The next day, when Kiyohara got up, he rolled his shoulders a little.
He gathered chakra into the back of his hand and noticed that the curse mark pattern had changed.
In the center of the tomoe, it looked like a diamond-shaped mark was starting to form.
The moment he dispersed the chakra, the pattern sank back under his skin again.
"It's merging faster than I expected,"
Kiyohara thought.
Then he walked to the window and pushed it open.
The fresh morning air poured into the room.
Kiyohara glanced at Konan, who was hiding in the shadows, and found himself wondering what time she had gotten up.
"Come with me to Anbu."
he said.
He planned to take her there and handle the handoff.
The Anbu base.
When Kiyohara pushed open the door to the training ground, someone was already inside.
Kakashi was leaning against the wall with a small orange-covered book in his hands.
The moment he heard the door open, he just happened to reach a good part.
Without the slightest change in expression, he stuffed the book into his ninja pouch.
"You're here?"
Kakashi looked at Konan behind Kiyohara.
His first impression of her was that she was slender, upright, and masked.
"The new one?"
Kakashi raised a brow.
Kiyohara nodded.
Kakashi's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and his brow furrowed slightly.
That person…
She felt oddly familiar.
But he couldn't quite place it.
Just then, a booming voice rang out from deeper inside the training ground.
"The new one!"
A green figure shot out at blinding speed, so fast it was little more than an afterimage.
In the blink of an eye, that figure was already in front of Kiyohara.
Might Guy.
He was wearing the same Anbu uniform as Kakashi.
"A new comrade!"
He looked at Konan, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Welcome to Anbu! Let's burn with the flames of youth together!"
Konan stood perfectly still.
Inwardly, she found herself wondering whether Konoha's Anbu was a little too bright and sunny.
At a glance, Konan had already seen that Kakashi had been reading smut, and now here came a loud, hyperactive Might Guy.
Anbu division… or Bright division?
"Guy."
Kakashi spoke up.
"Don't scare the new recruit."
Kakashi had seen Konan a few times before, but Guy hadn't really met her much, so he wasn't familiar with her.
Guy froze, then scratched his head.
"Right, right."
He backed off a few steps, but he still couldn't help looking her over.
"But seriously, you look great in the Anbu uniform. Your figure's amazing!"
Konan: "…"
Kakashi walked over and patted Guy on the shoulder.
"That's enough. Stop talking."
Then he turned to Kiyohara.
"What are we training today?"
Kiyohara thought for a moment.
"Warm-up first."
Then he turned to Konan.
"You're with me. Get used to how Anbu trains."
"Right now?"
Konan asked.
She happened to want to pick up some training methods from Konoha anyway, so she could bring them back and apply them to the Akatsuki.
In her view, the experience of great-nation shinobi was definitely worth learning from.
"Right now."
Kiyohara nodded.
Kakashi and Might Guy quickly paired off and went elsewhere to train.
That left only Konan and Kiyohara here.
Before the training actually began, Kiyohara planned to take advantage of the chance.
"In exchange, I want you to teach me some Paper Release ninjutsu."
Kiyohara was very interested in Paper Release.
It was an unusually special technique.
It was neither a kekkei genkai nor a clan secret art.
And yet, it somehow gave off the impression of having traits of both.
The reason was simple. Basic Paper Release techniques were actually fairly common. Things like "Paper Release: Shuriken Technique" were known by plenty of ninja.
But taking it to Konan's level—disguising six hundred billion explosive tags as an ocean so perfectly that even the Sharingan couldn't see through it…
Or turning her own body into paper to avoid damage, creating paper wings to fly into the sky…
Only Konan could do things like that.
"You already know so many jutsu. People even call you the 'Professor Ninja.'"
Konan sounded puzzled.
By now, Kiyohara had started being called the "Professor Ninja."
Because, like Hiruzen Sarutobi in his younger days, Kiyohara had mastered all kinds of elemental techniques.
"Not at all. At most, I'm only at 'ninja undergraduate level.'"
Kiyohara shook his head.
Of course, in the ninja world there was only something like elementary school—there was no such stage as undergrad.
Hearing the word "undergraduate," Konan showed a hint of confusion beneath her mask.
What was that supposed to mean?
"In any case, I'm still far from enough. There's still a lot I need to learn. You can never have too many skills."
Kiyohara said.
The more thoroughly he mastered different kinds of chakra transformations, the more it would help him synthesize kekkei genkai, kekkei tōta, and ultimately even kekkei mōra.
If Kiyohara already had a kekkei mōra right now, he could directly crush anyone below Six Paths level.
"I can't guarantee you'll be able to learn it."
Konan felt Kiyohara was aiming a little too high.
Looking at it carefully, besides the basic five elemental releases, Kiyohara already knew Storm Release, Magnet Release, space-time ninjutsu, and more.
It was far too much.
Konan honestly had no idea where he found the time to learn all of that.
"I don't need you to guarantee success. Just demonstrate it a few times. I'll remember it."
Kiyohara said.
As long as he didn't use Susanoo or his Mangekyō abilities, the basic abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan by themselves were actually quite sustainable.
Itachi had treated his Mangekyō techniques like trump cards and used them sparingly, and even with a diseased body, it still took more than ten years for him to go blind.
If Kiyohara used them at Itachi's rate, he probably wouldn't go blind in an entire lifetime.
"Then I'll begin."
Since Kiyohara insisted, Konan decided to demonstrate a few times.
The chakra she refined shifted into a special state, turning into sheet after sheet of white paper.
Kiyohara stroked his chin and asked,
"All of this paper is made from chakra?"
At that, Konan shook her head.
"Of course not. I don't have that much chakra."
She took out a small sealing scroll and said,
"I've got stored paper sealed in here, and sometimes I summon paper too."
"I see."
Now Kiyohara understood why Konan's paper always seemed endless.
Chakra could create paper, sure, but using real paper as a base was obviously much more efficient.
"So the paper you use now is all oil paper?"
Kiyohara continued.
"More or less. It's all been treated to resist fire."
Konan nodded.
Actually, it wasn't just fireproof. It had been treated to resist moisture too, otherwise it would be useless in a place like the Land of Rain.
As she spoke, the white sheets of paper spun and danced above her palm like a swarm of butterflies.
Then they started splitting and changing shape.
One sheet became two. Two became four.
In the blink of an eye, those white sheets had turned into dozens of kunai.
They hovered around her, their tips aimed at the wooden posts in the clearing.
"Paper Release: Kunai."
Konan said calmly.
"Infusing paper with chakra to harden it into a weapon is a very basic technique."
She flicked her hand, and the paper kunai shot forward, sinking into the wooden posts with a series of sharp thuds.
Those paper kunai were no weaker than real ones.
Kiyohara nodded. The power was pretty solid.
While Konan was demonstrating, he had already activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, letting him clearly see every movement of chakra.
Kiyohara raised his right hand.
Chakra similar to Konan's gathered in his palm and flowed out through the chakra points in his hand.
That chakra turned into sheets of white paper.
A moment later, dozens of kunai floated around him.
It was exactly the same as Konan's paper shuriken.
Konan's eyes widened slightly.
"You…"
She had thought Kiyohara would need to watch several times, or at least wait for an explanation.
Instead, he used it immediately.
"Keep going, Konan."
Kiyohara dismissed the white paper. He wanted to learn the more advanced Paper Release techniques.
Konan took a slow breath and suppressed her shock.
Then she raised both hands.
Chakra flowed again.
This time, the paper didn't become weapons. It adhered to her body.
From a distance, it looked as though Konan's skin had literally become paper, with the fine folds unique to it.
A pair of huge white wings spread open behind her.
Those wings were made of countless sheets of paper, stretching wide.
Her body slowly rose, hovering in midair.
The wings beat gently, stirring the air.
"This is Dance of the Shikigami."
Her voice drifted down from above.
"It lets the body turn completely into paper, creates paper wings to stay airborne, and can also be used to make weapons."
The Mangekyō pattern in Kiyohara's eyes rotated slowly.
This could definitely be called one of the rare flying techniques.
Then he raised both hands as well.
Sheets of paper adhered to his body in layer after layer.
A pair of massive white wings unfurled behind him.
His body slowly rose into the air.
Exactly the same posture as Konan's.
Konan's eyes widened even further.
"How… how is that possible?"
Kiyohara looked at her, a slight smile on his lips.
"Your technique is really interesting."
He flapped the wings and circled through the air once.
The paper moved smoothly with him, incredibly agile.
Kiyohara felt that flying in this form consumed far less chakra than using Magnet Release.
"This really is convenient for travel."
He tried extending the paper wings farther and found that his speed increased too.
"And it should be highly efficient for making explosive tags."
Kiyohara extended a hand, created a sheet of paper, and began writing the sealing formula for an explosive tag onto it.
How to make explosive tags wasn't actually some precious secret.
While studying sealing arts and curse marks, Kiyohara had already learned related techniques.
It was just a matter of craftsmanship, and the medium had to be right.
Konan looked at him and, for a moment, had no words.
The Dance of the Shikigami Kiyohara had just demonstrated was identical to hers.
No—even smoother than hers.
When she used paper, there would occasionally be one or two sheets that didn't respond perfectly.
But in Kiyohara's hands, they moved as naturally as his own limbs.
"You… are you really using this technique for the first time?"
There was uncertainty in Konan's clear voice.
Kiyohara looked at her.
"Yeah."
Konan fell silent.
All at once, she understood why Nagato had been so wary of Kiyohara.
This person's ability to learn…
was terrifying.
That afternoon.
When Kiyohara returned from the training ground to Tsunade's house, an invitation was already waiting for him.
Shizune handed it over.
"It's from the Hyuga clan."
Kiyohara accepted it and opened it.
The handwriting was neat, the wording respectful.
In short, it expressed thanks for his contributions in the war and invited him to a banquet that night.
After reading it, Kiyohara closed the invitation.
"The Hyuga clan…"
he murmured softly.
This invitation had come at just the right time.
With the Hokage selection approaching, the Hyuga clan was…
choosing a side.
He turned and looked at Konan.
"Go prepare a gift."
Konan nodded and left.
That evening.
The Hyuga compound.
When Kiyohara arrived, Hiashi Hyuga was already waiting at the entrance.
He was dressed in the Hyuga clan's traditional robe, with the clan crest embroidered on the white outer layer.
Their crest looked like a fan with a flame inside it.
Even on his usually stern face, there was a trace of a smile.
Clearly, he had been in a good mood lately.
"Kiyohara-kun."
Hiashi spoke first.
"Welcome."
Kiyohara returned the courtesy.
"You're too kind, Lord Hiashi."
Hiashi stepped aside.
"Please."
Kiyohara walked into the compound.
It was larger than he had expected.
Every building had a wooden plaque hanging over the entrance, with the resident's name written on it.
At the end of the road stood a much larger building.
That was the Hyuga main house.
Hiashi led Kiyohara inside, through the corridor, and into a spacious tatami room.
The banquet had already been prepared.
The low table was covered with refined dishes, along with several bottles of sake.
"Please, sit."
Hiashi gestured for Kiyohara to take the main seat.
Kiyohara didn't refuse. He sat down calmly.
Hiashi seated himself opposite him.
Several Hyuga clan members knelt to either side, handling the sake and serving the dishes.
Kiyohara noticed that all of them had forehead protectors covering their foreheads.
Branch family members.
That was Kiyohara's conclusion.
Members of the main family in Konoha always left their foreheads exposed openly. Only those from the branch family had reason to hide theirs.
The banquet began.
Hiashi personally poured Kiyohara a drink.
"Your performance on the battlefield left a deep impression, Kiyohara-kun."
He raised his cup.
"This one is to you."
Kiyohara raised his own.
"You flatter me, Lord Hiashi."
The two drank together.
The sake went down smooth, carrying a rich fragrance.
Kiyohara set his cup down.
"You didn't invite me here just for drinks today, did you, Lord Hiashi?"
Hiashi looked at him and smiled.
"Kiyohara-kun really is direct."
He set his own cup down and waved a hand.
The clan members on either side understood at once. They rose and left the room.
The door slid shut softly.
Now only Kiyohara and Hiashi remained.
Hiashi looked at him.
"With the Hokage selection approaching, how confident are you in your chances?"
Kiyohara didn't answer directly.
He looked at Hiashi, a faint smile on his lips.
"What do you think, Lord Hiashi?"
Hiashi was silent for a moment.
"Minato Namikaze has distinguished war achievements, excellent popularity, and represents the civilian ninja."
"Orochimaru is one of the Sannin and highly experienced, but…"
He paused.
"He's far too close to Danzō."
Kiyohara picked up his cup and took a sip.
"Are you analyzing my opponents for me?"
Hiashi looked at him.
"You're a smart man, Kiyohara-kun, so I won't waste time being indirect."
He set down his cup and folded his hands over his knees.
"The Hyuga clan is willing to support you."
Kiyohara looked at him.
There was a quiet seriousness in those pale eyes.
"Why?"
Kiyohara asked.
"The Hyuga have always stayed neutral. Why choose a side now?"
Hiashi was silent for a while.
"Because the Hyuga clan also needs a future."
His voice grew lower.
"These past years, the Hyuga's position in the village has become more and more delicate. The conflict between the main and branch families, the suspicion from outsiders, and those…"
He stopped himself there.
But Kiyohara understood.
The Hyuga's situation was actually very similar to the Uchiha's.
Just not quite as extreme.
"If you become Hokage, the Hyuga clan hopes to receive your protection."
Hiashi looked straight at him.
"In exchange, the Hyuga clan will support you with everything it has in the Hokage election."
Kiyohara looked back at him.
There was an unmistakable note of expectation in those pale eyes.
"You think that highly of me?"
"Not highly."
Hiashi shook his head.
"It's a bet."
He paused.
"Konoha's future needs someone to shoulder it. Minato Namikaze is excellent. Orochimaru is capable too, but…"
He looked at Kiyohara.
"You're younger."
Kiyohara was silent for a moment, then smiled.
"You really are a smart man, Lord Hiashi."
He raised his cup.
"This drink is to the Hyuga clan's judgment."
Hiashi raised his own and clinked it lightly against Kiyohara's.
The two drank together.
After several rounds of drink and course after course of food, the banquet was nearing its end when Hiashi suddenly spoke again.
"Kiyohara-kun."
"Yes?"
"After you become Hokage, will you continue taking disciples?"
Kiyohara looked at him.
"That's a sudden question. Why ask?"
Hiashi was silent for a moment.
"My wife… is pregnant."
Kiyohara's brows shifted slightly.
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
Hiashi looked at him.
"That child will be the heir of the Hyuga clan."
Regardless of whether it was a boy or a girl, that would be the case.
"I want to find a good teacher for that child."
Kiyohara looked at Hiashi.
"You want me to take your child as a disciple?"
Hiashi nodded.
"I know it's a rather presumptuous request, but—"
"I accept."
Kiyohara cut him off before he could finish.
Becoming Hinata's teacher actually suited Kiyohara's own plans perfectly.
Hiashi froze for a second.
"Kiyohara-kun… you're agreeing just like that?"
Kiyohara smiled faintly.
"The Hyuga heir is bound to have excellent talent."
"And being able to take the heir of the Hyuga as my disciple would be an honor."
Hiashi looked at him. On that usually stern face, the smile deepened.
"Kiyohara-kun really is straightforward."
He raised his cup.
"This one is to the future teacher and student."
Kiyohara raised his own and clinked it lightly against Hiashi's.
They both drank.
As he set the cup down, an image appeared in Kiyohara's mind.
A girl with straight-cut bangs and pale white eyes.
Hinata Hyuga.
That pair of high-purity Byakugan really was rare talent.
And then…
something occurred to him.
If Kushina was already pregnant, then Naruto should already be several months along too.
This time… would there still be a Nine-Tails attack?
By the time the banquet ended, it was already deep into the night.
Hiashi personally escorted Kiyohara to the gate.
"Kiyohara-kun, take care."
He bowed slightly.
Kiyohara returned the courtesy.
"You needn't see me out any farther, Lord Hiashi."
He turned and walked off into the night.
Moonlight spilled over him, stretching his shadow long behind him.
After a few steps, he suddenly stopped.
"Lord Hiashi."
He turned back.
"That child—what will the name be?"
Hiashi paused, then smiled.
"We haven't chosen one yet."
He looked at Kiyohara.
"If you'd like, Kiyohara-kun, you can help name the child."
Kiyohara thought for a moment.
"Hinata."
he said.
"Hinata Hyuga."
Hiashi repeated the name to himself.
It felt like a good name.
"A fine name."
he said.
Kiyohara smiled faintly and turned to continue walking.
That was the very name they had intended to choose, so of course they would like it.