Chapter 6: Hand-Made, Iris, and Ichiraku Ramen

At Training Ground 98, two figures exchanged rapid blows.

Clang! Kunai collided with kunai.

Whoosh! Shuriken zipped through the air, blocking Sarutobi Hiruzen's path.

Kaitan quickly formed hand seals, focusing intently.

"Mind Reading: Yu!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen froze momentarily, his movements stilled as an overwhelming sense of despair washed over him. A lifelessness filled his eyes, and he suddenly felt void of purpose.

Why resist? he thought. I'm so old. What's the point of continuing? Maybe it's better to just give up...

The thought was fleeting, but its weight lingered.

"Holy crap, am I about to kill the Third Hokage?" Kaitan muttered in alarm as he noticed Hiruzen standing motionless, making no attempt to evade the kunai and shuriken heading his way.

If he actually killed the Third Hokage, he'd be in deep trouble. He wasn't strong enough to survive the ninja world's wrath. For now, he simply wanted to get by, fishing in troubled waters and working part-time to make ends meet.

Bang!

Kunai and shuriken struck their target, but instead of drawing blood, the Third Hokage disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Shadow Clone?" Kaitan sighed in relief.

At the same time, he couldn't help but smirk. His theory had proven correct—this type of genjutsu worked exceptionally well against seasoned ninjas. It could momentarily throw even the most experienced into despair.

But where was Hiruzen now?

Scanning his surroundings, Kaitan maximized his perception, searching for any trace of the Third Hokage.

---

Behind a large tree, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat with his back against the bark, gazing up at the blue sky dotted with drifting white clouds.

He muttered to himself, "What's the point of it all? Maybe I should just give up and stop moving. No one would dare question me anyway. Or perhaps I should just..."

Suddenly, he formed a hand seal and whispered, "Release."

The clouded look in his eyes lifted, replaced by clarity.

"That was terrifying," Hiruzen muttered. "What a dangerous jutsu. It doesn't just cast genjutsu—it conveys such overwhelming negative emotions to the target that even after breaking free, the aftereffects linger."

For a moment, even he—a veteran ninja—had struggled to resist the crushing despair.

---

Not long after, Hiruzen emerged from hiding, his composure restored.

"Not bad, not bad," he said to Kaitan. "Your jutsu is quite powerful, but it's dangerous. Make sure you don't use it on allies."

"Really? Is it that strong?" Kaitan asked, scratching the back of his head.

To him, the Mind Reading series of techniques were practical but not overpowered. They relied on vision and touch to work, designed to create brief moments of vulnerability in opponents.

From his perspective, the jutsu was a useful tactical tool but not the game-changer Hiruzen made it out to be.

Before Hiruzen could respond, a figure wearing an animal mask appeared.

"Lord Hokage, Orochimaru has sent urgent information from the front line."

Nodding, Hiruzen turned back to Kaitan. "I have business to attend to. Keep honing your skills."

With a final whoosh, the Third Hokage and the masked figure vanished.

Left alone, Kaitan felt a sense of accomplishment. His jutsu showed promise, and the Third Hokage's reaction had validated its potential. Still, there was room for improvement.

"If I can refine this technique to induce physical depression as well as mental, it'll be even better," Kaitan mused.

---

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi listened intently as Mitomon and Koharu briefed him.

"According to Orochimaru's report, the Third Raikage, during his battle with Iwagakure forces, cut off Kumogakure's troops and died of exhaustion," Mitomon said.

Hiruzen processed the news, then said, "It seems the war's end is drawing closer. Issue orders for Minato's squad to reinforce Orochimaru. We need to suppress Kumogakure quickly."

An Anbu ninja nodded and disappeared to relay the message.

As the conversation concluded, Hiruzen turned to the shadows and instructed, "Bring me Kaitan's file."

He remembered every ninja who graduated from the academy and had personally promoted Kaitan to Chūnin not long ago.

Soon, the requested file arrived.

"A perceptive ninja and member of the analysis team," Hiruzen read aloud. "He has exceptional talent in mind-reading techniques. Strong in taijutsu and genjutsu. His dream is world peace and carrying forward Konoha's Will of Fire."

A warm smile crossed the Third Hokage's face. "Such a promising young ninja. The Will of Fire truly burns bright in him."

---

Meanwhile, Kaitan strolled through the bustling streets of Konoha, observing the lively scene with a popsicle in hand.

Reflecting on his recent encounter with the Third Hokage, he felt a mixture of pride and determination. The old man's personal guidance must have had some deeper purpose, though Kaitan didn't dwell on it too much.

His own dream was simple: to find a gentle, virtuous, beautiful, and wealthy wife, have two sons and two daughters, and live a peaceful life.

But before that dream could become reality, he needed to improve his survival skills. If his opponent hadn't been the Third Hokage but a more hostile ninja, he might not have survived the encounter.

Lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a familiar shop.

"Ichiraku Ramen?"

His stomach growled as he pulled out his wallet. The aroma wafting from the shop was too tempting to resist.

"Welcome!" a cheerful voice greeted as he stepped inside.

Behind the counter stood an older man, likely around his father's age. The man moved with precision as he prepared ramen for other customers.

Near him was a young woman about Kaitan's age, her beauty striking.

"Hello! What can I get for you? I recommend the seafood ramen—it's our newest dish," the young woman, whom Kaitan recognized as Iris, said with a warm smile.

Kaitan's eyes lit up. "Seafood ramen sounds great. One bowl, please."

As he waited for his meal, he couldn't help but think that life in Konoha, despite its challenges, had its moments of simple joy.