48 Kaito chapter 48

Kaito chapter 48

A small smile graced Hotaru's lips as she replied, "I'm fine, just a few scratches."

Itachi also approached them and inquired about their well-being. Shikaku watched from a distance before walking over and asking if everyone was alright.

With nods of assurance from all three of them, Shikaku let out an exasperated sigh. "What a drag." He then escorted them to the place where they would be staying for the time being.

…

As the first rays of dawn broke through the clouds, Team 11 gathered at the imposing gates of the city. Shikaku stood at the front, his commanding presence urging his team forward.

"Alright team, let's move," he said in a low but firm voice, leading them out of the capital city of the Land of Iron.

Kaito, carrying a wounded Hotaru on his back, followed closely behind. He had volunteered to carry her despite his own fatigue and injuries.

With Itachi gracefully leaping through the trees alongside them, they quickly caught up to Shikaku. But as they continued their journey, Kaito couldn't help but notice that Hotaru seemed lost in thought.

"What's wrong, Hotaru-chan?" he asked softly, glancing at her with concern.

She snapped out of her reverie and looked at him with a small smile. "Oh...I was just thinking about something."

"What is it?" Kaito pressed, wanting to ease her worries.

Hotaru hesitated before speaking up. "I don't understand why they attacked Mr. Kazuma if we were their target."

Itachi also chimed in with a thoughtful hum. "I also dont know why they did that."

Kaito furrowed his brow in deep thought. "I have a guess...but I'm not entirely sure."

All eyes turned to their sensei who waited patiently for Kaito to continue. Taking a deep breath, he spoke up. "I think it was an attempt to create diplomatic problems with the Land of Iron. To damage our reputation and cause strain between our villages."

Shikaku let out a low hum in agreement. "Close enough. It's most likely a ploy to give Konoha a bad image and disrupt our alliances."

Hotaru simply nodded in understanding, her mind racing with possible implications of this revelation.

After two long days of traveling at full speed, the team finally arrived back in Konoha. The journey had been exhausting, but they were relieved to be back in familiar territory. The reason for their extended travel time was due to their duty of escorting a client, which forced them to travel at a slower pace. But now, with no one to accompany them, they were able to shorten the trip to just two days.

As they entered the village gates, Shikaku quickly led them to the guard house where they were checked in by the vigilant guards. Kaito couldn't help but notice the tense atmosphere among the guards, but he simply shrugged it off as he followed Shikaku's lead.

Once inside, Shikaku addressed the team with a serious tone. "Alright, we need to take Hotaru to the Konoha hospital to check if she is healing properly."

Hotaru protested vehemently, her voice rising in pitch and volume. "But sensei, I feel perfectly fine! There's no need for me to go to the hospital."

However, Kaito interjected with a serious tone. "I agree with Sensei. As a self-taught healer, I am not confident in my abilities. It's better to have professionals examine you just to be safe."

Feeling defeated, Hotaru let out a sigh and reluctantly conceded. "Fine."

Just as Shikaku was about to respond, an ANBU appeared before him in a kneeling position. "Lord Shikaku, you have been requested to meet with the Hokage immediately upon your return from the mission."

Concerned, Shikaku asked, "What is the matter?"

The ANBU replied with urgency. "A few days after you left on your mission, it was discovered that Orochimaru-sama was conducting illegal experiments on orphans. When the news broke out, he fled the village and is now classified as an S-class rogue ninja."

Shikaku wasted no time and said decisively, "I will come right away."

Turning to his genin squad, he instructed them sternly. "You two take Hotaru to the hospital and then have the next three days off." Without waiting for a response, he used shunshin to disappear from sight.

Kaito looked at Hotaru. "Come on, Hotaru-chan. Let's get you checked out." He turned to Itachi and said, "Itachi, I'll take care of Hotaru. You should head back home."

Itachi wanted to protest, but Kaito convinced him that it might take a long time because he also wanted to get a check-up at the hospital. After saying their goodbyes, Kaito and Hotaru left together, leaving Itachi to make his way home.

After spending a few hours in the hospital, both of their injuries were deemed to be minor and they were given the green light to leave. Kaito kindly offered to carry Hotaru back to her home, but she stubbornly insisted on walking, determined to prove that she was capable of it.

Kaito couldn't help but notice her determination and knew that the only reason he had offered to carry her was to speed up their travel time.

As they made their way through the bustling streets, Kaito kept a watchful eye on Hotaru, making sure she didn't stumble or strain herself. Eventually, they arrived at the grand Hyuga compound where Kaito walked her all the way to her doorstep

After saying his goodbyes to Hotaru, Kaito eagerly began sprinting towards his house. The familiar path was etched into his mind and he could practically feel the warmth of home calling out to him. As he approached the Uzumaki residence, excitement bubbled in his chest.

Bursting through the front door, Kaito announced his arrival with a loud cheer, "Mom, I'm back!"

Kushina appeared in the doorway of the kitchen, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her son. She quickly rushed to Kaito and pulled him into a tight embrace, "Welcome back, Kaito-kun! I've missed you so much." Kaito returned the hug, feeling a sense of comfort wash over him at the

Kaito held onto her tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over him. Finally releasing the hug, Kaito couldn't help but ask, "Where's Naruto?"

Kushina let out a hearty laugh and replied with a mischievous grin, "Come."

Kushina led Kaito to the bustling kitchen, where Naruto and one of Kaito's clones were playing together. Kaito greeted his mother with a smile and ruffled Naruto's hair before releasing the clone.

After a few moments, Kaito began recounting all the information he had gained from the clone's memories. "Come sit, Kaito-kun," Kushina said, gesturing to a chair at the table. "You have to tell me about your mission."

As they sat down to eat Kushina's delicious cooking, Kaito shared every detail of his mission with her. He didn't hold back, telling her everything from their encounter with the Cloud genin to the intense battle against the two-tailed jinchuriki.

Kushina's anger flared as she cursed at Shikaku for not properly protecting them. But when Kaito revealed that Shikaku had been with Mifune during the fight, she calmed slightly.

When Kaito mentioned Hotaru and that she had been injured during the fight, she immediately asked for updates on her condition.

kaito told his mother that hotaru was fine she had a stab would on her arm and he was able to healed her after the fight.

Kaito continued on, telling her about their battle against the two-tailed jinchuriki. Despite facing such a powerful opponent, Kushina couldn't help but feel proud of her son and his comrades for handling the situation so bravely.

Once they finished their dinner, Kaito and his family sat around the table, exchanging stories and catching up on each other's lives.

As the night grew late, Kaito bid them goodnight and retreated to his room. After a relaxing bath, he climbed into bed and gazed up at the ceiling with a blissful smile on his face

Kaito felt overwhelming happiness flood through his body. "Orochimaru has finally defected," he thought to himself, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now I can finally get my revenge."

The thought of making danzo pay for crossing him brought a wicked smirk to Kaito's lips. "oh Danzo...oh, Danzo," he chuckled to himself. "I'll make you regret ever messing with mom." With determined thoughts swirling through his mind, Kaito drifted off to sleep with a satisfying grin on his face that promised retribution to those who had wronged

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