Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

Kaito Akaden Chapter 145

Then he stepped into the men's section alone. The locker room was quiet, a gentle hush broken only by the faint drip of water from somewhere in the back. Kaito glanced around and saw no one else there. He released a soft breath and moved to one of the wooden benches.

Sitting down, he covered his face with his hands for a moment, thinking about how chaotic the day had been. He'd gone from finishing a mission to asking Tsunade about removing Kakashi from ANBU, then straight into a hot spring outing with his mother, teammates, and the Hokage. He felt a bit overwhelmed, though a part of him was relieved to finally have a break.

Standing up, he mumbled, "I'm already here. Might as well soak for a few minutes."

He reached down to grab the collar of his shirt. However, as he started to pull it over his head, he paused suddenly. A memory popped into his mind. Slowly, he lowered the shirt back down, his brows drawn together in anger.

"That bastard…" he muttered, anger flashing in his eyes.

….

A few minutes earlier, a Kaito clone sat in a nearby tree, leaning against the trunk on a thick branch. He sat with one leg folded and the other dangling, idly plucking leaves from a smaller branch and tearing them before tossing them aside.

He grumbled to himself as he did this, "Man, why am I stuck with guard duty? It's boring. Why can't the boss do it? He's back in the village already. Nothing ever happens, ya know." It was a good thing nothing happened—he didn't actually want trouble—but doing this day in and day out was mind-numbing.

He sighed and plucked another leaf, splitting it with Wind Chakra. That's when he sensed something with his Mind's Eye of Kagura. He looked up at the hot spring building and saw a man crouching atop it.

His eyes narrowed, and a growl escaped his mouth. "What does he think he's doing…?"

Jiraiya was crouched on the roof of the Konoha hot spring house, peering through a handheld telescope at the women's side. He giggled creepily as he watched, muttering perverted comments. "Ah, just like that—turn around and show Papa those puppies, heheheh…" A thin nosebleed trickled from his nostril as he leaned forward.

Jiraiya quietly exclaimed, "Oh my, look at those… hehehe, you're one of a kind!"

He snickered again, adjusting his telescope. "Oh my—look at that. Aren't you a sight to behold…" Drool threatened to escape the corner of his mouth.

Kaito's shadow clone landed behind him, looking annoyed. Despite his irritation, the clone stayed calm, especially since he could tell his mother Kushina, Hotaru, Tsunade, and Shizune were still in the changing area. They weren't in direct view—yet. He didn't want to make a scene, but he also had to put a stop to Jiraiya's perverted antics.

"Hey, old man," the clone said, tapping Jiraiya's shoulder. "Just what do you think you're doing?"

Without even looking back, Jiraiya brushed the clone's hand off. "Shhh, kid, scram. I'm busy doing valuable research."

"Research?" The clone's eyebrow twitched. "Listen, old man, you need to leave. Now. Or—"

Jiraiya shushed him. "Go on, get lost," he muttered irritably, then suddenly zoomed in with his telescope. Kushina and Tsunade had just come into view, stepping out of the changing room. Both wore only small towels, barely covering their shapely figures.

A creepy grin spread across Jiraiya's face. "Oh ho, look at that. Tsunade and Kushina at the same time? What luck!" He let out an unseemly whistle. "Wow… jackpot!"

Kaito's clone went pale with fury, anger flaring at Jiraiya's lecherous comments. How dare he gawk at them like that... especially at my mom!

Before Jiraiya could react, he found himself violently wrapped up in glowing Chakra Chains.

"Wait—whatttttt—ahhhhhhh!" Jiraiya shouted, but was cut off when the clone teleported them both away.

….

Back in the women's changing room…

Kushina adjusted her towel, folding it over her chest to secure it tightly. "All set! Now let's go," she exclaimed, glancing at the others, who were finishing up and wrapping their towels.

Kushina stepped over to Hotaru, giving her a playful smile. "Awww, you look super cute, Hotaru-chan. And those curves…" She gave Hotaru's chest a teasing poke. "You're so young yet so… well-developed. Kai-kun is a lucky boy, ya know!"

Hotaru's cheeks went red as she pressed the towel more tightly against herself. "A-Aunt Kushina, please…" she mumbled, mortified.

Undeterred, Kushina giggled. "So, when are you gonna ask my son out on a date? You'd better hurry, or some other girl might snatch him away if you wait too long."

Hotaru's eyes dropped. "I… I don't think he's interested in me," she whispered, looking embarrassed.

Tsunade, who had just finished wrapping her own towel, chimed in, "Most boys that age are only interested in training or Jutsu. But I agree with Kushina. If you like him, make a move soon. Kaito's pretty popular—he's the Fourth's son, and everyone sees him as a future Hokage."

Hotaru gave a tiny nod, though she still looked uneasy.

Kushina slipped her arm around Hotaru's shoulders. "Oh, trust me, he's noticed you. He's just slow on the uptake—like his father was. He's shy about stuff like this, believe me."

Hotaru turned a deeper shade of red. "Y-You really think he likes me?"

"Sure do," Kushina replied. "He's really protective of you. He smiles a lot whenever your name comes up. He just won't make the first move. Minato was the same way at that age."

Hotaru lowered her gaze, a small hopeful smile forming on her lips.

"Leave the poor girl alone," Tsunade told Kushina, though her tone was more amused than scolding.

"Oh, fine," Kushina sighed, rolling her eyes dramatically. Then she turned her attention to Shizune. "So, Shizune, how about you? Got any special someone in mind?"

Shizune stepped back, clutching her towel. "Me? No, I—I haven't really found anyone interesting."

"Ah, that's a shame," Kushina teased. "You're wasting your prime, you know! Leave it to me; I'll set you up with a guy. I'm great at matchmaking."

Tsunade walked up behind them, nodding. "I've been telling her to get out more," she added with a teasing smile.

Waving her hand dismissively, Kushina said, "All right, let's see who's single... What about Genma-kun? Last I heard, he was still unattached. Nice guy, too."

Shizune's cheeks heated, and she stammered, "I—uh—this is all so sudden..."

Tsunade tapped her chin. "Genma, huh? That's the kid who always has a senbon in his mouth. He does seem reliable."

Kushina pushed the door open leading into the hot spring, warm steam billowing out. "Exactly, and he used to be on Minato's guard detail. See, we can trust him. I'll totally set you up. Sound good, Shizune?"

Shizune just gaped, unable to form a coherent response.

Kushina hummed, thinking aloud, "If not Genma, how about Kakashi-kun… But good luck getting him to show up for a date," she grumbled, rubbing her temple. "I swear, that man's either on a mission or sulking somewhere. He's hopeless."

Tsunade's eyes flicked thoughtfully. Kaito did just ask me to help get Kakashi out of ANBU…

Before anyone could comment further, they heard a male voice—faint and panicked—echo over the hot spring walls: "Wait—whatttttt—ahhhhhhh!"

They all paused, Tsunade's eyes narrowing. "That sounded like Jiraiya... If he's spying on us, I'll—"

Kushina waved her off confidently. "Relax, Tsuna-nee. Kai-kun's got it handled. If that pervert tried anything, he's probably already been taken care of." She gave a wicked smirk, clearly untroubled by Jiraiya's plight.

…..

Meanwhile…

Jiraiya slammed into the ground of a training field on the outskirts of Konoha, skidding across it from the force of the throw. The shadow clone had dispelled itself the moment they landed, tossing the old man into the dirt so the original Kaito would be notified.

Kaito appeared atop a tree where he'd placed a Hiraishin marker. He was furious. He jumped to the ground, eyes locked on Jiraiya, who was standing up and dusting himself off.

"What the hell was that about?" Jiraiya snapped, brushing debris off his clothes. "I was in the middle of vital research, and—" He stopped, realizing who he was speaking to. "Hey... You're Minato's brat, Kaito, right? Care to explain why you interrupted me?"

Kaito's eyes narrowed in disgust. "You're 'researching' my mother and my friends?" he hissed, fists clenching. "You perverted old bastard."

Jiraiya scoffed, waving off the accusation. "Kid, it's just a harmless peek. Don't overreact—"

Kaito's eyes dilated at the older man's casual demeanor. Without warning, Kaito flickered in front of Jiraiya and punched him in the face.

Caught off-guard, Jiraiya took the hit and went flying before he could react. Kaito followed up with a dropkick from above, slamming Jiraiya into the ground and leaving a small crater.

Jiraiya spat out some blood and leapt back, trying to gain distance. This kid is fast, he thought. As soon as he landed, Kaito was on him again, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks.

"Hey, calm down, kid!" Jiraiya tried to reason, struggling to dodge and block Kaito's relentless strikes. He's really serious. He's trying to hurt me! Seizing an opportunity, he grabbed Kaito by the leg and tossed him back. "We can work this out—no need to fight! Calm down!"

Kaito's body flickered, disappearing and then reappearing above Jiraiya, driving a kick into his face and sending him flying again. Jiraiya managed to land, skidding across the training ground, blood trickling from his split lip.

Straightening up, the Sannin wiped his mouth and glared. "Alright, kid, if it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" He lunged forward, meeting Kaito's own charge, but Kaito was noticeably faster, ducking and weaving before landing several counterhits.

Realizing he couldn't keep up, Jiraiya jumped back. 'This is insane. It's like fighting Minato, but he's trying to kill me!'

Forming a seal, he shouted, "Senpō: Hari Jizō!" His hair morphed, growing longer and sharper. Then it shot out as spiky needles straight at Kaito.

The needles pierced through Kaito's form—but that form flickered and vanished. Jiraiya spun around just in time to see the real Kaito appear behind him, a massive sphere of chakra in his palm.

"Chōōdama Rasengan!" Kaito roared, slamming the gigantic Rasengan toward Jiraiya.

Jiraiya's eyes went wide, and he quickly wrapped his hair around himself for protection. But the colossal Rasengan crashed into him, exploding with intense force. A massive crater formed where Jiraiya had been.

Some distance away, Jiraiya was behind a tree, panting. 'That was too close. If I hadn't known about that kid's flicker trick, I'd be dead.' He tried to steady his breathing. 'He's really out for blood. I have to—'

His thoughts were cut off when he had to dodge an Air Bullet that gouged a hole in the spot he'd just been standing.

"Oh, come on, kid!" he shouted, blocking another one of Kaito's strikes. Kaito grabbed Jiraiya's arm, yanking him forward to knee him in the face, then twisted and flung him into the ground.

Still in midair, Kaito launched several massive Fireballs at Jiraiya.

Jiraiya skidded, then rolled aside, barely avoiding the first Fireball. He dodged another and formed hand signs, slamming his palm onto the ground. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" A thick slab of earth rose to block the scorching flames.

'I have to do something or he really might kill me…' Jiraiya thought. But he had no chance to relax—Kaito reappeared in front of him, swinging a tanto aimed at cutting him in half.

Jiraiya jerked to the side, and his hair extended, trying to wrap around Kaito. But chakra chains shot out from Kaito's back, swatting away Jiraiya's hair before rushing the Sannin himself. The chains impaled him through the chest—only for the impaled Jiraiya to turn into a pile of mud.

A second later, Jiraiya burst from the ground behind Kaito, a Rasengan in hand. Kaito quickly formed his own Rasengan, and the two spheres collided. Kaito's Rasengan was larger—similar to the one Minato used to create.

Jiraiya thought the clash would cancel both Rasengan, but Kaito's overpowered his, slamming into Jiraiya's stomach and sending him crashing into a tree.

Jiraiya coughed up blood as he tried to stand, only for a red blade made of Lightning Chakra to pierce his left shoulder, pinning him to the tree. The electricity partially paralyzed him.

'This kid really is going to kill me… 'Jiraiya thought, staring at Kaito's outstretched hand. A menacing look crossed the boy's face. "Akaden: Eisō…" Kaito muttered, referring to the red blade.

Still able to move his right arm, Jiraiya slammed his hand onto the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"

Kaito retracted his lightning blade rather than sever Jiraiya's arm, leaping back. He could sense the surge of chakra. 'He's summoning something big.'

Jiraiya summoned Gamaken and perched atop the giant toad's head. "Gamaken, stall the kid for a moment—we can't outrun him. I need time to summon those two," he said, beginning to gather Natural Energy.

Kaito landed on a nearby tree, eyeing the towering summon. 'Damn that toad, it's going to level the whole training ground…'

Gamaken hefted his giant sasumata, mumbling, "I'm not very graceful, but I'll do my best," before swinging it down at Kaito.

Kaito body-flickered aside, narrowly avoiding the massive weapon. The toad hopped backward to create distance, but Kaito chased it. When he caught up to the massive toad, he launched chakra chains from his back, binding Gamaken's arm and the sasumata—but he hadn't anchored the chains to the ground, allowing the huge toad to yank him along. Realizing his error, Kaito released the chains and somersaulted onto another tree. He created a shadow clone, and together they used more chakra chains—this time anchoring them to the ground—to restrain Gamaken again, successfully pinning him.

"Gamaken-san," Kaito shouted, "I have no quarrel with you. Please leave. I'm only after that perverted old man on your head."

"I'm sorry," the toad replied. "But I promised to protect him. I can't break my word."

Kaito scowled, preparing to bite his thumb. 'I might have to summon Katsuyu myself…'

Just then, Jiraiya spoke up from atop Gamaken. "It's alright, Gamaken—you can leave."

The giant toad sighed in relief. "If you insist…" He dispelled himself in a huge cloud of white smoke that filled the area.

Kaito immediately sensed Jiraiya's chakra rising, becoming much larger than before.

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