Several days flashed by.
During this period, Uchiha Yashiro came to visit, asking Kaito to accept a mission, but Kaito refused on the grounds of illness.
To prepare for the upcoming "Chunin Exams," Kaito was putting all his effort into improving his strength.
After some time, following "C-Rank: Lightning Release: Thunder Transfer," Kaito mastered another new technique.
"Fire Release: Ignition Powder."
As Kaito opened his mouth and exhaled, specks of light were spat out.
These dust-like specks were "Chakra Gunpowder" created by Fire Release.
Next.
Kaito raised his right palm. Heat surged in his palm, stirring the air and causing distortions, like the air heated by the summer sun.
Boom!!
A large ball of flame instantly ignited from the air, leaping up into a fierce blaze.
Of course, Kaito knew the Uchiha clan's ancestral C-rank benevolent fire technique, the Great Fireball Technique, but if spitting fireballs couldn't kill anyone, what was the point?
"Fire Release: Ignition Powder" could easily be used as a surprise attack.
Facing this move, the enemy would subconsciously close their eyes. Combined with "Fire Release: Heat Flow," he could successfully ignite the enemy.
"It's also good for starting a fire."
Kaito extinguished the heat in his palm and nodded.
These two techniques were truly essential skills for home travel and setting up traps.
"It's time to go out for a walk."
Feeling that his strength growth was starting to slow down, Kaito also planned to go out and buy some daily necessities.
...
On the bustling streets of Konoha, people came and went.
Kaito walked slowly among them. Konoha was only so big; you'd see the same faces everywhere.
In front of a shop, Kaito bumped into the outgoing "Team 7," also known as Minato's team.
They seemed to be performing a D-rank mission, probably helping someone watch their store.
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were responsible for selling things. Minato Namikaze was sitting inside, reading a book with relish.
"Kaito~!" Seeing Kaito, Obito immediately waved enthusiastically.
"..."
Kakashi just glanced over and then reverted to his dead-fish eyes.
The death of Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha, had ultimately dealt a huge blow to Kakashi. His personality had changed drastically; he became cold, impersonal, and prioritized missions above all else... ignoring the lives of his companions.
Kaito walked over, casually picking up merchandise to weigh, but his gaze was fixed on a flower of Team 7.
Nohara Rin, the source of Obito's madness for love.
The short-haired, auburn-haired girl had the aura of a goddess.
She was like sunlight, illuminating Kakashi and also Obito.
Kaito's gaze quickly landed on what Rin was wearing today...
Signature stockings, which looked like flesh-colored pantyhose.
Under the hem of her split skirt were safety shorts to prevent exposure.
Seeing Kaito appear, Rin, who was working hard as a poster girl, smiled even more brightly: "Kaito-kun, long time no see."
After graduating from the Ninja Academy, former classmates rarely met. Occasional meetings happened when picking up missions at the Mission Desk. Plus, Kaito usually spent his time training and didn't wander around, so seeing each other less became a matter of course.
In the past, Kaito had always played the persona of a loyal inheritor of the Will of Fire, and because of his good looks, he was popular in the Ninja Academy. Therefore, he got along well with most of his classmates, and Rin's side was no exception.
Inside the shop.
Seeing Kaito and Rin chatting enthusiastically, a thoughtful look flashed in Minato Namikaze's eyes.
The Uchiha... a difficult problem since the founding of the village.
Successive Hokages had not fully resolved this issue.
As someone being groomed to be the Fourth Hokage, Minato knew well his status as a Hokage candidate. Every word and deed represented not just his personal image, but also politics.
While leading the team, he also had to pay attention to certain things.
After Kaito left, Minato called Rin inside.
"Rin, just now... that clansman of Obito, what did he say to you?"
Uchiha Kaito, a genius who graduated at the same time as Kakashi.
Later, Kakashi quickly became a Chunin, while Uchiha Kaito began to fade into obscurity.
Minato didn't know exactly what happened, but there must be a reason.
Some time ago, hearing that Kaito's Jonin instructor sacrificed himself in a C-rank mission, Minato felt something fishy.
No matter how you looked at it, the matter was suspicious.
Hearing from Lord Hokage again that Kaito awakened a single Sharingan because he was too sad about his instructor's death forced him to dismiss some negative speculations.
"Nothing much, just chatted about some ordinary topics. Oh, he said he recently ran out of soldier pills and asked me if I knew any cheap purchasing channels..."
Rin was a Genin.
Konoha regulations allowed Genin to visit or even hold positions in some special departments.
Determined to become a medical ninja as amazing as Princess Tsunade, Rin often visited the Konoha Hospital and worked part-time as a member of the Medical Corps.
Regarding medicine and medical treatment, asking her was absolutely no problem.
"Is that so..."
Minato thought for a moment and felt he might be overthinking.
However, instructions that should be given must be given.
"Rin, apart from Obito, try not to get too close to the Uchiha clan..."
"Eh?"
Rin didn't understand.
Why?
Even though Kushina was close to the Police Force Captain's wife...
"In short... things are complicated, involving political aspects..."
Minato was ambiguous.
People can be simple, but the world is not, and reality will always reflect certain things.
Minato's goal was the next Hokage. Only by keeping his hands clean could he reach the finish line smoothly.
At that time, it wouldn't be too late to deal with the Uchiha issue.
Now... he had to try his best to clear any connections that might give others bad ideas.
Poaching Obito from the Uchiha clan and placing him under his command was the limit of what he could do.
If he went a step further and established connections with the Uchiha, it might cause dissatisfaction among those preparing to support him.
After all.
Most interest groups in the village were hostile to the Uchiha.
Several high-level officials representing the Senju line had severe discrimination against the Uchiha.
"Un, I know, Minato-sensei."
Rin nodded.
As she grew older, she also understood that the world had both light and darkness, and wasn't simply a single color.
But...
Rin was in a dilemma again; she had just promised Kaito that after the mission, she would find a place to talk with him.
...
Noon.
Konoha Dango Shop.
Kaito didn't order the signature three-colored dango, nor the famous red bean soup; he only asked for a cup of tea.
He leisurely drank tea and read the newspaper.
Not long after, Rin lifted the curtain and walked into the small private booth.
"Kaito-kun..."
Rin smiled slightly. Kaito looked up and found her gaze was completely different.
...Did Minato say something to her?
"Please sit, Rin-san. Want something to eat? My treat."
Kaito greeted Rin enthusiastically, making the latter a bit embarrassed.
"No, sitting is fine. I... I have something to do at home, I have to go back soon..."
Rin sat down gently, looking like she was sitting on pins and needles. It was obvious she wanted to end the conversation immediately and leave.
Unlike those worldly old guys, the fledging Rin's duplicity was easily seen through by Kaito.
Kaito: "Then I'll make it short. Two questions... First, where can I buy cheap and good quality soldier pills?"
"You can go to the pharmacy window at Konoha Hospital," Rin answered quickly.
"Okay, second question."
Kaito nodded slightly, his left hand gently touching his eye socket, covering his eyes.
"Nohara Rin, do you also plan to participate in next month's 'Chunin Exams'?"
Suddenly changing the address and omitting the honorific "-san," Rin sensed a change in the atmosphere.
She blinked and nodded gently.
"I... plan to participate with Obito and another person."
"Nohara Rin, I remember I haven't offended you anywhere. Why are you so resistant and repulsive towards me?"
Kaito suddenly changed the subject, directly leading to another topic.
This stunned Rin.
It also made her realize that the abnormality she showed had been seen through.
Rin was a little anxious and subconsciously wanted to defend herself.
I didn't, I don't...
"Kakashi entered the academy at 5, graduated half a year later, and another half year later, became a Chunin at 6..."
Kaito mentioned Kakashi's glorious past again.
Unlike the genius Kakashi, Rin and Obito were currently still Genin.
The two had been chasing after Kakashi, and this Chunin Exam was a good opportunity.
"Nohara Rin, if you accidentally encounter a strong enemy in the Chunin Exam and get eliminated, wouldn't your pace of chasing Kakashi be slowed down again...?"
"?!"
Rin's auburn eyes suddenly widened.
She didn't immediately understand Kaito's meaning.
When she savored the threatening implication in those words, Rin's expression changed immediately.
"Heh heh."
Kaito chuckled lightly, his fingers covering his eye slowly pulling apart, revealing a gap.
In the shadows, crimson light flowed. The pupil representing the true power of the Uchiha clan was thus presented in Rin's vision.
"..."
Rin suddenly covered her mouth, a look of disbelief on her cute face.
It's actually... the Sharingan!
Uchiha Kaito awakened his eyes!*
Seeing Rin's reaction, Kaito was very satisfied.
Immediately after, Kaito slowly uttered the classic line: "Nohara Rin, you wouldn't want to fail the Chunin Exam, right..."