KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

In the evening, the newly opened Akirai BBQ branch on the commercial street bustled with life. Despite a wooden sign on the door reading Closed, the lively chatter and aroma of grilled meat hinted at a special occasion inside.

Inside, a group of six-year-old children sat together, each holding skewers of barbecue in one hand and sipping non-alcoholic drinks with the other. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and camaraderie.

"Kaiton, I'll be starting Healing Jutsu practice soon," declared Shinzuru, puffing out her cheeks in playful defiance. "Just wait, I'll surpass you in no time!"

Still holding a skewer, Kaiton chuckled and replied, "Sure, but don't forget to chew your food first, Shinzuru."

Shinzuru glared at him, puffing her cheeks further before taking another swig of her drink. "This isn't fair! Kaiton, I want something better than this drink!"

Kaiton sighed helplessly. "Shinzuru, we're not of age to drink alcohol. Stick to what we've got."

Her dissatisfaction didn't go unnoticed by Tenzou, their instructor. As the teacher of the group and someone well aware of Shinzuru's status as the Senju family's princess, Tenzou quickly intervened to diffuse the tension.

"Kaiton," Tenzou said, steering the conversation elsewhere, "you mentioned practicing your Chakra control recently. How's that coming along?"

Kaiton smiled faintly and placed his drink on the table. Raising his right hand, he concentrated, channeling Chakra from his dantian. A faint blue glow appeared in his palm, gradually forming into a small, intricate doll resembling Shinzuru. The doll was detailed, right down to the expression on its face and the patterns on its clothing.

"This… is incredible!" exclaimed Hinata, staring in amazement at the Chakra doll.

Even Tenzou, a seasoned Jōnin, couldn't hide his astonishment. He looked at the creation with a mixture of pride and frustration. How is this kid doing something I still struggle with? he thought.

"Kaiton," Tenzou said with a sigh, "you're truly a genius."

"Calling him a genius doesn't do him justice," Akamichi muttered through a mouthful of barbecue. "He's practically a monster!"

Indeed, Kaiton's control over Chakra was beyond exceptional for his age. Most ninjutsu would come naturally to him with such precision, and his physical abilities were similarly impressive. He could probably pass the Genin exam with ease if he wanted to.

"Kaiton," Tenzou continued, "why not graduate now? With your abilities, you'd gain more experience on missions than in the academy."

Kaiton shook his head calmly. "I'm still far from where I want to be. There's so much more to learn and refine. For now, the academy is where I belong."

He went on to explain that while he had mastered the basics, he'd barely scratched the surface of what the ninja world had to offer. Subjects like Chakra Nature Transformation fascinated him, and he wanted the freedom to explore his ideas without being bogged down by missions. Additionally, his limited Chakra reserves were a concern, something he planned to address through intensive training.

Everyone listened quietly, though their expressions revealed disbelief. If Kaiton thinks he's not ready, then what about us?

For Kingsu, Kaiton's decision was a relief. "Good! If Kaiton stays, I've still got time to meet the graduation standard," he muttered under his breath while stuffing his face.

Shinzuru, too, seemed pleased, though she pretended otherwise. Orochimaru, however, watched Kaiton silently, his golden eyes gleaming with resolve.

"I plan to graduate in two years," said Uchiha Retsu suddenly. "The guard is short-staffed, and I'll need to help out sooner rather than later."

The others nodded, though none seemed eager to graduate early.

The party continued until late into the night, the children enjoying themselves without a care. Finally, as the guests began to leave, Kaiton stayed behind to clean up. Summoning a Shadow Clone to help, he quickly tidied the room before locking up and heading home.

---

As Kaiton neared his house, he noticed a familiar figure standing under a streetlamp.

"Orochimaru?" Kaiton called out, puzzled. "Why are you still out here? Were you waiting for me?"

Orochimaru stepped forward, his expression serious. "Kaiton, I want to fight you."

Kaiton blinked. "What?"

"I need to see how I measure up against you," Orochimaru said, his voice calm yet determined. "If I defeat you, I'll know I'm ready to graduate. You're the only one left, Kaiton. I've already beaten Shinzuru. If I surpass you, there's no point in staying at the academy."

Kaiton was silent for a moment before breaking into a grin. "Alright. I've been itching for a good fight anyway. Let's do this."

Orochimaru nodded, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. Despite their friendship, Orochimaru had always seen Kaiton as his ultimate rival. While Kaiton's physical talents were unparalleled, Orochimaru prided himself on his mastery of ninjutsu.

---

The two faced off in a secluded clearing, the moon casting a soft glow over the scene. Orochimaru moved first, weaving hand seals with incredible speed. "Let's see how you handle this!" he called out, unleashing a barrage of fireballs.

Kaiton countered effortlessly, dodging and deflecting the attacks with a flick of his hand. As the smoke cleared, he closed the distance between them in an instant, landing a swift but controlled blow that sent Orochimaru skidding back.

But Orochimaru wasn't done yet. Smirking, he unleashed a hidden technique, summoning snakes to ensnare Kaiton. For a moment, it seemed he had the upper hand—until Kaiton's Chakra surged, obliterating the snakes and forcing Orochimaru to retreat.

The battle raged on, each showcasing their unique skills. Kaiton's precision and agility were unmatched, while Orochimaru's cunning and adaptability kept him in the fight.

Finally, after what felt like hours, the two stopped, both breathing heavily but grinning.

"That was… amazing," Orochimaru said, panting.

"You're stronger than I thought," Kaiton admitted.

Though neither declared a winner, the respect between them had deepened. Orochimaru's resolve to grow stronger was cemented, while Kaiton felt a renewed drive to push his limits even further.

As they walked back, side by side, Orochimaru turned to Kaiton. "Thanks for the fight. I needed that."

"Anytime," Kaiton replied with a grin.

The night ended with a promise: no matter where their paths took them, they would always strive to surpass each other.

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