The pressure wasn't heavy, but it made his whole body stiffen.
"What are you standing there for?"
Kiyohara's voice came from above him.
"Move."
Kiyohara withdrew his hand and turned to walk ahead.
Root hadn't brainwashed Yamato completely—or at least not too deeply. There was still a chance he could be pulled over into the regular Anbu later.
And Kiyohara really was a little interested in his Wood Release.
At the very least, Yamato was the only successful test subject.
The other beings capable of using Wood Release were either monsters like the White Zetsu, or people like Obito, who also carried Uchiha blood.
Only Yamato had obtained Wood Release with an ordinary civilian shinobi background.
Yamato stood frozen where he was.
Kakashi passed by him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Relax. Kiyohara doesn't eat people."
With that, he followed after him as well.
Yamato stayed there for a moment, staring at those two backs as they grew farther away. Then he took a deep breath and quickly chased after them.
…
At midday, Kiyohara sat down beneath a large tree and took out some rations.
Not far away, Kurenai walked over to a small river and crouched down to wash her hands.
The river water was crystal clear, reflecting her figure.
She scooped up a handful of water and splashed it onto her face. Cool droplets slid down her cheeks and dampened the collar of her clothes.
"Kurenai, I'm going to gather some firewood."
Kiyohara withdrew his gaze and started to get up.
Conditions in wartime were rough, so if you needed a fire, you used whatever wood you could gather on the spot.
"Kiyohara-kun."
A voice called out from the side.
Rin Nohara was standing beside him, holding a cloth bag in her hand.
"I'll help."
Kiyohara nodded.
The two of them walked side by side deeper into the forest.
Rin kept her eyes lowered. For some reason, whenever she was alone with Kiyohara, she always felt a little nervous.
As they walked, Kiyohara watched her skin.
"Rin."
"Mm?"
"Your skin looks even better now."
Rin froze for a second, then raised a hand and touched her cheek.
"Does it?"
She smiled, her eyes curving into crescents.
"Then I have Kiyohara-kun to thank for that."
Kiyohara looked at her.
In the sunlight, her skin really did look fairer and smoother than before, with a healthy flush of pink to it.
"So you're only thanking me verbally?"
he asked.
Rin blinked.
"What else does Kiyohara-kun want?"
Kiyohara stopped walking.
Rin stopped too and looked at him in confusion.
Then Kiyohara lowered his head—
and lightly kissed her on the lips.
Rin froze completely.
Her eyes went wide as she stared at the face suddenly right in front of hers.
Then her face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Her cheeks, ears, neck, even the line of her collarbone—all of it flushed as red as a cooked shrimp.
"K-Kiyohara-kun…"
Kiyohara looked at her and smiled faintly.
"What is it?"
"You… you…"
Rin opened her mouth, but couldn't seem to put any words together.
She lowered her head and looked at her own hand.
It was trembling slightly.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest.
And the sensation from that moment just now… still lingered on her lips.
"I… I…"
She stammered for ages without managing a full sentence.
"I don't think you'll mind, Rin."
Kiyohara smiled faintly.
He could tell how Rin felt about him.
After all, he was more handsome and more accomplished than Kakashi—and he'd spent more time by her side too.
"I'm heading on ahead."
Kiyohara quickened his pace and moved in front.
Rin sneaked a glance at his back, then hurried after him as well.
…
At the same time.
Kumogakure's main camp.
Inside the massive command tent, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.
The Fourth Raikage sat at the head of the table, his bare right arm thick with muscle, braced against the table.
His brows were locked together, and his short blond hair stood up like a lion about to explode into violence.
"Dodai."
His voice rolled out like thunder.
Dodai stood and walked over to the map.
"According to the latest intelligence, Konoha reinforcements have already arrived at the front."
He pointed at several red marks on the map.
"Kiyohara, Orochimaru, Minato Namikaze… all of them are active on the battlefield. Over the past three days, we've had a number of shinobi put out of action."
A tense hiss of breath spread through the tent.
Mabui stood up, her young face grim.
"Lord Raikage, if we compare top-tier combat power… we're falling behind Konoha right now."
She paused.
"Even though we still hold an advantage in total shinobi numbers, if we really keep fighting at this pace…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Everyone in the tent already understood.
Silence fell.
Then the Fourth Raikage slowly rose to his feet.
He looked around at every person there.
"Since the Warring States era, countless wars have been fought across this land of the shinobi world."
"Even after the Five Great Nations were formed, three wars still erupted. Who was right and who was wrong, whose deeds were meritorious and whose were blameworthy—even the most seasoned historian of the shinobi world couldn't explain it clearly."
He paused and clenched his fist.
"But no one can deny that it is on blood-soaked battlefields like these that the rise and fall of villages have always been decided—who prospers, who declines, who gains ground, who loses it."
"That's why, since ancient times, people have spoken of competing for supremacy in the shinobi world."
His voice grew louder and louder.
"Back then, the First Raikage personally led Kumogakure's elite to the Land of Lightning's frontier and forged Kumogakure's glory on that very ground."
"At the beginning of the Third Great Ninja War, my father, the Third Raikage, also led tens of thousands of Kumogakure shinobi on these borderlands to face the forces of every major nation."
He slammed his fist onto the table.
"Even against Konoha, we never retreated. We drove them to the edge more than once!"
His face was gloomy, veins standing out.
"I don't understand why everyone here is talking about setbacks—as if this border with the Land of Fire were somehow destined to be unlucky ground for Kumogakure!"
"When this war first began, that surging vitality, that thunderous momentum, that glorious spirit of warriors willing to die without hesitation—it still feels like it was right in front of us!"
His voice echoed through the tent.
"And now, after only a few short years, this place is suddenly supposed to become the graveyard of Kumogakure's shinobi?"
He drew in a deep breath and swept his eyes across everyone again.
"No matter what, at this moment, in terms of combat strength on this field, Kumogakure holds the advantage against Konoha."
The atmosphere in the tent instantly ignited.
"Lord Raikage speaks wisely!"
"We offer ourselves for Kumogakure!"
"We'll die for Lord Raikage!"
Only then did the Fourth Raikage nod in satisfaction.
He had already decided to personally lead a strike team and launch a surprise attack on Konoha, both to probe their troop strength in the region and to hit them hard.
…
On the Land of Fire border, inside the Konoha camp.
A reconnaissance shinobi rushed in, dropped to one knee before Kiyohara, and reported urgently.
"Captain Kiyohara, Kumogakure's forces have launched an attack!"
Kiyohara stood up.
"How many?"
"We don't know yet, but it should be an elite force. They're heading this way fast. Estimated arrival—thirty minutes!"
Kiyohara's eyes swept across the camp.
Tsunade was in the medical tent.
Orochimaru was nowhere to be seen.
Minato was still holding another front.
He drew in a deep breath.
"Assemble everyone."
"Yes!"
The alarm exploded through the camp.
Shinobi burst out of their tents and quickly formed ranks.
Kakashi stood at Kiyohara's side, Yamamaru already unsheathed.
Rin arrived last, still carrying her medical kit.
"Kiyohara-kun!"
Kiyohara looked at her.
"Stay close to me."
Rin nodded.
Kiyohara turned and looked toward the distant forest, where movement was already beginning to stir.
Before long, Kumogakure's shinobi emerged from the trees.
At the front was the Fourth Raikage himself.
Kiyohara was a little surprised. He hadn't expected the Fourth Raikage to lead the attack in person.
Then Kumo's shinobi opened the battle with ninjutsu, and Konoha counterattacked immediately.
The earth shook. Fire erupted into the sky.
The screams, the clashes of weapons, the roar of jutsu—everything blended together, and the entire stronghold exploded into chaos like oil thrown into boiling water.
"Kiyohara!"
Kiyohara had already entered the fight, but after killing just two Kumogakure shinobi, he noticed the Fourth Raikage charging straight toward him.
He turned—
and the Raikage was already there.
The Fourth Raikage's right fist crashed down at him.
Kiyohara shifted aside.
The fist passed right by his face, and the ground where it landed exploded into a crater three meters deep, stone spraying everywhere.
Kiyohara's right leg swept out, kicking straight at the Raikage's side.
The Fourth Raikage raised an arm to block.
Bang.
The impact sent him flying into the air. He twisted midair, landed after a flip, and dropped into a crouch.
"Kid, you've got some strength."
He shook out his numbed arm.
"But that's all!"
He charged in again, both fists crashing out in a storm.
Kiyohara's Sharingan spun rapidly through its three tomoe, reading every movement the Raikage made.
The two of them fought from the center of camp to the edge, cracking the ground, toppling tents, and forcing both Konoha and Kumo shinobi to scatter out of their way.
"Move!"
A sharp female voice rang out from the side.
Tsunade appeared behind the Fourth Raikage.
Her right fist rose high.
Monster Strength.
One punch.
The Fourth Raikage sensed the danger behind him, spun around, and brought up his right elbow to intercept.
Boom!
A shockwave burst outward from the point of impact, slamming the earth downward like a massive hammer. Cracks spread in every direction.
Several shinobi standing too close were blasted off their feet by the force and hurled into the ruins with screams.
The Fourth Raikage was sent flying backward like a cannonball. He rolled several times, then came back to his feet and stared at Tsunade as she slowly lowered her fist.
Tsunade stood where she was, but her breathing was faster than usual.
Sweat ran down her cheeks, dampening her golden hair. A few strands clung to the edge of her forehead.
Her sleeveless top was soaked through, clinging tightly to her curves.
Then the Fourth Raikage noticed something—
Tsunade's eyes were closed.
What was that supposed to mean?
Had she gotten so arrogant she didn't even need to look at him?
For the first time, the Fourth Raikage found himself unsure.
"Sensei, I've got this. Don't push yourself."
Kiyohara said.
Minato and Orochimaru might not be here right now, but Kiyohara alone was already enough.
"How can I just stand here every time and watch my student do all the fighting?"
Tsunade shook her head.
She wanted to overcome her hemophobia, but even now it was hard.
So lately, she had been training ways to fight without relying on her eyes. If she couldn't see the blood, it wouldn't affect her.
"Hmph. So the teacher and student are going to come at me together?"
The Fourth Raikage flexed his aching right elbow.
The bones were fine, but the muscles and tendons had definitely taken damage.
In pure contests of strength, there had only ever been one person he'd lost to before—Killer B.
But B had the Eight-Tails' power behind him.
And yet this woman and Kiyohara…
When it came to raw physical force, the Raikage had the unsettling feeling they might actually be stronger than B.
"Interesting."
Lightning burst around him.
At that exact moment, another huge figure came roaring in from the side.
Killer B.
Dark red tailed-beast chakra wrapped around his whole body, several tails like octopus tentacles swaying behind him, and one of them lashed straight at Kiyohara.
"Bastard~ Don't you dare bully my bro~!"
Kiyohara raised a hand. Wind Release chakra gathered in his palm and instantly formed an invisible long blade.
He swung.
A flash of cutting light.
The incoming tail was severed in midair. Dark red chakra sprayed outward, and the severed tail dropped to the ground, twitching twice before dissolving into pure chakra.
"…Yo~ this little punk~ ain't normal~!"
The Eight-Tails spoke from inside B.
"B, watch it. His Wind Release chakra is crazy sharp."
But B had no time to think.
Because another figure burst toward him.
Kakashi.
His short blade was wrapped in pale purple lightning—Purple Lightning.
Killer B raised his arm to block, tailed-beast chakra thickening around it into a dense shield.
The two of them clashed immediately, blade and tailed-beast chakra colliding again and again.
Killer B fought with seven swords.
Kakashi used only one.
But Kakashi's blade was faster, streaking with arcs of lightning.
"So this is the White Fang's son~!"
Killer B frowned. He had always heard that Kakashi had abandoned swordsmanship.
And yet somehow, he had picked it back up—and with frightening power too.
Kiyohara glanced at Kakashi and Killer B's fight.
At the moment, the two of them were still only testing each other with swordsmanship.
Killer B was the pure definition of Kumogakure-style kenjutsu, excelling at controlling seven blades at once.
But Kakashi was clearly more skilled in the finer points of swordsmanship and lightning techniques, and with the Sharingan assisting him, the two of them had actually fallen into an even match.
As expected of Kakashi—the man who could go fifty-fifty with anyone.
Still, Kiyohara knew that if Killer B started drawing more deeply on the tailed beast's power, Kakashi would only have one outcome left.
So Kiyohara moved to support Kakashi.
Tsunade wasn't idle either. Even with her eyes closed, she sensed the Fourth Raikage closing in and threw another punch.
…
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Rin was locked in combat with several Kumogakure shinobi.
Her hands flashed through seals as chakra surged.
"Water Release: Water Tornado!"
A massive water tornado rose up from the ground and roared toward her enemies.
The water spun so quickly it became like a storm of blades.
Three Kumogakure shinobi didn't even have time to dodge before they were caught in it.
Their screams were brief, quickly swallowed by the roar of the water.
Rin stood where she was, maintaining the tornado with steady breathing.
Not far away, Kurenai formed seals.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A violent gale burst from her mouth and tore toward the enemy.
It moved so quickly that rocks on the ground were swept up with it, forming a small cyclone.
Several Kumogakure shinobi were caught and hurled screaming through the air.
Kurenai didn't stop.
She drew in a breath, her lips parting.
"Genjutsu: Sound Bind!"
The sound wasn't loud, but it pierced straight into the ears of several Kumogakure shinobi.
Their movements all froze at once. Their eyes lost focus, and their expressions locked up like statues.
Kurenai blurred forward and was suddenly right in front of them.
Red Moon swept out, and a spray of blood bloomed into the air.
The scarlet eye on the guard of the blade turned faintly, as though pleased by its owner's killing.
Kurenai sheathed the blade and stood among the bodies, breathing hard.
…
On another part of the field, after a brief exchange with Tsunade, the Fourth Raikage decided not to waste time fighting her further.
This attack had already told him what he needed to know about Konoha's forces in the region and how quickly they could respond.
Now all he wanted was to see if he could kill a prodigy like Kiyohara.
Tsunade had already been famous for many years. In his view, she no longer had much room left to grow.
But a genius like Kiyohara? No one could say how terrifying he might become in the future.
Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
A cloak of blue lightning wrapped around his entire body, his hair standing on end, the outlines of his muscles even sharper beneath the crackling light.
"Brat!"
With a roar, the Fourth Raikage was suddenly in front of Kiyohara.
His body leapt high into the air. High-density lightning chakra concentrated in his right hand, and he came diving down like a meteor, his hand turning into a blade as he slashed straight at Kiyohara's head.
Lateral Bolt of Pain!
This was the same technique that had once sliced off the Eight-Tails' left horn.
Kiyohara lifted his head.
The three tomoe in his crimson Sharingan spun rapidly.
Then he raised his right hand.
His palm caught the Raikage's hand blade dead in place.
Boom!
A violent shockwave exploded outward from the two of them, kicking up dirt and dust.
Steel Release.
Earth Release: Earth Spear.
The Fourth Raikage's eyes went wide.
His attack—the one that had cut through the Eight-Tails' horn—had been stopped by a single hand.
Lightning sparked wildly where his blade met Kiyohara's blackened palm, but it couldn't cut in even the slightest.
"Impossible…"
The Fourth Raikage frowned.
That strike could sever the Eight-Tails' horn.
How could a human hand catch it?
Even hardening-type jutsu weren't supposed to be tougher than a tailed beast.
Kiyohara took advantage of the Raikage's brief shock and immediately countered with a punch.
Bang!
The Fourth Raikage skidded backward, both feet carving long trenches into the ground.
He dropped to one knee, breathing hard.
He could already tell several ribs had broken.
He reached down, forcibly shoved them back into place, and then relied on the enhanced recovery granted by his heightened cell activity to begin healing himself.
He's tougher than I expected.
Kiyohara thought.
Then he decided to open the Seventh Gate and try out the technique he had developed in actual combat.
In the next instant, his entire body changed.
Blue steam burst from every pore of his body.
Eight Gates—Seventh Gate: Open!
His clothes snapped wildly in the blue steam.
In the distance, a green figure suddenly stopped dead in place.
Might Guy stood frozen, eyes wide, staring at the figure wrapped in blue steam.
"If Kiyohara's burning with this much intensity, how can my youth stand still?!"
He bent low, hands braced against the ground.
Chakra burst outward from his entire body.
"Seventh Gate: Open!"
Might Guy opened the Seventh Gate as well. Blue steam twisted around him.
His skin began to redden, veins spreading across him, and the sweat that came out of his body evaporated the moment it appeared.
"Burn, my youth!"
Overflowing with hot-blooded fervor, Might Guy charged into battle. To the Kumogakure shinobi, he looked like a beast.
…
"Konoha really is a place where monsters keep appearing."
The Fourth Raikage leapt high into the air again, raising one leg before bringing it down like a battle-axe straight toward Kiyohara.
Guillotine Drop!
Kiyohara looked up.
He watched the descending figure and formed a strange hand seal.
Then he threw a punch.
Eight Gods Air Strike.
Countless flaming fists roared outward from Kiyohara's own punch.
They dragged long tails of fire behind them, rushing toward the Fourth Raikage like a meteor shower.
"Big Bro!"
Locked in battle with Kakashi, Killer B no longer had the luxury of holding back. Dark red chakra flooded over his body, six tails whipping behind him, and in the next instant he transformed into a giant crimson beast.
Complete tailed-beast transformation.
The enormous body of the Eight-Tails threw itself in front of the Fourth Raikage, taking the barrage of flaming fists head-on.
~~~
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