Chapter 13: Understanding
"Um..." Hinata tried to say something while fidgeting with her fingers.
Kaito looked at her while eating the bento that Hinata prepared for them. It was a very kind gesture.
When he first saw that Kaito became a little bit thoughtful. He could do them as well but totally ignored that fact and rarely prepared proper meals for him and his brother.
Looks like his laziness was showing in that point. But even his mindset was more on cooking a proper meal at home than actually take the time and prepare detailed stuff for school to only be wolfed down in a limited time.
So to make it up he thought to return the favor sometime.
Naruto was also extremely happy about not needing to eat that premade stuff from the convenience store.
It also seems Naruto started to appreciate freshly made cooking over fast food like cups of ramen.
There was even a time where he challenged Kaito's cooking. The theme was making delicious ramen.
Kaito nailed the challenge and even Teuchi who is an expert at ramen was amazed - he used his equipment by the way.
And at the end of it all, he even improved the nutrient value of nearly all recipes at Ichiraku's place.
Cooking at level 57, huh? Cheat-skills are really broken at some things. He probably could now take part in Shokugeki no Soma and win those kitchen battles.
That was what he felt like. Was it viable? That was another matter entirely.
Looking at Naruto he bumped his side lightly with his elbow to get him to pay attention.
"Is something the matter, Hinata-chan?", he asked while taking another bite. "The bento is tasty.", he remarked. Naruto still chomping down the food.
Hinata got a slight blush. "Um...This month...I celebrate...and I thought if...by any chance..." She was stuttering around with her words.
Kaito had to smile at how cute she looked to try and find her courage. Then he thought about something.
"Ah, it's your 8th birthday soon, isn't it? Do you want to invite us? Of course, we will come. Right, Naruto?" Kaito helped her out and grinned towards his brother.
"Hmm? Do we even have anything to gift to Hinata-chan?", asked Naruto back.
"Why are you suddenly thinking about something like that? We will manage to find something. How about an answer?", sighed Kaito.
"Sure, I don't mind." Then he grinned after rethinking something. "Right, we would get to see that huge house from inside."
"Looks like he easily agreed.", smiled Kaito back at Hinata.
"Um, actually, the celebration is somewhere else.", said Hinata and kinda crushed Naruto his hopes.
"Eh, really!? That´s a bummer..."
"Father says people not from the clan shouldn't come there...I am sorry." Hinata apologized.
"Hm? It´s alright. Where is it being held at?", asked Kaito. He had a clear understanding now why Hiashi would act like that. The kidnapping of his daughter and sacrifice of his twin probably made him somewhat paranoid.
"It´s that new burger place...", she said.
"Oh, I know that. Well, it certainly does have enough space. Are the others also coming?"
Hinata nodded. "Yes, I hope so. You are the first I asked."
Kaito smiled. "I see. Hey, how about we help you to ask everyone. That way it should be faster, right? Can't let you do everything."
"Yeah, I agree. I will talk to Sasuke.", nodded Naruto.
"Um, alright. Thank you.", she said.
"You're welcome. It is us that need to thank you. This is actually the first birthday party we are invited at.", explained Kaito.
"Really? But Shikamaru and the others..." Hinata looked at the others.
"Well, Shikamaru isn't the type to celebrate. Choji his family doesn't seem to have a favorable opinion of us because of something about only real friends are welcome and stuff? And Ino is not exactly close to us. She is spending more time with Sakura over there. But this is actually a good opportunity. We could get to know each other better. Maybe then we will see this happen more often.", grinned Kaito.
"I am also certain now that we will hold a party next year as well. And we will definitely invite our cute Hinata-chan.", he added.
Hinata blushed even harder now. "Really? I am glad."
"Yeah, believe it!", added Naruto with an excited grin. Just hearing his brother's words made him hyped. A party - it was something the two of them mostly had celebrated alone or lately at Ichiraku's with Teuchi and Ayame.
But never did they invite others of their age group. Naruto found it exciting. It even made him more excited about Hinata's birthday.
"Then this is settled now. Let us get to work after we finished eating, alright?"
"Got it. I will make sure that most of us will come to your birthday.", promised Naruto to Hinata.
She only nodded at him. Her face still red from her emotions.
And after they finished up they started to talk to everyone to get them to join.
It wasn't hard to convince Shikamaru and Chouji but it did take a little bit more effort to do so with the others. Sasuke especially.
But even that gloomboy accepted after Kaito told him he would do a sparing with him as compensation.
It has to be noted that he was always eager to measure his own skill with that of Kaito. He was so simpleminded it was already scary. Or was it called being blinded by revenge?
But Kaito did notice some change in him. At least if he compared him to the memories he had. His personality was a little bit softer. But maybe it was just always like that and he kept a cool image.
Come to think of the memories. Kaito was still unsure what to make of them. He did ask himself philosophical questions about his existence like who he was now.
Was he his old self before his rebirth or was he the new him - Kaito. Or was he a new being with a new personality entirely?
It drove him literally somewhat mad. He knew about stuff but even that seemed to be with gaps. There were still a lot of things missing. At least he felt like it did.
He could neither remember his old name nor age but things like certain happy and horrible moments of his previous life were still there - as vivid as if they happened yesterday.
It was just weird. Just the fact that he himself should have not existed here made him sad and angry at the same time. The feeling of him being just a placeholder somewhat lets him feel depressed.
Looking at his brother he could only sigh.
"Is something the matter?", asked Naruto.
Kaito wanted to say nothing at first but thought about yesterday. A smile appeared on his face. 'This fool just genuinely worries about me...I guess I am part of this reality now.'
"I am just thinking about some stuff. I think I should start to intensify our training regime."
"What!? Really!? Do we have to?" Naruto became somewhat shocked and started pleading for it not to be the case. He dreaded the training lately.
"No, it has to be done.", said Kaito with a stern face now. It really has to be. Only a few years remain until the exam. He was not worried about it but more about the events after it.
Now that he also had his memories back he should start intensifying his training. Trying to use everything to his advantage.
And with his life experiences, he could also start to understand the laws in this world better and apply some measures as well.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone