The morning mist clung low over Konoha, softening the outlines of rooftops and blurring the distant Hokage Monument. To most villagers, it was just another peaceful dawn. But to Uchiha Kaito, the air felt heavy—like the calm before a storm.
He hadn't slept much the previous night. The conversation with Kushina replayed in his mind again and again. Her casual warmth, her laughter… and that faint trace of sadness when she spoke about Minato.
She's already promised to him, Kaito reminded himself, turning his gaze toward the sky. And yet… she doesn't seem happy. Not entirely.
Those thoughts unsettled him more than he cared to admit. He wasn't here to interfere with destiny—or at least, he hadn't intended to. But fate had its own cruel humor.
As he walked through the streets, children ran past with wooden kunai, pretending to be great heroes of the village. Their laughter echoed, but the shinobi on patrol were far more serious. Konoha's tensions with other villages hadn't disappeared, and Kaito could feel the undercurrents of unease everywhere.
"Yo, Kaito!"
He turned to see Kakashi, leaning against a fence with his usual nonchalant air. His silver hair stuck up like always, and his headband covered one eye.
"You disappeared yesterday," Kakashi said, arms crossed. "Rumor has it you were with Kushina."
Kaito's expression hardened. "And who's spreading that rumor?"
Kakashi smirked. "The clan compounds aren't as private as you think. People talk. And let's just say, some folks are watching the Uchiha more closely than usual."
Kaito frowned. "Because of me?"
Kakashi shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But don't be surprised if whispers reach the wrong ears. You're a talented Uchiha, appearing out of nowhere, suddenly getting close to the future wife of the Hokage… That doesn't exactly look innocent."
The words hit Kaito harder than he expected. Not because he was guilty—but because Kakashi was right. In the shinobi world, perception was as dangerous as reality.
"Thanks for the warning," Kaito said finally.
Kakashi studied him for a moment, then gave a short nod. "Just be careful. Some shadows don't forgive mistakes." And with that, he vanished in a blur of movement, leaving Kaito with a pit in his stomach.
Later that day, at the training grounds, Kaito tried to clear his mind with sword drills. The rhythmic clash of blade against practice poles steadied him, but not enough. His Sharingan flared to life instinctively, following the arc of each strike, the spin of each movement.
That was when he sensed her.
"Kaito-kun."
He turned. Kushina stood there, her long crimson hair swaying in the breeze, her eyes sharp but warm. She was holding a basket in her hands.
"You look troubled," she said softly.
Kaito forced a smile. "Just training. What brings you here?"
Kushina held up the basket. "Food. I figured you'd forget to eat if you're out here all day. I was right, wasn't I?"
He chuckled, a little embarrassed. "You're too kind."
They sat beneath a tree, sharing rice balls and tea. For a few minutes, everything felt normal—too normal. The kind of peace Kaito had never truly known, not in this world nor the last.
But Kushina's eyes drifted, just for a moment, and Kaito caught the shift in her expression. Sadness again.
"You're worried about Minato," Kaito said quietly.
She blinked, then looked away. "Is it that obvious?"
"You hide it well. But not from me."
Kushina sighed, resting her chin on her knees. "He's strong. He's kind. Everyone says he's destined to be Hokage. But sometimes… I wonder if that destiny means I'll always come second."
The vulnerability in her voice pierced through Kaito's chest. He wanted to say something comforting, but the words tangled in his throat. Because deep down, he wanted her to look at him that way—not Minato.
Before he could respond, a voice cut through the air like steel.
"So it's true."
Kaito and Kushina turned sharply. Standing at the edge of the clearing was Fugaku Uchiha, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable but his eyes blazing with suspicion.
"Kaito," Fugaku said coldly, "our clan has tolerated your… peculiar behavior until now. But associating so closely with Kushina Uzumaki? Do you intend to disgrace us?"
Kushina bristled. "Hey! That's none of your business—"
But Kaito raised a hand, stopping her. His gaze locked on Fugaku's, unflinching.
"You misunderstand," Kaito said, his tone calm but firm. "Kushina and I are friends. Nothing more."
Fugaku stepped forward, his presence heavy. "That better be the truth. Because if you bring trouble to the Uchiha name, no one—no one—will protect you."
The silence between them stretched tight as a drawn bowstring. Finally, Fugaku turned sharply and left, his cloak whipping behind him.
Kushina let out a frustrated huff. "That guy… He acts like he owns everyone."
Kaito didn't answer. His fists were clenched too tightly. Fugaku's words weren't just a warning. They were a threat. And now, every move Kaito made would be watched.
That night, Kaito returned to his quarters. The moonlight spilled across the tatami floor as he sat down, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
"Uchiha Kaito," he whispered to himself. "Transmigrated or not, you can't slip. One wrong step… and you're done."
But even as he tried to steel his resolve, a single thought echoed louder than the rest:
Kushina smiled at me today. And that smile is worth the danger.
Outside, the shadows of Konoha stretched long and dark. And somewhere within those shadows, unseen eyes watched him.