Hearing Tama - shin - hime say he passed, Kiyosuke let out a big sigh of relief. Just as he was about to relax, Tama - shin - hime said, "Well, constructing food is troublesome, but it's just like that. Next, there's something even more challenging for you, like... living things."
Living things... How could he do that?
Kiyosuke looked at her in confusion. Tama - shin - hime said, "You haven't reached that level yet. When the illusions you construct can cover an area of one square kilometer, then you can learn it."
Goodness, an area of one square kilometer. How much Sage chakra would that consume?
Although his chakra had been increasing, it wasn't to the extent of covering an area of one square kilometer. It would take at least eight or nine years, and that was with continuous training.
So... he'd think about this later.
Tama - shin - hime said, "You've learned the specific key points. From now on, it's all about your own hard work. This is all the Sage Jutsu that Ryūchi Cave can teach you. In the future, you can train and create on your own. Sage Mode can greatly increase your strength and the power of the ninjutsu you use. You can create your own unique Sage Jutsu."
"I understand."
Just as Tama - shin - hime said, in Sage Mode, all his stats had increased by more than double. Moreover, the temperature of his flames had risen sharply. It was no longer like before, where it would stop at a certain critical point.
Normally, the temperature of his flames was between 500 and 800 degrees. With the blessing of Sage Mode, the temperature increased exponentially. Although he hadn't measured it actually, it had exceeded 1000 degrees.
It could be said that in this state, his destructive power was even greater and stronger!
Sage Mode was indeed powerful!
He had basically learned the gist of the Sage Jutsu from Ryūchi Cave, but he hadn't mastered them proficiently yet, especially Transformation by Barter. This Sage Jutsu needed continuous training and refinement. Only by constructing a perfect illusion without any flaws could he be considered truly proficient.
The "pass" that Tama - shin - hime mentioned only meant that Kiyosuke's simulation of a single object was passable.
He had learned the three introductory Sage Jutsu that Ryūchi Cave offered. If he wanted more powerful ninjutsu in the future, he could only create them himself, which would require time.
And it was time for him to return to Konoha. After all, he had been away for almost three months.
...
Konoha
Hokage's Office
Minato, who was working, was startled when he saw a large snake crawling in through the window. Then the snake opened its mouth, and a hand stretched out. Soon, Kiyosuke climbed out completely.
Kiyosuke complained, "Damn it, the transportation method in Ryūchi Cave is really strange. It's always like this."
Going in, the snake swallowed him, and coming back, it was the same. They should consider his body! Washing clothes is so troublesome!
Minato looked at him and smiled, "Kiyosuke, after such a long time of training, you must have gained a lot of powerful abilities, right?"
"Not bad. I've completely mastered the Sage Mode of Ryūchi Cave."
Clenching his fists, Kiyosuke was full of confidence.
Minato's eyes lit up. He knew how powerful Sage Mode was. "The Sage Jutsu of Ryūchi Cave... You must have suffered a lot in Ryūchi Cave, right?"
Recalling his training in Mount Myoboku, Minato still had lingering fears. It wasn't that Sage Mode was difficult to learn, but mainly because of the bug - based delicacies made by Shima - senin. He didn't eat or sleep well during those days.
"Not too bad," Kiyosuke said. "Training is definitely hard, but when it comes to food, I brought a lot of it with me when I left. When the food ran out, I went out of Ryūchi Cave and hunted some wild game. The food was quite good."
"..."
Why didn't I think of that back then?
Minato felt that his usually smart mind must have been out of sorts back then. He actually forgot that he could bring food from Konoha!
Compared with Kiyosuke, he was worlds apart.
"By the way, Minato - sensei, has anything major happened in Konoha while I was away?" He wondered what might have happened during his long absence.
"Major event?" Minato was silent for a moment and then said, "Does Kushina being pregnant count?"
"Ah... Congratulations."
Kiyosuke sincerely offered his congratulations. He didn't expect time to pass so quickly. The future Hokage Naruto was about to be born.
"Thank you." Minato then said seriously, "Kiyosuke, I have a favor to ask you."
Seeing his serious expression, Kiyosuke also became serious. "Tell me. What's the mission? Assassinating the Fourth Mizukage? No problem! Or taking down that reckless Fourth Raikage? I can even kill the Eight - Tails Jinchuriki if needed!"
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Minato quickly stopped him. "I'm not asking you to do such dangerous things! Doing that would start a war, and you'd have to apologize to the whole village. The mission I have for you isn't that dangerous!"
Was he over - confident because of learning Sage Mode?
"What a pity. It's not exciting at all."
"I just need you to protect Kushina. Although the baby is only one month old, she still needs protection. You don't have much to do anyway, so I'd like to trouble you with this."
"I can't. I have Anbu missions."
Hearing this, Minato's face darkened. Kiyosuke had joined the Anbu but ran off to train in Ryūchi Cave a few days later, not fulfilling his responsibilities as an Anbu member at all.
Fortunately, there was still Kakashi.
"This is your Anbu mission."
"What about Kakashi?"
"He has other tasks."
"I see."
In the original story, Minato asked Kakashi to protect Kushina to help Kakashi, who had killed Rin, relax. He hoped Kakashi wouldn't be consumed by his self - blame and darkness.
Witnessing the growth of life greatly relieved Kakashi's mood at that time, and he became more approachable. But later, with the deaths of Minato and Kushina, he fell into darkness again...
However, Kakashi was doing quite well now. He was only cold during missions. At other times, especially when getting along with Guy, he was starting to develop a more comical side.
So, the task of protecting Kushina was given to Kiyosuke, the idle one.
After all, there was no war going on now, and having someone like Kiyosuke, a "mobile nuclear warhead," was a bit of a conundrum.
Fortunately, his character was somewhat lazy. Giving him an easy task would allow him to slack off as usual.
"Okay, I'll take it. Do I have to protect her secretly?"
"You can do it however you want. Just make sure to protect Kushina well."
"Okay. I understand. I'll take this mission."
Hearing that Kiyosuke was willing to take the mission, Minato smiled.
"Say, Minato - sensei, isn't this an abuse of power, using the village's important combat resources for personal reasons?"
Minato smiled slightly. "What are you talking about? Kushina has the Nine - Tails sealed inside her. She needs Anbu protection. How can this be considered an abuse of power?"
Well, as expected of a wife - doting guy like you!