The Land of Lightning is full of towering mountains, wreathed in clouds and fog.
According to the records in the Jin no Sho (official data book), that region was originally the territory of the Yotsuki Clan.
Later, they agreed with the idea of the First Raikage, A, and ceded the land of the Cloud-Thunder Gorge to him, and the Hidden Cloud Village was established there.
The fact that they could adapt to such a harsh environment and live there for generations, with their surname still passed down, implies they must have unique physical talents.
And physical strength is an external manifestation of Yang Release.
Kiyoshi inferred that his [Yang Release] nature might come from the Yotsuki Clan.
Stronger physical talent means more abundant vitality, and naturally, stronger self-healing abilities.
However, it likely couldn't compare to the powerful vitality of the Senju or Uzumaki clans.
Once enough time had passed and he was sure no one was watching, Kiyoshi stretched, pretending to go to the bathroom.
Closing the door, Kiyoshi pulled out the slip of paper.
It was a very ordinary small note, about the size of two fingernails.
On the front, a small string of black text read: "Kiyoshi Yotsuki, regardless of what happens, you are a member of our Hidden Cloud Village. The Hidden Cloud Village will always open its doors to you."
Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow.
The text on this note was written using ordinary characters, not the standard encrypted codes that ninjas typically use.
He couldn't understand complex coded messages, he hadn't even finished the Ninja Academy yet.
The Hidden Cloud Village probably considered this and did it on purpose.
Flipping the note over.
It was an address, an ordinary shop.
"A Hidden Cloud spy location…"
Kiyoshi tore the note into pieces and threw them into the toilet.
The moment the paper touched water, the writing on it gradually disappeared until it was completely gone.
Kiyoshi expressionlessly pushed the flush button. Accompanied by the turbulent water, the shredded paper pieces were washed into the pipes beneath the toilet.
The Hidden Cloud likely regretted deeply missing out on him, an Uchiha.
But since he was already here in the Hidden Leaf Village, the Hidden Cloud could only resort to such subtle means.
The current Hidden Leaf Village was not the one in the future, where the Hidden Cloud dared to directly abduct the Hyuga Princess, that was a time when the Hidden Leaf was weakened.
At that time, the White Fang of the Leaf had died years ago, the Fourth Hokage was dead, the Three Sannin had left, and the Hidden Leaf, just a few years after the Nine-Tails attack, had not yet recovered its strength.
In contrast, the Hidden Cloud Village was thriving and naturally dared to use aggressive methods.
This forced the Hidden Leaf Village to sacrifice the head of the Hyuga family.
If not for his twin brother, Hizashi, it would have been Hiashi who died.
The address on the back of the note just now was actually the Hidden Cloud's sincerity.
Kiyoshi could report this spy location to the Hidden Leaf at any time and receive a reward.
He could also do the opposite, use this path to demand benefits from the Hidden Cloud, or return to the Hidden Cloud.
However, returning to the Hidden Cloud was the last resort, and Kiyoshi would not choose it unless absolutely necessary.
Going to the Hidden Cloud, he would be the sole Uchiha member, which also meant losing his "freedom," and constantly being monitored and controlled.
Kiyoshi didn't believe they wouldn't conduct experiments on him.
Research might not involve dissection, but probably drawing some blood and cells within a safe range, then feeding him up and drawing more, repeating the cycle.
Furthermore, they would likely treat him as a stud, constantly breeding.
In that case, Kiyoshi's body would be completely hollowed out within a few years.
Kiyoshi was interested in women.
But he didn't like this coercive attitude, treating him like an animal.
Moreover, the Hidden Cloud would absolutely not give him a chance to grow stronger, risking him escaping their control, they would only use him as a breeding machine.
They would then focus on cultivating the offspring Kiyoshi produced and brainwash them to serve the Hidden Cloud.
In the Hidden Leaf Village, although there was the risk of the Night of the Massacre, Kiyoshi still had the opportunity to learn ninjutsu and continue getting stronger.
Everything in the world has a price secretly attached to it.
To gain something, one must bear the corresponding cost.
Life is a continuous process of choices.
Staying in the Hidden Leaf and going to the Hidden Cloud both have pros and cons. At least at the current stage, it is safer in the Hidden Leaf, and he has more time to grow stronger.
"Kiyoshi, are you home?"
While Kiyoshi was contemplating how to extract some benefits from the Hidden Cloud, a familiar voice came from outside.
It was Mikoto.
Kiyoshi knew this was the background check being conducted by Root.
He put down the history book he was reciting, went to the kitchen to wash his face with water, trying to look as clean and tidy as possible.
He breathed onto the mirror to check for any odors, and then, wearing wooden clogs, Kiyoshi went to open the door.
The Uchiha compound had an independent area within the Hidden Leaf Village, where only Uchiha clan members resided.
Kiyoshi was also assigned a slightly worn-down house, whose only advantage was its spaciousness.
"Lady Mikoto," Kiyoshi said respectfully, seeming a little wary of Mikoto.
Mikoto was a Jonin, while he was merely a Ninja Academy student.
Even though Kiyoshi had lived two lives, he couldn't show a composure that was inconsistent with his age.
Sometimes, appearing weak is the best disguise.
"Kiyoshi, you don't need to be so formal with me."
Mikoto shook her head and chuckled softly.
Was she that scary? Kiyoshi looked so timid and compliant.
Kiyoshi lowered his head, his short black hair obscuring his expression, preventing Mikoto from seeing his specific feelings.
"I told you before, just call me older sister."
"Alright, Older Sister Mikoto," Kiyoshi called out.
Mikoto nodded, then extended her hand to introduce the other medical ninja-dressed figure behind her.
The medical ninja's prominent figure and the compassionate look on her face were completely contradictory.
Her voluptuous figure could be described as... low-cut.
"This is Nonō Yakushi. She is the Captain of the Medical Corps."
"Hello, I am Nonō Yakushi."
Nonō Yakushi smiled.
"I'm here to examine your eyes and see if there are any issues."
"Thank you, Lady Nonō Yakushi."
Kiyoshi led the two of them inside.
In a short while, Mikoto and Nonō Yakushi were seated at a low table on the tatami mat.
Kiyoshi went into the kitchen, stood on a stool to reach down a bag of teabags, boiled hot water, and prepared two cups of tea.
Nonō Yakushi watched Kiyoshi's thin frame constantly busy, and a sense of pity grew in her heart.
Perhaps it was due to undergoing too much "self-annihilation" training in Root and being covered in blood, and seeing the darkness hidden beneath the glamour.
She had started to develop a fondness for these innocent children.
Immaculate, like pieces of jade of different colors.
"Please have some tea."
Two cups of tea were placed on the table, and Kiyoshi sat on the opposite side.
"Thank you."
Kiyoshi's tea was very cheap and low-quality. Mikoto took a few polite sips.
Nonō Yakushi picked up her teacup and looked at Kiyoshi.
Pity was one thing, but business had to be done.
Her aquamarine eyes behind the round-rimmed glasses closely observed Kiyoshi's every facial change and began asking him questions that seemed irrelevant to the diagnosis.
Kiyoshi answered one by one.
Nonō Yakushi asked questions very subtly, indirectly probing whether Kiyoshi was a spy, and even used some special ninjutsu to increase the pressure Kiyoshi felt in her presence.
Mikoto stayed silent on the side, looking at the ceiling reflected on the surface of the tea.
The ceiling was covered with old wooden boards that looked somewhat rotten, and a moth rested near the incandescent light bulb.
Just as Mikoto was momentarily distracted, a black spider quietly crawled by and bit the moth with its ferocious, sharp fangs.
Mikoto snapped out of her daze. She scrutinized the spot and realized that the area around the moth was covered with nearly imperceptible spiderwebs.
"How slow," Mikoto muttered softly.
She looked back and saw that Nonō Yakushi had finished her conversation with Kiyoshi and was now checking his eyes with some instruments.