Kiyohara was the current Hokage, and Shisui believed that he should obey Kiyohara's orders first and foremost.
"Right."
Kiyohara looked at Uchiha Shisui.
He asked Shisui to come with him.
Though Shisui was puzzled, he still followed Kiyohara.
Soon, the two arrived at Training Ground Three.
"Shisui, use genjutsu on me."
Uchiha Shisui froze for a moment.
"I recently developed a technique. I need you to use genjutsu on me to test it," Kiyohara explained.
"I understand."
Shisui understood the reason.
Kiyohara knew many techniques, and he also developed all kinds of new ones.
Shisui closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his eyes had turned into crimson Sharingan.
Three tomoe slowly rotated around his pupils. Eye power spread from his sockets, and invisible Yin Release chakra dispersed through the air.
"Kiyohara-kun, I'm starting."
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
"Go ahead."
Shisui took a deep breath.
Invisible ocular power surged from his eyes, turning into an unseen wave that swept toward Kiyohara.
A three-tomoe Sharingan genjutsu was enough to make most jōnin lose consciousness in an instant and fall into the illusion he wove.
But the moment that eye power approached Kiyohara, it was as if it had struck an invisible wall.
Kiyohara stood where he was, completely motionless.
His expression did not change at all. He didn't even frown.
Shisui's pupils contracted slightly.
Only then did he realize that Kiyohara's body had, at some point, become covered in a layer of purple-black mist.
The mist was very thin, flowing slowly over the surface of his skin, faintly forming a layer of armor.
And the moment Shisui's three-tomoe genjutsu touched that mist, it was directly repelled.
"Continue."
Kiyohara realized that a three-tomoe Sharingan genjutsu could be blocked very easily.
Hearing that, the three tomoe in Shisui's eyes began spinning faster.
The tails of the three tomoe connected, sketching a brand-new pattern around his pupils.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
His eye power was several times stronger than before.
A Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu was powerful enough to throw even a tailed beast into a brief daze.
But the result was no different.
The instant that ocular power struck the purple-black mist, it was still repelled.
Shisui stood there, breathing heavily.
Using the Mangekyō Sharingan placed no small burden on his body.
But right now, he had no attention to spare for that.
He simply looked at Kiyohara, at the purple-black mist slowly flowing around him, at that layer of "armor" that could so easily repel even Mangekyō genjutsu.
"This technique can actually block my genjutsu…"
Shisui was visibly shocked.
"What is this technique called?"
Kiyohara raised his hand and looked down at the purple-black mist covering his palm.
"Yin Release Chakra Mode," Kiyohara said calmly.
"Using a special Yin Release chakra to cover the whole body, forming a layer of chakra armor. It can greatly enhance perception, strengthen ocular power, and at the same time…"
He paused, then lowered his hand.
"Resist genjutsu."
Shisui opened his mouth.
Resist genjutsu…
Even Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu could be resisted?
"This… you developed this recently?"
Kiyohara nodded.
"More or less."
Shisui was silent for a long time.
Then he gave a bitter smile.
"Kiyohara… you really are a genius."
Kiyohara looked at him and shook his head.
"It's just a technique. Spend enough time researching it, and anyone can do it."
Shisui did not respond.
He knew that wasn't true.
Spend enough time and anyone can do it—if someone else said that, it might be humility. But coming from Kiyohara, it was simply a fact.
"Shisui."
Kiyohara's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Shisui raised his head.
"Your Mangekyō genjutsu is very powerful. It's just that this technique of mine happens to counter genjutsu."
"I understand."
Shisui nodded.
After that, Kiyohara had Shisui cast several more genjutsu one after another, and he blocked them all.
However, Kiyohara did not test Kotoamatsukami.
He planned to refine the technique further first. There was no need to take unnecessary risks.
At the same time, Kiyohara wanted to turn this technique into an "automatic defense."
Just like the chakra armor from the Land of Snow, which would often defend automatically before the user even reacted.
If he could achieve that, Kiyohara would no longer fear any surprise genjutsu attack.
...…
After leaving Training Ground Three, Kiyohara first went to Konoha's streets. At a small shop that sold dango, he bought two boxes of three-color dumplings. Then he went to the sweets shop next door and picked out several snacks Nohara Rin usually liked, packing them in a paper bag.
"Rin."
Kiyohara returned to Rin's home.
The living room lights were on, and half a cup of cold tea sat on the low table.
Rin was curled up in the corner of the sofa, her legs folded, knees pressed to her chest.
She was still wearing the pale pink bathrobe from the morning, though the sash had loosened and the collar was slightly open, revealing a fair stretch of collarbone.
Her hair fell messily over her shoulders, several strands hanging beside her cheeks, the ends still damp. She had clearly just bathed.
Her face was buried against her knees, leaving only a small part of her forehead and the loose strands of hair visible.
When Kiyohara walked over, there was still a hint of resentment in Rin's eyes.
"Kiyohara-kun, why did you leave by yourself?"
"I went to attend Sasuke's birth banquet, then bought a few things."
Kiyohara said.
"Oh."
When Rin heard that, the face that still carried a lingering blush seemed to show a little grievance.
"It's just… I felt a little uncomfortable…"
She said softly.
Kiyohara's brow moved slightly.
"Where?"
"What do you think?"
Rin bit her lower lip.
Hearing that, Kiyohara immediately understood.
Because Rin's endurance was stronger than Kurenai's, Kiyohara had gotten somewhat carried away.
After all, Kiyohara's current body was strong enough to fight a tailed beast in close combat.
If he really let loose, he could easily hurt Rin badly.
Kiyohara immediately took Rin's hand.
A stream of Yang Release chakra flowed from his palm and seeped into her wrist.
The warm chakra spread through her chakra pathway system, flowing through her forearm, passing through her shoulder, then slowly dispersing around her lower abdomen and waist.
Rin's body gradually relaxed.
The tension faded from her shoulders, and her curled legs slowly loosened.
"Mm…"
She let out a soft hum, her voice much softer than before.
Kiyohara released her wrist.
"Better?"
Rin nodded, but she did not raise her head.
Kiyohara placed a hand on her head and gently rubbed it.
"If you feel uncomfortable next time, tell me. You don't need to endure it."
Rin's eyelashes trembled.
She slowly raised her head and met his eyes.
In those brown eyes, the warm yellow light of the living room was reflected, along with his face.
"Kiyohara-kun…"
"Mm?"
"Are you… still leaving?"
Kiyohara looked at her.
"I'm not leaving."
Kiyohara said.
"I'll stay with you tonight."
Only then did Rin smile.
'Mm. If I don't go back tonight, Tsunade probably won't say anything.'
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
"By the way, tomorrow is Obito's memorial day. Are you going to visit?"
Rin asked.
"His memorial day…"
Kiyohara thought about it, then shook his head.
He had no reason to go.
But Kiyohara did feel that Obito might come to Konoha, so he planned to have the Anbu strengthen patrols.
...…
The next day.
Uchiha Obito stood before a gravestone.
It was his grandmother's grave.
Because his parents had died very early, Obito had basically been raised by his grandmother alone.
Just as Obito was about to leave, he suddenly heard voices.
"Kakashi, you came to see Obito again?"
A woman's voice sounded.
Obito quickly concealed himself.
"Mm. I come every month."
Kakashi replied.
"If that guy Obito knew I was still coming to see him now, he'd probably be so smug his nose would point to the sky."
Kakashi's voice was calm.
Several meters away from him stood Nohara Rin.
Today was Obito's memorial day, and both Kakashi and Rin had come.
She crouched down and placed a bouquet of flowers in front of Obito's grave.
"Obito, I came to see you."
"Have you been doing well lately? I guess you should be, since you don't have to be as busy as we are."
She paused, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.
"Kiyohara-kun became Hokage. Did you know?"
Kakashi leaned against a withered tree with his arms crossed, listening to her speak.
"And also, Kiyohara-kun made me deputy director of Konoha Hospital."
There was a hint of laughter in Rin's voice.
"At first, I thought I must have heard wrong. Such an important position—how could it possibly fall to me? But Kiyohara-kun said he trusted me."
She adjusted the bouquet, her fingers lightly brushing over the petals.
"So I'll work hard. I can't embarrass Kiyohara-kun."
Kakashi looked at her, his exposed eye narrowing slightly as if he were smiling, then said:
"You and Kiyohara have been pretty close lately."
Kakashi always felt that Rin's every movement now carried a bit more womanly grace than before.
Like a flower nourished by rain, growing more vibrant.
"H-have we?"
"Yes."
Kakashi nodded.
"That's because… Kiyohara-kun has helped me a lot…"
She lowered her head.
Seeing that, Kakashi understood a few things.
As for Rin being with Kiyohara, Kakashi felt very reassured.
It was just that Kakashi had also noticed that there seemed to be more than one woman close to Kiyohara.
He thought about it for a moment, then stopped dwelling on it. With his hands in his pockets, he looked at Obito's grave.
"Obito, didn't you always say back then that you wanted to protect Rin? With Kiyohara here now, you can rest easy."
Hidden in the shadows, Obito slowly clenched his hand.
Rage.
Jealousy.
Unwillingness.
Those emotions churned in his chest like magma.
Obito took a deep breath and forced those surging emotions down.
Before long, Rin left first, leaving Kakashi alone.
"Right, Kushina's due date is getting close."
"She'll probably have a very cute child."
Kakashi continued speaking to himself in front of Obito's grave.
Obito stood in the tree shadows, listening to those words.
He closed his eyes, and a plan formed in his mind.
The next second, Obito silently disappeared from the cemetery.
...
Root base.
Shimura Danzō sat in a broad chair, the restraints on his right arm resting on the armrest.
His single eye narrowed slightly as he studied Shinnō, who stood in the room.
"Orochimaru said you could help us," Danzō said.
"That depends on what you want."
Shinnō looked at Shimura Danzō.
"Strength."
Danzō straightened.
"A method to let Root ninja increase their strength in a short period of time."
Shinnō's gaze lingered on him for a moment.
"Orochimaru should have told you that I have that ability."
"He did."
Danzō nodded.
"But I need to confirm it with my own eyes."
He raised a hand and waved lightly.
Two figures emerged from the shadows.
They were Shigaraki Tanuki and Aburame Tatsuma.
Aburame Tatsuma's black cloak covered most of his face, revealing only the lower half beneath his sunglasses. The purple markings on the right side of his face were faintly visible under the light.
"Test him."
Danzō said flatly.
Shigaraki Tanuki tilted his head and rolled his shoulders.
"Danzō-sama, what if we kill him…"
"You won't."
Shimura Danzō cut him off.
"Begin."
The instant his words fell, Aburame Tatsuma moved.
He raised his hand, and black streams poured out from his sleeve, spreading rapidly through the air.
Parasitic destruction insects.
The insects were densely packed, producing a faint buzzing. In the blink of an eye, they had covered half the room.
Shigaraki Tanuki took a deep breath, his chest swelling high.
"Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel!"
A violent wind burst from his mouth, carrying the insects as it surged toward Shinnō.
The wind moved quickly, and the insects tumbled in the air current, but they soon stabilized and surrounded Shinnō from every direction.
Something seemed to squirm beneath Shinnō's skin. His veins bulged, and his muscles expanded visibly, stretching his clothes tight.
His black hair also grew much longer.
Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Activation!
The next second, Shinnō threw a punch.
That punch was so fast it left only an afterimage, smashing into the center of the insect swarm.
Boom!
The air exploded.
The parasitic insects were blasted apart by the force of the punch, black fragments bursting through the air.
Aburame Tatsuma's brows furrowed slightly.
Those shattered insects were only a tiny portion of the colony inside his body.
He raised both hands and spread his fingers.
More parasitic insects poured from his sleeves and collar, several times more than before.
Secret Technique: Insect Sphere!
The insects no longer attacked separately. Instead, they gathered into a huge black sphere, enveloping Shinnō's entire body.
Inside the insect sphere, the parasitic insects began gnawing away at Shinnō's chakra.
Shinnō could feel those insects trying to burrow into his skin, into his chakra pathways, devouring everything inside him.
"Not bad insects."
Shinnō commented.
"But chakra? I have plenty."
Medical Forbidden Technique: Body Regeneration!
In an instant, Shinnō's cells began dividing and multiplying at high speed.
The insects that had burrowed into his body were crushed by newly formed tissue and forced out.
He suddenly shook himself.
The insect sphere burst apart.
Black fragments scattered everywhere. Aburame Tatsuma took a step back, shock flashing behind his sunglasses.
Shigaraki Tanuki gave him no chance to catch his breath.
"Wind Release: Wind Ball!"
A high-pressure sphere of wind blasted from his palm with a shriek, heading straight for Shinnō.
Shinnō allowed that wind sphere, powerful enough to shatter stone, to strike him directly.
Boom!
Smoke exploded.
The corners of Shigaraki Tanuki's mouth lifted, but in the next second, his smile froze.
The smoke cleared.
Shinnō stood where he was. A huge gash had been torn open across his chest by the wind sphere, exposing red muscle and pale bone beneath.
But the wound was healing at a visible speed.
Fresh granulation tissue stretched from the edges of the injury, and within just a few breaths, the fatal wound had completely vanished.
His skin was smooth as before, without even a scar left behind.
Shigaraki Tanuki's throat bobbed.
"This… this is impossible…"
Shinnō rolled his shoulders, his joints making crisp popping sounds.
"There's nothing impossible about it."
He raised a hand, palm upward.
A mass of pitch-black chakra surged from his palm, condensing in the air until it transformed into a red monster.
The monster looked like a snake, with a white mask over what seemed to be its head.
On the mask was carved the character "Zero."
The Zero-Tails.
The Zero-Tails' body split into countless tentacles, writhing slowly in the air.
Shimura Danzō sat on his stone chair, his single eye fixed on the red monster.
"So this is… the Zero-Tails?"
Orochimaru nodded.
"An artificial tailed beast."
He licked his lips.
"It feeds on the darkness in human hearts. As long as humans cannot free themselves from darkness, the Zero-Tails will never dry up."
"That's right."
Shinnō agreed with Orochimaru.
"The Zero-Tails' power comes from the darkness in human hearts. As long as that darkness remains, its power is infinite."
Hearing this, Shimura Danzō slowly said:
"Interesting."
He stood and walked up to Shinnō.
"Can this technique be taught to Root?"
Shinnō looked at him.
"Yes, but on one condition."
"What condition?"
"I need Konoha's research materials. Medical research, ninjutsu, sealing techniques… all of it."
Shimura Danzō's brow furrowed slightly.
"What do you want those for?"
"To revive the Land of Sky."
Shinnō said calmly.
He had no reservations about saying this in front of Shimura Danzō.
Danzō thought carefully for a moment, then said:
"Deal."
In Shimura Danzō's view, even if the Land of Sky was revived, it would only be a small nation.
...…
Hokage building.
Kiyohara sat behind his desk, several documents spread out in front of him.
Mitokado Homura stood to the left with his arms crossed, his dissatisfaction obvious.
Utatane Koharu stood beside him, brows tightly furrowed.
"Hokage-sama, why did you not discuss the increase in Anbu wages with us beforehand?"
Homura's voice was low.
"That is Konoha's fiscal spending, not your personal property."
Kiyohara leaned back in his chair and looked at him.
Over the past few days, he had made further adjustments to Anbu's structure, so Koharu and Homura had come to him again.
"The money is coming from my personal pocket. Not a single coin of Konoha's finances has been touched."
"That is not the issue."
Homura stepped forward.
"This is an issue of procedure. A matter as significant as restructuring Anbu must first pass through the advisory council…"
"Procedure?"
Kiyohara interrupted him.
"Anbu answers directly to the Hokage. That was the rule set by the Second Hokage. When was it changed? Why don't I know about it?"
Homura's words stuck in his throat, and he couldn't speak for a long while.
Koharu spoke up.
"Hokage-sama, we are not trying to interfere with your decision. It is just that once Anbu's wages are raised, other departments will demand the same treatment. When that happens, Konoha's finances simply won't be able to support it."
"I know."
Kiyohara stood and walked to the window.
"That's why I intend to carry out economic reforms."