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Today, Kyomu felt unusually reluctant to get out of bed.
He glanced at Yugito, who was beside him, her eyelids fluttering slightly, obviously pretending to sleep.
With a chuckle, Kyomu reluctantly let go of her hand, feeling a sense of emptiness. He reached out and gently squeezed her hand a couple more times before getting up and dressing.
His inner garments were intact; last night, they had only shared intimate whispers, not crossing any boundaries.
Even so, Yugito's soft meows had lasted for a considerable time, experiencing the magical dexterity of Kyomu's hands, which could form six seals in a second.
Her nighttime initiative led to daytime shyness. After Kyomu dressed and left the room, Yugito finally opened her eyes and patted her cheeks.
Recalling the scenes from the previous night, she pulled the covers over herself, hiding in embarrassment.
After a while, Yugito, thoroughly embarrassed, finally got up and dressed.
By the time she left the room, Kyomu had already gone, but he had left instructions for her breakfast to be prepared.
In the office, Kyomu was full of energy.
Obito, who had come to report, looked at Kyomu curiously. It had been over a year, and he felt that Kyomu had changed.
But before he could speak, Kyomu beat him to it. "Obito, you returned to the village last night, right?"
"Uh...yes, I got back in the evening."
"Then why didn't you come to see me first? Instead, you took Rin out shopping?"
"I..."
"Do you have any respect for me as the Ryukage?" Kyomu glared at Obito. "I'm docking three months' pay. What do you think?"
"Kyomu, what's gotten into you? I used to..."
"Make it four months!"
"Four months, fine! I'll stop talking." Obito grumbled, feeling wronged, but Kyomu felt much better.
Last night, Obito had almost blown his cover.
Mei covered her mouth, stifling a laugh, while Rin facepalmed, exasperated that Obito still didn't understand why Kyomu was docking his pay.
Turning to Rin, Kyomu asked, "Rin, is the transplant surgery foolproof?"
"Practically foolproof," Rin replied, flipping through her documents. "In treating Kimimaro, we've accumulated a lot of clinical experience. We've also prepared for various contingencies to ensure the surgery's safety."
Kyomu nodded, then turned to Obito. "So, are you ready to give it a try?"
"Of course," Obito said, rubbing his eyes. "Living with severe myopia is unbearable. It seriously affects my combat abilities. I don't want to be useless if a fourth Great Ninja War breaks out."
"Since you're ready, follow Rin to the ANBU for the surgery," Kyomu decided, then looked seriously at Rin. "Rin, I entrust this to you."
"Don't worry. With Tsunade-sensei and Nonō-senpai assisting, there won't be any issues."
"Alright then. You two go ahead and prepare for the surgery. Also, have Kimimaro come see me."
Rin and Obito nodded and left. Kyomu then turned to Yugito and Mei.
Neither showed signs of lingering personal emotions, which reassured Kyomu. Work time was for work; romance could wait for rest periods.
"Yugito, inform Hiashi to come see me. I have something to discuss with him."
Yugito left to carry out his instructions, leaving only Mei and Kyomu in the office.
"Kyomu, Yugito seems a bit off today."
"How so?"
"She's not arguing with me today," Mei whispered. "And she keeps looking at me like she's won. Did you two...?"
Mei's instincts were sharp, but Kyomu couldn't admit it. He didn't want to come home one day to find the two women fighting in his bed.
He quickly denied it and changed the subject, asking Mei about the day's tasks.
Soon, Yugito returned with Hiashi.
"Ryukage-sama," Hiashi greeted respectfully.
"Hiashi, have a seat," Kyomu gestured to the reception sofa. "I've asked you here to discuss the Hyuga clan members who married into the Kaguya clan. How are they doing?"
"They're well. Following your orders, I didn't brand the Hyuga clan members who married into the Kaguya clan with the Caged Bird Seal."
Kyomu nodded, satisfied.
Three years ago, not only Kimimaro but other members of the Kaguya clan were transplanted with the Byakugan.
When news leaked, the Hyuga clan's elders protested vigorously. But the next day, Hiashi reported that those opposing elders had fallen ill and passed away.
Kyomu and Hiashi both understood what had happened, and the issue of transplanting Byakugan to the Kaguya clan was no longer opposed.
Kyomu could guess the true feelings of the Hyuga clan members, but he didn't care much.
To pacify them, he arranged for the Kaguya members with transplanted Byakugan to marry into the Hyuga clan, leaving only Kimimaro as an exception.
This soothed the Hyuga clan's resentment, as they now saw the Kaguya clan's bloodline as a means to enhance their own.
The specifics were left to the Hyuga clan, and Kyomu didn't interfere.
With his rule over the Dragon Country now secure, Kyomu's focus shifted to minor adjustments.
He didn't want the Hyuga clan to become another Uchiha clan, gradually distancing from the village due to the Byakugan issue.
So it was time to appease the Hyuga clan.
"Hiashi, there's something else I want to discuss. Are you interested?"
"Please speak, Ryukage-sama. I will do my utmost."
"I plan to visit the moon soon to meet your clan's relatives. Would you accompany me?"
"This..."
Hiashi hesitated, deep in thought.
Kyomu didn't rush him. After a while, Hiashi asked, "May I know your plan?"
"Nothing too specific. Just to ask your relatives if they wish to join our village."
"And if they refuse?" Hiashi asked.
"If they refuse, they have no place here. And Hiashi, wouldn't you want some greater benefits? Like the Tenseigan on the moon and other things you've never acquired?"
"Of course I want that!" Hiashi nodded but then questioned, "But Ryukage-sama, who will own the Tenseigan?"
"Naturally, it belongs to the Hyuga clan and the Kaguya clan."
"One isn't enough to share," Hiashi shook his head. "Ryukage-sama, according to our records, there's only one Tenseigan on the moon."
"It's been a long time. You've lost the direct lineage, and you might not know the method to create an artificial Tenseigan."
"Creating a Tenseigan artificially?" Hiashi was stunned. "That's unbelievable!"
"The truth will be revealed on the moon," Kyomu didn't elaborate, shifting to another concern. "My real worry is that if we clash with your relatives, they might use the Caged Bird Seal to control the Hyuga branch members..."
"Ryukage-sama, unless they come to the ninja world, they can't use the Caged Bird Seal from the moon without the Tenseigan's power."
"That's reassuring." Kyomu nodded. "Hiashi, if your relatives don't submit..."
"Ryukage-sama, we are the Hyuga clan," Hiashi stated firmly. "They are Otsutsuki, not our relatives. You needn't hold back."
"That's best." Kyomu smiled. "Prepare yourself, Hiashi. I'll notify you when it's time to act. And make sure your clan's estate is ready to store and preserve the Tenseigan."
Hiashi bowed and left. Kimimaro, who had been waiting outside, entered.
"Ryukage-sama."
"Kimimaro, come closer." Kyomu smiled, treating him differently from Hiashi.
Kimimaro approached, allowing Kyomu to inspect him and channel chakra through his body.
"Your Kekkei Genkai disease is completely cured, and your body is much stronger." Kyomu smiled. "Tsunade says your Shikotsumyaku has also enhanced?"
"Yes, Ryukage-sama." Kimimaro extended his hand, growing a bone spike from his finger.
"Observe."
He pierced a sheet of paper on the desk. Instantly, the pierced area began to decay, and within two blinks, the paper turned to ash.
All-Killing Ash Bones!
"How does it affect living beings?" Kyomu asked eagerly.
"On living beings, the effect is weakened," Kimimaro explained. "Tsunade-sensei says it's similar to Dust Release but more advanced. My current strength can't fully utilize it."
Kyomu's eyes lit up. "How long does it take for a living being to die after being hit?"
"It depends on their size and strength," Kimimaro detailed. "For small lab mice, it takes about three seconds to die and turn to ash. Larger beings show symptoms similar to Kekkei Genkai disease, starting to break down from within. It should work similarly on ninja."
Kyomu patted Kimimaro's shoulder. "Very impressive. I believe your Shikotsumyaku will evolve further."
"I'll keep working hard, Ryukage-sama."
"But take care of yourself. Don't overexert." Kyomu advised. "Prepare yourself. Soon, I'll take you to a place where you can fully test your skills."
"Yes, Ryukage-sama!" Kimimaro's eyes shone, excited to be of use.
Then he asked, "Ryukage-sama, can I see Obito?"
"Of course. He'll join us on our mission."
Kimimaro nodded vigorously, bowing before leaving.
...
After he left, Kyomu stretched and accepted a cup of tea from Yugito.
"Phew...that's most of today's work done." Kyomu looked at the two women. "Discuss the remaining tasks among yourselves. I'll visit the ANBU to check on Obito's surgery."
The two nodded, not intending to follow.
Once Kyomu left, the two began their exchange.
"Yugito, what's with that look?"
"What did you do last night? Don't think I don't know."
"Kyomu agreed to go out with me. If he hadn't..."
They bickered, but neither revealed their progress with Kyomu, especially Yugito, who kept their shared bed secret.
Kyomu, uninterested in their quarrels, finally looked at his new passive skill while heading to the ANBU.
He genuinely hadn't had time last night.
[Passive Skill: King of the Sky]
[Skill Description: During the skill's active period, based on the altitude from Dragon Hidden Village, your abilities enhance at different heights.]
10,000 meters: Your explosive power doubles.
100,000 meters: Your reaction speed doubles.
200,000 meters: Your attack power doubles.
Above 200,000 meters: Gain the King of the Sky buff, enhancing your combat skills to the 'Microscopic' level, doubling energy efficiency.
[Skill Duration: 30 days]
[Note: Conquering the land is not enough; you must conquer the sky. Remember, our journey lies in the sea of stars.] (TL: I don't know why but when I translated 'Sea of Stars' made me want to play AC Black Flag again.)
"Quite a powerful combat enhancement. Perfect for the moon mission." Kyomu murmured. "But what exactly does the 'Microscopic' level entail in the King of the Sky buff?"
Looking up at the sky, Kyomu felt a surge of excitement.
The battle he longed for was finally approaching.
(End of Chapter)