After returning to the village, everyone split up.
Uchiha Kai went to the Konoha Library to return the ten books he had borrowed before the mission.
Sasuke went home to report to his father.
Naruto went straight to Ichiraku Ramen.
So yes—everyone went back to their own place.
Well… mostly.
Naruto had no parents.
His identity as the Fourth Hokage's son was still hidden from him.
Sasuke's family situation differed slightly from the original timeline.
And Uchiha Kai?
Just another Uchiha orphan.
The Uchiha population had always been thin.
Young Uchiha who awakened their Sharingan were often sent to war.
Many never came back.
The clan was filled with heroic graves.
Two Days Later
Good news arrived.
Tazuna and his grandson's facial paralysis had improved under the care of Konoha Hospital.
They would recover.
Uchiha Kai hadn't expected civilians to react so violently to Peak Madara's aura.
Perhaps—
If he accumulated more chakra—
Peak Madara could evolve further.
Right now, Madara couldn't fully suppress his presence.
But with further enhancement?
That might change.
And soon—
An opportunity arrived.
Yakiniku Q Dinner
Kakashi treated them to dinner.
More precisely—he distributed money.
"From Gatō, we obtained 130 million ryō."
"After deducting 70 million for Uchiha Kai's reverse bounty targeting anyone seeking Uchiha eyes…"
"60 million remains."
"How shall we split it?"
"So little?" Naruto blinked.
Kakashi stared at him.
"That's not little."
"My entire savings is 60 million."
"A C-rank mission pays 100,000 to 200,000 ryō."
"You'd need 600 C-rank missions to earn this."
"And that's before village cuts, teammate splits, equipment costs…"
"This is a fortune."
He paused.
Incidentally—
Zabuza's bounty had also been 60 million ryō.
That felt suspiciously personal.
Chūnin Exam Announcement
"I've recommended you all for the Chūnin Exams."
"Congratulations."
"One week from now."
"Genin from other villages will start arriving soon."
"I don't expect you to pass outright."
"Just gain experience."
That was… modest.
Even Sasuke—currently the "weakest" performer—was already at elite chūnin level.
Still, Kakashi didn't want arrogance.
They had completed exactly one serious mission.
Rookies.
Talented rookies die the fastest.
Naruto's eyes sparkled.
"The third stage lets us fight in front of everyone, right?!"
"Yes."
"In front of the whole village."
"If you make it that far."
"Train this week. Ask me for help."
"I'm proficient in five chakra natures."
"Naruto—Wind."
"Sasuke—Lightning and Fire."
"Uchiha Kai—well…"
"…Uchiha Kai doesn't count."
Uchiha Kai raised an eyebrow.
He didn't count?
Kakashi avoided eye contact.
He had nothing to teach him.
Also—
He was still psychologically avoiding the invisible Madara behind him.
Sasuke spoke immediately.
"I want to learn that Lightning Blade."
Kakashi sighed.
"Ambitious."
"The original technique is Chidori."
"My own creation."
"It requires precise chakra control."
"And Sharingan for reaction speed."
"Sasuke qualifies."
"Uchiha Kai—do you want to test your Lightning affinity?"
"No need," Uchiha Kai replied.
Kakashi internally deflated.
Yes.
Of course.
Day Two of Special Training
The next day—
Uchiha Kai headed toward the library again.
He sensed someone following him.
"…Naruto?"
"Why aren't you training with Kakashi-sensei?"
Naruto looked nervous.
"Come with me."
He dragged Uchiha Kai to the back of the Ninja Academy.
Weekend.
Empty campus.
The hill behind the school was deserted.
Naruto clapped his hands together.
"Watch closely!"
Hand seals flashed.
"Sexy Jutsu — linked with Harem Jutsu!"
Poof!
Six blonde twin-tailed girls surrounded Uchiha Kai.
Full transformation.
Naruto's Sexy Jutsu wasn't an illusion.
It was anatomically thorough.
Uchiha Kai stared.
Expressionless.
"…If you have something to say, say it."
"Why are you seducing your teammate?"
Naruto—currently Naruko—deflated slightly.
"…It doesn't work?"
Uchiha Kai looked at him flatly.
"Did you expect it to?"
If you want it to work—
Maybe don't use your own face.
Everyone knows you're a boy.
Even if you're cute—
It's psychologically ineffective.
Naruto dispelled the transformation.
Sat down on the ground.
"I want to get stronger."
"But I feel like Kakashi-sensei can't make me stronger."
Uchiha Kai understood immediately.
If Kakashi heard that—
He might actually cry.
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