"The Hidden Star Village is just a small shinobi village... What could possibly attract a Kage-level powerhouse here? The only thing of worth is the meteorite passed down by the previous Hoshikage," said the Third Hoshikage with a weary smile.

"You're sharp," Kaito replied calmly.

While they spoke, the Third Hoshikage led Kaito into a sealed chamber within the Star Village.

"This is the forbidden zone of Hoshigakure," he explained. "After discovering the harmful effects of training with the meteorite—bodily damage, even death—I sealed it here. It's guarded at all times by two of our most trusted shinobi, Nighthawk and Death Zang."

Kaito nodded slightly. Through his electromagnetic senses, he could detect a pulsing energy within the chamber—not from any living being, but a powerful non-human source.

The Hoshikage gestured to the guards, who stepped aside without a word. He opened the heavy doors, allowing Kaito to enter with him.

"That's the meteorite," the Hoshikage warned. "Are you sure you want to use it? Its energy is dangerous... it eats away at the body."

"I'll be fine," Kaito said, shaking his head.

He stared at the glowing violet rock sitting on a pedestal in the center of the room. Even without touching it, he could sense the overwhelming radiation emanating from it.

So that's it, he thought.

This meteorite had fallen from space generations ago. The strange chakra technique known as the Peacock Method, unique to the Hidden Star Village, was clearly based on this radiation. By absorbing the meteorite's energy and fusing it with chakra, the villagers had created a powerful—but ultimately self-destructive—technique.

Kaito sighed inwardly. They had no idea what they were dealing with. Ignorance really is a curse.

He stepped forward and gripped the meteorite with one hand.

At his command, his body began slowly drawing in the radiation.

But unlike the villagers, he wasn't trying to merge the energy into any chakra system. Instead, he let it circulate through his entire body, testing it.

Thanks to his awakened Sage Body, Kaito's natural vitality was immense. Physical training no longer improved him much, so he'd sought out something stronger. Before leaving Konoha, he had planned to one day harness the meteorite's energy—either by diplomacy or force.

Now, thanks to his time displacement into the Third Great Ninja War, there was no need for subtlety. No allegiances to protect. No rules to follow.

Inside his body, the radiation tore at his cells, trying to destroy him.

But his Sage vitality responded instinctively. Waves of regenerative energy fought back, repairing the damage as quickly as it came.

A cycle began: destruction and recovery.

It was agonizing. But also exhilarating.

With each repetition, his body grew stronger—bit by bit.

One minute passed. Then two.

Kaito didn't flinch. As time went on, the absorption rate increased. The glow of the meteorite began to dim, and the energy it held visibly waned.

An hour later, it was over.

Kaito opened his eyes to find the meteorite had lost all its glow. What remained was just a dull, gray stone.

He frowned. "Already gone?"

He stood, stretching his limbs. His entire body felt refreshed—renewed.

The hour of radiation training had enhanced his physical strength by about 10%. While that didn't sound like much, at his level—it was a significant boost.

Even more surprising: the lingering side effects of the Eight Gates Formation had completely vanished.

That alone makes this worth it, he thought.

Pocketing the dead stone, he made his way back toward the Hoshikage's office.

Along the way, various star shinobi watched him silently. Some glared. Others simply looked defeated. But no one tried to stop him.

Likely, the Third Hoshikage had already ordered them to stand down.

Kaito entered the office and placed the meteorite on the desk.

"I've drained all the energy. Thank you," he said plainly.

"You're too kind," the old Hoshikage replied. "For us, the meteorite has brought nothing but trouble. If anything, I should be thanking you."

"You've helped our village in more ways than one. Now that the meteorite is useless, those within our ranks who coveted its power will lose their influence."

Kaito listened quietly.

"Our village has been divided for some time," the Hoshikage continued. "I wanted the meteorite sealed away. But Akaashi, one of our higher-ups, believed it should be used for power. If I had fallen, war would have broken out over that stone."

He smiled faintly. "But now, there's nothing left to fight over."

"Still," Kaito said, "I owe you one. If you ever need help, let me know. Otherwise... I might just deal with Akaashi myself."

The old man waved him off. "No need. The meteorite was the root of our problems. With it gone, I believe we can return to peace."

Kaito nodded. "If anything happens, take what's left of this stone to Lady Tsunade of Konoha. She'll help you."

As he turned to leave, his form vanished like a mirage.

The Hoshikage blinked, then chuckled softly.

"Lady Tsunade... one of the Legendary Sannin. So you're from Konoha after all. It seems Konoha truly is blessed by fate."

---

After leaving the Star Village, Kaito continued his journey alone through Hoshigakure.

His mind shifted to his next objective.

One: find a quiet place to attempt opening the Seventh Gate of the Eight Gates Formation.

Two: head to the Cloud Village and retrieve the complete version of the Lightning Release Body-Refinement Technique.

The current version was already outdated for someone like him. The advancement of the Thunder Fruit had rendered most normal lightning-based body techniques ineffective.

But perhaps the Raikage's clan—those who specialized in lightning-style taijutsu—had developed something useful. Something that could push him further.

Either way, he had his path.

And nothing would stand in it.

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