Time flowed quickly in Konoha. Two months felt like both an eternity and an instant. Kaien's intelligence continued to blossom, reaching levels of understanding that even Tsunade hadn't anticipated. He absorbed the complexity of chakra systems, the history of the shinobi world, and the subtleties of human emotion with astonishing ease. Yet, he retained his childlike personality: joyful, carefree, friendly, and deeply kind-hearted. His sense of right and wrong was absolute, and his heart always leaned toward compassion. His fiery red hair, streaked with silver highlights, shimmered with an almost celestial aura, reflecting the quiet power within him. He still knew how to bring the dead back to life, a knowledge he guarded closely, fully aware of its immense responsibility.
His encounter with Sasuke had planted a seed of doubt in the young Uchiha's mind, a crack in his path of vengeance. Kaien, through his mere presence and purity, was already influencing those around him without realizing it.
Naruto, for his part, was more motivated than ever. Kaien's friendship, the unconditional acceptance he found in him, and the dream of becoming Hokage pushed him to train harder at the Academy.
One afternoon, while Kaien was playing near the training grounds with Fae and Ryuu, Akari and Tsunade were talking nearby. Naruto was in the middle of a training session. Frustrated by a jutsu he couldn't master, he accidentally released an uncontrolled burst of chakra—something common for him. But this time, the chakra of the Nine-Tails, still unknown to Naruto himself, reacted. A reddish, menacing aura began to emanate from him, distorting the air around.
Akari and Tsunade froze. Tsunade instantly recognized the nature of the chakra. The Nine-Tails. The jinchūriki was right before them. She had always known about the demon sealed within Naruto, but she had never seen it manifest like this.
Kaien, still playing innocently, lifted his Infinite Eyes toward Naruto. His eyes, usually so calm, began to swirl frenetically, absorbing the nature of the energy. He didn't see a demon, but a being made of pure energy, imprisoned and in pain. He perceived immense loneliness and rage—born of years of hatred and confinement. To Kaien, the Nine-Tails was not a monster, but a wounded great spirit.
Without a word, guided by his innate compassion, Kaien approached Naruto. Akari and Tsunade tried to stop him, sensing the danger, but it was too late.
"Kaien! No!" Akari shouted.
"Stay back!" Tsunade ordered.
But Kaien, completely unafraid, reached out his hand toward Naruto, whose body was contorted by the beastly chakra. "You're hurting. You're sad," Kaien said, his voice filled with disarming gentleness.
Deep within Naruto's mind, a guttural voice growled. "Little human… stay back! I am—"
But the Nine-Tails stopped. It felt a pure energy, from a dimension it had never encountered—not even at the dawn of the world. An infinite energy, formless, limitless, and above all, non-hostile. It was the very essence of existence, a cosmic harmony beginning to interact with its own chaotic chakra.
Kaien placed his hand on Naruto's belly, where the seal was etched. His Infinite Eyes glowed with a light so intense it seemed to pierce dimensions. He didn't seek to fight or control. He sought to understand and soothe.
"You've been alone for a long time. That's why you're angry," Kaien said—not to Naruto, but to the Nine-Tails. "But you're not alone anymore. You have Naruto."
Inside the fox's mental prison, the massive orange beast with crimson eyes stared through the darkness, stunned. This wasn't a genjutsu, a seal, or manipulation. It was pure understanding—compassion. Kaien's infinite energy began to infuse the beast's chakra—not to suppress it, but to calm it, to "heal" it in a way. For the first time in centuries, the Nine-Tails' rage softened, just a little. The seal didn't break, but under the effect of this benevolent energy, it loosened.
Naruto, under Kaien's touch, felt warmth and purity surge through him. The rage and confusion faded, replaced by a feeling of calm and connection. The red aura around him dissipated.
"Kaien… what did you do?" Naruto asked, breathing heavily.
Kaien smiled with the same innocent grin he had when he was three. "I told Mr. Fox not to be angry anymore. He was sad."
Tsunade and Akari rushed over, shocked by what they had just witnessed. Tsunade checked Naruto, feeling his chakra stabilizing, the Nine-Tails settling. She had never believed such a thing was possible. Kaien had done the impossible—he had calmed the Nine-Tailed Fox.
A few days later, after Naruto had recovered from the inexplicable incident and resumed his training, Tsunade called Akari and Kaien for a private meeting. The experience with the Nine-Tails had solidified her understanding of Kaien's power and the threat he would face without absolute protection.
"Kaien," Tsunade began, her tone serious. "What you did for Naruto… it was incredible. Beyond anything I could've imagined." She looked at Akari. "Your resurrection is tied to Kaien, isn't it? He gave you some form of longevity—immortality."
Akari nodded. "Yes. He 'repaired' me with the energy from his dimension. I don't age anymore."
Tsunade took a deep breath. "The shinobi world is a dangerous place. Hiruzen-sensei won't be around forever. And Danzo… he won't leave you alone, either of you—especially Kaien, if he senses even a fraction of his power." She glanced at Kaien, then at Naruto, who was laughing with Fae nearby. "Kaien has a power no one else possesses. A power of creation and regeneration that defies death itself."
She turned to Kaien, whose Infinite Eyes watched her attentively. "Kaien, can you give this longevity… to others?"
Kaien blinked, thoughtful. "Yes. If people aren't 'broken' completely, I can give them more time so they don't 'break' so fast. Like when I fix you, Mommy—but so they don't break again soon."
Tsunade looked at Akari, then at Naruto. The plan was risky, but necessary. If she and Naruto had extended lifespans, they could protect Kaien for the long run. And Naruto, with his connection to the Nine-Tails (still unknown to him), was a target. Longevity would make them all stronger against the shadows to come.
"Kaien," Tsunade said, her voice soft but resolute, "I want you to give that longevity to Naruto and me. So we can protect you, always. And help Naruto become Hokage—to protect everyone."
With his innate sense of good and his desire to protect those he loved, Kaien nodded. "Okay, Tsunade-chan! You too, Naruto-kun! Then we'll always be together to play!"
He reached one hand toward Tsunade, the other toward Naruto. His Infinite Eyes glowed once more with a soft, multicolored light. The energy of his dimension flowed from him, enveloping Akari, Tsunade, and Naruto. It wasn't a violent flash, but a subtle infusion—a dance of energy that anchored deep within them. They felt a benevolent warmth surge through their bodies, a heightened vitality settling into them, as if time itself had loosened its grip.
Naruto, not fully understanding the depth of the gift, just laughed. "Wow! I feel super strong, dattebayo! Is this a new secret jutsu, Kaien?"
Tsunade, however, felt the profound change within. Her cells rejuvenated slightly, her vitality increased, the Byakugō mark grew stronger, and her accumulated fatigue vanished. She felt Kaien's relative immortality anchoring in her. She was now tied to the same fate as him and Akari.
"It's a secret, Naruto," Tsunade said, a rare and deep smile on her lips. "Our secret—just the three of us." She looked at Akari and Kaien, her heart brimming with gratitude and newfound determination. They were a family now—linked by blood, power, and unwavering affection.
Two months had passed since their arrival. The day of the Academy graduation exam had finally arrived. Naruto was nervous, but filled with new resolve. Kaien, Akari, and Tsunade were there to support him, watching discreetly.
The exam was difficult for Naruto, as always. He failed the Clone Technique—his weak point. Iruka Umino, his instructor, was disappointed but recognized Naruto's progress. Mizuki, the other instructor, tried to manipulate Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Forbidden Techniques.
Kaien, with his heightened perception, sensed Mizuki's malice and Naruto's distress. He didn't intervene directly—recalling Tsunade's instructions to stay discreet—but his subtle aura of kindness surrounded Naruto.
Eventually, after the incident with the scroll, and thanks to Iruka's heartfelt defense of Naruto, he managed to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Naruto, exhausted but elated, proudly raised his Konoha forehead protector. He had done it. He was finally a Genin.
Akari hugged Kaien tightly. "He did it, my love. Naruto is a ninja."
Tsunade looked at Naruto with pride. He might not have the distinct red Uzumaki hair, but he carried the spirit of Kushina and Minato. And now, he also carried Kaien's accidental gift.
A new Genin team would soon be formed. Kaien, Akari, and Tsunade would remain in the shadows, preparing for the next chapter of their life in Konoha. The shinobi world was about to change—not through war, but through the subtle influence of a child with infinite power, a mother returned from beyond, and a Sannin determined to protect her new family and the entire village. The fate of the world was now bound to their secret—to the silent eternity of Kaien and the limitless potential he had breathed into those he loved.