Chapter 4: Chapter 4: A Dangerous Encounter
Kaito's body tensed as Zetsu's strange gaze locked on him. The dark, plant-like shinobi stood still, his expression unreadable but menacing. Half of his body was white, the other half a deep black, and his unsettling presence made Kaito's skin crawl.
"What do you want?" Kaito asked, keeping his voice as steady as he could. He didn't know what Zetsu wanted, but he knew this wasn't good. Zetsu wasn't just any ordinary spy; he was dangerous and a direct link to Madara Uchiha and the Akatsuki.
Zetsu gave a small, eerie smile. "I was just here to check something... but it seems I've found more than I expected." His voice was a strange mixture of two tones, one cold and detached, the other more curious.
Kaito knew he had to play this carefully. If Zetsu realized who he really was, things could get bad—fast. But he also couldn't let Zetsu leave with the knowledge of what he'd found here. The scrolls and secrets in the Uchiha Hideout were dangerous in the wrong hands.
"I'm just here… looking for something to protect my clan," Kaito said, trying to keep his voice neutral. He took a small step forward, his eyes narrowing. "You shouldn't be here, Zetsu."
Zetsu's smile widened. "Oh? You think you can stop me, boy?" The black half of Zetsu spoke now, his voice dripping with mockery. "I don't think you understand what you're up against."
Kaito's mind raced. He knew Zetsu wasn't a fighter like some of the other members of the Akatsuki, but he was still incredibly dangerous. His ability to merge with the earth, to spy and gather information without being noticed, made him nearly impossible to catch. But Kaito had one advantage: Zetsu didn't know that Kaito had knowledge of the future.
Zetsu took a step closer, his eerie, plant-like appendages swaying slightly as he moved. Kaito clenched his fists, feeling the chakra within him start to stir. He couldn't let Zetsu leave. If Zetsu reported back to Madara or anyone else in the Akatsuki, it could ruin everything.
"You don't belong here, Zetsu," Kaito said again, more firmly this time.
Zetsu chuckled softly. "Bold words for someone so young. But I have no interest in fighting you, boy. Not yet, anyway."
Without warning, Zetsu's body began to merge with the ground beneath him. His form melted into the rocky surface, disappearing as if he had never been there. Kaito's eyes widened as Zetsu's voice echoed through the chamber, disembodied and cold.
"Next time, you won't be so lucky."
Kaito cursed under his breath as Zetsu vanished completely. He knew this wasn't over. Zetsu would report what he had found here, and that would lead to trouble. But for now, Kaito was safe. He quickly turned his attention back to the scrolls, knowing he didn't have much time.
Kaito rushed back to the shelf where he had found the scroll about the Mangekyō Sharingan. He needed to take as much information as he could before anyone else showed up. There were more secrets here—secrets that could help him gain the strength he needed to protect the future he wanted to create.
His fingers skimmed the titles of the scrolls, his eyes scanning for anything that could be useful. Finally, he found another one that caught his attention. It was labeled "Uchiha Bloodline Techniques."
Quickly, Kaito pulled the scroll down and unrolled it. His eyes widened as he read the descriptions of techniques passed down through the Uchiha Clan. These were abilities he had only heard about in passing, but seeing them laid out in front of him felt surreal.
One technique in particular caught his attention: "Izanagi."
The scroll described it as a forbidden jutsu, one of the most powerful techniques the Uchiha could use. It allowed the user to rewrite reality itself, but at the cost of permanently losing sight in the Sharingan used to activate it.
Kaito's mind raced as he thought about the possibilities. If he could learn this technique, he could potentially change the outcomes of future battles, saving people who would otherwise die. But the cost was steep. Losing his Sharingan wasn't something he could afford—not yet, anyway.
"I'll come back for this," Kaito muttered, rolling the scroll up and placing it back on the shelf. He couldn't afford to get distracted. Right now, he needed to focus on getting stronger, not on learning techniques that could cripple him.
As he gathered a few more scrolls, a sudden noise made him freeze. His senses flared, and he felt a presence outside the hideout. Someone else was here.
Kaito quickly grabbed the scrolls he had selected and stuffed them into his bag. He moved swiftly towards the entrance, his mind racing. If it was Zetsu again, he would have to fight. But something told him it wasn't Zetsu this time.
He reached the mouth of the cave and peered out, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The forest was still and quiet, but he could feel the presence getting closer. Whoever it was, they were approaching fast.
Kaito's hand moved to the kunai strapped to his leg, ready to defend himself if necessary. But as the figure came into view, Kaito's eyes widened in surprise.
It was Shisui Uchiha.
Shisui, one of the most powerful members of the Uchiha Clan, known for his speed and mastery of the Sharingan. In the original timeline, Shisui had been Itachi's closest friend and had sacrificed himself to prevent the Uchiha from staging a coup against the village. But here, now, Shisui was very much alive—and he was staring directly at Kaito.
Kaito's heart raced. He hadn't expected to meet Shisui so soon, and certainly not like this. Shisui's expression was unreadable, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that told Kaito he was already suspicious.
"You shouldn't be here," Shisui said, his voice calm but firm.
Kaito swallowed hard. He had to think fast. Shisui was an ally in the original timeline, but right now, Kaito wasn't sure where he stood. If Shisui thought he was a threat, things could get dangerous.
"I'm just… looking for answers," Kaito said carefully, trying to keep his voice steady. "I need to protect our clan."
Shisui's eyes narrowed slightly. "And you think you'll find those answers here?"
Kaito hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I don't want what happened to our clan to be repeated."
Shisui studied Kaito for a long moment, his Sharingan glowing faintly. Finally, he sighed and lowered his guard slightly.
"We all want the same thing," Shisui said quietly. "But be careful, Kaito. The Uchiha's path is a dangerous one. Not everything in these scrolls is meant to be used."
Kaito nodded, his heart still pounding in his chest. He had survived this encounter, but he knew it wouldn't be the last. The Uchiha's secrets were dangerous, and the more he learned, the more he realized just how much was at stake.
As Shisui turned to leave, Kaito clenched his fists. He had to be ready. For the battles ahead, for the decisions he would have to make. And for the moment when he would face Itachi once more.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone