Kiyohara jumped down from the treetop, holding Rin Nohara securely, and landed lightly amidst the gathering group of Kakashi, Kurenai, and Genma.
"Put me down, Kiyohara."
Rin lowered her head slightly. Being carried bridal-style by Kiyohara made her feel awkward and intensely shy, especially with Kakashi watching them.
Kiyohara looked down at her and couldn't help but chuckle internally.
The girls in this world, despite being trained killers, were surprisingly conservative compared to the women of his previous life. It was an amusing contrast.
"Rin, are you embarrassed?" Kiyohara asked casually as he set her on her feet.
He noticed her cheeks were flushed crimson. She didn't dare meet his gaze.
"No way," Rin shook her head, flatly denying it. She stood on the ground and quickly tucked a stray strand of brown hair behind her ear.
Kiyohara noticed that the flush had spread past her cheeks, coloring her earlobes and the fine hairs on the back of her neck.
'Such gentle, easily flustered girls are the absolute bane of naive teenage boys,' Kiyohara sighed internally. 'No wonder Obito was so hopelessly hung up on her. She's Konoha's ultimate heart-thief.'
But now was not the time to dwell on teenage romance. The sounds of slaughter and explosive Ninjutsu still echoed violently across the island. The only reason the immediate area was clear was the terrifying, oppressive aura radiating from Orochimaru.
"Kiyohara, what was that technique you just used?"
Kakashi asked, his visible eye scanning the treeline for approaching enemies. He was intensely curious. He initially thought it was a jutsu Orochimaru had gifted him, but seeing the Sannin's equally intrigued expression, Kakashi knew that wasn't the case.
Furthermore, Orochimaru had specifically asked about a Kekkei Genkai.
Kiyohara knew he couldn't hide it, nor did he want to. But he needed a bulletproof alibi.
He sheathed his Tachi, letting a look of solemn bewilderment wash over his face. He was going to use the most irrefutable, politically correct excuse in the ninja world: The Power of Bonds.
"I... I don't know exactly what happened," Kiyohara lied smoothly, his voice tight with feigned emotion. "Just now, when I saw Rin in danger, my mind went blank. I was so anxious to save her that I suddenly felt this... pull. Next thing I knew, I could control the iron in the earth. It might be the sudden awakening of a Bloodline Limit."
He attributed his ridiculous power spike to a "strong desire to protect his companions" and a "miraculous coincidence." It perfectly aligned with the core tenets of the Will of Fire. No one in Konoha could question it without sounding like a cynic.
To sell the lie, Kiyohara extended his hand. Sparse particles of black iron sand were drawn from the dirt, swirling into a small, visible mist above his palm.
"?!"
Rin's eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
A moment ago, she was agonizing over the burning wound on her back. Now, she was hearing that Kiyohara had miraculously awakened a genetic mutation *specifically* because he was desperate to save her life. Her heart skipped a beat.
Kakashi fell completely silent.
He stared at the swirling iron sand. His mind instantly flashed back to the Kannabi Bridge. He remembered Obito, weeping and desperate, awakening the true power of the Uchiha Sharingan just to save him from an invisible blade.
'Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum.'
Kakashi looked at Kiyohara. 'Could it be... that true power really only awakens when you are desperate to protect your comrades?'
"Ho ho, how interesting. This is Magnet Release, isn't it, Kiyohara-kun?"
Orochimaru's hoarse voice cut through the emotional tension. He was well-informed, having fought both Toroi of the Cloud and Rasa of the Sand.
"However, let me create a more suitable environment for us to talk."
Orochimaru rapidly wove hand signs.
Poof! Poof! Poof!
Several Shadow Clones materialized. They immediately blurred into the surrounding forest, intercepting the encroaching Mist vanguard. Any Mist ninja weaker than a Jonin was slaughtered effortlessly by the clones.
"The acceleration you used earlier... that was an instinctive application of magnetic repulsion, correct?" Orochimaru turned back to Kiyohara, his golden eyes gleaming with analytical hunger.
He was fascinated. Konoha had never produced a Magnet Release user.
Orochimaru quickly ran through Kiyohara's background in his head. The boy's grandfather was among the first wave of immigrants to join Konoha at its founding.
'A latent, dormant bloodline factor from outside the Land of Fire,' Orochimaru theorized. 'A spontaneous mutation. If he survives, he could establish a brand new noble clan in Konoha. We would become the third village to wield Magnet Release.'
"Perhaps so, Lord Orochimaru," Kiyohara nodded respectfully.
He knew his civilian lineage was perfectly clean. He wasn't an Uchiha with political baggage. Magnet Release was rare, but not world-breaking like the Wood Release. It wouldn't get him dissected immediately.
"It's a blessing that I awakened this ability," Kiyohara said, bowing his head slightly. "This way, I can contribute even more strength to your command, Lord Orochimaru."
It was blatant flattery, but it served a purpose. Orochimaru was a Sannin. Aligning with him provided a massive political umbrella. At this point in the timeline, Orochimaru was still relatively good to his useful subordinates; his true descent into total madness only triggered after he was passed over for the Fourth Hokage seat.
"Ho ho, I appreciate your enthusiasm, Kiyohara-kun," Orochimaru smiled thinly, his vertical pupils locking onto the boy.
He observed Kiyohara for a moment longer. Then, he reached into his tunic and tossed a sealed scroll. Kiyohara caught it.
"It is meaningless for you to die in this meat grinder," Orochimaru declared. "Take this scroll. It is my direct order. You are to fall back immediately and escort the first group of the Hyūga Main House evacuees."
Orochimaru had internally recalculated Kiyohara's value.
A commoner with high sensory skills and a sword was expendable. A commoner who spontaneously awakened the Magnet Release and understood the physics of magnetic levitation was a priceless specimen.
Live specimens were always more valuable than dead ones.
"Yes... Yes, Lord Orochimaru!" Kiyohara replied.
He was overjoyed internally, but he kept his head bowed, playing the part of the reluctant, duty-bound soldier. He knew there was no point in trying to out-act Orochimaru, so he simply hid his face.
While they spoke, the sounds of battle in the immediate vicinity ceased. Orochimaru's Shadow Clones had wiped out the forty-plus Mist ninja pushing that sector.
"In that direction," Orochimaru pointed toward the dense forest leading to the western coast. "Go."
The western coastline was the evacuation point. The Hyūga VIPs were already heading there to commandeer the remaining boats.
Abandoning the doomed ruins to preserve Konoha's most valuable active forces was the only correct strategy. And now, Kiyohara was officially on the VIP list.
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