shisui froze.
He remembered Kiyohara's eyes—the ocular power in them had far surpassed any normal three-tomoe Sharingan.
Could it really… still just be a three-tomoe Sharingan?
But how could a three-tomoe Sharingan possibly reach that level?
"What's your Mangekyō ability?"
Kiyohara asked directly.
It was an extremely private question, but Kiyohara wanted to see where he stood in Shisui's mind.
"Kotoamatsukami."
Shisui answered without hiding it.
"My eye technique, Kotoamatsukami, lets me manipulate a target's thoughts and actions without them realizing anything has happened."
He went on to explain.
Ordinary Sharingan genjutsu generally required some degree of eye contact before chakra could be poured into the target.
But the Mangekyō Sharingan could skip that process.
As long as it could see the target's eyes, even without direct eye contact, it could still inject chakra into the other person's body.
"In other words, the enemy falls under the genjutsu without even realizing anything happened."
"More or less."
Shisui nodded.
"But the strain it puts on my eyes is enormous. I can't use it casually."
He looked at Kiyohara.
He had a feeling that if he used it now, he might not be able to use it again for more than ten years.
"I see. I won't tell anyone. But you shouldn't be going around telling people either."
Kiyohara said.
So Shisui's impression of him was pretty good after all—good enough that he had told him about Kotoamatsukami.
…
As Kiyohara and Shisui were heading back together, a message from the Hokage Tower suddenly reached them.
The shinobi who came to deliver it reported that Kumogakure had made a move and Konoha needed to dispatch a group of shinobi immediately.
"Understood."
Kiyohara nodded, then set off with Shisui at once.
After thinking it over, I decided to update after all.
~~~
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