The atmosphere in Konoha shifted before the announcement came.
Patrols doubled.
Mission requests surged.
Academy instructors grew stricter.
Even civilians sensed it.
Storm before rain.
Kaen noticed something else too.
A presence.
Measured. Heavy. Exceptionally controlled.
Not hostile.
But extremely aware.
Observation Haki picked it up several times over the week — brief, distant attention directed toward academy training grounds.
Experienced.
Disciplined.
Powerful.
Then one evening, while extending his senses cautiously, recognition settled.
Second Hokage — Senju Tobirama.
Kaen didn't react outwardly.
Inside, analysis began immediately.
Tobirama wasn't impulsive.
He observed before acting.
Especially regarding Uchiha matters.
And Kaen — a quiet Uchiha orphan consistently performing above baseline without obvious explanation — naturally fit the category of "worth monitoring."
Logical.
Not personal.
At the Hokage tower, Tobirama reviewed academy reports calmly.
Nothing alarming officially:
Consistent performance.
No disciplinary issues.
Stable psychological profile.
Yet field observers had noted something subtle:
Composure beyond age.
Exceptional situational awareness.
Unusual emotional restraint.
Tobirama didn't jump to conclusions.
He rarely did.
But he filed the information carefully.
Because stability in uncertain times mattered.
Especially with war approaching.
That confirmation came the next day.
Officially.
Publicly.
The academy assembled all students in the main courtyard.
Instructors stood unusually formal.
Shinobi presence increased around the perimeter.
Then the announcement:
Tensions between major shinobi nations had escalated beyond diplomacy.
Skirmishes already occurring.
Mobilization underway.
The Second Ninja World War had begun.
Silence followed.
Children processed it differently.
Some excited.
Some frightened.
Some confused.
Jiraiya clenched his fists with determination.
Tsunade's expression hardened with concern.
Orochimaru simply absorbed the information quietly.
Kaen remained still.
Not surprised.
Just… confirming earlier assessments.
War changed everything.
Academy timelines could accelerate.
Clan expectations could intensify.
Village surveillance might increase.
Especially on potentially strong Uchiha.
Especially on someone Tobirama already noticed.
That evening, Kaen trained lightly only.
Integration over intensity.
Observation Haki scanned the village:
Increased urgency everywhere.
Strategic planning underway.
Civilian anxiety rising slowly.
Predictable.
Hitomi joined him as usual.
"So it's real now," she said softly.
"Yes."
"You worried?"
Kaen considered honestly.
"Prepared."
Which was true.
Years of training.
Hidden abilities.
Strategic mindset.
Still…
War was chaos by nature.
Preparation reduced risk.
Never eliminated it.
Meanwhile, Tobirama continued quiet observation.
Not suspicion.
Assessment.
Because from his perspective:
Strong young shinobi were assets.
Unstable ones were risks.
Kaen hadn't shown instability.
Yet.
So observation continued.
Measured. Professional.
Back on the rooftop, Kaen looked toward the Hokage Monument.
History carved in stone.
War repeating patterns again.
And himself?
Somewhere between participant and observer.
For now.
One thought settled firmly:
War might shape his generation.
But it wouldn't define him completely.
That decision remained his.
Always.