A week had passed since the masked man's attack on Konoha.
On the plot of land that once belonged to Tsunade, the massive crater formed during the fierce battle between the Third Hokage and the masked man had already been filled in. New buildings now stood in its place. The new construction was smaller in area, built up into taller structures. One could only wonder what Tsunade would think when she returned to see it.
Having lost his temporary lodging, Kaito had been moved to a hotel. He was only escorted by the Anbu to the Third Hokage's home at specific times to instruct Nawaki, who had been taken in there.
Nawaki's body hadn't been seriously damaged, as he had only had his chakra drained. He was discharged from the hospital quickly and went to live with the Third Hokage. Humbled by his own weakness, he became even more determined to master the small amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra that remained within him.
The drastic reduction in the Nine-Tails' chakra had caused the beast inside him to shrink to the size of a human. Seemingly due to a lack of spiritual energy, this smaller Nine-Tails was in a constant state of sleep, which conveniently made it easier for Nawaki to control its chakra. He was now gradually weakening the seal's intensity to better draw out the Tailed Beast's power.
"Nawaki, are you ready? Let's reduce the Adamantine Sealing Chains to a single link," Kaito asked seriously from the side.
"Right!"
Nawaki took a deep breath, formed a hand seal, and began to release the chains binding the Nine-Tails' hands and feet, leaving only a single chain looped around its neck. As the seal opened, the Nine-Tails' chakra slowly began to seep into his body.
"Don't be nervous. Slowly merge your chakra with the Nine-Tails' chakra. Your spirit is strong enough now to suppress the negative emotions hidden within it."
Following Kaito's instructions, Nawaki calmly and deliberately mobilized his own chakra, blanketing the Nine-Tails' chakra with it. Before long, a faint orange Tailed Beast cloak formed around his body, and a single long tail extended from his back. His face showed no significant changes, though his eyes had taken on the vertical pupils of a fox.
"Nawaki, do you feel anything strange? Like a deep anger, a desire to destroy everything around you?"
"No," Nawaki said, shaking his head. "My mind is clear. I have complete control over my actions."
"Excellent. You've succeeded."
"I... succeeded?" He stared blankly at his hands, which now looked like they were covered by gloves. "Have I mastered the Nine-Tails' power?"
"It certainly seems so," Kaito said with a smile. "You can try out your new abilities. You're at least ten times stronger than you were before."
"Yeah. I can feel it. I'm filled with power!" Nawaki looked at Kaito with newfound confidence. "Kaito-sensei, let's have a match!"
"Heh. Alright. I might as well test your current strength."
And so, young Nawaki suffered the same fate as Fugaku Uchiha. By the time he was lying on the ground, panting for breath, he had failed to land a single effective blow on Kaito.
"Kaito-sensei, you're so strong."
"But of course. You're not bad yourself. You could probably take on an average jonin now. You're finally starting to live up to the reputation of a Konoha genin."
"???"
As night fell, Kaito sent Nawaki home to rest and left on his own. After grabbing dinner at a yakiniku restaurant, he plucked a small white flower from the side of the road and made his way to Orochimaru's house.
Orochimaru had been caught in the final explosion that day and had sustained considerable injuries, spending the last several days at home recovering. He answered the door in a pair of patterned pajamas, his face pale and colorless. Seeing Kaito, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Do you need something?"
"Can't I come see you if I don't need something? I came specifically to check on you." Kaito offered him the small white flower with a smile. "Here, this is for you."
"This isn't like you." Orochimaru glanced at the flower, took it, and stepped aside. "Come in."
"Should I take off my shoes?"
"No need."
Kaito followed Orochimaru into his house, curiously taking in the decor. "Your place is decorated so simply. You don't even have a television."
"I have no need for such things." Orochimaru sat down in the lone armchair. "Now, what is it you want?"
"I just wanted to see how a friend was doing. How are your injuries? Are you feeling any better?"
"It's nothing serious. I returned to my duties today."
"Oh, that's good." Kaito leaned against the wall and said slowly, "Actually, I came to report on Nawaki's progress. He can now control the Nine-Tails' chakra."
"So quickly? Oh, it must be because most of the Nine-Tails' chakra was taken." Orochimaru quickly grasped the key point. "Losing something doesn't necessarily mean misfortune."
"Since when are you a philosopher? I still feel it's mostly misfortune," Kaito said with a laugh. "Although it's easier for him to control, it also means the upper limit of his strength has been lowered."
"Once Nawaki has fully mastered the Nine-Tails' power, he'll at best be only slightly stronger than you."
"That is more than enough," Orochimaru said. "The Nine-Tails' chakra is merely an enhancement for him. What truly makes him strong is the ninja way we have always revered."
"It's good that you think so. I hope your Third Hokage can come to the same realization. Most importantly, I have nothing left to teach Nawaki. You all know the ninja way better than I do."
"So, you're planning to leave Konoha?"
"That's right. I've been here long enough."
"Where will you go next?"
"Back to the Land of Rain, of course. Though I might take a detour and visit a few other countries along the way."
"..." Orochimaru looked at Kaito for a moment, then nodded. "I see. I will likely have to return to the war in the Land of Rain myself. Perhaps we will meet again soon."
"I hope so. Also, about my payment..."
"Don't worry. You'll get what's owed to you. But we'll have to wait until we've tested Nawaki's progress tomorrow."
"Alright. Your word is good enough for me."
The next day, in the courtyard of the Third Hokage's home, the Third Hokage, Danzo, and Orochimaru gathered to watch Nawaki demonstrate his Nine-Tails mode. They all nodded in approval.
"Although there's a significant gap between this and the masked man from that night, this is still a major breakthrough," the Third Hokage said, satisfied. "You've done well, Kaito."
"It was nothing. A deal is a deal. You have to give it your all and act with integrity. That's how you ensure future cooperation, right?" Kaito said with a slight, smiling squint.
"You're absolutely right," the Third Hokage replied. "In a little while, I'll have someone deliver what you asked for. I trust you will treat it with care."
"I will."
"Also, if you are leaving Konoha, I hope you will keep our secret. Do not reveal the details of what happened that night. Especially concerning the Nine-Tails."
"That night? I was taking a bath. I don't know anything about it."
"Very good."
Soon after, having received his materials, Kaito bid farewell to the group and, under the escort of Anbu ninja, left the Village Hidden in the Leaves.