Sabaody Archipelago, Area 16, Marine Base.
Buzz—
A black hole suddenly appeared in Kaito's office. From within it, a man and a woman stepped out—Kaito and Kalifa.
As they emerged, Kaito stumbled, startling Kalifa. She quickly caught him, concern in her voice.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Kaito's face was a bit pale, but he still managed a smile.
"I'm fine. Just drained. I'll be alright after a bit of rest. Besides, having such a caring secretary helps a lot."
Kalifa gave him a light smack and chided him playfully.
"You're in this state and still have the energy to joke? Hurry up and rest."
She helped him to his seat, then turned to pour a cup of hot tea. Blowing on it gently, she tested the temperature with her hand. Feeling it had cooled slightly, she carefully brought it to Kaito's lips, gesturing for him to drink.
Kaito cooperatively took a few sips. Seeing this, a soft tenderness welled up in Kalifa's heart. She moved behind his chair and began to massage his shoulders, hoping to help him relax.
With his eyes closed, Kaito quietly enjoyed the soothing touch of her delicate hands. After a while, he suddenly spoke.
"That's enough. You've got work to do, don't you? News of my fight with Rayleigh is going to spread fast. If you fall behind on your duties, it won't reflect well on you."
Kalifa paused slightly before replying in a soft voice.
"Let me take care of you first. You saved my life this time, didn't you?"
Kaito gently placed his hand over hers, turning his head to look at her seriously.
"I'm fine now. Go do your job. Besides, the government knowing the full extent of my strength might not be such a bad thing."
"But…"
"Be good."
"…Fine."
Kalifa didn't argue further and prepared to leave. When she reached the door, she turned to glance back at Kaito. He gave her a reassuring smile, making her quickly avert her gaze before closing the door behind her.
...
After Kalifa left, Kaito closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the three tomoe in his Rinnegan suddenly enlarged and then returned to normal.
His previously pale complexion flushed with color, his whole body radiating vitality. There was no trace left of the weakness from moments before.
This dramatic change was due to the ocular technique in his right eye—awakened during his Mangekyō period—called 〖Konohanasakuya-hime〗.
Konohanasakuya-hime, in Japanese mythology, is the daughter of the mountain god Ōyamatsumi, a deity symbolizing longevity and agelessness. Kaito's dojutsu named after her grants the ability to instantly purge all negative conditions from the body, restoring it to peak condition. The downside: it can only be used once per day.
Don't underestimate that limitation. Imagine if Kuzan had this ability—during his ten-day duel with Akainu, he could've used it ten times.
The fight wouldn't have even lasted ten days. Akainu's stamina isn't infinite—he would've been defeated halfway through. That's how ridiculously overpowered this ability is.
They say that Mangekyō techniques are deeply tied to the user's strongest emotional desires at the moment of awakening. For Kaito, his lack of a sense of security in the Naruto world triggered it.
That's right. As a member of Konoha's Uchiha clan, he was ostracized by the higher-ups, had his eyes targeted by that old schemer Danzo, and was ultimately destined to be massacred by a certain "dutiful son." No matter what he did, death was always hanging over him.
Being well-versed in the story, Kaito constantly lived in fear for his life.
Eventually, during a small-scale war, his close comrades were all slaughtered. That overwhelming emotional shock led to the awakening of his Mangekyō and the acquisition of 〖Konohanasakuya-hime〗.
You could say that the third tomoe was the foundation. Sensing his body's weakness upon returning to the office was the key. The two factors together reawakened the technique, allowing him to recover from the massive consumption during his battle with Rayleigh.
Keep in mind—besides using multiple regular Almighty Push and Universal Pull techniques in that fight, Kaito also unleashed the chakra-draining Super Almighty Push and two Planetary Devastations. The energy cost was massive, especially since his physical body in this world is still under 18.
As for why he didn't use the ability the moment he got back?
Well… it definitely wasn't because he wanted to enjoy Kalifa's care a little longer. Definitely not.
...
Meanwhile, back in her room, Kalifa pulled out a Den Den Mushi to report to Stussy.
Before long, the Den Den Mushi connected—Kalifa's calls always had top priority with Stussy.
"This is Stussy. Kalifa, do you have more intel on Uchiha Kaito?"
"Yes. Just now, Uchiha Kaito engaged in a battle with the Dark King—Rayleigh."
"…Huh? Nani?! The Dark King Rayleigh? The Pirate King's right hand?"
"Yes."
"Incredible. I can't believe someone of that caliber was hiding there… truly hidden in plain sight. What was the outcome? Is Uchiha Kaito still alive?"
Stussy was no youngster herself. She understood better than Kalifa just how terrifying Rayleigh was. She had once witnessed his power firsthand during a mission.
She still remembered vividly how, with a flick of his hand, battleships were destroyed and the sea itself was cleaved in two. That apocalyptic image had never left her mind. For Uchiha Kaito to go up against such a man—she didn't expect a good outcome.
Sigh… Still young and reckless. Most likely, this was the end of Uchiha Kaito.
Thinking this, Stussy couldn't help but shake her head in regret. Such talent… lost in Sabaody. How unpredictable the world is.
Was she… assuming Kaito was dead? For some reason, Kalifa felt irritated. Her tone even turned a little cold.
"Uchiha Kaito is fine—just physically exhausted. He's currently resting in his office. As for the battle… Rayleigh didn't gain much advantage. He was even injured."
Stussy didn't notice Kalifa's uncharacteristically blunt tone—she was too shocked by what she'd just heard. Her mind blanked out for a moment. Eventually, she spoke again, slowly and deliberately.
"Kalifa, can you take full responsibility for what you just said?"
"I'm willing to take full responsibility."
"…You've performed well lately. I'll report your contributions to our superiors. If there's nothing else, this concludes your report."
"Yes."
Kalifa hung up the Den Den Mushi and sat silently in her chair for a while.
Strictly speaking, she hadn't done her job properly. She hadn't mentioned Kaito obtaining a Gravity Fruit. She also left out the strange techniques he used in battle.
She knew better than to report those things to the World Government so soon. Why?
Let's just say… it was a small way of repaying Kaito for saving her life.
As for whether there was something more than that—only she knew.
...
On the other end, after hanging up, Stussy worked hard to calm the turbulent emotions within her.
After a long while, when she'd finally cooled down, she reached into a hidden compartment and pulled out another Den Den Mushi.
She took a few deep breaths, patting her chest to fully steady herself, then dialed.
Gurururu… The line connected, and a deep, aged, and imposing voice came through.
"What do you have to report?"
Stussy immediately responded with utmost respect.
"Honored Elder of the Five Elders, I, Stussy, have critical intelligence to report—regarding Uchiha Kaito and the Dark King Rayleigh…"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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