After reminding Uchiha Kagami to take the two boys for their ninja registration, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his office.
The shinobi world wasn't exactly peaceful at the moment. As Hokage, he was swamped with work. Just the fact that he'd managed to find time in his packed schedule to observe the Genin test for Kaien and Minato was already a small miracle.
Besides, the new interpretation of the Will of Fire that had just come to him—he couldn't let that inspiration slip away. It had to be written down immediately. A future doctrine of the Will of Fire, a way to deepen the villagers' sense of identity and trust in Konohagakure.
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will burn. The fire's light will shine upon the village, giving rise to new buds. The sacrifices of the old generation aren't in vain—they become nourishment for the new leaves and once again illuminate the great tree that is Konoha…"
Hiruzen scribbled passionately in his office, finally capturing what he believed to be his most precise interpretation of the Will of Fire yet. He couldn't wait to share it with his old comrade, Danzō.
He was sure Danzō would be stunned.
Hiruzen allowed himself a small moment of pride.
...
Minato Namikaze examined his new forehead protector, smiling with satisfaction before tying it around his head.
The golden sunlight hit his blond hair, making it shine brilliantly. If anything, the headband only added to his already handsome appearance.
His hair was neatly parted to both sides of his forehead, giving off an effortless, clean-cut vibe.
Kaien couldn't help but feel a little envious.
That guy had finally shed his old "pretty boy" nickname—his masculine aura was growing stronger by the day. The title "Little Sun" really did suit him.
As for Kaien himself… he seemed to be headed more down the path of someone like Orochimaru—delicate, elegant, a kind of refined beauty. Sure, it was attractive, but when the hell would he finally stop looking like a loli?
What made it worse was that Kaien didn't give off a "creepy" or "sinister" vibe either. That only made things more confusing for people. He still got treated like some noble clan's pampered daughter visiting Konoha for a vacation.
Buy some sweets? Random uncles would give him discounts. Sometimes they'd even let him off the bill entirely.
Try to buy ninja tools? Shopkeepers would kindly advise him that little girls shouldn't play with such dangerous equipment.
Because to most people, the idea of Kaien being a ninja was absurd.
He'd long since learned to ignore it. It wasn't like he could control everyone's perceptions. And honestly, this face did come in handy from time to time.
But all of that was fine—until you had a direct comparison.
That bastard Minato. Why was he becoming more of a man by the day?
Kaien's mood soured, and he suddenly felt the urge to mess with Minato.
A true man of culture only needs a moment's whim to act—no hesitation, no second thoughts.
He stepped up in front of Minato, lips slightly parted.
"Minato, let me wear your headband."
Just a small, ordinary request. Nothing special. But this was how affection grew—through these everyday interactions, building comfort and familiarity until someone naturally accepted even your strangest asks.
Just like now.
"Sure."
Minato casually took the headband Kaien handed him.
"Where do you want it?"
"My forehead."
"Alright."
Back when they first started talking, Kaien might've used "help me." But now, it was "give me." That shift—from asking to expecting—took time. And Kaien had made it happen before even graduating the academy.
If he ever showed his true nature later on, Minato would just assume it was the trauma of battle that changed him—not that he'd always been like this.
Kaien was laying the groundwork for a future redemption arc.
After all, being chosen by Uchiha Madara meant he had to play the villain. But villains were always punching bags for the so-called "Child of Prophecy." So he had to set things up early.
If Old Man Madara ever lost to the protagonist, Kaien needed a clean escape route. He needed Konoha's recognition. He needed the groundwork in place.
That way, when the time came, he could turn things around with a 100% success rate.
...
The faint scent drifting from Kaien's body made Minato a little flustered.
So that was definitely Kaien.
He remembered that smell all too clearly. Half a year ago, on a rare day off, Minato had been wandering around the village when a blonde girl had suddenly walked up to strike up a conversation.
She bore a striking resemblance to himself. The moment he saw her, Minato knew who it really was.
Uchiha Kaien, using a transformation jutsu.
That fragrance gave it away instantly. And the blonde hair? Hardly anyone in the village had that.
Even when Kaien grilled him afterward about how he'd seen through the disguise, Minato kept that detail to himself.
Because honestly, Kaien's personality was way too much like a cat's. Mischievous, unpredictable. If you didn't keep at least one card hidden, he'd have you wrapped around his finger.
...
Minato's thoughts snapped back to the present as he looked down at Kaien from his taller height.
Poor guy. Because of his inherited condition, Kaien's growth had fallen behind.
'He's definitely planning something again,' Minato thought.
He could practically see the gears turning in Kaien's head. But based on the scent, this was definitely the real Kaien.
Kaien had closed his eyes, a faint smile on his delicate face as he patiently waited for Minato to tie the headband.
His slender, pale neck was completely exposed—unguarded. If anyone with ill intent had been here, it would've taken just one strike to end him.
That kind of vulnerability... it was a show of absolute trust.
[Affection +1 from Minato Namikaze]
Nice. Another free point in the affection meter.
Even after Minato finished tying the headband, no prank came. That... confused him a little.
"You weren't planning to mess with me again, were you?" he asked cautiously.
Kaien opened one eye and smirked.
"What, you could tell?"
Minato scratched the back of his head.
"Kinda... your face gave it away."
"I'm a respectable person. Why would I play childish pranks? We're Genin now, time to let go of that kind of immaturity."
Kaien gave him a sly little grin.
As for whether he actually planned to give up pranks—yeah, even he didn't believe that.
Without fun, life in this cold, unforgiving shinobi world would be unbearable.
Still, the fact that Minato thought the request was just normal—no suspicion at all—meant something was off.
Kaien shivered.
Maybe it was time to start nudging Minato and Kushina together...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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