The incessant sound of rain seeped through the cracks of the ruined house where Kaito had taken refuge. The darkness of the night covered the Rain Village, but Kaito, hidden in the shadows, remained alert. His mind couldn't stop replaying recent events: his arrival in the village, the encounter with the guards, the infiltration into the leaders' building. The uncertainty of what awaited him beyond those walls kept him tense, but his mission was clear. Not only did he have to save his parents and Konan, but he also had to face a past full of unanswered questions.
Time seemed to stand still as he waited, each second heavy with anxiety. What did Hanzo really know about the assassination attempt against him? What did he know about what had happened to Konan and his parents?
The rain continued to fall, as if the sky itself were mourning alongside the village. A distant creak caught his attention. A guard approached the entrance of the ruined house, advancing slowly toward him. Kaito held his breath, staying hidden in the shadows. He didn't want to take action, nor was he afraid—he simply wanted to understand the village's intentions toward him first.
The broken door had a small crack through which he could peek. Through that slit, Kaito saw the guard stop and begin inspecting the house with suspicion. His gaze scanned the place, as if sensing that something was off. Kaito, crouched low, remained motionless, breathing calmly. A loud noise in the distance made the guard turn toward its source. Taking advantage of the distraction, Kaito moved swiftly, slipping through the shadows.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the leaders' building, Kaito's clone was waiting. Unlike other types of clones, this one allowed Kaito to see everything in real time. The tension in the air was palpable as he observed the entrance to the headquarters, wondering what his encounter with Hanzo would bring.
The figure of the leader, as imposing as he was feared, had never left him indifferent. And now, after everything that had happened, he felt closer to the truth. The guard, who had returned after consulting with his companion, approached the clone. He stared at it for a long moment, but instead of stopping him, he gestured with his hand.
"The leader is expecting you," the guard said, allowing him to pass without resistance.
The clone, showing no emotion, followed the guard through the building's hallways. As they advanced, the atmosphere grew denser, heavier. The echo of their footsteps reverberated against the stone walls, amplifying an eerie sensation. Finally, they arrived at a large hall, dimly lit by torches. The air was thick with silence, wrapping around everything like a suffocating fog.
At the far end of the room, sitting on a throne of metal, was Hanzo. His presence was as overwhelming as ever, and his deep, dark eyes held a calm that only the most powerful could maintain. The room filled with a tense energy as Hanzo lifted his gaze and fixed his eyes on the clone.
Kaito's clone stopped, standing upright, waiting for the leader to speak.
"Kaito?" Hanzo said, his voice deep and resonant. "So, you have returned. What brings you here after all this time?"
It had been months since he was last in the village. Hanzo's tone was distant, but Kaito wasn't fooled. Despite the apparent calm, a faint spark of murderous intent flickered in the leader's eyes. It was a veiled threat, but still evident, and Kaito felt it like a weight pressing against his chest.
Despite everything, during his early years helping the village improve its living conditions, Hanzo had supported him, even rewarding him for his efforts. Kaito had hoped they were still on the same page. Besides, he wasn't eager to eliminate a high-ranking ninja and destabilize the village even further.
"I have returned for answers," the clone said firmly. Hanzo watched him in silence for a few seconds, his gaze heavy. He knew exactly what Kaito was referring to.
At last, he gestured toward his advisor, a tall, thin man who had been lurking in the shadows. The advisor stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a cold intensity. His gaze was not just threatening—it was calculating.
"Answers?" Hanzo repeated, as if savoring the word. "Your answers are not so easily obtained, Kaito. This village, this war that has marked our lives… cannot be resolved with mere words."
Kaito's clone felt the tension in the room rise even further. There was something about Hanzo's way of speaking, something in his voice that he couldn't quite decipher. But before he could respond, the advisor intervened.
"If you seek answers, Kaito, you must understand that the Rain Village has its own secrets. Lord Hanzo has made promises… great promises. And not just to us, but to those who fight for this cause. If you truly want to understand what is at stake, you will have to listen to what Lord Hanzo has to say."
Kaito felt a shiver run through him. Promises? What was this man implying? The assassination attempt, his arrival in the Rain Village… everything was part of a puzzle he had yet to piece together.
"My purpose has always been clear," Hanzo continued, now rising slowly from his throne. "To make the Rain Village great, to rival the major nations. Not just with power, but with purpose, with vision. You, Kaito, could be part of that—if you are willing to accept what I offer."
Kaito felt the weight of Hanzo's words fall upon him. There was something in them that he couldn't ignore—Hanzo wanted much more than just a prosperous village. He was seeking power, something that would elevate him beyond any other leader, something that would place him on the level of a Kage.
"And what is your price, Hanzo?" the clone asked, unwavering. "What do you want from me?"
Hanzo looked at him with a calculated, cold, and bloodthirsty smile, as if he had been waiting for that question.
"What I want, Kaito, is for you to take your place. Do the same tricks as before, but… first, take this." His smile turned feral as a strange green pill appeared in his hand. It was laced with poison—he wanted complete control over Kaito.
A few years ago, Hanzo had seen him only as a useful tool, a source of technology that could give him credit. But now, thanks to ROOT, he knew Kaito had unimaginable potential—someone who needed to be controlled.
The clone felt a wave of surprise and distrust. Hanzo's words revealed much more than Kaito had expected. Then, he spoke of his alliance with Danzō, the promises of power… everything made sense now. Hanzo had not only sought survival but total dominance. He wanted Kaito as his weapon, his closest puppet, with enough power to change the course of the village.
The advisor, seeing Kaito's confusion, stepped forward, his eyes filled with a mix of disdain and satisfaction.
"Accept it, and you will become something greater. Stronger. But refuse… and you will be just another obstacle," he smiled with a murderous, intimidating gaze.
Kaito stared at the pill in Hanzo's hand and listened to the advisor's words. Anger grew within him, like a flame consuming him from the inside. The irony of the situation struck him hard. He had risked so much, trained so long, searched for answers… only to stand before a man who thought he could control him.
A deep, burning rage erupted inside him. And then, Kaito started laughing. At first, it was a quiet, restrained chuckle. Then, it grew into a manic, uncontrollable laugh.
"You think you can control me?" he said between laughs, staring at Hanzo. "You think you can break me with poison, with empty promises?"
His face hardened, and his eyes gleamed with fury.
"You are mistaken, Hanzo. I will not only destroy your plans—I will destroy everything you've built. Your legacy can go to hell. From now on, I will rebuild this place from scratch, starting with YOU. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
The laughter stopped abruptly, and the threat in his words was unmistakable. Kaito was no longer the boy who once helped this village. He was now something else entirely. A man powerful enough to destroy anything that stood in his way.