《Naruto: The Twin Flashes》


 Chapter 1 - The Fish Cake and Chilli Pepper - A Spicy Dish

    A little light flew across a wast dark space without a real aim or goal in mind. It flew like a little moth to other sources of light that showed themselves from time to time.


    Those other sources where the many worlds of fiction and fantasy. Whatever one may imagine, it was here.


    And the space between that connected them was known as the karma path. A void-like space that every soul would wander until its memories vanish from its being.


    The little light that flew around was no exception. And it was about time for itself to be reborn. So it closed in on another brighter light and looked inside it. There the little soul could observe many images of the world.


    It was a world of fantasy. One where the military was made out of ninja. Normally the little light would go on just like it did many times before.


    But when a certain scene appeared in front of its spiritual eyes, it could just not avert its attention from what happened.


    A man with blonde hair fought a masked person in a 1 on 1 fight. What made this interesting was how the blonde man had to fight with a handicap.


    With an infant in his embrace and what probably was his wife in danger, lead him to do drastic measures. Some of which may have been unnecessary.


    Events continued on and from that fight, it only became worse for the blonde man until a tragedy finally occurred.


    The man was together with his wife. And both of them were pierced by a giant foxes claw straight through their bodies. And only just in time to defend a little infant soul in front of themselves - their child.


    "I remember this...", mumbled the soul who was watching. Continuing to look further and seeing how the surviving youth m?tur?d into a young man, something came back to its mind. "Naruto...I remember...All this sadness he was filled with. All the prejudice and hate that was thrown at him for no reason..."


    When the soul saw the now recognizable figure that was a young Naruto sitting on some stairs and crying his heartache out, it saddened the soul even more.


    "Cant I help him?" The soul tried to interact with him but couldn''t. Something akin a barrier hindered it. "No use, huh? What is this place anyway? I remember being in the hospital after I had surgery done. Wait...I remember. I felt intense pain and then...Nothing...Did I die?"


    *You did, little soul.*


    The sudden appearance of this new voice somewhat surprised the little light and it looked around where it came from.


    *Don''t search. I am not to be seen.*


    As if accepting that as the most normal thing, the light stopped searching and looked back at Naruto.


    *Are you saddened?*


    "Yes."


    *You don''t need to be sad.*


    "But I am. This guy. I feel for him. My heart aches when seeing him sad. I want to help him. I want to change things. I think he would have a much better life if he had someone to lean on. To confide in."


    *Why would you care so much for this mortal? Every soul has its hardships that it needs to go through.*


    "He...made me laugh." the little light seemed to shine brighter when was remembering the good times it had while watching the anime.


    "He gave me good memories. Is it wrong to want to help him in his time of need? I feel guilty about watching his life going this way without being able to help. It''s weird. I do remember now that this world should only be the construct in the mind of someone that created it. But here, it feels so real suddenly... "


    *That is because it is real. Many realms are connected through dreams. Maybe someone just brought the story of this world on to paper in your old world. But I have to say I am curious to why you suddenly got your memories back.*


    "Why...Does every soul need to forget everything when they are dead?"


    "What will happen to me now?" The little light tried to stretch its translucent shaped hand towards the barrier of the world.


    The entity stayed silent for a little bit.


    *Do you wish to enter that world? You know it is a world where war is a constant companion. Not only for that planet you gaze upon but also interstellar...*


    "Can I? But then again, I am not Superman or the likes. I doubt I can achieve something great in that world."


    *Didn''t you say you wanted to be there for that child?*


    "True, but for protecting what is important to me I also need strength, no? I wouldn''t want him to be even sadder just because I may have died...Nor would I like being a constant burden...So it''s complicated I guess."


    Once more there was silence as if the entity looked through something and then came to a conclusion.


    *I have a proposal then. I will revert the time of this world to the start when this boy sees the first day of light. I will also gift you with The Gamer ability. You are familiar with it, no? After all, it was the last thing you read on your ??ptop in your old world. With that, you would be there for him and have a possible way to become strong. But it would all depend on you.*


    The little light became somewhat agitated when hearing those words but immediately got skeptical.


    "What is the catch? An entity that seems to be a god just gives presents for nothing? I don''t buy that."


    *....*


    "Thought so..."


    *Strange. Only becoming suspicious of me after I am being friendly, are we? Did the thought never cross you that I may be a Devil?*


    "Now that you say that...I guess I am somewhat trustful to strangers. Well, if you are the Devil then say the catch and I will accept. At least I will know what I am in for."


    *You are very interesting. Well, in exchange for this power, all the positive karma you collect in that world will not be put on you. So you may be reborn as a low animal in your next life. Worse, if you accumulate too much bad karma your soul may even go to something akin to what you mortals call hell. Are you still okay with that?*


    "That''s all? That price is very easy to pay. I am okay with that."


    *I think you don''t really understand what it implies...Bad Karma can also be accumulated just by people hating you...When negative emotions collect around somebody they also invite disaster...But you made your choice. The time is up. Good luck with your new life. Just to make it interesting, I will let you have those scrambled up memories of yours that you currently have. For some events, it will probably be very useful. At least if you can remember by the time you are out of your toddler stage.*


    "Wait, toddler stage? Oh crap!! WAIT!!!"


    But just when he shouted that everything became white and dark once more.


    Konoha - Around the time when the Kyuubi attacked.


    "I told you... it''s my duty as a father....", gasped the blonde man and held his red-haired wife close all the while trying to push back the claw that penetrated them both.


    "Then all the better, since I am the mother.", answered the woman confidently back.


    "I don''t want our children to be alone, Minato." The woman was starting to cry shortly after looking at two little infants in front of herself on a ritual pedestal.


    Golden chains where still outstretching themselves from her back and holding the demon fox in place.


    It looked at them both maliciously and regretted that it didn''t succeed in its last action to kill those two infants.


    Now the golden chains were gripping the fox tightly once more and the man would soon seal him in these vessels.


    "Kaito...Naruto. I love you. Grow up healthy."


    "Thank you, Kushina..." Minato responded and then closed his eyes.


    "...Hakke Fuuin"


    With that, the story starts anew.


    ------


    "DAMN IT, YOU BRATS! GET BACK HERE!" A man was chasing two little kids with a broom. One kid had a head full of blonde hair while the other kid had them in the color of crimson red.


    Both of them legged it as fast as they could with their clearly shorter legs. All the while grinning mischievously from one ear to the other.


    "Better keep it up, Naruto!", shouted the red-haired kid back while running in the front.


    "Wait, brother! If we go that way we are..." Just when the blondie said that a shinobi appeared out of thin air and glared at them.


    Both of them could only stop in their tracks and grin sheepishly at the person in front of them.


    "Ah! Finally caught up to you. Now you will get the beating of your lifetime. Oh!" The man chasing them noticed the shinobi and became polite. He even slightly bowed.


    "I will take over from here. You can go back.", said the ninja.


    "Ah, yes. Of course." The man legged it before he got into trouble. Those two probably did something so they would get their punishment in some way or another.


    "Is it the old man again?", asked the red-haired kid once more.


    "I think the third was especially infuriated today...Naruto, why are you playing such pranks? And Kaito. Helping your brother doing them makes it even worse. Shouldn''t you show good behavior as the older brother?", answered the Shinobi. He clearly knew these two and their troublemaking.


    "We are twins. There is no older or younger.", shrugged the red-haired kid that was named Kaito.


    Shaking his head in defeat the shinobi grabbed them both and went off to deliver them to the Hokage.


    "Do you think gramps is really mad this time?", asked Naruto.


    "Very likely. Coloring his mantle into a yellow color was probably a little bit too far this time. But whatever." Kaito grinned again "It was fun."


    "Hehe" Naruto also grinned in response.

 Chapter 2 - Chaos

    "What were you two thinking again!", asked a very grumpy old man with a triangular hat.


    The headwear was almost completely red with only one corner being white. That corner was pointing forward and a single word was embroidered in red thread in that space. The word itself meant fire and symbolized the allegiance to the fire nation that this village belonged to.


    This was exactly the Kage of the Fire Nation or Hokage for short. The de facto leader of Konohagakure.


    "We were just having fun, gramps.", answered Naruto to him.


    An angry vein appeared on Hiruzen¡äs forehead that could be clearly seen. He was losing his patience with them. They really are getting out of hand lately.


    "You call that having fun? You are destroying the property of other people. Do you understand that? And I am going to punish you for doing that. Especially for what you did to my mantle. How did you even manage to get a hold of it?"


    "Nobody got hurt, right? So what is wring with pranks?", answered Kaito with a laid back attitude. He had his hands behind his head and was looking through the windows to appreciate the view this office had over the village. All the while he didn''t really bother answering the questions.


    Hiruzen focused his gaze at the red-head for a while and sighed after remembering something. He could see the rebellious image of his mother in him.


    "Just how can you treat people with such disrespect?", he asked solemnly.


    At those words, Kaito immediately frowned and looked at his brother¡äs expression. He saw him getting somewhat of a saddened and worried look by the third''s words.


    He knew why he had that expression and it pissed Kaito off. He even started to gnash his teeth.


    It had to be said this was actually the first time he felt so angry.


    The fact that they were confronted with their deads in this manner. As if they were in the wrong. Maybe they were but that was beside the point. They were kids.


    "Oh really!? Then why are people mistreating us like we are some kind of monster!? Can you tell me that? Why are they whispering behind our backs? And why are the other children beating us up all the time?" Kaito was now shouting pretty clearly. Both Hiruzen and Naruto became somewhat surprised.


    "Brother..." Naruto tried to calm him down.


    "No, Naruto. It is about time we talked about this. I am fed up with it. Gramps, do you even know about how they treat us at the orphanage? If you would, you would not have the guts to tell us how we have to behave towards them."


    "What are you talking about?", asked Hiruzen in a more serious tone now. He wasn''t expecting such a speech from a 4-year-old.


    "Hmpf, why don''t you figure it out yourself? You are the Hokage, right? Just give us our punishment later. We are going back now."


    Not even waiting for a response he grabbed Naruto''s hand and started to drag him. "Let¡äs go, Naruto" With that he walked out with him.


    Hiruzen only stared at the little backs of them and contemplated about Kaito''s words.


    "Anbu."


    With that word, a shinobi equipped with a protective grey west and a mask concealing the majority of the face appeared in the office.


    "What happened?"


    The called Anbu nodded to the third and started explaining.


    "By the looks, it seems that the S-Classified information about the twins was leaked to the public. They are being malnourished and mistreated at the orphanage as well as ostracized by the public."


    "What!? Why did no one inform me sooner of that!?" He shouted in agitation. Hearing about something so important only now was a clear failure of the Anbu.


    "We were only to monitor them. Was that not the mission?"


    "Your mission is to protect them and of course inform me immediately when something happens that concerns them! Especially something like that! Alright, it looks like I need to straighten up my instructions."


    No wonder these two started to behave mischievious. Someone of the people at that time of gathering when he revealed what the twins were actually leaked such important information that he classified as S-Rank.


    Someone really was undermining his authority. And ignored the death sentence that would follow for leaking that info.


    He would not let that slide. It was time he acted. Good thing the kids told him this early on.


    "Inform the other major clans. I am about to put something into place..."


    ----


    Outside the two twins were already back at the orphanage. Naruto looked at Kaito and saw him still being angry.


    Swinging around on the swing chair he thought about something.


    "Why did you shout at gramps like that?", he asked now.


    Kaito looked at him and pouted a little. "It''s about time that geezer is realizing how the people treat us here. If he doesn''t help us after me telling him. Then I will never forgive him."


    "But he is the only one being nice to us. Should we really treat him like that?"


    Kaito chuckle now. "And pranking him is better?", he asked afterward. "Let''s try being direct for once."


    "Yeah." Naruto his mood became gloomier again. "But why are people like that only towards us?"


    "I don''t know...But at least we got us, right." Kaito put up a great grin toward his brother.


    Naruto glanced at him and started to smile again. "Yeah. And when we become shinobi we will show everyone what we can do!"


    "That''s the spirit!" Then Kaito sighed and looked at the orphanage. "Time to go back..."


    "I don''t want to..." Naruto frowned.


    "I know...me neither.", dittoed Kaito.


    ----


    "Someone leaked that information? That endangers them. And if the enemy gets hold of this, then even the village may be in danger.", stated a man with black hair tied together in a ponytail. It was Shikaku Nara.


    "What a bothersome outcome. I already heard rumors but didn''t think they would be that advanced already.", sighed a blond man with about the same hairstyle. It was another member of the older Ino-Shika-Cho team, Inoichi Yamanaka.


    "That is why I want to start this program. With it, we would put them into a better environment and monitor them easier. The less influence the general public has, the better.", told Hiruzen them again.


    "Giving them a new home where they live mostly alone? And give them monthly income? Isn''t that favoritism? Why not just let me handle those two. My root can handle them and keep them safe.", interrupted an older man with black hair. It was Danzo.


    But Hiruzen immediately denied that proposal. "No, I promised The Fourth not to and I will stay by that decision. Do you understand, Danzo?"


    "..."


    "If no one is against it I will execute the program."


    "The Uchiha don''t seem to bother to come to meetings nowadays, are they?", asked a man with long brown hair and white eyes.


    "True, they don''t seem to care about this meeting. But then again they also only get one vote. That means it will still be done if you are alright with it."


    And after a round of voting, the plan of Hiruzen was accepted. Most of the people attending this gathering knew what he was up to with this action.


    Only a few obvious people were against it.


    "I really should keep an eye on Danzo...Kakashi."


    A white-haired Anbu appeared.


    "Investigate root. Don''t let yourself get caught. And please bring me Itachi Uchiha. I need to talk to him."


    The web of lies and deception started to build slowly but surely. And like in every chaos it will be a ladder for some and the downfall to others.


    Things that the twins didn''t really bother about at the moment. Soon the first snow would start to fall again.

 Chapter 3 - New Encounter

    "What!? We will really get a new home!? Awesome!", shouted Naruto and grinned from one ear to the other.


    "Is that really true?", asked the still somewhat skeptical Kaito.


    "You can thank the third.", nodded the same shinobi from a few days ago.


    "See, brother? Gramps is a good guy." Naruto was very grateful to the old man Hiruzen.


    The shinobi watching silently after giving the news only sighed inwardly. Why was he put mainly on the caretaker duty of these two?


    Weirdly enough he even started to like these rascals a little bit. On the other hand, he dreaded to become a parent himself now.


    "Looks that way.", nodded Kaito and was also happy about them getting a place for themselves. Somewhere, where they could be generally themselves.


    They didn''t have to share the room with so many other people anymore. But the most important part was now they could eat more and wouldn''t be treated that badly any longer.


    At least that was his thoughts. The reality was a much harsher place.


    "Damn monsters! You don''t deserve anything!", shouted a kid while hitting Kaito''s face. Naruto was also being ganged upon.


    At some point, he got away and ran outside.


    "Damn, Naruto! Wait!", shouted Kaito and punched a kid until it had nosebleeding. Then he ran after his brother.


    ----


    In the cold snow, his breath was evaporating into thin smoke.


    "That idiot. Where is he?" After running around aimlessly for a while he finally found him at one of his favorite places. Kaito really should have searched here sooner.


    Naruto was sitting underneath a tree in the local park.


    "Why did you run away? At least take your scarf and jacket with you. Otherwise, you will get a nasty cold." Kaito said those words and handed him the clothing that he took with him.


    "Thanks..." Naruto thanked him while slightly shivering and took the jacket and scarf to put them on while still remaining on his spot. "Just wanted to get some fresh air is all."


    Kaito reached out his hand to him. "Then let''s do it together. By the way. You look funny with those bumps."


    "You are one to talk.", replied Naruto with a slight blush. He was clearly embarrassed being beaten up more badly than his twin. But even Kaito had a slightly swollen eye. Not as big as his own but still visible.


    Later after walking around and cooling of their anger they came across another person. Another kid in their own age group to be exact.


    It was a girl with bluish-black hair and white eyes.


    "Hey, do you think she is lost?", asked Naruto curiously.


    "Maybe, let''s ask her." With that, he went ahead and came closer to the girl.


    "Hey there. What are you doing so late outside? Did you perhaps get lost?", asked Kaito the girl.


    The girl was a little bit surprised and fidgeted somewhat. But soon after nodded slightly.


    "Why are you outside in the first place if you get lost that easily?", commented Naruto.


    "I...ran away.", answered the girl.


    "To get some fresh air? That is just the same as us.", grinned Kaito somewhat and pointed at himself. Then he came even closer to her and put his own scarf he was wearing around her neck.


    "But going outside without the proper clothing in winter is not good. Here, take this. And don''t worry. You can keep it."


    That surprised her even more and she stared at him. The warmth of the scarf soon warmed up her face and she didn''t feel as cold any longer. A healthy rosy color came shining through her otherwise pale skin.


    "Whoa, your eyes are so white.", commented Naruto now after taking a closer curious look.


    She looked at Naruto and became timid after he got so close and said that.


    "Idiot, that is no way to talk to someone. She may have misunderstood you.", said Kaito while hitting his brother on the back of his head.


    Naruto grumbled. "I just find them amazing. I never saw eyes like that. Why did you hit me for that? I didn''t say anything bad, right?"


    Kaito just shook his head lightly. "I know that they are beautiful eyes and look amazing. Just state that immediately. Maybe she is concerned about them, you know. Remember everyone mentioning our whiskers when they meet us?"


    As if realizing he looked back at her. "Sorry if I hurt you. I really was just curious. They are amazing eyes." Then a big grin appeared on his face and he was all smiling.


    The girl got red as a tomato after hearing both boys praising her unique eyes.


    "Better. Say, what is your name?", asked Kaito now and also smiled.


    That question put the girl back out of her stupor pretty fast. "Hinata."


    "Hinata-chan then. Like the sunflower? A nice name. I am Kaito Uzumaki and this guy is my twin brother Naruto Uzumaki."


    "Nice to meet you.", added Naruto.


    Hinata smiled and nodded.


    After talking a little bit more the both of them found out why Hinata ran away.


    "Hmm, must be hard. But Hinata-chan. My brother and I only have each other. No matter what bad things happen we also stay together. When we are sad we never cry. I think you should be happy to know you have a home to return to. A place where a family waits for you.", said Naruto and looked a little bit solemn.


    Hinata noticed that and glanced at them both while thinking about something.


    "That always together part looked very differently a while ago when you ran outside without me. Speaking all cool now, are we?", smirked Kaito.


    That embarrassed Naruto somewhat after realizing it himself. He only scratched his head and looked away.


    And that in return made Kaito mimic her in doing so as well.


    "Hey, stop laughing." Naruto pouted his cheeks.


    "Don''t worry. I at least know you meant it from your heart.", said Kaito.


    When it became slowly darker, Kaito and Naruto lead Hinata back to her home. It took some guessing but in the end, finding an old traditional Japanese building was not that hard.


    Hinata didn''t even make it that far actually.


    "Wow, such a big place.", commented Naruto about the Hyuga estate.


    "Well, this means goodbye for now. Keep it up, Hinata. I will cheer for you." Kaito gave her a thumbs up. "And let''s play together again sometime.", he added.


    Hinata only nodded to them in agreement. And after they went on she looked at the two brothers small backs.


    She even saw that while they walked along the path they also started to fight out a snowball match.


    "Lady Hinata. You are finally back! Your lord father was already worried about you. You need to immediately go and see him", said someone from the Hyuga clan after finding Hinata in front of the estate.


    But truthfully it was a shinobi that already was watching her the whole time when she left. He also saw how she interacted with the twins.


    Since her first kidnapping, her security was raised drastically after all.


    Hinata only nodded and did as was said. She now had found the determination to keep up after meeting Naruto and Kaito.


    She had to go this path


    ----


    A little bit later the twins were nearly back.


    "Hey, was I really that cool at that moment?", asked Naruto his brother. It seemed like he was still fixated to that one sentence.


    When Kaito heard that he started to laugh loudly.


    "Hey, don''t laugh like that. That hurts my feelings!"


    Kaito had to wipe away some tears from laughing. "Sorry brother. I just couldn''t hold back." Then he walked onward.


    "Answer the question.", pouted Naruto.


    Kaito looked at him and grinned. Then he made a gesture with his right hand to show something tiny. "Maybe a little bit."


    Naruto saw that and made big eyes at first. "Really? Hehe" Then a big grin appeared on his face.


    After everything was said and done, they returned to that orphanage one last time. Only to later change homes permanently.


    "You know. I may miss some of these jerks..."


    "I know...me too," replied Kaito to Naruto.

 Chapter 4 - Girl or Boy?

    It was the day the twins finally moved to their new home. It was a larger apartment building that had a cylindrical shape when looking from outside.


    "Here it is. You will get a larger flat all for yourselves. There are two personal rooms for each of you and the main living room coupled with a kitchen and a bathroom. Consider yourselves lucky.", explained the same shinobi that was literally becoming the mailman for these two lately. That is how he felt.


    Then he rummaged inside his tool pouch and retrieved two small bags.


    "This is your pocket money for this month. It is not much. But try not to squander it. But it is alright to get personal stuff for yourselves. The fridge will be filled up with stuff regularly. So don''t worry about food."


    Naruto his eyes were shining like bright stars and even Kaito was amazed by the generosity of the old man.


    They were examining their new home very eagerly.


    The two bedrooms were quite spacious but a certain thing was noticeable. One had a window and the other did not.


    "I take the window room.", said Kaito immediately and placed his bag with his belongings inside on *his* bed. He didn''t leave Naruto any room for arguing.


    Naruto actually didn''t mind because he was extremely happy at this moment.


    "I will leave both of you now, alright?", said the shinobi.


    "Right.", nodded Kaito at him and also wanted to thank him but he actually noticed something that never crossed his mind before. "Come to think. What is misters name?"


    The shinobi raised both his brows because he was a little bit taken by surprise by that question.


    Then he smiled. His onyx colored eyes reflected that smile as well. "My name is Kano Onizuka. We really haven''t introduced ourselves yet, huh?"


    Once more Kaito nodded. "Thank you."


    "Don''t sweat it. It is my job after all." Just when he said that Kaito flinched a little. That put a serious expression on Kano''s face and he looked behind him.


    Looking outside the window that was there he scanned the surroundings but was confused.


    "What made you flinch, kid?", he asked.


    "I think I saw something in those trees for a second."


    "...I see. Well, maybe it was just some bird. Don''t worry about it.", smiled Kano and ruffled Kaito his hair.


    That immediately distracted him from the topic and he slightly glared at the shinobi. "Don''t do that again. I hate it"


    "Alright. Well, I will be going now. I will probably see you again. Until then." With those last words, he disappeared only leaving a single leaf on the ground.


    "Whoa, he really disappeared like wush!", commented Naruto in excitement after seeing him go. He even mimicked the sound that the shinobi produced


    "And he litters our new home...", added Kaito and picked up the leaf.


    "Hey, hey. Brother, can we go to Ichiraku''s?", asked Naruto out of the blue.


    "Why do you want to go there? We got enough food at home."


    "Come on. Just one ramen bowl."


    "Fine, let''s go then. And don''t forget the house keys.", sighed Kaito. Since the third invited them over to Ichiraku''s at their 3rd birthdays, it immediately became Naruto his favorite food to eat. Unhealthy but tasty. And even Kaito liked it if he had to be honest. There was just something that irked him to go.


    When the two left the building two shadows were observing them from the top of a tree.


    "Next time conceal yourself better. Even the kid caught a glimpse of you.", said the shinobi to the Anbu unit.


    "Yes, Kano-sensei.", replied a female voice underneath the animal mask.


    "Keep an eye on them. I will deliver my report to the third."


    "Understood."


    ----


    "Ahh! I can''t wait anymore~! How long does it still take, Teuchi Oji-san?", asked a very inpatient Naruto.


    "They are about done. Just wait a little bit longer, Naruto.", answered a smiling middle-aged man. It was the owner of Ramen Ichiraku, Teuchi.


    Meanwhile, Kaito had different problems to fight against.


    "Hold still...There we go. Isn''t that much better now?", said a smiling teenage girl. She looked like she was around 11-12 years old. She had long brown hair and big black eyes.


    Kaito was pouting somewhat and had a clear blush on his face. His red hair had two little piggy tails now raging upwards to both sides. Held firmly by two hairbands.


    "I don''t like it...", grumbled Kaito and pulled one of the hairbands out of his hair. But just when he tried to also remove the second band, he noticed that the girl came closer to his face with her own.


    She also pouted now. "Don''t you like Onee-san helping you?"


    She saw that and smiled. "See, you clearly like Onee-san, right? Becoming all timid and shy. So, can you please keep that one hairband in your hair. Look I will even change its position for you."


    She went ahead and brushed all his hair on the left side to the back of his head and fixated it with the same remaining hairband into a ponytail. The right side remained to cascade down his rather roundish face.


    "Ayame, stop teasing the poor kid.", said Teuchi after coming over and serving the ramen.


    "But father. It is so much fun to do. He has such beautiful hair that it would be a shame to keep it that disheveled. Right, Kaito-kun? Onee-san is correct, right?"


    Kaito just remained silent and started to eat the ramen. Ignoring her words.


    Teuchi and Ayame started to laugh lightly. She was clearly teasing a little boy that was smitten by her. How cruel can someone be? But her name itself told stories of murder and hurt. No wonder there.


    Naruto just looked confusedly at his brother. But gave him a thumbs up. "The hairstyle looks good on you."


    That sentence made Kaito frown at the betrayal he received from Naruto. All that only because his hair was growing way faster than his brothers.


    He wondered now if it really was such a good idea to come here. But in the end, he didn''t dislike it. This shop felt a lot like a family. More so than any other place.


    "Hmm, but Kaito. You sure have long hair. You aren''t secretly a girl, right?", smirked Teuchi and also joined the teasing.


    That question agitated him greatly! So much that he even slammed his little fists on the table in protest. "Of course not! I am a boy!"


    "Are you sure? Your skin looks pretty fair to me. Coupled with that soft long red hair you would only need a dress. You would look like a little princess for sure.", snickered Ayama sheepishly after commenting his little tantrum.


    Kaito grumbled even greater now and tried to hide inside his ramen bowl. Away from all this shame and embarrassing stuff.


    Right, it was family. But that was what he wished would change. This infinite teasing. And he actually did look too damn girly! Curses to whoever he inherited that from!


    "So, are you two ready to go to the academy next year? After all, you are turning 5. And the spring after that will be the start of the next school year. It is what you want to do after all, right? Becoming strong shinobi." Teuchi stopped and changed the topic smoothly like a dotting father - as he really was one.


    Both twins raised their heads and looked at him. Clearly, he got the attention of both of them now.


    "Of course!", both of them replied in unison as if there was no other answer to that question.

 Chapter 5 - Academy

    Naruto was at the door of their home and ready to storm out the apartment.


    "Do you have some flea or why are you so squirrelly today?", asked Kaito when he saw him. His blue eyes were still somewhat bloodshot from waking up and being tired.


    "How can you not be excited? Today is our first day at the Academy!", replied Naruto.


    "...I am surprised that you are already awake...Wait...Did you even sleep at all?"


    "Nope!", grinned Naruto as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "Come on, bro. Let''s go!"


    Kaito walked to the bathroom. "I go wash up first..."


    ---


    Later the two arrived at the academy. They could see all the other children of the dame age grouping around the entrance.


    What was immediately noticed by Naruto was that each child present here had at least one parent with them.


    The twins themselves were brought here by Kano. So Naruto felt somewhat saddened knowing he did not have parents.


    Kaito bumped his shoulder to cheer him up. That at least helped somewhat.


    "Look, it''s those demon twins."


    "What? Why are those monsters allowed into the academy?"


    "I don''t want my child to be in the same class as these two."


    Those were only the mild words that were said and whispered behind their backs. Of course, there were also people that directly attacked them and didn''t hold anything back.


    "Yuki, don''t go near those two, you hear? Those two are bad children."


    And it was not just that they hated or disliked the twins, but they also tried to keep everyone away from them as well.


    In the classroom, both Kaito and Naruto sat together at a far corner of the room. The seats in front and to the right of them were empty.


    Kaito was really fuming at the moment and clenched his fists. He felt so wronged at this moment. Although he always cheered his brother up he himself was feeling the same after all.


    Only after someone actually sat down beside them he calmed down. A little bit curious he looked at the person that sat at the table.


    Close to him, a girl with blonde hair took a seat.


    Naruto was also curiously looking at these two kids. The guy reacted from being stared at and looked back. "Is something wrong?", he asked.


    Both of them shook their heads. Secretly Kaito and Naruto smiled at each other.


    Then their teacher entered the classroom. He wore the usual attire of a shinobi. A green vest with the Uzumaki clan symbol on the back and a blue head protector with the Konoha leaf symbol on his forehead.


    His hair was black and he wore it also in a ponytail. Looks like this style was very common. The most notable feature was his scar right above his nose.


    "Good morning, everyone. I am Iruka Umino. And from today onwards I am going to be your sensei until 6 years later you all graduate from the academy to become shinobi."


    He smiled and looked at each child in his classroom. When he noticed the twins his facial expression became a little bit complicated.


    "A lot of you come from an already established clan or a family already in this line of work. Some may even have been normal citizens until now. But I still hope that you all treat each other as equals and learn as much as you can so that in the end when you change your decision you will not regret visiting this academy."


    "Now then, let us begin with the basics."


    But Kaito noticed his expression and didn''t know how to feel about it. He already put Iruka on his bad side on the back of his mind. He already did that with a lot of people. He would definitely remember them.


    A little later after the class started Naruto became bored and was already most of the time laying his head on the desk.


    "What are you doing? If you keep that up you will fall asleep.", whispered Kaito to him.


    "But I am so bored~ Where is the ninja stuff? I don''t like math...", answered Naruto and flipped through his boring math book.


    Kaito only sighed. "So much for your earlier motivation..."


    "Hey, let''s prank that teacher." Naruto seemed to ignore his comment and was already trying to get himself occupied with something. And pranking was his hobby.


    "Why?"


    "...He gave us that look....didn''t you notice?"


    "Naruto..." Kaito grimaced a little bit. "I did notice it, but we shouldn''t become like them. He doesn''t know us so let''s behave ourselves...for now..."


    "...Urgh. Alright, then I will go to sleep." With those last words, he really went snoring.


    That got him a chunk of chalk straight to his face. "Ouch!"


    The class started to snicker immediately after seeing who was hit. Even Kaito slightly smiled. he did warn him.


    "Naruto Uzumaki! What exactly do you think you are doing?", asked Iruka with an angry voice.


    "Sleeping, why?", deadpanned Naruto without holding back.


    "...." Iruka was flabbergasted by that answer. "So you are saying my class is so boring that you need to fall asleep? Good...go outside and stay in front of the door!"


    "What!? Why only me!? My brother also finds it boring and you didn''t say anything to him."


    "...I see...Then both of you can go outside. Now!"


    ----


    "Thank you, dear brother....", grumbled Kaito to his neighbor.


    "Ehehehe" Naruto just grinned sheepishly. He involved Kaito on purpose to not stand around alone. And it actually worked.

 Chapter 6 - The Class

    Since the start of the academy, the time started to fly by pretty fast. Most of it was spent in the academy to learn all the essentials for later life.


    Now that half a year was finished there was also a new batch of students joining the class. And that was somewhat important because there were already some children that had gone from the academy for various reasons.


    "Alright everyone, please gather around. Now it is time to introduce the new students that will join our class. Please welcome them with smiles.", instructed Iruka and then went away to get the new people.


    They were all currently gathered around in the training field of the academy at the back of the building.


    "Hey, what do you think the new guys will be like? I bet we can show off our skills to them!", grinned a happy Naruto.


    "I don''t know, Naruto. Also, what do you mean with skills? We haven''t started with Ninja-Arts yet.", questioned Kaito back.


    "Shhh, they don''t know it. We can just brag a little bit, right?"


    "You can try but I think that won''t work...", sighed Kaito.


    Just then Iruka came back with a few people. All in all, there were 6 people to the count.


    There was a boy with black hair and the same colored eyes that wore a bluish-black shirt coupled with black trousers. He had a very indifferent look around himself.


    Then there was a girl with pink hair staring at the said first boy. She wore a green dress that matched her green eyes. And the red ribbon in her hair contrasted was weirdly catchy. Was it to hide her slightly larger forehead?


    The next person was actually someone both of the twins knew but only Kaito made a surprised expression. It was actually Hinata. She wore a thin pink hoddie with a white shirt underneath it coupled with normal blue trousers and black ninja tabi.


    Kaito smiled back wich in return let Hinata flinch and get a crimson hue on her face. That threw Kaito into confusion. He looked at his brother and saw that he was just sheepishly grinning into nothingness. Thinking a little bit he only could sigh. He kinda figured out something.


    ¡äAnd this brother of mine probably doesn''t even know...¡ä, he thought and looked back at the other remaining people.


    But from Hinata onwards the people he saw were all becoming really weird.


    There was also a kid that was packed with clothes like a mummy. He also wore black sunglasses?


    Then there was a guy that wore a green overall that seemed a little bit too tight at some places. His haircut was a plain bob. The orange cloth around his neck sure made a flashy contrast that let someone immediately notice his thick eyebrows.


    And the last person that stood there was probably born somewhere in a cold region? He actually wore pretty warm clothing even though it was still summer. What he meant with warm clothing was a thick sweater.


    What made Kaito interested in him was the small dog on his head. Kaito liked dogs a lot.


    "These 6 are called Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, Rock Lee (A/N LOL) and Kiba Inuzuka." Iruka introduced each individually and then let the class welcome them with cheers.


    But there also happened something weird. Especially on the girl''s side. Sasuke was being swarmed by a lot of girls and kyaa sounds were being emitted by them.


    "Hey, Shikamaru. Why is Ino behaving like that?", asked Naruto his new friend.


    Yes, in the last half a year Kaito actually made sure that both of them made some friends. And the most laid back guy that was approachable was Shikamaru Nara. He was after all the same guy that didn''t really bother about the rumors surrounding them and just sat down beside them.


    So he also just accepted their request to be friends.


    Soon after that Naruto and Kaito also came to get acquainted with Chouji Akimichi who Shikamaru was hanging around with most of the time and also the blonde girl called Ino Yamanaka that was also from time to time in the group.


    They even found out that every one of the three came from a big clan in Konoha.


    "Not sure. Looks like that guy is just good looking?", answered Shikamaru back and shrugged.


    "Huh? That gloomy looking guy is good looking? Hmm...So girls are all about acting cool?", contemplated Naruto.


    Then he walked off and confronted Sasuke while he was still surrounded by the girls. "Hey! Gloomstare, stop acting cool and stuff. I don''t like it! Do you even have what it takes to act like that?"


    "Naruto..." Kaito sighed when he saw his brother starting a fight directly after meeting this guy. Weirdly enough this Sasuke was actually frowning.


    "Naruto! Get lost, you monkey!", shouted Ino at him. She and the other girls from the class also started to insult him and shoved him aside.


    Naruto just stood there completely crushed and now was mr. gloom himself.


    "Don''t take it to heart, brother. Just show him what you can do.", smiled Kaito and hit his twin on his back.


    "You are one to talk.", pouted Naruto. "Unlike me, the girls seem to like you...At valentines, you had so much chocolate..."


    Kaito started to sweat a little. It was true that he was actually a little bit more popular than him but that was mostly because he was studious and didn''t make so many pranks like Naruto. What by the way got him the nickname of yellow monkey.


    So some girls relied on him when it came to solving problems. It also seemed some felt genuine friendship toward him.


    And about the chocolate, it was all meant for friends and not with any romantic intention. But Naruto still sulked about it nonetheless.


    "Don''t worry. I think you will soon receive some chocolate as well." Kaito glanced at Hinata after saying those words. She was actually trying to approach them but Kiba seemed to start talking with her before she could do that.


    "I don''t need your chocolate, brother.", denied Naruto immediately.


    "I didn''t plan to? What exactly are you thinking?"


    Just then Iruka started to talk again.

 Chapter 7 - Three Fundamental Jutsu

    "Since we are all already gathered outside it is a good time to start with a demonstration. Do you all still remember the three fundamental Jutsu that I have told you about?", asked Iruka and looked at the children.


    Naruto perked up his attention and immediately shouted. "Iruka-sensei. Do you mean the Clone, Substitution, and Transformation-Jutsu? Are we finally going to learn them !?"


    Iruka just sighed. "Yes, I mean exactly them but next time raise your hand if you want to say something, Naruto. Today we will start with basics first. To perform the Jutsu you need to be able to gather chakra which is needed to perform various Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. Some Taijutsu techniques also rely on chakra to perform them."


    He changed his position and clasped his hands together in front of his ?h?st. "Now this here is one way to gather it. Try to focus your minds on feeling the chakra flow inside you."


    "Are we really starting at that point? How boring. I will pass then.", interrupted Sasuke and walked somewhere where he could sit down.


    "Hmm?" Iruka looked at the kid. "So you have already learned the basics. Then how about you show us the Clone-Jutsu?"


    "Yeah! Stop bragging!", shouted Naruto as well. Sasuke only snorted arrogantly and performed the Clone-Jutsu without failing. After a white smoke puff, his Clone was standing underneath a tree.


    "Very good.", commented Iruka. "That is a well-done Clone-Jutsu"


    "As if! You think I can¡ät see the difference?" Naruto charged at the Clone underneath the tree because he thought it was the real guy and tried to punch him. But his fist went right through its body.


    It was the clone and because that disrupted the illusion it vanished with white smoke. Naruto crashed with all the force he gathered into the tree - hand first and his head second. He could only hold his face in pain.


    "And that is how a good technique can fool people. You can also see that clones are not material and only are there to distract opponents from the real bodies.", sighed Iruka while explaining.


    The girls cried out in admiration again because Sasuke was so good already. And while they were at it, they also laughed at Naruto.


    Kaito saw all this and could only smile wryly. He did try to stop him but he was actually intrigued about something else that got his attention at the moment. There was a golden question mark hovering over Iruka¡äs head for some reason. It appeared after he first started talking about the Jutsu and stuff.


    "Hey, Naruto. Can you also see that?", he whispered to his brother after he came back.


    Naruto looked at Iruka and then back at him. "What do you mean? I only see Iruka-sensei."


    "Hmm, maybe I am just tired and see things?", asked Kaito himself.


    "Now everyone. Try to focus and gather your chakra. I will observe you and help out if you have any questions."


    *DING*


    That sound shocked Kaito and he flinched.


    "Is everything alright, Nii-san?", asked Naruto after seeing him flinch like that.


    "You can''t see this?" Kaito pointed at the blue screen in front of himself. What Naruto saw was him pointing at Iruka once more.


    Naruto just frowned and pouted. "If you want to make fun of me because I didn''t recognize the real guy then please stop..."


    "No of course not. I...Well, forget it." Kaito just stopped involving Naruto and looked back at the blue screen that was still in front of himself.


    *Reward: Favorable opinion of Iruka. Skill +Chakra Control+ gained.*


    *Failure: Unfavorable opinion of Iruka. Trait +Miserable Chakra Control+ gained.*


    *Accept Y/N? - WARNING: Not accepting is automatically a failure.*


    ¡äHuh? What is this...What is a quest?¡ä Kaito tried to make sense of this screen. ¡äIt tells me to do something so is it a mission? It also has a question mark symbol above the text. Is it connected with the one above Iruka-Sensei?¡ä


    He looked back at Iruka and saw the symbol was gone.


    ¡äWell, let''s just do what it says and see what it does. So how do I accept? Touch it?¡ä Just when Kaito thought about it, the YES bu??on was pushed.


    *Quest accepted. For more information look in the quest tab.*


    ¡äSo just thinking about it does it, huh? Well, what next? Quest tab?¡ä Another screen appeared with more information about the mission.


    *Learn how to gather charka on your first try*


    *Iruka has given you the task to gain the ability to gather chakra. Don''t disappoint him. Stand in a comfortable stance and clasp your hands together. Then concentrate on to your chakra reserves in your abdomen and try to move it with your will. When you succeed in moving it slightly the quest is done.*


    *Bonus: Guide the collected chakra to your mouth and spit it out. Do be careful and don''t aim at people.*


    Reading all that text sure put him into a confused state. But Kaito was not an idiot so he just followed the instructions that Iruka told about and positioned himself comfortably.


    Then he started to sense that so-called chakra. He already knew that it was mostly blue in color and looked like a blue flame.


    Iruka was moving around and observing the children that tried to find their chakra. There were, of course, the children from the clans that already knew about it so it was a no brainer for them. When he also saw the Uzumaki twins doing it he smiled. These two may not be that bad. Why did they have such a bad reputation, though?


    Just when he thought that Kaito started to emit chakra around his body. That surprised Iruka because normally chakra becomes visible after a certain amount of it is inside the body. That could only be done with training and was rare for 5-year-olds to do. But this kid actually did it.


    ¡äHis chakra reserves have to be enormous. Then what about Naruto?¡ä, thought Iruka and switched his gaze towards the blonde. His chakra also started to flow out but it was completely erratic and disappeared from time to time. It was like a flickering light. And Naruto also was already stopping his gathering and breathed heavily.


    ¡äHe has the same amount. Remarkable. But his control over it is...¡ä


    Just then Kaito looked distressed and opened his eyes. He looked at a wall where no one was standing. He could feel the chakra in his mouth already beeing too much and needed to do something. Kaito was excited at first that he could feel the energy inside his stomach and guide it somewhat to his mouth. But it soon became uncontrollable.


    Good thing he remembered the screen saying to spit it out. And as he did the chakra mixed with his saliva and enlarged it into a bullet-like object. It was sent straight into the wall and created small chips and cracks on it.


    "Are you alright, Kaito? Why did you perform a Jutsu?"


    "I did?", asked Kaito back in surprise.


    "Yes, that was a small water bullet...You didn''t know?", asked Iruka once again.


    "No, I didn''t. I just moved my chakra to my mouth and when I felt it became somewhat bad, I didn''t know at first how to get rid of it. So I spat it out."


    Iruka heard that and looked at him intrigued. Then he smiled. "Very smart thinking. That was a good decision. Most people that start with Jutsu training tend to hurt themselves when practicing them. That is also why at the academy you will not learn such dangerous methods. We will foster your foundation with the three fundamentals. And when you reach perfection in them it should be enough control of your chakra that you can perform such Jutsu as you used. But please do be careful when performing that action again, alright?"


    Kaito nodded. "I will." It was not like he wanted to implode his head.


    Some other students saw that and were amazed by his performance. Especially Naruto his eyes were shining like stars again. "That was amazing, brother! You gotta teach me!"


    Sasuke was sitting on a bench a little bit further away and squinting his eyes towards the twins. He may not have felt the amount of chakra these two possess because one needed somewhat of a sensory ability but now he knew there was someone else that was somewhat good with chakra. He actually may feel something like a rivalry.


    *Quest fulfilled*


    *Iruka sees you and your brother in a favorable light.*


    *Bonus triggered: Water Chakra Affinity +50(High), Wind Chakra Affinity +25(Low), Lightning Chakra Affinity +25(Low), Trait +Precise Chakra Control+ gained.

 Chapter 8 - Status

    "Man! I am going to beat that guy soon enough. I will train and then show him who is better!"


    Naruto was currently ranting angrily about Sasuke. It seems this new kid really went under his skin. Weirdly enough after they did their little explanation course of the fundamental Jutsu it was Sasuke who came over to Kaito and challenged him.


    But Kaito declined immediately without considering. The face that Sasuke made when he got rejected so blatantly was hilarious. He seemed to be surprised and after noticing the others stare he looked somewhat ashamed and left it as it was.


    "Naruto, I don''t think we will be able to beat him anytime soon.", he told his brother.


    "What? Are you actually giving up already?"


    Kaito smiled and had no words for his brother''s rashness. "No, of course not. But we need to train first. We don''t have any training whatsoever, while he probably has his clan backing him up. That he was already using the clone Jutsu so well attested to that."


    Naruto started to think about it. "Hmm, I guess you are right. But how do we do it? It¡äs not like we have anyone who can teach us."


    "We don''t need to. There is the academy¡äs library. There is bound to be things about basic stuff there. And if push comes to shove we could always ask Iruka-sensei. He will probably help us if it is not something unreasonable.", explained Kaito to him.


    "You think so? I still don''t know. He still looks at us weirdly." Naruto was still uncertain about his teacher.


    "Yeah, I do. I think after today he seemed way friendlier than usual. He even approached me and asked after my well being. That is not something others do often."


    "Ah, you are right! Well, then that''s good." As if also realizing it Naruto started to grin. "Hey, bro. Can we some food? I am getting hungry."


    "Sure. Just prepare the table and the items. You know the drill. I will do the rest.", smiled Kaito and nodded. For two boys of the age of 5 - 6 it was pretty remarkable that they could handle daily shores themselves.


    But that is what living nearly 2 years in this apartment was all about. Even though it was Kaito that mostly drove this way of life. He even threatened his brother from time to time with no food if he was lazy with other stuff like cleaning.


    Equal distribution of shores was the key to a clean and working household. Sometimes Kaito wondered where he had that mindset from.


    "Hey, Kaito."


    "Yes?"


    "That thing you did at the academy. Can I really do it? I did notice that gathering my chakra feels weird. Maybe I am just really bad?"


    Kaito his eyes that were somewhat drowsy became larger after hearing his brother.


    "What is wrong, Naruto? First, you are so optimistic that you infect others and now you are gloomy like there was whole day-long rain? That is not like your usual self."


    "Well, I do wonder sometimes if I really am bad...After all..."


    "You are not! Don''t even dare mention that ever again in front of me."


    "Brother..."


    "All you need is training. I am sure of it. We are twins after all. How can one twin be good and the other bad? The only thing I would say is that you are lazy...and often than not solve problems with your heart instead of your head..."


    "Hey..." Naruto threw a cushion at Kaito.


    Kaito snickered. "All is fine. I believe in you, brother. You will become the greatest shinobi there ever was. Hell, you will probably become the Hokage."


    "Really!?", asked Naruto with a smile.


    "Sure."


    "Alright! I think I know now what I will become! I will aim to become the greatest ninja ever. I will become the fifth Hokage!"


    ¡äMaybe not the fifth, my dear brother...¡ä, smiled Kaito with that thought in mind - hidden away. For that, they were both ways too young.


    "And you will become my second hand!"


    Now Kaito frowned. "Second Hand? I am definitely not going to do your paperwork! Just because I help you with our homework doesn''t mean you can just neglect your studies. How often do I have to tell you? Do you want to fail the exam?"


    "Urgh...", exclaimed Naruto. "No, I don''t."


    "Then keep studying. You are already close to the last place in class..."


    "Ha! But I am not last!"


    "Right...Well, goodnight, brother. I will go and sleep early today.", said Kaito and walked off to his room.


    "Oh, alright. Goodnight." Naruto went on watching TV. He will probably fall asleep in front of it again. He never really learns.


    When Kaito was in his own room he looked through all the screens he had. This weird ability that popped up since today sure was a happy surprise. It was also what he concentrated most of the time.


    He tried out various things and look and behold. After he cooked today, another window popped up telling him he got the Cooking skill leveled up to level 8.


    So he made sense out of it and came to the conclusion that various tasks would result in an appropriate skill. That made him figure out that a skill meant something along the line of one''s expertise with something.


    Testing around he also found his skill tab. Just like the quest tab that was now empty, there was also a skill tab. There were actually a few things in it already that made him curious and lead him later to his status tab.


    ----Skills----


    *Cooking (LVL 8)*--(Active): The expertise in preparing food. The higher the skill the tastier the food. At a certain level food also gives benefits to the body.


    *Chakra Control (LVL 3)*--(Active/Passive): The expertise in gathering and guiding chakra in your chakra system. The higher the skill - the more precise your distribution, - the faster you replenish your chakra, - the less you waste chakra while performing Jutsu, and the easier it is to learn and advance more difficult Jutsu.


    ----Traits----


    *Uzumaki Bloodline (LVL MAX)* -- (Passive): You are a member of the Uzumaki Clan. - Your Vitality is raised by 50%, - Your Chakra is raised by 500%(x5 of normal people), - Fuinjutsu(Space/Time) Affinity +50(High)


    *Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai - Adamantite Chakra Chains (LVL MAX)* -- (Sealed): Very durable chakra chains that can be used as an offensive or defensive weapon. Has also many other utility functions. Can be used with Fuinjutsu.


    *Jinchuuriki (LVL MAX)* -- ???


    *Yin Corrupted Body (LVL MAX)* -- (Passive): Your body is heavily Yin inclined, making it sickly. Health reduced by 25%


    *Precise Chakra Control (LVL MAX)* -- (Passive): You are gifted for the finer workings of chakra. EXP gain in Chakra related skills +25%


    ----Affinities:----


    Water (Chakra) - 50 (High): EXP up when learning water-related Jutsu +50%


    Wind (Chakra) - 25 (Low): EXP up when learning wind-related Jutsu +25%


    Fuinjutsu/Sealing(Space/Time) (Chakra) - 50 (High): EXP up when learning sealing-related Jutsu +50%


    Kaito really had to think about some things that were written in those windows. There were a lot of things he didn''t really get but could figure out with the help of the descriptions.


    What made him surprised was that he seemed to have a bloodline? Was he actually from a well-known clan? Then why was everyone still hating them?


    And then there was this trait about his body being sickly? But by the looks, his bloodline did counteract it. That is a somewhat lucky thing but he should still be keeping an eye on this trait. And what exactly was that unknown trait?


    After a while, he just shook his head. He would have to rethink it some other time. The status tab was actually more interesting for him.


    ----Status----


    Name: Kaito Uzumaki


    Job: Academy Student - Year 1


    Level: LVL 1 Next Level: 7.57%


    HP: 112 (-25% Debuff)


    CP: 500


    STR: 10


    VIT: 15 (10+5)


    AGI: 10


    INT: 10


    WIS: 10


    LUCK: 25


    Points: 5


    Money: 42.000 RYO (Equivalent to 420.000 yen or ~ 3800 Dollar. Do note he saved a lot from all the months to this point. One Ramen in comparison is somewhere around 15 - 150 RYO. His monthly income is 5000 RYO.)


    ¡äCrap looks like the sickly body actually nearly negates all my benefits from my bloodline. I only get 12 measly HP more. Oh well...Anyway, I guess HP is my health while CP should be my chakra, right? Otherwise, I am pretty much a blank slate...weird. I never thought of myself being dexterous.¡ä

 Chapter 9 - Training

    It was currently a Saturday. A free day without school. Normally Naruto would just stroll around and make pranks or go with Kaito to meet the others to laze around.


    But today Kaito actually dragged him out to a spot near the village where they could do some training.


    "Do we really have to do this?", lamented Naruto.


    "Show me your clone jutsu...", said Kaito back and Naruto became somewhat silent.


    "...You know I am bad at it..."


    "Just do it.", ordered Kaito now with a firm expression.


    "Clone-Jutsu.", said Naruto and after a puff of smoke, a wobbly mess appeared close to him.


    Kaito his brow twitched looking at this monstrosity that he created.


    But at the same time, he was somewhat surprised. It started walking. Something it otherwise never did.


    Looking at it closer, it seemed to become green in its face. Kaito immediately knew what was up. He sidestepped and dodged whatever was to come.


    Look and behold the clone threw up massively and disappeared together with its bile into thin air.


    "That''s new...You actually managed to create something that probably wanted to kill itself..."


    "Urgh...It''s always the same. Why cant it be as easy as the Transformation-Jutsu?"


    "You tell me..."


    "I don''t really know. It''s somewhat hard to control the chakra outside my body..."


    "Fine, whatever. I can''t really help you with control. But that is the reason why we are here - training. I will help you out a little bit in things like Shuriken- and Taijutsu."


    "Why don''t you teach me about your water bullet already?"


    Kaito looked at him and contemplated. "Alright, let''s try it. Listen, when you gather enough chakra in your mouth just mix it with your spit and release it. Here is how it looks."


    Kaito went ahead and performed his Jutsu. His cheeks blew up like a frog after gathering some chakra and after that, he shot out a water bullet straight at a tree.


    It left a clear head-sized impact on it. "Now you do it." While saying that Kaito made himself ready to punch his brother in his stomach if he saw him losing control.


    But to Kaito''s surprise when Naruto performed, he was doing pretty well. That is until the finish line. Instead of a water bullet, he released a burp.


    "..."


    "..."


    Both stood there in silence. Then Kaito took out a set of shuriken and handed them to his brother.


    "That tree. 2 hours. Go." It was a clear order for him to start practicing. And Naruto was ashamed enough to stay silent and do as told.


    Later after that was finished, Kaito went over and began to spar with him a little bit in Taijutsu.


    But at some point, they actually ended becoming somewhat fervid in their spar and beat the shit out of themselves.


    Having bumps and bruises all over themselves they had to stop it somewhere.


    The last thing Kaito did was just calmly sit down on the ground and meditate while circulating his chakra through his body.


    He noticed that through this action his body healed faster from fatigue and wounds.


    Naruto also did the same after seeing what it did with his brother but he always couldn''t stay focused long enough for a good result.


    "Urgh, this is so boring.", commented Naruto.


    "I read it in one of the books from the academy. To increase our chakra reserve and make our control better, this is the best method. You especially need the control, brother. So if you at least would take this seriously, you wouldn''t fail at Ninjutsu so much." Kaito stayed neutral to his complaining and gave him reason enough to do this exercise.


    "Hmm, alright. I will try again. And you are sure there aren''t better ways to do it? Maybe something physical?", asked Naruto.


    "Well, I didn''t find a book about that. Maybe there is. How about you ask Iruka-sensei?"


    "Nah...It''s alright."


    "Are you still thinking you would admit defeat after asking for help from him? You know Sasuke is only riling you up, right? He also had someone to teach him. Don''t forget that."


    "That guy." Naruto became agitated now. "He really thinks he is something better, doesn''t he? It has been what now? A year? And he still thinks he is superior to everyone."


    "...I think he actually is just trying to become our friend in gis way, no?"


    Naruto was surprised. "You really think so?"


    "He isn''t interacting with others as much as he is with us, right? So I do think I am somewhat right."


    "Hmm, I guess." Then Naruto''s stomach grumbled. "Okay, I can''t concentrate. I need food! Let''s go to Ichiraku''s."


    Kaito only sighed and followed him to the ramen shop.


    ---


    Apparently there were also rumors starting to spread immediately about his clan being massacred by someone.


    And the only survivor of that incident was him.


    Later Sasuke started to also behave differently. In spars, he became extremely aggressive and his determination to improve skyrocketed.


    "His eyes were the same as those people that look at us."


    "I saw them too. He is filled with hatred about his family being killed...."


    "Yeah, but he doesn''t really look at us when he glares.", nodded Naruto. "He is just like us now."


    "I don''t think so, Naruto. There is a difference..."


    The twins actually once came across him when they returned home from spending some time with Shikamaru and co.


    Sasuke was sitting all alone around a river that went through the village that originated from a waterfall some distance away.


    "Hey, gloom face.", said Kaito to him after approaching him.


    Sasuke didn''t take that in a good way. "What are you two idiots doing here? Get lost." Sasuke replied. It looks like he called them both idiots now because he did start to do it with Naruto.


    "Urgh, see he is just insulting us now.", said Naruto.


    "Excuse me, princess. I was just here to invite you to eat something. But sure, sulk more." grumbled Kaito


    "Do you even understand how I feel?", asked Sasuke mockingly.


    "Understand to not have anyone? To feel ostracized by this village?" Then Kaito sighed. "Do you take us as a joke? Anyway, If you feel like it to join us, just follow. Otherwise, suit yourself..."


    Kaito waved and dragged Naruto along. When both of them didn''t look Sasuke threw a glance at them. He actually contemplated about his offer.


    Later when the twins sat at Ichiraku''s another boy appeared and joined them.


    "Oh, look. We have another customer. What may I bring you?"


    "The same as them.", he replied.


    "A beef ramen bowl. Coming right up.", smiled Ayame and gave the order to her father beside her.


    Both Naruto and Kaito just smiled. The time spent there was done silently and no word fell from either of them. But there was a certain bond forming between the three.


    ©\-------------©\------


    New Skills:


    Shuriken-Jutsu(LVL 7)(Passive): Expertise in throwing bladed weapons. The higher the level the more accurate the throws.


    Kenjutsu(LVL 5)(Passive): Expertise in using bladed weapons like swords or kunai. The higher the level the more defined the art.


    Taijutsu(LVL8)(Passive): Expertise in using the body as a weapon. The higher the level the more defined the movements.


    Meditation(LVL 6)(Active/Passive): Expertise in calming one''s mind. Increases HP and CP regeneration. Each level also gives a 0.1% increase in HP and CP


    Clone-Jutsu(LVL 12)(Active): A technique that creates a visual copy of oneself. Very weak and easily seen through because of having no chakra. Cant attack. Weaknesses can be erased at a higher level. CP cost 48(50)


    Transformation-Jutsu(LVL 21)(Active): A skill to change the appearance for espionage. CP cost 12(15)


    Substitution-Jutsu(LVL 3)(Active): A combination of Clone- and Transformation-Jutsu. Enables to fool enemies and escape some attacks when the level is high enough. CP cost 70(75)

 Chapter 10 - Tears

    It was winter once more. Now both the twins turned 8. Naruto and Kaito were moving around in the snow to get to Ichiraku''s.


    "Brr, its so cold. I dont like winter at all - believe it."


    Kaito looked upward against the sky and saw the snow slowly dropping and leaving its beatiful mantle on earth.


    "I find it calming. I prefer it over sweating all day long in the summer."


    Then he looked back at Naruto. "Why are you wearing those aviator googles right now? Doesnt it freeze your head more in this cold?"


    "Heh, not at all.", grinned Naruto back.


    "Why are you grinning? I know you brought them because you want to prepare yourself for wearing the real headband. But that is still some time off, you know?"


    "Nah, I will apply for a early graduation."


    Kaito was a little bit surprised. "...You better forget that idea."


    "Huh? Why? You dont want to beat everyone else? I will show them that I am ready!" Naruto was extremely motivated to try his exam after the winter.


    "Sasuke again? You sure are fixating yourself a lot on him. Anyway, I will just tell you right now. Your Bunshin is still crappy. I doubt they will let you pass at all. That your grades improved doesnt mean everything."


    "Urgh, really? Hmm. Then next year!"


    While Naruto fantazied more about becoming a ninja Kaito noticed a group of other kids close by. It was at the park they usually went rhrough when going to Ichiraku''s.


    "Hey, isnt that Hinata-chan?", asked Kaito.


    Naruto looked as well. "Right, thats her. Looks like she is playing with some friends?"


    "Want to go over and say hi?"


    "Sure, lets go."


    After deciding that they approached the group. But when they started to pick up the conversation they had both Kaito and Naruto frowned.


    "Look at those creepy eyes. I bet she is a monster.", said one of the five kids that stood in front of Hinata.


    "Yeah. The Hyuga monster.", comfirmed the next.


    At those words Hinata got teary eyes and started to cry.


    Seeing that really pissed the twins off. The started running at the trio. "Hey you ?ssholes!"


    "Huh? What do you two want?", asked what seemed to be the leader of the five. "Who the hell are you anyway."


    Kaito and Naruto were standing in front of Hinata.


    "I am Naruto Uzumaki! I and my brother Kaito will become the future Hokage!"


    ''Since when did he change that?'', thoight Kaito while glancing over to his brother.


    "But right now we are here to beat you up.", added Kaito and refocused on the trio.


    "Oh, you against us 5? Dont make us laugh."


    "Hey, I think I heard of them. They are the monster twins."


    "Really? That makes sense. Monster protecting each other."


    Both Naruto and Kaito got a cold expression on their faces.


    Naruto actually wanted to intimidate them and used his clone-jutsu. But he failed like always.


    Two little chibi Naruto appeared in front of him."I will beat you up. Believe it." - "Me too.", said each one in a high voice.


    "Ahahaha! The future Hokage my ?ss!", laughed the group.


    "Take this!" Then the leader punched Naruto while he was flabbergasted by his clones.


    Kaito at that moment just charged at them. With his Taijutsu he made easy game with them. From time to time he did received some hits because he was outnumbered, but he made also sure to beat them black and blue.


    "Urgh! You bastards. We wont forget that. I will tell my parents!"


    "Lets go! We cant win against monsters!"


    With those last famous words the group ran away.


    "Damn it! Wait!", shouted Naruto. Then he looked at his brother and scratched his head. He saw him having a swallon left cheek. "Sorry that I messed up."


    "You distracted them. That was already enough.", smiled Kaito at him.


    Hinata came over to them. "Are you both alright?", she asked.


    Naruto flinched and stood up pretty fast. He was still sitting in the snow after he got punched.


    He seemed to be somewhat embarrased about showing such weakness in front of a girl. But he just smiled.


    "We are fine, right?", he asked Kaito.


    Kaito smiled after seeing his brother behave like that. Then he came closer to Hinata.


    "Yep, we are fine. So cheer up Hinata-chan.", grinned Kaito and wiped away the little teardrops that were still on her face.


    Feeling his touch Hinata started to blush.


    "Huh? Are you alright. Do you have a fewer?", asked Naruto and placed his hand on her forehead to feel her temperature.


    Hinata became even redder and avoided them with moving moving back a little. Then she bowed lightly. "Thank you very much!", she said a little bit hasty.


    "No problem. You are welcome. By the way, Hinata-chan. We tried to visit you but someone from your home always said you are busy. Can we ask when you got free time? ", asked Kaito back now.


    "Right, at the academy you seem so quiet and we rarely speak.", added Naruto.


    "That..." Hinata didnt know how to answer. She didnt know about them being send away when they tried to visit her. "...I am currently very busy."


    In the end she still avoided that topic. Kaito noticed that and accepted it as is. "I see. Well, if you need our help some time. Just tell us, alright?"


    Hinata thought about it and nodded. "Mm, I will."


    "Alright, see ya Hinata!" said Naruto and ran off. Looks like he was eager to finally eat something.


    Hinata looked at them leave and smiled. Then she noticed Naruto his scarf still lying on the ground.


    She picked it up and made her decision to give it back to him when they meet at school.


    A shadow was watching this and was very intrigued by the outcome of the event. Then it just disappeared when Hinata walked away.


    ----


    At Ichiraku''s the twins were eating their usual bowls of ramen.


    Kaito was thinking about Hinata at this moment.


    ''I wonder what is going on at her place. But she sure became happier''


    Suddenly something happened to Kaito and tears appeared in his eyes. They welled up and shortly after rolled down his face.


    "Huh! Whats wrong, brother? If its about stealing your meat. I am sorry. Here"


    "I am alright. There was just something in my eyes.", he said and wiped away his own tears with his sleeve.


    Naruto still looked at him and frowned. He never really saw his brother with a teary face. This was the first. Even he himself probably cried more than he did.


    This event happened because Kaito suddenly remembered something that was gone all those past years. He finally remembered his old memories.


    But at the same time the heartache that ?ssaulted him was so bad that he couldnt hold back his emotions and instantly he started to shed tears.


    He was even close to crying out loud if Naruto didnt notice it and tried to cheer him up.


    That was the cue he needed to swallow it inside and harden up. But he still felt sad and empty.


    The memories about Kushina and Minato surfaced. Their deaths clearly depicted in his mind. His parents deaths in the night of the attack.


    ''Mother....Father....You collosal idiots....'', he thought about it.


    But then again he was happy to know who they were now. In the mind of his alter ego, this information was the most precious thing he could ever ask for.


    "Is everything really alright? Should Onee-san give you a shoulder to cry?", smiled Ayame.


    Kaito snorted lightly. "So the devil is still trying to seduce me. Nah, I am fine, Onee- san~", grinned Kaito.


    That actually surprised Ayame. But she just kept going. "So that is how you feel? Onee-san is very hurt and sad now."


    Kaito just smiled and continued to eat. The ramen was warm. It mended his sorrow a little bit.

 Chapter 11 - Truth

    "I am all done!", burped Naruto and tapped his round stomach with his palm. "Thanks for the meal. Well, it''s about time to go."


    Naruto started rummaging in his little frog pouch to find the money to pay up but after a while, he became somewhat nervous and stiff.


    His head turned very slowly towards his brother.


    Kaito noticed it and glanced toward him. "Just go ahead. I am not finished yet and will pay this time. So don''t worry about it." Kaito had enough money on him to pay for the food.


    Kaito was the one that made sure money was not an issue for both of them. Even when Naruto liked to waste it on food. At least it went somewhere reasonable instead of other weird stuff.


    "Are you sure? I could help out in the kitchen and do the dishes or something. That is what I did last time." He was happy but Naruto also didn''t like to ask his brother for money in times like this.


    "So you already got no money since then?" Naruto flinched at that question and scratched his head sheepishly.


    "It''s alright.", smiled Kaito. "If you are eager to do the dish-washing here, then go ahead and do the laundry at home."


    "Urgh...Alright..." Naruto accepted that exchange of favors and jumped down from the chair. "Be careful and see you later." Before he ran off he made sure to advise Kaito not to get into anything.


    Kaito only raised a brow in response to his worry. Isn''t it more the other way around?


    Sighing he continued on eating the rest of his food. While he did, Kaito also placed his chin on his hand that was leaned on the table with his elbow.


    Thinking a little bit about his somewhat confused mind it was Ayame that brought him back.


    "Why are you so deep in thought? Not even touching your food for so long. Did something happen?", she asked him while grabbing the empty dishes that Naruto left behind.


    Kaito watched her and at first didn''t say anything. "Is it that obvious? Well, nothing special. I just wonder about some things."


    "Hmm. And what are you thinking about?", she asked again and started to do the washing.


    Kaito narrowed his eyes and smiled a little bit. "Well, I wonder. Am I more like my father or my mother? I got this red hair definitely from her."


    "Yeah, that red fiery hair is definitely from her. Even your..." She stopped talking and even what she was doing.


    "I see...So you really did know them...." Kaito his voice became somewhat solemn. He was actually a little bit angry.


    His new memories gave him so much information and the first thing he did was trick the people he loved to get some confirmation out of them. To know if what he knows is true.


    Of course his heart actually felt betrayed by them now because he knew the memories were right.


    They always knew but never told them. Why is that?


    "Kaito...Where did you learn that?", asked Teuchi now and looked at him. He even put more attention to him as well.


    "Well, every time I look at that boulder up there and compare it with Naruto¡äs face..." Kaito meant the 4th Hokages stone monument. "I always start to wonder why he looks so familiar...So similar to him...And I just probed you to figure out if you knew something..."


    "I see. Does Naruto know?"


    "Nah, he wouldn''t be able to make such connections. I haven''t talked to him about it either. Its...a very complicated topic that we both like to keep silent about...So, why didn''t you tell us anything? From Ayame¡äs reaction, I can clearly tell that you know our parents."


    Ayame felt saddened now after knowing he tricked her. She knew what he would feel after something like this came out.


    "Are you angry at us?", asked Teuchi when he looked at his daughter and saw her not being able to say anything. "It is something we have promised someone."


    "Not really...But you better make it up with telling me a little bit about my parents..." Kaito looked away when Ayame also stared at him in hope to receive a favorable answer.


    Ayame saw him avoiding her pleading look and smiled. This kid was actually shy enough to not look her in the eye because of guilt. "Alright. It¡äs not like we can hide it anymore. Right, father?"


    Teuchi only smiled wrily "That is true. Well, what do you want to know?"


    "How do you know them?", Kaito asked and looked back at them.


    "That was when they were still teenagers. It was about the time when I came to Konoha with my late wife. Ayama was only freshly born at that time. It was our new start in life. Your mother, Kushina was her name, was someone who loved ramen as much as you two do. It really surprised us."


    "Her personality was bright and merry. Because she came often to my shop after it opened, we came to know each other from that."


    "Yeah. I still remember when aunt Kushina was still pregnant and had a really big belly with you, hehe. She had such beautiful red hair.", added Ayame now.


    She was smiling softly at Kaito now. "You know, Kaito. It was also that time when I made a promise to always be a good Onee-san to you two. Actually, at that time I didn''t even know you would be two."


    Kaito heard that and somehow had to smile back. That explained their friendly behavior to them. "I see. And my father?"


    "As you know he was the fourth Hokage. He was a very strong man that protected this village to his utmost.", explained Teuchi again.


    "And left us alone...", added Kaito.


    Teuchi frowned. "Kaito...Your father died while sacrificing his life to give you both a future. Don''t say such things about him. No, it had to be said that both your parents tried everything to keep you safe. You need to understand that."


    "Then why is it that everyone still hates us even though we are the children of the previous Hokage? Children of heroes?"


    Teuchi stayed silent after hearing his question.


    "See, I am right. Both our parents died for nothing." It was a sentence that came out instinctively because he was irritated. But at that sentence, Ayame slapped Kaito on his face. He could only look back at her while holding his cheek.


    "How can you think like that! Both your parents loved you more than anything! They would have loved to stay by your side." Ayame looked very angry at this moment. "It is just that some events did not unfold as they wished. But even then they made sure to let you live in a safe place."


    "She is right. The one that told us to keep quiet was the third. He is also the one that always looks after you...If you really want to know everything you should ask him."


    Kaito looked at them and became angry. He knew they meant well but his emotions told him otherwise.


    He needed to leave and calm down. That is also why he started to leave the place after hammering the payment on the table.


    "Kaito!", shouted Ayame and wanted to stop him. But he was already gone by that time.


    Both of them looked at each other. "I wonder if it really was the right thing to tell him." Teuchi sighed. "You and your big mouth." He flicked the forehead of his daughter.


    "...He got me when I was distracted.", she rebuked.


    "That just goes to say how smart he is. Sometimes such a trait may be a curse...", said Teuchi a little bit saddened and could only continue what he was doing.

 Chapter 12 - Night

    Thinking back a little bit Kaito was still annoyed and agitated about the last conversation at Ichiraku¡äs. The slap on his face was still hurting and throbbing


    When he finally arrived at his home and opened the door to the apartment, it was Naruto that came looking for him after he went inside.


    "Welcome home.", he said with a grin at first. But that expression soon disappeared after he saw his brother''s swollen cheek.


    "What happened?", he asked.


    Kaito looked at him while getting his tabi off his foot. "Nothing." He wasn''t in the mood to talk about it.


    Naruto only frowned to that answer. "Hey, I can clearly see you got into a fight again. Who was it? Come, let''s get revenge. I will get ready immediately."


    "God damn, Naruto! Stop bothering me! I said it''s FINE!" Kaito had enough of him at the moment and raised his voice.


    Seeing how Naruto¡äs expression became somewhat shocked Kaito only sighed. He rarely raised his voice against his brother.


    "Okay! Fine! You don''t have to be an ?ss about it!", growled Naruto back after getting his composure back. Then he stormed out from the living room to go to his room. A clear slam from the door indicated his anger.


    "Damn, I am really not in the mood for this..." Kaito only stood there and watched him doing his tantrum. ¡äWhy am I so impulsive right now? I should know better...¡ä


    Then he went to his own room as well. It was already getting dark so he just undressed the most necessary stuff on his upper torso without bothering getting into his pajamas and just fell straight asleep like that.


    ---


    The dream that night was a very clear one. He could see two shadowy figures that resembled a woman and a man holding something away from him.


    Blood trickled down on his little forehead from the massive sharp-looking shadowy object hovering only a few inches away from him.


    Then the shadow slowly turned into a white claw. What he experienced was the night when he and his brother were born.


    He was so conscious in this dream that those events made him scream in sorrow internally. He tried to cry but there was nothing. No reaction at all but his baby body crying loudly. He could do nothing but watch everything happen.


    But the images became even more twisted as shadows started clawing themselves around his parents, his brother and the Kyuubi. It all happened only to just twist them into a hideous monster that grew larger in size. by the second until its visage hovered over his existence.


    Its glare was menacing and fear overwhelmed his prior sadness. The monster opened its mouth to show its twisted fangs of pure blood. Doing what a monster does, it devours him whole like a candy.


    ...


    Calming down his breathing he could hear his heart beating like a drum in his ?h?st. His body was sweating bullets.


    At first, he thought he could finally calm down after a few seconds of shock but when he shifted his head towards the window he saw something tentacle-like moving around. It immediately let his goosebumps return that only rested for seconds.


    He could not discern its clear shape nor what it was but it clearly brought back his fear. He immediately jumped from his bed and tried to reach the light switch. His weapons were also close to that switch to the left on a shelf.


    Turning on the light and looking back with his kunai raised, he was shocked. What he could see were blood-red chains everywhere in the room. They were small but still filled the room completely.


    But he didn''t need to fear them because he already saw that they slowly started to retract themselves back into him.


    As they originated from his body it was only natural.


    ¡äShit...¡ä Kaito grabbed his head with one hand while holding the kunai with the other and slumped down on his bu?? to lean himself on the wall behind him. ¡äI am going fu?k?n? crazy...Did I activate them after having that nightmare?...¡ä


    This event that night brought him no sleep and so he kept himself awake through it.


    The next day Kaito was the first to use the shower to freshen up. When he came out he saw Naruto.


    "The shower is free.", he said to him. Surprisingly Naruto didn''t say anything and went inside.


    Even later at breakfast, he didn''t say anything.


    "Going with the silent treatment?", asked Kaito but didn''t expect an answer. He didn''t bother discussing this after he himself felt like shit at the moment - mentally and physically.


    It went on even when they were at the academy.


    "What is up with Naruto?", asked Shikamaru after noticing his weirdly gloomy mood.


    "Don''t ask me. He decided to be like this since morning."


    "Hmm...Naruto, you okay with talking?"


    "I am but it''s just someone else that thinks I am a bother.", replied the blondie for the first time.


    Then Hinata approached them and asked shyly if it was alright to eat together. But unexpectedly Naruto didn''t answer and that put Hinata in a clear sad mood.


    "So that''s how it is huh?", commented Kaito and stood up. He put Naruto¡äs head into a vice lock. followed by a good rubbing with his knuckles.


    "ARGH! Stop!", cried Naruto out in pain.


    "Will you start talking then? I am sorry for yesterday, alright? Are you happy now?", said Kaito and apologized for being so impulsive last night. Of course, he didn''t overdo his rubbing since he was only warning him to stop this act before he would get really angry. Kaito was actually known for quite some outbursts when angered enough.


    "Urgh, alright. I will."


    "Then go ahead."


    "Huh?"


    "I mean Hinata her request. Answer her."


    "But its Hinata-chan. I am sure as soon as we eat together, she will be dead silent as always anyway."


    Kaito on the other hand now became furious. That sentence earned him a real hard hit on his head from him. This idiot actually can''t see a forest even if it is right in front of him.


    "OUCH! Hey!", rebuked Naruto and rubbed his bump.


    "You deserve it. Sorry, Hinata-chan. Of course, we would like to eat together. Don''t mind him having a sour mood today.", smiled Kaito at Hinata and accepted on his brother''s behalf.


    Hinata seemed to be happier but also concerned. "Really?", she asked with uncertainty. Her gaze went back an forth from each of them.


    "Alright.", replied Naruto and looked at Sakura.


    Kaito did notice his gaze and look towards the pink-haired girl as well. ¡äThis brother of mine...Blindly chasing after a goose while there is a swan trying to approach him.¡ä


    "Then let''s move over.", ordered Kaito to him to change places so they could eat.


    Naruto returned his attention to them and nodded.

 Chapter 13 - Understanding

    "Um..." Hinata tried to say something while fidgeting with her fingers.


    Kaito looked at her while eating the bento that Hinata prepared for them. It was a very kind gesture.


    When he first saw that Kaito became a little bit thoughtful. He could do them as well but totally ignored that fact and rarely prepared proper meals for him and his brother.


    Looks like his laziness was showing in that point. But even his mindset was more on cooking a proper meal at home than actually take the time and prepare detailed stuff for school to only be wolfed down in a limited time.


    So to make it up he thought to return the favor sometime.


    Naruto was also extremely happy about not needing to eat that premade stuff from the convenience store.


    It also seems Naruto started to appreciate freshly made cooking over fast food like cups of ramen.


    There was even a time where he challenged Kaito''s cooking. The theme was making delicious ramen.


    Kaito nailed the challenge and even Teuchi who is an expert at ramen was amazed - he used his equipment by the way.


    And at the end of it all, he even improved the nutrient value of nearly all recipes at Ichiraku''s place.


    Cooking at level 57, huh? Cheat-skills are really broken at some things. He probably could now take part in Shokugeki no Soma and win those kitchen battles.


    That was what he felt like. Was it viable? That was another matter entirely.


    Looking at Naruto he bumped his side lightly with his elbow to get him to pay attention.


    "Is something, Hinata-chan?", he asked while taking another bite. "The bento is tasty", he remarked. Naruto still chomping down the food.


    Hinata got a slight blush. "Um...This month...I celebrate...and I thought if...by any chance..." She was stuttering around with her words.


    Kaito had to smile at how cute she looked to try and find her courage. Then he thought about something.


    "Ah, it''s your 8th birthday soon, isn''t it? Do you want to invite us? Of course, we will come. Right, Naruto?" Kaito helped her out and grinned towards his brother.


    "Hmm? Do we even have anything to gift to Hinata- chan?", asked Naruto back.


    "Why are you suddenly thinking about something like that? We will manage to find something. How about an answer?", sighed Kaito.


    "Sure, I don''t mind." Then he grinned after rethinking something. "Right, we would to get to see that huge house from inside."


    "Looks like he easily agreed.", smiled Kaito back at Hinata.


    "Um, actually, the celebration is somewhere else.", said Hinata and kinda crushed Naruto his hopes.


    "Eh, really!? Man..."


    "Father says people not from the clan shouldn''t come there...I am sorry." Hinata apologized.


    "Hm? It is alright. Where is it being held at?", asked Kaito. He had a clear understanding now why Hiashi would act like that. The kidnapping of his daughter and sacrifice of his twin probably made him somewhat paranoid.


    "Its that new burger place...", she said.


    "Oh, I know that. Well, it certainly does have enough space. Are the others also coming?"


    Hinata nodded. "Yes, I hope so. You are the first I asked."


    Kaito smiled. "I see. Hey, how about we help you to ask everyone. That way it should be faster, right? Can''t let you do everything."


    "Yeah, I agree. I will talk to Sasuke.", nodded Naruto.


    "Um, alright. Thank you.", she said.


    "You''re welcome. It is us that need to thank you. This is actually the first birthday party we are invited at.", explained Kaito.


    "Really? But Shikamaru and the others..." Hinata looked at the others.


    "Well, Shikamaru isn''t the type to celebrate. Choji his family doesn''t seem to have a favorable opinion of us because of something about only real friends are welcome and stuff? And Ino is not exactly close to us. She is spending more time with Sakura over there. But this is actually a good opportunity. We could get to know each other better. Maybe then we will see this more often.", grinned Kaito.


    "I am also certain now that we will hold a party next year as well. And we will definitely invite our cute Hinata-chan.", he added.


    Hinata blushed even harder now. "Really? I am glad."


    "Yeah, believe it!", added Naruto with an excited grin. Just hearing his brother''s words made him hyped. A party - it was something the two of them mostly had celebrated alone or lately at Ichiraku''s with Teuchi and Ayame.


    But never did they invite others of their age group. He found it exciting. It even made him more excited about Hinata''s birthday.


    "Then this is settled now. Let us get to work after we finished eating, alright?"


    "Got it. I will make sure that most of us will come to your birthday.", promised Naruto to Hinata.


    She only nodded at him. Her face still red from her emotions.


    And after they finished up they started to talk to everyone to get them to join.


    It wasn''t hard to convince Shikamaru and Chouji but it did take a little bit more effort to do so with the others. Sasuke especially.


    But even that gloomboy accepted after Kaito told him he would do a sparing with him as compensation.


    It has to be noted that he was always eager to measure his own skill with that of Kaito. He was so simpleminded it was already scary. Or was it blinded by revenge?


    But Kaito did notice some change in him. At least if he compared him to the memories he had. His personality was a little bit softer.


    Come to think of the memories. Kaito was still unsure what to make of them. He did ask himself philosophical questions about his existence like who he was now.


    Was he his old self before his rebirth or was he the new him - Kaito. Or was he a new being with a new personality entirely?


    It drove him literally somewhat mad. He knew about stuff but even that seemed to be with gaps. There were still a lot of things missing. At least he felt like it did.


    It was just weird. Just the fact that he himself should have not existed here made him sad and angry at the same time. The feeling of him being just a placeholder somewhat let him feel depressed.


    Looking at his brother he could only sigh.


    "Is something the matter?", asked Naruto.


    Kaito wanted to say nothing but thought about yesterday. A smile appeared on his face. ''This fool just genuinely worries about me...''


    "I am just thinking about some stuff. I think I should start to intensify our training regime."


    "What!? Really!? Do we have to?" Naruto became somewhat shocked and started pleading for it not to be the case. He dreaded the training lately.


    "No, it has to be done.", snickered Kaito now.


    It really has to. Only a few years remain until the exam. He was not worried about it but more about the events after it.


    Now that he also had his memories back he should start intensifying his training.

 Chapter 14 - Experiments Part 1

    Kaito and Naruto said their goodbyes to their classmates and walked back home. They all would meet up later at Hinata¡äs birthday.


    It was like that because Kaito completely forgot that school would have a vacation over the winter. So Hinata asking them today was somewhat understandable. As well as Naruto being unhappy about him intensifying the training.


    But on the current day, he didn''t start anything and first needed to think things through.


    That is also why Kaito was currently sitting on his bed and only meditating. His state was actually a disguise since he already created a room with the ID-Create Skill he got after thinking about how to train without being too flashy.


    Apparently the skill uses up 50% of his current Chakra to be activated.


    *Instant Dungeon Create (LVL 1)*--(Active):


    Creates a separate dimension that the user automatically enters. A clone of the user is created and put in a meditative state until the user leaves said dimension. Currently no special options. Time can be adjusted to 1:5 and the user¡äs body is in tune with the time outside the dimension. Chakra is used as a resource to create the dimension. Cost 50% CP.


    Kaito sighed while reading the skill description of his skill tab again.


    "It¡äs really going to be a bummer leveling this skill. It practically says to me to not use it too often. At least five hours here equal one in the real world. What makes me surprised though is that it looks like I don''t need to worry about aging too fast..."


    Then he looked around.


    "Come to think, this place is just a wide green plain with nothing in it..." Looking behind himself he saw a little wooden hut. "Except for that...It kinda reminds me of the time chamber from Dragonball...Urgh, it¡äs still weird to know stuff that sounds like it comes from some show..."


    A short moment of silence before he rubbed his hair furiously. "Damn! Stop thinking crap!"


    "For me, it is as real as it can be now...Right, I should get to work. I only got less than 5 hours now to train...", he put a hand to his chin and thought a little.


    "How do I even start?"


    "Should I focus on Jutsu? But my chakra is still low for my level and already half depleted anyways. And in five hours I won''t regenerate enough to practice anything..."


    "Maybe chakra control? Sounds good...But I don''t have any trees here nor a lake to perform either tree climbing or water walking..."


    "Come to think the library in the academy also didn''t have any books on that. I guess it is too dangerous because young people could fall from high places or drown. In both cases dying I guess...It looks like since peace came to be a lot of material was put away from the academy."


    "Hmm, I also could just train my general attributes...Status."


    ----Status----


    Name: Kaito Uzumaki


    Job: Academy Student - Year 4


    Level: LVL 2 Next Level: 18.57%


    Title: The Demon Twin


    HP: (100%)--138 (+4)(-25% Debuff)


    CP: (51%) --765 (x5) (+15)


    STR: 13


    VIT: 18 (+6)


    AGI: 13


    INT: 15


    LUCK: 25


    Points: 10


    Money: 67.000 RYO


    "My old self...no it should be I...I didn''t bother distributing the points. Lucky that I didn''t know what they were for...But that level progress is really irking me. No wonder The Gamer was only LVL 2 when he was in high school. It is so slow but at least my attributes are growing through my training."


    "I should keep it that way until I graduate and see how far I can push those stats. It would be a clear waste using them now."


    Thinking a little bit more about how to start time flew by pretty fast. Now with all the information he had in his mind, it was somewhat hard to find a clear start. But he soon nodded to himself.


    "Why am I such an idiot. I should build up my foundations first. It is the basis of everything. Even my skills are based on it. My Kenjutsu and Shuriken-Jutsu, for example, are only one aspect of many weapons. If I learned other things like spear-wielding or the bow or something like a whip I would probably learn a higher tier skill that incorporates mastery of weapons in general."


    *WIS has increased by 1 for enriching one¡äs knowledge.*


    Starring at the new pop up Kaito just blinked a few times.


    "Well, that proves it I guess."


    "Then the first thing is to strengthen my body and max out my affinities. I can learn Jutsu later and my affinities would help me to improve them anyway."


    "Let''s see..."


    ----Affinities:----


    Water (Chakra) - 52 (High): EXP up when learning water-related Jutsu +50%


    Wind (Chakra) - 25 (Low): EXP up when learning wind-related Jutsu +25%


    Lightning (Chakra) - 25 (Low): EXP up when learning lightning-related Jutsu +25%


    Fuinjutsu/Sealing(Space/Time) (Chakra) - 50 (High): EXP up when learning sealing-related Jutsu +50%


    "Those should be my chakra natures. I wondered already what this meant. So unlike my brother, I am a water type?"


    Kaito sighed and then stretched out his hand.


    "Let¡äs start with this."


    He slowly gathered some chakra at his palm and let it rotate clockwise. It was after all his natural flow. The same applied for him being right-handed and his hair having the root twirl to the right. It was important to take note of that or else you could damage your inner organs while letting chakra flow through you.


    At some point, a little whirlwind of chakra gathered on his palm. "And now to the other side..." But at the exact same point when he tried to counter and redirect the flow the chakra dispersed into the air.


    "Damn it. It is really hard. No wonder it is an A-Class Jutsu. But I won''t just give up! If one hand is not enough then two should do."

 Chapter 15 - Experiments Part 2

    It was basically the same method Naruto was using but instead of creating clones that helped Kaito had enough control to separate two tasks. Of course, forming this Jutsu with only one hand was out the question even for him.


    His action did bear fruits but at the critical phase, it would always disperse.


    "Come on, dammit!" Kaito even became somewhat annoyed. "Fine, then I will just use more chakra."


    And with that, his experiment succeeded. Sadly only for just a short second. The chakra he gathered had built up together and twirled around each other and also started to become frantic in every direction.


    Soon it shaped a small ball. But unlike the thought it did not stabilize and actually exploded in his face, sending him a few meters flying.


    Kaito just lay there exhausted.


    "That ain''t going to work...Status."


    ----


    Wind (Chakra) - 26 (Low): EXP up when learning wind-related Jutsu +25%


    ----


    "Huh...Just as I guessed. My affinity for wind is still too low. I am probably lucky enough being able to compensate it with my control...But that also shows I can increase them. That makes up my mind. I should start by increasing them first."


    He stood back up and scratched his head.


    "What was the training method again? Trying to cut a leaf with chakra? Guess I will have to pick a tree clean and use them. That should help me get wind to at least 50 I think. I do wonder when a chakra nature shows itself on a chakra paper?"


    Then a gong resounded through the dimension.


    "Huh? Did I already use up two hours? How the hell did I end up spending 10 hours on this experiment!" Now Kaito his face was dumbfounded. There was actually an option in the interface where he could set up a timer that would make a sound if a certain time passed in the real world.


    "Crap! Does that mean I only increased it by 1 in 10 hours? What the hell!? Just how much chakra do you need to max it out? Alright, looks like I will have to use that cheat as well..."


    "Kagebunshin no Jutsu!" After his words, a clone appeared beside him.


    "Nice, good thing I remembered the sign Naruto always used while performing this technique. Skills"


    *Shadow-Clone-Jutsu(LVL 1)*--(Active/Passive):


    A technique that creates a material copy of oneself. It is durable, can attack and is able to use chakra that it was provided with. If released in a 100m radius 100% of experience gathered by clones are transferred to the user. Beyond that range, only gathered information is transmitted. Destruction of the clone only transmits information of death. CP cost is % per clone. Currently, only 5 can be made with 100% Chakra without detrimental effects. The user keeps 20% Chakra to himself.


    "Whoa, shit. That technique really is a demanding beast. I guess Naruto just refilled his chakra with the Kyuubi every time he used it. That means I can at most do one clone when I am inside here for now. Any more and I would have no chakra to train. Damn ID cost..."


    "I guess we got a lot of work in front of us.", said the clone now and actually wanted to release himself from the Jutsu.


    "Wait! Don''t waste the chakra! At least let me beat you up and see how durable actually durable is."


    The clone got an annoyed face. "What? Am I some punching bag? Damn it, fine." It did rebuke the order but still gave in to the idea.


    So Kaito went ahead and punched the clone. After 2 hits it went puff into smoke.


    "Oh well. I will just let them train chakra control for now. Doing anything physical like sparing is an idiotic idea until the skill level increases and they become hardy."


    Kaito then started to think about where he should start with his nature training.


    "So if my thinking is correct I should first go wind, then lightning, then earth, followed by water and lastly fire. Going the other way around would just make it more difficult. I am pretty sure about that."


    "Come to think I don''t even know how to train the other elements...Another thing I need to find out while doing experiments. Great. My clone was right about us having a lot of things to do."


    "And then there is the fact that I need to keep an eye on them so that they don''t +kill+ themselves. Or else I would also waste chakra for nothing. Such a bothersome discovery."


    All in all, Kaito still smiled sheepishly about al this.


    "But it will be a lot of fun. Somehow my heart feels really excited about it. And this technique is really broken to no end. At least for Jinchuuriki. Right, I nearly forgot."


    ---


    *Jinchuuriki (LVL MAX)* -- ???


    "Why is this actually not showing anything? I do know it is the Kyuubi, so it should show the information by now. But it still is not doing it."


    "And then there is also that."


    ---


    *Uzumaki Kekkei Genkai - Adamantite Chakra Chains (LVL MAX)* -- (Unsealed)(Mutated):


    Very durable chakra chains that can be used as an offensive or defensive weapon.


    Has also many other utility functions. Can be used with Fuinjutsu.


    A mutation occurred - Crystalline Blood Chakra Chains - ???


    ---


    "This is really getting weird. I hope nothing bad happened when father sealed the Kyuubi into me...But I really have a bad feeling about it while thinking about it."


    "Oh well, time to get back." With his experiments done he walked to the hut and opened its doors. Walking through it he woke up from his meditation state and felt the sweat on his body.


    ¡äLooks like my body does show signs of my training. Alright, time for a shower I guess.¡ä, he thought and went ahead to refresh himself and go to bed after that.

 Chapter 16 - Friendship?

    "Stop pushing!" Naruto gritted his teeth and banged his forehead against Sasuke''s.


    They were starring at each other so intensely that literally sparks could be seen. These two were like fire and oil.


    "Idiot, how about you stop walking so slow. Wanna fight!?", replied Sasuke.


    "Stop that nonsense already. Why are you even in such a hurry to want to see who has a bigger stomach? Don''t go overboard or everyone will think you are both gluttonous morons.", sighed Kaito from the sidelines behind them.


    "He started it!" Naruto complained. "He thinks just because I had a stomachache last time that I was wasting food at Ichiraku¡äs!"


    "And that is why you want to see now who can eat more...? To prove you can eat a lot more? Why come to that idea?"


    Kaito really felt that his own mental age was screaming alarm bells and calling them idiots - both of them. That even Sasuke was so easily swayed.


    But in the end, they were still children and however much he found it idiotic, it also felt somewhat amusing. Their rivalry was going far beyond only being a ninja.


    "Anyway, it''s alright. But don''t do that today at Hinata''s birthday."


    The three of them were currently moving to the location of her party.


    "Remember that you owe me a spar for this later.", mentioned Sasuke when he looked back at Kaito.


    "Just enjoy being with people, Sasuke...There is still enough time to train."


    "That is what you say but I want to become stronger faster than this."


    "And destroy your foundation? You already sound like my brother. He also wants to learn advanced Jutsu without having the basics."


    "Him? He can''t even do the clone Jutsu properly.", snorted Sasuke and actually was amused by the thought.


    "That just goes to prove my point.", grinned Kaito and glanced towards Naruto.


    "Hey, I am still here, you jerks! Why are you both so obsessed with training lately anyway?", rebuked Naruto.


    His words had some weight to them since Naruto looked a little bit grumpy now.


    Naruto could keep up with Taijutsu and Ninjatools like shuriken since Kaito keeps him practicing those, but in Ninjutsu it was just a fact that Naruto was plain no good at it.


    The control of his chakra was just so weirdly bad that even Kaito was wondering about the reason why. He himself did not have such problems. And therefore he searched for the reason why his brother had that problem.


    But no matter what. Even with Kaito''s new memories and current knowledge at his disposal he could not figure it out. He could only sigh at his brothers progress.


    He would later have to push him really hard as soon as he finds a solution to it. At least he was determined to improve. And he knows very well that Naruto has a lot of potential in learning things fast.


    It was a good thing they do start Genjutsu theory in their next academy year. Maybe he could find some solutions then. After all, in that subject, they also start studying hand signs more deeply. Until now they never bothered about it since the three basic Jutsu they got taught don''t really need much of them.


    To be precise every single one of them just needed one. But Genjutsu is more complicated and requires more.


    Come to think, the last three years of the academy taught the most basic things like any other school from his old life would teach.


    Only that there was put more importance on sports and knowledge of the military tactics.


    "Just you wait. I will show you that I will be the strongest Hokage! And that means being stronger than you. Then I will make you swallow your words back.", declared Naruto and hit his ?h?st with his fist.


    "Come now. Since you two got nothing better to do then you can carry these." Kaito gave each of them a bag. Inside them were the gifts for Hinata. "Besides, why am I the only one carrying them."


    Naruto and Sasuke looked at the bags and then back at Kaito who was now walking leisurely in front of them. They then looked at each other and both sighed and followed him.


    ----------


    Later they stood together with the others in front of Hinata and shouted happily at her. "Happy Birthday, Hinata-chan!"


    Hinata saw all of them and smiled with a happy expression.


    Shikamaru was the first to take the initiative and bumped Naruto. He only looked back at him with a confused look.


    Kaito saw that and sighed. "Let¡äs go and present her gift."


    "Oh, right! Let¡äs do that." With that, both went forward and gave her the bag with the present.


    Hinata looked curiously inside the bag and took the object out. She was looking at it quite fiercely.


    Kaito scratched his head when he saw her somewhat blank stare. "Sorry if it isn''t much. We couldn''t really think of anything better. I hope you like the design."


    It was actually a coin pouch that was shaped in the form of an owl. It was in a mint green color and white circular marks around its black eyes. And what looked like two little ears was the mechanism to open and close it.


    "N..no, it''s cute. T...thank you very much." His words woke her up from her looking at it and she got a little bit nervous again. Well, in actuallity she was pretty nervous the whole time but now she started to stutter again.


    "See, she liked it." Naruto smiled. He was the one that came up with it. Kaito wasn''t good in things like that anyway. "Now you also got one like us, hehe."


    Hinata looked a little bit confused. Kaito rummaged in his ninja pouch and showed his own coin purse. It was in the shape of a wolfs head. Naruto did the same and showed his frog.


    Hinata became much happier seeing that they actually shared something in similarity. Just like armbands of friendship. She bowed to them. "Thank you!"


    "Whoa, no need for that. You are the person that has the birthday. We are just happy to see that you like it, Hinata-chan.", responded Naruto hastily.


    Kaito smiled and for the first time agreed to his brother''s response given to Hinata. "He is right. Just enjoy this. No need to be formal, Hinata-chan.", he added with a nod.


    One had to mention that Hinata¡äs father, Hiashi, was staring at the twins non-stop and his glare was pretty obvious to the two.


    "Hey, Kaito...Do you also think that Hinata-chan¡äs dad is scary? Why is he looking at us so much? Is he one of those that hate us?" Naruto was a little bit frightened by him.


    As for Kaito, he was pretty chill about it. "I don''t think that is the case. He is probably only keeping an eye on us. Probably because of Hinata. Look, from time to time you can see him glance over to her."


    Naruto noticed it as well when he mentioned that. "You are right. But still, why us?"


    Kaito looked at his brother. "I wonder..." Of course, he knew why but this dunce should figure it out himself. Maybe he will help him out later so that Hinata her effort gets not blocked by a wall of ignorance.


    ...


    Later they actually played the pinata game. It was actually a thing from the burger restaurant they used. By the looks, burgers were a thing with Mexican culture now. Come to think there were a lot of different cultures in this world as well. They weirdly enough got intermixed with a lot of other cultures.


    It was actually something Kaito never gave thought about but now he got a slight cultural shock from all those weird mixes.


    While Hinata was trying to hit the pinata Kaito came up with a weird idea and pushed his brother forward.


    "Ouch!" Naruto just rubbed his head and looked back at his brother with a weirdly scornful look in his teary eyes. Hinata sure didn''t hold back with that swing.


    Everyone present started laughing at that moment.


    "Huh? Naruto-kun!?" She took the blindfold off from her face and was surprised. She went to him and tried to apologize. "I...I am sorry! I didn''t mean to."


    "Urgh, its alright, Hinata-chan. You are not at fault. What the hell, Kaito!?", responded Naruto and now yelled at his brother slightly


    Kaito just laughed "Sorry, I must have tripped." He just shrugged his shoulders.


    "No, that was on purpose!"


    "Was it?", smiled Kaito back. "Come, I am sorry. Everythin alright?" He stretched a hand to his brother that was still crouching from the initial pain.


    He still grumbled but had to accept that. "I won''t forget that.", pouted Naruto. Kaito only smiled at that.

 Chapter 17 - Specialisation

    "Looks like everyone is present." Iruka gave the list of students a recheck and nodded tat everyone was present today.


    "Bushy eyebrows is not here, Iruka-sensei!", shouted Naruto with a raised hand.


    Iruka looked at him. "Oh, you mean Lee? Well, from today onword he is going to be a class above you. He was a special case that was admitted to the academy in the first place. And he was older than most of you. So now that he caught up with most of the basics, he went ahead to his proper age group."


    Putting the list aside on the table next to him, Iruka continued on. "In the first 3 years you all got taught very basic things and from today onward you will start being taught more ninjutsu theory. We will slowly see who really is suited to be a shinobi. But don''t be too afraid. Whoever is not suited will be able to go to different paths that are not that different. I hope that everyone here can still continue doing their best."


    Now even Kaito was intrigued. He also raised his hand to question Iruka. "Sensei, what different paths are those?"


    "This academy is actually primarily built for education and secondary for training shinobi. Not all people are suited for a life as a ninja. And maybe some are not even suited for the military. We are after all still an organization that deals with things that normal civilians cant do. Keep that in mind. Therefore after 3 years of basics, we will now come to the specializations."


    Iruka smiled and looked at a few individuals like Shikamaru. "Some of you are more suited for coming up with plans..." His gaze went to Kiba "Some may be better in sensory jobs..." Then he came back to Naruto "...And others...may actually become the backbone for others to rely on. It all depends on your individuality and talent. Even if you do not show any special talent in being an elite shinobi, you can still come to bloom in a team."


    "The village can''t just give the most talented people every little job there is. Not because they are too valuable or too good for the jobs but because they would run thin and weaken themselves. There are also, of course, bigger threats that elite shinobi can deal better than inexperienced ones."


    "Just look at me. I may not be a Jounin and only rank as a Chunin. But I am still a strong force of Konoha. And besides that, I also love my job as a teacher here at the academy. I am proud of teaching newer generations."


    Kaito thought about that. "So whoever here graduates as a Genin will be a valuable special unit? Then why was Lee put into a higher class?", he asked.


    "Special in the field they are excelling, yes.", nodded Iruka. "Lee is very talented in Taijutsu. Every one of you should know that by now. No one beat him in that department after all." A smile appeared on Iruka¡äs face. "But sadly he has a body condition that does not let him use chakra. Therefore having him still this year would be useless."


    Kaito frowned now. "How is he going to pass then? Is the exam tailored to each individual?" Now that he thought about it he wondered how Lee even ended up a Genin. He cant use chakra so how did he pass the exams?


    "That is correct. Every one of you will take a specified exam in your field that you will chose this year. But besides that, generally, most of you will still be judged on the same criteria. You can choose between a few subjects. There are Taijutsu, Genjutsu, Ninjutsu, Sensory and lastly the pretty new Medical specialization. Be mindful that you will have to at least choose one subject and can do up to 2 of them."


    After Iruka told them some more specified information the class starter discussing their own


    choices.


    "Hey, bro. What do are you going to choose?", asked Naruto now.


    "Hmm...I think I will go for Medical and Genjutsu. I can probably get the most out of those classes."


    Kaito just smiled. "You don''t need to follow me. Just choose something you like."


    After Naruto heard that he grinned. "Then its gotta be Ninjutsu!"


    "The idiot still chooses his worst subject.", commented Sasuke from the side.


    "What was that!?", gritted Naruto his teeth.


    ¡äHere we go again.¡ä Kaito only sighed and went over to Shikamaru¡äs group. "What about you guys? Know already what subject you will pick? Hmm, is that you, Ino?" When he noticed Ino he was a little bit surprised.


    "Yes? Who else am I supposed to be?", answered the blonde girl.


    "Well, your hair is somewhat longer. You let it grow over the vacation?" Kaito actually noticed that immediately


    Ino heard that and became all smiles. "Yeah, what do you think? Does it suit me?"


    "Not at all. Is it for Sasuke? You know he won''t say yes even if you do that.", deadpanned Kaito and Ino got a shocked expression. Kaito actually let that slip his mouth without thinking.


    "What the! Hmpf, go to hell! It¡äs not like you need to like it!", she raged now after being hurt.


    Kaito also became somewhat nervous. Her rage was something to be careful about "Wait! I didn''t mean it like that. I mean why do you still bother about him. I know him long enough to say that he is not interested in relationships right now. And what I meant to say was that your shorter hair was much cuter." He tried to weasel himself out somehow. And he did say the truth because he really liked her shorter hair a lot better.


    He still remembered the first time he saw her. He was practically speechless. At first, he never paid much attention but now with some of his memories back he always had those pictures of them in his mind that he changed and now put a lot more attention on everyone. And seeing Ino with shorter hair was a very pleasing surprise to him.


    "Huh?" Ino was actually surprised by his words now "Really...? Well, I will still let them grow...None of your business." She just looked away after that answer.


    Shikamaru sighed. "Nice safe..."


    "Looks like I won''t get an answer from her...

 Chapter 18 - Incident Part 1

    "So Shikamaru is also going for Ninjutsu and Chouji focuses more on Taijutsu? What about Ino?", asked Naruto with both his hands leisurely behind his head. They were currently finished with school


    "She didn''t tell me. I accidentally mentioned that time when we saw her get dumped by Sasuke... So I basically screwed up.", sighed Kaito and wanted to change the topic. "She is probably mad at me now."


    "Huh? That you would screw up something like that does not seem like you.", smiled Naruto. That smile even became a slight grin.


    "What is that supposed to mean?" Kaito raised a brow at that statement.


    Now Naruto became somewhat surprised. "You really don''t know? The girls seem to flock around you just like they do around Sasuke. I am surprised you mostly ignore them just the same as he does. But from your reaction just now it looks like you do it without even knowing...Damn, I get jealous. Why can''t I be that popular? I wonder if I try harder than Sakura-chan will notice me?"


    Kaito was amazed at how observant Naruto was and now told him something like that. He himself really did not notice it that much. Or maybe he already has built a blockade for most of them?


    Then Kaito looked more seriously at Naruto when he thought more about the content with Sakura. "Do you really like Sakura that much?"


    "Yeah! Believe it! Sakura-chan is so beautiful! And she is so kind, too!"


    "Kind? She is mostly ignoring you and often than not shouting at you. So how come you come to that conclusion of yours?"


    Kaito his eyes became wider. He really couldn''t understand that blinded determination he had with her and always thought he was only chasing her because of his rivalry with Sasuke. But hearing his words right now opened his eyes a little bit.


    After a short moment of silence and looking at Naruto, he smiled a little bit. "I see..." Yes, he nearly forgot that his brother was never someone that put a label on people before he didn''t meet them firsthand and got to know them.


    But just at that moment Kaito also had to think about Hinata again. No matter the world. It looked like relationships between people were always a complicated thing.


    "What about you. Do you like Hinata-chan?"


    "Huh!?" That question interrupted his thoughts and he looked at Naruto with an expression as if he got caught doing something bad.


    "Oh, it looks like I hit the bullseye, hehe." Naruto grinned at that discovery.


    Kaito only frowned. "No, that¡äs not it, you idiot."


    "Is it Ino then? Those are after all the only ones you interact with."


    "That¡äs also not the case! Stop being so nosy!" Now Kaito got a little blush on his face. It was really something else to talk with his brother about such things. Naruto was rather straight forward in that matter but he himself was rather insecure about stuff like that.


    "Ah, don''t tell me its also Sakura! I won''t hand her over!!" Naruto now put on a fighting pose against him.


    At that point, Kaito hit his head because he got annoyed. "Stop spouting nonsense! Why would I want to steal the girl you like!"


    "Ouch, you didn''t have to hit me for that...Bully. Well, I just want to know who you like. I also don''t want to take the girl you may have feelings for, you know."


    Kaito his eyes trembled at that moment. He didn''t know how to react to that. This brother of his.


    "Tsk, stop worrying about that. If something like that comes up you will know first." Kaito just looked away and walked a bit faster now. There was a smile on his face.


    Naruto stood there and looked at him walk away. With a sheepish grin and after rubbing his nose with a finger a little, he followed suit.


    ------


    A little bit later Kaito went ahead and started buying groceries. Naruto also took off on his own for the time being.


    "I am back!" When Kaito was finished and came back home he didn''t receive an answer from Naruto.


    "He isn''t here? Normally he wouldn''t take that long to get back.", murmured Kaito somewhat. It was already getting somewhat darker outside.


    Even after waiting a while he was still not coming so Kaito went ahead and also left the house again. Walking around the village and Naruto his favorite spot he came across Shikamaru.


    "Hey! Shikamaru, did you see my brother?"


    "Hmm? Yeah, I saw him talking to some other classmates not too long ago. I already told Iruka-sensei and he went to get him. Don''t tell me he isn''t back yet?"


    "What do you mean to get him?", asked Kaito again.


    "The others asked Naruto to get some evidence from the hill outside the village. There was apparently a battle a short time ago or something.", said Chouji now.


    "What!? Why would Naruto do that? No, scratch that. I think I know what happened. When was that?"


    "Yeah, they told him they would become friends. They basically tricked him. That is why I immediately told Iruka. It was not that long ago. Maybe 10 minutes?", said Shikamaru.


    "Damn! Thanks, see you!" With that Kaito ran off.


    "Maybe we shouldn''t have told him?", asked Chouji while putting snacks into his mouth.


    "No, it was the right thing to do. But I didn''t expect him to react like that. Normally he only reacts so agitatedly when something bad happened..."

 Chapter 19 - Incident Part 2

    Shortly after another person that walked past them stopped and came closer.


    "Hey, you. Aren''t you supposed to be home by now? It is getting late.", asked the person. His white hair was very eye-catching. And the head protector that the person wore was hiding his left eye.


    "Who are you?", asked Chouji


    "I am not allowed to talk to people I don''t know. Dad¡äs gonna be pissed.", added Shikamaru and looked at the person as well.


    "I see, well then. Shikamaru Nara and Chouji Akimichi, right?" The person knew their names.


    "How doy you know our names?", asked Chouji


    "You look a lot like your parents. Now, should I tell them that you are still lingering around so late? They are probably waiting for your return."


    "Tell them? We are just getting some snacks. We were about to return, right Shikamaru?"


    "That is right. We were just in a conversation that is why we are not finished here yet.", replied Shikamaru.


    "And what does take so long?"


    "Iruka went after Naruto? Is that true?"


    "Yeah, there is no doubt about it", nodded Shikamaru.


    "Alright, I see. You two better go home now."


    "Yes..." Chouji was a little bit sad he couldn''t get more snacks. But he still obeyed and went home with Shikamaru.


    ----


    In the forest hill, Kaito was running around searching for his brother. He already reached the supposed battle side. A lot of kunai and shuriken together with destroyed explosive tags were lying around on the ground.


    ¡äDamn it, Naruto. Where are you?¡ä


    Just at that moment, he could hear him screaming.


    ¡äThere!¡ä Kaito immediately ran after the voice.


    "Damn it!" He fell to the ground. He did try to get up again but only could roll over and look at his ?ssailants. Naruto placed the Kunai he found in front of himself to protect against any incoming attacks.


    "Brat, if you just had given us that Kunai on your own accord you may have lived. Now the punishment for stupidity is death."


    Naruto only glared at them and grit his teeth.


    When one of the women went forward she kicked his face and sent him unconscious. When she also wanted to slice Naruto with her Ninjato to secure the kill a few shuriken hit her neck. The expression on her face was that of shock. The blood flowed down her body and she fell down not moving any longer.


    "What!? There is an enemy!" The others became alerted and prepared to fight. Each of them jumped to another tree.


    One of the shinobi of what seemed the Takigakure headband noticed that the one that attacked was another kid with red hair.


    "Another brat!? God-damn! I had enough! Just kill this one as well. He may be more skilled but don''t be afraid." The leader of the ground shouted angrily and jumped down to get rid of Kaito.


    Kaito his hands were still trembling from him throwing the shuriken. His breathing was unsteady and his eyes were looking at the blood that tricked out of the woman¡äs neck on the ground. His vision became even somewhat blurry and he got nausea.


    ¡äDamn it. This feels so wrong...¡ä The feeling of taking someone''s life felt so bad and the blood just reminded him of the nightmares he had from time to time.


    And he couldn''t allow himself to get weak at this point. The enemy was already approaching. So he gritted his teeth and collected his last remaining resolve.


    But in actuality, it didn''t matter much. That one kill was only luck. The enemy was so fast that Kaito couldn''t really do much. The gap in skill was too great. A small child against seasoned shinobi was just a joke.


    He could only block some half-hearted attacks before he got ?ssaulted by the sheer number of projectiles. Kaito made sure no vital points were hit but the pain he felt was still intense after the others did hit his body.


    It was a pain that he thought never existed. Deep and lingering pain. A pain that scorched the insides of his body as intense as it could. And at some point, his body couldn''t handle the blood loss from the wounds and he fell to the ground.


    A child''s body was just not made for war. No matter how young one started with training.


    And a wound on the side of his stomach was dying the ground red now. His gaze was still fixed on his brother that was also still lying there unconscious. A hand was reaching to him.


    "Look...He is trying to get to his friend...", said one of the women. The leader of the enemies watched and sighed. "...Just get it over with and free him from his pain..."


    Now Kaito could see himself right in front of the reaper.


    ¡äIs that it? Am I just going to die like this? Damn...it...Real combat is so different...I am sorry...Naruto...please...survive...¡ä


    -


    But after darkness, his eyes opened once again. What he saw was a white ceiling. Looking around he could see that he was in the hospital.


    His body was patched with bandages around his torso but it was still aching and very weak. He b?r?ly could move withoit feeling pain.


    What he did notice was someone lying near his legs. That someone was full of blonde hair.


    It was Naruto that was sleeping soundly and waiting for him to wake up.


    ¡äLooks like I still had some luck left...But before I wake him...I should...rest as well...¡ä


    With that, his sleepy eyes closed themselves again.


    ----


    "He woke up?"


    "Very good. Thank you for informing me." Hiruzen sighed in relief.

 Chapter 20 - Determination

    "Kaito...I am sorry..." Naruto had his head downcast. He was apologizing to his brother for doing such a reckless action. That it would end up like this. Who would really think that enemies would lurk so close to the village?


    Kaito turned his head away from the window he was looking through and watched his brother.


    "Don''t worry. Everything is fine, no?", said Kaito with a smile and slowly approach him with the crutch under his left arm. It seemed that he broke the left bone below his kneecap when he blocked an attack.


    The adrenaline at the time didn''t let him realize it. But now that his body was slowly healing he clearly felt it.


    Kaito was actually surprised that his body wasn''t regenerating as expected. Such wounds should normally not take that long to heal, right? But he was new to this and he did remember Naruto being hurt from time to time.


    His bias about the later powers he has, tend to cloud his judgment. At least at some things.


    "But this only happened because I wanted to prove myself being a good ninja...and to make friends..."


    "There is nothing wrong with that. Connecting with people, no matter what is something I am proud of you, Naruto. I don''t blame you for any of this."


    "But!" Now Naruto started to get louder and one could see small teardrops collecting in his eyes. "You still got hurt trying to protect me!"


    With that sentence, he actually started to cry a little.


    Kaito narrowed his eyes. "Naruto...You should understand that what we are doing is not always fun and games. The way of Shinobi is a hard one. People get hurt and blood always flows. But even then you should still protect what you believe in. Will you just stop doing what you wanted to do? Are you going to break the Nindo you promised to always keep?"


    "It is up to us to change all of this. We should never give up!", added Kaito and proclaimed once more their ninja way. He also followed the same path. After all, it was the one he chose before he got his memories. And why bother to stop following it? He will just roll with it.


    Naruto looked at him and wiped away the tear stains. Then his face became firm and he fist-bumped Kaito¡äs outstretched fist.


    "Dattebayo!(Believe it!)", said Naruto with a very firm voice.


    "Let us become stronger so that neither of us ever ends up in such a situation again." After those last words Kaito took his right fist back. Naruto only nodded to that and grinned again.


    "Who saved us?", asked Kaito now.


    "It was Iruka-sensei...He somehow managed to find us...", replied Naruto.


    Kaito smiled now. "See, he isn''t all that bad, right? Looks like we have to thank him. How about it? Do we invite him to Ichiraku¡äs? I saw him there from time to time."


    Now that Naruto became somewhat happier he also felt relieved. But in his mind, he would still remember this and always think back when training later.


    "Sure, I am hungry as hell!"


    Naruto flinched as if he was caught. "I didn''t! I swear!"


    "What, are you telling me you somehow didn''t miss my cooking at all and learned how to cook? I wonder what happens if I get home? Will I find chaos?" Naruto flinched again when he heard his questions.


    Kaito then laughed lightly. "Go back home and get some rest. I am probably gonna be here for a few more days."


    "Eh, really?"


    "Well, I am still not fully healed. It''s not like the doctor will let me go anyway."


    "Alright. I will be back tomorrow. See ya."


    "Take care." With Naruto leaving Kaito looked back outside through the window.


    ----


    A week later Kaito was already discharged from the hospital. The injuries did heal much faster than normal. At least for such degree of wounds.


    "What did you say just now?" Hiruzen his face became stern and his friendly old man smile disappeared.


    "You heard me correctly, lord third.", said Kaito without repeating at first. "I am not the same boy from the time you met us."


    He was talking about the time when Naruto and he were still in the orphanage. The two once went outside into the forest and foraged it for food. At some point, Hiruzen came to them and introduced himself as an old friendly man. Later both of them would find out that he was the current Hokage.


    "I want to become stronger. And for that...I need our inheritance. I want to learn every jutsu that my mother and father had left behind. I am sure you are someone that has them.", repeated Kaito now.


    Hiruzen looked at him. "When did you...?"


    "For quite a while now...I know even about the Kyuubi."


    "I see." Hiruzen took a deep breath of his pipe and exhaled it. He was clearly agitated now. "But even if you ask me such a thing I can not just give them to you. That is even if I have those things you want."


    "I know pretty well that you do. The fourth...No...My father was a very dutiful person that took pride in this village. I am pretty sure every Jutsu he made he also contributed to the village. That means that you should know them."


    Hiruzen frowned now. "That still doesn''t make you eligible for them. The ones your father was famous for are also A to S class jutsu that can only be handed to people with high merit to the village."


    "That is not what I meant with my words. They are beyond your level of comprehension. I admire your thirst for getting stronger but you need to slowly build up. I wouldn''t want you to kill yourself. I would even prefer if you two never knew about your parents."


    "...At least let me study them. I promise to burn the copies. Sealing should not be that dangerous, right?" Kaito still tried to somehow persuade Hiruzen. he knew from the start that this talk would have a high probability to fail.


    Hiruzen just looked at him and stayed quiet. "Are you actually trying to play around with the seal on you?"


    Kaito flinched. Did Hiruzen actually think he would unseal Kurama? "No, of course not. Why would I do that? I only want to become stronger to protect those dear to me. Even this village that I have little good memories still is like family. Those shinobi watching over us should know that."


    Hiruzen his eyes became wider. "I see...Fine, but you will only read them once and right in front of me....ANBU..."


    A shinobi appeared. "Yes, Hokage-sama?"


    "Bring me the copies of all Uzumaki Fuinjutsu stored and also the flying thundergod scroll as well as a copy of the Rasengan."


    "Hiruzen, are you out of your mind!?", an elderly person on the right of Hiruzen was shouting now. He kept quiet all the time but could not stay silent any longer.


    "This is my decision, old friend. Let us see what the young lads can do. I am quite intrigued. I will take full responsibility if something happens.", denied Hiruzen and didn''t want any more talk on that matter.


    Kaito his eyes started to glimmer. "I can really learn them?"


    "It will depend on you...I will give you that chance. Whatever you can grasp of the contents inside those scrolls is up to you. You may only read them once. After that, I will destroy them. And to make sure they don''t leave this building you will have to read it in front of me. Understood?"


    "Yes! Thank you very much, lord third!", said Kaito and bowed a little. Internally he was grinning from one ear to the other.


    It seems Hiruzen wanted to ?ssess his talent but with his gamer ability, he would probably learn those Jutsu just by touching the scrolls.


    The only thing that would give him a headache is those old fogies watching. Now that bastard Danzo also probably knows. Every information for that vulture is like a luxury meal.


    But Kaito was sure he would now begin his ruthless training. And having his inheritance will be a good start. Especially since seals are not taught in the academy because of their complexity.

 Chapter 21 - Learning

    After some time the Anbu member returned with a big scroll that was the size of a human.


    Because the room was already not the old office of the Hokage they could pretty much start immediately. Otherwise, space would be way too narrow to do anything of this kind.


    The Anbu opened the scroll and after a short sign printing, he retrieved the objects that were sealed inside the scroll. Wich was a bunch of smaller scrolls that were now piled into a pyramid. Then he places two other scrolls near that.


    When he finished his work he disappeared together with the huge scroll.


    Kaito was kinda curious about this. It was after all very much like his inventory.


    Knowing it was about time to get started he came closer to the scrolls and sat down.


    The room was filled with tatami mats and sitting on the floor without a chair was rather comfortable.


    "Remember what I said.", mentioned Hiruzen again to him.


    Kaito only nodded and picked up a certain scroll that was labeled as Rasengan. He picked that scroll because he wanted to know something first.


    Just when he touched the scroll a window popped up just as he predicted.


    +You¡äve obtained the skill scroll [Rasengan]+


    +Would you like to learn the skill? Y/N+


    He chose not to learn the scroll. That is because it would disappear into nothingness if he accepted.


    How would he explain that right in front of the Hokage?


    He was also only trying to find something out first. So he should be fine on this scroll. Doing it the old fashioned way will get him less suspicion.


    After opening the scroll he looked through the content and most of it was pretty straightforward. Explaining a little bit of chakra manipulation and how the technique is performed.


    Because Kaito already tried to perform the Rasengan he could follow the content very well. What actually surprised him was that he found out why his own try failed so grandly.


    ¡äI actually forgot about compressing the chakra to keep it stable as a sphere...¡ä


    +You are reading knowledge about the skill [Rasengan]+


    +Would you like to comprehend this skill? Y/N+


    ¡äHmm? Again that window?¡ä, thought Kaito.


    Raising his brows a little he wondered about which choice to make. That is before the elder snorted. It seems he noticed his raised brow and thought Kaito was stumped at the content.


    "See, this kid is completely confused about the content in the scroll."


    Kaito raised his head and looked at the man. He gave him a look as if he saw some idiot who can''t stay quiet and had to use every moment to get attention.


    "Is it too hard to understand?", asked Hiruzen now.


    Kaito shook his head in denial. "No, I was just surprised at something that is written inside."


    ¡äFine you old foggy. Let''s play that game. Yes¡ä, thought Kaito after looking at the elder and focusing at the scroll where the window was still open.


    It suddenly vanished and another window appeared.


    +Please read the whole content. Current Progress 88%+


    Kaito just did that and read the rest of the scroll.


    Suddenly some information appeared in his head. It was weird to describe but it was like he understood the Rasengan a lot more now. How it should be performed and when to use it.


    But what actually was a good thing is that the scroll did not disappear.


    ¡äRight...Doing it the old way and learning things by reading and understanding them actually works as well...I should probably just accept that...¡ä


    Rolling up the scroll he put it to the side and started reading the other scrolls as well. He took some time for each of them to read. Some of them were actually difficult to understand.


    Especially the Fuinjutsu got harder and harder. But luckily there were some basic ones where he could get the fundamental knowledge from.


    +Skill [Flying Thunder God] learned+


    +Skill [Five Elemental Seal] learned+


    +Skill [Seal Mark] learned+


    +Skill [Chakra Seal] learned+


    There were various sealing techniques in those scrolls. There were even the ones to store objects inside scrolls as the Anbu did.


    So basically a lot of basic seals. Most of them were likely used in the military police forces.


    Things that were not included were the forbidden ones like the [Dead Demon Consuming Seal] and that was for obvious reasons.


    Weirdly enough Hiruzen actually included the [Five Elements Seal].


    He was cautious but at the same time ???ky? After all he did ask about the seal on himself.


    Did he think that Kaito would not be able to learn them nor reverse engineer the unseal versions? Or just simply trust?


    But Kaito did not bother about that matter for long.


    When he finished reading all the scrolls his head stsrted to hurt a little. It looked like a slight headache was incoming. But he still managed to stuff all of them inside his head.


    +Through reading various knowledge your INT increased permanently by 3.+


    ¡äOh, interesting...¡ä Just when he wanted to check them out he was interrupted.


    "Already giving up?"


    Kaito was now really annoyed by this old bastard. "I am finished in memorizing them..."


    "Hmpf, playing tough it seems. Well, it doesn''t matter. Now that you had your request granted you should be happy?" The elder waved with a hand and actually destroyed the scrolls with a fire Jutsu before Kaito even answered.


    Kaito was also amazed that his control was so good that no flame damaged anything other than the scrolls.


    He didnt even see him printing. Dangerous fella.


    "Kaito, I am going to ask that you keep everything here a secret...That does include your brother.", said Hiruzen now. Looks like he was trading these skills for his loyalty and word to keep quiet.


    "That is fine...Well, I will be on my way then." With a short bow, Kaito left the room and later the Hokage office.

 Chapter 22 - Fruits

    "What do you think? Did he really get something from the scrolls?" Hiruzen sat inside his office now without the elders and only a man with black hair and the usual Konoha attire stood in front of him.


    "He has a bright head. I am sure of that. And I think his determination is real. But he probably only has memorized one of the scrolls. There were, after all, some A and S class Jutsu in the pile. And even if he understands, it would be hard to learn, no?", answered the person.


    Hiruzen smoked his pipe. "I guess you are right. But it is still surprising how he read them so fast. Well, let''s just hope he didn''t waste his own opportunity."


    "Yes, otherwise Danzo is going to pick on him. He has lately gotten sloppy and revealed some of his footsteps."


    "Are you telling the truth, Kano? So we found some leads?"


    "Nothing concrete but I am getting there. But I swear on my pride and duty that he is already up to something."


    "...I guess I will take your word then. After all, you are the Commander of my Anbu forces. Anyway, please strengthen the observation of the twins. We definitely can''t let anything like last time happen. I don''t want to even think if something like the accident with the Hyuga and Uchiha happens again. We lost already too much...Peace...May be very thin at the moment...."


    "Yes, Hokage-sama." Just before he wanted to leave he stopped.


    "Right, I still got this document addressed to you. It is from someone you know." He handed over the papers.


    Hiruzen opened it and read it.


    "...Oh my..."


    "How should we deal with it?", asked Kano.


    "Just the normal procedure. Actually...We could establish a team with this. But for now, it will be delayed."


    ---------------------


    Serenity was everywhere. The current place was very quiet and tranquil.


    There was only the sound of rustling trees from the forest and water that was falling and clashing with a lake below it.


    The source of that sound of water was a waterfall that was in a small clearance that was surrounded by a lush and thick forest.


    Right underneath that waterfall, one could see 5 shadows sitting in a crosslegged position and letting the water fall unto their backs.


    All of them also seemed to move their hands from time to time.


    Taking a closer look one could see it was actually Kaito and the movements of the hands were hand signs for kneading chakra.


    He was currently doing training and split himself into those 5 clones. What he did exactly was also pretty simple.


    He was meditating underneath the waterfall and circulated his chakra in the same way the water flowed.


    "Ugh...I am nearly gone...", mentioned one of the guys. Another Kaito reacted to that and stood up.


    He then ran over the lake in front of them and only stopped when he was on the land on the other side of it.


    Putting one hand in front of his ?h?st and doing the hand sign for a Jutsu release was all it took for the shadow-clones under the waterfall to disappear. In the end, it was just straightening his index- and middle finger.


    "Phew...Guess that''s it for today on this site." It was the original Kaito that was talking now. He was currently rubbing his forehead because of the information he was ?ssaulted by. And not only that but also the exhaustion they all experienced.


    He clasped both his hands together now and the surrounding scenery changed back to the old one where only a hut stood around on a plain field. He was currently in his own instant dungeon.


    "Let¡äs see how far I have come. In a few days, we are going to have our graduation day. I haven''t looked at this for quite a long time now. Status.", he mumbled.


    It was really time for that soon. Since the last meeting with the Hokage 4 whole years went by in a flash.


    -------


    ----Status----


    Age: 12


    Job: Academy Student - Year 8


    Level: LVL 17 Next Level: 78.23%


    Title: The Demon Twin


    HP: 544 (+5,8%)--> 575 (-25% Debuff) --> 431


    CP: 372 (+5,8%) --> 393 (x5) --> 1965


    STR: 30.8 ( Base 28 + 2.8)


    VIT: 54.4 (Base 34 +17 + 3.4)


    AGI: 40.7 (Base 37 + 3.7)


    WIS: 26.4 (Base 22 +2.2 + 2.2)


    LUCK: 28


    Points: 85


    Money: 21.114.670 RYO


    ----Affinities:----


    Water (Chakra) - 100 (Natural): EXP up when learning water-related Jutsu +100%, Jutsu PWR +50%, WIS +10%


    Fire (Chakra) - 84 (Perfect): EXP up when learning fire-related Jutsu +75%, Jutsu PWR +25%, STR +10%


    Wind (Chakra) - 92(Perfect): EXP up when learning wind-related Jutsu +75%, Jutsu PWR +25%, AGI +10%


    Lightning (Chakra) - 88 (Perfect): EXP up when learning lightning-related Jutsu +75%, Jutsu PWR +25%, INT +10%


    Fuinjutsu/Sealing(Space/Time) (Chakra) - 72 (High): EXP up when learning sealing-related Jutsu +50%, Jutsu PWR +25%


    Yin(Reality) (Chakra) - 100 (Natural): EXP up when learning Genjutsu-related Jutsu +100%, Jutsu +50% PWR, All Mind STATS + 10%


    Yang(Life) (Chakra) - 65 (High): EXP up when learning Medical-related Jutsu +50%, Jutsu PWR +25%


    ----Skills----


    --General--


    *Cooking (LVL 78)*--(Active):


    *Observe (LVL 4/10)*--(Active):


    *Instant Dungeon (LVL 24)*--(Active):


    *Meditation (LVL 58)*--(Active/Passive):


    --Shinobi-Related--


    *Sign-Printing(LVL 85)*--(Passive):


    *Shuriken-Jutsu(LVL 60)*--(Passive):


    *Kenjutsu(LVL 46)*--(Passive):


    *Taijutsu(LVL 63)*--(Passive):


    *Genjutsu(LVL58)*--(Passive):


    *Medical(LVL42)*--(Passive):


    *Ninjutsu(LVL52)*--(Passive):


    *Fuinjutsu(LVL 42)*--(Passive):


    -----Ninjutsu-----


    -Neutral-


    *Clone-Jutsu(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Transformation-Jutsu(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Substitution-Jutsu(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Leaf Body-Flicker Technique (LVL 26)*--(Active):


    *Thunder Body-Flicker Technique (LVL 46)*--(Active):


    *Rasengan (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    -Water-


    *Natural Water Bullet (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Great Water Ball (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Water Clone (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Water Prison(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Mist Technique*(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Great Waterfall(LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    -Fire-


    *Great Fireball (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Great Flame Rasengan (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Smoldering Summer Heat (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    -Wind-


    *Great Breakthrough (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Tornado Rasengan (LVLMAX)*--(Active):


    *Rasenshuriken(LVL 11)*--(Active):


    *Rho Aias (LVL 9)*--(Active):


    -Lightning-


    *Raikiri* (LVL 9)*--(Active):


    *Chidori* (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Shiden (LVL 31)*--(Active):


    *Vanishing Rasengan(LVLMAX)*--(Active):


    *Thunderclap (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Heavens Smite (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    -Earth-


    *Earth Wall (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    *Earth Armor (LVL 73)*--(Active):


    *Stone Ball Rasengan (LVL MAX)*--(Active):


    -Fuin-


    *Five Elemental Seal (LVLMAX)*--Active):


    *Chakra Seal(LVL MAX)*--Active):


    *Seal Mark(LVL MAX)*--Active):


    *Flying Thunder God (LVL 34)*--Active):


    -Yin-


    *Shadow-Clone-Jutsu(LVL 68)*--(Active):


    *Dai-Rasen-Ringan(LVLMAX)*--(Active):


    -Yang-


    *Mystical Palm Technique(LVL 48)*--(Active):


    -------


    Kaito slowly started to laugh.


    "Well, I guess that is a start. I concentrated so much on the chakra control that I nearly forgot about keeping up with my ninjutsu and physical skills."


    He clenched a hand into a fist and looked at it. Now he only smiled.


    "I think it should do for now. This strength will be a good starting point. But that I still haven''t perfected my control. That worries me somehow. It really is something else...Well, I do kinda still struggle at training my nature manipulation..."


    He just sighed and thought about something else.


    "Then again I am an idiot to try and master everything in just 4 years. Others would take decades to even get to this point."


    "I am sure if I could get freaking access to the chakra reserver that Kurama has it would be so much easier. And if I didn''t have this ability it would be so much harder to attune myself to the elements."


    "Everything I basically learned will stay the way it was and will never change..."


    "Anyway, good thing I got so good with my shadow clones that I can now make about 50 clones without any detriments. That helped out a lot as well." After his self-monologue, he was looking around.


    "Speaking of which...One of my clones is still active...I wonder how far he got?"


    He started running and speed up real fast in a certain direction. Ever since he learned the body-flicker, Kaito was as fast as lightning on short distances.


    And when in constant movement his body could accelerate to at least speed to up to 200km/h. And the distance he ran was no small amount.


    There was really no wonder why ninja could travel such huge continents within days. They were practically more mobile than any car could ever be.


    Besides that, it also strengthened his body somewhat. He could compare it to some ki circulation method.


    The chakra-mode was probably the next step. But he didn''t figure out how to use that yet and wanted to first perfect his control over his chakra to strengthen himself.


    Soon he reached another forested area.


    He stopped and slowly walked through the forest. Soon he frowned and took out a kunai from his pouch.


    That happened right at the perfect timing because a clone appeared on his right side and attacked him.


    The real Kaito deflected the attack and countered but he only hit the air.


    Looking around he saw a shadow move from one tree to another. Sometimes he caught a small glimpse of the reddish hair.


    But Kaito just smirked when he saw kunai placed at about every tree possible. Then he disappeared as well. His destination was right behind the clone. The kunai in his hand now raised to the clone''s neck.


    "You seem to have gotten even better at it. Its time for us to rest. You know what is going to come up soon."


    The clone only nodded and released itself. All the information flooded inside his mind.


    +INT increased by 1 for the intensive gathering of experience+


    The system also chimed in and the surrounding forest soon disappeared. Those were the training grounds for him and the shadow clone that was tasked in developing the Flying Thunder God.


    "....I should keep myself level-headed. Soon I can meet Kakashi and see where exactly I stand on the food chain now. Hopefully not too far down."


    ...


    "Actually it would really be nice to get this silly fox to help out. What did father do with the seal? It¡äs such a mess...Let''s see if Jiraiya can help out with that." Kaito was actually helpless in the Fuin department. He still couldn''t figure out anything about the seal put on his abdomen. He also didn''t want to mess around with it too much.


    That really told stories how strong a seal needed to be to keep a tailed beast at bay.

 Chapter 23 - Luck?

    Kaito was about to leave his instant dungeon. Even his hand was already on the knob of the exit.


    But his mind traveled once more to the training he did. And so he looked back.


    It would not be the last time he would be here but it felt like now he would truly start on his journey.


    "Weird..."


    Then gazing upon the trees he planted near the hut a smile appeared on his face.


    Right, he didn''t really notice but it was a lot of fun doing this. Even now he still feels like a little kid that got something he wanted as a present for a long time.


    What is he even saying, he is still a kid in everything but mind. He is just being somewhat m?tur? is all, really.


    And besides, he can''t really think of how old his mind now was.


    Nonetheless, it puts a smile on his face. That tree especially. It was a real bother to get that thing inside his dungeon.


    That is before he noticed that the higher the level of his dungeon became, the more options were available.


    He still couldn''t insert living organisms inside it but he was sure it would be possible at some point.


    A tree is living in a sense anyway.


    Shaking his head and dismissing his drifting thoughts he opened the door to the hut and finally left.


    --


    "..."


    "..."


    A silent stare was the only thing Kaito gave as a reaction to his brother''s close proximity.


    "You really are good in that.", said Naruto now and distanced himself. He meant meditation.


    "I told you to knock if you want to enter my room. Did you forget that again?", deadpanned Kaito and was genuinely annoyed about his brother walking inside his room without his consent...again.


    "Ah, sorry. I just wanted to take a look if you were already up...Just to be sure. Are you really always meditating that early in the morning?" Naruto was curious. It was something Kaito did tell him but he was still surprised to see it in action.


    It was already a miracle for Naruto to wake up so early.


    "Are you getting giddy about the exam today?" Kaito sighed and knew why he was up already and pestering him. It was always like that with him.


    Naruto looked a little bit dejected after hearing his words. "Well...Maybe?...Do you think I can make it?"


    "...Last time if screwed it up..."


    "Who told you to make a bet with Sasuke that you could graduate sooner because you are so talented?", deadpanned Kaito again and hit the nail directly.


    While waiting for what Naruto would say, he got down from his bed and put comfortable clothes on. He slept mostly in just his und?rw??r recently, unlike his brother that liked to sleep in pajamas.


    "Come on! If I didn''t do it I would have wasted a moment to undermine Sasuke''s lead..."


    ''Lead, is it?'' Kaito wasn''t having any of this and didn''t react instantly. He just started walking past Naruto.


    " Training hall..." Naruto knew what he meant and actually followed. "I already told you many times to stop comparing yourself to other people. He was already training long before we did."


    When they finally arrived at the dojo hall, Kaito started to do some stretches.


    It was now time for Naruto''s Taijutsu training. Since he couldn''t bring him to his dungeon yet, this was basically the only real help he gave him in training.


    The physical drill. At least as much as a young body could handle.


    "Ready?", asked Kaito and entered a melee stance.


    "Ready.", nodded Naruto and was also prepared.


    Then both started to spar a little. It was not serious fighting, just refining their forms. And one could see the smiles on their faces that indicated their joy in doing so.


    Their forms were fluid and grounded. Neither showing any particular openings.


    They even changed styles from slow and accurate to rapid and devastating. Even weapons were included at some point. (A/N Look at the Shippuden Ending NR. 15 as visual feedback.)


    --


    "Phew, I am beaten.", commented a clearly exhausted and sweating Naruto now.


    Kaito smiled at him while he put a staff that he used back to its original place.


    "You are getting the hang of it. Don''t you think?", evaluated Kaito.


    And he was not even jealous of being second. Of course, the first place went to Kaito. He was really proud to have such a genius brother.


    After all, he was family and he was happy for him. And because of it he also improves a lot.


    "Say, is it really alright that we have this? It feels unreal...What is mister Kimura even doing? I heard he left the village recently.", said Naruto after he looked around the dojo again.


    Naruto was referring to the point that this place they were at currently was theirs. Yes, they owned this dojo.


    It was even built to the side of the new home they got themselves a year ago. Maybe it should be called more of a small villa than anything. A small estate would suit it as well. It was also in a quieter area of the village.


    "Are you still thinking about that?" Kaito walked over and handed him a water bottle. "What, feeling uncomfortable now that we are rich?"


    "Just saying that it''s weird. I ain''t complaining. Just knowing that not that long ago we were still orphans...And now we own our own home. And it''s freaking huge as well..."


    "Enough, just let us enjoy that lucky hit we got, alright?", sighed Kaito and drank.


    "You mean what luck you had. I knew you were good at cooking but not that much."


    "I guess you are right.", agreed Naruto with him.


    "Now let''s freshen up and get to the academy. It is nearly time."


    "Right." Naruto immediately moved to get a shower.

 Chapter 24 - Graduation

    "Now, please show us your clone-jutsu.", ordered a Shinobi behind a desk while looking at some papers in front of himself. It was another member of the teaching staff that was currently examining the students.


    All in all, there were four people with him. That is beside Iruka there was the Sandaime like in canon and actually another ninja that was also present.


    Kaito was actually surprised to really see the old man sitting here and doing this. He was actually expecting someone else to do this minor task.


    But he didn''t give much more thought to it and executed his orders. And just as ordered he made three simple hand prints and created a clone of himself.


    The shinobi looked at it and nodded. "Very good. That was everything from me. Ms. Saki?" He was talking to the black-haired woman with glasses that was sitting right beside him. It was the fourth member doing the tests and also Kaito¡äs medical ninjutsu teacher.


    To be precise the examiners consisted of a neutral party, the homeroom teacher and lastly, a teacher from the specialization one chose and excelled at. In Kaito¡äs case, it was Medical ninjutsu.


    He himself thought himself better at Genjutsu but according to this outcome, it was decided differently.


    "Please come over here, Kaito-kun. Perform the mystic palm on this birds injured wing." The woman called Saki took out a small birdcage that had a small bird inside it that was lying on the bottom of it.


    Kaito moved over, opened the cage and took out the bird. He gently applied the mystic palm on it and soon the little bird started to get energetic.


    When he put it back into the cage it flapped its wings and landed on the little bird swing inside the cage - chirping all cheerfully while looking at him with its round beady eyes. It nearly looked like it wanted to thank him


    "Just as expected by my little protegee." The woman smiled. "I was not wrong in saying that you are a real talent in medical. Passed. Just remember to consider joining the hospital later on. Alright?"


    "Sensei, I don''t think my skills are worth such praise..." Kaito was actually denying her suggestion. Internally he thought something else but didn''t dare to say it. ¡äPlease, by the love of God. I know that doctors are being paid low wages and treated freaking ungratefully.¡ä


    Iruka was smiling now after hearing the last words.


    "Then I guess it is about time that I congratulate you for becoming a fullfledged shinobi.", said Iruka and took out a Konoha headband from a container underneath the desk.


    That headband he gave to the third and he was the one that stood up and walked over to hand it over to him. Right, this geezer was basically the ceremonial passage into becoming a ninja. Kinda ironic but he chose so himself.


    ¡äDamn, at least take your damn smoke somewhere else when gratulating people.¡ä Kaito was actually more annoyed about the fact that he still had his pipe in his mouth and the smell of herbs was drifting in his nose from it.


    Then he sighed and smiled. Grabbing the headband he looked at it.


    Suddenly he also got a message that surprised him somewhat. It has been a long time since that happened on its own.


    *DING - Hidden Quest Completed: Become a Genin and be #1 of your Generation.*


    *Giving one''s best and train mind and body to always perform best, is the start of a legend to be remembered. *


    *Bonus: Beat your fathers'' academic Record*


    *Bonus: Train and make sure Naruto does not fail*


    *Calculating...*


    *DING, Naruto made it without relying on Mizuki Touji and the forbidden scroll. The gears of Fate have been shifted greatly.*


    *DING...Job "Genin" acquired.*


    *Genin: Chakra will start to grow each day by 10 (20) points permanently until the age of 18. Total Amount of max acquirable CP = 21.900CP (43.800CP). Advancement in Rank will automatically upgrade already Acquired CP.*


    *DING...Bonus Reward: Titel "Genius" acquired.*


    *Title Genius: You are a remarkable future prospect of this Generation. Titel is doubling the effects of jobs.*


    *DING...Bonus reward: Chakra-Katana Masamune (Legendary Quality) obtained.


    *DING...Bonus reward: Change of Fate...*


    ¡äWhat the hell? Well, that is overestimating and overcompensating my skills on a whole another level...And what is that weird last reward? What does it mean change of fate? Mine? What the hell was supposed to happen?¡ä Kaito was genuinely confused now but did not let anything be shown on his face of what was going on.


    He just took the headband and put it confidently on his forehead.


    Then he bowed respectfully to the people present. "Thank you very much for all your guidance until now."


    "You can leave now. Please wait in the designated area until we also give you your complete results in a scroll form." The other examiner pointed at a room to the left of Kaito.


    Since Kaito came from the room on the right it was probably meant for students that already did the test to not talk with people yet to be examined.


    No wonder he didn''t meet Naruto anymore after he went in first. With that in mind, Kaito walked and entered the waiting room.


    Naruto noticed him and immediately stormed at him. Looking at his forehead he started to grin greatly and became giddy.


    "We made it brother!! Hahaha, one step closer to becoming Hokage!", shouted Naruto loudly.


    "Quiet down, will ya." Kaito was happy himself but he was also a little bit worried. Now that fate changed what would that Mizuki do? Also what about the shadow clones for Naruto? God damn, this is getting out of hand. Hopefully, no further surprises happen.


    "Haha, sorry I am just too excited!"


    Kaito just sighed to that. "Come, let''s wait for the papers and then get back home. Tomorrow will be our start as true ninja. Oh and I think we should invite Iruka-sensei to a bowl of ramen. Actually, let''s just go right after everything is done. Celebrating is a must."


    "You got it. I will eat the most expensive ramen today to celebrate, hehe.". nodded Naruto and already salivated about his idea.

 Chapter 25 - Task

    A door opened up and the ringing of a bell accompanied the action. It was an indication of new visitors arriving.


    "Welcome!", shouted a smiling Ayame. After noticing who it was she became all energized "Kaito! Naruto! Take a quick seat you two!"


    Naruto grinned and strode a little bit quicker to the chair right in front of the place where the food was prepared.


    "It always surprises me how this place becomes bigger and bigger each time I come here." Iruka looked around the place and was commenting about Ichiraku now being somewhat more looking like a proper restaurant instead of just a stand at the side.


    There were even people sitting at the chairs to the sides and enjoying their meals. But he could already see that from outside through the small windows. What surprised him was that there were a few Ninja mixed under the civilians. Obviously wearing those headbands in public was noticeable.


    "Is it really that much of a change, sensei? We were here just a few days ago.", smiled Kaito and replied to his comment.


    "You are saying it is normal that a place like this changes so abruptly like this? "


    "What? It just got a change in the men¨¹. Tasty food just keeps attracting people."


    "Right." Iruka smiled and stared at Kaito while he also walked and sat down beside his brother. Shakin his head Iruka also joined.


    "Congratulations both of you! You really made it! Here! Enjoy the best ramen on the house!", said a smiling Teuchi.


    "What!? Really!?", asked Naruto again after hearing that he would be getting free ramen.


    "Of course, you deserved it.", nodded Ayame and kept preparing the food.


    "Thanks!", replied Naruto with a grin. "Did you hear sensei? The ramen is on the house today."


    "I heard that. Looks like I wont to have to buy it for you, huh.", grinned Iruka back.


    Naruto actually blushed a little. "Hey, that was only because I forgot my wallet that one time..."


    "Or when you used up your pocket change....", added Kaito with a smirk.


    Iruka laughed lightly seeing Naruto now feeling all guilty. "It''s alright. I like spending time with you two."


    Naruto looked at Iruka and there were certain thoughts running through his head. "Just you wait, Iruka-sensei! Now it won''t be long and I will become Hokage."


    "I am already proud that you actually made it in one go, Naruto."


    Right, Iruka still developed into a figure that Naruto would confide in and tried to impress a lot.


    "Here you go. Enjoy." Ayame delivered the food.


    "Ittadakimasu!" Naruto clapped his hands together and dug in.


    "Oh right. Kaito, here is the letter." Teuchi out a white envelope on the desk.


    Kaito nodded and placed it into his pouch.


    "What¡äs that?", asked Iruka somewhat curious.


    "Its the share of our profit that goes to our sponsor. He said we should just give it to Kaito.", answered Teuchi quite honestly.


    "Oh, that Kimura guy? I heard the story as well. A rich merchant that came by Konoha and ate something here while Keito helped out, right? And that he actually fell in love with this shop that he invested in it. That is quite the story.", laughed Iruka now.


    Kaito to the side also awkwardly laughed and started to sweat a little because he felt a little bit uncomfortable.


    "Hey! My brother is a great cook!" Naruto actually thought Iruka made a comment about his brother¡äs skill in cooking.


    "That¡äs not what I mean, Naruto. I am just saying it is quite the luck. Maybe a little bit too much to be true. Did you never think he could be up to something with being that generous?"


    Kaito sighed then and there. It looked like Iruka was not actually questioning Kaito but being worried about the twins. True, the story was quite ridiculous and Kaito himself knew it. But he somehow had to -wash- his money into the economical cycle somehow.


    And he couldn''t just go and spray his money around without being questioned where he got it all. So creating that Kimura persona was a must he had to do.


    "I don''t think mister Kimura has any bad intentions.", said Kaito now. "If he really had any why would he waste so much money to buy more space and make this shop so welcoming and advanced. He even got me to cook up some new recipes for the shop so that it would not only be good tasting but also healthy. Now even shinobi visit this place for its nutrients...And then there would be our home..."


    "Yeah...I think I just overthink some stuff. Where is he now anyway?"


    "He said he would go to the land of lightning for something", intercepted Naruto the question."He did mention to make this into an enterprise I think? Just imagine that everywhere we go we could see an Ichiraku!" Suddenly Naruto started to brin brightly by his idea.


    "...I see..." Iruka was not really convinced by that suggestion.


    "He is probably just doing his business. He is a merchant after all, right", said Kaito and also ignored Naruto his idea.


    "That is probably the most possible reason...", nodded Iruka.


    Then the bell at the door rang again.


    "Here you are, Iruka!", shouted a male voice and the person approached them.


    The man had a Konoha bandana on his head and underneath that, he had silvery-white hair. It looked like white was a rare color but not yet that unusual as Kaito¡äs own crimson red.


    "Mizuki. What is it?", asked Iruka after looking back at his friend.


    "The third sent me to get you. It is about the teams." Mizuki answered and sat right beside the group.


    Kaito got somewhat vary since him being here did not mean anything good. But at the same time, he was curious fate changed. What was this guy going to do? It couldn''t be something too flashy like a direct attack, right?


    "I see..." Iruka looked at his half-finished ramen. "Well, it looks like I will have to go, kids. Naruto, you can finish my bowl if you like."


    "Really? Hmm...Alright." Naruto sounded a little bit down but probably was happy about having a second portion of ramen.


    "So...you two did it, huh? There are congratulations in order I guess?" Mizuki tried to start a conversation with them and skillfully used his position as one of the instructors at the academy.


    "Yep." Kaito actually wanted to answer first since he was interested but Naruto was faster.


    "And do you know which team you are going to be put in?", asked Mizuki again.


    Now Kaito became even more curious.


    "Teams?", asked Naruto and even stopped eating.


    "Yeah, after graduation you will be put into teams of few people each. They haven''t told you yet?"


    Naruto actually became worried for some reason. "Wait, how do they put them together?"


    Mizuki smiled creepily. "3 people in each team and they will be put together depending on your results..."


    "So I may not be in the same team as Kaito?" At that question, Kaito also raised both his brows. Right, he nearly forgot about that! In what freaking team is he going to be put into?


    "Hehe, I like you. You worry about your brother a lot huh? Hmm.." He made it so as if he was contemplating something. " Actually...well let''s make this a little gift to you since I want you two to succeed. The grouping is actually another test that will be performed and depending on how the teams fare they will truly graduate."


    "Truly graduate?", asked Kaito now. He knew he was talking about their Jonin accepting them or not. But even then if they did not succeed they would at the most end up in the MP like all other people that messed up the graduation.


    "Yeah, you are still not through yet. So keep that in mind. But you know what? I help you out. The next test will be sneaking into the Hokage office and grab a certain forbidden scroll. You would prove your skills as a shinobi since stealth is important and also showcase your wits in figuring out how to do it.", explained Mizuki.


    ¡äAsshole. I must give him credit for camouflaging that theft as a test and underlining it with shinobi skills...But there is a certain flaw...¡ä


    "If it is a forbidden scroll is it not bad if we take it? Also, security is probably very tight. How are we Genin going to make it? And why should we get it now before the actual test?", said Kaito and questioned him.


    "I am actually one of the test instructors and just give you a headstart. Of course, the security is not as high any more since we do you you a chance to do."


    Kaito just stared at him...He thought that Mizuki probably made sure the security was handling other stuff. He did not know how but he sure was confident in the security being low at the moment.


    "And there are not really forbidden things inside it. Just a few jutsu that have been put down by the previous Hokage."


    "Really? Kaito, we could learn some super Jutsu. What do you think? Should we do it? It doesn''t sound too hard."


    "Naruto..." Kaito looked at his brother and sighed. "Alright, we can do it. But you better follow my instructions. Mizuki-sensei. where should we meet when we have it?"


    Mizuki smiled and handed Kaito a piece of paper. "Here are the locations we are to meet. Also, be careful that you do reach me. Because if you get caught it will be a mess to explain since you do this test a few days sooner than planned."


    "I see..." Kaito nodded and knew this guy is scum. "We will be on our way then...Thanks."


    "See you later~" Mizuki waved at them.


    And as soon as they left the ramen shop he also stood up and left the shop with a gloomy face.


    Ayame saw that Mizuki didn''t even touch his bowl and frowned. At least he paid but she was still angry. She also suddenly got a bad feeling and looked towards the shop door.

 Chapter 26 - Mastermind

    "So...How are we going to do this?" Naruto had a brow raised while looking at the ground together with his brother.


    Kaito was also squatting just the same as Naruto and had a hand under his chin. His mind was racing to find a good solution to their little heist.


    In front of them was a rough blueprint that they had drawn down with a stick. It''s hardly anything professional but got the job done none the less.


    "Hmm, just wait a sec..." Kaito said while still thinking.


    "Can''t we just go in normally? It¡äs not like they would think we want to take the scroll.", suggested Naruto without thinking much more about it.


    Kaito looked at him. "And then get caught directly carrying that huge thing? Think things through before you rush in." He flipped a finger on his metal headband. "That thing on your head is not just to protect your forehead you know?


    ¡äHow in the world did you get a hold of it in the first place?¡ä, thought Kaito to himself while scolding his brother a little.


    Just at that moment another figure arrived at a tree close by and jumped down to them. Their location was rather hidden and only people knowing their whereabouts could find this meetup.


    So the person joining was also obviously just a normal clone from Kaito.


    It came closer, knelt down and started to share its information. "The back entrance is guarded by 2 shinobi...But I think there are more close by. Probably those mask wearers."


    "The personal guards from the Hokage? Makes sense.", added Naruto while thinking about them.


    He still thought about Kakashi from time to time whenever the ANBU were mentioned by Iruka. Naruto actually had a rather positive impression of the ANBU. Even though they are a special stealth force of ?ssassins.


    "So much for that idea. And the front is obviously guarded a lot harder. Anything else?", asked Kaito his clone.


    "Well, there is something we could use." The clone started to add something to the drawing at the side of the Hokage building close to a fence that led down another road. "The little damaged parts here that we used when we were younger are still there. The Hokage didn''t seem too bothered about them being fixed..."


    "That is still there? How many years has it been now? Do we even fit inside any longer?", asked Naruto himself.


    "Well, its better than nothing. That old geezer is getting too old." Kaito just destroyed the drawing with his hand and stood up. "That will be our entrance."


    He then nodded to his clone that vanished in confirmation and both Naruto and Kaito started to run back to the village.


    ---


    It was already dark outside and moving around in the shadows of the buildings was rather easy. The village actually had many small alleys that were rather suspicious if you looked at them at night.


    But currently, they helped to move unnoticed. At least as much as they thought it would be. Generally speaking, it was already a doomed idea from the very start. This village was peaceful from the outside but it was guarded rather strongly.


    It had its weaknesses but that was more accountable to the people that split the forces. Those people were power-hungry to such an extent that they would never understand what really would need to be done to stop this bloodshed.


    For example, the Uchiha being massacred in holocaust like event was only the fault of a power-hungry bastard called Danzo. Even if that person was right at some things, his actions were far from the way to tackle the problems.


    The unity of this village was just too low. The fire of the leaf is slowly being smothered.


    Anyway, because of that and Mizuki being another person that took action, the twins got into the building rather easy and already moved around in the secret library.


    "Found it!", said Naruto and carried a rather large scroll on his back. It was strapped around him with a rope.


    "Good. Then let us...Huh!?"


    Kaito reacted fast and avoided a Kunai that was thrown at him.


    "Alarm! There are thieves in the office!" An ANBU found them and was already readying up to attack them with his nin-to


    "Shit! Run!" Kaito pointed towards the windows.


    "But..."


    "GO!" Kaito charged right at the ANBU and engaged him in close combat with a Kunai he grabbed from his pouch.


    Sparks flew from the contact point and the force of the attack also locked their movements with each other.


    Naruto on the other hand just gritted his teeth and started running. He jumped through the window and landed outside where he dashed away.


    When that happened Kaito looked after him. That glimpse of relaxation from him gave enough time for the ANBU to act and try to kick him.


    "You..." Kaito his words became chilly after seeing the attack. It was not because he did use that little ??pse in concentration but something else that he was rather surprised about.


    Not giving much more thought about it he saw the attack and therefore dodged it with shifting his body. Then he used his free hand to slam a Rasengan into the body of the ANBU. That knocked him out directly.


    Kaito didn''t stop there and went ahead and took off the mask. "Tsk...That bastard actually wants us dead that badly. How in the world did he infiltrate the ANBU?"


    What Kaito was looking at was just some low-rank Genin that was probably in cahoots with Mizuki.


    "That is something I am also interested in." Right then another voice sounded.


    Kaito looked over. "...Old man. Do I have to ?ssume our plan was leaked?" It was the third Hokage that was currently standing there with another two ANBU as bodyguards.


    "It seems so. Looks like I will have to be harsher with my handling of village affairs...You better go and catch Naruto. I have a bad feeling that only Iruka chasing after him will not be enough." Hiruzen was frowning at the moment. "I will send reinforcements shortly after you to apprehend Mizuki."


    "Understood..." Kaito would have nothing else even if he got told so and rushed off to catch his brother.


    Hiruzen looked at the imposter ANBU. "Get this fellow into custody as well. And I want every mole inside my own ANBU to be gone. Do you understand?"


    Another Shinobi appeared and also had a grim face. It was Onizuka. "I will do that personally. You have my word, lord third." That person then disappeared with the two ANBU and the criminal.


    Then Hiruzen sighed and looked into his little crystal ball that was connected to the network of the Yamanaka. He saw Kaito rushing through the forest already.


    Looking at the events he smiled a little. "He actually learned it and improved by that much..."

 Chapter 27 - Truth Hurts

    "Ah! Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto was surprised that he was now seeing his teacher in front of himself.


    Iruka, on the other hand, had a very annoyed look on his face. He was even trembling not to hit Naruto right where he stood. "Don''t you Ah me. Idiot!! I finally found you!!"


    His face became a lot softer after noticing the wounds and ragged clothing.


    "Now, hand over the scroll that you took." Iruka sighed. Mizuki seemed to have told the truth when he said that Naruto stole the scroll and was now being hunted by our own shinobi.


    Iruka, of course, had to search for him since he didn''t believe this idiot to do such a dumb thing while aiming to become the Hokage someday. But looking at it now he was more than just disappointed. He would also be punished for his actions for sure.


    "Damn...Looks like I got found out...So did I fail the test?", asked Naruto and was already trying to give him the scroll. "Also, why is the very first thing written in this thing some Jutsu I am totally bad at..."


    Iruka made a surprised face. And it was not about him reading the scroll. "What test are you talking about? You already passed it."


    "Huh? I am talking about the one to steal this scroll. Mizuki-sensei told me that we would still go through another test shortly and because he wanted me and my brother to succeed he gave us a headstart. Man those ninja hunting us sure are something. My brother even got caught already at the library."


    "Test to steal it? You stole it on Mizuki¡äs orders?" Iruka frowned deeply and just when he asked that question a bunch of kunai flew into the direction them both.


    Iruka shoved Naruto to the side to protect him and then defended his vitals from being struck by the rain of metal that hit and flew by him now into the cabin that was behind him.


    "Good job finding this moron. I even told him to go to a specific place but he never appeared there.", mocked a Mizuki that appeared on a tree. He was already equipped for war with two huge shurikens wrapped on his back.


    "So that is what is going on....Mizuki...!" Iruka tried to keep his body stable and pulled some kunai out of his body. Lucky for him the protective west of shinobi was a very useful tool to have and lowered the fatality of that attack. But he was still beaten up now and would probably bleed out if no help comes.


    "What is going on!?" Naruto was screaming and agitated about what is happening at the moment. Why would Mizuki attack them? This couldn''t be part of the test any longer.


    "Naruto! Whatever happens. Don''t give him that scroll! He used you to get it. In that scroll is valuable information about forbidden ninjutsu of the leaf. He can''t have them!", ordered Iruka and threw the pulled kunai at Mizuki.


    But that Kunai was intercepted by another shuriken from the side. "What!?" Iruka was surprised and looked to the person that protected Mizuki.


    "Hahaha, do you really think I am alone in this?" Just like Mizuki said there were about 10 other shinobi gathered around close by.


    "Now, Naruto. Hand me that scroll. It¡äs not like you will need it anyway. How about I tell you a little story in exchange." Mizuki smiled creepily and stretched a hand out to him.


    Iruka got agitated about his words "NO! DONT!!"


    "You know about the event 12 years ago at the time where the demon fox was being sealed, right? Since that day...A special rule was created for this village."


    "....a rule?" Naruto frowned and asked back. Mizuki really got his attention now.


    "But...You and your brother were the only ones that were never told about this rule. "


    "Huh?" Naruto was confused. "What is that rule?" Mizuki started to laugh at that question and that made Naruto even more concerned. "What...Kind of rule?"


    "It is simple, really. The rule just tells us that no one is to talk about you and your brother being the sacrifices that were used to seal the fox! You and your brother are the nine-tailed demon foxes!"


    "What!?" Naruto was shocked "What do you mean by that!"


    "Stop it!", cried Iruka out. This was already going to far.


    "You are one of the twins that got the nine-tails inside your body! It means you are the one that is responsible to the many lives lost 12 years ago! You are the one that killed Iruka¡äs parents and destroyed the village!!"


    Naruto stood there now and looked to the ground. Everything made sense to him now. Why everyone was so mean to him. Why they called him a monster. Why both his brother and Naruto had to endure all these years.


    Tears ran down his cheeks because he felt so much pain in his heart at this moment. But there was also something else. There was also pure anger at Iruka for telling him.


    "Hahaha! You have been lied to all this time. It is hilarious that you haven''t even found out about it. "And Iruka is the same. He also hates you for killing his parents!" When Mizuki said this he already infused chakra into one of his huge Shuriken and let it rotate.


    "No one will ever love you!" Mizuki threw the windmill. "Now! Go die and let us all forget this ever happened! Your brother is already waiting for you on the other side!"


    "Damn it!" Naruto got angry and some red chakra started to collect itself around himself. It was clearly different than his normal yellow chakra. He tried to go against this attack but the one who protected him was actually Iruka. He jumped in front of Naruto and caught the Shuriken with his back.


    "What!?" Mizuki gritted his teeth for being denied his revenge.


    Naruto looked at the body that was above him and he saw just a perfect calm smile on Iruka¡äs face.


    "Hah...Don''t listen to him." Even tears swelled up and ran down his face. "Naruto, you and your brother have been through a lot of pain. If I had just done a better job you would not have to live such a life. I am sorry..." then his words became softer "Run...Run as fast as you can..."


    Weirdly enough Naruto his mind blanked and he only obeyed the last words and started to run away as fast as he could.


    The Shinobi close by acted and followed him while Mizuki jumped down from his tree and came closer to Iruka who pulled the shuriken from his back.


    "You really protected that miserable child...You of all people should have seen that small glimpse. Just now his chakra acted up and you could see the eyes of a real demon."


    "Naruto...Isn''t like that. At least not like you bastard... How many years...How long have you planned this? I can''t remember you any longer...Where did the old Mizuki go?" Iruka stared at him and could hardly move because of his wounds.


    Mizuki only stared at him. Then a frown appeared on his face. "You really love him, huh? Is he now part of your lost family? Well, it doesn''t matter. I will take revenge and kill him. And after I got the scroll I will make sure you don''t hinder my plans."


    With those words, Mizuki started to chase Naruto down.

 Chapter 28 - Prison Awaits.

    "Damn it!" A hand hit a tree and it belonged to Kaito who gritted his teeth. "Where did you ran off to, Naruto?"


    It was one thing to run and hide but it was another for now that he had to search for him. Kaito¡äs temperament also slowly got the better of him. He became more restless by the second.


    Every little moment could be a disaster since he knew that Mizuki had a lead in the search on his brother. And those other ninja joining that bastard didn''t make it any better. So Kaito had to act fast.


    The thing is that he couldn''t find either of them. Naruto nor the ninja that attacked them.


    There were also just too many god damn places to look at. Sure there were a few tracks that he found and followed. But they were probably only present where Naruto got attacked for sure. The thing was that they stopped or led him nowhere.


    He had to say that Naruto knew how to hide. That was for sure. Either that or the pursuers are smarter than he thought. Neither was a good sign.


    Kaito also cursed his inability to sense any chakra nearby. That was actually the only thing he never bothered about exploring in his training. Now that this topic came to bite him in the arse he made a very urgent mental note to improve in that ability.


    "Fuck it." he clasped his hand together and concentrated. He let his chakra gather around himself and then tried to disperse it like a water ripple into the area around him. "Come on...." He repeated the process more than once until a message appeared.


    *Created New Skill: Chakra Sonar LVL 1*


    "That useless, damn it." Kaito cursed again since he didn''t get the d?s?r?d result. Besides that, he could only feel freaking trees around him. This ability was a waste. At least at this level.


    ¡äOkay, I got to calm down...Concentrate of the wind around me...Right...What did it feel like again when I felt my own chakra? A flame inside my body. Now...If I spread this sonar and concentrate on flames it should give me more information. It gotta work...¡ä


    He started to enter a meditative state where he activated his sonar once more and infused some wind chakra into it.


    *Chakra Sonar LVL UP ---> UPGRADE ---> Chakra Sensor (Active/Toggle) LVL 10*


    *Uses own chakra in combination with nature to feel the surroundings. Concentrating on certain objects filters out results. Current filters that are available: Animals, Civilians, Ninja. Combinable with MAP function. The current area of effect is 500m. Chakra sensor uses up 5CP per second.*


    "There!" And before Kaito could be happy about developing this skill he felt weak ninja signatures close by. He started to immediately rush that way.


    Because he left the skill toggled he felt an immense increase in someone''s chakra reserves that made Kaito frown at first. But because it stopped and went down he sighed in relief.


    `That feeling...Naruto? No...that should be the Nine-Tails chakra. Gotta hurry.¡ä


    Rushing from one tree to the next he finally reached a group of 3 ninjas searching for Naruto.


    With his teeth, he grabbed cord around it that kept the scroll closed and ripped it off. Now he could roll it open which he did with just letting it roll through gravity on its own.


    Then after he infused chakra into the scroll it let a katana appear out from it with a burst of smoke.


    He grabbed it and it all happened in just a split second.


    Before the three could react to the smoke he was already behind one of them and sliced his tendons to immobilize him. And with a clean kick to the side of his head he was finished off and K.O.


    Then he rushed to the next guy who defended his katana with his kunai but Kaito easily outperformed him and sliced his left arm off before he smacked his pummel into his face to also knock him out.


    "Damn it! You monster!" The last guy was afraid and printed some signs. "Fuuton! Great Breakthrough!"


    Kaito slammed the Katana into the ground and printed lightning fast. "Doton! Earth Wall!" After the attack was absorbed by his wall he grabbed his katana again and slammed it through his wall.


    Looking at the small MAP at his side he could see the ninja not having moved at all. A smirk appeared on his face and he printed again.


    "Raiton! Lightning Sword!" Because his katana was a chakra blade he could easily combine it with Jutsu and so he did. The Jutsu shot out and pierced the ninja clearly after hearing his scream. Then after confirming his hit through his senses he concentrated and changed the nature of his lightning.


    "Senbon!" The Lightning changed and instead of only piercing him it started to travel the ninja¡äs body - perfectly paralyzing him now.


    After he released both his wall and stopped his lightning sword he could see the guy squirming around on the ground in pain.


    Kaito approached him. "You are lucky that I don''t have the intention of killing you traitors. The ninja prison will be hell enough for you." He said those last words before he kicked him unconscious.


    Then he looked at the bleeding guy and frowned. he had no time to take medical measures. So he printed again and gathered fire chakra on his hands. Then he scorched the wound shut.


    Confirming none of them are dead he sealed their chakra and roped them to a tree as fast as he could. Then he charged off into the direction he felt his brother to aide him. He could feel how he was getting weaker in chakra levels.


    That meant those ninjas were definitely attacking him. Luckily the skills of these Ninja are so trashy. But that could not be said about Mizuki. And then there was probably even more ninja that were searching for him.


    While he ran around he found Iruka on the ground struggling. "Iruka-Sensei!" Kaito stopped and looked at his wounds. He immediately started to treat him with the mystic palm. The wound was slowly closing up.


    "Kaito...I am alright. You need to get to Naruto." Iruka looked at Kaito and felt him treat his wound.


    "It¡äs alright. Just now I felt that those guys lost track of Naruto. The scattered to find him. I will make some emergency treatment and we will have a better chance to help Naruto with that." Kaito said those words professionally and internally he sighed in relief because he could see on his map that Naruto was hiding and skillfully avoiding the others.


    He managed to shake them off and buy them some time.

 Chapter 29 - Naruto Uzumaki

    When Kaito finished up treating Iruka his wounds they both started to run and catch up.


    "How many are still there?", asked Iruka with a worried face.


    "...8 with Mizuki. But they are only at lower genin rank b?r?ly able to use and ninjutsu.", replied Kaito.


    "I see...Why did he have to involve other people...?" Iruka sounded a little bit sad that Mizuki also got others to help him even if they were not as strong as him.


    But his face shortly after changed into a frown. No, he probably manipulated them to do this. Even if people are hurt one should not use that to pursue their own agenda.


    "Many people dislike us...And the Kyuubi-Incident didn''t make it better. Iruka-sensei....You should know it best how it feels. Now imagine how others think that they do not know us. They would gladly run at the chance to hunt us. Even more so to kill..."


    "You are right...I know how it feels. But it is still not right. I can''t let that happen..." Then he made a flabbergasted expression. "Wait! You knew!?" His head was aimed at Kaito.


    "Not now...I will explain later how much I know." Kaito did not want to start that discussion at the moment.


    Then he saw the 7 dots gather at a certain spot. It was the genin. "Looks like they split. Iruka-sensei, move in that direction. I can feel Mizuki there. It''s probably better that we also transform ourselves into Naruto. Like that we trick them and get an advantage. I will go that way and apprehend the other guys. I should be able to manage them."


    At first, he thought to beat the hell out of Mizuki but then he thought about the bonding moment for Naruto. It would be better to let that event unfold so he decided to take care of those traitors.


    "But...Fine. But if it gets too dangerous you better run. I will try and take care of Mizuki as fast as possible." Iruka wanted to object at first but still agreed.


    Kaito only nodded and they both split paths at the next tree.


    ---


    Soon Iruka that was disguised as Naruto was approached by another Iruka.


    "Naruto! Hurry! Throw the scroll over to me! Mizuki is after you!" The disguised Mizuki did noth yet know of the trick and therefore thought such words would work on him.


    The fake Iruka landed rather hard on the ground looked angry. "How...You little pest. How did you figure out I was not Iruka?" Mizuki transformed back into his own appearance.


    "Hmpf, that is because I am Iruka." Iruka snorted and transformed back as well.


    Mizuki grimaced and stood back up. "....I see. But you sure got another clean hit."


    "Huh!?" Iruka looked at his abdomen and saw another three kunai inside it. And he felt rather weak on his feet and stumble back against a tree behind him.


    "Really now. I wasted that precious poison on you now even though I thought I got you immobilized. I must say I don''t know how you healed yourself that fast but it doesn''t matter.", commented Mizuki on his rather quick recovery.


    "Poison...damn it...You really are different the more I look at you..." Iruka felt the numbness inside his body now.


    "Well, you sure made a move. To even transform into him. The one that killed your parents."


    "I would do everything so taht you wont get to Naruto nor the scroll."


    "Idiot, Naruto is the same as me. He probably already opened up the scroll. And with the skills inside of it he can do whatever he wants. Even revive the dead. So there is no way he would not think about using the power within the scroll."


    Now Mizuki started to laugh. "Bringing back his parents. Isn''t it something every orphan would love to? Even you would do that. Am I not right, Iruka?"


    "What are you saying!"


    "I am only telling the truth. And as soon as I get my hands on that scroll I will fulfill my plans. Maybe I will even let you be a sacrifice and help me on my path."


    "You became a complete lunatic! There is no such Jutsu! And even if there was. It may be used by the demon fox. But not by Naruto. He is a shinobi of this village. I acknowledged him as one of my excellent students." Iruka his breath became thinner and he struggled to get his words out.


    "He is one of the hardest worker. He never gives up on what he does. Sure, he is clumsy and not many accept him. But one thing is certain. He already knows what it is to feel pain inside your heart. That is why he would never act as you think. He isn''t the demon fox. I trust him. After all...he is Naruto Uzumaki of the leaf. The one to become Hokage!" After those words, Iruka coughed up some blood.


    Now Mizuki his face became even uglier from that speech. "How pitiful. Fine, whatever. I did say I would take care of you later, but I changed my mind, Iruka."


    Mizuki took his last huge shuriken and attacked Iruka again. "Hurry up and die then!"


    But just when he charged at Iruka a shadow rushed out of from the side and slammed into Mizuki with a knee to his face.


    That sent him rather far back. But most importantly away from Iruka.


    "You!!! You shouldn''t have done that!!" Iruka his anger spiked and the only thing he could think of at the moment was to kill Naruto. So he stood up slowly and glared at Naruto.


    Naruto on the other side prepared for a fight and put the scroll to the side. "Don''t you dare touch Iruka-Sensei!! I will kill you!!", he exclaimed with a cold and angry face.


    "You idiot! Why did you come out!? Run away!", shouted Iruka with his last strength to do so. The poison already is pretty deep inside his system.


    "AHAHAHA! I will kill you damn brat with just one move! But I am really thankful for you to come out so I can kill both of you idiots.", laughed Mizuki it off.


    "Try it you trash! I will return the pain a thousand times over! ", said Naruto calmly.


    "Then do it, demon fox spawn!!", shouted


    And that moment Naruto performed his specialty. The Thousand men shadow clone Jutsu. Beeing accurate there was just a lot of him. If there were exactly thousand is another story.

 Chapter 30 - Outcome

    Nevertheless, the look Mizuki had at that moment was of utter shock. How could a monster do so any clones? Didn''t he nearly fail to do even one the last time he saw it?


    "What is wrong? Weren''t you going to kill me with one move?" Naruto even started to mock him.


    "You little..." Mizuki actually printed and performed a Jutsu. "Doton: Flying Thrown Stones!"


    Naruto got surprised since he didn''t have much experience with Jutsu like that. And a lot of his clones got smashed by the massive chunks of rocks.


    "Hahaha! Now, how do you like that!"


    But before he could do anything more his mocking face disappeared. There were still a lot of them there and they were charging him. "AAAAAHHHHH!!"


    Mizuki got utterly beaten up from the rest of those clones until he back and blue. Of course, the beating went on until he was K.Oed.


    And after Mizuki didn''t move any longer All the other clones disappeared into the smoke and only the real Naruto stood there and looked down at Mizuki who lay on the ground. "Hehe, I think I went a little too far."


    "Well...done...Naruto.", coughed Iruka.


    "Ah! Iruka-sensei!!" Naruto charged at him and pulled the kunai out of him. His next words came out with tears. "No no no you can''t die here."


    "Don''t worry. I am also here." A voice from the side came. Naruto became vigilant and looked over only to soften his gaze. "Nii-san!!"


    Kaito looked at Mizuki and went over to him to seal his chakra and tie him up. He also still had a deep frown on his face about the words that he said. Kaito had actually been here for a while now and followed their conversation.


    What he didn''t expect was that Mizuki had actual information on the impure resurrection and even said it out loud. Kaito actually wondered if Naruto would fall for that bait and really grab that chance.


    But luckily his brother stayed true to his character and didn''t act out.


    Being done with that Kaito moved over to Iruka. "Iruka-sensei, you sure are getting beaten up a lot. Are you really a Chunin?" Then he took out a vial of antidote from his pouch and gave it to him to drink.


    While he drank Kaito started to use up the last bit of his chakra on closing the wounds. Truthfully speaking even if Kaito wanted to beat Mizuki up, he would have a hard time with his current exhaustion.


    "Whoa, its closing up.", commented Naruto.


    "Thank you, Kaito. I am already feeling much better. But how did you know which type of poison it was?", asked Iruka now a little bit curiously. Now that he has been saved more than once by a medic-nin, he valued the occupation even more.


    "Oh, that? It is an antidote I made myself. It counteracts a pretty high amount of poison. And if that didn''t help I still have stronger stuff...But...Iruka-sensei...Then I would have to mortgage your home. Those aren''t cheap."


    Iruka laughed softly. He was even a little bit awkward to have been receiving such an antidote. "Is that so? Well, then I should be lucky, huh?"


    "By the way, Naruto. Did you not worry about me at all?", asked Kaito now and looked at him with a raised brow.


    "Worry about you?...AH!", exclaimed Naruto after realizing what his question implied.


    "..." Kaito stayed silent after seeing how he has forgotten about him.


    "Well...You are you. There is no need to worry. Brother is very strong, right?" Naruto tried to wiggle himself out now while also awkwardly laughing and scratching his head.


    "No ramen for the next week...", deadpanned Kaito.


    "Huh!! NO! Please!" Naruto was shocked now that he got a ban on eating ramen.


    Iruka started to heartily laugh now. He could see these two would become great shinobi of the leaf just like he thought.


    "Oh, right. Look, brother." Naruto performed the shadow clone Jutsu. "See this? Now I am a master at Kage Bunshin!"


    "Kage Bunshin? Where did you learn that?", asked Kaito and looked at him while still treating Iruka.


    "Hm?" Iruka got interested in that Jutsu as well now.


    "From the scroll...." Naruto looked at the scroll while answering.


    Iruka became angry right at that moment. "Naruto, you actually learned something from the forbidden scroll!? Are you an idiot!? Don''t use those skills! They are forbidden for a reason!!"


    "Don''t worry Iruka. It looks like with his chakra reserves he can handle it quite well. The Kage Bunshin is only forbidden because it has very detrimental effects if one has too low chakra reserves."


    All three of them turned over to the third Hokage that was now standing close to them. With him, he brought a few Anbu and medic-nin. They also seemed to have collected the unconscious ninja that Kaito took care of.


    "Gramps...I am sorry..." Naruto actually apologized now. Those words actually surprised the others more than Naruto. Hiruzen started to smile.


    "It is alright, Naruto. This was all Mizuki¡äs fault so we are going to not blame you and your brother for it. Besides that Kaito already informed me of this little act so you are even less to be judged wrongly."


    "Really?" Naruto looked at Kaito. "You did?"


    Kaito just pointed at his head and let a medic-nin take over-treating Iruka. "I use this. Of course, I felt suspicious about Mizuki. Why would there be such an obvious test that not many know about? Anyway, let''s go home. I am completely beat."


    Kaito nodded to Hiruzen. "Lord third." And then moved off to get back home to rest.


    Naruto hesitated and looked back at Iruka.


    "It¡äs alright, go. We will see each other again soon enough."


    Naruto grinned, gave the scroll back to Hiruzen and chased after Kaito.


    While Kaito moved away he saw a window appear again.


    *Hidden Quest completed: Do Not Kill*


    *Beat your opponents without killing any of them*


    *Calculating...*


    *DING, you managed to apprehend the culprits without killing them. You didn''t tarnish your karma further.*


    *DING...Titel Merciful gained.


    *Merciful: When you have this title equipped and beat opponents without killing them you gain a boost in EXP and also may get a rare item drop. 1% chance.


    *DING...Bonus reward: 2 Ingots of Chakra-Metal (Legendary Quality), 10 Chakra Restorative Pills(+250CP, Strawberry flavor).

 Chapter 31 - Talk

    Arriving at their home Kaito put his ninja tabi off and walked b?r?foot towards the kitchen to get himself something to drink.


    When he returned and entered the living room Naruto was sitting on the couch and had his knees hugged by his arms. His head was resting in his arms and a very sad look plastered his face.


    Kaito knew ver much what went through the head of his brother. Taking a clear gulp from his water bottle, he placed it on the table and joined Naruto on the couch.


    Actually Kaito didn''t really know how to start this conversation. So he started with a question. "Do you want to talk about it?"


    Naruto¡äs gaze wandered up to his brother and stayed there for a while until he dodged his question and stayed silent.


    Kaito got a little bit annoyed by that response. It was rather childish from Naruto but Kaito knew what he was thinking about so he took it to heart and sighed.


    "Are you thinking about the Nine-Tails inside of us?" Kaito let the cat out of the bag.


    Naruto made big eyes. "What!?"


    "Don''t make me repeat it. I know what Mizuki revealed to anger you..."


    "How do you know? Wait, don''t tell me you also knew about it and didn''t tell me anything?"


    "Whoah there. You are jumping to some weird conclusions" Kaito raised a brow and made a gesture as if he was innocent. Leaning backward he even raised his arms to signal that he was not at fault.


    True enough Naruto was spot on but that didn''t matter. "I heard it from Iruka when I healed him and asked about your wellbeing. It was a little bit earlier before you ran into Mizuki."


    Naruto looked at Kaito somewhat suspiciously but calmed down. Thinking about the truth made him sad now. Then he looked back at Kaito and a weird confused look appeared on his face after realizing something.


    "You...don''t feel bad?"


    "About what?", asked Kaito once again


    "The nine-tails...that we were lied to.", answered Naruto.


    "You are making such a big deal about it. So what? We got each a part of the Nine-Tails inside of us, who cares?... Well, we do know now why people show us those cold eyes. They fear us, I guess. It is a small relief knowing the reason now."


    "Relief?" Naruto frowned. "Kaito, we are the ones at fault for..."


    "Stop right there." Kaito interrupted. "We are at fault at nothing. It was not our decision to become the hosts for the nine-tails. And don''t even think about putting that blame on yourself. People talk a lot and need someone they can put their blame on for their misery. And we just became that - scapegoats. But we never should acknowledge their wrong words or their hate. Instead, we should work on changing their mindset. Remember our promise, Naruto. It changes nothing now that we know the truth."


    Kaito outstretched his fist to him again and Naruto looked at it for a while. Smiling he bumped it with his own.


    "You are right. Just one more reason to become Hokage and show them!" Naruto regained some of his old vigor.


    "But there is something else I am also thinking about.", added Naruto.


    "What is it?"


    "Mizuki mentioned a Jutsu inside the forbidden scroll that could revive people...Revive our parents...Do you think he was lying?" Naruto looked at him while asking that question.


    Kaito narrowed his eyes after hearing that question. "Maybe. It could be possible but you cant also be sure about him just lying. But nevertheless. I don''t want to even think about the cost of such a Jutsu. We are talking about life and death here, Naruto..."


    "I am not concerned so much about that but...to see our parents...I really would like that to happen even if it isn''t possible..." Now Naruto was grabbing his ?h?st a bit more tightly.


    "You know....I nearly ran off with that scroll..."


    Kaito really felt his sadness and even his own heart started to ache and longed to use the Edo Tensei. But just as the name implied it was an impure way to bring back souls. And another point would be that their parent''s souls were sealed.


    "...I know, brother. I know..." With those last words from Kaito, a long time of silence fell and they just sat there on the couch and didn''t say any more words.


    Later Kaito bumped him softly and then stood up from the couch and left to get some sleep. But he knew very well this talk would give him a rather bad sleep.


    The next few days passed rather normally for the two.


    Just on the day when they had to return back to the academy to receive the information who would be their Jonin sensei it was Naruto who had a sudden change in attitude.


    He was rather happy and cheerful. That appearance made even Kaito smile and happy inside.


    "You feeling better now?", he asked him when they were about to leave.


    "You were right, brother. We should always look forward and not back. There are no shortcuts in life.", answered Naruto with a grin.


    "Huh? And whose wise words are those?" Kaito actually chuckled because he had to think about the future Naruto.


    Naruto actually blushed a little bit after seeing his brother laughing about his words like that. "Hey now..."


    "No, you are completely right, Naruto." Kaito smiled brightly. "So, who did you meet that made you think like that?"


    Naruto actually had met with Konohamaru and got a certain boost of confidence through him.


    Truly, bonds can come in many forms. Well, in this case, it came in the form of the Harem no Jutsu that would later become one of the most legendary Jutsu that even affects beings like Kaguya.


    But until then, Kaito certainly hit Naruto his head ever time he did such embarrassing Jutsu. Maybe it was his modern mind thinking that he should not turn into some sort of transvestite? Even Jiraiya the hermit pervert didn''t come up with such a Jutsu because he valued his masculinity.


    Even though you could argue if he was gay asking Naruto to turn into a female version to get "inspirations".

 Chapter 32 - Teams

    "Hey, who do you think our team will be?" Naruto asked.


    "No idea. Truthfully speaking. We are even more likely to be put into different teams, brother." Kaito really didn''t know how this would work out. There was an iron rule of a four-man cell group in Konoha.


    That meant 3 Genin and their Jonin teacher.


    "Then hopefully I don''t get mixed with you, Naruto." Sasuke overheard their conversation because he sat in front of them and had to give his own remark to it.


    "Huh!?" Naruto somewhat got annoyed by that. "Who the hell even wants to be in your team? The same applies to you, Sasuke."


    "At least I am useful. The only thing you can do is just charge blindly into enemy lines." Sasuke already had a general opinion about Naruto¡äs fighting style which based a lot on taijutsu.


    But in the world of shinobi the more versatile you are, the better.


    "Yes, Sasuke is right. Naruto, just shut up already. You are being noisy again." Sakura sitting right beside Sasuke immediately supported her crush.


    Kaito narrowed his eyes on that remark. He felt somewhat annoyed by this girl. How in the world did his brother come to like her? "How about you don''t interfere in things you are not supposed to, forehead girl?"


    "What did you say, Kaito!?" Sakura was immediately angered by his words and went berserks for just a glimpse. But when she noticed Sasuke looking at her, she became somewhat quiet again and blushed in shame that she.


    Kaito just sighed to that.


    Naruto just got annoyed even more annoyed when he saw Sakura defending Sasuke. "You damn! You want to go another round and receive a beating or what!?" Naruto then jumped on the desk of Sasuke and glared at him with his face really close to Sasuke¡äs.


    Since Sasuke did also glare back from being annoyed as well there were already sparks flying around between them.


    "What is going on here? Are you bickering again?", asked Ino that came over to them.


    "It¡äs just the normal thing. Don''t worry too much, Ino." Kaito answered normally while looking at those two polar opposites.


    "I see. Hey, Kaito. What do you think the teams will be?" Ino asked then.


    Looking at her, he smiled. "Oh, nice look. It suits you." He saw that she had her hair short. Kaito had a clear impact on her personality. It was clearly noticed by him some time ago since she didn''t pursue Sasuke as determined as in canon.


    But he was still dense enough to not notice that she just seemed to have switched her focus on him.


    In his mind, he also liked the changed Ino. It was such a waste of energy to pursue love while the other party clearly didn''t bother about it. Only hurt feelings would stay over time.


    That was another thing his brother didn''t seem to get at all currently.


    Ino blushed a little about his comment. "What does my look have to do with the question I asked?" She may deny it but she felt happy that he noticed.


    "Nothing." Kaito grinned. "Anyway, I think we will be put together based on versatility and compatibility. Come to think, you will probably be put together with Shikamaru and Choji as the new Ino-Shika-Cho."


    Hearing that Ino frowned a little. Then she sighed. "I guess you are right. But that makes you a wild card?"


    Kaito was somewhat surprised by her words. "Why do you think that?"


    "You are the best in the academy. You can basically fit right into every team. So I think it will be up to you to join one." Her words made sense.


    "Hmm...I guess I will see that then."


    "Iruka sensei is coming!" Another student saw Iruka through the window approaching the building. While he remarked that he also stood up and bumped Naruto from behind.


    There it was. The v?r??n kiss of both of them went to another male.


    Everyone that saw it had a bleak expression. Even Kaito could only sigh.


    "NARUTO!!!" The first thing though that happened afterward was a true beating by all the girls that liked Sasuke.


    "Brother! Help!!"


    "That¡äs on you....", deadpanned Kaito and just ignored it.


    A short while later Iruka came into class and everyone was sitting on their own seats.


    Looking around Iruka fixed his gaze shortly at Naruto that had a bunch of bruises all over his face now. His expression was of confusion for a moment.


    "Alright, today I am going to announce your teams. Listen carefully." With those words, he proceeded to name the teams.


    "Nooooo! Why!?" Naruto shouted and clearly didn''t want to be put in one team with Sasuke. He was happy to have Sakura in the team but not about Sasuke. Sasuke, on the other hand, was not happy to have either a simpleton nor a stalker on his team. So Team 7 didn''t change at all.


    The other teams were also very much the same. There was only something weird that Kaito didn''t expect. So he raised his hand to ask. "Uhm, sensei. What about me?" It was asked because he was in no team whatsoever.


    "Your case is a little special. So I wanted to do this last. Both of your team members are not yet in Konoha. It will take a while. For now, you are going to support Team 7 as an auxiliary fifth man."


    "Huh? I am put into a team that is not from this academy? What is this?" Kaito was more than surprised.


    "Yep, your versatility is that high. So the third put you into a special team that is consisting of special individuals. You will know what that means when your teammates arrive." Truth be told not even Iruka had any pieces of information on that besides it being handled like that.


    Kaito sighed. He wondered what that old geezer is up to. Was this just some act to put him with his brother or are there really team members arriving soon that he was not aware of? "Well, alright. So I will be put into Team 7 for a while then. Fine by me."


    Naruto was grinning from one ear to the other and Sasuke was also smiling. Sakura, on the other hand, was not sure what to think about this.


    Iruka just nodded to him. "Your respective Jonin will come by from now on and pick you up. Just wait here until they get you. And remember. Don''t even try to slack off. From here onwards you should always aim to become better."


    Then he left and let all of them wait for the Jonin.

 Chapter 33 - Kakashi Hatake

    "Why is our Team¡äs Sensei so damn late!?" Naruto was bickering around and even started to look outside the classroom if someone was approaching it.


    "Naruto, just sit down or something." Sakura sighed while looking at his antics. She was probably annoyed by his overly hyper attitude.


    "But the others were already picked up at least half an hour ago, damn it..." Naruto didn''t bother about her words and thought something else. Then he snickered a little bit and placed a trap above the sliding door.


    It was a sponge filled with chalk dust that would stain the person on whoever¡äs head it would fall.


    "What are you moron doing now!?" Sakura frowned while watching what he did. "Hey, Sasuke. Why don''t you say anything to him?"


    Sasuke¡äs response actually was a slight glare at her. She flinched and looked somewhat sad suddenly. Her reaction was to only sit down again and sulk somewhat.


    "Did something happen with you two?", asked Kaito when he noticed that behavior.


    "Yeah! Don''t treat Sakura-chan like that!" Naruto was also already back from his preparation and got mad at Sasuke. He immediately tried to support her.


    "Its nothing, really. I just told her she was annoying. She is clearly talking too much. It¡äs even worse than you lately, Naruto.", replied Sasuke with a smile.


    "Ugh...You." Naruto looked at Sakura. "Don''t mind him, Sakura-chan. He probably just has a bad mood today."


    "Seems rather serious in my opinion if nothing happened...You know you need to function as a team. Better solve that problem at some point." Kaito shrugged his shoulders since he didn''t care that much.


    He only gave a slight hint to keep the moral up since he was worried that disharmony would affect the performance of the team.


    Sasuke just sighed. "I really mean that it was nothing. She just said something I didn''t like. That is all. She will get over it. Besides, I don''t really care if she sulks over that."


    "That is still being a jerk!" Naruto was starting to argue again.


    "What? You want to try and shackle me again while eating? Be warned that it will end up differently this time." The glare sasuke gave naruto now was pretty much the same he threw to Sakura.


    Kaito only sighed to this so-called harmony in this team. Just then the door opened and someone came in.


    Everyone''s attention was also triggered if the person who came in was hit by the trap. And it actually did hit.


    Naruto started laughing "You really fell for it!"


    "I am really sorry, Sensei! I warned Naruto..." Sakura was immediately shifting the blame to


    And Sasuke just had a really disappointed look on his face.


    Kaito, on the other hand, noticed how the person reacted looking up and seeing the trap. He could have dodged at any time but just let it hit himself on purpose.


    ¡äVery good reaction speed...Kakashi Hatake...Observe.¡ä


    ----


    Name: Kakashi Hatake


    Age: 28


    Job: Elite Jonin


    Level: ???


    Title: Konoha¡äs Copycat Ninja


    CP: 100%


    STR: 52


    VIT: 42


    AGI: 76


    INT: 67


    WIS: 35


    LUCK: 14


    ----


    Kaito his pupils contracted a little bit. ¡äThat agility is really something there. He probably could react to my FTG. And he is smart. No wonder he was considered a genius. But what is up with that poor Luck stat...?¡ä


    At first, Kaito was rather disappointed. But thinking about it Kaito was kinda reaching some deadlock or something with his own stats since he rarely improved them any longer. So considering he didn''t improve it meant he was reaching the limits of normal training or something.


    That is until today that he saw Kakashi. Looks like Kaito became a little bit conceited ¡äTime to ramp up my training...¡ä


    On a side note, Naruto was b?r?ly in the ''20s with his stats. The highest being VIT with a 28 followed by STR at 24.


    "Well...For a first impression, I would say I don''t like you one bit." Kakashi started to talk now. His voice was a little muffled from his cloth in front of his mouth.


    The trio looked disheartened by that evaluation.


    "You could have dodged that...Why didn''t you?" Kaito asked straightforwardly.


    Kakashi looked at him with his only eye because the other was hidden by his headband. "Hmm. You must be Kaito Uzumaki. Red hair, sharp look." Kakashi made a happy expression. "I like you."


    By those words Kaito kinda got the creeps running up his spine. ¡äWhat the hell is this guy thinking?¡ä


    "But to answer your question. You are correct. I could have. But do tell me. Why did you play a prank on me? Would you do such things to your comrades? I shouldn''t have to feel vary about my own comrades. Now do I?"


    These words hit the other three somewhat. Especially Naruto looked somewhat apologetic now. "But you were late, Sensei...", he said in defense.


    Kakashi only sighed a little. "Let¡äs go outside. The fresh air will do you good."


    With that, they met up outside.


    "Now, let us begin with introductions. To get to know each other better. What are your likes and dislikes and what are your dreams in the future?" Kakashi started with his basic thing.


    "Hey, hey. Why don''t you introduce yourself to us first...", said Naruto back.


    Weirdly enough Sakura supported that sentence. "Yeah, you kinda look suspicious."


    "Me first, huh? Fine then. My name is Kakashi Hatake. I don''t feel like telling you my likes and dislikes. My dreams are things for sleep and I got many hobbies."


    "Wow...Why did you even start this if you are being so vague about yourself?", deadpanned Kaito."At least tell us something..."


    "Alright. I like reading. That should do. Now it''s your turn." Kakashi pointed back to them.


    "That still didn''t say much. He basically only told us his name and that he reads stuff like any other normal person.", commented Sakura.


    Naruto grinned "Fine, I will start. My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen and if it''s for free and paid by Iruka sensei, it¡äs even better. What I don''t like is the wait for the ramen to be finished. Oh, and I like my brother the most!"


    That brought a slight blush on Kaito¡äs face because he didn''t think he would say something like that. A smile surfaced on his face.


    "He makes the best ramen after all!"


    Kaito only sighed right after that...He immediately got depressed. ¡äDamn it Naruto!! Give me back my good feelings!!¡ä


    "And my dream is becoming the Hokage and let everybody acknowledge me being the greatest shinobi! And hobbies I guess pranks..."


    Kakashi rubbed his head in the realization of his hobby.


    Then came Sasuke. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don''t like anything and I hate a lot of stuff. I also don''t have a dream but an ambition. To restore my clan and...to kill a certain man."


    "Damn that¡äs gloomy. You still on that trip, Sasuke?" Kaito interrupted him. "Also, what is that clan restoration? Till now you ignored most girls?"


    Sasuke became flustered and his gloomy attitude vanished. "There are other ways to that. And I still have time for that."


    "Oh, so power first and the woman later? I see you want to brag about it?" Kaito smirked a little.


    "Shut up! I won''t let myself get told how to handle woman by someone as dense as you!"


    "Huh?" Kaito raised both his brows.


    "Now, now. Don''t fight. Let''s just continue, okay?" Kakashi interrupted their little quarrel.


    "Kaito Uzumaki. Likes - Good food. Dislikes - Bugs. Dreams...." Kaito halted for a second there. Come to think he never really thought about it, "...I guess becoming a God among Shinobi should be fine?"


    Kakashi looked somewhat curious. "Why not become the Hokage? That would be the same."


    "Nah, that definitely is not the same. Besides, I hate paperwork. I already have a lot to do with that stuff and can say it sucks. You can add that to my dislikes."


    "I see...Well, what about you, then?" Kakashi looked at Sakura now.


    "Well...What I like...The person I like....YEAH!" She somewhat mumbled on her own and didn''t really answer the question. The only thing that did come out clearly was her dislike "I hate these two twins!" She pointed at Kaito and Naruto.


    Kaito only sighed but Naruto¡äs heart broke that moment.


    "Well, since we are done with the introductions. I will now tell you what will come. There is still a test for you. It will decide if you become true Genin or go back to the academy. So be warned."


    "What! I know that! Don''t you dare deceive us!" Naruto shouted now and clearly remembered the last time someone tried to pull this.


    "I don''t. You really will go back."


    "You..." Naruto gnashed his teeth.


    "Naruto, I think this time it is real. Calm down." Kaito reassured it was the real deal.


    After Naruto calmed down and didn''t say anything Kakashi continued to explain to them that they would meet at the training grounds the day after. To make this a real survival training they should not eat anything to simulate the dire situation most shinobi are in.


    Then he disbanded the group till the next day.

 Chapter 34 - When 2 Train, then 2 improve.

    "Good Morning!" Kakashi greeted the four of them leisurely.


    "YOU ARE LATE!!!" Naruto and Sakura shouted both at him for being way too late again to their appointment. They already stood on the training grounds for a while now.


    "Don''t sweat about the small stuff." Kakashi didn''t even apologize and got straight to the point. He placed a clock down and activated its alarm that would sound at noon. "Ok, it¡äs set for noon."


    "Listen up now. Your task is to take these from me before the time¡äs up" Kakashi showed them 2 little bell chimes.


    The group was rather confused. That is besides Kaito who understood what this was all about. But there was actually something special in this scenario. Kaito actually was not included in this little exercise.


    "Those who don''t get a bell by noon will get no lunch. And if you somehow manage to get the bells then the one that doesn''t have one will be tied to a stump while the others eat. And to make something clear. One of you will certainly fail today."


    Kakashi looked serious and then placed the bells around his waist so they were visible.


    "You may use whatever you want. May it be Shuriken, Kunai, Katana or whatever weapons you like. Ninjutsu and Genjutsu are also okay. Come at me with the intent to kill. Or else you won''t succeed."


    "But you would be in danger!" Sakura was confused and worried about this being some sort of bait.


    "Yeah, you cant even dodge that blackboard eraser. We would definitely hurt you badly, sensei!", grinned Naruto.


    "The ones with the biggest mouth fall the quickest. Well, let''s ignore Mr. dead-last here." Kakashi replied.


    Naruto immediately got triggered by that provocation and took out a kunai but unlike normally when he would charge up he stopped and thought about something.


    Kaito saw that and started smiling. ¡äGuess you finally noticed, huh?¡ä


    Naruto relaxed and waited. He started rotating his Kunai around his finger and started at Kakashi. Then he suddenly wanted to charge again but right after the first step he rotated his body and tried to stab behind him.


    Kakashi who used his body flicker to suppress Naruto was surprised when he suddenly changed direction mid-motion and attacked his current position.


    But that was still a far cry about being dangerous and Kakashi just grabbed Naruto¡äs hand holding the Kunai.


    "Hmm, very interesting. Did you predict my movement?" Kakashi asked.


    "Heh, you are just like my brother. Going preferably to the back. But now that I know how fast you can be, I won''t hold back at all anymore." Naruto became quite serious now.


    "I see. So you have finally acknowledged me? But you should calm down. I haven''t said start yet. But seeing that all three of you seem to go at it with the right attitude I started to kinda like you all."


    Kakashi looked over to Kaito. He probably thought about how fast Kaito was that Naruto did compare him to his own brother. Then after a short pause, he let go of Naruto.


    "Ok, let¡äs begin. Ready...go!" With those words, Sasuke and Sakura charged off and hid in the surroundings. Those were the fundamentals of shinobi. They were ?ssassins after all.


    But there was still someone standing and preparing to go straight into a close-quarter fight. It was Naruto.


    "Okay! Here I come." Naruto charged at Kakashi


    Kakashi sighed. "Lesson #1. Taijutsu, let''s see how good you are." Then he grabbed something from his tool pouch and pulled out his Come Come Paradise book.


    "What''s wrong?" Naruto stopped his charge. "Hurry up attack me."


    "But...what is up with that book?", asked a confused Naruto.


    "Didn''t I already tell you I like reading? I just want to know what happens next. But don''t worry. It won''t make a difference against you guys.", answered Kakashi flipping a page in the book.


    A clear angry vein appeared on Naruto¡äs forehead.


    "I will totally kick your ?ss!!" Naruto continued the previous attack that he started.


    ¡äNaruto...calm down...¡ä Kaito sighed and started to tap the ground in annoyance. He felt somewhat annoyed now that he was put here only to watch all the action unfold.


    Naruto was also still outmatched. One of the factors is that he was emotionally agitated before he even started the fight.


    But because he did train with Kaito Naruto slowly started to calm down and the longer Kakashi seemed to dodge and parry nonchalantly the more naruto noticed other openings from his stance.


    Of course, someone would have openings, when someone had a freaking book in their hands and read said book.


    At some point, Naruto even threw a Kunai stealthily while he pretended a swing of his foot brought him out of balance.


    That little trick was again a mid-motion change in action. Kakashi sure applauded Naruto¡äs talent in doing so. Normally an already started motion was rather hard to be changed, but he somehow manages to infuse his momentum into a smooth transition and apply a further increase in power to a combination of movements.


    The kunai ended up being so fast that it graced Kakashi''s leg slightly. Kakashi even frowned a little bit. He was actually hit while trying to avoid the attack. But that was not all. That small moment of distraction was enough for Naruto and he already had his fingertip on one of the bells.


    Seeing that, Kakashi¡äs eye went wide and he immediately slapped Naruto¡äs face with his book sending him flying to the ground a few meters away.


    "Ugh! Damn it! I was so close!!" Naruto was annoyed that it failed and wiped away the dirt on his face with his sleeve.


    Kakashi stared at him for a while and actually put away the book. He was planning on only dodging his attacks and have some fun but by the look, Naruto was rather far in Taijutsu. Once again Kakashi took a glance over to Kaito that was sitting leisurely on a rook now.


    There was a rather pleased smile on his face. Even somewhat mocking.

 Chapter 35 - Meaning

    Both Kakashi and Naruto stood on each side from Kaito¡äs point of view. They still were staring mostly and Kakashi didn''t bother moving.


    Even if he acknowledged that he would need more concentration he was still not going to spar with these kids seriously. One may call it ???ky but his experience was enough to support that confidence.


    Near them, Kaito placed one of his legs over the other and then leaned his head against his arm that was placed on the said former leg.


    Then his pupils traveled off to the side where he saw Sasuke and Sakura still hiding in their brushes. It was rather easy for him detecting their chakra signatures.


    ¡äNow what are you two going to do?¡ä


    Just when those thoughts crossed his mind Naruto charged at Kakashi again. He looked even more confident in his move as well.


    But sadly now Kakashi was not going to go easy. He blocked Naruto¡äs rampage easily and when an opening showed itself he crouched slightly and dived past Naruto to be behind him.


    "And you still got caught off-guard from behind.", said Kakashi then and placed both his hands together.


    Kaito his eye twitched seeing that outcome. Naruto was still in motion from an attack that put him airborne. ¡äWait, is he going to do that anyway?¡ä


    "Damn!" Naruto cursed and tried to throw his kunai to his backside.


    "Too late. Konoha Secret Ultimate Taijutsu Technique!" Kakashi went forward to pierce Naruto¡äs ?ss.


    "Hey, hey. You are not supposed to interfere. You definitely won''t get any food later." Kakashi looked and pointed at Kaito who was the culprit.


    "I don''t care. I would rather you don''t do such embarrassing moves...Sensei...", answered Kaito with a somewhat annoyed voice. There was even a clear angry tick at his forehead and his smile was rather ominous.


    "Hmm, the serious type, are we? Then by your rules, your brother here would be dead. So should he be the one to have no food?"


    "Huh!? I still can fight! I¡äll show ya!" Naruto rebuked his lost fight and executed his shadow clones. There were now 10 of himself and all charged right at Kakashi.


    Kakashi only sighed and went up in smoke. Naruto was confused because only his own clones were present.


    But suddenly he started beating himself up and that got a reaction out of the others.


    "You are Kakashi-Sensei, right? You are only disguised!"


    Each of the clones started to accused themselves and roughed each other up in a huge brawl. Shortly after getting annoyed, Naruto realized that he could release the Jutsu.


    But when he did that he only looked flabbergasted because he was the only one left standing. And with all the damage accumulated through his clones, he basically let himself beat up by 10 people, gaining unnecessary exhaustion.


    "Where are you!!?" Naruto started shouting and looking around and when he came close to a tree he saw one of the bells lying on the ground.


    "Ha, he lost one! My luck is great, hehe!!" But coming closer to try and pick it up, he activated a trap that was placed there and was pulled upside-down. Now he was hanging from the mentioned tree by a rope.


    "Baka~. Use your Jutsus carefully depending on the situation.", explained Kakashi, who was above him on the branch in the tree where the other side of the rope was tied up.


    Then he jumped down and picked his lure up. "You are out. Let''s see how the others are doing." With those last words, Kakashi started walking away to the direction of Sakura and Sasuke.


    Naruto didn''t give up yet and still threw weapons at Kakashi. Whatever that may have served as, it was intercepted easily. But this time it was Kaito who did it.


    "Huh?" Naruto was obviously surprised now.


    "It¡äs enough, brother. Let''s be fair here and just keep quiet for now.", said Kaito threw the shuriken back to cut the rope.


    Falling down Naruto got up rather quickly and looked at Kaito. Then after scratching his head a little, he nodded. "Alright...Damn it..."


    Kakashi looked at this scene and while no one could tell, he had a smile underneath his mask. Then after he continued to walk away and deal with the other two it didn''t take that much longer and all three were beaten and had to admit defeat.


    Sakura was easily disabled with Genjutsu and even though Sasuke was also good in Taijutsu and even had Ninjutsu, it was still not enough.


    Standing in front of the three people that looked back at Kakashi he sighed and started to evaluate them.


    "Aright, you three don''t need to worry about the bells.", said Kakashi while guessing their thoughts about the result.


    "Does that mean!?" Naruto tried to get Kakashi to say the words but was immediately shut down after he got his hopes back up.


    "Yeah, you should all quiet being shinobi."


    "What!!? Why! Just because we couldn''t get our hands on those bells from a clearly strong opponent like you?" Naruto was furious now but couldn''t do much because he was the one that was tied up as punishment.


    "It is because you are just punks pretending to be shinobi."


    Those last words from Kakashi triggered even the rather calm Sasuke and he tried to go melee. But just in a swift motion he placed him underneath him and held his right arm behind his back.


    "See what I mean? Do you guys actually underestimate shinobi a little bit too much?" Kakashi glared at them now.


    "Why do you think you are a team? Why do you think you are undergoing this training?"


    "Huh? What do you want to tell us?", asked Sakura now and actually seemed to start thinking about his words.


    "...You basically don''t get the answer, do you? Well, let us ask our third party then. Kaito may be currently in this team but there is a reason for him not have been included in the test. Now, if my thoughts are correct...Can you explain to them what I try to say?"


    All four of them looked at Kaito now who was staying quiet the whole time.


    "Brother...You knew?" Naruto asked.


    "Of course I knew. The answer is rather simple. You three lacked teamwork." Kaito started to explain to them their shortcomings. "I already told you before, you need to function as a team. But you obviously didn''t listen when I said that yesterday."


    "Naruto, you went against Kakashi-sensei with no real clue of his capabilities even after seeing his speed first hand before the test. Then your usage of Jutsu was rather counterproductive. You got yourself exhausted and injured."


    "Sakura, you always worried about Sasuke who was rather unharmed at the start. All the while Naruto was the one in need of your help. Focusing too much on something and neglecting the other is not good. The team needs to trust each other to depend to get backed up when engaging enemies. Just staying there and staring while a team member is wounded is unacceptable."


    "Same goes to you, Sasuke. But what is more, is that you are probably the one that hates cooperation the most. You think you can handle most things yourself. But you need to see that with the help you are more than just an individual."


    "And that brings us to your task. If you had put good teamwork together then you would definitely get the bells. Even if one had to sacrifice his own happiness and swallow the bitter pill. The team comes first."


    After his long explanation, Kaito looked back at Kakashi. " I guess that is about it."


    "Very good." Kakashi nodded. "Kaito did mention the most important things. If a team is endangered by individuals than it can''t exist."


    "For example..." Kakashi took a Kunai and placed it at Sasuke¡äs throat. "Sakura, kill Naruto."


    With that Sakura actually flinched and hesitated to say the right thing: That she would not do it.


    "You see? If you are confronted with hard choices or can''t rely on your team. Then you only end up dead."


    Kakashi walked over to a stone monument to the side. "Look at this. Every name that is written here belongs to a shinobi that was accepted as a hero of the village."


    "Really!? Then I will do my best and also add my name to that list." Naruto grinned after his proud proclamation.


    "Naruto, that...." Kaito frowned slightly and wanted to tell him but Kakashi continued his words.


    "These are all names of people that died on duty."


    Naruto looked shocked at that moment and his gaze went downward. He really nearly forgot that one accident. His eyes traveled to his brother Kaito who still looked at Kakashi.


    "This is a memorial. My best friend¡äs name is also carved here. As well as the name of the one he loved..."


    "I will give you one last chance. Don''t waste it. Eat up and we will continue."


    Noticing that Kakashi started to walk away Naruto became worried. "Hey, and what about me?"


    "Didn''t I say there is going to be one that gets punished? You will have to accept that it is you. Eat the sour pill with pride." Kakashi made a thumbs up.


    "EEEHHHH! THAT''S NOT FAIR!!" Naruto now cried out loud because he was denied food and was already feeling his grumbling stomach.

 Chapter 36 - The Red Flash

    Sasuke ate slowly the bento that was handed to him and Sakura. From time to time he stared at both Naruto and Kaito who were the only ones not having any food.


    Sakura also already stopped eating for a while and looked at the monument that Kakashi talked about. Weirdly enough it was her that started a conversation.


    "Do you guys think the team of Kakashi-sensei is written on that stone?"


    That was rather surprising and Kaito raised both his brows. Then he glanced over to the monument and tried to read a few names.


    It was actually a monument of previous team 7 members. ¡äDoes every training ground have those? The wars truly were taking their toll on lives. There are so many names...¡ä


    Then he actually noticed a few names he recognized and sighed lightly.


    "It could be. We are shinobi that were raised in a rather peaceful time...I can''t imagine how hard it must have been for all the people just two decades ago. Kakashi-sensei was probably around our age at that time and there was still a war going on..."


    Kaito talked in a rather quiet voice but still was hearable by the three of them.


    Sasuke averted his gaze for a short moment and probably thought about his own clan.


    "And yet we are still living in danger, are we not? It feels unreal that so many have given their lives for only such little progress." Naruto was the one that said those words. He knew as well as the other two that the villages still stood under tension with each other.


    "Hatred is something that engulfs people''s hearts for various reasons...But there is still hope." Kaito picked up a leaf from the ground that was carried there by the wind. "Just like this leaf, we are a new generation of shinobi. It is up to us to change things just like that. And we will not be the last. Even if we end up burning. New leaves will bloom after us..."


    The three looked at him in confusion when he said those words.


    But that atmosphere was broken by Naruto¡äs stomach protesting with a grumble.


    He immediately got a slight blush in embarrassment and stayed.


    Sasuke looked over to him and thought about something. Then he stretched out his remaining food to Naruto. "Here, eat your fill."


    "What? Really? Thanks!!" Naruto started to grin but his smile vanished shortly after. "Ehm...I can''t really eat it. I am still tied up..."


    "Tch, now I have to even feed you? Then you better be useful. If you waste this in the next try of getting the bells I will beat you up myself." Sasuke was rather annoyed now that he had to feed this guy but he still did it.


    Sakura looked at this and thought about her own lunch. Then she only sighed and went over to Kaito to hand him her food.


    "Hmm, you want to feed me as well?" A smirk appeared on his face at first and the he opened his mouth. "Ah~."


    She blushed when she realized what he was after but soon got angry with him. "As if!! Use your goddamn hands to eat it! You are not tied up."


    Kaito laughed now because they suddenly got a better mood. That previous talk was rather something better put aside for now.


    "It¡äs fine. I am not that hungry yet."


    "Ah! Sakura-chan! Then give me some!" Naruto smiled. He, sure enough, tried to use this chance to get fed by her.


    "No! You already got Sasuke-kun''s food. Don''t get greedy!!" It was a straight denial.


    "Don''t be like that Sakura-chan~." Naruto still was shameless in his pursuit.


    "Hmpf." Sakura just ignored that and started to continue eating while looking at Kaito. "Well, I did try to share. Don''t come complaining later."


    Suddenly they heard someone shouting. "YOU! What is going on here!" It was Kakashi that appeared again and glared at them. "You still shared food while I ordered not to?"


    "Wait, Kakashi-sensei! It¡äs my fault. The other two don''t have anything..."


    "You pass." Kakashi stopped Naruto¡äs try to take the blame.


    "Huh?" All three were stunned by his words.


    "How?", asked Sakura.


    "People that don''t follow orders are scum. That is true. But those that don''t care for their companions are even greater scum. Seeing that you shared the food I am going to give you a chance as a team. Teamwork may not yet be great but this is already a good start."


    "Really!? Did you hear that? We passed!" Naruto was very happy with that outcome. The other two were also showing signs of relief and happiness.


    Then Kakashi turned to Kaito. "That is if Kaito manages to steal my bells."


    Suddenly everyone was struck by a mood dampener. Kaito¡äs smile also diminished somewhat.


    "What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei?", said Naruto. "Why does Kaito have to steal your bells?"


    Kakashi just ignored Naruto¡äs question and walked further away. "Are you in for it, Kaito?"


    Kaito looked at Kakashi and still wondered what this was about. But then he stood up and walked over to Kakashi.


    "I am not sure what this is all about. But sure, I am ready." Kaito nodded slightly.


    "That is good to hear. So, the title of genius. Let me see how much of that is true. Be warned. I also had that title myself. And I know some that had it before you." Kakashi still looked very relaxed.


    "..." Kaito thought about something and then looked upwards into the air fro a sort moment. "I am not sure I ever considered myself as such. Is that how I am being viewed by the Anbu that stalk us?"


    Kakashi was still putting on his relaxed face but in his mind, he was slightly surprised to know that he knew he was under surveillance.


    "Not really? It¡äs just that your academy results are the best in all categories. I got all that from your documents."


    "I see...Well, then we should start, no?" Kaito smiled slightly and took out a few Kunai out of his pouch. "To be truthful I am kinda excited. I know I don''t stand that much of a chance but to make this worth, I would like for you to be serious with me."


    "We will see about that, won''t we?"


    Kakashi his eye trembled slightly seeing Kaito¡äs speed. With b?r?ly any hesitation he reacted and energized his own body to react and deflect the attack that was already incoming from his left.


    Sparks flew and both Kaito and Kakashi distanced themselves.


    "Very good use of body flicker. You really are quick. Looks like you were not bragging when you said I should take you seriously."


    "Where are you even watching?", asked the Kaito that was in front of him.


    "!?" Kakashi jumped upwards just before another Kaito charged from under the earth and followed into the air. He threw his kunai out of habit in his direction and had a slightly shocked expression surface on his face because he didn''t want to do that.


    If he gets hurt it would be his fault. But unlike his expectation, the kunai only hit a Kaito clone that went up in smoke.


    Kakashi immediately looked back at the other Kaito when he landed on the ground and saw him printing signs. "Crap." He cursed and also printed.


    "Katon - Great Fireball." The column of flames charged forth from Kaito¡äs mouth right at Kakashi who also just finished printing.


    It was a Jutsu that Kaito knew as well. "Doton - Mud Wall." A 2-meter wall appeared in front of Kakashi that had some dogfaces on it as decoration. Probably a small flair touch from him. It clocked the flames that raged on the other side of it.


    "Hey! You are supposed to get the bells. Not trying to fry me!" When Kakashi shouted in a weird amused voice he suddenly hears jingling. "Huh!?" Looking down at his waist he saw Kaito already crouching beside him with the bells in his grasp.


    "I already got them." Kaito grinned and made a victory sign.


    Kakashi only looked at him flabbergasted. "How?"


    "WHOA! SO COOL BROTHER!!" Naruto shouted and laughed.


    Sasuke and Sakura were staring in disbelief.


    At another place in a building, an old man looked inside a crystal orb.


    "He actually managed to learn it..." Then the old man started to laugh lightly. "That little brat is surely something. He really got the same talent as him." It was Hiruzen that said those words and smoked his pipe while watching the show through his crystal ball.


    Because he had a better view over the battle he knew exactly how Kaito won. But Kakashi should have noticed as well and that is why he couldn''t believe it.


    "In the end, there is no need to interfere. I even ended up seeing something very interesting."


    Hiruzen was only spying because Iruka voiced his concern that it may have been a little bit too harsh to let them be evaluated by a Jonin that never let anyone pass until now.


    "Looks like this time you will have to accept being a Mentor, Kakashi."

 Chapter 37 - Team 7

    Kakashi slowly stood up from his kneeling position that he took when performing the mud wall.


    Then he scratched the backside of his head and squinted his eyes with a friendly expression.


    "Well, that was rather quick. Then I will have to keep my word and officially announce that the new Team 7 has been established. Congratulations."


    Naruto grinned with the final outcome while Sakura and Kaito both smiled. Even Sasuke started to smirk lightly.


    "Now that you passed the test, let us go and inform the officials."


    Kaito nodded and went ahead to free his brother from the ropes.


    When he was done Naruto fist-bumped with him. "Nicely done, brother!"


    Of course, Kaito accepted that gesture with a smile. "Nothing to sweat over."


    Sasuke actually frowned at that. "Hey, since when did you copy my Jutsu?"


    Kaito looked at him. "Hmm? Well, you used it against me in our spars often enough that I figured it out at some point. Should I not have?"


    Sasuke started to think about something. "It''s alright. But I better get something in return for it."


    Kaito actually raised his brows. Was Sasuke actually trying to exchange techniques here?


    "That both of you even got the amount of chakra necessary to perform this ninjutsu is already a surprise to me...", commented Kakashi.


    Then he glanced over at Naruto for a short moment and back to Kaito. ''Even though you two kinda don''t get to be judged by the same criteria.''


    "Man, I wish I wouldn''t be so bad with my own chakra.", lamented Naruto now.


    "You have your shadow clones, Naruto.", said Kaito back.


    "But you can do them as well when I showed you how. And I still can''t get either that fireball or water bullet done."


    "Wait, you taught Naruto about the Great Fireball!?" Sasuke was now somewhat more agitated than before.


    "Well, a little bit. But he ends up either burning himself or his flame is b?r?ly large enough to start some campfire...There ain''t nothing great about it.", sighed Kaito while explaining.


    "And Naruto. I can only do about 5 clones at max and keep fighting while you kinda can do...what was it again? A few hundred? That is if you concentrate. But even those 10 at most times you use is more than I can ever hope to manage."


    Naruto leaned his head sideways and thought about it. Then he smiled. "So I beat you at my own Jutsus!"


    Kaito squinted his eyes somewhat. "If you mean your perverted Jutsu and the shadow clones - sure enough."


    "Perverted Jutsu?", asked Sakura now with a somewhat skeptical voice.


    "Yeah, its called the Sexy Jutsu. Look!" Just as he said so he transformed into a n?k?d woman with two blond piggy tails. Her br??st area was quite endowed and the curves went into a smooth hourglass figure.


    Kaito only facepalmed when he saw him perform it. And a slight angry vain appeared on his head. ''Why did he still create this Jutsu?''


    Sakura obviously was shocked and smacked Naruto immediately for creating such a Jutsu.


    "What the hell are you thinking of creating such a Jutsu!!"


    "Ouch!! Why did you hit me for it? Ah, I know. You probably like this version more." He again transformed but this time it was male bishonen version of the Jutsu.


    Sakura blushed extremely and was stunned.


    But Kaito was the one smacking him this time. "I don''t want to see a freaking dong flying in the wind here!! If you ever transform into that version I will beat you to the state where you will forget about that Jutsu!!"


    Naruto only rubbed his head when he was his old self again. "So the female version is alright?"


    That comment let Kaito blush and Kakashi now coughed to interrupt. When one looked closely he had also a slight red tinge on his cheeks.


    "Let''s stop with these little stunts. Those Jutsus are not really usable in combat. If you ever find yourself in a spying mission, then it will come in handy but otherwise please keep it to yourself, Naruto."


    Sasuke looked at him with a deep gloomy expression. He looked as if he regretted ever socializing with Naruto.


    Then he started walking away. "Forget it. I am not going to bother asking about a Jutsu in return from you..."


    "Hey, what do you mean with that!?" Naruto sprinted right after Sasuke.


    The only ones left are now Sakura, Kakashi, and Kaito.


    Kaito snipped his fingers in front of Sakura¡äs face to get her back. And it worked.


    "Huh!?", responded Sakura when leaving her stupor.


    "The other two already went back to the village. Better hurry after them.", said Kaito with a smirk while pointing to the direction with his thumb.


    That Jutsu really hit her hard. I guess showing a girl what males look down there is truly not without effect after all. But that could also be said about both genders.


    "Yes, you are right..." She was still embarrassed about it and just left after them without any more words.


    Kakashi sighed greatly now. "Looks like I will have my hands full with you bunch."


    "Is that so? Or did your mind slightly wander to your perverted book when you saw my brother''s Jutsu." Kaito didn''t even bother hiding the fact now that he knew about his little p?rn book. His hands were leaning at the backside of his head.


    Kakashi actually seemed to be a little nervous but mainly kept a serious face.


    "Can we just change the subject...? I am still curious how you got past my senses just now."


    "Hmmm..." Kaito thought about some pros and cons and looked at his radar. Then he started talking. "Well, my father should have been much faster with the Jutsu, no?"


    Just when those words were said Kakashi''s eye opened wide in realization. But that soon went back to normal.


    "So my instincts telling me you disappeared for a split second was not wrong...."


    "That is about right. Well, I am really happy to be mentored by you."


    Kaito was very close to telling the reason why as well but kept that fact back. He couldn''t explain where he got the information from otherwise. It was after all not very public that Kakashi was the fourth¡äs student.


    "The p???sur? is mine. And I get the feeling you are still hiding something...Why else would you mention your father...As if you know that knew him..."


    Kakashi looked at his back and wondered. ''What kind of monsters are the current generation? That talented Uchiha. That massive amount of chakra in the one kid and the clearly dangerously sharp mind of the other that combines both aspects...''


    Then Kakashi had a small flashback to his own time as a genin.


    He sighed softly as if to suppress a smile and then followed after them. But he kept his slow ?ss pace to keep his image about living his life for three people.


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 Chapter 38 - Result

    "How has it been?", asked Hiruzen while puffing his smoke. Time has passed since the early morning and Team 7 already was sent home after all procedures were done.


    "It was very interesting. I sure was surprised by them.", answered Kakashi.


    Hiruzen smiled a little. "That, I was as well..."


    "Hm?" Kakashi was confused at first.


    "Oh, right. I just took a glimpse at your test through the observatory orb. Iruka was worried so I watched you."


    "I see.", nodded Kakashi now.


    "That kid seriously learned the Flying Thunder God Jutsu with just a glimpse on the scrolls...A rank S Jutsu no less...He seems to have inherited both talents. That of his father and mother. Looks like I will have to be careful when showing him techniques. It makes me wonder if he learned some Jutsu from the scroll of the previous Hokage as Naruto did."


    "He said he could perform the Shadow Clone. The ?ssumption could be possible.", commented Kakashi while remembering Kaito and Naruto their conversation.


    Hiruzen sighed out. "Good thing we prepared things and didn''t keep any Forbidden Techniques inside there. Anyway, did he really outsmart you that easily?" Hiruzen now snorted lightly. His smile was still in his face.


    "That would be a disgrace now, would it? I will let him keep that illusion. But he is sure to become a great Shinobi." Kakashi took the small recognizable bells out of his pocket again and juggled them. "The one he beat was my shadow clone."


    "Keep in mind that he will later be transferred to Onizuka his team.", said Hiruzen after nodding to remind Kakashi of later plans.


    "The experimental team? Is that such a good idea with the talent that he is showing right now? And that he is our villages Jinchuriki makes it a little bit more peculiar..."


    "The group is special in itself. He won''t be standing out that much...Onizuka is also stronger than even you. He can keep him safe if the need arises..."


    Kakashi squinted his eyes slightly. "The last living legacy left behind by Madara Uchiha...Are we really trusting the grandson of Madara?"


    Now the atmosphere became gloomy and Hiruzen breathed deeply in and puffed out smoke.


    "He is the one that kept the damage to a minimum when all people started to ostracize the Uchiha. You should also remember the night when the Kyuubi rampaged. If not for him, then a lot more would have happened...We can''t just go and accuse him. Besides that...He already discarded his Uchiha heritage."


    Kakashi thought about the words and remembered the war. He then nodded in confirmation.


    "Well, even with him gone the team shows a rather high amount of talent. Sasuke incorporates the Uchiha talent, Naruto has immense chakra reserves that kinda impact his control and Sakura could become a decent Kunoichi if her head would not be in the clouds all the time."


    Hiruzen smiled again. "Looks like you started to like them. Keep them safe. Especially Naruto and Sasuke."


    "As you wish, Lord Hokage." Kakashi nodded and then left.


    Outside Kakashi could only scratch his head a little.


    "This truly has become some troublesome affaire. Well, let''s just hope nothing bad happens."


    ---


    The days pass and now a whole month vanished just like that.


    Four kids were running around a farm and carrying iron buckets that they put beneath some cows.


    "Ugh, do we really have to do this? First, searching for a cat and now this? Are we only getting errand jobs?", complained Naruto and started milking the cow.


    "Why don''t you see this as training, Naruto?", asked Sakura.


    "Where is this training? It''s only us doing various missions to help out. I didn''t become a ninja to just become some farmer later..."


    "You know, Sakura is right here. Look, the motion needed to get every last drop out makes your fingers flexible. Could be useful for hand signs.", said Kaito now and tried to calm down his brother. Looking over he could see how he also seemed to struggle. "And it doesn''t look like you and Sasuke seem to get any milk out at all.


    "Grrh..."Sasuke grumbled and now became more forceful after hearing Kaito his comment. The cow reacted with a loud moo.


    "Hey! Don''t hurt my animals. You hear me!?", sounded a voice from outside the barn. It was the owner of the farm.


    Kaito had to chuckle. "Well, at least our teamwork increased exponentially with all those errand jobs."


    "How come you are always so calm about this?", asked Sakura now from the side.


    "What use it to complain? We are getting paid for the work we do."


    "But isn''t your brother right? Should we not do other things instead of wasting away our time here? Are we supposed to always do this?"


    Kaito looked at her now. "Why would you think that?"


    "Well, my father always complained about how he never got the chance of becoming some hero or something. I wonder if it is because he ended up doing jobs like these?"


    Kaito¡äs eyes widened when he heard that and then he chuckled. "I don''t think that is the case. Don''t worry so much about it. We can be lucky that we are not straight send to our deaths in some war...Also, are you implying you want to become some great Kunoichi?"


    At those last words, Kaito smirked at her in a teasing way.


    Sakura blushed a little hearing that. "What!? Why are you smirking? Is it that strange to want to become good in what you do?"


    "Nah, it¡äs just you should have said that when we introduced ourselves to Kakashi-Sensei."


    "But that is so embarrassing! You don''t know my father! If he finds out I said something like that he will not stop annoying me!" Sakura became kinda agitated.


    Naruto now laughed as well. "But now we know we all are pursuing our goals! One always has to keep up the work!"


    "Look who became happier.", smiled Kaito and winked at Sakura.


    She looked at him and smiled back. Sakura understood it was a thank you from him to her. Then her eyes wandered to Sasuke who was still struggling to get any milk out.


    When he noticed her eyes he looked at her and for a few seconds didn''t say anything until he went back to doing his work.


    Sakura let her head down and continued to work as well.


    Then suddenly Sasuke also started to say something.


    "You will become a good Kunoichi. Your control with your chakra already beats all of us. Just...concentrate."


    That surprised not only Sakura who those words were aimed at but also the other two. They all stared at him.


    "What!? Stop gawking! And Kaito! How the hell are you doing that!? You already got a whole bucket full."


    Kaito could only laugh. Then he showed him his hands. "Magic.~"


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 Chapter 39 - C-Rank Mission

    Naruto was slamming his hands on the table in front of Hiruzen and puffing his cheeks. His eyebrows have deep frowns


    "That is another errand job again! Old man, we are ready for better ones!" Naruto was now complaining about the mission they received in full glory. He had enough of this.


    Kakashi sighed while looking exhausted from all the babysitting he did the last past months and knew this would happen at some point.


    "Naruto, be respectful! You are still just a rookie!", shouted Iruka from the side back at him.


    Their current location was the mission hall for various tasks given to them by the villagers. The Hokage spent about a few hours every day in this place.


    "But we are seriously getting the most annoying jobs now. I must say my brother is correct here." Now even Kaito was getting impatient about the missions they got. And probably not only he was exhausted by them.


    "Yeah! We only get the crappiest jobs now!", shouted Naruto again.


    Kakashi hit him on his head this time. "Keep calm already."


    Hiruzen sighed now as well and started explaining the differentiation between mission ranks. And a Genin was just allowed for D Rank missions with a few C mixed in them if they were good. But Team 7 was only formed recently.


    "Hmm...What are we going to eat, brother?", asked Naruto.


    "How about Tempura?", asked Kaito back.


    "Hey, you two! LISTEN when I am talking!", shouted Hiruzen now. He was enraged about being ignored.


    "Sorry for that, Lord Hokage." The one apologizing for them was Kakashi.


    "You know you always start to lecture people when they start complaining. You know just as well as us that we are possibly the only ones even doing those jobs! I haven''t even seen one of them being crossed out since last month!", grumbled Naruto now.


    Hiruzen widened his eyes now and looked at his documents. In his own thoughts, he actually didn''t notice himself but it was true. In the D Mission scroll, there was only Team 7 stamped in. Rarely there were other Teams stamped on it. When did Naruto notice that?


    "Fine."


    "I will give you a C-Rank Mission. It is the protection of a certain individual. It came in just today."


    Naruto started smiling with a big grin. "Who is it going to be? Is it really someone important? A feudal lord? A princess?"


    "You think we would be sent to protect VIPs like that?", asked Kaito. He was wondering how Naruto picked such high-rank targets. Was he reading in too much from Hiruzen his words? Well, they also had to find the feudal lord''s cat last time, so it would be imaginable?


    "Calm down, I am going to introduce you to the person." He looked over to a Chuunin and that person nodded and walked away to get the person.


    Later one could see a drunkard walking into the hall with a bottle of sake at his mouth.


    "What¡äs this? These four super brats are my escorts? What is with that? The shortest one with the stupid grinning face especially.", complained the guy while burping.


    "Haha, who is the shortest?" Naruto looked around and saw both Sakura and Sasuke looking back at him immediately. Then he went and looked at his brother but even he was looking at him.


    Kaito only grinned. His hair was slightly longer with the same spikiness. Therefore he looked a tad bit taller than his twin.


    "Dammnit! I will kill you!!" Naruto was now pissed and charged at the person.


    "What are you doing?" Kakashi grabbed Naruto before he could really punch the client. "What use it it killing the person we are supposed to protect, huh?"


    ---


    When they were outside the gates of Konoha the guy stared at the group.


    "Well, I am the super expert bridge builder, Tazuna. I expect super protection from you guys until I get back to my country and complete the bridge."


    "Super Expert?", asked Kaito with a deadpan look on his face.


    "What, are you doubting my skill, brat?"


    "How about you stop calling me that and I will be more accepting of your arrogance?", said Kaito straight back.


    Naruto just ignored them and was running forward. He could not wait anymore to get adventuring. "Let¡äs go!"


    "Naruto, what are you so suddenly excited about?", asked Sakura


    "Well, I never really left the village. So its kinda exciting." He was looking around as if to see something new.


    Tazuna reacted to that behavior as well. "Am I going to be really alright with this brat." He even pointed straight at Naruto.


    Kakashi laughed drily. "Well, I am a Jounin, So, don''t worry about it that much."


    "Hey, old man! Are you seriously underestimating us ninja?", asked Naruto now. "You better don''t! Because I, Naruto Uzumaki, will become the greatest ninja and earn the Hokage title. Then you will acknowledge my skills!"


    Tazuna took another sip from his sake.


    "No, I won''t, you brat. Even if you would become the strongest in the universe I would not do so."


    "What? You damn!" Naruto wanted to hit him because in his eyes he was talking shit about the Hokage title.


    "Stop it, moron. Let¡äs go" Kakashi had to intervene once more.


    On their way out they had already walked a certain distance from the village. The quiet was rather heavy so Sakura was the first to break it.


    "Uhm, Tazuna? You are from the Wave Country, right?"


    "That is right. What about it?"


    "Are there no Shinobi there?" Her question was obviously stated to the fact that he came all the way here to get help.


    Izuna looked at her and thought about it. He only started sipping his sake again without answering.


    Kakashi wanted to tell her but Kaito suddenly started talking.


    "Sakura, there is no hidden village there. The closest to them would be Konoha and Kiri. Since it is probably because the Wave Country and the Water Country are on bad terms that he came to the Fire Country for help instead. The location of the Wave is also pretty close to the Fire country. And my ?ssumption is that the bridge he wants to build is connecting the isle to our mainland, right?"


    "Hmm, you got a good head there on your shoulders, brat.", answered Tazuna.


    "It¡äs Kaito Uzumaki."


    "Uzumaki? You both are brothers? Sorry about that..."


    "What was that!!?" Naruto got pissed off again. These two really started off on a bad note.


    "Naruto!" Kakashi had enough. Naruto could only grumble to that.


    "As Kaito has said. There is no hidden village in the Wave country. But in other countries, even if the culture may differ greatly, there is a hidden village and so do other ninjas." He answered and added a few more details to Kaito¡äs answer.


    "But you also have to differentiate between small hidden villages and the 5 great shinobi villages. The Earth, Lightning, Wind, Water, our Fire country have each a Kage that represents the strongest shinobi in the village. They are also the ones that lead the villages."


    "Huh? So Hokage same is that strong?" Sakura her question sounded rather surprised or should one say skeptical?


    "Yep, but getting back to your question. You don''t have to worry that we run into a ninja. In a C-Rank mission, there is no shinobi combat expected."


    When Kakashi said that, Tazuna flinched a little. Sasuke noticed that and tensed up slightly.


    He looked over at Kakashi and could see him still being calm and relaxed. Then his eyes went to Kaito and he could see a smile on his face. Was he maybe not noticing the obvious contradiction here?


    But the longer he stared the more the smile on Kaito¡äs face seemed to warp into a devil''s smile. The moment Kaito looked at him and even flinched a little.


    ''What was that just now?'', asked Sasuke himself.


    "There sure are some muddy waters here, right, Kakashi-Sensei?", asked Kaito now and at that moment a pair of heavily armed shinobi charged a surprise attack at them from behind.


    A sharp chain that connected the left and right arm from each individual coiled around Kakashi and with a pull Kakashi''s body ripped apart into a gory mess and landed on the ground.


    Sakura who saw that was gripped by fear. Some of the blood even hit her face.


    "Tsk." Sasuke clicked his tongue and prepared himself with a kunai in hand standing against the two guys.


    "One down..." They both said and looked rather menacing. Then they charged at the group right after.


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 Chapter 40 - First Experience

    Sasuke reacted rather quickly at the ?ssault because he had a bad premonition and threw a shuriken together with a kunai between the chain connection and nailed it to a tree.


    Then he charged at them with the intent of beating them up.


    "Hey! Careful! Don''t think that will hold them off so easily!" Kaito shouted and handprinted a few signs.


    At that moment the guys freed themselves from the Kunai and Sasuke was about to get shredded by the jagged chain just like Kakashi.


    Before that happened a pillar of earth burst out from the earth and grabbed the chain. It pulled it straight into the ground where they could not free themselves as easily as before.


    Sasuke who was already attacking got his composure back and kicked both of them when he jumped in-between the two.


    But that action only let the chain snap from their gauntlets and they immediately charged straight at Kaito who had his hands still on the ground.


    "Naruto! Take the right guy!" Kaito charged straight at the left guy with a speed that surprised the two guys. But the one guy still could react and blocked him with his gauntlet. Then a grin appeared on the defending guy and that gave Kaito warning call.


    He tried to evade with jumping away but because it was too late he could only put his arms in front of his vitals and get hit by small needles that came shooting out of the gauntlets small holes.


    Landing on his feet he skidded on the ground. His arms were slumping down like boneless jelly and hanging down. Trying to move them only made them tremble.


    ''Paralysing poison. Damn it. Looks like I am still not good enough against enemies with some brain...My experience is rather lacking against real shinobi. I should have expected dirty tricks.'', thought Kaito.


    Naruto now snapped out of his own frightened state and gritted his teeth. "Sakura, protect Tazuna!" Then he used the Kagebunshin and attacked with 4 clones.


    Sakura realized now as well that she had to keep going and positioned herself in front of Tazuna.


    "Brother, are you alright?", he asked with one of the clones that came over to him for support.


    "Don''t worry about me. Concentrate on those two guys..." Kaito slowly started raising his arms and even started printing again. But the trembling surely showed him struggling immensely.


    "Oh no, you don''t!" The guy that poisoned him charged straight at him again with the sharp claws of the gauntlet.


    But from the side, a scorching heat came flying and he had to jump back to dodge it.


    The bullet hit the guy hard and catapulted him against a tree. Then Kaito finished his printing that he prepared.


    "Doton: Earth Prison!"


    A dome of earth collected itself around the guy near the tree and immobilized him completely. Only his head remained free.


    The pain from his arms, sure enough, let him grit his teeth and they went down again. This time he could not use them anymore.


    ''The damn poison is spreading too fast if I use chakra.''


    *-Poison Resistance- level up to 22*


    ''Hooo? The poison is even strong enough to increase my skill? Shit, I need to use an antidote.'' That notification woke him up and he was sure about now that he should get rid of the poison first.


    But even when he tried to rummage his pockets to get the antidote it was rather hard with the whole trembling and the other guy that was held busy by Naruto noticed that and charged right back at him as well.


    ''Why are you ?ssholes so concentrated on me?'' Kaito just used Hiraishin at the last moment to jump back to Sakura.


    The last guy looked around in confusion but soon enough got knocked out from a punch that Kakashi sent at his chin when he came jumping out from beneath the earth at the same exact location Kaito was at previously.


    "Well done holding out this long." Kakashi gave them a thumbs up after he tied the guy up near his partner.


    "You are still alive! You scared us, damn it!", shouted Sakura and sighed in relief when she put away her Kunai. "Are you alright, Tazuna-san?"


    The drunkard still had a gaping mouth. "Ah, yes...Sure. Thanks."


    Sasuke walked over to Naruto that was now breathing somewhat exhausted on his ?ss. "Hey, scaredy-cat. You should clean that wound before the poison kills you."


    "Huh!? Who is a scaredy-cat?", asked Naruto back and looked at a wound he had on his left hand.


    "Well, obviously you. You were as stiff as Sakura when these guys attacked us."


    Naruto was displeased with his own reaction. That is because it was true. Then he grabbed his Kunai and rammed it into his left hand to let some blood out that would wash out the poison.


    "I am not going to stand that idle ever again!", swore Naruto.


    "Are you an idiot? Do you want to bleed out?", asked Kaito from the side and flexed his arms to get a feeling back into them. In his mouth, there was still a small empty vial that was previously filled with an antidote.


    "Here, drink this." He gave his brother another antidote and then used his mystic palm to heal up his self inflicted wound. The wound vanished in just seconds and the poison was dealt with by the antidote.


    "Okay, let''s pack up. We are going back to Konoha now.", said Kakashi after everything was dealt with.


    "Huh!? Wait, what? Why are we going back to the village?", asked Naruto.


    "It¡äs because our client was not sincere with the amount of information. He clearly knew he was targeted by these ninjas. And that would make this mission at least a B rank."


    Tazuna was looking grim at this moment. "I didn''t know, okay."


    "That¡äs easy to say, but the evidence speaks differently."


    "You were just supposed to protect me from a local criminal gang. That falls under the category of bandits, right?"


    "Not if those bandits have enough money to buy ninja to ?ssassinate you...", rebuked Kakashi once more.


    "This clearly now became an expensive B rank. I have the feeling you cant pay us for that. And neither are these guys ready for one such mission"


    "Kakashi-Sensei, let''s vote this up, shall we? Since this is B rank it should be a little bit harder on you but still manageable. We could use the experience in this mission. If it is about money than I can compensate.", said Kaito now. He was eager to collect more experience now after he saw how real combat was like.


    Kakashi looked at him and sighed. "Fine, who is for continuing the mission?" All three guys raised their hands.


    "What!? You guys really want to continue!?" The only one that was uncertain was Sakura but she soon accepted her fate.


    "Okay, but you guys better also start thinking about me." She even pouted her cheeks. She knew it was one league above her to fight such enemies yet but if these guys can handle it then it should be fine.


    "Thanks for being so understanding, Sakura-chan!" Naruto grinned. He was also happy to keep going. "I will definitely make sure we protect this old man!" He was also fired up to prove himself now that he had staggered at the start.


    "Hey, thanks for the help back then."


    "Hmm?" Kaito looked at Sasuke that was now thanking him and that let him raise both brows. "What did you say? I think I haven''t heard you right."


    "I am not going to say it again..." Then Sasuke walked away.


    Kaito only smiled at that. This guy sure opened up greatly and probably knew what Kaito was up to. Or else why would a great Fireball come at such a timing.


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 Chapter 41 - Ice Flower

    The group traveled for quite a while further until the surrounding lands became swampy and traversing by land became a rather hard procedure so that they were now on a boat going down a larger river.


    "I swear these mosquitoes are going to kill me at some point.", complained Sakura and scratched her arm with an annoyed frown on her face.


    "Then maybe you would stop complaining so much when that happens.", answered Sasuke with a deadpan expression. But he quickly slapped his own left arm because he got stung as well just now.


    Kaito chuckled lightly and didn''t say anything otherwise to that comment. Sometimes women are so unbearable it''s like you get to have to take extra care for them.


    "We are about there. You should be able to see the bridge by now.", mentioned the guy that steered the boat.


    Soon they could see a huge unfinished bridge.


    "Whoa, it''s huge!!", shouted Naruto right at the get-go and the man from before got slightly frigthened.


    "Hey, not so loud! Do you want others to hear us? Why do you think we use the mist for cover and don''t ignite the engine?", complained the man.


    Kakashi sighed but Naruto realized and remained silent.


    They went along the bridge to a smaller one that looked like some kind of aqu?duct. But who would need watering in this place?


    Finally being able to get down from the boat at some small hut, the group went their separate ways from the boatsmen.


    Kaito looked around rather suspiciously into the surrounding mangroves because he could sense chakra from nearby.


    The sheer amount of it was a glaring difference and on another whole level then those two guys they met much sooner on their journey.


    Instead of hiding, the person emitting that chakra was practically saying he was here. The chakra was basically everywhere. "There!!" Just at that moment, Naruto threw a shuriken into a bush.


    Everyone looked in that direction and nothing came out of it.


    "heh, must have been a rat...." Naruto tried to act cool as if nothing happened.


    "Stop acting cool, you moron! There was nothing there!", growled Sakura at him


    "Can we please not throw around shuriken like that?", commented Kakashi and knew Naruto tried to be useful but is overdoing it.


    "You sure you sensed something there, brother?", asked Kaito and gave Kakashi and quick hand signal that he was also feeling someone close by.


    Kakashi nodded to his signal.


    "Hey, midget!! Stop acting like a idiot!!", shouted Tazuna with an annoyed voice.


    But Naruto ignored him because he saw some shadow hush by this time and once again threw another shuriken.


    "I said stop it!" Sakura this time hit Naruto on his head.


    "Hey, I swear I saw something. There is definitely someone after us!"


    Kakashi and Kaito both walked over to see a white bunny being scared for its dear life because the shuriken hit very close to its head on the tree behind it.


    Naruto was apologizing to the bunny he nearly killed and made into dinner.


    While also getting yelled at by Sakura the ominous feeling that Kaito felt grew and he could finally feel the exact location of the ninja that was hiding.


    Taking the initiative, Kaito grabbed into his pocket and threw a kunai with an explosive tag into the direction he sensed the enemy. That made everyone not focused on it flinch.


    "Now you are joning your brother in the shenanigans!?", shouted Sakura but seeing Kaito use a sign and hearing the explosion coming from the direction where he threw the kunai made her rethink her words.


    "Well, well...." A voice sounded and a massive sword came flying down from the sky and landed stuck into the soil with its hilt upwards.


    A man landed on the hilt in a crouching manner and looked at them. His short black hair was covered by the headprotector and his mouth was covered by white bandages. His upper body was free and the only remarkable other feature he had was arm and ankle sleeves that were in the color of marine camo with a grey colored pants.


    "...The Copy-Ninja Kakashi Hatake and his little runt group. I must say that the sensor type over there is a quick thinker. Even scorched a little bit of my clothing. That explains how you survived the other guys ambush. Say, how come Konoha is sending such a high profile individual like yourself on a mission like this?"


    "I wouldn''t have expected Zabuza Momochi here. What does a missing-nin from Kiri do here? You working for Gatou?"


    When Kakashi asked that question Naruto was about to engage Zabusa but Kakashi immedieately prevented him from it.


    "You guys stay back and protect the client. This guy is a number too big for you. He is a Jounin missing-nin."


    Then Kakashi sighed. "That I actually have to use this..:" With this left hand Kakashi slowly raised his head protector that covered the left eye and revealed a crimson-colored eye that had a black line around the pupil and in that line, three tomoe aligned themselves in a triangular pattern.


    Zabuza narrowed his eyes and jumped down from the hilt taking his sword into his hand. His chakra started to rupture out into a vortex of malevolence.


    Kaito who looked very closely at their exchange got sudden shivers and cold sweat run down his forehead. That was not only because the feeling he felt was so different from before but both Kakashi and Zabuza were emitting a cold bloodlust he had not felt his whole life.


    And analyzing them with his observe skill only gave him question marks.


    Kakashi Hatake lvl ?? - HP100% CP99%, Zabuza Momochi lvl ?? - HP100% CP100%


    ''You got to be kidding me! Did Kakashi screw with me in the bell test!? And what is about his consumption? I can see his Chakra go down by the second!'' Kaito was really seeing how Kakashi his CP overall was diminising every few seconds by 1%.


    "Fight me, Zabuza.", said Kakashi while staring down Zabuza.


    "What an honor. I get to see the Sharingan from the start?", smirked Zabuza and prepared himself into a stance. Suddenly a demonic aura started to seep out of his body. "I think I dont need to hold back here...Not with both Jinchuriki with you. Don''t you think so as well, Haku?"


    "Yes, Zabuza-sama" A light voice resounded and Kaito''s eyes enlarged because he could not feel the presence that was now right beside him on the left. His eyes wandered there but the only thing he could see is an ice pickle going straight for his head.


    Of course, it hit and the others got shaken out of their relaxed atmosphere.


    "Brother!!", shouted Naruto and gritted his teeth but at the same time Kaito''s body went up in smoke and a log stayed where his body was.


    "That was close....This is annoying...An Ice Kekkei Genkai? And in a damn water-heavy location as this...Sakura, keep Tazuna safe. Naruto, be careful and Sasuke, try not to underestimate this guy."


    "Hoooh~? You must be well trained in anatomy to discern my gender?", asked the person clad in a kimono-like outfit and wearing a white and red hunting mask.


    ''Shit...What exactly is going on here? I thought my memories told me Haku is only getting involved later?'' kaito was glaring at the new entry into the game.


    Haku Yuki lvl 37 - HP100% CP99%


    At least he was not as overpowered as the other two. But he should still be around High-Chunin to Special-Jounin level, if not actually reaching Low-Jounin.


    Breathing in slowly and out Kaito actually smiled now. It was about time he could go all out. He wanted to see how much of a difference the chakra amount made that he got from the months since his graduation.

 Chapter 42 - Chilling Ice vs Thundering Shadow

    Kakashi glanced back over to his team and a worried expression surfaced coupled with a deep frown. His Sharingan rotated for a second.


    "Someone from the Yuki Clan...I would rather get to keep you guys alive and question you about why you got so much information about us...Especially village secrets concerning our Jinchuriki..." Kakashi''s glare became fierce and he lifted his Kunai further up to change his stance.


    An incoming swing from Zabuza made him duck. His eyes still followed every movement and right at the moment when he kneeled down to the ground he rotated on his heel and kicked at zabuza with the aim to stagger him in his abdomen.


    But that attempt was blocked by Zabuza with his sword placed in front of him with the broader side.


    With a simple jump back he was back at range to attack with the full length of his sword this time around.


    "Sorry, but you will have to drag me to one of your information extractors first if you want that information.", snorted Zabuza and swung.


    On the other side, the group of four started to engage Haku. Kakashi had no time to keep track of all the things happening at the same time. His only hope now was that he could deal with Zabuza fast enough.


    Senbon needles flew at Kaito''s direction and landed about close to his feet while followed his retreating movements.


    Haku had rather great accuracy with throwing weapons and the sheer amount of them kept Kaito on his feet.


    Kaito could also see some of them gracing past him and emitting a cold chill. That was because not all of them were made of metal but were created through the Hyouton. With the abundant surplus of water nearby and the air being extremely humid with the slight mist floating around Haku didn''t really waste much chakra at all.


    Naruto made about ten shadow clones and started barraging Haku with his own Kunai and Shuriken.


    Kaito smiled a little bit since Naruto used a special attribute of the Shadow Clone technique that copied all simple weaponry and effectively produced more weapons that could injure out of thin air.


    The interception of his brother brought him some breathing time but Haku was ambidextrous and his focus on him did not change one bit. The mask was still looking in Kaito''s direction while the right hand threw projectiles and the other hand started to produce an ice wall that blocked all ranged attack that would have hit his body.


    Sasuke was also trying to use his Great Fireball and melt down the ice.


    "Sasuke! Don''t!" Kaito''s advice came too late and his fire slammed into a fast erected ice dome from Haku. To make things worse the Ice produced more vapor and flushed a thick mist into the surrounding.


    "Shit...", cursed Kaito lightly and still tried to figure out a solution. It was one thing to have a lot of theories in one''s head but to really tackle a problem needed careful consideration. Somehow he was very envious about Shikamaru''s quick logical 5 steps ahead thinking that was nearly inhuman.


    Kaito had too little information about Haku. Yes, he knew his blood limit and a few abilities but his opponent was also intelligent and born into a warring time where blood was basically the only thing he saw.


    Just when cursing Kaito could see how Haku dashed right at Sasuke and tried to incapacitate him with the needles.


    Sasuke deflected them with his Kunai and locked himself into a strength struggle where their Kunais touched and pressed against each other and a slight lack of concentration meant possible death.


    Sasuke actually smirked. "Gotcha...", he said.


    "I don''t think so...Did you forget my actions just a moment ago?", answered Haku and printed signs with just one hand.


    That surprised Sasuke and he had to immediately to retreat before he became a pincushion from the hundreds of small fine ice needles flying at him.


    "Suiton: Dragon Bullet!" A large Dragen came crashing along the muddy road and swallowed the attack from Haku. It was a Jutsu performed by Kakashi who had found the time to perform it with a Shadow Clone while his original still danced with Zabuza.


    Kakashi even started injecting lightning chakra into his Kunai to bolster his attacks against the massive blade that also starting to glow a sinister purple with the dark chakra Zabuza emitted.


    But that little distraction and loss of further Chakra let some point surface at his left eye and he slipped a little and got a slash across his protective vest.


    "It''s over!", shouted Zabuza but suddenly Kaito appeared in front of Kakashi with a Katana in hand and blocked the swing.


    The impact was sadly too much and Kaito was sent flying into Kakashi after his blade snapped and flew into the air.


    Zabuza looked at the duo sliding along the ground and stopped for a second.


    "Remarkable speed you got there. I think it is even faster than Haku. But you should stop wielding a blade, kid. I one of the seven mist swordsmen and a mere blade not even infused with chakra is not going to hold out much of a clash. Such an actual waste of good chakra metal..."


    Kaito coughed lightly and stood back up. He did not rebuke this guy''s claims since using Flying Thunder God and infusing chakra into a blade was not yet a thing he was able. It was truly a dumb waste of a fine blade.


    Besides that, he got what he aimed for and smirked at Zabuza. "I wonder about that."


    Zabuza looked at him and suddenly noticed how some Ninken bit into his limbs and paralyzed his body.


    "What the? When di this..?" Then Zabuza looked at the Kakashi behind Kaito and saw him disappear into smoke. "Damn it!!" Zabuza mobilized his last energy and and dispelled the Genjutsu he was in from Kaito. "That I freaking was put into a simple Genjutsu!"


    "Too bad it''s too late..." Kakashi was already lunging forward with his Chidori but right at that moment, an immense drain of chakra made his Jutsu falter a little and deviate.


    He hit the left shoulder of Zabuza instead of his abdomen where his heart was. But it was still a rather nasty wound.


    "Zabuza-sama!!" Haku that was somehow kept busy by Sasuke and Naruto immediately shouted out and exploded in anger. Ice spikes that were massive in size erupted from his spot like an epicenter. A few pillars skewered up most of Naruto''s clones while Sasuke was breathing heavily and b?r?ly dodging.


    With a skilled Shunshin into one ice pillar and out another close to Kakashi and Zabuza, Haku now attacked Kakashi but Kaito was also still there and intercepted with jumping at him.


    Haku threw a few other needles after a small Taijutsu exchange with Kaito that obviously was disadvantageous for Haku, then quickly grabbed Zabuza, and vanished in the thick mist.


    Kaito actually still had plenty enough chakra to follow suit because he could track them down with his skill going into active mode but Kakashi stopped him.


    Looking at his Sensei he could see him panting with his left eye closed and a hand put in front of it. The crimson color flowing into the lime green vest got Kaito back on track.


    Kaito knelt down to Kakashi''s wound on his ?h?st and opened the vest. The gaping slash looked rather nasty and the massive blood loss made it not better. So Kaito went ahead with immediate first aid treatment with his mystic palm.


    "Kakashi-sensei!" The others also came over and looked if they were okay.


    After everyone calmed down somewhat and Kaito healed all members of various wounds even he got exhausted from it.


    Sasuke sat on the ground with a gloomy expression on his face and Sakura looked worried because she did not know what to say to heighten the mood. Even the rather cheerful Naruto was angry and in a bad mood.


    Kaito bumped his brother''s shoulder. "Hey, cheer up. The client is safe, so everything is fine."


    "But how could we be so beaten up by one single guy that is about the same age as us, damn it."


    Kakashi heard that and looked over. "Naruto, there are many people that are just as young as you or even younger that are even stronger than me. Don''t let the age fool you...Some individuals have gone through worse than us and had to adept. In the hidden village of the mist there was once a ritual that only one genin would graduate from their acadamies...."


    "Only one?", asked Sakura.


    "The others are being killed by the one that survives that battle royale...", added Kaito now. "The sheer malevolence that Zabuza emitted was sickening. You dont just get that by killing just a few people..."


    Naruto heard that and grumbled. "But was he not just forced to do it? And is it really still the same in Kiri?", he asked.


    "Actually no, they changed that barbaric ritual but I think since Zabuza and that Haku are being hunted so long by now that they just don''t know that it changed.", said Kaito.


    "Hmm, I would not bet on that. They knew about you two and that we would be here.", mentioned Kakashi.


    Kaito was also curious about that fact. Where exactly did they receive that information?

 Chapter 43 - Unfolding

    (A/N: Please reread some of the previous chapter since it was edited and some of it ended up in this chapter. There is of course added content. So basically made out of 3 chaps 2 bigger ones.)


    Ice spikes that were massive in size erupted from his spot like an epicenter. A few pillars skewered up most of Naruto''s clones while Sasuke was breathing heavily and b?r?ly dodging.


    With a skilled Shunshin into one of his ice pillars and out another close to Kakashi and Zabuza, Haku now tried attacking the still stuck Kakashi. But Kaito was also still there and once again intercepted with jumping at him.


    Haku saw that and threw a few massive ice chunk forward and got Kakashi to jump back to evade it.


    And after a small Taijutsu exchange with Kaito that obviously was disadvantageous for Haku, he slipped out into a small water puddle beneath him and vanished in the thick mist after not forgetting to grab the injured Zabuza.


    Kaito actually still had plenty enough chakra to follow suit because he could track them down with his skill still being at full throttle, but Kakashi stopped him.


    Looking at his Sensei he could see him panting with his left eye closed and a hand put in front of it. The crimson-colored blood from the wound slowly soaked itself into the lime green above the wound.


    That got Kaito back to his senses and he knelt down to Kakashi''s wound on his ?h?st and opened the vest. The gaping slash looked rather nasty and the massive blood loss made it not better. So Kaito went ahead with immediate first aid treatment with his mystic palm closing up the wound.


    "Kakashi-sensei!" The others also came over and looked if they were okay. After a while, everyone calmed down somewhat.


    Kaito healed all members from various wounds. Even he got exhausted from it and sat down beside his brother.


    Sasuke also sat on the ground with a gloomy expression on his face and Sakura looked worried because she did not know what to say to heighten the mood. She was concentrating on treating everyone with bandages after Kaito healed the most critical wounds.


    Kaito bumped his brother''s shoulder after feeling the mood sink so low. "Hey, cheer up. The client is safe, so everything is fine."


    "But how could we be beaten up so much by one single guy that is about the same age as us, damn it.", answered Naruto.


    Kakashi heard that and looked over. "Naruto, there are a lot of people that are just as young as you, or even younger, that are even stronger than me. Don''t let the age of your opponents fool you...Some individuals have gone through worse than us and had to adept. In the hidden village of the mist, there was once a ritual that only one genin would graduate from their academies...."


    "Only one?", asked Sakura.


    "The others are being killed by the one that survives that battle royale...", added Kaito now. "The sheer malevolence that Zabuza emitted was sickening. You don''t just get that by killing just a few people..."


    Naruto heard that and grumbled. He felt the cold aura as well. "But...Was he not just forced to do it? And is it really still the same in Kiri?", he asked with a slightly worried look. He was possibly thinking about how not to kill them.


    "Actually no, they changed that barbaric ritual. But I think since Zabuza and that Haku had been hunted for so long now that they simply just don''t know any better. They probably aren''t aware of the change there.", said Kaito.


    "Hmm, I would not bet on that. They knew about you two and that we would be here on a mission", mentioned Kakashi and was already considering abandoning the mission asap.


    Kaito was also curious about that fact. Where exactly did they receive that information?


    Someplace elsewhere Haku was carrying Zabuza and walking into a cave where he laid him down and tried to help him treat the wound.


    Zabuza just coughed and looked at Haku who had now put down the mask and showed a very feminine face that had a deep frown.


    "Why so serious? You should already be used to seeing blood.", said Zabuza lightly but haku did not answer. He was too focused on treating him.


    "Heyo~~, look who came back with a beaten-up body~?", a muffled voice rang out from behind Haku and that got him to instantly let mirrors of ice appear all around the cave.


    The figure that spoke a second ago started to chuckle and looked at the reflections of the mirrors while whistling.


    "My, my~ You are really quick in using your Ice Demon blood..." The figure placed a finger on the mirror and showed the greyish metal clawlike gauntlet that he wore at each arm. The pointy metal tip scratched along the surface of the ice.


    The man wore a white mask that looked like a shield or helmet. His onyx yes observed the ice slowly scratching off.


    "I told you it will be hard to get rid of them...", he added and then walked over to Haku and the injured Zabuza.


    "May I?", he asked and Haku still remained in a hostile stance.


    "Let him, Haku...", coughed Zabuza and actually agreed to whatever the person was asking for.


    Haku reluctantly made some space and let the figure with the black robe approach more.


    The figure squatted down and placed one hand around the gaping hole of a wound at Zabuza''s shoulder and a green light started to emit. Quite some time passed and the wound on Zabuza was healed.


    Haku was rather confused at the action of this man.


    "You know that we have not agreed to join your organization.", grumbled Haku. He was still not trusting the person even after seeing how Zabuza was healed.


    "I know. I just find it boring if a promising future member would just die? The offer still stands."


    "....I will think about it.", answered Zabuza now.


    "Oh? What changed your mind? Not that I am not happy or anything.", asked the masked man.


    "What you said last time...I have realized with this last battle that you are right...", said Zabuza and got back to sitting and even moved his still aching shoulder.


    "Good...You should keep low for about a week. The injury is still not healed completely. Now then, if that is done I will go for good this time."


    "Is that really why we came back? I don''t think he would be suited.", commented another person now from the background.


    It was a woman that had orange eyes. Her chilling expression on the face was only fitting to the surrounding ice.


    "Oh come on~ Smile~", said the masked man after going over to her and lifting her cheeks to put a smile on her face.


    "Stop that nonsense!", she growled and slapped both his hands away.


    "How cruel~" Then the man turned back around to Zabuza and Haku and started waving. "Don''t mind her too much. Well, see you around~"


    While leaving the light from outside the cave revealed that the black robes had red clouds printed on them.


    "What a weird bunch these Akatsuki are..", commented Zabuza.


    Some distance away the two Akatsuki members talked about the encounter just now.


    "Why is it that I had to accompany you to this place?", asked the woman.


    "Nagato put us into a team. Did you forget~?", said the man.


    "That is because he wanted me to observe you and make sure you don''t betray us. Also, if you ever do such nonchalant actions against me I will kill you."


    "Hmm? Do you mean that I made you smile? But you look so nice when you smile~ Why always being so serious?", chuckled the man.


    At that moment the woman turned around and held a white kunai in her hand. It was aimed at the man''s throat but stopped before it reached there.


    "Oh my...Such bad temper for such a fine lady...", said the man now and held her wrist. "Konan, we are here to recruit Zabuza and his protegee. You know we need someone that can work for us with knowledge about Kiri. We lost Juuzou and Orochimaru and need to restock. Don''t blame me for being stuck as the babysitter..."


    He let her wrist go and then actually patted her head lightly and then fixing the blue origami rose on her head that seemed to have gotten a small part wrinkled.

 Chapter 44 - Tazuna Household

    The group of Kaito was gathered in a small hut that had a windmill attached to a silo nearby. Inside the hut, Kakashi was lying on a futon and recuperating.


    "Are you alright like this, Sensei?", asked a middle-aged woman with black long hair that had a tinge towards the dark blue in color.


    "It''s alright. If I rest and keep it low for about a week I should be fine and back in no time. I am just exhausted from using my Sharingan too much.", answered Kakashi back.


    Sakura that was squatting beside him looked at him with a frown. "If that eye is putting so much stress on the body, why even use it? It''s incredible but is it really worth it? We had to drag you all the way here because you just slumped over at some point."


    "Kid, we should be safe for a while since the injury you dealt to the other strong ninja was by no means less than what he got.", chimed Tazuna as a comment.


    "That is only if that Haku is not able to heal him up.", said Kaito now. "By my guess, he should be able to patch him up. But sure enough, we did get some breathing time. And who knows, maybe we won''t even see them again." Even though he added those words he was not so certain about that.


    "Right, Sensei. What was with that masked kid anyway?", asked Sakura now after coming to that topic.


    "That''s the mask worn by the hidden mist special hunter-nin team. Every village has those. They are also known as body erasers. Their duty is to completely dispose of the bodies without a trace. Depending on the rank of the ninja or his training he could have secrets about the village on him. May it be sealing arts, weapons, or Kekkei Genkai like my Sharingan.", told Kakashi.


    "If for example, I died then my Sharingan could be transplanted into someone else and that person could use it. So by killing and disposing of missing-nin that have abandoned their village, the hunter-nin protect valuable information from getting out. That is the fate of those ninjas and even ours. No sound, no smell...Nothing remains of us after death..."


    Kaito heard his words and had to frown. ''I don''t think that is correct to describe it like that. No matter how thorough one is, there will always be something left. The Impure Reincarnation would otherwise not be a problem...''


    "So if he dies he gets chopped up? That is a weird thing to think about.", commented Sakura now with a gloomy face.


    "Well, anyway." Kakashi pushed himself up into a sitting position and looked at his team. "Looks like I will have to ramp up your training just in case. We still have things to worry about that does not include Zabuza."


    "Yeah, that Gatou guy!", grinned Naruto. "We gotta protect Tazuna until he finishes the bridge."


    "What? But what will a little bit of training do for us? Our enemy is a ninja that even you struggled against!", said Sakura now.


    "Kakashi-sensei had to keep us safe, Sakura. That is especially why we need to train up. We can''t rely on him always keeping an eye out on us forever.", interrupted Kaito her.


    Sakura looked over at him and thought about it. "You mean we should at least be able to take care that masked kid?"


    "Bingo, you got it!", smirked Kaito now. "And I think a few thugs from Gatou won''t be a problem for us. That mafia dude could afford someone more powerful but it is unlikely. Zabuza did mention being one of the seven Kiri swordsmen. As far as I know, they are Jounin that are especially gifted in Kenjutsu and that probably put a large hole in his pocket for sure. As you should remember, this mission is already on the difficulty of A to S rank now. Buying a ninja to perform an A or S rank is already highly expensive..."


    Kaito looked at Tazuna at that moment who had a rather apologizing gaze at him hearing his words. "Now imagine buying a missing-nin on that level. He should probably be at least 5 times that amount.", added Kaito and ended his speech.


    "That much money!?", exclaimed Naruto. he knew about the amount of money a ninja received for what mission rank. "We could afford a lifetime of ramen for that!"


    "That is what you think about?", asked Sakura with a deadpan look.


    "It means he won''t be able to purchase outer ?ssistance as quickly right now and we gained time.", confirmed Sasuke.


    Kakashi nodded. "Aso, I did follow your performance and you did pretty well. You all have improved and the experience from such a difficult fight did gain you some insight."


    "Heh, next time I will smack that guys mask from his face for sure! Training will be a lot of fun!", proclaimed Naruto. "I will show him that coming back will be a mistake."


    "That is not fun.", said a small voice from the side now and everyone looked over to a small boy with a fishing tophat.


    "Who are you?", asked Naruto.


    "Hahaha! Inari! Where were you!? Come here.", shouted Tazuna now cheerfully.


    "Welcome back, grandpa.", answered the kid and walked over to Tazuna that hugged him and seemed to pamper him a little.


    "Inari, say hello to these people. They are ninjas who are here to protect grandpa.", ordered Tsunami at her son.


    The kid stared at them and them and then started talking. "Mom, these guys are just going to die. So it''s no use greeting dead people..."


    "What the!? What did you say, you little brat!?", shouted Naruto back now.


    The kid stayed calm. "There is no way you will win against Gatou."


    Naruto only cliqued his tongue in annoyance. "Kid, that Gatou guy is nothing against me! I''m a superhero that will one day become an incredible ninja called the Hokage!!"


    "There goes his delusion again.", deadpanned Sasuke.


    Kaito could only chuckle wryly. "Now it is a superhero? Are you trying to act cool in front of the kid?"


    Hearing the sharp words from his teammates jolted Naruto and he looked back at Sasuke and his brother with a slightly reddened face. "Why are you backstabbing me here!?"


    "Hmpf, what are you, stupid? There''s no such thing as a hero! You will only die. So you should just leave.", growled the kid now.


    "What? You little!" naruto wanted to slap this kids ?ss for being so bratty but sakura stopped him.


    Kaito smirked at that and shrugged his shoulders. Then he looked at the kid. "Hey, Inari was it? Heroes are not immortal, that is for sure. But should you talk about them like that?"


    That question got an immense glare from the kid concentrated on him. Everyone in the room noticed it and stayed silent. Then the kid walked out of the room.


    "Where are you going, Inari?", asked Tazuna.


    "To look at the ocean from my room..." Not much was said when he shut the door behind him.


    "Sorry about that...", apologized Tazuna for his behavior.


    Naruto later followed and checked up on the kid only to come back with a solemn face.

 Chapter 45 - Progress?

    Kaito had his eyes closed and the arms crossed in front of his ?h?st. Opening them again he looked around first to get some orientation back.


    Hanging upside down from a twig reaching outward from a tree all the while meditating was harder than it actually looked.


    This method even became his current training regime. He was trying to nearly automatize his surface walking without having to put some thinking into it.


    At least that was one of the reasons, the other was that he was thinking about new Jutsu to perform.


    At two other trees close by, Naruto and Sasuke were slowly climbing up their respective tree.


    That actually got Kaito yawning and he had to rub away some of his sleepy tears that collected in that action.


    Then he jumped down from his position back to the ground. But before he reached the ground the wire he coiled around the twig tightened up and slowed his descend to the point that he only landed softly.


    With a flick of his wrist the wire loosened up and he could collect it and put it back into his ninja pouch.


    "Are you finished for today?", asked Sakura him after seeing him back at ground level.


    "Yeah, I will go and try some things out and then call it for a day. Did these two make any progress?", he asked back and looked at his brother and Sasuke.


    Both of them were kinda doing their best, especially after seeing him using the surface walking on a tree basically without any problems or strain. That and the person right beside him was also able to tree walk on her first try.


    Whatever one could say about Sakura, she had immense talent in chakra control. No wonder she was able to become a medic-nin later on and also unlock her monstrous strength.


    Come to think, why exactly was it hereditary on Sarada''s part? Does achieving something also make it easier for the next generation to reach that stage?


    "They are at about half the tree''s length on their second day...", she answered after seeing Kaito get a thoughtful expression on his face towards the two.


    "Hmm, I think they will make it either tommorow or the day after." Then Kaito looked at the pink-haired girl. "How is your Mystic Palm going? Did you get a feeling for it?"


    Sakura frowned and even pouted a little. "This is way too hard. You are expecting too much from me here in just these 2 days." She also looked at the dead fish in front of her that still had a wound on it.


    Kaito gave her the order to close up the tissue. The longer she takes, the harder it will be to vitalize the corroded tissue and finishing the task. But he could already see her making progress because the state of decay from the flesh was slowing down.


    "Huh?" Kaito remarked sharply. "You got no faith in your abilities? I wonder what exactly is going through that head of yours right now..." He knew that she was possibly cursing him for pushing her to her limits and exhausting her in this training.


    Sakura actually stared at him and then sighed. "Well...I am about out of chakra by now."


    Kaito smiled now hearing that. "You are getting better in splitting your reserves and distributing the available chakra you have. Just yesterday you could not even keep up for an hour. So consider that great improvement."


    While giving her that compliment Sakura blushed a little and looked back at her task. The green energy was slowly dimming out but that put a small smile on her face.


    If Kaito had actually paid attention then he would have noticed the sweet smile on her face but he was drifting to his own thoughts again because while he did gave her that advice he came to realize that he himself did not pay much heed to it.


    That was probably because he already had a larger pool of chakra available and therefore used larger amounts to compensate for his lack of expertise. It brought him insight on how to improve his own mystic palm that had somewhat stagnated and became at most a first aid skill.


    But the potential of that skill is of course much greater. Vitalizing your own cells to let them overperform is one of those effects a.k.a monstrous strength, durability, and even healing factor.


    Hashirama probably was also rather gifted in chakra control and that was why the late Madara complimented Tsunade for her Jutsu and resilience that rivaled his Mokuton without it being that Kekkei Genkai.


    Kaito already hypothesized that the Mokuton was actually a Water-Earth-Yang bloodlimit and not only Water-Earth as most have thought it to be. It did react immensely towards the Yang release and seemed to go out of control or was harder to control if someone of that attribute was close by.


    That would make it a Kekkei Touta and that was basically rare among rare. Not even someone like the current Mizukage who has two different Kekkei Genkai that probably utilized her three inborn high affinities was lucky enough to awaken a Kekkei Touta.


    But thinking about this any further than it being theory is about as far as Kaito went. He would have to start to invest a lot of time into kneading chakra and determine their ratios if he even ever wanted to perform a true Kekkei Genkai.


    Hiruzen for example was someone that probably also came to that realization but still used Jutsu like mud release that was a cooperation of water and earth or tile shuriken that combined wind and earth.


    Sighing about all this thinking he left his gaze from his friends and walked over to a spot that was free.


    Clasping his hand together he collected some chakra and then started printing signs.


    Each sign meant something and could end up with different results. For example, if he performed the great fireball he had to knead signs describing if it was external or internal use, it''s form, the element that was mainly the power behind the Jutsu, and other stuff.


    After printing about 137 signs in succession Kaito''s aura started to flare up and he breathed in deeply so that his stomach expanded abnormally.


    Then he seemed to chew something in his mouth and shortly after spit it out. The chunk of material he ejected flew towards a tree and made direct contact with it in a rather fast manner.


    Then when the ball-shaped attack was about to implant itself in the tree a small spark ignited and a massive explosion erupted sending strong winds flying out in each direction from the center of the Jutsu.


    A 3-meter large crater was created at the impact zone and Kaito stared at it while breathing heavily.


    ''And cooperation Jutsus are a waste of chakra even if they are powerful...'' Kaito had combined Water, Wind, and Lightning into that and made the ratio mostly water-based.


    ''But I probably should stop investing time in creating a Hydrogen Bomb Jutsu...Hell, I just felt that shockwave and it was a small peasized attack...''


    "Brother!! Was it you that made that noise?" And speak of the Devil and he appears. "You know it''s cool to make explosions but you should probably stop that." Even frowned.


    Kaito only chuckled wryly. "Sorry, I actually tried to do something else this time but it failed. About the same result as the previous attempt."


    Sasuke was looking at the black charred space that was once part of the forest they were in. Then he grabbed Naruto and dragged him along.


    "Let''s continue, otherwise we never will catch up."


    "Huh?", exclaimed Naruto and let himself get dragged.

 Chapter 46 - Glimpse Of True Genius?

    "We did it!!" Naruto was screaming joyfully when he stood upon the very peak of the tree that he and Sasuke had been climbing this past week.


    Both of them also looked rather exhausted by the amount of chakra that they wasted to get up there.


    Kaito was looking up to them and smiled. "Looks like they finally made it." His comment was going towards their Sensei.


    Kakashi nodded. "All things considered that is some progress. Now they should be able to train their bodies with body flicker to gain a higher form of speed. It should help to keep their endurance up against Haku."


    Kaito got a weird expression when that technique was mentioned. "Body Flicker, is it?" He scratched the back of his head. "That will be a challenge to teach my brother."


    Kakashi chuckled lightly. "Is that so? From my point of view, you are doing a great job! Keep it up! Sakura even learned the chakra scalpel from you."


    "Oi, you are getting lazy...Sakura just has an innate talent in it." Kaito looked at Kakashi and sighed at how he could just push most of the training to him. Then his gaze wandered towards Sakura that was currently using her chakra on a finger and carving a wooden figure from a log.


    Walking over and leaving Kakashi alone he could see that the design of the figure had some resemblance towards a plant.


    "Making a flower? You are doing great.", he commented.


    That got Sakura distracted and her chakra blade became dull. "Ah...", she exclaimed. Then looking over to Kaito she frowned. "I am busy here."


    "Sorry, sorry. Kakashi-Sensei is just pushing his work on me again. Thought I could lend you a hand.", said Kaito.


    "Really? Since Kakashi-sensei became bedridden he has done nearly nothing. Such a lazy guy.", said Sakura while taking a look at Kakashi who had his Icha-Icha book out again. How long was he going to read that anyway?


    Kaito smiled wrily. "I know, right? But I kinda enjoy it. Make me rethink some of my stuff as well. Anyway, as soon as those two get down I am going to talk about the next step in their training."


    "You are talking about us?", asked Sasuke when he approached them.


    "Oh, you are already down? That is good to know. Yeah, I was talking about your next training step. Let me think...", thought Kaito.


    "Brother, how about we start training our ninjutsu for once? I am pretty sure the Great Fireball is now pretty large.", suggested Naruto.


    "Nope.", denied Kaito immediately.


    "Huh? Why?"


    "Now that we talk about that. Here, take these." Kaito grabbed into his pouch and took out four pieces of paper from it. Handing everyone one piece and keeping one himself he smiled while not saying anything.


    "What is this?", asked Naruto first since he was the most impatient one.


    "Why don''t you go and figure it out?", smiled Kaito. He wondered if they would figure it out.


    "A piece of paper? I guess it is somewhat special?", said Sasuke with a raised brow and examined it some more.


    Meanwhile, Sakura actually had some reaction from the paper after she infused some of her Chakra into it. Half of it crumbled away and the rest became slightly transparent and moist.


    "Looks like Sakura is still the smartest among you three...These are special Chakra-Papers that come from a tree that was grown by daily chakra infusion. When it is made into those paper pieces it has the effect to tell someone what chakra nature the person has after some of it is infused into the paper." Kaito started explaining after seeing her result.


    "Sakura here has Earth and Water affinity. Its because half of it crumbled away to dust and the other became moist and transparent. I would even go to say her two natures are very balanced..." Kaito thought about the intensity of the transparence.


    It looked like the paper became harder than before what could be the same effect oil had on paper. And oil was a combination of earth and water. But of course, he would not speak about a Kekkei Genkai. For that, her paper would have to be completely drenched with that substance.


    It was still a certain thought to keep notice of though.


    "That would explain her talent in Medical Ninjutsu. Water is a very suitable Nature for it since it has healing properties. The other results are crumbling for Lightning, Cutting for Wind, and burning for Fire. Two natures are already pretty rare. Congratulation on that, Sakura. You two should try it out as well.", commented Kakashi now after joining them.


    "Hmm." Naruto tried it out and his paper cut into two. "Huh?"


    "Looks like you only got the Wind nature, Naruto...", said Kakashi.


    Sasuke also did the test and his paper burned away completely after it crumbled up a little.


    "Fire and Lightning." That result got Naruto''s moral down to the ground. But his eyes glistened when he actually looked at Kaito again. His focus on the paper in his hand.


    Kaito noticed it and smiled wrily. Concentrating he infused his chakra into the paper and at first, there was nothing happening.


    That got a frown from Kaito and he increased the output from his chakra so much that it became visible for a short moment. His red chakra was like a flame that enveloped the paper before it vanished.


    "Hmm, that is weird. Everyone has at least one nature...", commented Kakashi but at that exact moment when he said that the paper split into four parts, and each of them did something else.


    That let Kakashi widen his eye. "Well, that is a surprise...I don''t think I ever heard of anyone besides the current Hokage having all five natures..."


    Looks like the natures showed themselves already far sooner than the natural level on his status. That made Kaito somewhat guilty when he looked at Naruto but his brother was only grinning from one ear to the other.


    "Haha, Kaito got all 5 natures then, right? He beat you, Sasuke!", he exclaimed proudly.


    "Why is it you are comparing us both instead of your lousy talent...", grumbled Sasuke back and got a clear annoyed look.


    ''So that was what it was...'' Kaito smiled happily. "Now, that is why I didn''t want you to keep learning the Fire Style, Naruto. You got a greater affinity with Wind. So using wind-based jutsu will be much better for you."


    "I see, but Kakashi-sensei should teach me one then. I don''t know any. Wait, did you not use one before?"


    "That is correct, I can teach you the ones I know. The same goes for all the other styles. I guess that explains why I don''t feel any difficulty learning them...Haha." His last little chuckle was more awkward than anything. Did he maybe sound too arrogant?


    "Good, then you can give me some lightint style jutsu for the Great Fireball.", said Sasuke.


    ''Greedy little...'', remarked Kaito immediately.


    "Um...Can I also learn some water and earth Jutsu?", asked Sakura.


    Looking at her he nodded. "Sure, but how far you get with them is up to you guys. By the way, Kakashi also suggested to learn and improve your Body Flicker. Naruto, you especially can get pretty fast if you utilize your wind nature with it."


    "Alright! I am hyped.", grinned Naruto.


    "But before that...Let''s train some water walking, shall we?", grinned Kaito now with a slightly sadistic expression.


    "Huh? Wait, we can walk on water?", questioned Naruto.


    "Sure you can. Kakashi-sensei did so last time if you had paid attention. It is just a lot harder than surface walking on solid ground or medium solid things like trees..."


    "Oh come one....I don''t want that...Can we not just....keep that for later or something?"


    "You do realize we are in the land of water, right? If you fall into water you are basically dead....So you should at least be able to stand on it. So no complaining. The sooner you do it, the sooner you get your Jutsu as a reward. How about that?"


    "I agree with that proposal. So do a good job.", nodded Kakashi in approval while thinking something else.. ''This kid already learned all that...Not to mention his affinities. What a little monster. If he didn''t lack the combat experience, the last fight would have ended differently. Hmm, maybe I can actually relax a little bit?''

 Chapter 47 - Quest - The Second

    Kaito was meditating in a lotus position. It was his trademark way of entering his Instant Dungeon. His face was frowning and sweat was running down his otherwise tranquil expression.


    Inside the inner space stood a massive rock akin to a mountain with a door embedded in it.


    The door itself was also humongous and the frame of the door had eerie oni faces depicted on them. They were what one would describe as the typical demons from Japan with horns or long noses and black wings and many more like actual Kizune.


    And what was depicted on the door was also what was inside it. Kaito had entered this created monster den and was currently fighting demons of various strengths.


    Monster dens were those places where Kaito mainly could farm experience and level up and he had done so with his other available monster den to him that was goblin themed.


    Until now that is.


    At first, he stopped using that den because it was b?r?ly giving anything back anymore.


    But when he finally reached level 20 with hard work this new monster den was able to be summoned. Kaito immediately got curious and intrigued at what level this den was, which is beside the fact that it had an interesting theme like horror.


    Little did he know that horror...had two faces. Hearing stories was fascinating. Experiencing them was another matter.


    Entering it he was at first a little bit disappointed by seeing level 2 monsters running about like wisps.


    But what made him jump around erratically now and avoid getting stabbed to death was a very special monster he would have definitely tried to avoid at all costs.


    *Jor¨­gumo - Level ?? - Skulls 3/5*


    That was about everything he could get as information from the mythical spider demon that devoured souls.


    It was already one thing to even see monsters out leveling him but also getting attacked by a Legendary monster that also had a skull ranking added to it meant it was even stronger than the monster den bosses that would spawn after Kaito defeated a certain amount of monsters in the old monster den.


    And what made him slightly despair was the door in monster dens reopened only after a certain time inside them when one entered. They were double-edged swords with a lot of gains and of course...death.


    Well, Kaito would have thought about challenging this humongous spider that was crawling around the trees and spitting acid at him. But that one spider was sadly not the only one surrounding him.


    *Baby Jor¨­gumo - Level ?? - Skulls 1/5*


    There were many small fiery red spiderlings running about everywhere. Those small death skulls on their bodies only told death to someone and in this case, that would be Kaito if he even let one of them get him.


    Also...HE FUCKING HATED SPIDERS! Those disgusting creatures brought the worst out of his goosebumps.


    ''Fire Style: Roaring Dragon Bullet!!''


    What made things worse was that Kaito had little to no AOE Jutsu in his arsenal that could damage these critters At least not heavily.


    The reason simply being because those shits were actually emitting flames themselves. So they were born with fire affinity and could resist it well.


    That information of course came at some cost of him wasting chakra he needed currently to keep his body vitalized to not get any slower.


    Good thing he learned that skill. It was created after he was experimenting with his chakra natures and tried to copy the Raikages technique.


    In some form or fashion, Kaito even thinks he succeeded.


    The following message from his system made him even happier because after a level up a certain thing happened that he thought he would never see it again because it became a complete rarity. It was like you had more chances to get the jackpot than actually trigger a quest.


    But being here he knew the quest was a freaking bait of the reaper.


    *Quest: Investigate the Spectral Oni Forest.*


    *Reward: ???*


    *Failure/Deny: Monster Den "Spectral Oni Forest" vanishes from available options.*


    *Bonus: Defeat whatever monster that challenges your abilities. The rating will be pending. At S rank completion a special "Senjutsu Skill: Gaia''s Empowerment" will be awarded.*


    ''You are fu?kin trolling me!! I was so fu?k?n? baited into this!!'' Kaito could only further grit his teeth while thinking about the quest again until he had to refocus and play tag-and-dead-I-am with the spiderlings.


    When Kaito finally heard a crisp sound he immediately pumped his last remaining chakra into his technique and sprinted to the exit of the monster den.


    Charging right out of it he released his technique and breathed heavily with having nearly no stamina left to even stand properly.


    *Ding*


    *Quest complete: Your investigation brought to light that "Spectral Oni Forest" is a C-S Rank monster Den.*


    *Rewards: Fighting the C-Rank Demon Spider Jor¨­gumo and fleeing with your live grants you the F Rank Reward - Eye Technique(Doujutsu): Eye of Aura (Rank D)*


    *Bonus: You fled so there is no reward here. Try your best next time~*


    Kaito was flabbergasted after reading all that and then looked at the scroll that was magically in his hand now. Was he made fun of or was the system actually serious and simply stating facts?


    Then what the hell would he had gotten at an actual rank? Well, F was a rank but goddamn taht was like the worst and most humiliating one. What would have he gained as a reward? And what exactly is that S rank skill mentioned?


    Now he felt like a fu?k?n? moron not trying his everything and running because he felt threatened. If push came to shove he could have just thrown million of freaking explosion tags and pulverized everything in that damn monster den.


    "Urgh...creepy." That was his first impression and the design of the eye actually reminded him of the Jor¨­gumo, festering his regret. It really nearly pushed him to tears like a small child, sob.


    ''Hmm? It shows the world in black and white, opening the nerves to the supernatural?''


    After reading the description of this technique he was actually really interested. Also, it would become his own Doujutsu! That meant the possible birth of a new Kekkei Genkai!


    But that thought was soon shattered after reading the last line.


    *The one who contracts with the Spider Demons will receive their blessings in return. This Doujutsu is not inheritable and a summoning exclusive.*


    ''Fuck. That. Shit.'' Closing the scroll Kaito ignored the prompt if he would want to learn the skill and pressed no and just stored the scroll in his inventory.


    Sighing deeply he just went out of his instant dungeon since there was little to no use remaining here.


    After all, the Golbin Monster Den was F-Rank and this new one had a freaking power curve with a 3 skull enemy being at level C.


    He is better off training outside. When he left a small black orb traveled from the sky inside the dungeon and a soft sighing female voice resounded. "He could have done something if he used his status points...Does he even remember them?" The orb jiggled lightly afterward. "Well, more fun for me."

 Chapter 48 - Perfection - Imperfection

    Katio was evading a fist from Naruto and redirecting to kick him away from himself. Sasuke and Sakura were fast on their feet to engage him and keep him busy.


    The four of them were honing their Taijutsu while also standing on water.


    Kaito had to smirk while evading and parrying the hits. At a mistake in Sasuke''s attack, an opportunity showed itself that Kaito used and that got Sasuke thrown into the water.


    While he took a swim his focus went to the last opponent.


    seeing Sakura''s serious expression made Kaito wonder. He made a wink at her to fool around. That actually surprised Sakura and she even blushed.


    "And you lost focus..." Kaito swiped her feet off the water and let her swim as well. The large splash that Sakura produces even got him somewhat wet.


    Slicking his wet hair back with both hands he stood atop the water and looked at the three swimmers only looking at him fiercely with their heads sticking out of the water.


    "I win." Kaito grinned and made a victory sign.


    "Tsk." Sasuke slowly struggled up the water as if using stairs.


    "Looks like all of you got the hang of water walking now." Kaito was pleased by the immense progress these fellas made. That was especially so for his brother. Naruto was still wobbly on his feet but actually made it as well.


    It was a skill he would only learn much later from Jiraiya after all.


    But at the same time this was effectively the most they could make out of the little time they had to train.


    "Now you have to teach us!" Naruto was now complaining for Kaito not to forget his promise.


    "Alright, alright. Let''s go on land first.", answered Kaito and walked over to where Kakashi was sitting under a tree and reading.


    When they arrived Kaito started thinking. "Okay, Naruto first." Kaito raised his hand a red orb of chakra gathered. It was first small but slowly grew until it was the size of a tennis ball.


    "This right here is called the Rasengan. It is a technique made by Yondaime." Kaito looked at his Jutsu and contemplated if it really was such a good idea teaching him this so soon.


    Kakashi who saw that immediately closed his book. He was shocked to see the technique of his own teacher being used by Kaito.


    "Whoa! I want to learn it!" But Naruto had suddenly stars in his eyes. "A Jutsu made by the fourth!"


    Kaito had to chuckle lightly. If their father knew how his son reacted he would probably feel embarrassed.


    "Don''t be too enthusiastic. It''s pretty hard to learn. You will probably be already back in Konoha by the time you manage to get the hang of this.", stated Kaito.


    "So is this a wind-based Jutsu? There were no hand signs just now.", asked Sakura.


    "Actually this technique is a pure chakra construct. It has no real element to it." Kaito still remembered how he tried to keep adding wind to it when he first learned it. It was such a stupid idea really and it was basically what he came to realize after reading the scroll given by Hiruzen.


    It was like trying to run on the water while not being able to do so on a tree.


    "I thought you would give us Jutsu based on our elements?" Sasuke was now the one asking this.


    "Yep, it''s just that I don''t really have any good wind Jutsu that compliment my brother''s knack for Taijutsu. Since he is always at the forefront of battles he needs a technique that compliments that aspect." releasing his Rasengan he started printing hand signs.


    They were monkey, dragon, rat, rooster, ox, snake, dog, tiger, monkey. After that, he held his hand in front of himself.


    Kakashi who saw this was now completely shocked. "When did you!?" He even spoke and went over.


    "Hmm, is something the matter, Kakashi-sensei?", asked Sakura when he saw their Sensei approach after seeing Kaito using a Jutsu that let electricity appear on his hand.


    Kaito only smirked. "Well, I guess it is best to let the creator of this Jutsu explain it."


    "Huh!?" All three were surprised by that fact. "It''s sensei his Jutsu?"


    Kakashi only sighed. "What Kaito performed just now is called the Chidori. But who taught you that?"


    "It was you. I am quite perceptive. Copying the seals and then trying it out is easy." That was of course a damn lie but at the same time not entirely.


    "Is that so...Then what do you think about my Jutsu? And who is the one learning it?", asked Kakashi with intrigue now.


    "Sasuke, it is a lightning-based Jutsu that compliments his quickness. And generally speaking, it is inferior to the Rasengan in terms of power. But since Sasuke is a Ninjutsu specialist it should be easy to adjust this depending on the situation. For example..." Kaito aimed his arm away from himself and let the Chidori grow out, making a pure electric blade. "Like this."


    "Wow, your Jutsu can change shapes, Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto grinned and was also amazed by this.


    Even Sasuke was intrigued. It would give him more versatility.


    Kakashi on the other hand only scratched the backside of his head when hearing Naruto. ''But I can''t use it like that...'', he thought but didn''t tell him. This gave Kakashi an even greater picture at how smart this kid really was.


    To perform a Jutsu based on hand signs alone, judge it''s power, and then make variants of it...


    "Say...Can you ad more lightning nature to it?" It was only a small remark from Kakashi that he accidentally added when thinking but the next second Kaito lowered his arm and then the Chidori started humming like thousand birds. The intensity of the lightning increased and sparked around more.


    "I can, but the Jutsu becomes rather unstable...And with all the lightning dancing around I can b?r?ly see anything to aim properly. I guess one would need the Sharingan?" Kaito knew that Kakashi was asking him if he could change it into Raikiri.


    The problem with usability was also the factor that made him stagger in training this Jutsu further. I guess some Jutsu just needed visual prowess.


    "Wait...How about...." Just that moment Kaito realized something. He was only blinded by it, right? Does that mean if he lowers the spectrum of light it emits then it should be fine? Just at that thought, the electricity started to change and dim down to purple color.


    *Lightning Release: Purple Lightning Cutter created*


    "Huh..." Holding it back up he inspected it. It was much better to handle now. Interesting "Well, why did I not think about that sooner..." He then swiped his arm and let the Shiden dance in the air until it crashed on the ground making an explosion and charring the ground.


    Of course not on the same level as Senjutsu but still powerful.


    "Whoa..." Naruto looked at the outcome. "That is powerful."


    "It is..." Kakashi''s eye seemed to tremble in disbelief at the moment. ''You actually improved the Raikiri just now...And even made it look so easy. Just what are you?''


    If Kaito could answer, he would say cheats are just how they are. And he had some knowledge at how to make it since Kakashi would be the one improving it anyway.


    Kakashi sighed. "How do you want to name this? You just created a new Jutsu."


    Kaito realized this now as well. "oh, I don''t think it is mine. It was sensei''s question that got me to change it. So it should be your honor to do so."


    Kakashi looked at Kaito and they both stared at each other. ''This brat is trying to keep a low profile...'' "Fine, Shiden it is then."


    Kaito only smirked at him naming it the same. When Kaito looked back at Naruto and Sasuke he clapped his hands. "Time to train, huh. Let''s see who is going to get it faster?"


    "I will be the one!", exclaimed Naruto.


    "Dream on.", snorted Sasuke.


    "Hey! And what about me!?", shouted Sakura in complaint.


    "Oh, I nearly forgot. Sorry" Kaito actually forgot that he had to give Sakura one as well. Now this will be hard.


    What would suit her? Sakura never really showed any signs of using anything else but her strength and medic Jutsu. Her overall abilizy is average besides her good control of her chakra.


    Genjutsu is an option but Kaito is not that well versed in it to actually make her become good. That fluke with Zabuza was only because he didnt expect him to use such a technique.


    But that is a good way to change that and make her useful, right? He could only smirk at that thought.


    You know what? Maybe he could even make her a second Mei Terumii. And that woman was definitely a good water style user. Not to forget about the second Hokage....


    What is he even thinking? Those were Kage level people one with two blood limits and the other a genius. Let''s just try making her useful until she is taught by Tsunade.


    "Hmm, I think since you are the support type ninja it should be fine to give you two Jutsu based on water. I will teach you Water Prison and Water Whip. They may not be totally offensive and only B rank Jutsu but they have great compatibility with Sasuke and Naruto."


    Sakura only squinted her eyes. Somehow she felt slightly offended. Poor girl.

 Chapter 49 - Eye of Mirror Wheel

    Naruto was currently struggling to circulate his chakra in the balloon full of water that was in his hand. Only when he ran out of chakra he collapsed exhaustedly on the ground.


    Even as an Uzumaki, just wasting chakra will get you nowhere. At least he would recover quickly with the chakra from the Kyuubi leaking out into his body.


    Kaito could already feel how his reserves were slowly replenished by the second. What made it even more astonishing was how well the chakra fused together with his own chakra. That was probably the special chakra attribute their mother had. Kaito wondered if he had the same trait?


    But there was no real way to tell currently since his chakra was only his own without the Kyuubi mingled into it. Speaking of chakra. His own reserves were growing by the day and that made him smile greatly. Gaining about 100 chakra points per day was a humongous amount.


    It let him focus more on ninjutsu before really he actually ran dry. Though his instant dungeon still su?k?d him dry of half his chakra. That sadly didn''t change one bit.


    ------------------------


    Name: Kaito Uzumaki


    Age: 13


    Level: LVL 20 Next Level: 2.23%


    Title: The Demon Twin


    HP: 736 + 53(Meditation gain + 7,2%)--> 789 - (25% Debuff) --> 592


    CP: 564 + 40(Meditation gain + 7,2%) --> 604 * 5 (Uzumaki x5) --> 3020 + 3500 (Genin Job= 5 months 23 days) --> 6520


    STR: 52.8 ( Base 44 + 4.4 +4.4)


    VIT: 73.6 (Base 46 + 23 + 4.6 + 4.6)


    AGI: 57.6 (Base 48 + 4.8 + 4.8)


    INT: 56.4 (Base 47 + 4.7 + 4.7)


    WIS: 54 (Base 45 + 4.5 + 4.5)


    Points: 100


    Money: 23.714.692 RYO


    ----Chakra Affinities:----


    Water - 100 (Natural): WIS +10%


    Fire - 89 (Perfect): STR +10%


    Wind - 96 (Perfect): AGI +10%


    Lightning - 100 (Natural): INT +10%


    Earth - 82 (Perfect): VIT +10%


    Yin(Reality) - 100 (Natural): All Mind STATS + 10%


    Fuinjutsu/Sealing(Space/Time) - 74 (High):


    ------------------------


    Looking at his progress that was made, it brought him thinking about his further actions.


    ''I am getting stuck at training my attributes further. Reaching a bottleneck with normal training is probably the normal outcome of things. But that makes me wonder. How does Lee exactly go beyond those?''


    Rock Lee and Might Guy were both excelling in Taijutsu. While Might Guy does have chakra to complement his progress, Lee did not. Now the question is how they show such speed and strength beyond human reason without using chakra.


    Kaito was not yet even remotely showing signs of inhuman strength and speed. Sure he packed a punch and was quick but that was about it. Without relying on his chakra it was hard to even imagine him be able to go toe to toe with Lee nor punching as hard as him.


    Even Sakura would later win a punching contest with the current him. But then again he compares his current self with the future her.


    ''I already use weights around my ankles and stuff but I still can''t seem to reach those 50 base points in strength...Is it maybe a small quirk of my system that I need to distribute the points I gain? Come to think of them again. I haven''t even used one yet.''


    Kaito looked at his status again and contemplated it. Then he shrugged his shoulders.


    ''Well, since I know I can still level up a lot just from the existence of that damn Monster Den it should be alright to waste a few points. I think I will make them even and get used to the changes first.''


    Said and done, all his attributes became a base value of 50 after he distributed 40 of his points evenly. Hopefully, it was not wasted.


    But sure enough, the moment he left his status warm energy filled his body and a series of notifications sprung open in front of his face.


    *STR reached 50. Innate Skill "Ogre''s Strength" developed.*


    *Physical power x10*


    *VIT reached 50. Innate Skill "Troll''s Vitality" developed.*


    *Hitpoints x2, HP regen 1000/Hour*


    *AGI reached 50. Innate Skill "Ulfhedin''s Agility" developed."


    *SPD x2, Reaction Time x2*


    *INT reached 50. Innate Skill "Energy Affinity" developed."


    *WIS reached 50. Innate Skill "Sage''s Blessing" developed."


    *EXP gain x5*


    *LUK reached 50. Innate Skill "Fate Weaver" developed."


    *???*


    *"Ogre''s Strength" mutated because of "Chakra Fruit''s Favor" and "Precise Chakra Control" into "Titan''s Strength"*


    ''Uhm...I think I overdid it?'' There was no real answer to his inner question but the power he now felt coursing through his veins was unbelievable.


    Just stomping on the ground beneath him lightly produced some small cracks in it.


    ''Yep...definitely need getting used to that or else I could crush about anything I touch. That sure is some damn power spike.''


    Sighing he looked back at the others and pushed aside everything that had to do with his status.


    Now however was a different story.


    He could even feel the minuscule energy flowing around Sasuke''s eyes while he squinted them to concentrate on executing the Chidori in his arm.


    Of course, he failed as horrendously as Naruto in executing an A rank Jutsu.


    But Kaito was not looking at his eyes for that reason. It was more because of the fact that they seemed to be strained for no reason. There seemed to be a constant overload in his eye nerves for no reason.


    So Kaito decided to walk over to him.


    "Hey, Sasuke. Got a minute?"


    When Kaito came asking that question Sasuke raised a brow and stopped his training. "What is it?"


    "I gotta ask this, but did you already awaken your Sharingan?"


    "No, I haven''t." Sasuke was now rather confused about why Kaito came over to ask that specific question.


    "Hmm...Interesting. Then how about this?" Kaito made a hand sign and then whistled. ''Genjutsu: Nightmare Seeking Wind Demon.''


    "What do you...?" Before Sasuke could even ask what was up his eyes defocused and he stood there like a statue.


    "Kaito, what are you doing?", asked Kakashi now after seeing him having used a Genjutsu on Sasuke.


    "I am wondering about something. And we are about to see if my theory works. It may be unpleasant for him but he won''t be harmed.", answered Kaito to Kakashi.


    "Genjutsu may still inflict mental trauma on people!" Kakashi was actually not pleased at all with that answer.


    But then suddenly Sasuke was moving again and breathing heavily. His eyes were darting about everywhere around and then stopped at Kaito.


    "YOU!" Sasuke grabbed Kaito''s collar and grit his teeth while glaring at him. "What was that Genjutsu you put me in!? Are you making fun of me!?"


    Kaito on the other hand did not say sorry but only smiled, looking at the now crimson eyes of Sasuke.


    "Well, just as I thought. Someone else already had sealed your Sharingan with a Genjutsu. The moment your right eye gained its second tomoe was the moment the Genjutsu stopped suppressing it."


    At that answer, Sasuke frowned and then looked at Kakashi to the side. Kakashi only nodded towards him in confirmation.


    Sasuke really had his Sharingan active currently and after calming down he also could feel the strain in his chakra flow around his eyes. Taking a mirror he looked into it and saw that he really had his Sharingan now.


    "So, how about thanks?", asked Kaito from over his shoulder.


    That got Sasuke frowning again and after he managed to deactivate his Sharingan he glared at Kaito. "I am still not over the fact what you showed me with that Genjutsu! You should stay out of my head, you hear me?"


    Kaito only shrugged his shoulders. "That Genjutsu of mine only shows the deep lingering fears inside someone. I don''t really know what you saw there."


    Hearing his answer Sasuke somehow calmed down and even sighed. Without saying a word more he walked away to continue his training.


    Kaito scratched his neck and watched him walk away. Naruto came over and looked at him as well.


    "What got into him?", asked Naruto.


    "Beats me. I helped him gain his Sharingan and in return get the cold shoulder.", smiled Kaito wrily. Of course, he knew much more than that, but that was what had happened after all.


    "Really? Man, he sure is a proud one. It''s not like it would hurt him to trust us." Naruto on the other hand got a little bit cranky hearing that Sasuke was still feeling high and mighty. But it also pumped him back up and he also continued his own training.


    "Kaito, how did you came to that theory of yours?" Kakashi was still interested in hearing why he did it in the first place.


    "Well, I could sense a weird strain in his chakra flow. And since it was around his eyes it should have something to do with his Kekkei Genkai. Looking at sensei and comparing it made me sure of it."


    "Wait, you could sense such a subtle change? That makes you a sensor. How far can your senses reach?" Now Kakashi was surprised.


    "Not sure?" Looking around and even closing his eyes for a moment Kaito continued. "Maybe a km?" He was genuinely not sure about it yet. His senses seemed to have gotten stronger.


    He really had to get used to it fast. A few hours inside his dungeon with a dozen shadow clones should do the trick.