Chapter 8: A Shadow’s Intent

The morning sun was barely up, but Kaito was already wide awake. Sleep had been difficult, with memories and questions swirling in his mind. He couldn't forget the encounter with Itachi—why would someone as formidable as him, an ANBU, let Kaito walk away?

As he made his way to the training grounds, he replayed the encounter over and over, searching for some hidden meaning in Itachi's words, or a clue he might have missed. Every step only added to his frustration. If Itachi wanted to, he could have stopped him in an instant. Yet he hadn't.

Kaito clenched his fists as he walked. "Am I being tested? Or am I just... being watched?"

He arrived at the training grounds, where Shisui was already waiting, his expression calm yet sharp. There was a faint intensity in his eyes that hinted he was more than ready to push Kaito today. Perhaps he'd sensed the turmoil brewing within him.

"Good to see you up early," Shisui greeted him with a nod. "But you look distracted, Kaito. What's eating at you?"

Kaito hesitated but decided there was no point in holding back. "It's about Itachi," he admitted. "The fact that he just… let me go. He's ANBU, right? Isn't he supposed to stop anyone who might be a threat?"

Shisui's smile faded as he considered the question. He looked at Kaito thoughtfully, as though choosing his words carefully. "Itachi's… complicated. He doesn't make impulsive decisions. If he let you go, it's because he sees something in you, something that tells him you're not a threat. At least, not yet."

"Not yet?" Kaito felt a chill run down his spine. It was like having a shadow hanging over him, and every move he made could be scrutinized by one of the most skilled shinobi in the village.

Shisui put a hand on Kaito's shoulder, his gaze reassuring yet intense. "Itachi might be watching you, yes. But he's not out to get you, Kaito. If anything, he's probably waiting to see if you're strong enough to carry the weight of the Uchiha name. And that's something we'll work on. Come on, it's time for training."

With that, Shisui stepped back and adopted a ready stance. His eyes gleamed, and Kaito sensed that this wasn't going to be an easy session.

"Let's see how well you can defend yourself," Shisui said, launching forward with speed that took Kaito by surprise.

Kaito barely had time to react as Shisui closed the gap between them in a split second. He threw up his arms in defense, but Shisui's blow was precise, slipping past his guard and landing squarely on his shoulder. The impact sent him stumbling back, his arm throbbing from the force.

"Too slow," Shisui said, his tone uncharacteristically sharp. "You need to think faster, anticipate my moves."

Kaito gritted his teeth, steadying himself. He hadn't expected Shisui to go all out, but perhaps this was exactly what he needed to shake off his doubts. He adopted a fighting stance, focusing on Shisui's movements.

Shisui came at him again, this time with a series of quick jabs and feints. Kaito's mind raced, trying to keep up, but Shisui's movements were fluid, almost effortless. Each time he thought he'd predicted the next move, Shisui would shift, striking from a different angle.

Frustration built within him as he struggled to land a single hit. Shisui was relentless, his attacks precise and unyielding. But amidst the struggle, something began to click. He stopped trying to anticipate each move individually and started focusing on Shisui's rhythm instead.

Finally, he saw an opening—a brief gap in Shisui's defenses as he shifted his weight. Without thinking, Kaito lunged forward, aiming a punch toward Shisui's side. But just as he thought he'd landed a hit, Shisui sidestepped, catching Kaito's arm and flipping him onto the ground.

"Good try," Shisui said, a hint of approval in his voice as he offered Kaito a hand up. "You're starting to see the flow of a fight. But you're still hesitating. If you don't commit to your attacks, you'll never break through."

Kaito took his hand, breathing heavily. The ground beneath him felt solid, grounding him amidst his swirling thoughts. "It's just… hard to focus when I feel like there's always someone watching, waiting for me to slip up."

Shisui's expression softened, and he let go of Kaito's hand, folding his arms thoughtfully. "That pressure, Kaito… it's part of being an Uchiha. We're always under watch, by others and by ourselves. But don't let it hold you back. Instead, use it to sharpen yourself. Become someone even Itachi would think twice about underestimating."

Kaito took a deep breath, letting Shisui's words sink in. Maybe this was the answer he'd been looking for. He couldn't control Itachi's actions, but he could control his own growth. And if he grew strong enough, perhaps he'd find the answers on his own terms.

They resumed training, each round more intense than the last. Kaito's confidence grew with each block, dodge, and counterattack. He could feel his instincts sharpening, the doubt gradually being replaced by something stronger: resolve.

As they wrapped up, Shisui clapped him on the back, his usual smile returning. "You did well today. Keep this up, and one day, you'll understand why Itachi made the choices he did."

Kaito nodded, a newfound determination in his eyes. This wasn't just about survival anymore. It was about proving that he could stand on his own—and that he wouldn't be crushed under the weight of the Uchiha name.

But as he walked back from training, that lingering feeling of being watched crept back. Was it paranoia, or something real? He cast a glance over his shoulder, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows.

Only the trees stood behind him, their branches swaying in the breeze. But deep down, Kaito knew Itachi was watching—somewhere out there, waiting for him to make his next move.