The morning sun peeked over the horizon, bathing the river valley in a soft gold glow.Ishiki stared up at it, wincing slightly as a throb pulsed behind his temples.
"Looks like I woke up late today…" he muttered.
His scalp, forehead, and even the muscles around his eyes felt like they'd been squeezed dry.Using high-level Shadow Clone training for prolonged hours did that—every clone's accumulated exhaustion had slammed into his mind the moment they dispelled.
He reached up and rubbed the tender spot on his head.
Without hesitation, he pulled out the Doctor's Kit.
A soft hum.A flash of gentle green light.A cold spray.And then,A warm wave washed through his skull, dissolving the throbbing pain in seconds.
"Much better," Ishiki exhaled, shoulders relaxing as the last remnants of ache faded.
He opened his status panel.
----- STATUS -----
Name: Ishiki
Age: 12
Chakra: 70/70
Strength: 35
Ninjutsu:
• Shadow Clone — Advanced
• Transformation — Intermediate
• Body Replacement — Advanced
Taijutsu: Intermediate
Genjutsu: None
Affinity: None
< Gadgets: Reverse Cloak, Concentrated Food, Genius Helmet, Denkomaru, Doctor's Kit, Infinity Lasso >
Both Shadow Clone and Body Replacement had reached Advanced; the next stage was mastery, and from there, he could potentially evolve the jutsu into entirely new variants.Transformation had also hit Intermediate.
The progress ignited something inside him, addictive satisfaction.Training had become a thrill, a high, a reward in itself.
He resumed his "Saitama training," powering through his morning regimen, then headed for breakfast at the Chief's house. Afterwards, he made his way toward the Naki River.
And that's when he stumbled into a truly bizarre scene.
Izuna Uchiha and Tobirama Senju stood at the riverbank.
Both had their arms crossed.Both avoided looking directly at each other.Both radiated a level of awkwardness so powerful it could cut through steel.
It was as if the universe was forcing two magnets of the same polarity to stand side-by-side.
Finally, Izuna coughed.
"My brother's gadget can deflect ninjutsu," he said proudly.
Tobirama blinked."A… gadget like that exists?"
Recovering from his shock, Tobirama proudly countered:
"Well, my brother's gadget creates a special liquid that instantly recovers chakra and heals injuries!"
Izuna scoffed loudly.
"That sounds weak. My brother's gadget is clearly stronger."
Tobirama's eyebrow twitched violently.
"Stronger? STRONGER? Mine is FAR more useful! Can your gadget heal? Recover chakra? NO!"
"Can your gadget deflect fireballs?" Izuna snapped back. "Yours just turns your brother into a walking pharmacy!"
Chakra flared.Tempers snapped.Voices rose.
Within seconds, the two were locked in a childish screaming match.
Whose older brother's borrowed gadget was superior?
The answer, to them, was a matter of WAR.
And just as they both turned away in synchronised disgust,
Ishiki stepped between them.
"Who said those gadgets belong to your brothers?" Ishiki called out, walking toward them with a smirk."They're mine. I only lent them out."
The effect was instantaneous.
Both boys snapped their heads toward him,Eyes blazing.Jaw muscles are tightening.A long, simmering "I'm-going-to-kill-you" silence filled the air.
And in that moment, a perfect unspoken agreement passed between them.
For the sole purpose of defeating Ishiki…We can tolerate each other.Just for this.
A temporary union born from hatred toward a common enemy.
Ishiki raised an eyebrow as their killing intent intensified.
"So," he drawled, "when are you going to start today's fight?"
"IT'S OUR WISH!! WE DECIDE!!"They both yelled at him in perfect unison.
"Boring," Ishiki shrugged, turning away.
He headed back to the riverbank and resumed his training, refining Healing Release, honing Rasengan rotation, and pushing his chakra control into razor precision.
A familiar, booming, cheerful voice rang out behind him.
"Ishiki!"
Tobirama approached, waving.He handed Ishiki a sealed storage scroll.
"This is the payment my brother prepared for the gadget you lent him."
Ishiki's face lit up instantly.Rent collected.Perfect.
Izuna shuffled forward awkwardly.
"My brother… didn't give money," he admitted, embarrassed.
Ishiki tilted his head.
Izuna quickly added:
"But he promised the Sarutobi clan won't touch your village again, and they'll come apologise soon. You can get compensation from them for all the destroyed houses."
Ishiki froze for a moment.
Then,
His smile grew so wide it practically split his face.
Compensation. Money. Payment.Yes… This was perfect.
He was already calculating numbers in his head.
Hours passed. Ishiki trained relentlessly.
Shadow Clone drills.Healing Release attempts.Rasengan rotation refinements.Body Replacement illusions.
During breaks, he glanced at the two boys.
Not attacking.
Not arguing.
Not sulking.
They were quietly observing him.
Studying him.
Analysing him.
And then,Without a word, they slipped into the forest together, beginning a secret training session of their own.
Ishiki smirked.
"So… they finally teamed up," he muttered, pleased.
The entertainment had officially begun.
As the sky dimmed and twilight settled, Ishiki packed his things and began the walk back home, satisfied with yet another day of growth.
Tomorrow would be even more interesting.