"Hold on..."
"Frostmourne is cool, but it doesn't match my Lightning Release Chakra at all!"
"And what kind of name is Fire Joy...?"
Sasuke's eye twitched as he criticized Kaito's terrible naming skills, but he didn't push it.
Mainly because he was afraid Kaito might take the swords back.
Kaito shrugged, as if to say the names were perfect and his foolish little brother just didn't appreciate them.
Sasuke looked down at the swords in his arms, then raised his head with utmost seriousness. "Kaito, just wait!"
"I'll give you an even better gift someday!"
To emphasize his promise, Sasuke added firmly,
"I swear it!!"
Seeing his little brother's earnest expression, Kaito chuckled and raised two fingers, lightly tapping Sasuke's forehead.
"Alright, I'll hold you to it."
Noticing the time, Fugaku interrupted their exchange. "Sasuke, go rest in your room."
"I need to talk with Kaito."
"Okay!"
Sasuke agreed immediately. He was already itching to try out the swords, so at his father's words, he dashed out of the room.
"You, come with me."As soon as Fugaku finished speaking, Mikoto hurriedly brought out a backpack from the kitchen. "Kaito, inside are some snacks and tea cakes I made..."
"Take them for the road."
"Conditions outside the village aren't as good as at home..."
Mikoto couldn't hold back any longer, turning her head away as she covered her face and wept.
"Okay, Mom... I'll take care of myself."
Kaito tightened his grip on the backpack, slung it over his shoulder, took one last look at his mother, then turned to follow his father.
Since it was still early, before leaving, Kaito returned to his room to gather the hidden weapons and explosive tags he had prepared, along with his Soul pet.
After packing, he ran to the courtyard to take a look at his foolish younger brother.
However, on his way back, he happened to run into Itachi.
Kaito didn't engage in their usual questioning, nor was he in the mood for any explanations. He simply walked straight toward his father's room.
"Kaito, I'll protect Sasuke."
As their figures passed each other, Itachi suddenly spoke, as if sensing something.
Kaito stopped in his tracks. "And can you protect Father and Mother too?"
Silence.
Itachi's only response to this question was silence. Realizing he wouldn't get an answer, Kaito continued toward his father's door.
Around 11 p.m., Fugaku led him to the tool shed and pulled a hidden mechanism in the corner.
A secret passage appeared before Kaito's eyes.
A secret passage??
Does it lead outside the village???
How come I never found this when I was searching for hidden money before??
Puzzled, Kaito looked up at his father's stern expression and hesitated before speaking.
"Father... why don't we leave together?"
Fugaku shook his head. "No, the Uchiha clan needs me."
"The village won't let us leave either..."
"Everything... must come to an end eventually."
He paused for a moment, then chuckled lightly. "Besides, who told you this passage leads outside the village?"
Hearing this, Kaito scratched his head, confused. Seeing his father enter the passage, he quickly picked up Runtu and followed closely behind.
After walking for about ten minutes, instead of the expected exit, they arrived at a hidden chamber filled with scrolls.
Just as Kaito was wondering, Fugaku took a scroll from the shelf and tossed it to his son, then formed hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu—"
Poof!
With the sound of the technique, a puff of smoke revealed a blue ninja cat with a short sword strapped to its back.
"Meow—"
"Fugaku, is this the son you mentioned?"
The ninja cat lightly sprang onto its feet, circled Kaito, and sniffed carefully before wrinkling its face in distaste.
"Why does he smell like a dog!?"
Runtu, hearing this, immediately took offense. Pushing open Kaito's coat, he stuck out his head and shouted indignantly.
"Soul pet!!!"
Kaito hastily stuffed him back inside, then turned to his father uncertainly.
"Are we using the Reverse Summoning Technique to leave the village?"
"Yes."
Fugaku nodded, giving his son an approving look.
There was no denying that sometimes his sharpness rivaled even Itachi's.
If only... this child had been born a few years earlier.
"Meow~ Your father paid a hefty price for this."
"We ninja cats never perform the Reverse Summoning Technique."
The ninja cat licked its paw, its tone thoroughly mercenary.However, after speaking, it leaped onto Kaito's shoulder, its tail lightly curling around the scroll in his hand and tossing it to the ground.
It even thoughtfully produced a jar of ink.
"Sign this, and then I'll use the Reverse Summoning Technique to take you out."
Kaito glanced at Fugaku first, but Fugaku shook his head, reiterating that he wouldn't leave.
Only after getting his answer did Kaito sign his name on the scroll.
Once everything was done, the summoning cat proactively canceled the summoning technique, instructing Kaito to wait where he was—the Reverse Summoning Technique would be cast in a few minutes.
"Kaito."
Fugaku called his name softly, raising his hand to pat his shoulder twice.
"Take care of yourself."
"And if possible…"
"Look after Sasuke for me in the future."
The old man's words suddenly cast a somber, parting atmosphere over them. Kaito gave his father a once-over before replying.
"The clan… when does it start?"
"One month from now."
Fugaku thought for a few seconds, then patted the backpack on his shoulder and smiled in resignation.
"According to our informants… Danzo was severely injured at the border of the Land of Fire yesterday."
"The accuracy of the intel hasn't been confirmed yet."
"But… in a month, our chances of winning are high."
Kaito: ?
Wait… Danzo was severely injured???
Hearing this, Kaito froze for a moment before giving his father a strange look.
What… kind of "high chances of winning" was this supposed to be??
Still, it was fine…
With a month left, it was enough time for him to stir up some trouble outside.
"I should go now."
Fugaku took out a pocket watch, checked the time—nearly 12 o'clock—and then stuffed it into his son's hands.
"This was left by your grandfather. Keep it."
After handing over the watch, he didn't dare linger any longer and immediately turned to leave the way he came.
If he stayed any longer…
The sand might get in his eyes.
"A… pocket watch?"
Kaito held up the bronze-colored watch, its surface covered in scratches and signs of age.
It was likely a treasured heirloom passed down through generations of the Uchiha clan.
Of course…
It was also possible his grandfather had picked it up somewhere.
Opening the watch, he checked the time—the hands pointed exactly at 12.
Poof—
The sound of the Reverse Summoning Technique rang out, and Kaito's figure vanished from the spot.
At that moment, the system's voice suddenly chimed in.
[Ding—]
[After 14 days and nights of cultivation, the Qi Sea has been unlocked, and Divine Sense has awakened. Congratulations, Host, on successfully advancing to the Qi Refining Stage…]
Kaito: ?
Wait… hold on!
When did I start Cultivation of Immortality??
....
Ps : imma release another comedic naruto fic on monday