KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

Seeing Shinzuru rush off to practice, the three couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh.

"Shinzuru is as impatient as ever," Uzumaki Mito said, a faint smile on her face. Her expression turned slightly distant, as if recalling an old memory. "I wonder what kind of partner she'll find when she grows up."

"Haha! I think Kaiton would be a great match for her," Senju Hashirama said with a big grin, his laughter echoing in the room.

Tobirama raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed, and said flatly, "Elder Brother, Kaiton isn't particularly interested in gambling. You, of all people, should know what Shinzuru's favorite pastime is... And weren't you the one who taught her to gamble in the first place?"

Hashirama's face fell, and his tone turned sheepish. "I'm sorry, Shinzuru. Your grandfather's the reason you might have trouble finding a boyfriend!"

Both Tobirama and Mito looked at him with an exasperated expression, clearly used to his antics. Despite his remorse, they could do little to reverse the damage.

Tobirama tapped his chin thoughtfully, his usually stern face softening slightly. "Still, Kaiton's ideas about balancing training with hobbies are impressive. He's wise for someone his age. I think his purpose in suggesting this wasn't just about hobbies—it was to help children manage the mental strain of becoming shinobi."

Mito nodded, her smile warm. "That boy's heart is in the right place. Not many would risk offending others just to stand by such an idea. He must've known how important it is to address these psychological issues early. Overusing chakra does harm the body, but most clans turn a blind eye to it, prioritizing strength over health."

Hashirama, who had recovered by now, chuckled. "And don't forget, Kaiton's cooking is amazing! The more I think about it, the more I feel he and Shinzuru are perfect for each other."

Mito rolled her eyes at her husband's matchmaking attempts but didn't seem entirely opposed. "Maybe, but it's not our decision to make. Shinzuru's parents, Tenzou and Hinatabi, will have the final say."

Hashirama nodded in agreement, but his playful tone returned as he changed the subject. "Speaking of decisions, Tobirama, do you have any candidates in mind for the student exchange program with the other villages?"

The exchange program, agreed upon by the Five Great Shinobi Nations, was set to take place in a year. Konoha would host, and each village would send three students to participate in a friendly showcase of skills. Of course, the underlying motives were less innocent: gathering intelligence and testing Konoha's strength.

Rumors about Hashirama's health had been swirling ever since his legendary battle with Uchiha Madara. These whispers had reached a peak in recent years, with many outside Konoha speculating that the "God of Shinobi" was gravely injured or even nearing death. The exchange was a veiled attempt to confirm these rumors while assessing the new generation of Konoha shinobi.

Tobirama, ever pragmatic, replied, "No final candidates yet. I'm planning to hold an assessment. The top three performers will represent Konoha."

Hashirama's eyes lit up. "Should we have Kaiton try out?"

Tobirama frowned. "Kaiton's talent is undeniable, but his chakra reserves are limited because of his training restrictions. His reliance on taijutsu puts him at a disadvantage. It's unlikely he'll make it past the preliminary rounds."

His concern wasn't unfounded. A ninja's strength often depended on the quantity of chakra they could wield. Even taijutsu specialists like the Hyuga Clan relied heavily on chakra to execute techniques like Gentle Fist. Kaiton's self-imposed chakra limitations would undoubtedly hinder his performance against opponents with more conventional training.

"I was considering Shinzuru," Tobirama admitted. "But with her following the same restrictions as Kaiton, her chances aren't much better."

This left Tobirama in a bind. The academy's standout students were Hatake Sakumo, a second-year prodigy, and first-years Kaiton and Shinzuru. With two of the three adhering to chakra growth restrictions, his options were severely limited.

Hashirama, however, seemed unconcerned. "Tobirama, you're underestimating Kaiton. His talent isn't just in chakra control or taijutsu—it's in resilience and adaptability. That boy's vitality is remarkable, almost on par with the Uzumaki Clan. I wouldn't be surprised if, even with his restrictions, his chakra reserves rivaled that of a Genin's within a year."

Tobirama raised an eyebrow but nodded thoughtfully. "If you're that confident, it's worth keeping an eye on him. Still, we'll make the final decision after the assessment."

Hashirama leaned back, his laughter softening into a wistful tone. "A year, huh? I wonder if I'll even live to see it."

Both Tobirama and Mito froze, their expressions darkening. Tobirama's voice was sharp. "Brother! Don't say things like that!"

Mito's tone was gentler but no less firm. "Hashirama, you can't joke about something so serious."

Hashirama waved his hands in surrender, a sheepish smile on his face. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Don't worry so much."

But the worry lingered in their eyes. Hashirama knew better than anyone that his body was deteriorating. The aftermath of his battle with Madara had taken a severe toll, and no amount of chakra could fully heal the damage. Deep down, he doubted he had more than a year left.

Tobirama's expression remained tense as his mind raced. If Hashirama were to die, the consequences for Konoha would be dire. The fragile peace maintained by Hashirama's mere existence would shatter, and the other villages, emboldened by his absence, would inevitably descend into war.

The somber mood was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Shinzuru burst back into the room, her face flushed and her hair sticking to her forehead from sweat.

"Shinzuru?" Mito asked gently. "Finished practicing already?"

"Not yet," Shinzuru replied, gulping down a glass of water. She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. "I forgot I still have homework to do! I'll go back to training after I finish this."

She plopped down at the table, pen in hand, her brows furrowed in concentration. After a few minutes of staring blankly at the paper, she groaned and threw her pen aside. Turning to Mito, she flung herself into her grandmother's arms.

"Grandma! I don't want to do my homework!" she whined, her voice full of frustration.

Mito chuckled, patting Shinzuru's head. "Now, now, you can't become a great shinobi by skipping your studies."

Shinzuru pouted but didn't protest further, reluctantly returning to her homework. Watching her, Hashirama couldn't help but laugh, the sound warm and full of life.

"Shinzuru reminds me so much of myself at her age," he said. "Maybe a little more stubborn, though."

The room filled with laughter, and for a brief moment, the heavy thoughts of the future were forgotten. But as the evening wore on and Shinzuru's soft snores filled the room, both Tobirama and Mito couldn't shake the unease that lingered in their hearts.

The world was changing, and Konoha would soon face challenges far greater than any they had seen before.

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