Chapter 5

Kaito's training had taken on a new focus. At five years old, he'd realized that constantly pushing his body to the limits with strength training could risk stunting his growth. Instead, he adapted his routine, concentrating on building endurance. A steady, long-term approach would suit his goals better, strengthening him without hindering his development.

Each morning, he started his day with a light jog around Konoha, covering as much ground as his stamina allowed. The village streets were quiet in the early hours, and he enjoyed the solitude and rhythm of his breathing and footsteps. His stamina steadily increased over the weeks, and he began pushing himself further each day, setting landmarks around the village as distance goals to keep him motivated. By the time the village started bustling with activity, he was usually finishing up, his legs burning pleasantly from the exertion.

Jogging gave him a sense of freedom and purpose, but more importantly, it provided a foundation that he knew would pay off. Endurance would help him with everything from long training sessions to prolonged battles in the future. And though he was young, he felt like he was steadily preparing for the demands of the Academy.

After his jog, Kaito would settle into a spot near a tree or in a quiet corner of his family's yard, crossing his legs and closing his eyes for meditation. Meditation had become a ritual for him, a way to calm his mind and focus his senses. His understanding of chakra was still limited—he knew he had it, but he didn't know the methods for properly drawing it out or controlling it. However, he could feel that meditation was helping to strengthen his connection to it.

He focused on his breathing, drawing each breath in deeply and exhaling slowly, feeling for the faint warmth of chakra within his core. Sometimes, he'd succeed in sensing a flicker of that warmth, but it was elusive, like trying to cup water in his hands. He reminded himself that progress would come with time and patience. His maxed-out Mental Energy and Will attributes kept him focused, and he felt himself growing a little closer to his chakra each day, building the mental discipline he'd need to wield it in the future.

Kaito's father, Toshiro, was a shinobi. He wasn't from one of Konoha's famous clans, but he had earned the respect of his fellow shinobi through his dedication and skill as a Chunin. Though Toshiro's duties sometimes kept him away from home, he always made an effort to spend time with his family, sharing stories of missions (filtered for his children's ears) and small shinobi tricks with Kaito, inspiring his son's determination to train.

Kaito also had a younger sibling, Haruto, who was just as bright-eyed and curious as he was. Haruto idolized Kaito, often trailing behind him and mimicking his moves, even though he was still too young to join in Kaito's training sessions. Kaito didn't mind his little brother's presence; in fact, he found it refreshing to have someone to share his days with. Haruto's presence was a reminder that Kaito wasn't just training for himself—he wanted to be strong enough to protect his family, especially his younger brother, who looked up to him so much.

Their mother, Emiko, balanced the household, supporting Toshiro's shinobi duties while raising both boys. She wasn't a shinobi, but she possessed a strength and resilience that Kaito admired. She ran their home with efficiency and warmth, keeping things stable for the family even when Toshiro was away. Though she sometimes worried that Kaito pushed himself too hard, she was proud of his diligence, admiring his sense of purpose and commitment.

This family support gave Kaito a stable foundation, a rare privilege in the shinobi world. He was grateful for it, knowing that not all young shinobi had such a solid backing.

After meditation, Kaito would often retreat to his room to read, passing the time with whatever book he could find in the house. Since his family had only a modest collection of books, he took a keen interest in all of them. Some were historical records about Konoha's founding and the early years of the village, while others were practical guides on survival and basic shinobi tactics that his father kept around for reference.

Though his books weren't as specialized as the ones owned by the elite clans, he found wisdom in the pages. He read about Konoha's military strategies and the principles that guided the Hokage, and he absorbed every detail, knowing that these insights could one day give him an edge. He read about past wars and conflicts, gaining a deeper understanding of the village's struggles and the duty that each shinobi bore.

In addition to these books, Toshiro occasionally taught Kaito simple shinobi skills like basic stances or how to sharpen his focus in battle. While they were often brief lessons due to Toshiro's schedule, Kaito absorbed every word, integrating these insights into his training routine. His father's approval meant a lot to him, and he wanted to make his family proud, using every bit of knowledge he gained to get closer to his goal.

Kaito's disciplined routine in jogging, meditation, and self-study had led to gradual but noticeable progress. His endurance and mental clarity were growing, and he was now on the path to reaching a higher level of taijutsu. Though he was still young, his steady progress was starting to show, giving him confidence.

Name: Kaito

Age: 5 years

Strength: 8

Intelligence: 5

Wisdom: 6

Dexterity: 7

Constitution: 8

Chakra: 0.15 K.U. (15% of Kakashi's Chakra)

Taijutsu Skill: Basic Taijutsu (Mid Genin level)

Battle Power: 30

Kaito's battle power had reached 30, placing him at the level of a solid Genin. His daily jogging had improved his Constitution, giving him more endurance and stamina, and his Intelligence and Wisdom had grown from his steady reading and meditation. These small increases encouraged him to keep pushing forward, step by step.

Kaito knew he still had a long way to go, but he felt a deep satisfaction from his steady progress. The Academy was only a short time away, and he was determined to enter with a solid foundation. His time spent reading had given him a better understanding of Konoha, and his daily routine was helping him lay the groundwork for both physical and mental resilience.

As he watched his father return from a mission one evening, Kaito felt a surge of gratitude for his family. They supported him and inspired him every day. His little brother, Haruto, looked at him like he was the strongest person in the world, and his mother and father gave him a safe, loving home to grow up in.

He knew his path would be hard, especially without a clan to support him, but he had something even more precious: a family who believed in him. And he was determined to make them proud.