After tightly wrapping herself in fresh clothes, Kushina stepped out of the shelter, her face flushed red.

With a fierce expression, she demanded, "Tell me! What exactly did you see?!"

"Haha! I didn't see anything, really! Just a shame the headlights were a little... small," Kaito teased with a laugh.

"…What did you say?" Kushina's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!" Kaito waved both hands in surrender.

Kushina's expression darkened. "Then explain! What happened today? Why were all my clothes gone?"

The glare she gave Kaito was like someone staring at the person who murdered their family. Her body had been seen, completely exposed, and her innocence—at least in her eyes—was tainted by the man in front of her.

Not even Minato Namikaze, her crush, had ever seen her in that state. They had only held hands. And now, in just three days since she left the village, this had happened. Kushina wanted to cry.

"You really don't remember anything?" Kaito frowned, slicing a piece of roasted pork trotter and offering it to her.

"I don't! All I remember is leaving you and running into Konoha's Anbu. After that, everything's a blur." She held her head, wincing. "Was it the Nine-Tails?"

"Exactly," Kaito nodded. "When I arrived, you'd already lost control. The Nine-Tails' will had taken over your consciousness—you weren't yourself anymore. You attacked everyone in sight."

"Who did I… kill?" Kushina asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Konoha's Anbu," Kaito replied calmly, taking a bite of the pork. "I got there just in time to suppress the Nine-Tails and bring you back."

"As for your clothes, they were burned off by the chakra when you transformed. Tailed beast transformations aren't gentle, especially for a full Jinchūriki."

"So… you saved me?" Kushina muttered, still feeling bitter. She was still a virgin. Having her body seen during a rescue didn't make it feel any less humiliating.

"Yes," Kaito answered, straightforward as ever. "Now hurry up and eat. Once you're done, you should get back to Konoha. Otherwise, that old man Hiruzen might start panicking."

"Then maybe you should've gotten me proper clothes!" she snapped.

"Like I carry girls' clothes around," Kaito replied with a deadpan expression. "Eat first. I'll head to the nearest town and grab something that fits you."

After that, the two fell silent, focusing on the roast before them. Half of the pig ended up in Kushina's stomach. Kaito blinked in disbelief.

So it's true—Uzumaki are bottomless pits…

Later, Kaito visited a nearby town and returned with multiple sets of women's clothing in various sizes. He didn't bother asking her preference.

---

By morning, after finishing the breakfast Kaito made, Kushina stood up with a complicated look on her face.

"I'm leaving, bastard," she muttered.

"Take care," Kaito said casually, waving without looking at her.

"Hmph! You jerk! Aren't you supposed to say something meaningful?" Her cheeks puffed up as her temper flared.

"Alright," Kaito said with a smirk. "I hope you and Namikaze Minato get married soon, have a bunch of kids, and live happily ever after."

Wham!

Kushina punched him square on the head. For some reason, that comment made her blood boil.

"Hmph!" she huffed, disappearing in a blur of red hair and frustration.

Kaito rubbed his head and stared at the spot where she vanished.

That was Naruto's mother… he thought, his expression turning serious. If I interfere too much, I could alter the entire future of the ninja world.

Things needed to be handled quickly. He had to return to his own timeline soon. A part of him even missed Ino and Hinata.

With Kushina gone, Kaito resumed his usual routine. He spent time adjusting to his body's capabilities and honing both ninjutsu and taijutsu to perfection.

---

Three days later…

Kaito stood, folding up a map as he traced the borders of the Land of Lightning. His eyes narrowed, flames of anticipation flickering within them.

I hope the shinobi of Kumogakure don't disappoint me.

The Hidden Cloud Village, located in the heart of the Land of Lightning, was one of the Five Great Nations. Known for their lightning-based jutsu and mastery of kenjutsu, they were a proud and militaristic people, their shinobi often sporting dark skin and a fierce, warlike attitude.

It was widely believed that the Third Great Ninja War was sparked by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, but in truth, the first nation to strike was Kumogakure.

Built among steep mountains, the village was surrounded by canyons filled with ceaseless thunder—the infamous Thundercloud Gorge echoed across the land.

Kaito made his way toward it, thoughts racing with everything he knew about the Cloud Village and its warriors.

By midday, the towering gates of the Hidden Cloud finally came into view, rumbling with faint thunder in the distance.

"Halt! Who are you?" barked a guard, standing tall with narrowed eyes. The two stationed shinobi tightened their grip on their weapons.

Their caution was justified. Kaito wore a mask, and his presence alone was unnerving. In wartime, even a shadow could be a threat.

"I'm here to meet the Fourth Raikage," Kaito said, his voice calm. "Just tell him… an old friend wants to say hello." He paused, then shrugged. "Never mind. I'll let myself in."

And just like that—he vanished.

Gulp!

"Where… where did he go? Did you see that?" one guard stammered.

"Not at all! But did you hear what he said? He wants to see the Fourth Raikage!" the other answered in disbelief.

"I'm going to report this to the Raikage right now! You stay here!" The panicked shinobi bolted toward the central tower. What the hell is happening in broad daylight!?

---

Raikage's Office – Kumogakure

The newly-appointed Fourth Raikage, Ay, sat with a scowl on his face, listening to a dry report delivered by his secretary. His broad arms were crossed, his muscles twitching from boredom.

Standing nearby was a young woman, no older than twenty, attentively taking notes with sharp precision.

Her name was Mabui—future personal assistant to the Raikage, and niece of the late Third Raikage's right-hand man, Darui.

Suddenly—

Whoosh!

A shadow appeared in the center of the room.

"Who are you?" Raikage Ay growled, rising from his seat, his tone edged with hostility.

Before anyone could react, Darui stepped forward, squinting at the masked figure. "… You must be Kaito-sama. The one who defeated Ōnoki's elite guard?"

"Oh? So you've heard of me?" Kaito raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. "Your intel is impressive."

"Kaito…" the Raikage muttered, now fully alert. "Why are you here, in Kumogakure?"

"I've come to borrow your village's complete Lightning Release Body Reinforcement techniques," Kaito replied bluntly.

"No," Ay answered without hesitation. "The Lightning Release Body Technique is our clan's exclusive ninjutsu. It cannot be taught to outsiders."

---

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