Maruboshi Kosuke...
Jiraiya suddenly remembered.
Back then, he had asked the Third Hokage to find someone to help Kyohiko, and Maruboshi had been assigned the task. But as Jiraiya became increasingly busy with missions, he had no time to check in on Kyohiko's progress.
Now, it seemed-
Maruboshi had been completely wrung dry by Kyohiko!
What terrifying learning ability!
Jiraiya massaged his temples.
Maruboshi's Water Wall and Water Dragon Bullet were highly specialized, each ranking at least A-rank in difficulty. Yet Kyohiko had not only mastered them but had also learned Maruboshi's signature sword technique-Willow Style.
Monstrous!
If only he had possessed such talent in his youth...
It took him a long moment to snap out of his thoughts.
"Your progress is incredible. I almost feel unworthy of being your teacher..."
"Mutual learning and growth, right?"
Kyohiko grinned cheekily.
Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
He had merely said it out of politeness, but this brat was already running with it.
Still, he couldn't help but imagine-if Kyohiko had trained under Orochimaru instead, his achievements now would have been...
No.
Orochimaru was far too dangerous!
Jiraiya instantly grew wary.
As he looked at Kyohiko, his emotions complicated further.
Kyohiko was outstanding, but Jiraiya feared he might one day become like Orochimaru.
Immortality...
A terrifying and insane pursuit!
He hesitated but finally muttered, "Kyohiko... do you ever feel like life is fragile? Do you crave immortality?"
"Because of Orochimaru?"
Kyohiko set his book down.
So, Jiraiya had rushed straight to him after returning to the village, skipping both Tsunade and Hiruzen. Clearly, he needed to vent.
Tch.
First Kakashi, now Jiraiya...
Compared to Tsunade's subordinates, he was the real therapist around here!
Kyohiko turned around.
"Once, I told Maruboshi that his past experiences shaped who he is-just as mine shaped me. The same logic applies to Orochimaru. Jiraiya-sensei, you were on the same team as him, and you both come from humble backgrounds. Who would know him better than you?"
"Who would know him better..."
The words hit Jiraiya like thunder, leaving him stunned.
"So, if this is what's troubling you... the answers can only come from within. Even Tsunade-nee might not be able to help-she's a woman, born into privilege, and inherently distant from your experiences."
Kyohiko spoke calmly.
Jiraiya stared at him, speechless.
This disciple had matured beyond his years. With just a few words, Kyohiko had dissected the heart of his turmoil.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I proposed the psychology division. Of course, I know a thing or two."
Jiraiya nodded slowly.
He seemed to have found a direction-his confusion lifting slightly. But before leaving, he turned back, gazing at the disciple who never ceased to amaze him.
"Kyohiko... this might sound strange, but I hope you never become the next Orochimaru."
Jiraiya sighed.
"Everyone has their own path to peace. War might be an unavoidable step, but it must be fought for peace-not for progress, not for the sake of change."
"Even Orochimaru's philosophy... I can't accept it."
With that, he exhaled deeply.
"Thanks. I have things to do-I need to see the Hokage now."
"Which Hokage? Sandaime or Tsunade-nee?"
"Is there a difference? He is the Hokage."
Jiraiya looked confused.
Kyohiko smiled faintly.
"Sandaime still holds the title, but his resignation and recommendation letters have already been sent to the capital. Right now, the Hokage's office belongs to Tsunade-nee."
"WHAT?!"
Jiraiya's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull.
He bolted upright.
"Damn it, I was only gone for a few days, and Konoha's already turned upside down?! I need to find Tsunade -I'll come back for you later-"
Before finishing, he vanished in a puff of smoke.
---
Scene Cut: Sunagakure - Chiyo's Former Residence
Sasori tinkered with mechanical parts, occasionally pausing to stare at the three puppets before him.
Footsteps approached.
He glanced up indifferently before resuming his work.
Ebizo studied him, then the puppets.
Perhaps...
These were Sasori's last remnants of humanity.
But with Chiyo gone, relying on puppets to cling to emotions...
Ebizo couldn't fathom what would happen once Sasori perfected them, surpassing even the Chikamatsu Collection's Ten Puppets.
Yet, in Suna's current state, how many prodigies could compare to Sasori?
Far too few!
Especially compared to Konoha.
He watched in silence, his emotions tangled.
After a long while, Sasori finished modifying one section-only for the puppet to collapse with a clatter.
Annoyed, he raised his foot to kick it but stopped himself.
Even if it was just a replica, he couldn't bring himself to destroy it.
He turned, scowling at Ebizo.
"Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Actually, I've been very busy lately. I barely have time to visit you."
Ebizo chuckled faintly.
"Don't take it out on me. Tomorrow, I leave the village-no one will bother you anymore."
"Good."
Sasori sneered.
Ebizo nodded.
"War is coming soon."
"Tch."
Sasori returned to assembling the replicas of his parents and grandmother.
---
Days Later - Kyohiko's Home
For days, Kyohiko hadn't stepped outside, even skipping his morning runs.
The triple-reservoir Yin Seal left him too drained for anything beyond reading.
Fortunately-
Perhaps due to his physical strain, his Senju bloodline seemed to strengthen further. His stamina and energy recovery rates had noticeably increased!
Rough estimates suggested...
A 30 percent overall boost compared to before.
This allowed him to store chakra far faster-filling a month's worth of reserves in just half a month.
With enough emergency chakra stockpiled, Kyohiko no longer needed to hoard aggressively. He could maintain minor daily reserves instead.
Thus-
He sealed two of the reservoirs shut.
Had he been at the beginner level, this would've been impossible. But with Master-level Yin Seal control, managing the chakra flow was effortless.
"If I could learn Gaara's Temporary Paralysis Jutsu (fake sleep technique), I could conserve energy during sleep for chakra storage. That'd speed things up further."
Kyohiko popped a soldier pill into his mouth.
Then, he considered-
This was a viable path.
The Temporary Paralysis Jutsu wasn't complex from a genjutsu perspective.
Stepping outside, the sunlight felt exhilarating.
Being alive felt great!
He inhaled deeply, his entire body revitalized.
Then, a voice called out-
"My eternal rival! Care for a duel?"
"Kakashi, Gai... you rerouted your patrol to pass by my place. Thanks."
Kyohiko smiled sincerely.
Gai's concern was obvious-hence the adjusted route. Kakashi, too, seemed to be keeping an eye on him.
Had Kurenai mentioned his condition?
Kakashi's gaze remained indifferent.
"Was this technique worth it? While you stagnated, I might've surpassed you!"
He knew Kyohiko was a genius-perhaps even greater than himself.
If Kyohiko needed this much time...
The Yin Seal had to be formidable.
But as for its true purpose, Kakashi remained clueless.
In his eyes, had Kyohiko focused on direct training instead, his growth could've been monstrous.
Kyohiko smirked.
"Oh?"
With a Body Flicker, he appeared beside them in an instant.
"The technique is complete. As for its function... remember tailed beasts?"
"Tailed beasts..."
Gai immediately recalled the incident in Takigakure-the young Nii Yugito wielding her Bijū's power with terrifying strength.
"You mean this technique-?"
"It stores excess chakra I don't need daily. If I develop the right jutsu, I might even share it with others."
Kakashi stiffened.
Of course!
While not chakra-starved, his reserves paled compared to Kyohiko's.
At their age, low chakra was normal.
But in battle, extra chakra could turn the tide-even save lives.
No wonder Kyohiko prioritized this!
Kakashi couldn't help feeling envious. Still, he knew mastering the Yin Seal at his current level was impossible-his chakra control wasn't refined enough.
And even if he could learn it...
Kyohiko spent three months. For Kakashi? Maybe a year or two.
Too long!
Better to focus on kenjutsu.
"As for catching up to me..."
Kyohiko grinned.
"Let's test that!"
"Fine."
Kakashi's gaze sharpened as he drew his blade.
Like Kyohiko, he trained in dual-wielding.
But unlike Kyohiko-
This time, he used only one sword, channeling chakra through it. The blade erupted in searing flames, infused simultaneously with Wind and Fire Release-enhancing its cutting and burning power.
"Don't hold back!"
Kyohiko drew his own blade, Water Release chakra coiling around it.
Yet-
At the last moment, Kakashi gripped the hilt with both hands.
A flash-
BOOM!
Wind fueled the fire, the blade's edge blazing with an eerie glow.
From Kyohiko's senses-
This strike combined Wind's slicing force and Fire's incineration!
Astonishing!
Kakashi had forged a completely different path-his swordsmanship now resembled the Uchiha style, yet surpassed most contemporary Uchiha in execution.
Kyohiko barely dodged in time.
But-
BANG!
The flames detonated mid-air, forming a vortex.
At the same moment, Kyohiko punched forward, his chakra erupting in a shockwave.
CRACK!
The ground shattered, the shockwave scattering the flames and forcing Kakashi back-his blade nearly ripped from his grip.
Kakashi blinked, then sighed.
"You've gotten stronger."
The Yin Seal's mastery wasn't just about sealing.
Kyohiko's chakra manipulation had also improved. Combined with his Master-level Strength of a Hundred Seal, he could now gather and release chakra explosively in an instant.
"Kakashi, don't falter! Kyohiko once said-'Aiming for first place pushes us further!'"
Gai flashed his signature grin.
"Run with me, my eternal friend!"
Kakashi shot him a deadpan look.
This guy was too adaptable!
First, they were "eternal rivals", now "eternal friends"?
What even was eternal to this guy?
Kakashi sighed, exasperated.
"Next time, hold back a little. I know Earth Release now, but there's no need to waste chakra every time. And... I think your strength has increased."
He formed a hand seal-
Meanwhile, Kyohiko examined his fist.
He had restrained his Strength of a Hundred-normally, it wouldn't cause this much destruction.
Bloodline enhancement at work?
His chakra output seemed greater.
Before he could analyze further-
"Kyohiko! I challenge you!"
A voice rang out.
"..."
Kakashi turned, spotting the owner-Asuma Sarutobi, standing with clenched fists.
He gestured to the cracked earth.
"See that?"
"Huh?"
Asuma frowned at the destruction.
"One punch did that. Still want to fight?"
Asuma's expression blanked.
One... punch?
His confidence shattered instantly.
Kyohiko watched sympathetically-wondering how to let him down gently-when an ANBU agent appeared in a swirl of leaves.
The masked operative exhaled in relief before speaking in an oddly familiar voice:
"Kyohiko. Tsunade-sama summons you."
"Understood."
Kyohiko left immediately-grateful for the excuse.
Had Shinnosuke arrived any later, he might've had to pummel Hiruzen's youngest son.
Asuma didn't pursue.
His imagined duel had ended before it even began.
The gap was too vast.
Kakashi used Earth Release to flatten the terrain, then glanced at Gai helplessly.
Consoling people?
Not his forte.
Gai gave a thumbs-up ("Leave it to me!") and approached Asuma.
"Asuma! Do you wonder why Kyohiko is so strong?"
"?"
Asuma looked lost.
Gai's pearly whites gleamed.
"You might think you've trained hard since graduating, but others work just as hard-and have better talent!"
"...Are you telling me to give up?"
Asuma's eyes hardened.
Gai shook his head.
"Though I don't know why you see Kyohiko as a rival... my point is-if you can't beat him, train harder!"
"Sweat is the essence of youth! Forget judgment-run 500 laps with me!"
Asuma stared, dumbfounded.
He had joined Gai and Kakashi for runs before...
But 500 laps?
Yet Gai's words struck a chord.
Forget judgment.
He nodded firmly.
"Alright!"
If he wanted to improve, he couldn't care about others' opinions!
Asuma thought fiercely.
As the two sprinted off, Kakashi could only sigh.
What just happened?
He'd asked Gai to console Asuma-not recruit him into insanity!
But with Gai occupied and Kyohiko no longer drained...
He could finally focus on his own training.
Deep in the forest, Kakashi formed a Rasengan in one hand while performing one-handed seals with the other.
The orb crackled with white lightning-Wind and Lightning chakra merging chaotically yet precisely.
Hold... just a little longer...
But the unstable fusion collapsed moments later.
"First, confirm the theory. What if I'm the one on the wrong path?"
He summoned a shadow clone.
Together-
One molded Rasengan, the other infused Lightning Release.
ZZZT-BZZT!
The spiraling sphere shrieked like thunder, a storm of silver and blue chakra vibrating violently in their palms.
In sync, they drove it into the earth-
WHOOM!
A perfect cylindrical crater formed instantly, the ground carved away seamlessly.
The clone dispersed.
Kakashi stared at his hand, then the hole.
He'd done it.