Kaito chapter 58
As they approached their target, Shikaku asked for his team's input on how to proceed. This was a mission for Team 11 to gain experience, after all. Itachi suggested setting up a trap, which ended up going smoothly with Shikaku landing the final blow and killing the spy.
After securing the body of their target, they returned back to the village, mission accomplished. Though it was a learning experience for Team 11, Shikaku couldn't shake off the feeling that this type of mission should not be given to such young ninja.
...
As the afternoon sun shone through the village hidden in the leaves, spring was in full swing and brought with it a bustling atmosphere. Team 11, consisting of Kaito and his teammates, were gathered at their usual training ground, waiting for their sensei to arrive.
Kaito, gazed at his teammates before casting his eyes towards the sky. lost in thought about the events that had transpired over the past few months. It had been a tumultuous time since the attempted kidnapping of Hotaru by the Kumo envoy. The aftermath of the Hyūga affair had caused tensions between Konoha and Kumo to rise, with demands for Kaito's head and an apology from Konoha.
However, thanks to the evidence presented by the captured Kumo's jonin commender who confessed to being involved in Hotaru's abduction, the truth prevailed. the village hidden in the clouds was forced to sign a peace treaty and declared that the head ninja acted on his own accord, not under orders from their village. The guilty ninja was executed by Konoha, bringing some closure to the situation. With the peace treaty signed, the remaining Kumo envoy left the village, leaving behind a sense of relief and calmness.
With the war finally coming to an end, the tension between lands had significantly decreased and travel was now much safer. As a result, Team 11 continued to complete missions as usual - a few D-ranks and mostly low-level C-ranks such as escorting caravans. During this time, the Chunin Selection Exam was also held by Suna,
Kaito wasn't particularly concerned with obtaining a higher shinobi rank - his focus remained on training and improving his skills. However, Itachi had made a request to their sensei, Shikaku, asking him to recommend Team 11 for the exams. During one of their team training sessions, Itachi approached Shikaku and asked, "Sensei, will you be recommending us for the upcoming Chunin exams? I believe we are more than ready." He argued that they were ready to become Chunin.
But Shikaku shook his head in response, sighing deeply. "Troublesome... no, I will not be recommending your team for the exams," he said with a disappointed tone. Before Itachi could question why, Shikaku raised his hand in a halting gesture and continued, "I'm not saying that you three lack the skills to be Chunin - in fact, I am confident that the three of you would easily pass and be promoted. But you are still too young. I have seen what happens to children who take on too much responsibility and meet an early death. That is the reason why I was assigned as your Jonin sensei in the first place - to ensure that all three of you reach your full potential instead of just becoming a prodigy that could have been."
After hearing Shikaku's reasoning, Itachi nodded thoughtfully and became somewhat distant from his teammates during their training sessions. His mind seemed lost in deep contemplation as he pondered over his sensei's words.
Kaito turned to glance back at his teammates,Hotaru, with her long black hair tied in a high ponytail and falling on her back, sat next to him on the grassy field. She was completely engrossed in trying to master the first step of lightning nature manipulations. Across from them, Itachi sat under a tree with a distant look in his eyes, lost in thought.
Kaito's voice broke through the silence, calling out to Itachi and snapping him back to reality. "Itachi," he said with concern etched on his face. Itachi looked up, and Hotaru followed suit, both curious about what Kaito had to say. "Are you alright?" Kaito asked, his gaze intense as he studied Itachi's troubled expression.
Itachi furrowed his brow in confusion and replied, "Yes, I'm fine." But his distant gaze and lackluster response told a different story.
"Come on, Itachi," Kaito pressed, not satisfied with his teammate's answer. "You've been zoning out a lot lately. Something is clearly bothering you."
A heavy sigh escaped Itachi's lips as he tried to brush off Kaito's concern. "I'm fine, Kaito. Really, it's nothing," he said with a smile. But his smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and Kaito knew there was something more that Itachi wasn't telling them.
Kaito nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed in thought. He hummed and stayed silent for a while before finally asking, "Does it have something to do with the Uchiha clan?"
Itachi, who was already privy to what had happened within the clan, looked startled when Kaito brought up the topic.
Hotaru, sitting next to them, also seemed surprised by the question.
Kaito let out a sigh and said, "Don't look so surprised. I can feel the tension between the Uchiha clan and the village too."
Hearing this, Itachi let out a heavy sigh and his shoulders drooped.
Kaito continued, "You know, you can talk to us about it. We're here for you."
Itachi nodded slowly and replied, "It's just that lately, the atmosphere in the clan feels... dark."
Sighing, Kaito responded, "I don't blame them. They must feel caged with how the villagers and village's higher-ups have been treating them since the Nine Tails attack."
Kaito ran a hand through his hair and reassured Itachi, "But don't worry too much. I'm sure things will go back to how they should be eventually."
Itachi simply nodded and they fell back into a comfortable silence.
Deep down, Kaito knew that he wouldn't be able to improve the situation between the village and the Uchiha clan. Even Kushina had tried talking to the Hokage about it, but he had agreed with her while also saying, "You have to understand, Kushina. Without knowing who the masked man is, I can't risk the safety of the village.", Kaito knew that Hiruzen was probably being pressured by Danzo and the elders.
After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, Shikaku finally emerged into the clearing with a scroll clutched in his hand. Team 11 immediately stood up and greeted their sensei with a respectful "Sensei." Yawning, Shikaku lazily nodded at them and handed over the scroll. "This will be our next mission," he informed them. Kaito eagerly took the scroll from Shikaku's outstretched hand and unrolled it, causing both Itachi and Hotaru to lean in closer to read its contents.
"Mission to guard the daimyo of the Land of Fire?" questioned Kaito, raising an eyebrow at his sensei. Itachi and Hotaru mirrored his expression, clearly intrigued by this unusual assignment.
Hotaru couldn't help but ask, "The four of us are going to guard him?" Shikaku confirmed, "Hai, as you know, the daimyo makes an annual visit to Konoha and it is tradition for the best performing Genin squad of that year's batch to be sent as his guards. But don't worry, you won't be alone. There will also be a four-man Anbu cell shadowing us and protecting the daimyo from any potential threats. And the daimiyo also has his personal '12 Guardian Shinobi' who will also be present."
Kaito wracked his brain trying to remember any traditions like this from his memories. He had never heard of anything like it during Naruto's generation.
He knew that the daimyo were the rulers of the land on which villages like Konoha were built upon. They held immense power and authority, essentially acting as kings while the shinobi villages served as their military force.
"Is it just a formality?" Kaito inquired, his tone already knowing the answer. Shikaku nodded, "Hai, pretty much." He then looked up at the sky and stated, "We'll meet at the village main gate 4 in the morning. Don't be late."
"Hai, sensei," Hotaru and Kaito both responded, with Itachi nodding in agreement. With a final nod, Shikaku disappeared in a flash of movement. Kaito turned to Itachi and Hotaru, saying, "I guess we should get going."
As they parted ways, Itachi heading towards the Uchiha compound and Kaito walking Hotaru back to the Hyuga compound. After ensuring that Hotaru was safely home, Kaito made his way back to his own house.
Upon entering the house, Kaito called out, "Mom, I'm home!" Kushina poked her head out from the living room with a warm smile. "Welcome back, honey."
The now three-year-old Naruto came barreling out of the living room and threw himself into his brother's arms.
Kushina joined in on the hug, making it a warm family embrace.
After breaking apart from the hug, Kushina playfully teased Kaito by asking, "So how was my daughter-in-law today?" Kaito let out a sigh and slumped his shoulders, knowing that this question would always come up whenever he spent time with Hotaru.
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