Kaito returned to his home, but as he approached, he was startled. There was a lot of destruction around, yet his house remained untouched. There was a frozen person next to his house, looking like a strange creation. The man had multiple arms on his back, mixed with various other body parts—hands, legs, heads, and internal organs—a total confusion.
At that moment, Haruki also appeared, surprised by the bizarre artwork.
"Son, you have terrible taste in art," Haruki shook his head in disapproval.
"But I didn't do this, and I must say it's impeccable," Kaito retorted, praising the frozen statue.
"How is this impeccable? It's a mess! If all the parts were in the right places, we would have a true asura. Too bad whoever did this ruined the work," Haruki sighed, looking at Kaito.
Kaito had a faint smile on his face, confusing Haruki.
At that moment, the air began to chill again, and Haruki sensed that something terrible was about to happen. Looking at Kaito's ever-growing smile, he realized that his end might be near.
Whoosh!
In the next moment, Haruki disappeared from his position, leaving only a clone that was frozen solid.
Hana appeared behind the clone, scanning the surroundings for a brief moment.
Kaito stopped smiling as he walked towards Hana, who also smiled at his approach and stopped looking around.
'He's quick to disappear. My mother attacked so fast, and yet he managed to leave a clone and escape.' Kaito thought.
"Hi, Mom. What happened here?" Kaito asked, pointing around at some battle marks.
"Some idiots tried to invade my house, right on the day I had just cleaned the floor. So, I got a little annoyed, but nothing major," Hana described the incident casually, with a smile on her face.
'Note to self: never enter the house when Mom is cleaning the floor' Kaito mentally noted, deciding something he would never do. That smiling face was causing more fear than facing death itself.
Whoosh!
Haruki appeared again, this time next to Hana.
"Hello, dear. You look as beautiful as always. Your eyes shine brighter than stars and pierce the darkness in my heart," Haruki flirted with Hana the moment he appeared.
"Hmph. You only say those things to calm me down. But a moment ago, you were criticizing my taste in art," Hana scoffed, a diabolical smile forming again on her face.
Haruki froze but quickly acted, disappearing again just as an ice thorn emerged from the ground behind him.
"Darling, I was just kidding, you know. I've always loved your taste in art. I still remember that battlefield where we met. There were various ice statues, each more beautiful than the other. Each frozen body part turned into a work of art when put together," Haruki spoke rapidly upon appearing not too far away.
Hana started to reminisce about that battlefield that day. She had frozen and taken the lives of many ninjas, turning the battleground into a frozen field, a true work of art. There was no blood; it was an expanse of ice and snow. Everyone within her reach would be attacked and frozen within seconds. Only a few elite jounins could resist, but even they did not meet a good end. To Hana, they all became works of art.
She smiled and quickly calmed down with these pleasant memories.
Kaito was surprised and a little scared, but he quickly recovered. After all, this was the ninja world, where deaths and massacres occurred, and children killed without mercy. It was normal for their minds to be a bit distorted due to the overwhelming stress. Hana's way of coping was to view frozen corpses as works of art.
After calming Hana, Haruki approached slowly and cautiously.
"Dear, you didn't leave anyone alive for us to gather information. How will we know who attacked you?" Haruki asked while examining the ice sculpture.
"I don't need information. They were simply trying to kill me, so I killed them. And if anyone else tries again, this will be the result," Hana replied casually, heading back inside. As they walked, the ice statue transformed into various small particles scattered by the wind.
Kaito and Haruki remained silent and also entered the house.
Haruki and Kaito were face to face at the dining table, both eating silently. However, Haruki decided to break the silence.
"Son, what do you think of a Special Jounin?" Haruki asked as he looked at him.
"Well, a special Jounin is a ninja who is close to being a Jounin but has some flaw that prevents them from being a complete Jounin, like insufficient chakra reserves or some other factor. However, a special Jounin can sometimes demonstrate the power of a Jounin in a certain way," Kaito spoke about what he knew about special Jounin.
"You're right, but a special Jounin also has greater freedom. They can leave the village alone to gain experience on missions outside the village, unlike Chunin, who have to be with their team."
"But the point is, would you like to become a special Jounin?" Haruki asked directly after a brief explanation.
Kaito was surprised by his father's question; he didn't expect to become a special Jounin. He thought he would have to do missions with his team until he could earn the title of special Jounin or Jounin.
"Son, your strength is very close to that of a Jounin, assuming you use everything you have. However, you lack experience, the experience of facing dangers and adversities, the experience of ninja missions. You could gain all of that by continuing with your team, but as a special Jounin, you can decide which missions to take, whether to retreat, advance, wait, and much more without having to worry about anyone." Haruki explained again without waiting for Kaito to speak.
Kaito hesitated as he thought about it. After all, he would be leaving his friends behind, and he didn't know how they would react.
"You can think about it, Kaito, no pressure," Haruki said, seeing his hesitation.
"Alright, I'll think about it, Dad, but if I accept, how do I become a special Jounin? Will you recommend me to the Hokage?" Kaito asked with uncertainty.
"Haha, no, the idea came from the Hokage himself, so don't worry. As long as you accept, the Hokage will handle it," Haruki smiled at Kaito, who was very surprised.
"Okay, you should go and train. Many things have happened in the village recently, and it may happen again, so we must be strong to defend our home." After saying this, Haruki stood up and left, leaving Kaito in place.
'How is the Hokage still alive? I haven't done anything to change that. Wait, my own existence did it. After all, Konoha now has my father Haruki, and even Hana. I've seen my father training, and he is very strong. I wouldn't be surprised if he were at Hokage level.' Kaito thought. His father's kenjutsu was of top quality, and it even reminded him of another powerful swordsman.
...
Several days passed after the incidents in Konoha. The destroyed houses were now being rebuilt, and many ninjas were seen patrolling. Despite the battles being over, caution and vigilance had not faded.
Kaito was walking among the houses being reconstructed. His father had mentioned that many people died in the attack. Walking amidst the houses, Kaito could see several sad and tired faces, but everyone was working to rebuild what they had lost. Unfortunately, what was most precious could not be brought back—the lives of the victims.
After a few minutes of walking, Kaito had finally reached his destination.
In front of him was an apartment where Naruto lived. Kaito then knocked on the door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
It didn't take long before footsteps could be heard behind the door. When the door opened, there was a boy with blond hair and blue eyes, yawning. He seemed to have just woken up.
"Hey, Naruto, it's already afternoon, and you're still sleeping? Are you sure you're not slacking off in your training?" Kaito asked in doubt.
"Damn you, Kaito. I spent the night training with that old man. He said it was the only time his clone could train me, and he taught me some new tricks. Maybe I should show you later," Naruto rubbed his eyes, still sleepy.
"Understood. So, you're not a total slacker. But how's the old man?" Kaito asked after teasing Naruto.
"He's fine, I guess. He's been coughing a lot for hours, though. His clone does the same thing. It must be because he's old. But hey, Kaito, I have an A-rank mission, haha!" Naruto smiled with an air of superiority.
"What's your mission?" Kaito asked curiously.
"The old man sent me and the pervy sage to search for an old healer or something like that. I'm leaving in a few weeks, as soon as I learn a summoning jutsu from the old man," Naruto said while picking his nose.
Kaito looked at Naruto briefly, thinking about what he had just heard. Some pieces clicked in his mind, assembling the puzzle.
'Naruto said the Hokage is training him, in this case, a clone. However, the clone has a severe coughing fit and can only teach him in the early morning. The Hokage sent him on a mission to find Tsunade, but he's still alive, and he doesn't need someone to take the place of Hokage.'
'So, he must be internally injured or something, but it can't be too serious since he's training Naruto and assigned the mission for a week later.' This had been the point where Kaito had thought, putting together what Naruto had told him.
At that moment, Kaito was brought back to his thoughts because Naruto was reaching out to touch him. This startled Kaito, especially when he noticed a small black ball on Naruto's index finger.
Kaito took a step back, making Naruto miss, and quickly pulled his arm away, pretending that nothing had happened.
"I saw it, Naruto, but I'll let it slide. Besides, you're not the only one leaving the village. I am now a special Jounin, Naruto, and I've already taken my first mission," Kaito replied with a smile, leaving Naruto completely shocked.
"What do you mean, Kaito? Since when?" Naruto was really shocked by this news.
"Haha, knew you'd react like that. But don't you remember, Naruto? The Hokage gave a speech a few days ago, and he promoted me in the middle of that speech. However, you were too busy sleeping," Kaito said with a strong smile.
Naruto furrowed his brow, trying to remember, but nothing came to his mind.
"So, Kaito, what's your mission?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Secret," Kaito put his hand to his mouth and jumped on a wall, quickly leaving the area.
Naruto blanked out for a few seconds but soon started running after Kaito.
"Hey, come back here and tell me, you bastard! I told you about my mission!" Naruto was shouting as he chased him
"Haha, said what I wanted." Kaito smiled even more as he fled at high speed.