At Kiyoshi's house.
"8% and 2% now."
Kiyoshi set down the katana.
The first number was for the Apprentice Wind Release Ninja trait, while the second belonged to the Fatigue Resistance trait.
Both traits could increase simultaneously.
But for now, Kiyoshi paused that training. He wanted to test the Dark Medical Ninjutsu.
As for Mōryō's body, Kiyoshi had never planned to hand it over.
Something this valuable was better researched alone.
"I need to recruit Rin Nohara."
Kiyoshi thought to himself.
He could outsource part of the research to Rin.
If he gave it to Nonoe, she would definitely consider it too dangerous and forbid him from touching it.
As for Orochimaru…
Kiyoshi didn't dare give it to him. Who knew what terrifying thing Orochimaru would end up creating?
Only after Kiyoshi established an overwhelming lead in this field would he consider cooperating with researchers more skilled than himself.
The reason he wanted Rin specifically was simple:
She was easy to control.
And conveniently, she already owed him something.
Kiyoshi then began reading through the Dark Medical Ninjutsu documents.
Like before, it was another thing he had "kindly" obtained from the shrine maiden, intended to be used together with Mōryō.
Yomi had escaped, but the research materials left behind in the Land of Demons were too difficult to carry away in time.
Which meant they conveniently fell into Kiyoshi's hands.
"No wonder it's called 'dark.'"
Kiyoshi realized much of it revolved around forcibly breaking the body's natural limits.
Of course, the consequences were then repaired using Mōryō's power.
That was why the ninja of the Land of Demons could rapidly strengthen themselves in such a short time.
"Still worth studying."
Kiyoshi continued reading.
After about an hour, the trait panel reacted and notified him of a new trait.
"You obtained the trait: [Dark Medical Ninja (White)]."
Trait: Dark Medical Ninja (White)
• Requirement: Read through Dark Medical Ninjutsu once.
• Progress: Completed.
• Effect: Your "Strength" stat among the ninja attributes increases by 5%.
• Note: Can evolve further.
"Vitality…"
Kiyoshi could feel the upper limit of his body being raised slightly.
The "Strength" stat referred to arm strength, leg strength, muscle power throughout the body, and so on.
Kiyoshi clenched his fist, sensing the fullness of power inside.
"This trait should probably combine with the other medical-ninja trait."
The two belonged to completely different medical systems, so they would likely complement each other well.
Just as Kiyoshi planned to reread the text to deepen his understanding, someone called out to him.
"Kiyoshi."
Shizune had arrived.
She informed him that Lady Tsunade wanted to see him.
Kiyoshi immediately guessed the reason.
Mizunotsuki Yūki's hands were injured, making him temporarily unable to perform missions, so they were assigning a new team leader.
A perfectly normal occurrence.
Just like how Yamato once replaced Kakashi to lead Team 7 after Kakashi got injured.
Though at this time, Yamato was still known as "Tenzō," working under Root with the codename "Kinoe."
"Alright, let's go."
Along the way, the two gathered Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yūhi.
"So this is Lady Tsunade's house?"
Kurenai looked around curiously. It was her first time here.
Tsunade was one of the legendary Sannin. It was rare to even see one of them in the village.
Usually they were either away on missions or occupied with their own affairs.
"Yep. Want me to show you around, Kurenai?"
Thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi, Asuma was fairly familiar with Tsunade.
He had visited this place several times before.
Tsunade lived on the former grounds of the Senju Clan.
Although the Senju had long since dispersed and integrated into Konoha, many of their old buildings remained.
With Hashirama Senju once leading the clan, the Senju had been considered the strongest clan in the ninja world.
Naturally, their residence wasn't modest.
Kurenai occasionally gasped in amazement while admiring the architecture.
Asuma and Kiyoshi, however, showed little reaction.
Both came from prestigious clans themselves and had grown up around grand buildings.
For example, the Uchiha Clan's Nakano Shrine alone was something many clans couldn't even dream of building.
Kurenai's family certainly didn't have anything like that.
"Feels similar to the Uchiha district."
Kiyoshi commented.
The Senju and Uchiha shared the same ancestor. Because of Indra and Asura's conflict, their descendants had continued fighting for a thousand years.
Over that millennium, the cultures of the two clans gradually influenced one another.
Even their architectural styles had become strangely similar.
"Lady Tsunade, we brought them!"
Shizune opened the door.
Inside sat Tsunade, hugging a sake bottle, the room thick with alcohol.
"We leave for Sunagakure in three days."
Tsunade took another swig, her cheeks flushed with drunkenness.
Besides gambling, drinking was Tsunade's greatest hobby.
Alcohol was medicine.
Medicine for a wounded heart.
Living in a haze like this was how Tsunade endured each day.
"Yes, ma'am."
Kiyoshi, Asuma, and Kurenai answered in unison.
Even Asuma didn't dare treat Tsunade casually.
After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi had technically gained quite a bargain by becoming Tsunade's teacher.
"Shizune, show them out."
Tsunade waved dismissively after delivering the instructions.
She only wanted to complete Hiruzen's assignment as quickly as possible and return to wasting her days.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
Shizune bit her lip slightly. After walking all over to gather everyone, Tsunade was already dismissing them again after only a few words.
"Wait."
Tsunade suddenly seemed to remember something and stopped them.
Looking at Kiyoshi—who stood in the center, already much taller than Asuma—she asked:
"Nonoe took you as her disciple?"
"I'm honored by Teacher Nonoe's kindness. She did indeed accept me as her student."
Kiyoshi replied.
Back then, he had first tried approaching Tsunade, hoping to build a connection with her.
Unfortunately, Tsunade had refused.
That was why he turned to Yakushi Nonoe instead.
"For an Uchiha to possess Yang Release… that's pretty rare."
Tsunade spoke, faint traces of alcohol in her breath.
Perhaps because of the Strength of a Hundred Seal—or something else—her breath didn't carry the foul smell ordinary drunk people had.
Normally, alcohol mixed with sweat and saliva created a sour, unpleasant odor.
Tsunade, however, sat there wearing high-heeled sandals, her pale feet fully exposed.
Her toenails were painted red, her slender toes elegantly curled.
Even from afar, there was no unpleasant scent at all.
"What are you staring at?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
Having spent years around Jiraiya, she was highly sensitive to that sort of gaze.
"Nothing. I was just wondering how much Lady Tsunade drank."
Following Kiyoshi's gaze, Tsunade looked toward the pile of empty bottles beside her.
"Why does a brat care about something like that? Come here and show me how your medical ninjutsu is progressing."
Tsunade stretched lazily, shaking her head as golden hair slid down over her chest.
Her dark capri pants tightly outlined the curves of her thighs and hips, emphasizing the rich softness of her figure beneath the fabric.