The forest was quiet again.
Only the whisper of leaves and the soft hiss of the wind carried through the trees. The scent of smoke and ozone lingered where Kaelen's final strike had split the air.
Riku lowered his kunai. "Is… it over?"
Kiran-sensei scanned the treeline. "For now. He retreated."
He crouched beside Kaelen, whose Sage markings had begun to fade. "That technique—you weren't supposed to be capable of that yet."
Kaelen exhaled shakily. I wasn't… but something inside me pushed back. Maybe it's fear… or maybe it's just my will.
Haru handed him a water bottle. "You look like you fought an army."
Kaelen chuckled weakly. "Felt like it."
Riyomi's usual grin softened. "You scared us, idiot. You could've died."
Kaelen glanced at them, guilt flickering through his tired smile. "I knew you'd have my back. That's why I went for it."
Kiran looked toward the horizon, eyes narrowing. "That man, Kurota Gen… he's not some ordinary missing-nin. His movements were too measured. He was testing us."
"Testing?" Riyomi asked.
"Yeah," Kiran said quietly. "Like he was measuring the strength of this generation."
Silence hung heavy. The idea that someone powerful was watching, planning, sent a chill through them all.
Kaelen stood slowly, gripping his wooden sword. The faint pulse of blue light was gone, but the weapon felt… different. Alive. It resonated with my Sage chakra, he realized. It's changing too.
He smiled faintly. "Then we'll just have to get stronger before he comes back."
Kiran's lips curved into a rare smirk. "That's the spirit. But next time, don't push Sage energy unless I say so."
Kaelen nodded. "Got it, sensei."
The group began their slow trek back toward the village. The sunlight filtered through the trees, painting the path gold.
Riku slung his arm over Kaelen's shoulder. "You seriously need to teach me that glowing-eye trick."
Kaelen laughed softly. "Only if you teach me how to dodge better."
Their laughter echoed through the woods — tired but genuine. For a moment, the world felt peaceful again.
But high above, perched on a distant branch, a shadowy figure watched them leave. A glint of a forehead protector — slashed through — caught the light.
"So… the boy's awakened Sage Mode," the stranger murmured. "Interesting."
The wind carried his voice away, leaving only silence.
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