Kiyohara set the scroll down, sat beside Tsunade, and naturally reached out to wrap an arm around her waist.
"I'll help take some of the burden off you, Teacher."
Tsunade turned her head and met his dark eyes.
She knew this rebellious student far too well.
"You're distracting me, not helping me."
Kiyohara took the hand she had pressed against his chest and stroked the delicate skin on the inside of her wrist.
"Teacher, I'm serious this time."
"You said that last time too."
"Last time was last time. This time, I really am serious."
Kiyohara pressed her hand onto his leg, while his other hand slid from her waist to her flat stomach.
"Teacher, your understanding of the essence of Wood Release chakra is still missing one small piece. And that piece is actually at the cellular level."
"Although you've awakened Wood Release, the Hashirama bloodline in your body hasn't been fully activated yet. The First Hokage's cells could naturally fuse water and earth perfectly, but you're still relying on effort after the fact to adapt to that process."
Tsunade's brows furrowed slightly. What Kiyohara said did make sense.
"So?"
"So all we need to do is help your cells adapt to that process faster."
Tsunade's expression shifted from confusion to caution.
"What are you trying to do?"
"It's simple."
Kiyohara lowered his head and leaned close to her ear, his warm breath brushing over the tiny hairs along her ear.
"Improve Teacher's aptitude."
Tsunade's cheeks instantly burned.
As a medical ninja, how could she not know what kind of method could improve aptitude?
Kiyohara's cells possessed a special nature similar to her grandfather's cells—perhaps even gentler and more controllable.
Over the past years, his cells had silently remodeled her chakra pathways and constitution, turning her from a medical ninja whose chakra reserves were not particularly outstanding into a powerful ninja capable of practicing senjutsu and awakening Wood Release.
And the fastest, most efficient method of improvement was to inject more of his cells into her body.
Tsunade glared at him. Unfortunately, the flushed corners of her eyes made that glare completely lacking in intimidation.
And yet…
She had heard this excuse countless times. Every time, Kiyohara said the same thing!
"I knew you were up to no good…"
Kiyohara did not give her the chance to continue.
He lowered his head and kissed those full red lips.
Tsunade's protest was sealed between their lips and teeth, turning into a muffled sound.
Her hand pressed against Kiyohara's chest, instinctively trying to push him away, but the force was so weak it couldn't even push away a flower petal.
The Wood Release scroll slid off the table and fell onto the tatami with a soft slap, rolling a few times across the floor.
Moonlight slipped through the gap in the curtains and fell across Tsunade's smooth, delicate back after her clothes had already been removed.
Half a year later.
The cherry blossoms of Konoha bloomed and withered, withered and bloomed again. The trees lining the streets had already changed leaves twice.
The great tree at the Third Training Ground still stood at the edge of the clearing, its crown blocking out the sky. The earth beneath it had been packed firm and smooth by countless footprints.
Kiyohara stood in the shade, his black hair tied behind his head with a cord.
After successfully mastering the Strength of a Hundred Seal, Kiyohara's appearance had long since stopped aging. Half a year had left no trace on his face.
His own lifespan had already far surpassed ninety-nine percent of ninja.
At that moment, Hyūga Hiashi respectfully greeted Kiyohara.
Today, Hiashi wore formal moon-white clothing of the Hyūga main family. Behind him stood Hyūga Natsu, holding a tiny figure in her arms.
Hinata wore a pale-purple little kimono today, with several small iris flowers embroidered on the lapel.
Her deep-blue hair had grown quite a bit longer than half a year ago, softly resting beside her ears.
Her cheeks still had baby fat, pale and tender like freshly steamed glutinous rice dumplings.
Those pure-white eyes were even clearer than when she was younger, as white and clean as a snowy mountain.
Kiyohara looked at Hinata and calculated in his mind.
Uchiha Itachi had graduated half a year ago. Under Uchiha Hikari's leadership, he had already carried out several missions and had gained some reputation in the Anbu.
Guren and Kurama Yakumo were also growing steadily under Yūhi Kurenai's guidance.
As for Uchiha Izumi, she had passed the Chūnin Exams and become one of the youngest chūnin.
That group of children was growing up at a visible pace.
And Hinata's younger generation had now reached the age where they could begin coming into contact with chakra.
"Hokage-sama."
Hyūga Hiashi spoke.
"Hinata has reached the age where she can refine chakra. In accordance with our previous agreement, I have brought her here."
Kiyohara nodded slightly.
Hyūga Natsu carried Hinata forward, bent down, and gently set the little girl on the ground.
Hinata's feet touched the dirt of the training ground. A few blades of grass stuck to the hem of her pale-purple kimono.
She raised her head and looked at the tall figure before her, her expression a little timid.
Hiashi glanced at his daughter, then at Kiyohara.
In his heart, an expectation rose, like gold he had bought suddenly appreciating in value.
Over the years, he had personally witnessed how Kiyohara had pushed Konoha step by step to the peak of the ninja world.
As one of Kiyohara's earliest supporters, the Hyūga clan had naturally benefited greatly from it.
More importantly, Kiyohara was willing to personally teach Hinata.
That meant the bond between the Hyūga clan and the Hokage would become even stronger, and Hinata's future would be limitless.
"Hokage-sama, I leave Hinata in your care."
Hiashi bowed again, then turned and left with Hyūga Natsu.
Only Kiyohara and Hinata remained in the training ground.
The wind brushed through the treetops. A few leaves drifted down from the branches, spiraling until they landed on Hinata's shoulder.
Hinata stood in place, her two small hands clasped together.
She had met Kiyohara several times before.
At her one-month celebration, Kiyohara had held her and given her a very warm stream of chakra.
When the white-clothed bad man wanted to take her away in the courtyard, it was also Kiyohara-sensei who suddenly appeared and drove him away.
Her mother said Kiyohara-sensei was Konoha's strongest ninja, and also the benefactor who had saved the entire Hyūga clan.
Her mother told her that from now on, she had to train properly under Kiyohara-sensei and not cause him trouble.
Hinata remembered her mother's words.
But she was still so nervous.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, beating several times faster than usual.
She lowered her head and looked at the tips of her own feet. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's hum.
"Ki-Kiyohara-sensei… h-hello…"
She got stuck.
Her mother had taught her how to greet him. Was it "good morning," or "it's nice to meet you, please take care of me"?
But it wasn't morning right now, and it wasn't their first meeting either. What was she supposed to say?
Hinata's little face turned bright red. A layer of moisture gathered in her pure-white eyes.
Kiyohara looked down at this little girl, so nervous she couldn't even speak properly, and couldn't help smiling.
"Hinata."
Because of the height difference, Kiyohara took the initiative to crouch down so his eyes were level with hers.
That action made Hinata's eyes widen slightly. She had never seen an adult crouch down to speak to her like this.
"Don't be nervous."
Kiyohara reached out and placed his palm on Hinata's head.
His hand was very large, large enough to completely cover her tiny head.
"Your mother should have told you that starting today, I'm your teacher."
Hinata nodded. The movement was so small it was almost hard to see.
"Then from now on, when you're with me, you don't need to be so restrained. Say whatever you want to say, ask whatever you want to ask. I won't scold you, and I won't hit you."
Kiyohara spoke calmly.
Hinata lifted her head. Her pure-white eyes met Kiyohara's dark ones.
She pursed her lips, gathered her courage, and finally said the full sentence her mother had taught her.
"Kiyohara-sensei, pl-please take care of me…"
Her voice was still very small, but she did not stumble.
"Please take care of me too."
Kiyohara's lips curved slightly. He withdrew the hand resting on her head and stood up from the ground.
"Then let's begin. Today, I'll teach you the most basic thing first—how to refine chakra."
He took a leaf from the tree and placed it on Hinata's forehead.
"Chakra is a type of energy inside a ninja's body. It is also the foundation of all ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. Without chakra, a ninja is no different from an ordinary person."
Hinata listened seriously, her pure-white eyes staring at Kiyohara without blinking.
The feeling of the leaf on her forehead was a little unfamiliar, but Hinata endured it and did not reach out to touch it.
"To sense chakra, first close your eyes and empty your mind. Then focus all of your attention on your abdomen. That is where chakra gathers."
Hearing this, Hinata closed her eyes.
Following Kiyohara's instructions, she tried to focus all her attention on her abdomen.
At first, she felt nothing. There was only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant clashing of ninja tools from the training field.
But gradually, she felt something warm in her lower abdomen.
It was difficult to describe. It was like warm water gently swaying inside her stomach.
"I… I feel it…"
Hinata said softly.
"Good. That is your chakra. Next, try guiding that chakra to your forehead so the leaf doesn't fall."
Kiyohara said.
Hinata focused, working hard to control that warm feeling and slowly push it toward her forehead.
The leaf on her forehead trembled. Its edge lifted slightly, but it still clung to her skin.
She bit her lower lip. Fine beads of sweat gathered at her temples.
After a while, the leaf finally stuck firmly to her forehead and stopped moving.
"You can open your eyes now."
Kiyohara said.
Hinata opened her eyes. Feeling the weight of the leaf on her forehead, a trace of joy appeared in her pure-white eyes.
She did it!
"Well done. Being able to make the leaf stick on your first try means you have very good chakra control talent."
Kiyohara nodded.
Hiashi had said Hinata's aptitude was very good. That had not been mere flattery.
In the original story, the reason Hinata was considered mediocre by her father was mainly because her personality was too gentle and timid. She lacked the aggressiveness a ninja should have.
And Hinata had never truly been allowed to eat her fill.
She looked quiet and refined, but in truth, she was surprisingly different from her appearance.
She was an enormous eater, even more so than Akimichi Chōji.
Unfortunately, the Hyūga clan's strict upbringing naturally did not allow Hinata to eat too much.
Her personality prevented her from fully displaying her strength, and her body was not given enough nutrition.
Under those conditions, even though Hinata possessed the highest-purity Byakugan, her strength remained ordinary.
By the end of the original story, she had only reached the level of a small chūnin.
This was why Hyūga Hiashi became disappointed in Hinata and turned his attention to the younger Hanabi instead.
"What should I teach Hinata?"
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
The Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist itself leaned more toward defense than offense. However, if one only defended without attacking, their offensive ability would be too poor, and they would eventually suffer in real combat.
But in Kiyohara's eyes, none of that was a problem.
Aggression could be cultivated. Combat experience could be accumulated. What truly determined a ninja's ceiling was chakra control talent and the purity of their bloodline limit.
In both of these areas, Hinata's aptitude could be called top-tier.
Kiyohara looked at the leaf firmly stuck to Hinata's forehead.
The reason Ōtsutsuki Toneri and his father had come to Konoha before was to find a spouse with a high-purity Byakugan for Toneri.
In the end, Kiyohara had successfully driven that father and son away.
Now Hinata had become his student. If those people from the moon still dared to come, that would be like an old man eating arsenic because he thought he had lived too long.
"Keep practicing. Today's goal is to keep the leaf on your forehead for ten minutes without letting it fall."
Kiyohara pulled back his thoughts.
"Yes, Kiyohara-sensei."
Hinata nodded hard. Because the movement was too big, the leaf on her forehead nearly slipped off. She hurriedly reached up to press it down, then realized that was wrong and quickly lowered her hand again, her little face full of panic.
Kiyohara looked at her flustered appearance and couldn't help smiling.
Hinata raised her head and met Kiyohara's smiling dark eyes, discovering that Kiyohara was not as unapproachable as she had imagined.
Her mother had said that Kiyohara-sensei was an incredibly powerful person, someone no one in the entire ninja world could defeat.
Such a powerful person actually had such a gentle personality.
Hinata's mind was a mess of thoughts.
"The new generation is about to grow up."
Kiyohara used Wood Release to create a chair, then lay back in it and watched Hinata train.
In another two years, Naruto, Sasuke, and their group of children would be old enough to enter school.
By then, his student network would become even larger.
Of course, Kiyohara's attention to the new generation did not prevent him from continuing to grow stronger himself.
Over the past half year, he had fully adapted to the Two-Tails' chakra. That subtle blue flame now flowed freely through his chakra pathways.
The Eight-Tails' chakra was also progressing steadily. His use of tentacle substitutions and ink sealing techniques had become increasingly proficient.
The Three-Tails' enhancement to Water Release had raised his affinity for water-nature chakra to an unprecedented level.
With the chakra power of four tailed beasts gathered within his body, Kiyohara's own chakra reserves had swollen to a level even he found exaggerated.
Next was the Nine-Tails.
Kiyohara had a good relationship with Kushina and Namikaze Minato, so obtaining the Nine-Tails' chakra was naturally easy.
The Nine-Tails' chakra was rather special. It did not possess any specific chakra nature.
But that chakra was immense.
If he could adapt to the Nine-Tails' chakra, Kiyohara's chakra reserves would reach yet another new level.
"The Dragon Vein's progress is a bit slow, though."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
His cells were also slowly adapting to the Dragon Vein chakra, raising the upper limit of what his body could contain.
Although fully adapting to the Dragon Vein chakra would take longer than adapting to tailed-beast chakra, once completed, both his chakra recovery speed and total reserves would enter an entirely new stage.
What made Kiyohara even more expectant was the increasingly obvious fetal movement deep within his eyes.
Ever since he absorbed a portion of the Golden Tenseigan's chakra, the gestation speed of his Tenseigan had clearly accelerated.
He estimated that true awakening should not be far off.
Most likely, it would happen within this month.
While Kiyohara was thinking, several children passed by one after another, glancing over from a distance before quickening their pace and running away.
In their eyes, Kiyohara was still quite intimidating.
On the small path on the other side of the training ground, two tiny figures were walking one after the other.
The one in front was Naruto, with a head of bright golden hair.
He wore an orange T-shirt, with his pant legs rolled up to his calves, revealing several scratches he had just gotten from the bushes today. There were three whisker-like marks on each side of his cheeks, wrinkling slightly as his facial muscles moved while he spoke.
In his hand, he clutched a reed he had just snapped off by the river. As he walked, he swung it around. The fluff at the end scattered everywhere.
"I'm telling you, Sasuke, yesterday by the river, I saw a super… huge frog! It was this… big!"
Naruto threw away the reed in his hand and spread both hands out wide, making a gesture larger than his whole arm span. He almost hit Sasuke in the face behind him.
Sasuke tilted his head aside, avoiding the hand that nearly smacked his face. His expression was indifferent.
He was about the same height as Naruto, wearing a dark-blue short-sleeved shirt with the Uchiha clan's fan crest printed on the back.
His black hair curled up slightly at the ends, and his skin was much paler than Naruto's.
"Frogs don't grow that big."
Sasuke's voice still had a childish tone, but there was already a trace of the future king of smugness in his manner.
"You're bragging again."
"I'm not bragging!"
Naruto suddenly turned around and walked backward, waving his hands in the air.
"It really was that big! And it could spray water! Pfft! It sprayed me all over!"
"You fell into the river."
"The frog pushed me into the river!"
"You just said it sprayed water, not pushed you."
"It sprayed water first, then pushed me!"
Naruto declared loudly, then turned around and kept walking.
"I'll take you there next time, and then you'll know! It's right by the stream near the village gate. I'll prove it to you!"
Sasuke was too lazy to argue with him anymore.
He lowered his head to watch the path and stepped around a shallow puddle.
Suddenly, Naruto stopped.
Sasuke nearly bumped into his back.
"Hey, don't suddenly stop while walking—"
Naruto whipped around, raised one index finger to his lips, and pointed forward with his other hand. His blue eyes were wide, and his voice lowered to what he thought was a whisper, though it was still quite loud.
"Shh, look over there!"
Sasuke followed his finger and looked over.
In the training ground, Kiyohara was standing up from his reclining chair.
His black hair fell over his shoulders. As he bent down, it slid forward from behind him.
He crouched, reached out, and removed the slightly sweat-dampened leaf from Hinata's forehead. His thumb naturally brushed across Hinata's forehead, wiping away the fine layer of sweat there.
Naruto sucked in a breath. His whole body shrank back half a step, and his orange T-shirt puffed slightly in the wind.
"That's the Hokage!"
Sasuke frowned.
Of course he recognized Kiyohara.
Whenever his father, Fugaku, mentioned Kiyohara, he always used a rare, serious tone. His mother, Mikoto, also showed a gentle smile every time she saw Kiyohara. As for his nii-san, he spoke of Kiyohara constantly, almost always mentioning "Kiyohara-sensei" in every conversation.
But for some reason, every time Sasuke saw Kiyohara, a very strange feeling rose in his heart.
As long as Kiyohara appeared within his field of vision, an indescribable stirring would slowly rise in his chest.
That sense of closeness was even stronger than what he felt when he saw his father.
He did not understand why.
Sasuke did not know that within his body resided the chakra of the Uchiha clan's ancestor, Indra, the eldest son of the Sage of Six Paths.
And that chakra had formed a strange connection with the chakra Kiyohara possessed.
Kiyohara also noticed the two little figures at the edge of the training ground.
He raised his hand and beckoned to them.
Naruto jumped out from behind the tree and bounded toward Kiyohara. The reed in his hand had long since been tossed somewhere unknown. Sasuke followed behind him.
"Uncle Kiyohara!"
Naruto ran up to Kiyohara and looked up.
"Why are you here? Sasuke and I were just about to go to the river. I'm telling you, yesterday there was a super huge frog by the river…"
"You just said it was the day before yesterday."
Sasuke walked over and corrected him.
"Huh? Did I say that?"
Naruto scratched the back of his head, messing his blond hair into something like an exploded bird's nest.
"Doesn't matter! Anyway, there was a super huge frog, and it pushed me into the river!"
"You just said it sprayed water first and then pushed you. And you were going to prove it to me."
"Don't be so annoyingly precise about this stuff, Sasuke!"
Kiyohara looked down at these two little kids, who together still weren't as tall as a table, and couldn't help smiling.
Naruto was still as noisy and energetic as ever, practically the same as Kushina when she was little, though his appearance was more like Namikaze Minato.
Sasuke was completely different, much calmer.
"Naruto, Sasuke."
Kiyohara said.
Naturally, Kiyohara had seen these two quite often.
As the future "main characters," he had paid considerable attention to them.
"When you grow up, what do you want to do?"
Naruto's eyes instantly lit up.
He planted both hands on his hips and puffed out his chest.
"I'm going to become Hokage! And I'm going to be the strongest Hokage ever, surpassing every Hokage in history, including you, Uncle Kiyohara!"
Sasuke squinted from the loud shout.
"I want to become as strong as my brother, and then… surpass my brother."
When Naruto heard this, his eyes widened.
He turned his head and looked at Sasuke with an expression of disbelief.
"Hey, hey, what kind of dream is that? That's so lame."
"You're the lame one."
Sasuke's brows drew together.
"My brother is the most… amazing genius of the Uchiha clan."
He had wanted to say "strongest genius," but just as the words reached his mouth, he remembered his father saying that Itachi still could not compare to Kiyohara-sensei, so he changed the wording at the last second.
"Your dream is the one that's impossible, okay? Surpassing every Hokage…"
"How is it impossible?"
Naruto jumped up at once, pointing straight at Sasuke's nose.
"If I say I'll do it, I'll definitely do it! Looking down on other people's dreams like that means you're definitely going to become a really petty adult!"
"Idiot. You always love making big claims!"
"Stinky Sasuke, who are you calling an idiot?"
The two started arguing right in front of Kiyohara.
However, Kiyohara was more focused on the chakra inside their bodies.
From Kiyohara's perspective, there was a mass of orange chakra inside Naruto and a mass of purple chakra inside Sasuke.
Both masses of chakra carried faint human-shaped silhouettes.