Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Silent Ambush
"Honestly, yesterday's injuries weren't all that serious."
After a long moment—
Finally, Kiyoshi managed to pull himself back from that intense feeling of suffocation and took a deep breath.
Looking at Tsunade's beautiful face, he smiled and said, "Just a slight accident. If we'd been in the wild, I'd have recovered quickly!"
After all, he wasn't just any ordinary user of a Devil Fruit.
With the fusion of the Wood-Wood Fruit and his own chakra, an astonishing mutation occurred.
Yesterday's accident was primarily a miscalculation; just as his injuries were healing, he collapsed due to mental exhaustion.
When he released the Wood Clone—
All the experience and memories returned to him along with the chakra, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, it provided him with an advantage, allowing Kiyoshi to gain an in-depth awareness of every single detail in battle, helping him learn from every mistake.
It allowed him to constantly reflect, learn, and improve, aiming to become even stronger.
But the price was high due to the intense battles.
The mental strain, therefore, doubled.
If he had been in the wilderness, he would only need to hold on for a little while longer.
He could directly capture a few wild animals or even absorb the life essence from nearby trees to recover.
"But now, with you by my side, Tsunade-sensei, I can truly go all out!"
As a Wood-Wood Fruit user, his life force was shockingly resilient.
In most cases, he wouldn't die easily.
"Everything has its limits. Rushing too much will only backfire. Don't get too reckless."
Tsunade tapped Kiyoshi on the head, warning him.
Then, looking at Kiyoshi's red eyes, she asked curiously, "But what exactly is the power of your Mangekyo Sharingan?"
"Onamuchi... that's the space-time jutsu my eyes created together."
As Kiyoshi spoke, his eyes transformed, forming the intricate pattern of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
He gave Tsunade and Shizune a brief introduction to his ability.
Then, he approached Tsunade, his body seemed to pass through her in an eerie display and reappeared behind her.
"Incredible."
"Tch, what a terrifying ability."
Even though they were somewhat prepared, Tsunade and Shizune found it hard to believe the power of Kiyoshi's eye technique.
Their scalps tingled, but they couldn't help but feel relieved that Kiyoshi wasn't an enemy.
After all, neither of them had special eye abilities like the Sharingan or Byakugan, nor did they have sensory skills.
If they faced Kiyoshi's terrifying eye powers, they'd be completely helpless.
Escaping would be nearly impossible.
"The Mangekyo Sharingan's power is truly astounding."
Looking at Kiyoshi before her, Tsunade couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. "No wonder Danzo's always had an eye on the Uchiha clan, scheming to eliminate them."
She realized that if they fought seriously, she might be taken down by Kiyoshi.
Onamuchi's eye technique was simply too invincible.
The strange parallel dimension, the "Netherworld"—
Invisible, intangible.
Yet undeniably real.
Kiyoshi could even launch unseen attacks using Wood Clones from within that space.
And as long as he stayed inside it, even if he stood in front of you without moving, you could use every method you knew, put in your entire strength, but you wouldn't be able to harm him.
"If anyone became your enemy, they'd be incredibly unfortunate."
Shizune said, full of admiration.
Her young teammate was simply too powerful.
She couldn't imagine the despair enemies must feel facing Kiyoshi's Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Alright, let's not dwell on this now."
After processing all that information, Tsunade tried to calm herself.
Seeing that Kiyoshi was mostly fine, she turned to her two students and said, "We have patients waiting. After breakfast, let's head out."
"Training can wait until the afternoon and no slacking off, you hear?"
"Hehe, of course not, Tsunade-sensei!"
...
Time flew by.
Days went by like this.
In the mornings, Kiyoshi would accompany Tsunade as he treated the noble families under her guidance, learning how to handle all kinds of complicated illnesses and ailments, reaping impressive rewards.
In the afternoons, he trained in the Netherworld space, practicing various Uchiha clan jutsu and secret techniques he had acquired.
At night, he engaged in intense combat with his Wood Clones within the Netherworld.
With Tsunade as both a medical expert and a bodyguard, he had no concerns about overexerting himself.
Fully committed, he threw himself into training.
Each night, drenched in blood, he'd emerge from the Netherworld—
Tsunade and Shizune, who couldn't enter, were ready to treat his wounds immediately.
In just under a week, Kiyoshi's growth had been astonishing.
Whether it was taijutsu or ninjutsu, his progress was extraordinary.
This training also reduced Tsunade's free time significantly, prompting her to joke about barely having time for the gambling halls.
"Thank you so much! You truly are a miracle worker."
Outside a large mansion—
A nobleman with a plump belly and a slightly pale face handed over a generous payment, his face beaming with gratitude as he said.
"Lady Tsunade, this is a small token of appreciation. I hope you'll accept it."
Even as a noble, with a sense of superiority over those who only knew how to fight and kill like mere tools, he dared not show even a hint of disrespect towards Tsunade, the legendary medical sage.
After all, not only was she granted the title of "Princess of Konoha" by the Daimyo himself, but she also possessed unparalleled medical skills.
Even someone as powerful as the Daimyo couldn't guarantee a life free from illness and might need her one day.
A person like that was to be flattered, not offended.
"Thank you," Tsunade accepted with a nod.
Kiyoshi smiled warmly.
Taking the payment on behalf of Tsunade.
"Well then, we'll take our leave now."
"Please, travel safely!"
…
Back at the inn—
"It's finally over."
Tsunade stretched her arms, her curves evident, and the pendant bounced gently on her as she relaxed.
"Tch, that minister was truly generous!"
Opening the case—
Shizune's eyes lit up at the sight of the stack of money.
The payments from the past few days had gone to clearing debts, and they could finally save up a bit.
"After all, Tsunade-sensei is the legendary healer; it's not every day someone can call upon her."
Kiyoshi shrugged, indifferent to the money. "People naturally want to curry favor, especially if they think they'll need her again in the future."
"Hehe, well, we certainly didn't work for nothing."
Shizune, pleased to have money at hand, packed the case, then turned to Tsunade. "Shall we leave now, Lady Tsunade?"
"Yes, there's no reason to stay."
Tsunade nodded, a subtle, cold smile crossing her face.
She looked directly at Kiyoshi and asked, "By now, they shouldn't be able to hold back, right?"
For days now—
They'd been followed from afar.
But under Kiyoshi's strong sensory abilities, they'd been completely exposed.
"Yes, those from Root have been tailing us, lurking like leeches for days, as if they don't care about being noticed."
Kiyoshi shrugged, "They're after me, no doubt."
"As soon as we leave the city, they'll likely make their move."
He squinted his eyes, smiling, "Besides, I sensed Danzo's chakra arriving just now."
Kiyoshi had a good idea of Danzo's intentions.
Most likely, he'd been shocked by Kiyoshi's talents.
He might try to use Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, the jutsu that could alter a person's will, to turn him into a loyal subordinate.
"Danzo, that bastard."
Tsunade clenched her fist.
A flicker of coldness flashed through her eyes.
With a murderous look, she spoke, "Kiyoshi, don't hold back this time."
Tsunade wasn't one to show mercy, especially not to a schemer like Danzo, whom she'd despised for years.
After the death of the Second Hokage, Hiruzen took office, while Danzo became his advisor. Koharu and Homura also joined as advisors, forming the village's Elder Council.
From then on, they had ruthlessly oppressed the Senju clan and within a decade or so, by the end of the First Great Ninja War and into the Second, the Senju clan had been decimated.
Danzo was directly responsible for that.
Now that he dared to go after her student, she wouldn't let it slide.
"This time, let's test your strength on them."
Kiyoshi's lips curled into a grin, licking them with anticipation. "Perfect!"
After all, to become a true powerhouse one couldn't rely solely on hard training.
He was eager to test his abilities in real combat.
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