Chapter 38: The Real Deal.

"It's nothing! Just that the shadow clone I left at the Ninja Academy got dispelled," Kaito said calmly.

From the latest memory feedback, he realized today was the Academy's monthly test, and during the actual combat portion, his shadow clone had vanished after a bout with Uchiha Sasuke.

"With your shadow clone, even an ordinary Chunin might struggle against it. A kid from the Academy managing to take it out? Tsk tsk. Seems like there's a fresh little genius over there! Who is it? I want to meet him!" Tsunade asked, intrigued.

"The last orphan of the Uchiha clan — Uchiha Sasuke," Kaito replied softly. After a brief pause, he clarified, "But, it wasn't Sasuke who beat my clone. It was because my real body was away from Konoha for too long, and the shadow clone ran out of chakra on its own."

"Him, huh…" Tsunade's eyes darkened slightly, a complex look flickering through them as if old memories had surfaced.

Of course, Kaito understood what she was thinking.

The Senju and Uchiha clans — once the two titans of the Warring States period. Both so proud, both so strong. And now? Tsunade was the last of the Senju, and the Uchiha clan had been annihilated not long ago, leaving only a child behind. It was tragic how times could change.

"Well, if they've discovered you, you should head back to Konoha. Besides, there's nothing else for me to teach you for now." Tsunade sighed, then quickly returned to her usual self.

"Okay." Kaito nodded.

"This is the scroll for the Yin Seal," Tsunade said, casually tossing a long-prepared scroll his way.

"Alright then, you're dismissed!" she added, waving him off before he could reply.

Kaito blinked at the suddenness of it. Was she… already prepared for this parting?

"Well… take care Tsunade Sensei. I'll head back to Konoha now." A hint of reluctance lingered in his voice.

In the past half month, despite her occasional carelessness, Tsunade — along with Shizune — had treated him warmly, like a family member. It was hard not to grow attached.

"Go on, go on! Oh — wait!" Tsunade's tone abruptly shifted.

"Hm?" Kaito looked puzzled.

Shizune instantly clutched her head. Knowing Tsunade's nature, she immediately guessed what was coming.

"You brat! Every time I went gambling, you sent a shadow clone to tail me, didn't you? Bet you made a fortune off those games on Tansho Street, huh? You must be that so-called 'Gambling God' they keep whispering about!" Tsunade barked.

"Uh!!! You noticed?! I… I only won a little… a tiny bit…" Kaito scratched his head sheepishly.

"I don't care! I'm taking half your winnings!"

"No way, that's robbery! I'll give you twenty percent!"

"Twenty?! Are you treating me like a beggar? Forty, at least!"

Shizune quietly sighed and massaged her temples, watching the pair bicker. The bittersweet farewell mood from earlier had completely vanished — replaced by a ridiculous haggling match.

In the end, Kaito left behind thirty million ryo and quietly departed.

Tsunade, counting her money happily, didn't even glance his way as he left.

Maybe it wasn't that she didn't care — but that she couldn't bear to watch him go.

---

Half an hour later, Kaito appeared on the familiar streets of Konoha.

Taking in the sights of the bustling village, a mix of nostalgia and emotion swelled inside him. "I'm finally back."

These past weeks had felt surreal. Not only had he earned a tidy fortune, but he'd also become Tsunade's disciple — life could be unexpectedly generous.

After exchanging his winnings at the bank for a passbook, Kaito headed toward the Ninja Academy.

"Woah~ this one's not bad! That one too!" an all-too-familiar lecherous voice drifted from a nearby alley.

Kaito turned to see a middle-aged man with wild white hair and a Konoha headband, gleefully peeping into the women's bathhouse, a pervy grin on his face.

Well, speak of the devil. He had just said goodbye to one of the Sannin, and now he'd stumbled upon another: Jiraiya.

Kaito didn't need to guess what the man was up to. Jiraiya's perversion was legendary. No wonder Tsunade often cursed his name.

"Let's have a little fun," Kaito smirked, a plan forming in his head.

Walking up beside the oblivious Jiraiya, Kaito called out, "Uncle, having fun?"

"Beautiful! Beautiful!" Jiraiya muttered, too absorbed to notice.

"Nice figure, right?"

"Perfect!"

"Oh, really?"

Kaito grinned. "Then enjoy this too!"

Without warning, he delivered a brutal kick to the unprepared Jiraiya, launching him straight into the bathhouse.

A moment later, the area erupted into chaos.

"You pervert!"

"Get him!"

"Catch that creep!"

Amid the commotion, Kaito leisurely dusted his hands. "No need to thank me," he chuckled, walking away like a hero without a name.

---

Ninja Academy —

Kaito arrived just as the actual combat test was wrapping up.

While Iruka was distracted, Kaito quietly made his way toward two familiar figures — Ino and Hinata.

A sense of peace washed over him, taking in the scents of people he hadn't seen for weeks.

Hinata, having trained secretly under Kaito's guidance these past weeks, had improved tremendously. Her Byakugan gave her a 360-degree perception advantage.

The moment Kaito got close, she tensed instinctively. But the second she caught his scent, her body relaxed.

In a soft whisper, she greeted, "Kaito… you're back."

"Yeah — my shadow clone's gone, so of course the real deal came over," Kaito smiled helplessly.

---

(☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞

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