The Higher-Ups' Surprise (Please Recommend)

As Uchiha Kiyoshi and the others dispersed and returned home, the intelligence from their day reached the Third Hokage.

Danzo had not sent anyone over this time, mainly because of the previous incident. After being warned by the Hokage, he had reined himself in somewhat. Still, Danzo needed to see this intelligence. The Third Hokage did not conceal it and sent the report to the other higher-ups as well.

Danzo and the other two members of the council of elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, all received the report. Besides them, the young Sannin also learned of it. When the Anbu ninja delivered the report, the three of them had been present. As the Hokage's disciples, they had not been asked to leave.

There was nothing especially important in it. The children were all safe. Well, no, one matter had still surprised the higher-ups: Uchiha Kiyoshi had mastered the Hemostasis Technique.

Many students at the Ninja Academy had only just refined Chakra. Forget Ninjutsu—even the Three Basic Techniques, standard for ninja, were beyond them. Yet Uchiha Kiyoshi had already learned Ninjutsu, and the most difficult kind at that: Medical Ninjutsu?

This was very good news for Konoha. The Hokage only passed the intelligence on to Konoha's higher-ups and did not spread it any further.

Danzo had not yet lost an arm or an eye, so he had naturally not begun human experimentation. He had little need for medical ninja and did not pay much attention to it, simply considering it a generous concession to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

It was different for the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Uchiha Kiyoshi had previously only shown interest in this area, and no one knew what his talent was truly like. But now that they knew he had mastered the Hemostasis Technique, it proved that his talent for Medical Ninjutsu was exceptionally strong—perhaps no worse than Tsunade's. Of course, Tsunade had also had to spend time on other offensive Ninjutsu, such as Monster Strength, while Uchiha Kiyoshi had devoted nearly all his efforts to this. At least, that was how outsiders saw it. So overall, even the Third could not say whose talent for Medical Ninjutsu was greater.

There was no point in arguing over whose talent was better. What the Third cared about now was that Uchiha Kiyoshi truly possessed tremendous medical talent. Naturally, he hoped the boy would devote more energy to Medical Ninjutsu, and he immediately abandoned his previous plan to guide Uchiha Kiyoshi in another direction.

Then why did the Third Hokage value Uchiha Kiyoshi's medical talent so highly?

It was only Konoha Year 28. The Second War had not even begun, and Tsunade had yet to fully develop. Konoha's medical standards were higher than those of the other ninja villages, but only slightly; the gap was not particularly large. Tsunade had recognized the importance of Medical Ninjutsu, and with her outstanding talent in the field, she had repeatedly proposed that Konoha vigorously develop medical technology. Unfortunately, Konoha lacked funding, and her proposals had never been approved, dragging on until now.

The Third Hokage was an exceptionally capable politician. During his tenure, he had brought Konoha to its greatest heights. It was obvious just how outstanding his political abilities were. If not for internal problems within the village, the other ninja villages would have long ceased to matter.

How could the Third Hokage fail to see the benefits of developing Medical Ninjutsu? Therefore, he supported his disciple. Funding might have been insufficient, but they could not fall behind in action. Thus, Konoha Hospital had been established. So far, its results were quite good, and it even brought in a considerable income. However, Sarutobi Hiruzen used all of that income as funding for the development of Medical Ninjutsu. Besides Konoha Hospital, the Third Hokage had Tsunade lead a team to organize medical knowledge and improve the medical system. Uchiha Kiyoshi was one of the beneficiaries. The Konoha Medical Ninjutsu Basics Compendium was one of the results of this initiative.

Beyond foundational knowledge, Tsunade and the others had carried out a series of medical reforms and developed several basic Medical Ninjutsu. Among them was the Healing Technique, a weakened version of the Mystical Palm Technique, which significantly lowered the entry threshold for medical ninja.

That was right, entry. Only after learning a healing Ninjutsu like the Healing Technique could one be considered a beginner medical ninja. The Hemostasis Technique was more of an auxiliary method, though it was still mandatory.

Achievements such as the Delicate Illness Extraction Technique were all products of these reforms. Unfortunately, they eventually ran into a bottleneck due to the shortage of top-tier medical ninja.

The current Tsunade had already reached Konoha's first-rate level in Medical Ninjutsu, but she had not yet pulled ahead of the other first-rate medical ninja. Her talent meant she would improve quickly, but that still required a long time.

Uchiha Kiyoshi's appearance happened to solve this predicament. As long as he grew, perhaps he could also promote the advancement of Medical Ninjutsu. With two top-tier medical ninja then, their chances of successfully applying for funding would increase greatly.

And to put it bluntly, once war broke out, Konoha would have to face multiple enemies. Tsunade, a top-tier medical ninja, could only go to one battlefield. She would inevitably be unable to handle everything. If there were one more person, some of the pressure could be shared.

Uchiha Kiyoshi still did not know how highly the Third Hokage regarded him. He simply returned home and continued his daily training. After learning the Hemostasis Technique, he did not rush to study other Medical Ninjutsu. His Chakra was his greatest obstacle. Moreover, all healing-type Medical Ninjutsu touched, to varying degrees, upon the Nature Transformation of Yang Release. Uchiha Kiyoshi had not even mastered the Nature Transformation of a basic Five Elements Ninjutsu, so he did not dare dream of Yang Release's Nature Transformation.

At the Uchiha Clan Head's Residence.

The current Uchiha Clan Leader, Uchiha Kai, looked at the intelligence sent by the Third Hokage and fell into silent contemplation.

He knew about the unusual little Uchiha, Uchiha Kiyoshi. Uchiha Yu had not concealed anything and had reported all of Uchiha Kiyoshi's circumstances. The clan had not criticized him over his personality. On the contrary, it had been quite tolerant and rarely brought the matter up. Aside from his somewhat unusual personality, Uchiha Kai had always treated Uchiha Kiyoshi like any other Uchiha. Now, after seeing the Third Hokage's intelligence, he knew he should do something.

Uchiha Kai had not expected Uchiha Kiyoshi to possess talent for Medical Ninjutsu, and not a small amount of it either. Of course, that was what the Third believed. Uchiha Kai actually knew that Uchiha Kiyoshi's success had come more from hard work. Ever since his personality had changed drastically at the age of two, Uchiha Kiyoshi had frequently visited the Archives, and his entire reading process had taken place there. Thus, Uchiha Yu knew Uchiha Kiyoshi's progress very well. Aside from not knowing the extent of his mastery, he knew everything else about Uchiha Kiyoshi's progress. And Uchiha Kiyoshi had truly been studying Medical Ninjutsu seriously!

Therefore, Uchiha Kai quickly accepted the news that Uchiha Kiyoshi had mastered his first Medical Ninjutsu so early.

"Kiyoshi is a ninja of my Uchiha Clan. Since he has talent, we naturally will not let it go to waste. Even if Sarutobi Hiruzen says nothing, we will still train him properly.

"A medical ninja... The Uchiha Clan would lose far fewer ninja. And we could also earn more goodwill from Konoha's residents."

Uchiha Kai was a pacifist. He was not much younger than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Having personally experienced the chaos of the Warring States Period, he cherished peace as well. Thus, he hoped to ease the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. Even the successor he had chosen for the future, Uchiha Fugaku, was a pacifist.

"Someone, notify him to come see me."

In the darkness of the night, a black figure flashed past.

Uchiha Kiyoshi, who was training at home, suddenly sensed someone arriving at his house. He was startled at first, but after seeing the clan crest on the visitor's clothes, he relaxed somewhat.

"Uchiha Kiyoshi, the Clan Leader wishes to see you."

"The Clan Leader? He wants to see me?"

Hearing this suddenly, Uchiha Kiyoshi was at a loss and deeply puzzled. However, the other party had no intention of explaining. Uchiha Kiyoshi was sensible enough not to press further and instead began considering why the Clan Leader had summoned him.

After thinking for a long time, Uchiha Kiyoshi still could not figure out why the Clan Leader wanted to see him.

Forget it. I'll find out everything once I get there. The Clan Leader would not harm me, anyway. It's probably a good thing.

After arriving at the Clan Head's Residence, Uchiha Kiyoshi followed Uchiha Ryuichi, the ninja who had notified him, to the Clan Leader's study.

It was very different from the study in Uchiha Kiyoshi's home. His study was, at most, just a room. The Clan Leader's study was much larger, and its shelves were filled with scrolls of every kind.

Uchiha Kiyoshi did not look around. After finding Uchiha Kai, he bowed respectfully.

"Clan Leader, you wished to see me."

Uchiha Kai examined Uchiha Kiyoshi carefully. Unlike most Uchiha, he lacked any trace of hostility. His presence was gentle, yet before Uchiha Kai, he was neither servile nor overbearing. Uchiha Kai nodded in satisfaction.

"I called you here because there is something I wish to discuss with you."

Uchiha Kiyoshi said nothing and listened carefully to the Clan Leader.

"I heard that you are interested in Medical Ninjutsu and have already learned the Hemostasis Technique?"

Uchiha Kiyoshi was quite surprised to hear this. Even the Clan Leader knew?

However, he did not question how the Clan Leader had obtained the information. Unlike Secret Jutsu research and other matters that could not be seen by others, he had not made much effort to hide his practice of the Hemostasis Technique within the Uchiha Clan. He had not deliberately practiced in the study every time, so it was normal for the Clan Leader to know that he had learned it.

Naturally, if a Clan Leader could not even grasp the circumstances of his own clansmen, he would be somewhat derelict in his duties.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had originally thought it would take at least half a month before the other party learned of it. He had not expected him to know so soon. It seemed he would have to be more careful in the future. It was not a matter of distrust; rather, too many of Uchiha Kiyoshi's secrets truly could not be exposed. Nor did he wish to play games that tested human nature.

After considering all of this, Uchiha Kiyoshi quickly confirmed that he had learned the Hemostasis Technique.

Uchiha Kai smiled. His tone was no longer so stiff, but rather gentle as he spoke to Uchiha Kiyoshi.

"Do not be nervous. Relax a little. I only received this news today, which is why I had Ryuichi summon you.

"The clan provides additional resources to talented ninja. Since you have talent for Medical Ninjutsu, we will support you as well. Although the clan's medical standards are not high, we can support you in other areas."

Hearing Uchiha Kai's words, Uchiha Kiyoshi was somewhat moved. Look at this—this was what a clan should be like. All those stories about infighting and power struggles in novels were lies.

"From now on, the clan will provide you with ten packets of Medicinal Bath ingredients every month to help you recover after training. You may also choose one Ninjutsu for free. You can claim it from Uchiha Yu at the Archives in the future."

Uchiha Kiyoshi was extremely excited upon hearing this. He had been worrying about how to earn money to buy Medicinal Bath ingredients, only for the Clan Leader to send them straight to him. It was like receiving a pillow just when he was sleepy. And there was also a free Ninjutsu selection. No rank had been specified, and he had been told he could claim it later. The hidden meaning was that even B-rank or A-rank Ninjutsu would not be a problem once he had grown strong enough. That was why Uchiha Kiyoshi was so excited.

The Uchiha Clan's collection was unquestionably abundant, with many techniques exclusive to them. If he casually chose one, he would make a huge profit.

Seeing that Uchiha Kiyoshi had not immediately named the Ninjutsu he wanted, Uchiha Kai nodded. "He can understand the implication in my words. The little fellow is quite clever."

Compared to the Third Hokage, Uchiha Kai understood far better what Uchiha Kiyoshi needed. All of Uchiha Kiyoshi's records from childhood to the present were with him, far more complete than those collected by the Hokage. What he had read in the Archives, his exact performances during special training, and similar matters were all far more detailed than the Anbu's intelligence.

Uchiha Kai also knew that the best way to invest in Uchiha Kiyoshi was not through Medical Ninjutsu, but by helping him increase his strength—especially in ways that improved his ability to preserve his own life. That would be exactly what he wanted.

And that was indeed the case. Although Uchiha Kiyoshi's outward behavior was part of his persona, the real Uchiha Kiyoshi was also naturally cautious. Otherwise, he would not have been able to maintain the act for so long without exposing any flaws.

After receiving the Clan Leader's promise of additional resources, Uchiha Kiyoshi returned home happily.

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