Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

Kaito Akaden Chapter 142

"Good to hear that you think so, brat." Tsunade sat down in her chair, leaning back. "How's Kushina doing? Shizune mentioned she was injured during the attack. And what about those two brats how are they holding up?"

Kaito settled into a chair opposite her. "Mom's doing fine now. She woke up about an hour ago. As for Naruto and Karin, they're shaken but okay."

"Good." Tsunade nodded, her eyes softening as she looked at Kaito. "Go and get some rest, brat. You look dead on your feet. I'll come by to check on her later, once I'm done here."

Kaito offered a tired smile, his exhaustion evident in the droop of his shoulders. "Yes, Lady Tsunade," he said quietly, then slipped back out the same window he'd entered, heading for home.

Alone again, Tsunade let out a soft sigh and turned her attention back to the paperwork spread haphazardly across her desk. Everything had changed overnight, and there was much to do. For now, she would focus on sorting through the mess of reports and documents, one page at a time.

….

The next morning, a somber silence settled over the village. Under a gray, clouded sky, many shinobi and civilians made their way to the Konoha Cemetery. They dressed in black, heads bowed, to pay their respects to the Uchiha who had fallen during what was now known as the "Uchiha Incident."

At the front of the gathering, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha stood stiffly. Mikoto's head was bowed in respect. By her side were Itachi and Sasuke, both solemn and silent. Behind them, the rest of the Uchiha clan formed a quiet line, dressed in black as they came forward, one by one, to place flowers at the graves of the lost. Some cried openly, while others stood still, holding their sorrow inside. Shisui, bandages still visible beneath his robes, gently laid his flower among the others, whispering a soft farewell.

Near the front, Tsunade stood with Shizune, offering respect as the new Hokage. Many others from various clans were present as well, their silent presence a show of unity in the face of tragedy. Among them, Hotaru stood with her parents and her clan, their expressions serious and thoughtful.

A short distance away, Kaito stood beside his mother, Kushina, who was seated in a wheelchair. Naruto and Karin stood close by, also dressed in black. Kushina was still too weak to walk, her body recovering from the strain of using her chakra use during the attack. Yet, she had insisted on coming here, unwilling to remain at home during such an important moment.

When the ceremony ended, The people began to drift away, leaving the cemetery in small groups, heads bowed and voices low.

As the crowd gradually thinned out, Kaito gently pushed Kushina's wheelchair through the cemetery's quiet pathways, with Naruto and Karin walking close behind. They soon approached a familiar grave, the one bearing the name "Fourth Hokage: Minato Namikaze." Kushina looked at the carved letters and gave a small, trembling smile. Tears started to form at the corners of her eyes as she gazed at the headstone, memories and emotions welling up within her.

"Hi, Mina-kun," she said quietly, her voice trembling just a bit. "It's been a while, hasn't it? We're all safe… well, mostly safe." She let out a small, tired laugh. "I know you must be wondering what I'm doing in a wheelchair. Don't worry, I'm fine. Tsuna-nee says I'll be back on my feet in about a week. I'm just a bit weak after trying to use my chakra, ya know"

Her voice grew quieter, filled with longing. "So much is changing, Minato," she said softly. "I wish you were here to see it all. The village is working hard to heal, and Tsunade is stepping up as Hokage. I think you'd be proud of her." Tears shone in her eyes as she continued, "We miss you, Mina-kun, every day. But don't worry—we're taking care of each other."

With that, Kushina gently placed a bouquet of fresh flowers at the base of the gravestone. Her last words drifted off into a soft murmur, carried away by the gentle breeze that rustled through the cemetery.

Naruto and Karin said nothing, standing quietly beside Kushina. They understood that this moment was mainly for Kushina and Minato. Naruto swallowed, looking a bit uneasy. He respected his father even though he had never really known him. Karin felt a quiet sympathy, understanding the loss but not daring to break the silence.

Kaito stood silently, his gaze drifting upward. He was lost in his own thoughts, feeling both frustrated and resigned. "Even if I change events, some things just stay the same, huh?" he wondered, thinking about all that had happened.

He heard footsteps approaching and turned to see Hotaru and her family walking over. Kushina noticed them too and quickly wiped her tears, putting on a small smile. "Hey, you guys," she greeted quietly. "We're just visiting Minato, ya know?"

Hitomi, Hotaru's mother, gave a gentle smile and stepped closer. "We wanted to check on you, Kushina. How are you feeling?"

Kushina shrugged lightly, trying to sound cheerful. "I'm fine, really. Just a bit weak. I overdid it the night before, and now I have to stay in this wheelchair for a little while. Nothing too serious. I'll be walking around and driving everyone crazy again soon enough."

Hitomi leaned down and gave Kushina a gentle hug. "I'm glad to hear you're okay. You had us worried."

While the adults spoke, Hotaru moved toward Kaito. She looked him over, noticing he seemed a bit less exhausted than yesterday. "How are you doing, Kai-kun?" she asked softly. "You seem better than before."

Kaito managed a small grin. "I'm fine, Hotaru. I just needed some rest, that's all." He began pushing Kushina's wheelchair again, guiding them away from the gravesite.

They soon came across Mikoto Uchiha and her younger son, Sasuke. Mikoto, worry evident on her face, approached Kushina. "Are you alright, Kushina?" she asked gently.

Kushina nodded, giving Mikoto a reassuring smile. "I'm okay, just a little weak, that's all. Nothing to worry about."

Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Hey, brat! There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere!"

It was Tsunade, walking toward them with Shizune at her side. She had one hand on her hip, looking mildly annoyed but also relieved to have found Kaito. Shizune followed, carrying a small piglet.

Kaito raised an eyebrow, confused. "Huh? What's going on, Tsunade-sama?" he asked. "Why were you looking for me?"

Tsunade tapped her foot, seeming a bit annoyed. "Did you forget we have to prepare for my inauguration, kid?" she said. "I've been running around trying to find you."

Kaito looked even more puzzled. "Your inauguration? What do you need me for?" he asked, genuinely not understanding how

Tsunade let out an irritated sigh. "Because, brat, I'm going to officially name you as my successor."

That announcement hit like a shockwave. Everyone who didn't already know stared in disbelief. Hotaru gasped quietly. "Kai-kun is going to be the Sixth?" she asked, turning wide eyes on Kaito.

Naruto practically shouted, "You're gonna be the Sixth Hokage, Kaito-nii?! That's awesome!"

Hiashi widened his eyes, surprised by the announcement, while Hitomi looked back and forth between Kushina and Mikoto, noticing that they didn't seem as shocked. They must have known about this in advance.

Kaito let out a tired sigh. "I never agreed to that," he muttered. "You said I was one of the candidates, not that I was going to be announced as your official successor. Plus, I'm only twelve years old!"

Tsunade shrugged, looking totally unconcerned. "Too bad. I didn't get much of a choice when I took this job, and now you don't either. We need someone to follow after me, and you fit the bill." She reached out and grabbed the back of Kaito's shirt, lifting him off the ground. He let out a startled yelp, flailing his arms. "Hey! Put me down! I can't just leave my mom like this," he protested

Tsunade rolled her eyes, completely ignoring his protests. "Don't give me that," she said. "I know you always keep a few shadow clones around to watch over them. Besides, Shizune will stay with your mother, right, Shizune?"

Shizune gave a small nod. "Yes, Lady Tsunade," she agreed, her voice calm and reassuring.

"See?" Tsunade said triumphantly. "Kushina, I'll return your son after the ceremony. We have a lot to get ready." With that, she started walking off with Kaito tossed him over her shoulder, carrying him off.

Kushina watched with a grin, waving goodbye. "Have fun, Kai-kun," she teased lightly, not bothering to hide her amusement.

Kaito gave his mother a betrayed look, but seeing that she was in good hands, he sighed and let Tsunade drag him away. She literally hoisted him over her shoulder, marching off toward the Hokage Tower.

…..

Later that evening, after the inauguration ceremony had finished, Tsunade and Kaito found themselves in the Hokage's office.

Tsunade's desk was covered in stacks of paperwork—reports, mission requests, budget summaries, and letters from other nations. She let out a long, dramatic groan. "Why is there so much paperwork? I swear it grows when I'm not looking," she complained, resting her forehead in her palms.

Kaito tried not to laugh. "Why are you surprised? The Hokage's work mostly involves paperwork," he said quietly. "I did ask if you were sure, remember?"

Tsunade lifted her head and shot him a glare. "I blame you for this," she grumbled. "You and your big mouth sweet-talked me into taking this position. I should never have let you convince me."

Kaito held up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, you're the best person for the job. I just pointed it out," he replied calmly. "I don't recall forcing you."

Tsunade grumbled under her breath, muttering something about "dumb redheaded brats" as she slumped forward.

Just then, Shizune entered the office, carefully balancing another large stack of papers in her arms. "Lady Tsunade," she said briskly, "these need to be done by the end of today. Come on, you shouldn't slack off. There are more where these came from if you don't keep up." With that, Shizune turned and left, letting the door close softly behind her.

Tsunade stared at the new pile as if it might sprout fangs and attack. She looked like she was a second away from tears. Kaito couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for her. After all, this was a far cry from fighting battles and saving lives with medical ninjutsu. Paperwork was its own kind of torture.

Kaito watched Tsunade's despair with mild amusement. "Why don't you use shadow clones to do the paperwork?" he suggested. "My dad used to do that when he was Hokage. That's how he managed to spend time outside of the office."

Tsunade froze, staring at Kaito as if he had just revealed the world's biggest secret. "Shadow clones?" she repeated dumbly. Suddenly, she stood up and slammed her hand on the desk. "Why didn't I think of that before?!"

Without waiting, she made a hand sign and created two shadow clones. The clones immediately grabbed some of the papers and began working through them. Tsunade looked so relieved it was almost funny. "This changes everything," she said, feeling happier than she had all day.

Kaito smiled slightly. "Did you really think Dad was stuck behind a desk all the time? He was a genius, you know."

Tsunade sighed, sounding content for once. "Well, that's one problem solved." Then she turned to Kaito, looking him up and down. "But why are you still here, brat? Don't you have something else to do now that the inauguration is over?"

Kaito hesitated, his eyes serious. "Actually, I do have something to tell you, but it should be in private."

That caught Tsunade's attention. She waved her hand, silently telling the ANBU stationed in the corners of the room to leave. They vanished without a sound. Only the clones, too busy to pay attention, remained. "Alright," Tsunade said, "what is it?"

Kaito formed a few hand signs and pressed his palm against the floor. A faint, glowing seal spread across the room and then faded. He turned back to Tsunade, who was now looking at him with narrowed eyes.

"Is it really that important?" she asked, her voice low and serious.

Kaito nodded, folding his arms. "You might know this, but I've been keeping an eye on the masked man ever since the Nine-Tails attack," he began quietly. "I've sent clones out all around to gather information on him and track his movements. Over the past few years, I've learned quite a bit."

Tsunade crossed her arms, her expression grim. "So you've found something?" she prompted, her tone sharp and focused.

Kaito nodded, his tone serious. "Yeah, i found out that the masked man is puting together a mesenaries all compriceds of S-class shinobi. They call themselves the Akatsuki. for now they are doing odd jobs hear and there for money Your old teammate, Orochimaru, is one of them."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure Orochimaru is one of them?" Her voice turned sharp with concern.

Kaito nodded. "Yeah, he's been a part of the group for a few years now. But there's more—everywhere they go, they seem to suddenly gather information on the jinchuriki. From what I've gathered, they are after the Tailed Beasts."

Kaito reached into his pouch, took out a scroll, and unsealed a file. Handing it over, he said, "See for yourself." Tsunade opened the file and began flipping through the pages. As she did, Kaito continued, "There's someone named Mukai Kohinata. He was part of ROOT and ANBU, an S-rank shinobi who hid his true strength. He got caught selling Konoha's intel to Kirigakure."

Tsunade glanced up. "Selling intel to Kiri?"

Kaito nodded. "Yes, but that's not the whole story. The reason he did it was because his son was terminally ill. He tried to get help from Konoha, but there aren't any real programs or support for cases like his. He was desperate."

Tsunade's expression softened slightly. "I see," she said quietly. "Go on."

Kaito continued, "Danzo found out about this and ordered Itachi to kill Mukai as part of his ANBU test."

Tsunade's gaze sharpened again. "I take it Itachi didn't kill him? And Mukai is now part of the Akatsuki?"

Kaito shook his head. "Mukai turned out to be stronger than both Itachi and Shisui combined when they confronted him. Well, sort of. He's a member of the Akatsuki, but not under his real name. During Itachi's mission, I confronted him and offered him an option, which he chose. He faked his death and is now known as Kurogane Sora, a missing ninja from the Land of the Bear."

Tsunade was taken aback. "Your spy in the Akatsuki?" she leaned forward, frowning. "How can you be sure he won't betray you?"

Kaito sighed. "I saved his family from Danzo's ROOT agents who were sent to eliminate them. In return, I promised Mukai a pardon for his past actions. I also placed a seal on him to prevent any betrayal. He understands that if he were to betray us, his family would lose the safe life I've arranged for them. Additionally, I was hoping you could take a look at his son. If we can help the boy, it should further strengthen Mukai's loyalty."

Tsunade rubbed her temple, thinking it over. "Where is his family now? They couldn't have stayed in the village if Danzo was after them."

"I relocated them to Hachō Village," Kaito answered. "But now that Danzo and the Third Hokage's old influences are no longer a problem, can they return to Konoha?"

Tsunade let out a slow breath. "If Mukai keeps his end of the deal and continues spying on the Akatsuki, then yes, I don't see why they can't return. It might actually give us an advantage—having him closer to home. Who else knows about this arrangement?"

"Just me and Itachi," Kaito said, "and now you."

Tsunade nodded, looking tired but resolute. "Alright. Anything else I need to know?" she asked, a hint of dry humor in her tone.

Kaito scratched the back of his neck. "it's more of a request."

Raising an eyebrow, Tsunade leaned back. "A request? What do you want, brat?"

Kaito met her gaze seriously. "I want to learn Senjutsu."

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