502 Naruto the Flame-Flame Fruit

"You calling who a weakling?"

A kid who didn't know his own limits barked back, feeling deeply humiliated by Kiyosuke's contempt.

"I'm talking about you lot. Not a shred of real skill—just hopping around. If Kisame or Zabuza were here, either one of them could wipe your whole group by themselves. I wasn't planning to get involved, but since you bullied my kid… that changes things."

He lifted his hand and pointed at them. Blazing beams burst from his fingertips one after another, piercing through their limbs.

"Ahhhh!"

Except for Kagura, all the other kids collapsed to the ground. Hoshigaki Shizuma let out a bitter laugh.

"So this is Kiyosuke's strength? What a terrifying ability… with this kind of power, you could flatten the entire shinobi world."

Kiyosuke walked up, grabbed his hair, and lifted his shark-faced head.

"Same clan as Kisame, yet you didn't learn a thing from him. Besides barking, what are you even good for?"

He tossed Hoshigaki Shizuma aside in disgust, then said to Chōjūrō:

"Sorry, Mizukage-sama. I got carried away. Ended up causing trouble for you."

He still needed to apologize properly. This was another village's business. If Shinichi and the other kids hadn't interfered, he would've simply watched—he represented Konoha, after all.

"It's fine. I understand what Kiyosuke-sama was thinking."

Chōjūrō was no longer the shy boy from years ago. Now he was the Sixth Mizukage of Kirigakure, bearing the duty of protecting the village. He nodded.

"And thank you for keeping Kagura here. I really appreciate it."

"It's nothing. The kid didn't come here voluntarily, but he still needs polishing."

Kagura was Chōjūrō's chosen successor for the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, inheritor of the twin blades Hiramekarei. But he had always been restrained by his identity as the Fourth Mizukage's grandson, unable to showcase his potential or fully control Hiramekarei. He needed real training.

"I understand."

Chōjūrō nodded again. On Mei Terumī's side, things had already entered full discipline-mode.

Shinichi was kneeling, not daring to raise his head, trembling under his mother's fury.

Their family wasn't the strict-father-gentle-mother type. Kiyosuke almost never lost his temper at home. As far as Shinichi could remember, that outburst earlier was the first time.

His sister always said that in her whole life, Dad had never yelled at her. Their mom was the same—she only got angry if they left stuff lying around or refused to eat. Something like today had never happened.

"Do you understand the situation you were in? Was this something you could just butt into? If your father hadn't been with you, you would've died just now. Do you think they can't kill you?"

Mei Terumī grew so furious she nearly slapped him, but managed to hold back. Kiyosuke walked over.

"Calm down, calm down."

Then he kicked his son over—not hard. Shinichi scrambled up immediately.

"Mom, I was wrong! I promise it won't happen again!"

"Again?" Mei's face darkened.

"N-No more…" Feeling her killing intent, Shinichi shut his mouth.

Kiyosuke said:

"There won't be a next time. Apologize to the Mizukage-sama. We'll talk more once we get back."

"Y-Yes…"

The three of them apologized to Chōjūrō. Chōjūrō wasn't angry at all; instead, he spoke up for them.

"They acted for a friend's sake. Kiyosuke-sama, how about we let this matter go?"

"No."

Kiyosuke shook his head.

"I know their intentions were good, but every village has its rules. I'm handing this matter over to the Seventh."

Boruto asked weakly:

"Um… grandpa… what's going to happen to us?"

"Most likely, you'll be expelled."

The casual response drained the color from both Boruto and Shinichi's faces. Shinichi panicked.

"Dad, I don't want to be expelled!"

"Now you're scared? Too late!"

For the first time, Kiyosuke scolded his son harshly.

"I told you not to go. Did you listen? Is Kirigakure empty? Is your mom, the Mizukage-sama, and Ao just decoration? Why don't you ever use your brain?!"

His roar stunned Shinichi. Even Mei flinched, grabbing her husband's arm.

"It's not that serious! He acted out of kindness!"

"Only if he had the power to back it up! If I'd been one second late, he'd have been in pieces! Relying on his bloodline and letting his guard down—did I ever teach him that?! I told you to train properly! Just because the era has changed doesn't mean you get to slack off! If I'd acted like you as a kid—lazy three days out of five—I would've died on the battlefield twenty years ago! And neither you nor your sister would even exist!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. He almost slapped Shinichi for real, but held back again. Shinichi didn't dare make a sound.

Head lowered, like a scared quail.

Boruto was shaken too. He wanted to say something for Shinichi, but one sharp look from Kiyosuke made him shrink like a turtle.

"Your father will deal with your mess. You will face the consequences yourselves!"

"Yes, sir!"

"If there's nothing else, I'm taking them back. Shino will give you three another round of lecturing."

"Understood."

Chōjūrō nodded. Kiyosuke and Mei Terumī left with the three kids. Except for Mitsuki, the other two walked with drooping heads like wilted eggplants.

Back home, the three immediately knelt before Kiyosuke, Mei Terumī, and Shino, heads lowered, silent.

Mitsuki felt he had done nothing wrong—and for an artificial human with only a few years of life experience, that was normal. His understanding of the world was still shallow. Kiyosuke wasn't angry with him, so he let him sit aside and watch.

"As for you two—during the school trip, you'll stay in your rooms and reflect. Wait for the Hokage's decision. Shinichi, I'm sending you to Orochimaru-sensei for training. You need real discipline. After you graduate, you'll go to Ryūchi Cave to learn Sage Arts. If you can't endure it… you'll end up as food for the White Snake Sage."

"I…" Shinichi's lips trembled. Mei Terumī asked anxiously:

"Isn't that too harsh?"

"No. I don't want him to suffer everything I did—but that isn't an excuse to be reckless."

Kiyosuke realized he had spoiled the boy too much. Time to let him taste the hardships he once endured.

Boruto protested:

"Shinichi acted because of me! If anyone should be punished—"

"Shut it!"

Kiyosuke glared at him.

"Sit properly. Your father will deal with you. Shinichi has his own path ahead. I'm laying the foundation for him—so he won't die someday because he let his guard down."