"Shōton: Crystal Mirror."
A flawless crystal surface bloomed into existence in front of Amakaze Kaede, smooth as glass, clear as still water. His own reflection stared back at him.
Next—
"Shōton: Crystal Clone."
The mirror rippled.
A second Kaede stepped out of the reflection, identical in every detail.
They exchanged a glance.
No words needed.
The clone headed deeper into the forest, moving toward the Hidden Cloud spy.
Kaede remained behind, crouched in silence.
"Damn it… why is this forest such a maze?"
Kuroda Jinsuke muttered under his breath while pushing aside branches.
"If I knew it'd be like this, I would've stuck to the main road. I'm just a regular guy now anyway…"
Then he stopped.
A small white-haired boy was standing a few meters ahead.
Kuroda flinched.
"Where the hell did this kid come from?"
The boy smiled politely.
"Sorry, mister. You look kind of lost."
Kuroda immediately switched expressions, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Yeah, I'm from the capital. My sister married into Konoha, so I came to visit her. Took a wrong turn and ended up here."
"I know these woods pretty well," the boy said. "I can guide you out."
Kuroda's eyes lit up.
"Really? That'd be great. Thanks, kid."
If anyone were watching, they'd see nothing more than a lost traveler meeting a helpful child.
Unlucky for Kuroda—
That child was a crystal clone.
The clone walked ahead, leading him.
After a short distance, it stopped.
"Mister… I'm kinda hungry."
Kuroda's lips twitched.
So it's a shakedown.
He forced a smile.
"Let me see if I've got something."
He reached into his bag, rummaging.
Then paused.
"Come closer. I've got some bread."
The clone approached without hesitation.
One meter.
Kuroda exploded into motion.
A kunai flashed from his sleeve and drove straight toward the clone's chest.
"Kid, next life, don't pretend to be a ninja."
The blade pierced clean through.
The boy coughed blood.
Kuroda grinned.
"Your acting's decent, but you're still just a kid."
The clone looked up.
Smiling.
"So you're the one dying today."
Crack.
The clone shattered.
Not into flesh.
Into crystal.
Thousands of razor-sharp shards detonated outward.
A storm of transparent blades engulfed Kuroda.
"GAAH—!"
His body was pierced again and again.
Blood sprayed.
He collapsed, riddled with holes, barely breathing.
From behind a tree, the real Amakaze Kaede stepped into view.
"You weren't careless," Kaede said calmly. "You were arrogant."
Kuroda coughed.
"Crystal… bloodline…?"
"Yep. Real crystals. If you'd killed me, you could've sold the body and gotten rich."
Kuroda's eyes trembled.
"Please… I have a daughter… she was just born…"
Kaede's gaze didn't soften.
"I have things to protect too."
"Shōton: Crystal Prison."
White light erupted.
A massive transparent crystal formed around Kuroda's body, sealing him inside like an insect trapped in amber.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, refracting into brilliant colors.
Beautiful.
Silent.
Final.
Kaede snapped his fingers.
The prison shattered.
Crystal dust drifted into the air.
A glittering grave.
"Anyone who tries to disrupt my peace," Kaede muttered, "doesn't get a second chance."
A panel appeared.
[Chaos Event Resolved.][Completion: C+][Calmness +1400][Chaos +5]
"…What?"
Kaede stared.
"Wait. I solve the problem and you still raise Chaos?"
"What was I supposed to do? Invite him to dinner? Give him a bath? Tuck him into bed?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This system is absolutely crooked."
Sighing deeply, Kaede turned toward the village.
"Whatever. First priority: Father's will."
The streets of Konohagakure bustled with morning activity.
Villagers glanced at the small boy with dirt-stained clothes and white hair.
Most assumed he'd gotten lost.
None realized he'd just killed a spy.
Kaede reached the Hokage Building and politely explained his purpose to the guards.
They let him pass without hesitation.
Inside, the office door stood closed.
Kaede knocked.
"Come in," a powerful voice answered.
Kaede opened the door.
Behind the desk sat the man whose name echoed across the shinobi world.
The First Hokage.
Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama looked up and smiled warmly.
"You're Ryōjin's son. Amakaze Kaede, right?"
Kaede blinked.
"You know me, Hokage-sama?"
"I remember everyone in the village. Your parents were excellent shinobi."
Hashirama's gaze softened.
"They died protecting Konoha."
Kaede bowed his head slightly.
"My parents chose the village. As long as the village exists, they're still here."
The words were simple.
But sincere.
Hashirama slammed his palm on the desk.
"Well said!"
He reached beneath the desk and opened a hidden compartment, pulling out an aged envelope.
"Your father left this with me. He was waiting for the day you came for it."
Kaede reached out.
Before his fingers touched the envelope—
BANG!
The office door flew open.
"Brother! We need to talk!"
Kaede's pupils shrank.