The weeks following Naruto's graduation were marked by a significant transition for Kaien. His already prodigious intelligence had reached a point where he could no longer be considered to have the mind of a child. The concepts he had absorbed, the connections he made, and his understanding of the subtleties of the shinobi world had fully matured. He was now the equal—perhaps even the superior—of the village's greatest minds. And yet, most remarkably, Kaien had not lost a single ounce of his core personality. He remained joyful, carefree, friendly, and deeply compassionate. His view of the world was still pure, untouched by cynicism or malice. The vast knowledge he had acquired had not corrupted him; rather, it had strengthened his ability to discern right from wrong with absolute clarity, always pushing him toward kindness. His flaming red hair, now streaked with pronounced and almost ethereal silver highlights, seemed to capture the light of his innate wisdom.
With this intellectual maturity, Kaien had also refined his manner of speaking. He expressed himself with disarming clarity and honesty, always saying exactly what he thought, without filter or ulterior motives, which could sometimes catch others off guard. His observations, though direct, were never hurtful—always marked by his natural gentleness. He was a keen observer of human nature, without judgment.
Akari and Tsunade watched this evolution with a mixture of pride and worry. Akari was moved to see her son grow so quickly, but she knew this heightened intelligence would make concealing him even more difficult. Tsunade, for her part, was stunned. Kaien's cognitive abilities surpassed anything she had ever studied. She wondered how the world would react upon discovering the full extent of his faculties. Their secret, already burdensome, was becoming even more complex.
Team assignments were given shortly after the exam. Naruto was placed on Team 7 with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake. When Naruto came to tell Kaien about his team, Kaien responded very matter-of-factly.
"Kakashi-sensei is kind of weird, but he's very strong. Sasuke-kun is sad and angry, but he has a big heart. Sakura-san is loud and loves Sasuke, but she's very kind," Kaien said, summarizing the team's personalities with uncanny accuracy.
Naruto burst out laughing. "That's exactly right, dattebayo! But how'd you know that, Kaien?"
Kaien tapped his Eyes of Infinity. "I see the colors in people. And I understand how things are connected."
While Naruto and his team began their D-rank missions—trivial tasks like weeding, painting fences, or chasing lost cats—Kaien made an unexpected request.
"Naruto-kun, I want to come with you on missions," Kaien said one morning as Naruto was getting ready to leave.
Naruto was surprised. "But Kaien, these are genin missions! Sometimes they're boring, y'know."
"I want to see how you become Hokage. I want to help. And I can learn things," Kaien replied, with flawless logic and his usual smile.
Akari and Tsunade were initially hesitant. Sending Kaien on missions would put him in danger and increase his visibility. But Kaien's persistence, and his argument that he could observe and learn, convinced them. Tsunade also realized that having Kaien in the field, even on simple missions, would help her better understand his powers and train him to control them in real-world situations.
Akari decided to accompany Kaien discreetly, posing as an escort or "aunt" supervising the child. She was a talented kunoichi in her own right, and her presence offered an extra layer of protection. Tsunade ensured Kakashi was briefed, telling him Kaien was a "special case" under her care—possessing unique sensory abilities but also great vulnerability due to his past. She, of course, left out the full truth about his powers and longevity. Kakashi, ever enigmatic, accepted without too many questions, trusting his former senpai.
And so, for their first D-rank missions, Team 7 found themselves with two unexpected additions: Kaien and Akari.
During these missions, Kaien's presence was a constant source of astonishment. When Naruto and Sasuke argued over who would catch the lost cat, Kaien simply pointed to the tree it was hiding in. "He's there. He's scared because you're making too much noise."
When tasked with weeding, Kaien instantly identified which plants were harmful and explained their composition and effect on the soil. Kakashi, watching from afar, was perplexed. The supposed "mental delay" Tsunade had mentioned was a mountain-sized understatement. Kaien's intelligence was crystal clear.
Sakura and Ino, though not on Naruto's team, had started spending time with Kaien outside missions, curious about his unique mind.
One day, during a mission to weed an old lady's garden, Kaien noticed some of her plants near a wall were wilting.
"Grandma, your flowers are sad here. The wall doesn't let them breathe well," Kaien said, pointing at it.
The old woman, surprised by the child's bluntness, was stunned when Kaien, using his Eyes of Infinity, began describing the poor drainage and soil composition in detail—something no genin could have deduced without tools or deep expertise.
Kakashi, listening nearby, grew more and more intrigued. This wasn't just a dōjutsu. It was a form of perception beyond sight. After the mission, he approached Akari.
"Akari-san, Kaien's abilities… they're far more advanced than what Lady Tsunade described," Kakashi observed, his single eye fixed on her.
Akari remained calm, sticking to the plan. "Yes, Kakashi-sensei. He's very observant. It's how he copes with emotional developmental gaps. That's why Lady Tsunade wants him to observe the world—to learn and catch up. He needs that stimulation."
Kakashi nodded slowly, saying nothing more, though it was clear he didn't fully buy the explanation. However, he didn't challenge her. He had sensed Kaien's pure heart, and Akari's sincerity. He decided to keep a close eye on Kaien, but never reported anything to Danzo or the other elders.
Over time, Kaien continued joining Naruto on missions, becoming a constant and helpful presence. He never used his powers ostentatiously, but his direct observations and quiet support made the tasks far more efficient. He analyzed situations with unerring logic, proposed simple yet brilliant solutions, and sensed people's emotions—helping Naruto connect better with villagers.
Naruto, though still clumsy at times, was thrilled to have Kaien by his side. He didn't always grasp the depth of Kaien's insights, but he trusted his "super-smart friend." Their friendship, cemented by laughter and daily adventures, had become a cornerstone in both of their lives.
The story of Konoha, of the genin, and of the Hokage was being rewritten—not through war or destruction, but through the quiet influence of a being whose intelligence reached infinity, yet whose heart remained one of absolute purity. The destiny of Naruto, Team 7, and perhaps the entire world, was already being changed—joyfully and irrevocably—by Kaien.