Naruto: Uchiha is not Raikage!

Kiyoshi nodded to Kurenai.

She had an almost blind trust in Kiyoshi's abilities, a trust stemming from witnessing him create miracles countless times.

Since he says he can solve it, then he definitely can.

Her slightly furrowed brows relaxed, and her ruby-like eyes regained their brilliance.

"I'll bring Yakumo over first thing tomorrow morning."

She reached out and picked up the most exquisitely shaped pink cherry blossom mochi, carefully offering it to Kiyoshi's lips.

Kiyoshi calmly ate the snacks from her hand, chewing slowly and carefully, before standing up.

"I'm getting restless staying indoors all the time. I heard there's a new dango shop that opened by the Naka River. It's supposed to be pretty good. I'll go check it out."

Kiyoshi suggested.

The two women naturally had no objections. Konoha's commercial street was as bustling and prosperous as ever, and it was evening, with crowds of people everywhere.

Shop signs of all kinds lined up one after another, and the aroma of food, the shouts of vendors, and the laughter of children mingled together.

Kiyoshi walked in the middle.

Kurenai immediately clung tightly to his left arm, leaning almost half her body against him. Even through her clothes, he could feel the warmth of her body and her graceful curves.

Rin Nohara quietly followed Seiji's right side, keeping a half-step distance.

Her short brown hair shimmered softly in the setting sun. She seemed to be curiously examining the novel products on both sides of the street, but in reality, her eyes would always unconsciously steal glances at Kiyoshi.

Kiyoshi stopped in front of a taiyaki stall that was steaming hot and smelled delicious.

The stall owner was a kind-looking old lady who immediately bowed respectfully upon seeing Qing Si.

"Lord Hokage, you've arrived! Freshly baked taiyaki, with red bean filling, guaranteed to be delicious!"

Kiyoshi nodded slightly and bought three portions.

The golden-brown, glossy taiyaki has a crispy exterior and an enticing aroma.

He took the oil paper package that the old lady carefully handed him, first giving one to Kurenai Yuhi who was sitting next to him, and then handing the other to Rin Nohara on his right.

"Thank you, Kiyoshi!"

Yuhi Hong smiled and took it, eagerly taking a small bite, but the scalding hot red bean paste inside made her gasp slightly.

"Eat slowly."

Qingsi said.

Kurenai Yuhi is being far too hasty.

"I got it."

Kurenai Yuhi blew out small breaths.

"Thank you."

Nohara Rin's voice was even softer as she accepted it with both hands.

Having learned her lesson from Yuhi Kurenai, she blew on it before carefully tasting it. The sweet and sticky flavor melted in her mouth, making her squint her eyes in satisfaction, and a little bit of red bean paste accidentally got on the corner of her mouth.

Kiyoshi noticed the rosy blush on her lips, then casually took a clean handkerchief from his ninja tool pouch and handed it to her.

"Clean."

Rin Nohara's cheeks flushed slightly. She hurriedly took the handkerchief, thanked him softly, and her heart involuntarily quickened.

Kurenai saw this scene, tightened her grip on Kiyoshi's arm slightly, and her smile became somewhat stiff.

She knew it!

The relationship between Kiyoshi and Nohara Rin is definitely not that simple!
Next, Kiyoshi led them to the newly opened dango shop by the Namaka River.

The shop features a traditional Japanese design, with a noren curtain hanging at the entrance and several wooden benches outside, where you can enjoy delicious food while admiring the babbling brook and cherry blossom trees on both banks.

They chose an empty bench and sat down. Kiyoshi ordered the shop's signature three-color dumplings and the special soy sauce dumplings.

While waiting, Kurenai enthusiastically shared with Kiyoshi the amusing stories she had heard about the village recently, such as the funny incidents a certain Chunin had caused during a mission, or which two families had a dispute over a trivial matter that was eventually mediated by the Konoha Guard.

Nohara Rin held the teacup in both hands and sipped the barley tea slowly.

Her gaze would occasionally fall on Qing Si's well-defined, long, and strong fingers, or on his cold, hard jawline, before she would quickly look away as if she had been burned, pretending to focus on the small fish swimming in the stream.

She felt her cheeks burning and could only hope that the setting sun would hide her embarrassment.

The dumplings arrived quickly.

The soft and chewy dumplings are paired with a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce.

Nohara Rin ate the soy sauce dumplings in small bites. The savory and fragrant taste made her eyes light up, and she couldn't help but murmur her praise:
"This is delicious."

Kiyoshi looked at her and said calmly:
"If you like it, order another one."

"No, no need, Kiyoshi, I've had enough."

Nohara Rin quickly waved her hand.

She doesn't usually eat many snacks; she has to be careful about what she eats in order to maintain her figure.

During their stroll, they encountered many villagers and ninjas.

Whether it was a farmer carrying his tools home or a ninja hurrying along, everyone who saw Kiyoshi immediately stopped and bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with heartfelt awe and gratitude.

Kiyoshi's reputation is currently at its zenith.

Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi were in power, he couldn't match Kiyoshi's current prestige.

Whether in terms of strength or the reforms he implemented in the village, Kiyoshi was at the top.

"In the world of 'Limited Tsukuyomi'... we also need to find a way to fine-tune and interfere with the flow of time there, so that the time difference in the main world can be kept at a relatively high level, to avoid a day in the main world being several months or even longer there..."

Kiyoshi thought to himself.

Regardless, Seiji cannot give up on the "Limited Tsukuyomi" world.

That area can also provide nutrients for the sacred tree, and at the same time, it can serve as a testing ground.

……

Several days later, in the Hokage's office, the sun was setting.

Itachi Uchiha appeared on the smooth floor of the Hokage's office, kneeling on one knee.

He removed the animal mask with patterns carved on his face, revealing a face that still retained a childlike innocence but had matured into a composure far beyond his years.

His breathing was slightly rapid, and his uniform was stained with dust and dried blood, indicating that he had traveled a long way back.

"Father, mission accomplished. The Akatsuki's temporary stronghold in the border region has been confirmed and destroyed. We engaged in battle with its member Sasori and severely wounded and drove him away. This is the detailed mission report."

Itachi's voice was steady, but if you looked closely, you could see a fleeting hint of seriousness when he mentioned "Sasori".

He respectfully presented a sealed scroll with both hands.

Kiyoshi put down the document he was reviewing, took the scroll, ran his fingertips across the wax seal, and unfolded it.

His gaze quickly swept over the concise text, which recorded the entire process of encountering Sasori, the opponent's exquisite puppetry, the bitter battle, and finally, at the crucial moment, using the sealing kunai to draw out its power, severely injuring Sasori and causing a small-scale change in the terrain.

He read very quickly, but he didn't miss a single detail.

After a moment, he raised his head, his gaze falling on Itachi, and said:
"Well done."

"Faced with a formidable enemy whose strength far surpasses your current capabilities, you must remain calm and collected, seek opportunities, and at the decisive moment, unhesitatingly unleash your trump cards to turn the tide of battle."

He did not disgrace the Uchiha name and demonstrated the qualities of an excellent ninja.

Hearing his father's rare affirmation, Itachi's tense heart finally relaxed a little. A warm current mixed with pride and excitement surged into his heart, and even his usually expressionless face softened slightly.

He lowered his head, concealing the emotions in his eyes, his voice remaining calm:
"It's all thanks to my father's daily teachings and the strength he has given me."

Kiyoshi said no more and casually took out another ordinary-looking blade from his desk drawer. However, those with keen senses would notice that the blade's dark surface faintly contained patterns of sealing techniques.

He handed it to the weasel.

"Take it, just in case."

He explained, his tone as casual as if he were giving someone an ordinary tool.

"I've made some adjustments and optimizations to this sealing technique. After you inject your chakra, you can guide it to a limited extent through your will, based on your current battle intentions and the characteristics of the enemy."

Briefly unleash a small-area "Lightning Release: False Darkness" for a sudden, paralyzing thrust, or use "Wind Release: Vacuum Ball" for area suppression and cutting.

Itachi stretched out his hands. Having experienced it once before, he naturally knew how powerful the chakra that Kiyoshi had sealed on it was.

Therefore, Itachi dared not be negligent. He carefully put the kunai into the innermost part of the ninja tool pouch on his leg, and said in a deep voice with his head down:

"Thank you, Father!"

"Go and rest well, recover your chakra, and summarize the lessons learned from this mission."

Kiyoshi waved his hand, his gaze returning to the documents on the table.

"Yes!" Itachi's figure disappeared silently from the office once again, as if blending into the shadows.

……

The following day, Kurenai Yuhi, holding a girl's hand, came to Kiyoshi's house again.

The girl looked to be about seven or eight years old, but her figure was much thinner and more frail than that of her peers, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

She was wearing a neatly made, light purple old kimono, which made her small face look even paler and bloodless.

It was Yakumo Kurama.

Kurama Yakumo has a rare head of dark red long hair that falls smoothly over her slender shoulders, and delicate features.

However, those big, bright eyes that should have been lively seemed somewhat empty and timid. They hid tightly behind Kurenai Yuhi, only revealing half of her face, cautiously surveying the unfamiliar surroundings.

Especially the man sitting upright on the main sofa, whose handsome appearance seemed otherworldly.

All of this made Yakumo Kurama very nervous.

“Kiyoshi, this is Yakumo, whom I mentioned to you.” Kurenai Yuhi introduced softly.

She felt Yakumo's body tremble slightly and gently patted her thin shoulder to comfort her.

Kiyoshi's gaze fell on Kurama Yakumo. In his perception, the girl's slender body was like a fragile container, yet within it surged a vast spiritual energy.

This force far exceeded the limits that her age and frail body could withstand, not only eroding her vitality day and night, but also nurturing a monster—Idu—composed of all negative emotions, misunderstood pain, and distorted imagination in the dark corners of her subconscious.

"do not be afraid."

Kiyoshi stood up, his tall figure exuding a slight sense of oppression, but his movement toward Yakumo was not hurried.

He crouched down in front of Yakumo so that his line of sight was level with hers, to reduce her fear.

As Yakumo looked at the face that had suddenly approached her, the smile on it seemed to lessen her fear somewhat, but she still instinctively shrank back and tightly gripped the hem of Kurenai's clothes.

Kiyoshi didn't say anything more. He extended his right index finger, and black curse marks instantly appeared on the tip of his finger.

He didn't give Yakumo any more time to hesitate or be afraid, and placed his finger between her smooth eyebrows.

"Uh……"

Yakumo felt a cool touch between her eyebrows, and then a gentle chakra surged irresistibly into her mental world, which had been occupied by chaos and darkness for many years.

In that instant, she seemed to "see" the scene in her own consciousness space, where Kiyoshi's chakra violently shattered Ido, a ferocious monster that was trying to tear everything apart with its claws and fangs.

At the same time, Kiyoshi's fingertip cut through Kurama Yakumo's brow and collected a drop of blood.

When the fingertip traced it again, the wound was completely healed.

When Kiyoshi lowered his hand, Kurenai Yuhi noticed that there was some blood floating on Kiyoshi's fingertips.

Kurama Yakumo stood there blankly, feeling as if the whispers that had been lingering in his mind like a bone-deep sore, along with the constant sense of oppression and fear, had miraculously dissipated significantly!

Although she could still feel the familiar weakness in her body, the heavy burden that had been weighing her down from the mental level had been greatly reduced, as if a mountain that she had carried for many years had been lifted off her back.

She raised her small hand in disbelief and touched her forehead, which was still cold but no longer felt chaotic. Then she looked up at Kiyoshi with a gaze filled with shock.

"Kiyoshi, what you just did was..."

Kurenai couldn't help but step forward, looking at Yakumo with concern, then at Seiji, her beautiful eyes filled with doubt and worry.

“I used a special spell to temporarily suppress and isolate the rampaging spiritual power within her body, as well as the inner demons that arose from that power.”

Kiyoshi stood up and explained in a calm tone, as if stating an objective fact.

“Now, that power is separated from her own consciousness. As long as the curse is not forcibly broken, she should be able to live and think like a normal child and no longer be troubled by it.”

He turned his gaze back to Kurama Yakumo, who seemed to still be struggling to process the enormous changes, and asked:
"Yakumo, tell me now, deep down, do you want to become a ninja?"

Kurama Yakumo suddenly raised his head and paused for a moment. Then, his large eyes, which had been somewhat empty and dull due to long-term illness and fear, suddenly burst forth with light, as if a spark had been thrown into them.

Longing, anticipation, and an almost obsessive expectation surged in her eyes.

She shouted it out with all her might, almost using all her strength, her voice trembling with tears:

"I...I really want to become a ninja."

Become a ninja, possess power, prove yourself not a burden or a monster, earn respect and recognition, and escape this suffocating sickbed and loneliness.

This was the flame that had been hidden deep within her heart and had never been extinguished; now it finally had the chance to be shouted out.

Looking at the burning flame in her eyes, Kiyoshi reached out and gently placed his hand on her dark red hair.

"If you want to, then go to the Ninja Academy. Systematic learning and a solid foundation are more important for you right now. Let Kurenai help you arrange your return to school."

"Go...go to school? Can I really...go?"

Kurama Yakumo's voice was choked with disbelief. She was suffering from a frail body and a strange illness that flared up from time to time.

It was Ido's influence that made her always seen as an outcast, unable to attend the ninja academy like normal children, which was one of her greatest regrets and pains.

Kurenai looked at Kiyoshi with some concern, her delicate brows furrowing slightly:
"Kiyoshi, Yakumo's health condition, and what happened to her before..."

She worried that the school environment and pressure would once again trigger Yakumo.

"It doesn't matter."

Kiyoshi interrupted her.

"With my curse mark on her, the problems in her body will not flare up in the short term, and that chaotic mental energy will no longer be able to affect her mind."

Letting her interact with peers, learn the most basic chakra extraction, taijutsu, and theoretical knowledge, and live a regular life will be beneficial to her physical and mental recovery.

For her, this was a form of 'therapy'. As for the unique illusionary arts training and bloodline limit guidance of the Kurama clan…

Kiyoshi paused and looked at Yakumo.

"It's not too late to start after you've recovered your health and built a solid foundation. Strength requires a solid foundation to master."

Looking at the almost overflowing anticipation in Kurama Yakumo's eyes, and then at Kiyoshi, Kurenai knew that his decision must have a deeper meaning.

She finally nodded and said softly:
"I understand. I will communicate with the school as soon as possible and arrange for Yakumo's enrollment."

Kurama Yakumo looked at Kiyoshi, the Hokage who was said to be the most learned man, and felt a surge of admiration for him.

She stepped forward and bowed almost ninety degrees to Qing Si, her small body trembling slightly with excitement.

"Thank you... thank you so much! Lord Hokage! I'm really... thank you so much!"

Tears finally welled up and spilled over, but this time, they were not tears of fear, but tears of hope and joy.

……

Late that night, at the Grass Country Experimental Base.

The air circulation system emits a low hum, filtering out any dust and microorganisms that might interfere with the accuracy of the experiment.

Hundreds of puppet clones moved among various precision instruments flashing indicator lights, carrying out the most complex and tedious research tasks.

Once the contact is made, this tedious pain will instantly descend upon Kiyoshi's body once again.

However, he can now ignore those feelings.

Kiyoshi's current vitality is much stronger than Naruto's in the original work.

Even if he didn't have the Nine-Tails inside him, it would still be the same.

Therefore, Kiyoshi can now create thousands of shadow clones or puppet clones in an instant for use in combat and research.

He ignored the puppet clones and focused his gaze on a specially made transparent petri dish.

The dish contained a pale blue nutrient solution, and several cells, separated from Yakumo Kurama's blood and preliminarily purified, floated slowly in the solution like tiny jellyfish.

The high-precision microscope and chakra spectrum analyzer next to it are running at full power, projecting the collected data onto a huge light screen on the wall in real time.

On the screen, a complex three-dimensional model of gene sequences is slowly rotating, with a waterfall of data flowing alongside.

As technology advances, Kiyoshi's laboratory is also keeping pace with the times.

"Five senses control..."

The word echoed in Kiyoshi's mind.

This is not a simple illusion or deception, but a deeper level of interference.

"Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch... The bloodline limit of the Kurama clan is not essentially about creating false sensory signals, but rather about directly acting on specific areas of the target brain that process these signals, 'covering' or 'rewriting' them."

Kiyoshi stroked his chin.

This has a certain effect of "Yin-Yang Escape Technique".

Just as Naruto could create an eyeball out of thin air for Kakashi, the Kurama clan also influences reality out of thin air through spiritual energy and chakra.

In the original work, Yakumo Kurama could create the same game in reality simply by painting on a canvas.

"This is a highly specialized application of Yin Release chakra, mixed with powerful psychokinetic abilities."

It bypasses conventional sensory receptors, establishing a direct connection with the target's sensory center and inputting everything the caster wants the target to feel. Powerful Kurama clan ninjas can even indirectly influence the target's physiological state by manipulating the five senses; for example, if they make the target feel like they are being burned, the body will actually show a burn reaction.
"If you make the target feel suffocated, they really won't be able to breathe..."

Kiyoshi felt this was a very interesting ability.

Perhaps he could use the Kurama clan's bloodline limit, "Five Senses Manipulation," to touch the realm of "Yin-Yang Release."

He immediately issued instructions, and the puppet clones began to conduct more in-depth gene sequencing, chakra nature simulation, and technique structure deduction.

Meanwhile, some cells are placed in special culture tanks to attempt cloning and proliferation in order to conduct subsequent in vivo experiments and safer surgical procedures.

The entire laboratory was like a precisely operating machine, running at full speed to deconstruct this rare bloodline limit.

This is the foundation of Qing Si.

His ability to develop one bloodline limit after another so quickly provided Kiyotsuka with significant assistance from these laboratories.

After conducting preliminary analysis and planning, Kiyoshi temporarily shifted this part of his consciousness away from the research on the Kurama bloodline and moved it to another, more heavily guarded area of ​​the base.

It was a pristine white room containing only a large box; otherwise, it was completely empty.

The Box of Elysium!

The distorted human faces and bizarre creature reliefs on the surface of the box absorb dark chakra filled with various negative emotions.

The black mist, almost tangible, flowed slowly around the box, but was tightly confined within a certain range by the surrounding sealing barrier, preventing it from dissipating.

Kiyoshi walked up to the Box of Elysium, stretched out his hand, and gently pressed his chakra-covered palm against the cold stone surface.

Perception surged in like a tidal wave.

"Hmm... The accumulated chakra, both in quantity and quality, has reached a considerable level."

Qing Si is assessing the situation.

Ever since he brought this item back from Hozuki Castle and placed it here, it has been automatically absorbing the negative emotions such as fear, despair, greed, and anger that naturally dissipate from creatures within its range, transforming them into this unique dark chakra.

"This portion of chakra can serve as an anchor point and coordinate connecting the real world to the 'Limited Tsukuyomi' world."

Kiyoshi secretly said.

He plans to return to the "Limited Tsukuyomi" world. (End of Chapter)