Peace on the surface… but beneath it, schemes begin to stir.
After Pakura left, Kai also set off toward Konoha.
Risking his life to save her had never been an act of kindness.
It was an investment.
A jōnin-level shinobi with a kekkei genkai was an asset of immense value.
More importantly, Pakura was the kind of person willing to sacrifice everything for her village. That kind of character meant one thing—
reliable.
Trustworthy.
The chances of her betraying him were extremely low.
Kai's goal in gathering powerful allies now was simple.
If one day conflict broke out between the Uchiha and Konoha, they would have the strength to stand their ground.
The Uchiha might choose not to harm the village.
But—
Konoha had no right to harm the Uchiha either.
Otherwise—
they would fight to mutual destruction.
No one wanted war.
But if it came to that, the Uchiha would defend themselves with everything they had.
…
At the same time, this trip had yielded significant gains.
First—his Asura's Chakra had reached Level 3, drastically increasing both his physical strength and chakra reserves.
Second—he had learned the Mystical Palm Technique, becoming a medical-nin.
Third—he had successfully subdued Pakura of Sunagakure, a Scorch Release user.
…
After more than a day of travel, Kai finally returned to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Walking through the familiar streets, lined with traditional architecture, he quickly noticed something unusual.
There were more unfamiliar faces.
Different skin tones.
Different appearances.
Looking closer—
they were shinobi from Kumogakure.
The Hidden Cloud Village.
One of the strongest among the Five Great Nations, second only to Konoha.
Nestled within the mountains of the Land of Lightning, its people stood out immediately.
The men—dark-skinned, broad, and imposing.
The women—fair-skinned, with striking figures.
Both shared sharp, foreign features, fierce temperaments, and a strong affinity for Lightning Release and taijutsu.
"Kumo shinobi… already in Konoha?" Kai muttered, rubbing his chin.
Konoha Year 53.
The Hidden Cloud had sent a diplomatic delegation.
On the surface—
to sign a peace treaty.
In reality—
to steal the Byakugan.
The timing lined up perfectly.
…
"Konoha sacrifices Hyūga Hizashi, the elders sacrifice their own… a perfect cycle of scapegoats," Kai thought, shaking his head.
It was clearly Kumogakure that had attempted to abduct Hinata and steal the Byakugan.
Yet—
for the sake of "peace," Hiruzen Sarutobi ultimately sacrificed Hizashi.
Absurd.
The ones at fault—
were the Hidden Cloud.
So why did Konoha have to pay the price?
Ridiculous.
…
At the same time, Kai fell into thought.
Just how had Hiruzen become Hokage?
Because he could skillfully wield a massive adamantine staff?
…
Still, the Hyūga and the Uchiha had never been on good terms.
As long as it didn't involve him, Kai had no intention of interfering.
Not his problem.
Let them tear each other apart.
…
Lost in thought, a loud voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
"Uchiha Kai! Face the righteous iron fist of the future Hokage!"
A powerful gust of wind followed.
Kai lightly tapped the ground and shifted aside.
A chubby figure charged past him—
and crashed face-first into the ground.
A perfect—
faceplant.
…
The voice.
The dramatic nonsense.
No need to guess.
Sarutobi Daiki.
…
"Kai! Long time no see!"
Nami rushed forward, her voice bright with excitement.
A faint blush colored her delicate face as she grabbed onto his arm.
Kai had been gone for quite some time.
She had missed him.
She had even gone out today hoping to run into him—and somehow, she actually had.
…
Kai gently patted her hand and said seriously,
"Nami, even if we're friends, we need to maintain proper boundaries. Especially between boys and girls."
"Let go."
…
"I… I just got excited because I hadn't seen you in so long…" Nami nodded, cheeks flushed.
In her heart:
Kai really has principles…
…
The next moment—
Kai walked over to Daiki and casually threw an arm around his shoulders.
…
Nami froze.
Didn't you just say to keep distance?
Then why—
are you hugging Daiki?
…
She didn't understand.
…
Ignoring her confusion, Kai looked at Daiki with a solemn expression.
"Daiki, do you know the most important quality of a Hokage?"
The sudden question caught Daiki off guard.
"What is it?"
…
Kai answered firmly,
"The willingness to sacrifice."
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, fought to the death against Madara to protect the village."
"The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, gave his life to hold off Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and the Hidden Cloud forces for his comrades."
"The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails and bring peace."
"If you want to become Hokage—"
"shouldn't you learn to sacrifice?"
…
Kai locked eyes with him.
A question that struck straight at the soul.
…
"Yes!" Daiki's blood boiled with passion.
…
"Good. Then treat me to Ichiraku Ramen. I'm starving."
After days of dry rations and wild game, Kai was sick of it.
…
"…Alright!" Daiki agreed immediately.
He believed that learning to sacrifice early would shape him into a great Hokage in the future.
…
Then—
his face suddenly turned bitter.
"Can you… maybe eat a little less?"
Last time, Kai had eaten twelve bowls.
His allowance had nearly collapsed.
Even though he had more money now—
Kai and Nami together?
Terrifying.
…
Kai patted his shoulder.
"Daiki, broaden your horizons."
"I can't…" Daiki muttered weakly.
…
"Think about becoming Hokage and leaving your name in history. Isn't that meaningful?"
…
"…Fine!"
"Eat as much as you want today!"
Daiki declared boldly.
…
The three of them headed toward Ichiraku Ramen.
Kai smiled.
Nami occasionally glanced at him with a strange expression—still questioning his "boundaries."
Daiki, meanwhile, clenched his fists repeatedly, starting to feel like he might have bragged a little too much.
…
Just then—
three figures approached from the opposite direction.
Exotic features.
Cold expressions.
Arrogant eyes that seemed to look down on everything around them.
…
Suddenly—
one of them, a boy around eight or nine, made no effort to avoid them.
Despite the wide road—
he walked straight into Kai.
With force.
Enough to knock down an average academy student.
…
But—
he had picked the wrong target.
…
Kai's shoulder shifted slightly—
and the boy was sent flying backward.
He hit the ground hard.
…
"Toyobi! Are you okay?!" a teenage girl beside him shouted in alarm.
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