Chapter 31: Five Years Later
After returning from that meal, Kiyoshi quickly organized the relevant methods for compressing Chakra and improving Chakra quality and gave them to Senno and Yagura.
In the following years, Kiyoshi's Team 6 continuously completed one difficult mission after another. Under the deliberate promotion of Elder Seiji and the Third Mizukage, the three of them rose to prominence within the village, becoming the Hidden Mist Village's three rising stars.
However, because they were in the Anbu, the others in the village did not know their true identities, only referring to them by the title "Hidden Mist Three Stars."
Time was like a wild donkey, once it started running, it couldn't be stopped. Soon, five years passed, and the year was now the beginning of Hidden Mist Year 33.
Kiyoshi's strength hadn't increased rapidly, but rather naturally improved to the level of an Elite Jōnin over time. After all, he spent most of his time focusing on his bloodline.
However, it is worth mentioning that Kiyoshi's Chakra was extremely condensed, its quality being more than twice that of ordinary ninjas.
During these five years, Kiyoshi had also completely absorbed Isshiki's gift. The Otsutsuki bloodline within his body had completely advanced to a new level compared to the beginning. Unfortunately, Kiyoshi still hadn't awakened his own eyes, only vaguely feeling the power being nurtured in his eyes constantly growing. Moreover, the Great Black Heaven space, which he had previously sensed vaguely, had become increasingly clear.
Senno and Yagura's strength had also reached the Jōnin level. However, because Senno had also been simultaneously studying medical ninjutsu during these years and hadn't fully focused on improving her own strength, Yagura's current strength had surpassed Senno's.
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Name: Otsutsuki Kiyoshi
Age: 14 (Born February 10th, Hidden Mist Year 19)
Height: 178cm
Weight: 71kg
Ninja Registration Number: 005666
Ninja Rank: Elite Jōnin (Chakra Capacity: 16 units)
Mission Experience: D-Rank 0, C-Rank 0, B-Rank 22, A-Rank 43, S-Rank 26
Chakra Nature: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth, Yin, Yang
Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 20, Lightning Release Ninjutsu 15, Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Fire Release Ninjutsu 25, Earth Release Ninjutsu 20, Yin Release Ninjutsu 3, Yin-Yang Release Ninjutsu 1
(Sensing ninjutsu, classified by nature, should be considered Yin Release. This will not be explained further in the text. The technique used to create the underground exchange's identity tokens is inherited from Isshiki Otsutsuki's Yin-Yang Release application.)
Kekkei Genkai: Shikotsumyaku
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Name: Karatachi Yagura
Age: 14 (Born April 3rd, Hidden Mist Year 19)
Height: 143cm
Weight: 38.8kg
Ninja Registration Number: 005028
Ninja Rank: Jōnin (Chakra Capacity: 3 units)
Mission Experience: D-Rank 56, C-Rank 28, B-Rank 22, A-Rank 43, S-Rank 26
Chakra Nature: Wind, Water, Yin, Yang
Mastered Ninjutsu: Wind Release Ninjutsu 25, Water Release Ninjutsu 25, Yin Release Ninjutsu 2
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Name: Hōzuki Senno
Age: 18 (Born June 6th, Hidden Mist Year 15)
Height: 170cm
Weight: 53kg
Ninja Registration Number: 003868
Ninja Rank: Jōnin (Chakra Capacity: 2.8 units)
Mission Experience: D-Rank 112, C-Rank 68, B-Rank 40, A-Rank 58, S-Rank 27
Chakra Nature: Water, Yang
Mastered Ninjutsu: Water Release Ninjutsu 30, Medical Ninjutsu 5
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Hidden Mist Village, Anbu Main Base, Commander's Office.
The 14-year-old Kiyoshi knelt on one knee on the ground, reporting the completion status of a mission to Commander Ken.
"...That's roughly it. The frictions in the ninja world have been increasing recently. I believe the footsteps of war are getting closer and closer," Kiyoshi said in a deep voice.
"Kotsu, your assessment is correct. The village has already secretly begun preparations. Our Hidden Mist is located overseas, far from the mainland. Although it's unlikely that we will actively attack, we still need to be prepared to join the war at any time," Ken said, looking at Kiyoshi, very satisfied with Kiyoshi's performance in the Anbu.
"Then, starting from today, you will be the squad leader of the Anbu First Division. Hana will serve as your second-in-command, Kagami will take over as the squad leader of Team 6, and you will be responsible for filling any missing personnel. Go!" Ken continued to command.
"Yes! Then this subordinate will take his leave," Kiyoshi replied respectfully, then got up and walked out of the Commander's office.
The original leader of Team 6, Kazama, and the leader of the First Division, Kiri, encountered the Third Raikage, A, and a large number of Anbu from the Hidden Cloud Village during a joint Anbu S-rank mission in Hidden Mist Year 31. Although the mission was ultimately completed successfully, in order to cover the retreat of others, including Kiyoshi, Kazama used all his Chakra to unleash the A-rank Water Release ninjutsu, Great Exploding Water Wave, trapping all the Hidden Cloud Anbu. In the end, Kazama died due to Chakra exhaustion. Kiri, after intercepting the Third Raikage for about three minutes, was killed on the spot when the Third Raikage's One Finger Spear pierced his heart.
After that mission, Kiyoshi took over as the leader of Team 6. Because Kiyoshi's strength had reached the level of an Elite Jōnin, and Yagura and Senno had also become Jōnin, Team 6 maintained a three-person formation and did not add any other members. Under Kiyoshi's leadership, the three completed many difficult missions and set a record of 100% mission completion rate for a Hidden Mist Anbu squad.
Kiyoshi, after leaving the office, went straight to the First Training Ground, the usual base of the First Division. He was going to meet his future subordinates.
Arriving at the location, the various squads that had already been notified by Commander Ken had gathered. Kiyoshi used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of everyone, nodded at Yagura and Senno, and then his expression turned serious.
"I am Kotsu, the new squad leader of the Anbu First Division. Some of you have been on missions with me, but many more of you should still be unfamiliar with me. Our Hidden Mist has always admired the strong. Today is my first day in office, and I will give you this opportunity. If anyone is dissatisfied, you can come and compete with me. If you can defeat me, then you can have this squad leader position. But after today, if any of you disobey my orders in secret, hmph!" Kiyoshi said loudly, his words filled with confidence in his own strength.
The crowd exchanged glances, and then two people slowly walked out from the front ranks. Judging from their previous positions, they should be the leaders of the First and Second Squads.
"Squad Leader-sama, we two are not talented, but we would like to experience your skills!" one of them said to Kiyoshi.
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