"Don't worry, I'll be back soon," Kiyoshi said.
With the [Flying Thunder God Technique], as long as he had enough chakra, travel would be incredibly swift. Furthermore, his physique had become exceptional over time, developing into a powerful physical vessel.
His tolerance and digestion speed for food pills were far beyond those of ordinary ninjas, meaning Kiyoshi possessed not only a vast chakra reserve but also high endurance.
"Mikoto-jonin, Kiyoshi has the [Flying Thunder God], so there shouldn't be much of a problem," Minato Namikaze added, speaking up on Kiyoshi's behalf.
After dealing with the enemies, Minato had asked for a detailed account of the incident. Regarding Obito's death, Minato sighed inwardly. At the same time, he realized that the forbidden technique Kiyoshi had chosen from the Scroll of Seals was the same [Flying Thunder God] he used.
"However, Kiyoshi, that way of using it is very chakra-intensive. Once chakra is overdrawn, the end for a ninja is death." Minato was interested in Kiyoshi's application of the technique, but his own chakra reserves didn't support such extravagance.
He had to reserve chakra for the [Rasengan]; otherwise, he would be forced to rely solely on kunai, which lacked sufficient damage. Minato did not possess the ability to enchant ninja tools as Kiyoshi did.
"I see..." Mikoto frowned slightly. Reflecting on Minato's words, she acknowledged that since Kiyoshi knew space-time ninjutsu, he might indeed return to the village faster than the rest of them.
Ultimately, Kiyoshi got his wish and remained in the Land of Grass. Early the next morning, as the others departed, Kiyoshi left the area as well. He did not immediately head deeper into the Land of Grass but instead traveled toward the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire.
That region was one of the areas currently contested by the Hidden Mist.
"Hmph, you actually came to see me voluntarily," Ringo Ameyuri said by a slow-moving stream, her arms crossed and the [Lightning Blade: Kiba] strapped to her back.
"How did you handle Raiga Kurosuki?" Kiyoshi asked calmly.
Before leaving, he hadn't killed Raiga, leaving him for Ringo to deal with. The two had also established a secret signal for a future meeting. Ringo wanted a cure for her illness, and Kiyoshi wanted a subordinate; they had reached a mutual agreement to cooperate.
The current Era of Blood Mist was not the harmonious village of the future; it was a place of constant betrayal, violence, and bloodshed. In such a dark and oppressive environment, it was obvious how much loyalty a Mist ninja truly felt toward their village.
A normal ruler wouldn't commit such foolish acts that destroyed their own foundation, but Madara had already influenced the village, even controlling it from behind the scenes.
In the future, Rin Nohara would be taken by Mist ANBU and turned into the Three-Tails' Jinchuriki, leading to the moment where Obito witnessed Kakashi killing her. This part of Madara's plan was designed to make the love-struck Obito fall completely into the path of Asura.
To control so many Mist ANBU, Madara's grip on the village was incredibly deep. However, Madara only viewed the Hidden Mist as a tool and didn't care about its survival.
"Hmph, I killed him," Ringo said flatly. Keeping Raiga alive would only risk exposing secrets, and a man like him had long deserved to die. Back when he participated in the village's internal selection exams, he had killed many of his own comrades. Now, it was simply his turn to be killed.
"Good," Kiyoshi nodded. Ringo was indeed suitable as a subordinate. He happened to need a "black glove" to handle his dirty work.
"A six-month supply." Kiyoshi tossed a bottle of medicine containing a flowing black liquid. Ringo's mouth split into a grin, revealing her shark-like white teeth. She caught the bottle and drank it immediately. Feeling her body grow significantly more comfortable, she looked up at Kiyoshi and asked:
"So, you came to find me because you need something, right?"
The breeze by the stream blew through Ringo's shoulder-length red hair, a few strands fluttering against her delicate face. Kiyoshi had once mentioned in passing that her old hairstyle was too strange, so Ringo had stopped wearing it that way.
"Indeed. I want you to help me establish a base. The location will be within the Land of Grass," Kiyoshi stated.
Building a base in the Land of Fire was too dangerous; a small nation like the Land of Grass was far more appropriate. Moving forward, Kiyoshi intended to attempt more aggressive experiments. For example, the deep fusion of Moryo's power with beasts to create a mass-production factory.
By using the negative emotions of beasts to replenish Moryo's power, he could harvest it in batches. This would give Kiyoshi a steady stream of Moryo's energy, allowing for deeper research—experiments involving Moryo's power with senjutsu, the Sharingan, and various ninjutsu.
The possibilities were endless. Moryo's power was essentially a special form of energy similar to Yin Style chakra. The Dark Chakra created by Shinno was of a similar type. He even planned to let the White Snake master Moryo's power to complete its evolution.
Shinno's forbidden technique allowed such chakra to be used by humans; there was no reason a summoning beast couldn't do the same. If successful, the White Snake would no longer be a niche tool but a true asset to Kiyoshi.
"Perhaps the White Snake can become a collector of negative emotions, which can later feed back into me," Kiyoshi thought. A summoning beast's body was much larger than a human's, with a more extensive meridian system, making it naturally more efficient.
"Heh, Uchiha brat, you really are a troublemaker full of bad intentions," Ringo laughed. She was certain that whatever base Kiyoshi was building wouldn't be for anything good.
"Whether I'm full of bad intentions, haven't you already 'tasted' it?" Kiyoshi's gaze moved down, settling on Ringo's sharp teeth. Thanks to his tough physical skin, he could comfortably appreciate that unique experience.
"Hmph... hmph..." Ringo turned her head and snorted softly. She would never forget that humiliating experience. During her time back at the village, every time she closed her eyes, she saw the [One-Horned Giant Beast] Kiyoshi had summoned. The impression was far too deep to erase.
"Let's go. Come with me to the Land of Grass." Kiyoshi handed Ringo an ordinary kunai. She noticed a series of black formula patterns on it and was about to ask something when Kiyoshi placed a hand on her shoulder.
In an instant, the stream before her eyes vanished. It was replaced by towering giant trees and mushrooms larger than a person. Clearly, this was the ecosystem unique to the Land of Grass.
"The town near the Hidden Grass Village is just ahead," Kiyoshi said.
Ringo's eyes widened. After not seeing him for a while, this guy had already learned space-time ninjutsu? It was enough to make one die of envy. She had worked so hard to adapt to the [Lightning Blade: Kiba], while Kiyoshi had already secured space-time ninjutsu.
Among all techniques, none were more mysterious or powerful than space-time ninjutsu and sealing arts. The Hidden Mist was very weak in both areas.
The two donned black robes, removing the symbols representing their respective villages.
...
Mountains' Graveyard. Located near the Land of Iron, this place was perpetually shrouded in thick mist. Jagged rocks stood like tombstones in a desolate, silent landscape.
"...Where... am I?" In a dim space, Obito slowly opened his right eye. On the other side of his crimson Sharingan was a hollow socket. His eye had been transplanted into Kakashi. As he took in his surroundings, he was startled. An old man was standing nearby, watching him.
"This is the crack between life and death... child of the Uchiha." Madara Uchiha's crimson three-tomoed eyes watched Obito quietly.
"Your eyes...!" Obito's breath hitched, his tone filled with disbelief. "Could it be, old man, you are also from the Uchiha clan?"
"Well... how should I put it." Madara stood tremblingly, leaning on a staff. Before he could say more, Obito began to chatter loudly.
"What is this place? It's pitch black, I can't see anything. By the way, old man, are you a person or a Grim Reaper? You know, the one who takes the dead to heaven or hell..." Obito rambled. Suddenly, catching a glimpse in the faint light, he saw that what the old man was leaning on was actually a scythe!
A chill ran down Obito's spine, and he cried out that he didn't want to die. Madara didn't speak, simply watching quietly until Obito had exhausted his terror and unease. A person so simple and easily swayed by emotions was the easiest to control. If Kiyoshi Uchiha were here, he would likely be incredibly calm.
The dispersal of the Wood Clone had already given Madara the experience of fighting Kiyoshi. The boy's talent was indeed impressive. Had he been born in the Warring States period, he might have carved out a significant legacy. To Madara, the current Ninja World War was like child's play compared to the chaotic Warring States era.
Madara shifted his gaze to Obito. His eyes were deep, as if inspecting an unfinished sculpture. After a while, Obito's panic finally subsided. But as soon as he took a breath, he aggravated his wounds, clutching his side and crying out in pain.
Madara finally spoke, his voice raspy: "Being able to feel pain means... you are still alive."
Obito looked up sharply, shocked.
"However... that you survived at all is a miracle," Madara said slowly, his eyes scanning Obito's shattered body. "You weren't crushed into mincemeat by the rocks... it was as if you passed right through them."
Obito froze. Passed through rocks? What kind of joke was that? He instinctively wanted to argue, but his memory was blurred; he couldn't remember how he was buried or how he had survived.
"Then... where was I found?" Obito asked quietly.
Madara answered unhurriedly: "You collapsed in an underground tunnel I dug... right next to the collapsed rocks. When I found you, half your body was nearly crushed. I've performed emergency treatment for now."
Obito's heart jolted, and a flash of sincere gratitude appeared in his eyes. "So it was you who saved me, old man."
"It is too early to thank me." Madara narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone carrying a meaningful coldness. "I expect you to repay this debt properly."
Obito was stunned, then frowned. "...Sorry, I can't stay here forever." He struggled to prop himself up, his eyes flashing with urgency. " I have comrades I need to protect..."
Madara watched him quietly, his aged face showing no emotion. This child... his nature was far too naive. He shook his head and said indifferently: "Face reality. This world never goes as you wish. The longer you live... the more you will realize that reality is filled only with helplessness, pain... and emptiness."
Obito was dazed, his mouth twitching with impatience. What was this old man rambling about? He didn't like listening to this pessimistic nonsense, especially from an old man acting like he had "seen through the world." It was irritating. He frowned, his tone agitated: "You've been rambling since the start! I said, I'm leaving!"
He gritted his teeth, enduring the sharp pain in his wounds from speaking loudly, and struggled to stand. But then, a thought flashed through his mind, making him freeze. Wait... who was this old man? Obito's expression became wary as he looked up and stared at Madara.
"...Old man, you wouldn't happen to be a rogue ninja, would you?"
Madara didn't rush to answer. He simply leaned on his scythe, walked back to his massive wooden chair, and sat down. He lowered his eyes and said: "I am... a ghost of the Uchiha." He paused, then slowly raised his deep eyes to look directly at Obito.
"Madara Uchiha."
...
"Good luck."
Not long after Kiyoshi and Ringo had started walking, he noticed something unusual. Before them was a pale yellow grassland with a few scattered households.
Each house used stone walls as fences, and the buildings were shaped like cones—the characteristic architecture of the Hidden Grass Village. Because it was near the outskirts of the town, the area was quite desolate.
"This way." Kiyoshi walked to the left. Ringo followed quickly, wondering what he was up to. Looking ahead, she saw a girl surrounded by several large men. As they drew closer, Kiyoshi sensed a unique chakra fluctuation.
As his chakra control improved, his understanding of [Yang] Style chakra also increased, which in turn enhanced his sensory mode.
"Who... who are you?" a weary-looking girl asked. She wore a headscarf that covered her hair.
"The village is strictly inspecting for enemy ninjas. We hope you will cooperate," said a ninja wearing a Hidden Grass headband. He seemed intent on reaching out to pull off the girl's headscarf. The girl retreated in panic and shut her door.
The Grass ninja and his comrades looked at each other and forced the door open. Ninjas possessed chakra; even the lowest Genin could use it to increase their strength, setting them apart from ordinary people.
As the girl retreated in terror, she bumped into a crude table. Her headscarf shifted, revealing strands of red hair.
"Red hair?" The three Grass ninjas shared a look of surprise and delight. Reporting this to the village would surely earn them a reward. In the ninja world, red hair was often synonymous with something else. While not absolute, ninety percent of red-haired people were from the Uzumaki clan!
"Are you a refugee from the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools?"
"Why waste breath on her? Just take her away."
"Exactly. I've heard some Uzumaki have a physique where biting their skin can rapidly restore chakra and heal wounds." The other two Grass ninjas grew even more excited. In this era of war, something that could heal people was exactly what was needed.
"No..." The red-haired girl frowned, huddled in a corner. However, in her despair, she waited, but didn't feel any rough handling. Faintly, she heard the voices of a man and a woman talking.
"Oh? Changing your tastes?" Ringo teased. So Kiyoshi liked this "virtuous girl" type.
"In your eyes, am I that kind of person?"
"Are you not?" Ringo crossed her arms. Wasn't this guy a demon? He was twisted enough to experiment with her sharp teeth. Ringo had once doubted his mental state,
but since his skin was too hard to bite through, she simply concluded he was a purely evil Uchiha, fitting the stereotype held by the rest of the world.
(T/N:- Tobirama approves)
"Is that so?" Kiyoshi didn't argue with Ringo's sharp tongue. There was plenty of time. He would let her act out for now and "correct" that tongue later.
The red-haired girl opened her eyes in confusion to find that the three Grass ninjas were now stiff and unable to move. Their faces were pale, and sweat poured down them.
[Paralysis Jutsu]? That was the first thought of Uzumaki Karī. This technique, also known as the [Body Flicker Technique], was common among ninjas. But she quickly dismissed the thought. The crimson in the man's eyes was clearly the Sharingan!
"Don't be afraid. I am a ninja from the Hidden Leaf, and the Leaf is an ally of the Land of Whirlpools," Kiyoshi said, removing his black robe to reveal the Uchiha crest. He made no attempt to disguise his appearance, only using the outer cloak as a temporary cover.
"The Leaf... we didn't see any Leaf ninjas when our country was destroyed." Hearing the name of the Leaf, Uzumaki Karī instinctively felt some resentment. But since this man had saved her, she was conflicted about how to view him.
"I deeply regret what happened to the Land of Whirlpools. But there are still members of your clan in the village. Instead of wandering, you should come back with me." Kiyoshi reached out his hand.
"..." Karī lowered her eyes, her silence a form of rejection. Kiyoshi withdrew his hand. Many Uzumaki had discarded their surnames to live in hiding throughout the ninja world.
Interestingly, except for Kushina, no Uzumaki had voluntarily come to the Leaf. Nagato's parents hadn't even told him of their past, wanting only to live in peace. This was likely because they didn't trust the Leaf as an ally.
"If you stay here, you will be used by them, especially your 'healing power'."
Karī's heart skipped a beat. She had never revealed that secret! She looked up again, her purple eyes meeting Kiyoshi's crimson Sharingan. The slowly spinning tomoe made her clench her fingers.
Before this boy, she felt an inexplicable sense of inferiority. His words seemed to carry a strange weight, and his dark eyes reflected her image as if he were looking right through her.
"Think about it. The Hidden Grass has countless wounded every day. Pain will turn them into demons, and they will greedily gnaw at you." Kiyoshi spoke calmly. This was no exaggeration; it was exactly how Karin's mother had died in the original story.
In the anime, Karin watched as her mother was forcibly taken to the hospital, and by the time Karin arrived, there was only a body under a cloth in a corner, its arm covered in horrific bite marks. Karin herself only escaped that fate because she was assigned to the Northern Fortress and eventually met Orochimaru.
The vitality and chakra of the Uzumaki are finite; unrestrained use leads to death. Even Hashirama, who could heal without signs, died at a relatively young age.
Karī's heart sank. Her parents had died in such a way. That was why she tried so hard to hide her identity.
"You don't have to go back to the Leaf. I will build a base in the Land of Grass. When you have nothing else to do, you can help me manage it."
Karī's brow remained furrowed. She hesitated, then asked: "And what else?" There were no free lunches. Managing a base with her abilities meant little more than cleaning. Such a simple task couldn't buy protection.
"Of course, I am also interested in your ability. Being bitten by me alone is better than being bitten by hundreds or thousands of men," Kiyoshi said, spreading his hands.
Ringo burst out laughing. "Kiyoshi, don't go forcing people."
"...No, I agree." Hearing Kiyoshi's condition, Karī's brow actually relaxed. The thought of being touched by those three men, or more in the future, filled her with disgust and dread.
She stole a few glances at Kiyoshi. He had the quintessential Uchiha look—tall and handsome. Had it not been for the complicated history between the Leaf and the Whirlpool, she might have called him her savior. If it were only Kiyoshi, it would be fine.
"My name is Kiyoshi Uchiha. And yours?" Kiyoshi smiled. He intended to see if interacting with Karin's mother could yield Traits similar to the [Mind's Eye of the Kagura] or [Heal Bite].
"I... my name is Uzumaki Karī."
"Karī, is it? A beautiful name." Kiyoshi nodded. In Japanese, the pronunciation of "Karin" is very similar to "Karī." It seemed Karin had inherited her mother's name. And the flower language of the quince (Karī) is "Unique Love."