A small achievement
After finishing his conversation with the Hokage, Kaito quietly stepped out of the office. The air outside felt heavier somehow, as if the weight of everything said—the confessions, the dark story—still lingered in his chest. But he pushed the feeling aside for now. Naruto was still waiting.
The streets were mostly empty, the village unusually quiet for this time of day. A few villagers passed by, casting brief glances, but no one stopped to speak. The silence was familiar. Hollow.
It didn't take long to reach Training Ground 7—less than ten minutes. As Kaito stepped into the clearing, he spotted her. Naruto sat beneath a tree, sweat beading on her brow, kunai marks scattered in the dirt around her from missed throws. Her clothes were dusty, and her face bore faint smudges from exertion. Still, she was relentless—throwing, missing, and trying again without a hint of frustration.
At least she's hardworking, Kaito thought, watching her for a moment before approaching.
He stepped forward, casting his shadow over her.
"Naruto," he said, his voice calm and clear.
Her eyes blinked open, lighting up the moment she saw him. A wide, toothy grin spread across her face, chasing away the dust and grime.
"Kaito! You're back!" she exclaimed, hopping to her feet with boundless energy, as if she hadn't been training for hours.
Kaito gave a small nod. "I have a new and better training method."
Her head tilted with curiosity, her expression a mix of eagerness and bewilderment. "A new method? What kind of training?"
"Surface walking," he replied. "It'll help you improve your chakra control. With enough practice, you'll be able to run up walls… and eventually walk on water."
Naruto's eyes widened in awe, her jaw dropping. "No way! For real?!" The idea seemed to defy the very laws of reality she knew.
Kaito nodded again, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "For real."
She gave a cheer, nearly bouncing in place, already imagining the possibilities. "That sounds awesome! Let's do it!"
He gave her clear, concise instructions on focusing chakra onto the soles of her feet, maintaining a steady, even flow. She tried immediately—tried, failed, fell, and got back up. Over and over. Each fall was met not with despair, but renewed determination.
Hours passed as the sun crawled across the sky, turning gold as it began its slow descent.
Naruto grunted, sliding down the tree trunk with a thud, a frustrated sigh escaping her lips. "Ughhh! Why is this so hard?"
"Because it requires control," Kaito explained patiently, his voice unwavering. "Not power. You're still pushing too much chakra. It's not about forcing it—it's about balance, precision, and consistency."
She groaned and rolled to her feet, wiping sweat from her brow. "Balance, huh… okay, okay. I'll try again!" Despite the endless setbacks, she never gave up. She kept trying, again and again. Her face flushed with effort, legs scraped from countless falls, but her eyes burned with an unyielding determination.
By the time the sun dipped completely below the horizon, casting long orange shadows across the training ground, she finally managed to take three steps up the tree before falling back down. It was a small victory, but significant.
She landed with a triumphant grin instead of a grimace, her chest heaving. "Did you see that?! Three whole steps!"
Kaito allowed himself a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I saw it."
She beamed, panting but truly, genuinely proud of her progress.
"Same time tomorrow?" she asked, already eager for the next session.
He nodded. "Same time. But rest tonight. You'll need it. Don't overdo it."
As they walked away from the clearing, side by side, a quiet thought crossed Kaito's mind, a flicker of surprise amidst his usual analytical demeanor. She's improving… faster than I expected.
The Next Day
Kaito stood in the same spot as yesterday. The early morning breeze brushed his face, cool and invigorating. The air was quiet, peaceful, with only the distant chirping of birds keeping him company. The solitude was fleeting.
Soon, a small silhouette approached down the path—energetic steps, arms swinging, bright blonde hair bouncing with each stride.
Naruto.
She broke into a wide grin as she got closer, her face lit with anticipation, her eyes sparkling with morning excitement.
"Morning!" she chirped, slightly out of breath but buzzing with energy.
Kaito gave a curt nod. "We'll train for three hours today. After that, we'll head to Ichiraku's. You can pick whatever you want."
Her eyes sparkled even brighter at the mention of ramen. She gave an eager nod and fell in step beside him as they moved deeper into the training ground.
"Today's focus will be chakra control and endurance," Kaito explained. "Since the surface-walking exercise is far more effective than the leaf-sticking one for building sustained control, we'll stick with that for the first hour."
She nodded quickly, her eyes focused, absorbing every word.
"After that, we'll move to physical conditioning—bodyweight exercises, running drills, and reaction training—for the next two hours. Then we head home, clean up, and meet at Ichiraku's for our reward."
"Got it!" she said with a fist pump, her enthusiasm infectious. "I'm totally gonna master this today!"
They got started immediately. Naruto threw herself into the training without hesitation. She fell, stumbled, scraped her knees, but got up every single time with a determined glare, her spirit unbroken. Watching her, Kaito thought—she wasn't just stubborn. She was hungry to prove herself. Not to the village that scorned her, not to the distant Hokage, but to herself. A deep-seated, intrinsic drive that fueled her every effort.
Six Months Later
"Alright class, today will be a combat assessment. Follow me," Iruka announced, his voice booming across the Academy classroom, already turning to walk off towards the training grounds.
"Hai!" the class responded in unison, a mix of nervous anticipation and eager excitement in their voices.
Everyone stood and followed. Kaito walked a few paces behind Iruka, Naruto beside him, her usual boundless energy buzzing quietly, contained for the moment.
"Let's make a bet," she said with a grin, her voice low enough for only him to hear, a playful challenge in her tone.
Kaito kept walking but glanced at her sideways, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "What kind of bet?"
Her grin widened as she lifted her chin, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Whoever wins gets one wish. The loser has to comply—no questions asked."
Comply… Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly. So she wanted him to do something for her, or perhaps permission for herself. Either way, it sounded intriguing. He smirked. "Fine."
She flashed a confident smile just as they arrived at the training field. A small stone arena, worn by countless sparring matches, was set up in the center. Iruka called out the first names.
"Hinata and Sakura."
The two girls stepped into the arena. Kaito watched closely, observing their stances and movements. Sakura moved stiffly, cautiously, her eyes wide with apprehension. Hinata, on the other hand, was measured—sharp eyes, steady stance, clearly capable. She could win easily. But then Kaito noticed her subtle hesitation, a faint wavering in her resolve.
Kaito frowned, arms crossed. Why wasn't she fighting seriously? Moments later, Hinata made a crucial mistake, and Sakura landed a lucky, albeit weak, strike.
"Winner: Sakura," Iruka called, sounding a little surprised himself.
"Tch. Fool," Kaito muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He knew Hinata was capable of far more.
The girls returned to the group, and Iruka called the next match.
"Next—Naruto and Kiba."
They entered the ring. Kiba's style was aggressive, wild—like a cornered beast, relying on brute force and instincts. Naruto had changed dramatically. She used to fight like a brawler, all instinct and chaos, flailing wildly. But after Kaito taught her the structured movements of boxing and kickboxing, she'd become something else—sharper, faster, controlled, her movements precise and deliberate.
Kiba lunged low, aiming for her legs. Naruto dodged left with a fluid motion and drove her knee upward—a clean hit to the chin. Kiba crumpled instantly, hitting the dirt with a surprised grunt.
Kaito gave a short, approving nod. "Good."
Iruka's voice rang out again. "Kaito and Sasuke."
Kaito stepped forward, a faint ripple of anticipation in the air. Sasuke walked from the opposite side, eyes narrowed with tension, his gaze fixed on Kaito.
"Begin!"
Sasuke lunged, his fists already flying. Kaito reached for his kunai and, in a smooth, almost invisible motion, threw it straight up into the air. Sasuke's gaze instinctively followed the glinting blade—just for a second. That was enough. Kaito slipped inside his guard and drove a swift, precise uppercut into his chin. Sasuke staggered and dropped to one knee, momentarily stunned.
Kaito caught his kunai as it fell, standing calmly, watching. He didn't want to end it here—he wanted to see what Sasuke, the so-called genius of the Uchiha, could really do.
Sasuke pushed himself up, jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. He quickly formed a series of intricate hand seals. So… that's what you've been hiding.
Kaito responded instantly, his own hands moving with blinding speed, almost too fast for the eye to follow. "Clone Jutsu."
A perfect, solid-looking clone appeared beside him. Sasuke's clone followed half a second later, a subtle delay betraying his inferior chakra control. Both main combatants sent their clones in, creating a diversion. Sasuke jumped back, forming another set of hand seals, taking a deep, focused breath.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
A roaring torrent of flames erupted from Sasuke's mouth, hurtling forward with impressive speed—but Kaito was already gone.
"Body Flicker."
The fireball dissipated harmlessly against the empty ground. Sasuke looked confused, scanning for his opponent—until Kaito's kunai pressed against his neck from directly behind him.
Sasuke froze, stunned, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief.
Kaito turned and walked out of the ring, leaving Sasuke to process his swift, overwhelming defeat.
After a few more matches, the climax finally arrived: Kaito versus Naruto.
They stepped into the arena together, a silent understanding passing between them. She smiled—bright and fierce, radiating confidence.
The bell rang.
She charged, throwing a quick, practiced jab, aiming for his face. Kaito tilted his head imperceptibly and let it pass inches from his nose. Then came the barrage—rapid jabs, wild swings, a few surprisingly sharp liver shots thrown in, a testament to her improved taijutsu.
He blocked, slipped, parried, his movements economical and precise. When he countered with a clean, light punch to her shoulder, she leapt back, creating distance.
He didn't let her escape. "Body Flicker."
He appeared in front of her in an instant—just as she smiled again, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
She raised a hand to his face, her movements fluid and untelegraphed. A sudden burst of water exploded outward from her palm, catching him completely off guard. His eyes shut instinctively, a reflex against the sudden spray.
Cold.
In that precise instant, she slipped behind him. When he opened his eyes, he felt the familiar pressure of a kunai at his neck, expertly placed.
He blinked, a slow realization dawning. His analytical mind quickly replayed the sequence. "…Where did you learn that?" he asked quietly, genuinely impressed, a rare flicker of admiration in his voice.
She smirked, chin lifted high, radiating triumph. "I taught myself. It's an instinctive thing, I guess."
Kaito nodded slowly, a profound understanding settling over him. "I see. No hand signs… one of those instinctive, unrefined techniques, born from raw potential. I should've guessed—especially how easily you mastered the surface-walking exercise. You instinctively understand how to manipulate chakra for specific effects, even if you can't consciously articulate it."
They stepped out of the arena side by side, the sparring match concluded. The entire class watched in stunned silence as they walked past—Naruto with a proud, beaming grin, Kaito with water still dripping down his face, a silent testament to her unexpected victory.
They walked back to class silently, the cool breeze trailing behind them like a curtain closing on the fights. Kaito took his usual seat by the window, his mind already analyzing her performance. Naruto plopped down next to him, a picture of satisfied contentment.
Iruka returned, clearing his throat and unrolling a scroll. "Alright everyone—here are the rankings based on overall performance this term."
Kaito tuned him out until his own name was called.
"As expected, Kaito ranked first overall… except in one category—combat. First place there goes to Naruto Uzumaki!"
Some of the class snickered, others murmured in surprise, clearly not expecting the boisterous, once-clumsy Naruto to outrank the aloof genius. Kaito glanced sideways at her. She was beaming, practically glowing with pride, her victory sweeter for being unexpected. He turned his gaze back to the window, a quiet sense of satisfaction settling within him.
Surface walking? Mastered. Academy taijutsu? Mastered. Clone, transformation, substitution, rope escape, camouflage, concealment… all complete. Body Flicker was still being refined, but only a matter of time until it was perfect. There wasn't much left the Academy could teach him in terms of core skills. His path now lay beyond its structured lessons.
"Hey." He turned to Naruto, her voice soft, pulling him from his thoughts.
"What is it?"
She looked nervous now, her earlier confidence replaced by a rare flicker of uncertainty. "We made a bet, remember?"
Kaito paused, then nodded slowly. "Right. What do you want?"
She twirled her fingers, her face turning a faint shade of red. "I-I want to have a sleepover. At your place."
Kaito blinked once, a small flicker of surprise in his calm eyes. "…That's it?"
She nodded, avoiding his gaze, her cheeks still flushed.
He leaned back, one brow raised, considering. "Alright. Why not. But don't mess up my place. And don't touch anything that isn't yours."
Her face lit up like a festival lantern, her earlier nervousness vanishing in a burst of pure joy. "I won't! Promise! I'll be super careful!"
The school bell rang, echoing across the courtyard, signaling the end of the day. Class dismissed.
They walked out together. Naruto was practically skipping beside him, humming an off-key tune, a joyful bounce in her step. Then suddenly, she turned, excitement bursting from her.
"Let's go to my place first! I need to grab clothes and blankets and snacks!"
Kaito shook his head. "No need. I have more than enough blankets and pillows. As for clothes—we'll buy some now. The ones you wear are… unsightly. And prone to attracting unwanted attention."
She froze, then puffed her cheeks, a defiant pout on her face. "My clothes are not unsightly! They're full of character! And cool!"
"Exactly," he said, deadpan, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
She groaned, muttering something about "being a fashion icon" and "people just don't understand my style."
As they walked through the bustling marketplace, a distinct chill ran down Kaito's spine. His steps slowed almost imperceptibly, his senses flaring. Someone was behind them. His hand instinctively brushed against his kunai pouch.
Naruto noticed his sudden stillness immediately and stopped, her usual chatter ceasing.
"Come out," Kaito said evenly, his voice carrying just enough for their unseen observer to hear.
A man appeared, materializing from the shadows of an alleyway in sleek black ANBU attire, his porcelain mask stark against the dim light. Kaito's eyes narrowed. Of course. Always watching. Always creeping.
"The Hokage wishes to speak with both of you," the masked man said, his voice clipped and emotionless.
Kaito folded his arms, a sigh of exasperation escaping him. "Do you people have to appear like ghosts every single time? You know there are doors and streets, right? We can just walk."
The man didn't answer. He simply stood there silently, waiting, an impassive sentinel.
Kaito sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. We'll be there in ten minutes. Now, if you'll excuse us, we have shopping to do first."
The ANBU agent nodded once, a curt acknowledgement, and vanished like smoke in the wind, leaving only a faint ripple in the air.
Naruto blinked beside him, her awe momentarily overcoming her annoyance. "…That was kind of cool."
Kaito shot her a look, a single brow raised. "You find being stalked cool?"
She grinned, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Maybe a little."
Kaito shook his head, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. "Come on. Let's get this over with. The Hokage probably wants to scold me for something."
But inside, he couldn't help but wonder what the Hokage wanted—especially if he was summoning both of them. It had to be something significant.