His control over this ninjutsu had become even more precise and efficient.
"Is this the effect of stacked talent?"
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
No wonder Orochimaru had gone to such lengths to replace his vessels. Sometimes, the difference really was immense.
Kiyohara then clenched his fist, feeling the abundant stamina still coursing through his body.
This stamina could be converted into chakra at any time.
The old Kiyohara definitely would not have possessed this much chakra.
He needed to take some time to properly adapt to and absorb this new power.
"Hmm... I hope the next future is related to taijutsu."
Kiyohara stroked his chin.
While increased spiritual energy could certainly raise one's chakra reserves considerably, too great a disparity from physical energy could lead to future problems.
Like Kurenai Yuhi's disciple, Kurama Yakumo. The Kurama clan possessed a Kekkei Genkai related to Yin Release, but excessively powerful spiritual energy would instead oppress the body.
Kurama Yakumo's spirit was simply too strong, leaving her body frail and weak.
Only when the spirit and body advanced together was it the proper way to increase chakra.
Kiyohara even suspected that Senju Hashirama might have died young because of an imbalance between his physical and spiritual energies. After believing he had killed his most cherished friend, Uchiha Madara, he had been consumed by grief and exhaustion.
The reason was simple. In the Ninja World, there was something called vitality.
Hashirama Cells possessed extraordinarily vigorous vitality. Most villains who appeared had a piece of them, treating them as treasure and transplanting them into their own bodies.
And as the source of those cells, how could Senju Hashirama possibly have been lacking?
Yet someone like that had died in his fifties or sixties...
Of course, it was also possible that he had overdrawn himself too severely in his battle against Uchiha Madara, leaving his body ruined.
It was also possible that Asura's chakra had believed his elder brother had reincarnated and had followed him along.
In short, there were far too many possibilities, but the shared point of confusion remained unchanged.
Senju Hashirama had undeniably died far too early.
"The next mission should come within the next few days. I should find a good shop and have my ninja tools made first."
Kiyohara thought to himself.
As for the loan, he would naturally delay it for as long as he could.
"Still, Iwagakure probably won't be able to hold out much longer."
Kiyohara suddenly thought of something else.
Sarutobi Hiruzen would choose to step down and select the Fourth Hokage.
It was not because of his age, but because he had been removed for his crimes!
What crime was it?
The answer was simple. The Battle of Kannabi Bridge had severed the enemy's critical logistics route.
The other enemy ninja had also been defeated by Namikaze Minato. Together with Konoha's ninja, they had killed more than half of the thousand-plus Iwagakure ninja who had launched the surprise attack.
When Iwagakure saw this, it realized it could barely hold on any longer.
Yet before Iwagakure could do anything, Sarutobi Hiruzen took the lead in representing Konoha and proactively sought a ceasefire agreement.
He acknowledged all of Iwagakure's actions and relinquished the right to compensation.
It was like being overwhelmingly ahead, only one push away from destroying the enemy's crystal, when Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly hit surrender and pressured everyone else to surrender with him.
Even Shimura Danzō could not help furiously denouncing it. So many allies had died on that battlefield—wasn't this making their deaths meaningless?
Sarutobi Hiruzen then declared that it was all his personal responsibility and resigned from the position of Third Hokage to atone.
As absurd as it was, that was the original plot.
"After this, they'll concentrate their forces on dealing with Kirigakure."
Kiyohara thought to himself.
Uchiha Madara's backup plan was Kirigakure.
He would have to be more careful during missions.
Several days passed.
Hokage Office Building.
At dusk, the Hokage's office was brightly lit.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his broad desk, the familiar pipe between his lips. Wisps of white smoke drifted upward, making his stern face appear somewhat hazy.
The office door was lightly knocked upon, then pushed open.
It was Namikaze Minato, who had just completed a mission and returned to the village from the border.
"Third Hokage-sama."
Namikaze Minato gave a slight bow.
"This is the detailed report. Also... news has arrived from the front. The Iwagakure forces in the Land of Grass have retreated thirty li."
"Oh?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe and accepted the scroll Minato handed over, a hint of relief appearing on his face.
"You've worked hard, Minato. This is good news. If we can resolve the Iwagakure crisis, we can concentrate our main forces on dealing with the pressure from Kumogakure and Kirigakure."
He quickly scanned the mission report and nodded in satisfaction.
"You always bring good news."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze then fell upon another document on the desk. It was the final list of those who had passed the Chunin selection a few days ago.
He picked up the list, his eyes lingering on the name "Kiyohara" for a moment before handing it to Minato.
"Take a look at this, Minato. The Kiyohara you recommended defeated an Uchiha clansman known as an elite ninja a few days ago."
Namikaze Minato was slightly taken aback. Taking the list, he said in some surprise,
"Kiyohara? He took part in the selection?"
He quickly scanned the list and found Kiyohara's name.
"I thought that, given his performance in the Kannabi Bridge mission, he would be promoted directly. Still, it's better that he proved himself by passing the selection."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up his pipe, intending to satisfy his craving first. Like an old smoker, he took a slow drag and gradually exhaled the smoke.
Namikaze Minato silently inhaled the secondhand smoke.
When one came to the Hokage's office, how could one avoid secondhand smoke?
Namikaze Minato was very curious how much tax revenue cigarettes provided to the Land of Fire.
"Direct promotion would certainly have been possible, but having him go through the selection process allowed us to better assess his potential, temperament, and ability to adapt when facing different opponents.
After all, no matter how impressive a report might be, it could not compare to seeing it firsthand. It seems the praise you gave him in your recommendation letter was not exaggerated."
Namikaze Minato immediately understood the Third Hokage's intentions.
This was not a questioning of his judgment, but the careful cultivation that came from valuing talent.
During the war, Konoha had lost too many outstanding ninja, especially its Chunin and Jonin, the backbone of its forces.
A commoner like Kiyohara, whose parents had both died for Konoha, could be said to possess pure Konoha roots and an impeccable background.
Moreover, his talent was quite good. Without a doubt, he was exactly the sort of person the village urgently needed to cultivate and reserve for the future.
The Third Hokage wished to take this opportunity to assess Kiyohara's value more comprehensively, so that he could be given more suitable resources and a more appropriate position in the future.
"I understand, Hokage-sama."
Minato nodded, a touch of sentiment in his voice.
"That child Kiyohara truly has great potential. More importantly, he has a steadfast heart that protects his companions. In the current situation, that is especially rare."
He recalled what Nohara Rin had told him afterward about Kiyohara's brave deed of staying behind alone to face Taiseki.
"Impeccable roots, outstanding ability, and a good temperament as well..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze fell upon the list once more.
"He is a seedling worth cultivating well. Minato, you are fairly familiar with him, so pay more attention to his growth in the future."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Namikaze Minato solemnly accepted the order.
He himself thought highly of Kiyohara. Now that he had received the Hokage's explicit instructions, he was naturally willing to offer this junior more guidance and opportunities.
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