KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

The next morning, when Kaiton announced that future teaching tasks would be handed over to Shinzuru, he nonchalantly left the classroom, ignoring the stunned reactions of his peers.

Kaiton headed to the training grounds behind the academy and stopped in front of a towering tree, approximately 20 meters tall. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "This one should do. The height is just right."

After receiving instructions from Tenzou the previous evening, Kaiton decided to focus on improving his chakra control. He cut his physical training in half and dedicated the extra time to mastering control techniques.

Kaiton's reasoning was straightforward: if the Cell Enhancement Technique he envisioned could eventually make his body stronger automatically, then why waste hours on physical training? By focusing on control, he would not only enhance his proficiency in ninjutsu but also ensure he was ready to master the technique when it was created.

With confidence, Kaiton believed this training would be straightforward for someone of his aptitude.

---

Standing several meters away from the tree, Kaiton took a deep breath, sprinted forward, and leapt toward the trunk. His goal was to use chakra to adhere to the bark and run up its vertical surface—a technique Tenzou described as a foundational control exercise.

At first, Kaiton moved steadily up the tree, but as he climbed higher, doubt began creeping in. He glanced downward, and his calm demeanor faltered.

"If I fall from this height…" he muttered nervously, imagining the painful consequences.

His concentration wavered, and his chakra output became inconsistent. Before he knew it, the chakra dissipated from his feet, and Kaiton slipped.

"Ahhh!" he cried out as he plummeted, landing on the hard ground with a loud thud.

Groaning in pain, Kaiton sat up and rubbed his sore back. "Ugh, that was brutal. I should've prepared a safety net first."

After scouting the area, Kaiton collected a pile of leaves and branches and crafted a makeshift cushion at the tree's base. He clapped his hands in satisfaction. "There, much better. Now I can train without worrying about breaking my neck."

---

Over the next three hours, Kaiton's progress was remarkable. He steadily climbed higher with each attempt and was now just one meter away from the top.

For his final attempt, Kaiton took a deep breath, focused his chakra, and sprinted toward the tree. His steps were sure and deliberate as he ascended the trunk.

Finally, his hand grasped the highest branch, and he pulled himself onto the canopy. Standing atop the tree, Kaiton surveyed the village below, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.

---

Later that afternoon, Kaiton reunited with Jiraiya, Shinzuru, and Kingsu after their group training session. While Kaiton bandaged Jiraiya's minor injuries, Shinzuru excitedly recounted her experience teaching the academy students.

"Kaiton, you wouldn't believe it," Shinzuru began, her tone triumphant. "The kids loved my lesson today! They didn't even want to leave when class ended. I had to stay an extra two hours just to satisfy their enthusiasm!"

Kingsu glanced at Jiraiya, who rolled his eyes and muttered, "Yeah, we were terrified to leave early… because we didn't want to get pummeled."

Jiraiya sighed wistfully. "I miss Kaiton's lessons. At least he finishes on time."

Kaiton chuckled but didn't comment. After finishing the bandages, he dismissed the group for the day. As Shinzuru left for home, Kaiton pulled Jiraiya aside, claiming he had something to discuss.

Once they were alone, Kaiton's expression darkened. Without warning, he tackled Jiraiya to the ground and pinned him.

"Spill it!" Kaiton demanded, glaring at his friend. "What were you doing last night?"

Jiraiya's eyes darted nervously, and his hesitation was all the confirmation Kaiton needed.

"You're the one who impersonated me, aren't you?" Kaiton growled. "Buying that photo book under my name? Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you've caused me?"

"How did you even know?" Jiraiya stammered, his face pale.

"It wasn't hard to figure out," Kaiton replied, releasing his hold. He dusted himself off and sat beside Jiraiya, who remained on the ground.

Kaiton explained his reasoning: the impostor at the bookstore had addressed him as "Uncle Akirai," which meant the culprit was someone from the same generation. Tsunade, being uninterested in such matters, was an unlikely suspect, leaving Jiraiya as the obvious choice.

Faced with Kaiton's flawless deduction, Jiraiya admitted defeat.

"Well, it's not like you're innocent either," Jiraiya muttered, crossing his arms. "You tricked me into revealing myself yesterday."

"We're even," Kaiton declared, offering a truce.

---

After their spat, the two concocted a plan to avoid future suspicion. Kaiton emphasized the importance of using a cover identity when engaging in questionable activities.

"From now on, you can't use my name," Kaiton warned. "If anyone recognizes me, our whole scheme could unravel."

Jiraiya nodded thoughtfully. "We need someone who's quiet and doesn't draw attention… someone who wouldn't even be seen near a bookstore."

A mischievous grin spread across Kaiton's face. "I think I know just the person."

The two boys exchanged a knowing look before bursting into laughter.

Unbeknownst to them, Orochimaru—walking home after training—shivered inexplicably. A sense of impending doom washed over him, though he couldn't fathom why.

---

That evening, Kaiton returned home, feeling content after a productive day. As he lay in bed, his mind wandered back to the Cell Enhancement Technique. If he could master this art, he might unlock the secret to not only extending a shinobi's peak performance but also achieving unprecedented levels of power.

With renewed determination, Kaiton closed his eyes, ready to tackle whatever challenges awaited him tomorrow.

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