Night fell like a soft velvet curtain across the Hidden Leaf Village, and the stars above shimmered like gems cast into the heavens. The breeze whispered quietly through the trees, and the moon bathed the rooftops in a gentle glow.
In the quiet of the Hoshino household, Kaede Hoshino lay flat on his back in the yard, panting heavily.
His training weights pressed down on his exhausted frame like anchors. Every muscle screamed in protest. His shirt clung to his skin, soaked through with sweat as though he had been swimming, not training.
And yet—there was a smile on his face.
This was the first time he had pushed himself like this. Every part of his body ached, but inside… he felt proud. Fulfilled.
All day long, he had adapted to the weights, stumbling at first, nearly collapsing at times, but never quitting. As he lay beneath the vast starry sky, he could feel his body changing—growing stronger by the hour.
He squinted at the sky, letting the cool night air ease the burning in his lungs.
This is just the beginning, he thought, his lips curving upward before he slowly closed his eyes.
The stars above watched in silence.
---
The next morning, the peaceful serenity shattered like glass.
"YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO TALK?!" Kinomoto Sakura's voice thundered across the kitchen as she tapped her finger against Kaede's forehead with righteous fury.
Kaede had risen with dark circles under his eyes, a weak smile on his face.
"Mother, I'm sorry! I know I messed up. I didn't mean to fall asleep without checking in…"
"I came to check on you and you were passed out in the yard! If I hadn't brought you in, you'd be sneezing your lungs out today!"
"I… I was exhausted," Kaede said with a guilty grin.
She narrowed her eyes. "And what if you got sick and couldn't meet the Hokage today, huh?"
Kaede winced.
Behind them, Yota Hoshino covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. His face was practically purple from the effort.
Sakura glanced at the clock and sighed, though her tone was still stern. "Fine. I'll let it go this time. But eat quickly—we're not about to keep Hokage-sama waiting because my son forgot how to use a blanket."
Kaede muttered something about favoritism and Hokage worship under his breath but didn't dare say it too loud.
He scarfed down his breakfast as quickly as he could, ignoring the soreness in his limbs. After changing into fresh clothes—still with the training weights strapped on—he stood at the door and waved.
"I'm heading out!"
And with that, he turned and left for the Hokage Building.
---
The streets were already buzzing. The moment Kaede set foot on the road, he could hear it—low murmurs turning into rising chatter.
"Hey, did you hear? Hokage-sama accepted a new disciple!"
"Yeah, I heard it's some kid—young too."
"Tch, of course it's a kid. You think Hokage's gonna take a middle-aged man?"
"But still, that's the God of Shinobi we're talking about! What kind of kid could earn that honor?"
Kaede's scalp tingled.
He hadn't even made it halfway to the building and already the entire village was gossiping.
His face darkened.
There was only one person who could've leaked this.
Senju Tobirama.
Kaede's eye twitched. This man… this white-haired devil…
His father didn't gossip. Hashirama wasn't the type to boast. And he definitely hadn't told anyone.
Which left only one suspect: Tobirama, standing calmly in his robes somewhere, probably smirking like this was all part of his grand strategy.
"Senju Tobirama… you backstabbing schemer!" Kaede roared in his mind, teeth gritting.
He tried to sneak into the Hokage building, avoiding the eyes of the chattering crowd.
No luck.
Tobirama was already standing at the gate, arms crossed, as if he had been waiting the whole time. When his sharp eyes landed on Kaede, the corner of his mouth curled upward in the faintest of smirks.
"You're late," he said flatly. "Big Brother is expecting you inside."
Kaede's entire face froze. Big brother? Wasn't that way of addressing Hashirama a little too casual in public?
He panicked.
Before the crowd could erupt with more questions, Kaede bolted past Tobirama like a man fleeing for his life.
The bystanders were stunned silent for a moment. Then the whispers resumed, louder than ever.
"Wait—that's the Hokage's disciple?!"
"He was right in front of me!"
"I could've at least said hi!"
The chance to build a connection with the Hokage's disciple had vanished in a blur of wind and panic.
Meanwhile, Kaede ran like the village was on fire behind him.
---
He burst into the Hokage's office with ragged breath. Senju Hashirama was seated behind the desk, wearing his traditional Hokage hat.
The moment their eyes met—
"PFFFFFT HAHAHAHAHA!"
Hashirama laughed so hard he had to lean against the table for support. "Oh man… Tobirama really set you up."
Kaede pouted. "Sensei…"
"Ahem." Hashirama cleared his throat and wiped a tear from his eye. "Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help it."
Kaede sighed dramatically. "Is it really that fun to make a five-year-old suffer?"
"No," Hashirama said with a grin. "It's hilarious."
Before Kaede could argue, Hashirama's expression turned serious. "Anyway, let's skip to the important part. I want to test your level at the training grounds."
He quickly formed a hand seal. A puff of smoke exploded beside him.
A Shadow Clone emerged.
"I'm a little tied up with some political issues," Hashirama said with a sigh, "but this clone will take you to the private training area."
Kaede nodded. As much as he wanted to show off his progress, he could see the tiredness in Hashirama's eyes.
Konoha had grown rapidly in just five years, and with that growth came problems: inter-clan tensions, resource conflicts, disagreements over hierarchy.
Tobirama had already suggested hosting a plenary meeting—an assembly of all the major clans and stakeholders in the village—to address structural reforms.
But such gatherings could spark more conflict than they resolved.
If Hashirama mishandled the discussions, Konoha's unity might crack.
As Kaede turned to leave with the Shadow Clone, Hashirama suddenly called out:
"Oh right, did you receive the gift from Tobirama?"
Kaede stopped mid-step, then nodded slowly.
"I did."
"What did you think?" Hashirama asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes. "Too hard?"
Kaede smirked, his voice full of confidence. "Let's just say… you're going to be surprised."
Hashirama raised his eyebrows at the boy's bold tone, but didn't press.
As the door closed behind Kaede, Hashirama sat back in his chair, his mind filled with amusement—and a twinge of curiosity.
---
Kaede walked alongside the Shadow Clone in silence.
He clenched his fists.
Today… he would show them.
Not just his teacher.
Not just Tobirama.
But everyone.
He would show the entire village that he wasn't just some random kid who got lucky.
He was Kaede Hoshino—the boy who would carry both time and ninjutsu in the palm of his hand.
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