The training field echoed with the sharp crack of wooden kunai colliding. Sunlight streamed through the tall trees of the village's edge, casting long shadows across the packed earth.
Kaito's grip on his practice kunai tightened as he clashed again with Naruto, their movements quick and clumsy but full of energy. The boy's blue eyes shone with a fiery determination that reminded Kaito of the stories he already knew.
"Tch, you're not bad, Kaito," Naruto panted, jumping back after another exchange. His whiskered face was flushed, a grin spreading despite the sweat dripping from his brow. "But I'm gonna be Hokage one day! You'll never beat me!"
Kaito smirked faintly, spinning the kunai around his fingers. "Dreaming big already? Maybe try not to trip over your own feet first."
Naruto bristled, puffing out his cheeks like an indignant cat. "What was that?!" He lunged forward again, recklessly swinging.
Kaito sidestepped with practiced ease, brushing Naruto's arm aside before tapping the blunt edge of the kunai against his chest. "Point."
Naruto froze, then let out a frustrated groan. "Argh! How are you this good already?!"
Before Kaito could answer, a voice interrupted from the sidelines.
"He's good because he's an Uchiha," Sasuke muttered, his tone sharp as a kunai's edge. He stood with his arms crossed, dark eyes fixed on the sparring pair. "But don't think that makes you special."
Kaito lowered his weapon slightly, narrowing his gaze. Sasuke's presence always carried a quiet intensity, like a storm gathering on the horizon. Even though Kaito already knew the tragedies awaiting the boy, facing him now sent a chill crawling up his spine.
"Oh, Sasuke's watching?!" Naruto grinned, puffing his chest out. "Then you better pay attention! I'll surpass you too!"
Sasuke scoffed. "You couldn't surpass a snail."
Naruto's face went red, and he stomped forward, but Iruka's voice rang out before the bickering could escalate further.
"All right, that's enough for today!" the teacher called, clapping his hands. "Naruto, Kaito—good effort. Sasuke, don't just stand there; you'll be sparring with them tomorrow."
Naruto groaned while Sasuke turned away with a dismissive "hmph." Kaito simply exhaled, slipping his kunai back into its holster.
Later that afternoon, the academy yard was buzzing with chatter. Groups of students sat under the shade of the trees, resting after drills. Kaito, however, found himself under a different kind of spotlight.
"Wow, Kaito, you're amazing!" A girl's voice chimed, full of excitement.
Kaito turned to see Ino and Sakura approaching. Sakura's eyes flicked briefly toward Sasuke's retreating figure, but then back to Kaito.
"You handled Naruto like it was nothing," Ino continued, her smile playful. "I didn't know you were that strong already."
Kaito scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "It's nothing… I just practiced a little."
Sakura tilted her head, curious. "Still, for someone who only just started at the academy, you're really skilled. Even Sasuke doesn't hand out compliments, but I think he noticed too."
At that, Kaito caught the faintest shadow of a glare from across the yard. Sasuke, who had been gathering his things, was watching him again. Their eyes locked for a moment—two Uchihas, standing in the same place, yet worlds apart.
Kaito quickly looked away, feigning disinterest, but inside, his chest tightened. He wasn't just another student. He was someone carrying knowledge from another world, trying to blend into this one. Sasuke's presence was a constant reminder of how fragile that balance was.
That evening, Kaito returned home, exhausted but restless. Kushina was waiting for him at the door, arms crossed, red hair spilling over her shoulders like a fiery cascade.
"You're late," she said, though her tone was more playful than scolding. "Training again?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah. With Naruto."
Kushina's lips curved into a grin. "That boy's a handful, isn't he? Reminds me a little too much of myself."
Kaito chuckled softly, stepping inside. "He definitely has your energy."
Kushina's eyes softened as she ruffled his hair affectionately. "Don't push yourself too hard, Kaito. You don't have to prove anything to anyone."
Her words lingered with him as he sat down to eat. Yet, as much as he wanted to believe them, he couldn't shake the unease. The rivalry with Sasuke had already begun to stir, and it wasn't one he could easily avoid.
The next morning, true to Iruka's word, the sparring session paired him against Sasuke. The training field was silent except for the whispers of students gathering to watch. Even Naruto looked unusually serious as he stood on the sidelines, arms crossed and lips pressed into a thin line.
"Begin!" Iruka's voice rang out.
Sasuke wasted no time. He dashed forward with a speed that caught Kaito slightly off guard, his movements sharper and more refined than Naruto's wild swings. Their kunai clashed with a metallic snap, sparks of friction flashing in the sunlight.
"You're not bad," Sasuke muttered, pushing forward with surprising strength. "But you're not better than me."
Kaito gritted his teeth, parrying and stepping back. "We'll see about that."
The fight escalated quickly, neither giving an inch. Every strike, every counter carried the weight of their pride. The crowd of students murmured in awe as the two Uchihas moved in sync yet against each other, like mirrors reflecting two different paths.
Finally, Kaito caught Sasuke's strike and twisted, forcing him off balance. He stepped in, kunai pressing lightly against his rival's side.
"Point."
Sasuke froze, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the entire yard went quiet.
Then Sasuke smirked faintly, lowering his weapon. "Hn. Don't get cocky."
Though his words were dismissive, the glint in his eyes told a different story—recognition, perhaps even a hint of respect.
As the students buzzed around them, Naruto cheered the loudest, though half-jealous. "Whoa! Kaito, you're awesome! But next time, I'll beat both of you!"
Kaito simply exhaled, lowering his kunai, but deep inside, a fire had been lit. This was just the beginning—the spark of a rivalry that would shape his path in ways he couldn't yet imagine.