Chapter 41: Bonds Beyond Blood
After reaching home, Kiyoshi saw his clone reading through the scrolls he had left behind. These were the scrolls he had requested from Tsunade, and among them was a familiar one—Fūinjutsu: Four Limbs Weighting Seal. He had borrowed it in hopes of learning it himself.
Fūinjutsu had always intrigued him. It was a complex art, but its potential was undeniable. Whether it was sealing tailed beasts, creating barriers, or disabling an opponent in battle, mastery over Fūinjutsu could be a game-changer. Since he had plenty of time, he figured it wouldn't hurt to try.
Shigeru had also given him a few basic Fūinjutsu scrolls, though he had warned Kiyoshi that mastering sealing techniques was far from easy. Even Shigeru himself had attempted them in his younger days but never became proficient. But Kiyoshi was different—coming into this world with knowledge from his past life, he had the rare opportunity to learn and apply everything he once admired from a distance.
His approach was simple: if Fūinjutsu didn't work out, he would shift focus to Genjutsu. It never hurt to have multiple skills under his belt, and if the Gacha system ever granted him advanced Fūinjutsu techniques, having a foundational understanding would make his progress seem natural rather than suspicious.
After washing away the grime from his training, Kiyoshi decided to eat at home instead of heading out. He rummaged through the kitchen and quickly put together a simple yet filling meal—steamed rice, grilled fish, and miso soup, accompanied by some pickled vegetables.
As he cooked, the warmth of the stove and the rich aroma of the miso created a comforting atmosphere. It was a rare moment of peace, one he allowed himself to enjoy. Once the meal was ready, he sat at the small dining table and ate at a relaxed pace. The flavors were simple but satisfying, grounding him after a long day of training and planning.
With his hunger satiated, Kiyoshi cleaned up and walked over to his clone, who was still engrossed in the scrolls.
"How's it going?" Kiyoshi asked, folding his arms as he glanced at the markings his clone had been studying.
The clone looked up and sighed. "There's definitely some potential for you in Fūinjutsu, but… it's nothing exceptional. I'd say your talent is average."
Kiyoshi smirked, completely unbothered by the evaluation. "Average, huh? That's good enough. Even an average talent can take me far with the right effort."
He wasn't aiming to become a Fūinjutsu master overnight. He just needed to understand the basics well enough to use them effectively in battle. If he could refine his skills over time, even 'average' proficiency could prove invaluable.
Kiyoshi let his clone continue reading and, seeing that it was already evening, decided to head out. Stepping out of the house, he made his way toward the Uchiha Clan's district.
As he navigated through the village, he stopped by a small fruit stall and bought some fresh apples. It wasn't much, but it was a simple gesture of courtesy—especially since he was visiting someone recovering from an illness.
After some time, he arrived at the Uchiha district's entrance, marked by a gate bearing the clan's fan-shaped symbol. A lone Chunin stood guard, merely noting the names of those who entered.
"Kiyoshi Senju," he stated.
The guard glanced up, briefly surprised but not questioning him further. He simply nodded, marked the name down, and gestured for Kiyoshi to pass.
Inside, the compound wasn't much different from the rest of Konoha—people moving about, children playing in the streets, and vendors selling their goods. Yet, despite the normalcy, there was a distinct air of discipline in the way the Uchiha carried themselves.
Relying on memory, Kiyoshi made his way through the streets until he reached a modest house. He knocked on the wooden gate and called out, "Mikoto!"
After a moment, a gentle yet firm voice responded from within. Soon, the door slid open, revealing a woman who bore a striking resemblance to the older Mikoto he had seen in the anime. Her dark hair, warm yet sharp eyes, and refined demeanor immediately gave away her relation to Mikoto.
She studied him for a moment before realization struck. "Oh! Blonde hair… You must be that Senju boy—Kiyoshi, right?"
Kiyoshi nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Mikoto's teammate."
A bright smile spread across her face as she stepped aside. "Ah, welcome, welcome! You're here to see Mikoto? Come in, come in."
He quickly realized that Mikoto's mother was far more enthusiastic than Mikoto herself.
Inside, he sat on the tatami mat while she called for her daughter. A few minutes later, Mikoto appeared, dressed in casual clothes, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. Her nose was slightly red, and she sniffled before speaking.
"I wasn't expecting anyone to come see me," she admitted, giving him a small smile. "But I should've known that Oddball Kiyoshi would show up."
Kiyoshi rolled his eyes at the nickname but let it slide. "Of course. Can't have my teammate wasting away in boredom."
Mikoto chuckled before thanking him for coming. As they talked, she reassured him that she'd be back in shape within a few days. Their conversation drifted toward random topics—training, upcoming missions, and village gossip.
A short while later, Mikoto's mother returned with tea and some light snacks, setting them down in front of Kiyoshi. He accepted them with a nod of gratitude.
Taking a bite of a rice cracker, he suddenly remembered the apples he had bought earlier. Reaching into his bag, he placed them on the table.
"I brought these for you and your family," he said casually. "Figured they might help with recovery."
Mikoto's mother beamed. "Oh, how thoughtful! That's very sweet of you, Kiyoshi."
Mikoto looked at the apples, then at him, before smirking. "You're surprisingly considerate, aren't you?"
Kiyoshi scoffed. "Don't get used to it."
After finishing his tea and chatting for a little longer, he decided it was time to leave.
"Get some rest," he told Mikoto as he stood up. "I'll see you when you're better."
Mikoto gave him a lazy salute. "Yeah, yeah. Thanks for coming."
As Kiyoshi stood up to leave, Mikoto's mother clasped her hands together and smiled warmly.
"You should come by again, Kiyoshi," she said. "It's nice to see Mikoto getting along with her teammates. And next time, I'll make something special for you."
Kiyoshi scratched the back of his head, a little surprised by the invitation. "Ah… Sure, I'll stop by again."
Mikoto smirked. "Careful, if you come too often, my mom might start treating you like family."
Kiyoshi raised an eyebrow. "And that's a bad thing because…?"
Mikoto clicked her tongue playfully. "You'd never escape."
Her mother sighed dramatically. "Mikoto, don't scare him away!"
Kiyoshi chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll take my chances."
As he stepped out of the house and made his way back through the Uchiha district, he couldn't help but feel content. It had been a simple visit, but one that reinforced the bond between teammates. And in this world, connections were everything.
In a world where danger lurked around every corner, moments like these were rare—and worth cherishing.