Konoha.
Training Ground.
Faced with the Third Hokage's question, Kurenai Yuhi rested her chin on her hand and thought for a moment.
"Lord Hokage, I don't think I'm suitable to guide Raiden. His strengths lie in speed and power, which aren't my specialty."
She spoke frankly.
"I agree. Guy would be more suitable than me as well."
Asuma Sarutobi added immediately.
The Third Hokage nodded while holding his pipe. He also felt that Might Guy would be the best fit.
However…
Guy had previously made it clear—he was willing to test Raiden, but absolutely unwilling to take him as a disciple. As for the reason, he refused to say, and the Hokage chose not to press further.
"Guy has an important mission and can't take Raiden along. Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma—you three decide among yourselves."
The moment those words fell, Kurenai and Asuma exchanged a glance and nodded.
Raiden was clearly a promising talent.
Asuma was just about to step forward—
But someone beat him to it.
"I'll take him."
Kakashi Hatake raised his hand lazily.
"I brought him back, after all. We should have some common ground."
The Hokage smiled knowingly.
"Very well. You're indeed the most suitable."
—
In truth, the Hokage had already seen through Kakashi's intention.
Raiden being identified as a survivor wasn't baseless.
First, his location was within the core civilian area of the Land of Fire—an impoverished region where foreign ninjas rarely ventured.
Second, Raiden showed no signs of chakra flow or ninjutsu training.
Third, the "disaster" at the time appeared accidental, making it unlikely for an infiltrator to disguise himself as a survivor.
All of this led Kakashi to conclude that Raiden was harmless.
However—
Raiden's overwhelming talent raised doubts.
By keeping him close, Kakashi could observe him carefully and ensure he posed no threat to Konoha.
That, in Kakashi's mind, was his responsibility.
—
"Raiden, from now on, you'll follow Kakashi and take on regular missions to gain experience. Once you're familiar with the ninja world, you can come to me for higher-paying missions."
"Alright."
Raiden nodded with a smile.
To him, it didn't matter who he followed.
The important thing was—
He could now take missions.
And earn money.
That was what mattered most.
—
"Mr. Kakashi, can we take some regular missions that pay like… eighty or a hundred thousand?"
Raiden asked casually.
Kakashi: "..."
Those were at least B-rank missions.
"Not yet."
Kakashi replied honestly.
"I still have students. They can't handle missions at that level."
Raiden looked disappointed.
"Let's go meet my students first. You're about the same age, so you should get along. And since you're strong, you can help look after them."
"Alright."
Raiden agreed.
—
"You two seem to be getting along well."
Might Guy suddenly leaned in and whispered to Kakashi.
"Kakashi… a word of advice."
"Don't casually treat Raiden to a meal."
Kakashi blinked, completely confused.
—
"Training ends here for today. Dismiss. Also, attend tomorrow's emergency meeting."
"Yes!"
"Dismiss!"
—
Later.
On the road.
Kakashi and Raiden walked together.
"Raiden, meet me at the east gate at 2 PM. I'll introduce you to my students."
"Got it."
With that, Kakashi vanished instantly.
—
Left alone, Raiden took out the Leaf Village forehead protector given to him by the Hokage.
"With this… does it mean I've started to truly belong here?"
He smiled faintly.
"This kind of life… is actually pretty interesting."
—
Just as he was thinking, a soft, timid voice came from behind him.
"Um… Raiden-kun…"
He turned.
It was Hinata Hyuga.
She stood there, head lowered, face flushed red.
"Hyuuga Hinata?"
Raiden recognized her immediately.
Compared to before, she seemed like a completely different person.
"Do you need something?"
"I… I came to apologize."
Hinata spoke nervously, holding something out with both hands.
"I'm sorry for mistaking you as an enemy… Please accept this medicine."
Before Raiden could respond—
She turned and ran off, her face burning red.
—
Raiden watched her leave, smiling faintly.
"She's quite cute."
"Timid… shy… but she has a strong will."
"She'll grow a lot in the future."
He remembered clearly—
When they fought before, he could feel her nervousness. Her body had trembled instinctively, and her focus had wavered.
"That kind of courage… despite fear… is rare."
He glanced at the medicine in his hand.
"She thinks I got hurt?"
Raiden chuckled.
"In this world… no one can hurt me."
Still—
He kept it.
—
Later.
Outside the forest.
Raiden lay lazily on a tree branch, waiting for the meeting time.
After a short while, he heard faint sounds of training nearby.
Curious, he moved.
In an instant, he appeared near the source.
It was Hinata again, practicing alone.
"She's working pretty hard."
Raiden watched quietly, interested.
—
Time passed.
Hinata's breathing grew heavy as she stopped to rest.
She walked toward a secluded area near a hidden waterfall, glancing around cautiously to make sure no one was nearby.
Raiden raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What is she planning to do?"
He remained where he was, observing quietly—without making a sound.
—