Yotsuki Kiyoshi Was the Raikage's Distant Nephew

A translucent Entry System appeared before Kiyoshi.

Not long after he began trying to walk on water, he had obtained this entry.

The progress bar had already reached 25%.

If he kept at it for another four days, he should obtain Water Walker (White).

"It can be even shorter."

Kiyoshi closed the panel and continued pushing his body to its limits, refining Chakra.

As someone of mixed Yagura Clan and Uchiha Clan blood, he possessed more Chakra than most others.

The Uchiha Clan had always been a clan blessed with abundant Chakra.

The only clans that surpassed the Uchiha were the Senju and Uzumaki Clan. The databooks described them as clans "possessing an enormous amount of Chakra."

But aside from Uchiha blood, Kiyoshi possessed one advantage over other Uchiha—the Yagura Clan!

Known for their Nintaijutsu and their ability to withstand the currents of Lightning Release, they naturally possessed plenty of physical energy.

Kiyoshi could therefore train longer than others.

Chakra was a mixture of spiritual energy and physical energy. By continuously training the body, one could increase one's Chakra.

That was because the process tempered both one's will and one's body, gradually making the latter stronger.

Sometimes, it was not that others did not wish to continue training, but that their Chakra was depleted too quickly.

That was... the "limit."

For civilian ninja, the heights they could reach even after giving everything they had were visible at a glance.

The strongest among them was Might Guy, who opened the Gate of Death. But he had burned away all his Chakra in pursuit of a momentary bloom, allowing him to briefly catch up to those born at the summit.

Those descendants with Otsutsuki blood flowing through their veins.

Kiyoshi was fortunate enough to belong to the latter.

Tracing his ancestry back, his origin was also Kaguya Otsutsuki.

The night wind blew gently, and only a single figure walked across the water.

The ceaseless current carried away the sweat dripping from Kiyoshi's body.

Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.

Within one of its gorges, a waterfall crashed down, its thunderous roar unceasing.

At the base of the waterfall, a dark-skinned man emerged from the water. His upper body was bare, and the tattoo of the character "Lightning" could be seen on his right shoulder.

"Any news, Dodai?"

The Third Raikage looked at Dodai as he approached, wearing a black cap with his right eye covered by an eyepatch.

Dodai was his most trusted confidant.

"Yes. A few days ago, Yotsuki Kiyoshi made contact with the ninja we placed in Konoha. Samodo's report was very detailed."

"Good. There can be no mistakes in this matter."

The Third Raikage patted Dodai on the shoulder. A hand larger than Dodai's head lightly tapped against it.

"Yes."

Dodai respectfully nodded to the broad-backed, heavily muscled man before him, who looked as though he had been forged from steel.

"Have you investigated his branch of the family?"

The Third Raikage spoke again, his dark upper lip moving constantly as his rough voice rumbled out.

"It has been thoroughly investigated."

Dodai presented a scroll.

The Third Raikage opened it and immediately frowned slightly.

"He's actually related to the Second?"

Yotsuki Kiyoshi had been born in a small place called Mizukumo Gorge and had inherited the Yagura Clan's talents.

His branch family had weak ninja among the older generation, so they had been sent out to manage the Yagura Clan's shops elsewhere.

Upon closer calculation, Yotsuki Kiyoshi was even related to the Second Raikage!

He was a rather distant "nephew."

The Second Raikage had actually been from the Yagura Clan.

Among the Raikage of recent generations, he was the only one from the Yagura Clan.

The First Raikage and the Third Raikage himself both had dark upper lips, while the Second Raikage did not.

Still, all of them had dark skin and broad, muscular builds, so outsiders simply thought they all looked more or less alike.

"He's Uchiha. He won't affect the succession of the next Raikage."

Dodai said.

The Third Raikage had a son, already considered a candidate for the next Raikage, who could now call himself "A."

The waterfall battered the water's surface, sending sprays flying and raising a hazy mist.

Dodai could not see the Third Raikage's face clearly.

"His Kekkei Genkai is very important to the village. Bring him back as soon as possible."

"Yes, Lord Third Raikage."

Several days passed like this.

Autumn rain fell in a steady drizzle, and the overcast sky carried a trace of chill.

"Sorry to bother you, Kiyoshi."

"Mikoto, what is it?"

Kiyoshi held an umbrella as he opened the gate to the courtyard.

This was Mikoto's third visit since she had brought Yakushi Nonō here last time.

He remembered that when Mikoto had led him home on her first visit, the sky had been just as gloomy.

"Today isn't a school day, right? Fugaku asked me to invite you over for a gathering. We're all clansmen, so we should spend more time together."

A gentle face appeared beneath the umbrella, its features delicate and refined.

Mikoto was not wearing her ninja combat uniform today, but an ordinary set of casual clothes.

Being a ninja was, in truth, simply a job.

There were missions that had to be carried out, and corresponding days off.

During days off, there was no need to wear a ninja combat uniform at all times.

Even in ordinary casual clothes, Mikoto's graceful curves could not be concealed.

Her glossy black hair set off her white blouse. Even beneath the dim, overcast light, her fair skin still appeared radiant and captivating.

Putting on an expression of deep gratitude, Kiyoshi agreed to go.

They each held an umbrella and walked one behind the other through the streets of the Uchiha Compound.

With a casual glance, he spotted the Flame War Fan emblem in many places.

The gates to Fugaku's home were open.

Mikoto led Kiyoshi to the rear courtyard, where there was a fairly large open space.

Boom!

Fugaku opened his mouth and expelled a blazing fireball that condensed in the air, measuring more than three meters across.

The fine raindrops vanished into vapor the instant they touched the fireball.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Kiyoshi's gaze sharpened. This was considered the Uchiha's signature ninjutsu; nearly every Uchiha ninja knew it.

"You're here."

Fugaku looked at the tall and short pair.

"Why are you training outside on such a rainy day? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

Mikoto chided him.

"Hahaha, I'm Fugaku of the Evil Eye. How could I catch a cold so easily?"

Fugaku's heart warmed at Mikoto's concern.

The fireball in the air abruptly dispersed, leaving behind a trace of warmth.

"Come inside."

His hands had been itching, so he had wanted to practice this technique. It had only lasted a short while, and he had barely gotten wet.

He turned and headed inside.

"Kiyoshi, have you been adjusting well to life at the Ninja Academy lately?"

Fugaku stood on the engawa and looked at the boy behind Mikoto.

"I've adjusted well."

Kiyoshi said.

He put down his umbrella and leaned it against the engawa.

This place could also be called a corridor.

"There are slippers over there."

Fugaku pointed in a direction.

"Alright."

Kiyoshi changed into slippers and stepped onto the wooden floor.

Mikoto had changed her shoes before Kiyoshi. Once he was done, the three of them went inside together.

"I asked Mikoto to make all of these. Give them a try, Kiyoshi."

The moment he entered, Kiyoshi saw a table laden with delicacies.

The fragrance of food drifted through the air.

"Mikoto's cooking is excellent."

Kiyoshi said with what seemed like a sigh of admiration.

Have their relationship already reached this stage?

Are they more than friends, but not quite lovers?

"Yes, Fugaku kept asking me, so I came."

Mikoto said with a smile.

This was actually her first time visiting Fugaku's home.

The Uchiha were a great clan. Their rules were not as strict as those of the Hyuga Clan, but they were still far more numerous than those of civilian families.

The two had not yet confirmed their relationship, so naturally they could not do such shameless things.

If not for Kiyoshi giving her a reason, Mikoto would not have come to Fugaku's home today.

Unless they had already confirmed their relationship.