Naruto SI: Kaito Red Lightnin Chapter 201
Author's Note:
Yo guys!
Sorry for the late upload of this chapter—I'm still figuring out where the story is heading, and I had a hard time writing this one.
Feel free to share your ideas—they'd help me out a lot!
Fugaku leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "That's… not something we've ever heard from Kirigakure before. Our pasts haven't exactly aligned."
Mei gave a small nod. "I won't deny our history. But I'm not Yagura. And I don't intend to follow his path."
The air in the room shifted. Serious, but not tense.
Talks of potential trade began—discussion of imports, shared missions, and even shinobi exchange programs down the line.
Then Mei brought up a final request.
"There's one more thing," she said. "I'd like to visit the Yuki Clan."
Tsunade's gaze sharpened slightly. "They're under our protection."
"I know," Mei said softly. "And I respect that. I'm not here to challenge your decision—I simply wish to apologize. Properly. If they'll hear it."
There was a moment of silence before Tsunade gave a short nod. "I'll make the arrangements. But if they decline, that decision will be respected."
"Of course," Mei replied.
Shikaku scribbled a few notes down in his scroll and gave Tsunade a nod.
Tsunade turned toward Kaito. "You'll continue to act as liaison and escort for the Mizukage and her delegation. See to it that she's protected and that her schedule goes smoothly."
Kaito inclined his head slightly. "Understood, Lady Hokage."
…
The late afternoon sun washed over the village hidden in the leaves as Kaito and Kushina made their way home after a day out shopping.
Kaito slid the door open and stepped inside, two heavy grocery bags in his hands. Kushina followed behind, carrying the lighter ones.
"Ya know," she said as she kicked off her sandals, "you've been getting more and more popular these days."
Kaito let out a low groan, giving her a sideways glance. "What are you talking about now, Mom?"
Kushina smirked, her eyes glinting. "Oh, don't play dumb, Kai-kun. I saw you earlier, ya know — surrounded by all those giggling girls outside the shop. They looked so happy to see you, and I even saw them handing you gifts."
They walked into the kitchen, and Kaito set the bags down on the counter with a small sigh. "It's almost festival season. People give out stuff all the time. It doesn't mean anything. It's just people being friendly, That's all it is."
"Mm-hmm," Kushina hummed, starting to unpack the groceries. "Funny thing, though… Hitomi mentioned Hotaru's been learning how to make chocolates recently. Wonder why…"
Kaito let out a heavier sigh. "Mom…"
"So?" she cut in before he could say more, her grin widening. "When are you going to ask her out? You told us 'in two years' back then… it's been two years. So… when?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, groaning again. "Mom…"
"Hey, you promised Hotaru-chan you'd ask her out in two years. Don't go backing out now, ya know," Kushina said with a knowing look. "She's a sweet girl, ya know."
"I never promised her I'd ask her out in two years," Kaito said, frowning. "I should at least wait another two years before we start thinking about something like that. We're far too young back then and even now."
Kushina gave him a look that said she wasn't buying it. "Not many people get a childhood sweetheart, ya know. And shinobi don't usually live long either. I'm telling you this so you don't regret it later, ya know. A girl like her will only wait so long before another guy comes along and catches her attention."
A playful, threatening glint returned to her eyes as her grin came back. "And if you don't ask her out soon," she said, wagging a finger at him, "then I'll just have to set her up with someone else. Then you'd regret it for sure, ya know." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "How about Shisui-kun? He's a good kid, and he's around her age, ya know…"
Kaito shot her a flat look. "We're still young, Mom, and I've got… a lot going on. I don't want to start something I can't give my full attention to. She at least deserves that, ya know." He muttered under his breath, "And like I'd let that happen, ya know."
Kushina's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What was that, Kai-kun?"
Kaito groaned. "Uggg… nothing. I'm going to my room before you start planning my wedding."
Forming a quick hand seal, he called out, "Shadow Clone Jutsu."
With a puff of smoke, a clone appeared beside him.
"You help put the groceries away," Kaito told it.
"Got it, boss," the clone replied, turning toward the counter.
Kushina chuckled, shaking her head. "Just don't take too long, ya know."
Kaito gave her a short wave and headed down the hall, leaving the clone in the kitchen.
The clone placed the bags on the counter and started unpacking while Kushina began sorting vegetables. "I'll get dinner started," she said.
It had been three weeks since the Fifth Mizukage's visit to Konoha, and a lot had happened in that time.
Mei had stayed in the village for a full week to finalize the trade treaty with Konoha. The negotiations were a success, with both parties agreeing on a deal that benefited both nations. During her stay, Tsunade had assigned Kaito as her escort around the village.
Mei also attended the Chūnin Exam finals, the main reason for her visit. Then Chūnin Exam finals were proctored by Hotaru, and by the end of the exams, three genin were promoted to chūnin. Two from Konoha and one from Kirigakure. But what hadn't gone unnoticed by Tsunade and Shikaku Nara was the fact that no genin had lost their lives during the exams. which was a first in the history of the Chūnin Exams, especially when enemy nations participated.
Kaito, with help from his friends, designed tests to push candidates through realistic, high-pressure mission scenarios and war situations without needless deaths.
Kaito had always thought it was stupid to let genin be killed in the exams. That was just wasting shinobi and people. Not every thirteen to fifteen-year-old was a prodigy who grew rapidly; most needed time to mature. Sending them to their deaths was reckless and a waste of village resources. Shinobi could be late bloomers, reaching their true potential later in life — killing them early was throwing away what could one day be valuable strength.
During Mei's stay, as she had requested, she was granted permission to visit the remnants of the Yuki clan in Konoha. Kahyō, acting as clan head, personally represented them, accepting Mei's heartfelt apology and even hosting a feast for the Mizukage and her escorts. At first, the Yuki were wary when Tsunade informed them the Fifth Mizukage wished to meet them, but after Kaito vouched for Mei's character and assured them she could be trusted, they agreed to the meeting.
It was during that visit that Mei learned about Kimimaro and Guren, who were the last surviving members of their clans. Her only reaction was to raise an eyebrow at Kaito, clearly knowing he was the one responsible for bringing them to Konoha.
…
Kaito walked down the hall, his footsteps quiet against the wooden floor. When he reached his room, he slid the door open and stepped inside.
A shadow clone of himself was hunched over at the desk, focused on the scroll in front of him. The clone looked over and said, "Oh, hey, boss."
Kaito walked over, emptying his pockets and setting his shinobi pouch on the side of the table. "Yo, how's it coming along?"
The clone raised his hand above his head and yawned. "I think we've cracked it. I'm pretty sure this is as good as the improved version — we just need to test it to confirm, you know."
Kaito's eyes shifted to the seal on the desk — the infamous Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei.
"You really think so?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.
"Yeah," the clone said with a confident nod.
Kaito nodded slowly, studying the seal. He'd been working on improving the Edo Tensei on and off for years. Bit by bit, he'd made major changes to the version Tobirama had created. Kaito would say it's about as good as the one Orochimaru and Kabuto used during the 4th shinobi War, at least in theory.
Still, it hadn't been tested. And he knew all too well this was one of the most dangerous jutsu in existence, especially in the wrong hands.
But Kaito had a reason for improving the Edo Tensei.
And that reason was—
A faint pulse of chakra brushed against his senses, so subtle that most people wouldn't have noticed. Kaito's eyes drifted from the seal to the far end of the desk, where a plain black notebook sat. His information log.
He reached for it, frowning. "Huh… did something happen? He just gave his report a few days ago."
The clone glanced over. "Maybe something came up and he wants to inform us."
Kaito bit his thumb, smearing the blood across the cover. Forming a one-handed tiger seal, he muttered, "Kai."The logo on the cover glowed faintly before fading away.
Flipping to the latest page, he scanned the words.
[Field Report]
Target group has ceased active missions and is expected to remain dormant for approximately twenty-four months.
Cause: recent development with the mist's shadow. Awaiting the reappearance of Asset-3.
Following reappearance, capture and extraction of the asset will begin immediately.
Request: Permission to arrange a visit to my family during the coming months. Please coordinate the necessary cover and relay the window.
Kaito froze, eyes widening as he read the message twice. His grip on the book tightened. "W-what…? H-how…? Wait, wait, wait—why… oh no, no, no. This is way too early."
"What's wrong, boss?" the clone asked, leaning over his shoulder. One glance at the page and his expression shifted. "…Shit."
Kaito quickly dug into his pouch and pulled out his history log, flipping through the pages of everything he'd written down about the original timeline.
'Come on… where is it…' His hands moved fast, almost frantic,
He stopped on a section marked under Naruto – Age 13. His eyes locked onto a line he'd written years ago:
"Akatsuki takes a two-year break before starting the hunt for the jinchūriki."
His chest tightened. "No… this is way too early."
He had completely forgotten why Akatsuki took that two-year break before going after the jinchūriki. But then
Kaito's eyes flicked toward a section of Mukai's reports. He muttered, "Yagura…"
His mind began to race. 'This is bad… me messing with Yagura and Kiri… i-It's sped everything up. I've accelerated Akatsuki's hunt by two years. They'll start going after the jinchūriki when Naruto's only thirteen, not fifteen. He won't be ready to face them. No, no, no… this is bad.'
The two notebooks slipped from his hands and hit the floor. He staggered back, clutching his chest as his breathing grew shallow.
"Boss—" the clone started, but before he could say more, he vanished in a puff of smoke as Kaito's focus shattered.
Kaito's breaths came faster, uneven. 'T-this is bad… t-this is bad… I've made it worse. I… I messed up the timeline. Naruto and Sasuke won't be ready to face Kaguya. They won't meet Hagoromo. That means… no Six Paths Sage Mode… no Rinnegan.'
'If they don't get those power-ups, they won't stand a chance against Madara. And if they can't beat Madara… they can't beat Kaguya. And if they can't beat her… when Isshiki comes… they'll both die. Everyone will die.'
"I… I messed up…" His vision blurred as the panic fully set in, the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
…
Back in the kitchen, Kushina was chopping onions while Kaito's clone sorted and organized the groceries they'd bought.
While slicing, she glanced over her shoulder. "Clone-kun, pass me the ginger root, will you?"
The clone looked up from where he was sorting vegetables, grabbed the ginger, and nodded. "Yeah, here you go, Mom," he said, walking over and handing it to her.
Kushina smiled. "Thank you, dear—"
Poof!
The clone vanished mid-step, the ginger slipping from his hands and hitting the floor. Kushina froze, eyes widening.
"Kai-kun…" she muttered, the unease sharp in her voice. Clones don't just pop for no reason…
Her instincts screamed at her that something was wrong. She left the half-cut onion on the counter without another thought and bolted out of the kitchen, her bare feet pattering the wooden floor as she sprinted toward the hallway.
"Kai-kun!" she called, her voice rising as she reached his door. She slid it open hard enough for it to bang against the wall—
—and her heart sank.
Kaito was sprawled on the floor, both hands clutching tightly at his chest, gasping for air. His eyes were squeezed shut, his face pale, sweat beading along his temple.
"Kaito!" Kushina dropped to her knees beside him, panic flaring in her chest. "What's wrong, baby? Please, talk to me, ya know!" Her voice shook despite trying to keep it steady.
But Kaito's gaze didn't find her. His eyes stayed shut, breaths coming fast and ragged. She could hear the faint, choked sounds in his throat, like every inhale was a fight.
Her own heartbeat pounded in her ears. 'Is he having a panic attack… ' The thought made her chest ache even more.
"Kai-kun, slow your breathing," she urged, tears already stinging her eyes. She reached for his face, cupping his cheek with a trembling hand. "I'm right here, baby. Just focus on my voice, ya know. Please calm down. Calm down."
She looked at his face—so pale, lips parted, and his breaths turned shorter, sharper, almost frantic. His fingers dug into his own shirt like he was trying to hold himself together.
"No, no, no—" she whispered, panic giving way to action. Without another second of hesitation, she slipped an arm under his knees and another around his back, scooping him up into her arms and stood up.
Her jaw set, eyes hardening. "Hang on, Kai-kun."
In a single smooth motion, Kushina's body flickered out of the house in a burst of speed,
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