Kiyohara clenched his fist. The chakra flow was precise, efficient, and abundant.
"Is this the effect of stacked talents?"
He felt the physical strength surging beneath his skin. This wasn't just raw muscle; it was Stamina, the battery for Chakra.
The previous Kiyohara would have been gasping for air by now.
"I need to adapt," Kiyohara muttered. "And I hope the next future involves Taijutsu."
He rubbed his chin, analyzing the risks of his sudden upgrade.
Chakra is a balance of Physical Energy (Yang) and Spiritual Energy (Yin).
If the gap between the two becomes too wide, the vessel cracks.
"Take Yakumo Kurama," Kiyohara mused.
The heiress of the Kurama Clan had a monster inside her mind (the Id). Her spiritual energy was so overwhelming that her physical body couldn't contain it, leaving her frail and sickly.
"Or Senju Hashirama."
The God of Shinobi died in his fifties. Why?
He possessed the ultimate Yang body (Hashirama Cells). His regeneration was constant. But perhaps his battles with Madara drained his vitality faster than it could replenish, or the imbalance between his physical perfection and his spiritual exhaustion caused a collapse.
'Life Force is a finite resource,' Kiyohara concluded. 'If I stack too much Spirit without the Body to match, I'll burn out. I need a Taijutsu urn next.'
"I need to forge that sword," Kiyohara reminded himself. "But first, I need to delay the loan sharks."
He looked toward the village center.
The war with Iwagakure was effectively over.
Kannabi Bridge was down. The logistics line was severed. Minato Namikaze had massacred the Iwa assault force. Iwagakure was on the ropes.
"They won't hold out much longer."
But Kiyohara knew what was coming.
Hiruzen Sarutobi would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Instead of pressing the advantage and demanding reparations, the Third Hokage would sue for peace. He would acknowledge Iwa's grievances, waive compensation, and step down to "atone" for the war.
'It's like destroying the enemy Nexus in League of Legends, then surrendering because you felt bad for the minions,' Kiyohara thought cynically.
Even Danzo was right to be angry about this. Thousands of Konoha ninja died, and Hiruzen made their deaths economically meaningless.
"After this, the focus shifts to the Hidden Mist," Kiyohara plotted. "That's where Madara's next trap lies. I need to be careful."
The Hokage Tower.
Evening.
Smoke curled through the air in the Hokage's office, hazing the view of the village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, his face weary but authoritative.
Knock, knock.
Minato Namikaze entered. He looked tired but triumphant.
"Lord Third. The detailed report. Iwa troops have retreated thirty kilometers from the Grass border."
"Oh?"
Hiruzen put down his pipe. He scanned the scroll, relief washing over his face.
"Excellent work, Minato. With the Iwa front stabilized, we can shift forces to deal with Kumo and Kiri."
"You always bring good news."
Hiruzen set the scroll down and picked up another document: The Chunin Exam Results.
He handed it to Minato.
"Take a look. The boy you recommended, Kiyohara, defeated an Elite Uchiha in the first round."
"He participated?" Minato blinked, surprised. "I thought you would promote him directly based on the Bridge mission."
"Direct promotion was an option," Hiruzen admitted, taking a long drag from his pipe. Minato politely inhaled the secondhand smoke.
"But a test reveals character. Reports can be embellished; combat cannot."
Hiruzen tapped the paper.
"His adaptability. His tactics against a superior bloodline. It proves your praise wasn't exaggerated."
Minato nodded. He understood the subtext.
The Village had lost too many Chunin and Jonin. They were desperate for new blood.
But they didn't just need strong ninja; they needed loyal ninja.
Clan ninja (Uchiha, Hyūga) had divided loyalties. Their first duty was often to their family patriarch.
Commoners like Kiyohara? Their parents died for the village. They had no clan politics. They belonged solely to the Will of Fire.
"Politically reliable. Outstanding ability. Good temperament."
Hiruzen looked at Minato.
"He is a seed worth watering. You know him well, Minato. Keep an eye on his growth. We may need him for the Anbu in the future."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Minato bowed solemnly.
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