At that moment, Kiyohara was flipping through a report on tourism development in the Land of Whirlpools.
Tanaka had delivered the report. It was a thick stack, and every detail, large or small, had been listed inside.
"Brat, here's the latest report."
While Kiyohara was reviewing documents, Tsunade pushed the door open and walked in.
She hadn't tied up her hair today. Her long golden hair fell loose over her shoulders, a few strands hanging in front of Kiyohara and rising and falling gently with her breathing.
"Put it there."
Kiyohara said.
Sometimes he released shadow clones to help process the paperwork, and since his mind worked quickly, he only needed a short amount of time each day to finish these government affairs.
As for Naruto's situation, Kiyohara felt that Naruto's administrative ability was simply lacking.
After all, that guy even had to specially send a shadow clone to help an old woman cross the street.
Whenever someone opened a new shop, Naruto also had to send a shadow clone to cut the ribbon.
If that continued for long enough, even someone with his enormous vitality wouldn't be able to endure it, and he would fall into a vicious cycle.
The busier he became, the more tired he got. The more tired he got, the lower his efficiency became, which only created even more work.
Kiyohara would never act like Naruto. There were many small matters he simply wouldn't bother with, leaving them directly to the ANBU or Konoha Military Police to handle.
"How long until the casino is finished?"
Tsunade was still thinking about the casino's progress.
"One or two months, probably."
Kiyohara said.
Tsunade was being far too impatient.
Right now, most of the craftsmen were busy building the shrine maiden temple, so the casino's progress had slowed a little.
"Fine."
Tsunade sat down in the Hokage office chair without the slightest concern for appearances, crossed her legs, and even put one foot on Kiyohara's desk.
From Kiyohara's angle, he could see Tsunade's long legs and full hips.
He couldn't help looking a couple more times.
Tsunade was becoming less and less guarded around him.
"Right."
Tsunade suddenly seemed to remember something.
"You've been pretty close with Rin lately too."
Kiyohara set down the report and looked at her.
"What are you trying to say, Teacher?"
Tsunade was silent for a while, then shook her head.
"Nothing. I just think you're way too popular, brat."
Tsunade gave Kiyohara a resentful look.
As his teacher, she should have been happy that her disciple was popular.
But in reality, it was the complete opposite. Tsunade instead felt an inexplicable sense of urgency.
Even though her appearance was no different from that of an eighteen-year-old woman, she had one fatal weakness.
Her age.
As the saying went, no woman could stay eighteen forever, but there would always be countless eighteen-year-old women.
"Jealous?"
Kiyohara laughed.
"Who… who's jealous?"
Tsunade said stubbornly.
Although she did feel somewhat uncomfortable, reason still reminded her of the age gap between her and Kiyohara.
"I'm leaving."
After throwing out those words, Tsunade disappeared in a flash.
"Mm. If Tsunade knew I'm already stepping on two boats, I wonder if she'd use her Monster Strength on me."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
And two boats were clearly not the limit. Later, there would probably be three, four…
...…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Kakuzu had already returned to Akatsuki's base.
The wound on his shoulder still ached faintly.
The black tendrils Kiyohara had torn apart needed time to regrow, and the heart he had lost also needed a new replacement.
He felt as if his entire body had been taken apart and put back together again.
Kakuzu was already used to it.
After all, his body really was stitched together by Earth Grudge Fear.
After his fight with Kiyohara, his chakra pathway system had also been heavily overloaded, which slowed the speed at which those black threads conducted chakra.
If not for the Hashirama cells accelerating his recovery, Kakuzu estimated that he would have had to delay his return to Akatsuki by a few days and rest before traveling.
"You lost?"
A voice came from the shadows.
Kakuzu turned his head and saw the person clearly.
It was "Uchiha Madara."
A tiger-striped mask covered his entire face, revealing only one crimson Sharingan.
"Mm."
Kakuzu nodded.
"How bad are your injuries?"
"I won't die."
Kakuzu paused.
"But one heart is ruined. I need to find another."
Obito's brow furrowed slightly, but it soon relaxed again.
"What techniques did Kiyohara use?"
Obito was probing for information on Kiyohara.
"At first, Fire Release. Then a mental attack from a Yin Release secret technique."
"After that, he used Lightning Release to break my Lightning Release, buried me with Magnet Release, and finally suppressed my last resort with a Storm Release technique I'd never seen before."
Kakuzu summarized briefly.
Obito fell silent.
"From beginning to end, he never got very serious."
That was Kakuzu's deepest impression.
After all, rumors said Kiyohara was like Hiruzen Sarutobi, a "Professor of Ninjutsu," proficient in an enormous number of techniques.
Yet Kiyohara had not used most of them at all.
After hearing Kakuzu's words and asking a few more questions, Obito vanished into the air.
…
Elsewhere.
Obito reappeared inside a cave.
His expression was grave.
"Kakuzu lost. Kiyohara is growing stronger faster than we expected."
Obito looked at a black shadow inside the cave.
"Go notify Madara."
Obito continued.
"Madara is dead."
Black Zetsu looked at Obito.
Obito's body stiffened slightly.
"When?"
"Just now."
Black Zetsu said.
"His final words were… for you not to oppose Kiyohara. In all things, prioritize lying low."
Obito stood where he was and looked at Black Zetsu.
"Madara wasn't so impressive after all."
He sneered.
"He got old, and his courage got smaller too."
Obito had no intention of letting Kiyohara continue growing. With Kiyohara, who knew what level he would eventually reach?
"Then next…"
"We proceed with the original plan."
Obito cut Black Zetsu off.
"Kushina's due date is almost here. That will be when the seal is at its weakest."
"I'm taking the Nine-Tails. Kiyohara won't be able to stop me!"
Obito spoke with absolute certainty.
Black Zetsu was silent for a moment. He looked at Obito in disbelief.
Back then, using Kiyohara to stimulate Obito had indeed allowed Obito to awaken his eye smoothly.
But that had been a double-edged sword. Whenever Kiyohara was involved, Obito easily became irrational.
"Suit yourself."
Black Zetsu left.
He planned to make some preparations of his own, in case Obito did something stupid.
...…
The next evening.
When Kiyohara pushed open the door to Nohara Rin's home, the sound of running water came from the bathroom.
He changed shoes in the entryway, hung his coat on the rack, and walked into the living room.
After sensing where Rin was, Kiyohara went straight to the bathroom.
He gently pushed the door open, and steam rushed toward him, carrying the clean scent of body wash.
She was standing in front of the mirror, drying her hair.
Water droplets fell from the ends of her damp hair, sliding along her fair shoulders and disappearing into the edge of the bath towel.
The towel was wrapped high around her body, barely covering her chest.
Her skin was flushed from the hot water, the redness spreading from her cheeks all the way to her shoulders.
Hearing the door, her hands paused.
"Kiyohara-kun?"
She didn't turn around, only slightly angled her face and looked at him through the mirror.
Kiyohara walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.
A deeper blush appeared on Rin's face.
Her body stiffened slightly, then slowly softened as she leaned into his arms.
"Why did you come so early today?"
"I came after finishing work."
Kiyohara rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Have you been tired from work lately?"
Rin shook her head.
"It's all right… It's just that handing over work with Tsunade-sama takes time."
Her hand covered the back of his.
"There are too many hospital records. Tsunade-sama never really organized them properly before…"
Kiyohara's hand moved slightly upward from her waist and settled over her lower abdomen.
Beneath the towel, her skin was smooth and warm. He could feel the rise and fall of her stomach as she breathed.
Rin's breathing grew a little hurried.
"Kiyohara-kun…"
Kiyohara's hand did not stop.
He untied the bath towel, and the white fabric slipped from her body, pooling at her feet.
Rin trembled slightly and instinctively pressed her legs together.
She raised her arms as if to cover herself, but halfway through, she lowered them again. She only lowered her head and looked at the tips of her toes.
From Kiyohara's angle, he could see how red the roots of her ears were.
He turned her around to face him.
Rin's face was completely flushed.
Her eyelashes trembled faintly, and she pressed her lips together again and again, not daring to look at him.
Kiyohara lowered his head and kissed her.
Rin slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers sliding into his hair.
Kiyohara lifted her up.
Rin's legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and she buried her face into the hollow of his shoulder.
She could feel his hands supporting her hips, his fingers sinking into the soft flesh of her thighs, warmth passing through that thin layer of skin.
She bit her lower lip and made no sound.
…
After some unknown amount of time, the steam in the bathroom had dispersed, and outside the window, the sky had gone completely dark.
Rin curled up in Kiyohara's arms, her face resting against his chest as she listened to his steady heartbeat.
Her hair was scattered messily across his arm, the ends still damp and wetting his sleeve.
Just then, a knock came from outside the door.
"Rin, are you home?"
It was Yūhi Kurenai's voice.
Rin's body instantly stiffened.
She lifted her head, her brown eyes full of panic.
"K-Kurenai is here…"
Her voice was very low, and her fingers clutched Kiyohara's collar.
Kiyohara patted her back.
He signaled that she didn't need to worry.
"Go open the door?"
"No, no…"
Rin shook her head and hurriedly climbed off him. She picked up the towel from the floor and wrapped it around herself.
She ran to the bathroom door, then doubled back, kicked Kiyohara's shoes under the cabinet, pulled his coat down from the rack and stuffed it into the closet. Then she took a deep breath and went to the entryway.
The door opened.
Yūhi Kurenai stood outside, wearing a red dress, her curled long hair falling over her shoulders.
In her hand was a paper bag containing two boxes of three-color dango.
"Rin, why is your face so red?"
Kurenai looked at her in confusion.
"I… I just finished taking a bath…"
Rin's voice sounded a little unnatural.
"Oh."
Kurenai didn't think much of it and held up the paper bag.
"Want to go shopping? That new store is having a sale."
Rin gripped the doorknob, her fingers slightly pale.
"Today… today isn't very convenient…"
"What's wrong?"
Kurenai blinked.
"Are you not feeling well?"
"Mm… I'm a little tired…"
Rin's voice grew smaller and smaller.
Kurenai looked at her and still felt that something was strange.
"Then all right. Rest early."
She turned and walked a few steps, then looked back.
"What about tomorrow? Are you free tomorrow?"
"I should be free tomorrow…"
"Then tomorrow afternoon. I'll come find you."
Kurenai waved and turned to leave.
Her footsteps gradually faded away.
Rin closed the door, leaned against it, and let out a long breath.
Kiyohara came out of the bathroom, already dressed.
"She left?"
"She left."
Rin glared at him, her brown eyes full of reproach.
"It's all your fault…"
She mumbled softly, walked over, and lightly punched his chest.
Kiyohara caught her hand and kissed it near his lips.
"What if Kurenai had found out?"
There was a little grievance in Rin's voice.
Kiyohara smiled.
"Then we'd sleep together."
Rin froze.
Then her face flushed red all at once, even redder than before.
"What… what nonsense are you saying?!"
She pulled her hand back and slapped his shoulder again.
Kiyohara didn't dodge and let her hit him.
"I'm serious."
"Impossible!"
Rin turned around, giving him her back.
"Kurenai would kill me…"
She said softly, her voice muffled.
Kiyohara hugged her from behind.
Rin leaned against him, her heartbeat so fast it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Kiyohara guessed that Rin thought he was joking.
But he really did think that way.
It just wasn't time yet. The two women still needed more contact and more adjustment before things could happen naturally.
He looked at Rin in his arms, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
...
The next day.
Just as dawn began to break, Kiyohara woke up.
Rin was still asleep. She was curled up under the blanket, with only the tip of her nose and a few messy strands of hair showing.
The blanket rose and fell gently with her breathing, and the blush on her face had not completely faded.
Kiyohara quietly got up, tucked the blanket around her, and took his coat from the closet.
When he reached the door, he looked back.
Rin turned over, mumbled something unclear, and fell deeply asleep again.
…
Hokage's office.
When Kiyohara pushed open the door, Yūhi Kurenai was already inside.
She stood in front of the desk, holding a stack of files and reading through them with her head lowered.
Today, she was dressed in a secretary's uniform: a black short skirt, a white shirt, and a dark-blue jacket over it.
Her long hair was pinned up with a hairpin, revealing her fair neck.
Hearing the door, she raised her head.
"You're here?"
She placed the files on the desk and walked over.
"Why are you so early today?"
"I woke up early."
Kiyohara sat down in his chair and rubbed his brow.
Kurenai walked behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Tired?"
She asked softly, her fingers gently pressing into his shoulders.
"Do you want me to massage you?"
Kiyohara leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes.
"Sure."
Kurenai's fingers moved around his shoulders and neck, applying just the right amount of pressure.
"Is this part of a secretary's duties?"
Kiyohara opened one eye and looked at her.
Kurenai smiled with her lips pressed together.
"Of course."
Her fingers moved from his shoulders to the back of his neck, slowly traveling down along his spine.
"The Hokage's health is also within the secretary's scope of work."
Kiyohara laughed.
"Then a secretary's scope of work is pretty broad."
Kurenai snorted and gently pinched his shoulder.
"If you think it's too broad, you can find someone else."
"I don't."
Kiyohara closed his eyes.
"It's quite nice."
Kurenai didn't respond. Her fingers continued moving around his shoulders and neck, the pressure slightly lighter than before, more like caressing.
After a long while, she suddenly spoke.
"Kiyohara."
"Mm?"
"Have you noticed… Rin has been acting strange lately?"
Kiyohara's eyelid twitched, but his voice didn't change.
"Strange how?"
"I can't quite say."
Kurenai's hands paused for a moment, then continued.
"It's just… her complexion has been very good lately, and her skin has improved too. She looks… hm…"
She thought for a moment and found the right word.
"Prettier."
Kiyohara didn't answer.
Kurenai lowered her head and looked at him.
"Do you know why?"
Kiyohara opened his eyes and met her gaze.
"Maybe the hospital food has improved."
Kurenai blinked.
"Is that so…"
She didn't press further and simply continued massaging him.
Kiyohara took a small box from inside his clothes and handed it to her.
Kurenai accepted it and opened it.
Inside was a set of cosmetics.
"This is…"
"For you."
Kiyohara said.
"You wear makeup sometimes. You should be able to use it."
Kurenai froze in place.
"Kiyohara…"
She bent down and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you."
Kiyohara touched the spot where she kissed him.
"Just once?"
Kurenai glared at him, then leaned closer and lightly touched her lips to his.
"Enough?"
"Barely."
Kurenai snorted and carefully put the box into a drawer.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Kurenai took a step back, her expression instantly returning to the proper composure of a secretary.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Akimichi Chōza walked in.
He wore a green ninja flak jacket, and his broad body nearly filled the doorway.
His round face carried a respectful expression, but his brow was slightly furrowed, as if he were hesitating about something.
"Hokage-sama."
He stopped in front of the desk and bowed slightly.
Kiyohara leaned back in his chair and looked at him.
"Chōza, sit."
Akimichi Chōza sat down in the chair. It creaked under him and bent slightly out of shape.
"Hokage-sama called me here. Is there a mission?"
Kiyohara looked at him.
"Not a mission, but there is something I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
"I want the Akimichi clan's secret techniques."
Akimichi Chōza's brow furrowed even deeper.
"Secret techniques?"
"Yes."
Kiyohara nodded.
"I need all of the Akimichi clan's Yang Release secret techniques."
Kiyohara planned to complete the final wish today.
He wanted to see what changes would happen to him after inheriting a small portion of Ōtsutsuki bloodline.
Hearing Kiyohara's request, Akimichi Chōza's expression turned somewhat grim.
"Hokage-sama… those techniques are secret arts passed down through the Akimichi clan for generations. They are never taught to outsiders."
"I know."
Kiyohara nodded.
The Akimichi clan's response was similar to the Yamanaka clan's. These secret techniques truly had never been passed outside the clan.
But there were exceptions to everything.
"In exchange, the Akimichi clan may choose any technique I have mastered, or any technique in Konoha's ninjutsu archive."
Kiyohara's terms were very generous.
A technique like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, for instance—if one could learn it—allowed the user to trade one-for-one with a powerful opponent. It was quite a formidable technique.
However, techniques like that also tended to have very high requirements.
"This matter… I need to go back and discuss it…"
Akimichi Chōza was still hesitating.
"The Yamanaka clan has already handed theirs over."
Kiyohara interrupted him.
The expression on Akimichi Chōza's round face shifted from shock to hesitation.
"Inoichi, he…"
"I gave him a Yin Release secret technique in exchange."