The wind howled as Kaito advanced with determination over the rocky terrain stretching before him. It had been a long time since he had left the mountains and the Valley of Mineral Senjutsu, the place where he had learned the foundations of a power he still did not fully understand. As he journeyed, the lessons he had received echoed in his mind, but so did the worries that haunted him—the uncertainty about the future of his parents and Konan would not leave him in peace.
The initial training had been arduous, but now he knew he had to take the next step. Something was calling him, something pushing him forward, the same force that had accompanied him in his past life as a human. The desire to protect those he loved and ensure their safety.
He had to find Tsunade—the only person who could help wake his parents and Konan from the deep coma they were trapped in. But before setting out toward his destination, Kaito recalled the words of the qilin, the creature that had guided him during his training in Mineral Senjutsu. The being had given him permission to return whenever he wished, and though his initial training had concluded, Kaito felt there was still much more to learn. The qilin had congratulated him, acknowledging his progress, but had also warned him that true mastery would only come with time and practice.
For now, however, his mind was set on a far more urgent goal: finding Tsunade—and dealing with the bastards who had attacked him.
As he crossed a barren plain, Kaito activated his dojutsu, the crystalline light of his eyes glowing intensely. The mineral energy markings that had formed on his body during his training began to vibrate softly, responding to the chakra flow he felt within. The sensation of power was tangible, but so was the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders.
The Rain Village, a place that had once seemed distant and foreign to him, was now within reach. Kaito had spent enough time there to understand the complexity of its inhabitants, the village's internal struggles, and the secrets surrounding it. It wasn't just his memories of Konan that connected him to this place but also a strange sense of belonging. He knew he had to return, that it was time to reunite with Tsunade so she could do whatever was necessary to help his parents and Konan awaken.
The road back to the village was not easy, and Kaito had to overcome several obstacles along the way. Wild animals, nomadic tribes, and bands of bandits constantly hindered his progress. However, his training in Mineral Senjutsu had granted him new abilities, and he did not hesitate to use the earth's energy to his advantage. The rocks and minerals around him moved at his command, forming barriers of defense or launching projectiles whenever necessary.
The sun was beginning to set when Kaito finally reached the outskirts of the Rain Village. The imposing figure of the settlement, with its stone walls and rooftops drenched in perpetual rain, loomed before him. A sense of familiarity washed over him, but so did a wave of anxiety. He had no idea what awaited him upon his return, but one thing was certain—his mission could not wait.
As he approached the village center, Kaito felt a strange mix of emotions. The Rain Village, once in ruins, had changed unexpectedly. It had always been a place of great poverty, but at least its people had shown a desire to rise above their circumstances. Now, however, as he entered the rain-soaked streets, he saw that the village was full of orphans—faces marked by sorrow and emptiness. Most of the houses, now crumbling, seemed to have turned into shelters for those who had no one left to turn to.
The entire atmosphere of the village had shifted, and the air was thick with sadness and despair. The streets, once filled with the cries of struggle and resistance, now seemed drowned in silence, interrupted only by the ceaseless falling of rain. Children wandered aimlessly, some staring at the ground, others with vacant gazes, as if they could no longer imagine a better future.
A pang of pain struck Kaito's chest at the sight. The village, which in his youth had symbolized a spark of resistance, now bore the scars of unending war.
He remembered the days of battle within the village, the love of his parents, his bond with Konan, and the resilience of the ninjas who had fought to survive. But all of that seemed to have been left behind, consumed by the tragedies that continued to unfold. He could only imagine how Konan would feel seeing this, but what hurt him most was knowing how many people she had lost.
Now, returning after so long, Kaito saw that the Rain Village had been marked by battle and by the indifference of those who had taken advantage of its suffering.
Moving cautiously, Kaito concealed his face beneath a cloak, ensuring his identity remained hidden. He knew that his presence in the village could raise suspicions, and he had no desire to attract unnecessary attention. Despite his recent training and the power he had gained, he understood that arrogance could be his downfall. He had to act carefully, maneuver in the shadows, and avoid being discovered.
He took refuge in a ruined house, a place that seemed a good starting point to hide while assessing the situation. The structure was partially destroyed, but it provided enough cover to remain unnoticed while he caught his breath and planned his next moves.
From there, he sent one of his mineral clones directly to the building where the village's leaders resided. The clone, formed from pure mineral energy, moved stealthily through the shadows, slipping unnoticed toward the outskirts of the building. However, as it reached the fortress walls, it was stopped by the guards standing watch.
One of the guards, his gaze sharp and wary, approached the clone and demanded to know its business.
"Who are you, and what do you want here?" he asked firmly.
Kaito's clone, programmed to adapt to situations like this, pulled back its hood. Then, with a voice that startled the guard, it responded:
"I am Kaito."
The guard froze for a moment, clearly shocked by the response. He recognized the name, and his reaction betrayed his surprise.
After a brief pause, the guard turned to his companion and ordered in a hushed voice:
"Go tell Lord Hanzo that someone claiming to be Kaito is here. We need his permission to let him through."
His companion hesitated for a moment but then nodded and quickly disappeared to deliver the message to Hanzo, leaving the guard alone with the mineral clone.
Meanwhile, Kaito waited patiently, knowing that the answers he sought were close—though the path to them remained uncertain.