Chương 75: Chapter 75: Jashin's Cult

Everyone was well-fed and content.

Tsunade wasn't in a rush to leave.

Instead, she asked Shizune to continue instructing Karin, while she took Kiyoshi back to the cabin, preparing to personally teach him the Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu.

She motioned for him to review the scrolls on the Yin Seal and the Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu.

"So, the Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu requires gathering a specific amount of chakra over three years?" After reading through the introduction on the scroll, Kiyoshi looked at Tsunade in surprise.

"That's for those with smaller chakra reserves. Even though I perfected it before beginning my training, this step couldn't be skipped."

Tsunade nodded, looking at Kiyoshi with a mixture of admiration and awe. "But your chakra reserves are at least five times mine—this won't affect you at all."

Even within the Senju and Uzumaki clans, known for their immense chakra reserves, few could match Kiyoshi's level at his age.

Perhaps only previous Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails or the First Hokage in his youth could come close.

At just ten years old, Kiyoshi's chakra levels had more than tripled in the past two years.

By Tsunade's estimation, he had at least five times her chakra—not including the chakra she stored with her Yin Seal.

It was almost monstrous.

"That's great news."

Kiyoshi smiled as he settled himself, beginning to train under Tsunade's guidance.

He focused deeply, sitting cross-legged, his hands forming seals.

In his mind, he could feel the gentle stream of his chakra flowing.

It moved continuously throughout his chakra network.

With his hands clasped in seals and his mind focused, a pool—deep as an abyss—began to form within him.

A part of his chakra stream was drawn into this mysterious pool.

Less than half an hour later, a diamond-shaped mark appeared on his forehead.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed slightly, and she was at a loss for words.

Once again, Kiyoshi's progress was astounding.

Mastering the Yin Seal had taken her a lot of time and energy. Yet here Kiyoshi was, accomplishing it with ease.

"This isn't going to work, Tsunade-nee. The Yin Seal can't store enough chakra," Kiyoshi said, somewhat resigned. "At this rate, it'll fill up in no time."

The Yin Seal was useful, at the very least, in giving him an additional reservoir of chakra.

Although his chakra levels were already terrifyingly high, enough to overwhelm most Kage-level opponents, his future foes would be far beyond Kage level.

They were all monstrous, almost like tailed beasts in human form, and possibly even included the Ten-Tails itself.

So, while the Yin Seal might be more than sufficient for others, it felt a bit lacking for him.

"There's nothing we can do about it—you just have too much chakra…" Tsunade shrugged.

"Still, I think it's good enough for you."

"Alright, keep practicing the Yin Seal and Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu here," she continued. "If you have questions, come find me."

With that, Tsunade got up and walked outside, ready to guide her student, Karin.

She knew full well how immense Kiyoshi's potential was.

Someone like him would inevitably pursue comprehensive growth, not focusing solely on medical ninjutsu.

She didn't want her influence to limit his future.

Especially since an enemy as dangerous as Uchiha Madara might still be alive, lurking like a venomous snake, plotting unknown schemes.

If, as Kiyoshi suspected, Madara had been influenced by the stone tablet supposedly left by the Sage of Six Paths in the Uchiha shrine, aiming to collect all tailed beasts and become a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi across the world.

Then Kiyoshi was the only one who could possibly stop him.

Thus, Tsunade had chosen Karin, blessed with the Uzumaki bloodline and extraordinary talent, as the true inheritor of her medical skills.

She had decided to make Karin her successor.

"Alright."

Kiyoshi grinned. He remembered that in the original timeline, when Sakura trained in Strength of a Hundred Seal Jutsu, she created a secondary chakra reservoir—a smaller tank—around the main pool to draw from.

Perhaps he could expand this idea, developing a larger and more expansive lake.

For others, this might seem challenging, but for Kiyoshi, it was entirely feasible.

His confidence came naturally after absorbing the knowledge and wisdom of the Uchiha clan, transforming it into his own strength.

---

Three Days Later – The Land of Hot Water

On a scenic hilltop, a group of four, plus a small pig, gazed at the distant outline of a small town.

"Wow! So this is the Land of Hot Water?"

"Mm…"

Tsunade, who had visited before, smiled and explained, "There are at least half a dozen hot springs along one street here, even the inns are hot-spring resorts."

"This place is famous because of its natural hot springs running underground."

"There's a saying here, if you dig a deep enough hole anywhere, you might uncover steaming hot springs."

"Amazing." Karin's eyes sparkled.

Unable to wait, she slung her herb pouch over her shoulder and darted forward.

"Come on, Tonton."

"Oink, oink."

"Wait, Karin…"

Shizune, as the elder sister, tried to appear composed, but her quick footsteps betrayed her excitement.

Kiyoshi followed, grinning, and even Tsunade didn't scold them.

Before long, the four of them reached the small town.

Seeing the shops with signs for hot-spring baths, they couldn't help but be taken aback.

However, many shops had "Closed" signs displayed.

"Why are there so few people?" Karin wondered, noticing the few hurried townsfolk. "And everyone looks like they're in a hurry, like they're afraid of something."

"It wasn't like this when I was here before; it was quite lively…" Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"Let's find a place to stay and get some information," Kiyoshi suggested.

They soon found a decent-looking hot spring inn that was still open.

"Three rooms with soft beds, and a good dinner spread, please…" Kiyoshi knocked on the counter.

He roused the innkeeper, a large man who was half-asleep, and requested, "Also, a private hot spring, no shared baths with strangers."

Considering that Karin was still young and they were traveling in dangerous times, Karin usually shared a room with Shizune, so Kiyoshi booked only three rooms.

"Rooms?"

The innkeeper, sleepy-eyed, perked up at the prospect of customers.

Pleased, he quickly prepared to accommodate them. "You folks must be from out of town?"

"Yes, we just arrived," Tsunade replied, asking, "Why is it so quiet here? I remember it being much livelier. There hasn't been any conflict, has there?"

"Lately, things have been... unsettling," the innkeeper said, logging their reservation.

He glanced at them before adding, "It's best not to go out alone…"

"What?"

Karin and Shizune were surprised.

But with Tsunade—a legendary Sannin—and Kiyoshi, who was deceptively powerful, they were hardly frightened.

"It's all due to that cult of Jashin."

Leading them to their rooms upstairs, the innkeeper sighed. "For months now, people have been found dead in horrific, brutal ways, and they're always alone."

"What?"

Karin asked in shock, "Who's behind it?"

Tsunade, Kiyoshi, and Shizune all frowned.

"No one's seen the killer, but each scene bears the mark of the Jashin cult."

"They say the town's lord even hired ninja from Yugakure to catch the murderer, but they were killed too."

"The cult of Jashin?"

Kiyoshi's eyes narrowed in surprise.

Could it be the same cult that Hidan, possessing immortality, had belonged to?

As he recalled, Hidan was a missing-nin from Yugakure before joining the Akatsuki.

"This whole thing has everyone on edge, most tourists have fled. Business is dead," the innkeeper lamented.

---------------

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Chương 76: Chapter 76: Hot Springs

"I'm glad to have customers, but I'd advise you to leave here as soon as possible."

"Of course, the deposit for three days won't be refunded."

Inside the inn.

After arranging rooms for everyone, the innkeeper turned and left, heading off to summon his domineering wife to serve as a hostess for Tsunade and her companions, and to prepare the premium feast Kiyoshi specifically requested.

"Enough about that—let's hit the hot springs first and enjoy a good meal," Kiyoshi said as he set down his backpack, stretching his arms to loosen up.

"Then, let's go meet that lunatic from the Cult of Jashin."

"Kiyoshi, do you know where this killer is?" Karin asked, surprised.

Kiyoshi tapped Karin lightly on the forehead and said with a slight sigh, "Didn't I teach you how to sense chakra?"

"All you have to do in this area is track down any strong chakras nearby that aren't ours, and it'll likely lead us to him."

When the innkeeper had mentioned the Cult of Jashin, Kiyoshi had already activated his heightened sensory ability, easily detecting a distinct chakra presence just outside the town.

He had simply chosen to ignore it for the time being.

"Oh, right." Karin's eyes lit up with realization as she quickly formed hand seals, activating her Kagura Mind's Eye, a sensory ability she had awakened soon after learning to channel chakra.

She concentrated on her surroundings.

"Found it." Karin said, excitement in her eyes. She pointed southeast. "About three miles outside the town."

"Good job," Kiyoshi praised.

With Tsunade's expert guidance and occasional tips from Kiyoshi, Karin, who only began controlling chakra at seven, had made remarkable progress in two years.

Her skills had outpaced the sheltered students of Konoha Village and allowed her to master the Uzumaki clan's Kagura Mind's Eye.

"So close?" Tsunade frowned slightly. While she wasn't overly compassionate, she despised the senseless, thrill-seeking murders committed by these killers.

"Lady Tsunade, should we intervene?" Shizune asked, holding her pet pig, Tonton, and looking to Tsunade for guidance.

"Let's go along with Kiyoshi's plan," Tsunade shot Kiyoshi a sideways glance and said with mild irritation, "I can tell his hands are itching for a fight, just waiting for a worthy opponent."

Over the past two years of grueling training, Kiyoshi had grown remarkably strong.

Not only could his wood clones no longer threaten him, but they were easily swept aside, even in numbers. His taijutsu, combined with his monstrous strength, made him terrifyingly powerful.

Tsunade could barely keep up with him physically.

And in terms of ninjutsu?

After witnessing Kiyoshi effortlessly incorporate Wind Release chakra into the Rasengan, creating the Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.

Tsunade had lost the desire to spar with him in anything involving genjutsu, ninjutsu, or taijutsu.

She was proud, after all, one of the Sannin, and it wouldn't be good for her reputation if Kiyoshi could defeat her too easily. How would she maintain her dignity as a teacher?

Soon after, a hearty woman with a broad smile approached them, leading the group to the inn's private hot springs in the back.

Since they were the only guests at the inn, she granted them access to the largest hot spring, an expansive, quiet, and relaxing pool.

"Ahhh, this is amazing."

Inside the women's bath, mist swirled around Karin, Shizune, and Tsunade, who were immersed in the hot water, eyes closed, each smiling in contentment.

"Kiyoshi, don't you dare peek," Karin warned from the other side of the wall, eyeing Kiyoshi, who was lazily stretched out in the men's bath.

Her cheeks were flushed, perhaps from the heat of the springs.

Kiyoshi rolled his eyes from the men's side, replying, "Don't worry, Karin. I'm not interested in your figure."

He added with a teasing smirk, "If I were to peek, it'd be at Tsunade-nee."

"You pervert," Karin muttered, her eyes darting to her own, less developed physique before shifting to her teacher, Tsunade, whose impressive figure floated naturally in the water.

Karin clenched her fists in frustration, her face flushed with irritation.

"Kiyoshi, if you even think of sneaking over with one of your weird Jutsus, be prepared for what's coming to you," Tsunade said with a dangerous yet calm smile, her tone sweetly menacing.

While she couldn't see Kiyoshi in the separate space, she knew Karin's exceptional sensory skills from the Uzumaki clan would easily detect any tricks.

"Heh, Kiyoshi, are you regretting teaching Karin how to master the Kagura Mind's Eye?" Shizune teased, chuckling as she soaked in the hot spring.

She knew all too well how much her clever young teammate admired Lady Tsunade, to the point where even Tsunade had stopped treating him as just another kid.

At this, Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly as well.

After all, earlier Kiyoshi had a habit of using her as his personal pillow when they traveled, and he was never content to simply rest peacefully. Did he really have to nibble in his sleep?

Kiyoshi's lips twitched, closing his eyes and sinking deeper into the water, choosing not to respond.

The thought of losing his "body pillow" and the once-accessible melons that now felt out of reach left him feeling a pang of frustration.

If it weren't for the few limits, he set for himself and his need to grow up a bit more, the situation might have escalated beyond a simple daydream.

But still… he couldn't help but think, Tsunade's figure was really something else.

---------------

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