On the afternoon of the following day, the unit finally arrived at the forward command headquarters of the Kumo front line.
The atmosphere there was completely different from that of Konoha.
The moment Tsunade arrived, she immediately took over command of the medical division. Without even pausing to rest, she summoned all the medical-nin for a meeting, and as a squad leader, Kiyohara naturally attended as well.
"The situation is worse than we anticipated," Tsunade said, pointing at the large tactical map spread across the table.
"Kumogakure's offensive is extremely fierce. Ever since the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki was deployed onto the battlefield, the pressure on our defensive lines has increased dramatically. Medical resources are severely insufficient, and many of the wounded are not receiving treatment in time."
She turned her gaze toward Kiyohara. "Your squad will reinforce Medical Point Three. It's close to the front lines and it's the most pressured location, but also the most critical. Can you handle it?"
"Yes," Kiyohara answered without hesitation, nodding firmly.
Among this group of medical-nin, aside from Tsunade herself, he was undoubtedly the most combat-capable.
After the meeting ended, Kiyohara led his squad toward Medical Point Three.
It was a semi-underground bunker, crude and poorly equipped, but at least it provided a certain degree of protection against enemy attacks.
Once everything was settled and organized, Kiyohara began his training.
Specifically, he practiced the Chakra Scalpel technique.
By concentrating chakra into the hands, it could slice open any part of the body for medical treatment or organ transplantation. At the same time, it could also be used in combat—severing an opponent's muscles and chakra pathways, or even functioning as a blade to cut down an enemy outright.
'So I can finally hot-swap parts now,' Kiyohara thought to himself.
With the Chakra Scalpel mastered, if he could somehow obtain a few Sharingan, he would be able to use Izanagi.
As for Izanagi, that would naturally be inherited from the future legacy of "Uchiha Kiyohara."
Unfortunately, Uchiha Kiyohara did not know Izanami.
"The Sharingan won't be easy to get," Kiyohara mused, shaking his head.
Unless absolutely necessary, he would not use that forbidden technique.
A three-tomoe Sharingan was sufficient to activate Izanagi, but the price was permanent blindness in that eye.
One Sharingan equaled one resurrection coin.
However, when Uchiha shinobi died, their clan members usually retrieved their bodies and disposed of the eyes properly to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
As for shinobi within the same village, Kiyohara suspected that Danzo had always been keeping a watchful eye.
Ninjutsu varied widely in power and effect. Some left only a slit throat while the rest of the corpse remained intact. Others obliterated a person entirely, leaving nothing but scattered fragments indistinguishable from one another.
Under such chaotic circumstances, it was inevitable that some remains would be overlooked.
Kiyohara guessed that the Sharingan Danzo secretly hoarded had been obtained this way.
After all, for an outsider like Danzo to be capable of using Izanagi, he must have conducted extensive experimentation.
Orochimaru's research into the Sharingan would also have consumed a significant supply.
Thus, Sharingan had effectively become a scarce and valuable hard currency.
'At least this way, even without a shinobi blade, I can still contend using kenjutsu,' Kiyohara thought.
He refined his chakra and gathered it at his fingertips, forming a blade as thin as a cicada's wing.
This was the highest-level purely offensive technique available to medical-nin.
And Tsunade's improved version had elevated its cutting power to an entirely new level.
Kiyohara found an open area and practiced repeatedly until the chakra blade at his fingertips stabilized completely.
Whether he leaped into the air, ran along tree trunks, or stood upon the surface of water, the blade no longer wavered in the slightest.
At that moment, Rin approached.
She had also been searching for a place to practice medical ninjutsu, and happened to spot Kiyohara training there.
"Kiyohara-kun, you're not slacking off even after arriving here," Rin said with admiration.
"Just getting accustomed to a new medical technique," Kiyohara replied.
In essence, the Chakra Scalpel could be regarded as a stacking "sharpness" buff.
In the anime, there was a kunoichi from Suna skilled in Medical Water Release. Her technique, Medical Water Release: Water Scorpion, did not merely form blades of water—it could also attach the sharpness of the Chakra Scalpel onto them.
Following that line of thought, if Kiyohara's proficiency became high enough, he could theoretically attach the Chakra Scalpel's cutting enhancement to his own ninjutsu.
For example, if applied to Chidori, could it further increase Chidori's already terrifying piercing power?
"Is that the Chakra Scalpel?" Rin asked, noticing the clean cuts carved into the surrounding trees.
She remembered that he had practiced this technique before at Training Ground Three. She wondered how far he had progressed since then.
"Yes," Kiyohara nodded.
"Then I'll give it a try too."
Rin gathered her chakra, forming her own Chakra Scalpel.
As someone capable of performing the A-rank medical ninjutsu Mystical Palm Technique, she naturally knew how to use the Chakra Scalpel as well, though she had only recently learned it from Doctor Miyako.
A pale blue chakra blade extended from her fingertips, about ten centimeters in length.
That was the standard length; for a medical-nin, it was already quite commendable.
With a swift motion, she sliced into the trunk of a tree before her.
The cut was clean and smooth, demonstrating excellent control.
"Kiyohara-kun, want to try?" she asked.
Kiyohara nodded and walked toward a thicker tree. Taking a slow breath, he concentrated chakra at his fingertips.
A pale blue blade extended outward—but not ten centimeters.
Forty centimeters.
Moreover, it was denser and more solid, the chakra nearly visible as though materialized.
Rin's eyes widened in shock. That length… was four times hers.
Without pausing, Kiyohara flicked his wrist.
The chakra blade sliced silently through the air, passing through the trees before him without resistance.
One. Two. Three…
Five trees, each as thick as a bowl's diameter, were severed cleanly at the waist. The cross-sections were smooth as polished mirrors.
The trunks slid slowly before collapsing to the ground with dull, heavy thuds.
Rin stood frozen, her mouth slightly open.
"This…"
She glanced at her own ten-centimeter blade, then back at his forty-centimeter version, suddenly feeling the enormous gap between them.
"I probably just have more chakra," Kiyohara said, dispersing the blade. "And Lady Tsunade's instruction has been excellent."
"That's amazing…" Rin said sincerely. "You've already mastered it to this extent?"
"Rin, I believe you can do it too," Kiyohara encouraged.
After all, she had mastered the Mystical Palm Technique even earlier than Sakura in the future and with the added supply of the Three-Tails' chakra, her future achievements would not be low.
At that moment, a medical-nin rushed over.
"Captain Kiyohara! Lady Tsunade has called for an emergency meeting!"
…
Inside the command tent, Tsunade, Minato, and several front-line commanders stood gathered around the map.
By the time Kiyohara arrived, the meeting had already begun.
"Kumogakure has a supply depot to the northeast," Tsunade said, pointing at a marked location. "According to intelligence, it stores a large quantity of military rations and medical supplies. If we can destroy it, we can slow the pace of their offensive."
Minato frowned. "But that position is deep behind enemy lines. There are numerous patrol units nearby. A frontal assault would result in heavy losses."
"Which is why we need a raid," Tsunade replied. "A small, elite unit. Move in fast, complete the objective, withdraw immediately."
She lifted her head, her gaze sweeping across everyone present before settling on Kiyohara.
"Kiyohara. Your squad will handle it."
Kiyohara was startled. "Me? But I'm a medical squad leader…"
His current team consisted of Kurenai and Shizune, along with several subordinate medical-nin.
Those subordinates were purely logistics personnel—their combat ability was average at best, even weak.
"Precisely because you are a medical squad leader," Tsunade said as she strode toward him and firmly patted his shoulder. "You understand medicine, you possess strong combat ability, and you have long-range perception and sniping capabilities. This mission requires a versatile shinobi."
Her pat was forceful, and she leaned forward slightly as she did so. From Kiyohara's angle, her deep green flak jacket seemed almost strained by the motion, swaying noticeably. A glimpse of fair, rounded skin and a subtle curve was faintly visible at the collar.
"Lady Tsunade, I…"
Kiyohara was about to say something more when Tsunade suddenly leaned in closer. Her red lips parted slightly as she lowered her voice, her warm breath brushing lightly against his ear as she whispered, "Don't worry. I believe in you. And… as long as you complete the mission and come back safely, I'll teach you a new technique tonight."
Kiyohara's eyes instantly lit up.
He took a deep breath, straightened his posture, and declared loudly and resolutely, "To restore Konoha's glory is the duty we cannot shirk!"
His voice rang clear and firm, loud enough for everyone inside the tent to hear distinctly.
The commanders present were momentarily stunned, then their expressions softened into approval and satisfaction. They could not help but sigh inwardly—this newly risen genius truly possessed the Will of Fire.
Minato even nodded with a warm smile. "Well said. That is exactly the spirit a shinobi of Konoha should have!"
Tsunade laughed as well, vigorously ruffling Kiyohara's hair. "That's my disciple!"
At that moment, Minato suddenly added, "Kiyohara, I'll accompany you for part of the journey this time. Rin and Kakashi will come along as well."
"Understood, Lord Minato," Kiyohara replied without objection.
It was not the first or second time he had carried out joint missions with Minato's team. He was already quite familiar with Rin and Kakashi.
Kiyohara guessed that Minato intended to let Rin gain some field experience. He simply did not feel at ease, so he would escort them for part of the route. Once he confirmed there were no issues, he would likely leave behind Flying Thunder God kunai as contingencies before allowing Rin to proceed normally.
As for Minato himself, he was a rare space–time ninjutsu user—constantly on the move, busy as a spinning top.
In the end, the raid squad was organized under Minato's leadership, with the operation scheduled for the following day.
After leaving the command tent, Tsunade tapped Kiyohara's head three times with her fingers.
Understanding the signal, Kiyohara went to find her at three in the afternoon.
At that time, Tsunade had just finished assigning tasks to a group of medical-nin. Upon closer inspection, one would notice that many among them were prominent figures in the medical field. Yet in Tsunade's presence, they all nodded respectfully, their demeanor humble and deferential.
After all, Tsunade was the towering peak of the medical world.
When those medical-nin saw Kiyohara approach, their gazes filled with curiosity. It could be said that not one of them had ever lacked the desire to become Tsunade's disciple. Yet this boy had succeeded just like Shizune in earning that position.
"Sensei," Kiyohara said, stepping to her side.
"Not bad your comprehension is quite good," Tsunade remarked.
"…Sensei, are you imitating Journey to the West?" Kiyohara asked.
During the march, to pass the time, he occasionally told Tsunade stories. Coincidentally, he had recently recounted the episode where Patriarch Subhuti instructed Sun Wukong to come to him at the third watch of the night.
"Ahem. I'm cultivating tacit understanding between master and disciple. Tacit understanding—do you understand?" Tsunade replied confidently.
"Alright, you may all leave now," she waved at the others, leaving only Kiyohara behind.
"This is the contract scroll of Shikkotsu Forest."
She took out a scroll. It was small—far smaller than the one Jiraiya had once given Naruto.
"You already know the Summoning Technique. Bite your finger and use your blood to write your name. That will establish the contract."
"Understood."
Kiyohara raised his index finger, preparing to bite it. This was practically a fundamental skill for shinobi. The Summoning Technique was among the most widespread ninjutsu in existence.
"Wait, wait—don't do it here. I don't like blood," Tsunade quickly interjected, turning her back.
Kiyohara nodded. After writing the two characters of his name with blood, he glanced at the previous signatories on the scroll.
Tsunade. Hashirama Senju.
There were also several names he did not recognize, but without exception, they all bore the surname Senju.
Only Tsunade's name stood alone—simply "Tsunade."
Kiyohara carefully rolled the scroll back up, making sure Tsunade would not see the blood-written names.
"It's done, Lady Tsunade," he said.
He wiped the blood from his fingertip with paper, then discreetly tossed the bloodied tissue to the very bottom of a trash bin, covering it completely.
Hearing this, Tsunade turned around.
"I'll summon Lady Katsuyu now so she can at least recognize you."
After speaking, Tsunade closed her eyes and performed the Summoning Technique. As long as she kept her eyes shut, she could avoid seeing blood, minimizing the impact on herself.
Black summoning formulas spread across the ground, followed by a puff of white smoke.
When the smoke cleared, a slug remained in place—its body adorned with blue-and-white stripes, its antennae gently swaying.
"Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu spoke softly.
Her voice was gentle, like that of a kind human woman.
"Lady Katsuyu," Tsunade replied respectfully.
Kiyohara watched this unusual scene.
Katsuyu had her own true name—just as the Great Toad Sage's real name was Gamamaru. Katsuyu's true name was "Katsuyu," written differently, signifying her true essence.
In theory, her status far exceeded Tsunade's.
She could be considered the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, an existence on the same tier as the White Snake Sage and the Great Toad Sage.
All the slugs of Shikkotsu Forest were merely her divided bodies.
Thus, even this small slug before them was Katsuyu herself.
Yet despite that, they addressed one another with honorific respect.
"Oh my, is this your newly accepted disciple?" Katsuyu asked, noticing Kiyohara.
"Yes. His name is Kiyohara. He is my new disciple. I may have to trouble you in the future, Lady Katsuyu."
"It is no trouble at all, Lady Tsunade," Katsuyu replied gently, then turned politely toward him. "Greetings, Lord Kiyohara."
Kiyohara immediately returned the greeting with equal respect, addressing her as Lady Katsuyu.
"That will be all for now. Thank you, Lady Katsuyu," Tsunade said.
After Katsuyu nodded, Tsunade released the summoning.
"Be careful on tomorrow's mission," Tsunade added.
As she spoke, she suddenly produced a chicken and handed it to Kiyohara.
He blinked in surprise and asked where she had gotten it.
"A wild pheasant from the mountain. Cute, isn't it?" Tsunade said casually.
"Indeed. It'll definitely taste delicious once cooked," Kiyohara replied, examining the bird.
Generally speaking, wild pheasants had better texture and flavor.
"Not bad, not bad. You've got some discernment, Kiyohara," Tsunade said approvingly, patting his shoulder and urging him to handle it quickly.
She was exhausted from the day's work and intended to treat herself properly.
"Understood."
Kiyohara had already thought of several different dishes—there were plenty of ways to prepare this wild pheasant.
After all, a contract scroll from Shikkotsu Forest was something countless people across the shinobi world could only dream of obtaining.
…
The next day.
Early in the morning, Kiyohara and the others set out under the leadership of Minato Namikaze.
They moved slowly along a road lightly covered in snow. The surroundings were deathly silent, broken only by the faint rustling of wind sweeping through the forest and stirring loose flakes of snow.
The Cloud front where Kiyohara and the others were stationed was primarily located near the Land of Iron.
The Land of Iron lay close to both the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, while bordering the northeastern edge of the Land of Fire, as well as the Lands of Waterfall and Fields.
Much like the Land of Snow, this country was blanketed in heavy snowfall all year round. The climate was bitterly cold, filled with vast snowfields and towering snow-capped mountains.
As a result, the northeastern border of the Land of Fire adjacent to the Land of Iron was significantly colder than the inland regions of the country.
"It's so cold here," Rin breathed into her small hands, warm vapor drifting from her lips as she spoke.
The frigid weather made her hands appear even fairer against the white surroundings.
"I think it's really cold too," Kurenai nodded in agreement.
The two girls then looked ahead at Kiyohara, Minato, and Kakashi.
Kakashi's complexion was slightly pale, clearly feeling the chill as well.
Minato, on the other hand, was dressed more thickly than usual. His full set of standard shinobi gear provided ample insulation, and his expression remained calm as ever.
What puzzled Rin and Kurenai most was Kiyohara.
He appeared to be wearing nothing more than a standard flak jacket over an inner layer of chainmail. While it offered solid protection, it did little against the cold.
Yet Kiyohara showed no sign of discomfort at all.
Was his physical constitution really that strong?
Both girls found themselves thinking the same thing.
The next moment, Kiyohara abruptly stopped.
Minato and Kakashi halted as well.
"Mm—"
Caught off guard, Kurenai nearly bumped into Kiyohara's back, but Rin quickly pulled her to a stop.
"Your sensory ability is as excellent as ever," Minato said, looking at Kiyohara.
"I'm sure Lord Minato noticed it long ago," Kiyohara replied, his dark eyes fixed on the distant snow-covered mountains.
He had sensed someone there.
His Yang Release chakra had already spread outward.
Minato smiled gently, offering no denial. He had intended to observe whether Kakashi or Kiyohara had improved. If neither had detected anything, he would have spoken up himself.
"There are people one kilometer away," Kiyohara said calmly.
"Kiyohara, your perception still surpasses mine," Kakashi remarked, lifting his forehead protector to reveal his crimson Sharingan.
In that instant, his dynamic vision and insight sharpened.
The next moment, Kiyohara retrieved a shuriken from his shinobi pouch.
Magnetic force attached itself to the weapon, and strands of iron sand coiled around it like delicate spirals.
The power of Magnet Release ignited.
As the magnetic field expanded, the surrounding air began to stir faintly. An invisible attraction spread outward. Dead leaves on the ground trembled, dust particles drifting toward the shuriken as though guided by an unseen hand.
"Magnet Release: Supersonic Shuriken."
If he could accelerate spindle-shaped iron sand projectiles, he could naturally accelerate a shuriken as well.
In the next instant, magnetic force erupted violently.
With a flash of electricity, the shuriken shot from his hand.
Whoosh!
Trailing a brilliant arc of lightning, it tore through the air at terrifying speed, streaking in a straight line toward the target a full kilometer away.
Splat!
Under a distant tree, a burst of blood exploded outward.
The tremendous force splattered crimson across bark, branches, and nearby snow, staining the pure white ground in an instant.
Only then did the body, perfectly concealed under a camouflage technique, reveal itself before collapsing into the snow with a dull thud.
There was once a joking saying in the shinobi world that Kakuzu had thrown a shuriken at Hashirama Senju from eight hundred miles away—hence surviving to boast that he had once fought the First Hokage.
But Kiyohara thought to himself that, given enough time to grow, he too would be capable of throwing a shuriken eight hundred miles.
In half a month, it would be the day the another "Last Will" arrived.
…
"Be careful!"
Yugito reacted instantly, shouting a warning to her companions.
But it was already too late.
At the outer perimeter of the outpost, a Cloud chunin responsible for sentry duty stood momentarily stunned as his comrade exploded before his eyes.
The next second, his vision was completely filled by a dark blur ripping through the air.
Splat!
The sound of tearing flesh rang out.
Kiyohara had already launched another shuriken.
Accelerated by magnetic force and carrying horrifying kinetic energy, it effortlessly pierced through the chunin's body.
Dragging a crimson trail down the snowy slope, his life faded rapidly.
"Enemy attack! Scatter!"
Yugito's pupils shrank. Shock rippled through her heart at the speed of the technique.
In her perception, the two sides had still been a full kilometer apart.
Yet her rich combat experience suppressed her emotions in an instant, and she issued decisive orders.
The remaining Cloud shinobi reacted swiftly, dispersing and taking cover behind rocks and trees.
Almost simultaneously—
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Kiyohara had already completed his hand seals. Chakra transformed into surging wind that burst from his mouth like an enormous invisible broom, sweeping across nearly a hundred meters of snow-covered terrain in a fan-shaped arc.
Supported by his immense chakra reserves, the technique's power had grown significantly.
Thick snow was violently blown away, exposing frozen earth and withered grass beneath.
Two Cloud shinobi attempting to approach under the cover of snow camouflage instantly lost their concealment. Their figures were laid bare, expressions filled with astonishment.
"I won't let you succeed… Wind Release: Air Bullet!"
Kurenai followed up immediately. Drawing in the frigid air, she formed hand seals and expelled several compressed air bullets.
Though less powerful than Kiyohara's technique, they struck at precisely the right moment, shooting toward the exposed enemies. Two cries rang out as both were injured on the spot.
Rin gripped her kunai tightly, positioning herself slightly ahead and to Kurenai's side.
Her left hand curled slightly, pale blue chakra flowing over her fingertips—the Chakra Scalpel technique.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wave!"
Kakashi slammed both hands onto the ground, channeling Earth Release chakra.
The terrain ahead seemed to come alive, undulating into irregular waves that disrupted the enemies' footing and blocked potential infiltration routes.
As the Cloud shinobi struggled amidst the chaos of Wind and Earth Release, the crackle of electricity sounded.
Kiyohara's figure left behind a faint afterimage.
His right foot stomped the ground as Lightning Release surged through his legs, explosively enhancing his speed. At the same time, an invisible magnetic repulsion formed beneath him, making his forward dash nearly glide-like.
In almost an instant, he crossed dozens of meters, closing in on a wounded Cloud shinobi who had yet to steady himself after Kurenai's attack.
The shinobi's eyes filled with terror as he saw only a flash of blade descending.
"So… fast…"
That was the only thought that crossed his mind before he instinctively raised his shinobi blade to block.
But Kiyohara was faster.
Slash!
His blade sliced cleanly through flak jacket, inner lining, flesh, and bone without resistance.
The Cloud shinobi did not even manage a full scream before collapsing, eyes wide with disbelief.
Clean. Efficient. A single fatal strike.
From the moment Kiyohara launched forward to the target's fall, only two or three breaths had passed.
The ambushers who had intended to strike Konoha first had instead been attacked by Kiyohara, their formation shattered instantly.
Yugito's dark pupils locked onto him, fury burning beneath them.
With her comrades dying one after another, the Two-Tails' chakra within her began to stir uncontrollably. Strands of crimson chakra flickered faintly across her body, her fingertips sharpening slightly.
She was on the verge of losing control, of unleashing the Tailed Beast's power to tear Kiyohara apart herself.
Yugito bit her lower lip.
Her lips were vividly red—not from lipstick, but because her skin was so fair that the contrast made them appear so.
With golden hair and snow-white skin, her features carried an exotic beauty.
Lowering her body, she stared at Kiyohara.
"Magnet Release Kiyohara… and the Yellow Flash."
She had not entirely lost her rationality. Her gaze was wary—especially toward Minato.
"Damn it. The Leaf shinobi discovered us."
"Don't act rashly," Yugito told her companions.
Behind them lay their base. In this battle, they still held the advantage.
(End of Chapter)