[Author's Note to Readers:]The timelines mentioned in this story have been carefully determined after extensive consideration by the author. (Mainly because there are many differing interpretations, making it difficult to reach a single, universally accepted version.)
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Five years after Konoha's founding
At this time, Konoha Village was still like a newborn, fragile, in the midst of reconstruction, and far from economic prosperity.Yet, it was warm. The fires of war had not reached this place, allowing people to live in peace and build stable families.
Kaede lay in the courtyard, gazing up at the stars scattered across the night sky. His thoughts drifted as a small smile curled on his lips."Stability really is better than chaos," he murmured softly."Even if there's some internal discord, it's still better than constant fear and hiding."
A cool breeze brushed his cheeks. He closed his eyes, savoring the calm, when a familiar roar broke the serenity from behind him.
"Kaede! I've called you several times! Get back here for dinner!"
Hearing the angry voice, Kaede bolted upright, panic flashing across his face. He stumbled to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes as he hurried toward the house."Coming! I'm coming!"
Barefoot, he stepped inside, only to find his mother, Sakura, standing with her hands on her hips and glaring daggers at him.
Seeing her expression, Kaede wisely surrendered at once, plastering on his most charming grin."Mother, I know I was wrong."
Sakura's anger deflated instantly. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stay mad at him. She sighed, gave a light snort, muttered under her breath, and turned back toward the kitchen.
Kaede, realizing he'd escaped unscathed, immediately sat down at the table like an obedient child.
His father, Yota, chuckled beside him."Our little adult does have a fearful side after all. Tsk, tsk, how amusing."
Kaede let out a weary sigh and buried his head on the table."Dad, please don't tease me when I'm already down."
Yota decided not to push further. After a brief pause, he said thoughtfully, "After dinner, I'll teach you how to refine chakra."
Clang!
Kaede jumped so hard he nearly toppled from his chair, eyes wide with excitement."Really? Dad, you're not lying to me, are you?"
Feigning offense, Yota clutched his chest dramatically."Ah, my own son doubts me. I suppose I shouldn't bother then..."
Before he could finish, Kaede rushed over, his face glowing with excitement."No, no! I believe you! Dad's the best, no one in the world can compare to you!"
The excessive flattery worked wonders. Yota puffed up with pride, thoroughly delighted by his son's praise.After all, what parent could resist the earnest admiration of their own child?
He gave a satisfied nod."Alright then, finish your meal first. We'll start afterward."
With that assurance, Kaede devoured his food in record time, then looked at his father with expectant, shining eyes.
"You really don't care about anything else, do you?" Yota said helplessly, but smiled all the same.
He exchanged a glance with Sakura, then took Kaede back to the yard.
Kaede sat cross-legged on the ground, his expression unusually serious, as if preparing for something monumental.In contrast, Yota sat casually, relaxed and unhurried.
"This is your father's unique chakra refining method," he said proudly. "It's no worse than the ones used by the great clans. Make sure to remember it well."
He took out a small scroll, handling it as if it were a priceless treasure.
And Kaede knew he wasn't exaggerating. His father's method truly could rival those of the powerful clans.
After all, this was Konoha in its earliest years, a time when clan pride ran deep, and the great families viewed commoners as beneath them, convinced of their own superiority and noble blood.
Naturally, ninjutsu was not something that could be easily shared. It was strictly guarded, and even the most basic techniques were nearly impossible for civilians to obtain.
The method of refining chakra was the foundation of becoming a shinobi. Without chakra, one could not use ninjutsu.For this reason, chakra refinement methods were considered priceless treasures. The techniques passed down within the great clans were far superior to the ones available to the public.
As an elite jonin, Yota's strength and reputation ranked among the best in Konoha. His chakra refinement method was in no way inferior to that of any major clan.
"Yeah, I understand," Kaede said quickly, nodding eagerly before opening the scroll. His eyes sparkled as he began to study it with intense focus.
Yota didn't interrupt him. Instead, he watched silently, his thoughts deep."I wonder how talented Kaede truly is... If he isn't gifted, then..."
Talent, sometimes, was everything.
An exceptional chakra refinement method could only bring out what was already there. If one lacked innate ability, there was a limit to how far they could go.
For example, a B-rank ninjutsu might take an average person dozens of attempts to master, while a genius could learn it at a glance. That kind of gap couldn't be bridged by effort alone.Hard work might close the distance one day, but that day was far away and might never come at all.
Yota looked calm, but deep down, he was anxious.Konoha was still unstable, and conflicts could erupt at any time. If his son lacked talent, danger would always follow him.In this world, it was always better to rely on one's own strength than on others. Power solved most problems, that was a truth Yota knew well.
Kaede, however, was completely unaware of his father's worries. His attention was fixed entirely on the scroll before him.
"Hmm… as expected," he muttered softly. "Compared to the crude methods sold in the market, Father's version is far more refined. He even explains the key points in great detail."
He let out a quiet sigh, half in awe and half in realization."So this is the privilege of having a family background. No wonder Tobirama wanted to weaken the clans and raise the status of commoners."
Kaede thought for a moment, then smiled faintly."Still, I'm lucky. I may not be from a wealthy clan, but my father's an elite jonin who's every bit as capable. I really was born blessed."
He couldn't help feeling a surge of gratitude.
After all, Kaede wasn't originally from this world.In his previous life, he'd grown up in an orphanage and died one day while saving someone. He had thought that was the end, but when he opened his eyes again, he had been reborn in the world of Naruto.
However, he had arrived quite early, during the very first year of Konoha's founding.
Time flew by, and five years had passed in the blink of an eye. He had long grown accustomed to his new parents.
His father, Yota, was an elite jonin, strong, wise, and composed.His mother, Sakura, had been a special jonin before she retired after his birth to focus on family life.
Kaede's life was peaceful and warm. His parents were loving, his home full of laughter. Yet, he knew this harmony would not last forever.
Since the age of three, he had been begging his father to teach him how to refine chakra. It was only today that his father finally agreed.
Clearing his mind of distractions, Kaede focused inward.
Minutes passed, then half an hour. Suddenly, he succeeded in extracting a faint strand of chakra.
At that exact moment, the rusty clock deep within his mind gave off a sharp clicking sound.
[System Activation Detected]