Chapter 9: The Silent Watcher

The next morning, Kaito was up even earlier than usual. The soreness from training with Shisui lingered in his muscles, a constant reminder of how far he still had to go. But it also fueled a fire within him. Every ache, every bruise felt like a step closer to being someone who could stand up for himself—and, maybe one day, even go head-to-head with someone like Itachi.

As he made his way to the training grounds, Kaito couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. He slowed his pace, scanning the surroundings. The village was quiet at this hour, with only a few villagers starting their day. Still, the feeling remained—a prickling sensation on the back of his neck, as if unseen eyes were tracking his every move.

Kaito gritted his teeth. Was he being paranoid, or was Itachi actually watching him? And if he was, why? It was a mystery that both intrigued and frustrated him.

When he arrived at the training grounds, Shisui was already waiting, though today, he wasn't alone. Two other Uchiha clan members stood beside him, both wearing the standard shinobi attire. Their eyes flickered with curiosity as they looked at Kaito, and he felt a flash of discomfort. Shisui greeted him with a nod and a smile.

"Kaito, I thought it might be time to expand your training a bit," Shisui said, gesturing to the two shinobi. "This is Aki and Ryo. They'll be sparring with you today."

Kaito blinked, momentarily taken aback. Sparring with more experienced shinobi wasn't what he'd expected, but the prospect excited him. It was a chance to test himself and to see if he'd truly improved.

Aki, a slim young woman with keen eyes, smiled at him. "Don't worry, we'll go easy on you," she said teasingly.

Ryo, a sturdier, silent man, simply gave a nod. There was no hint of amusement in his expression, only a quiet intensity.

Kaito squared his shoulders and nodded, trying to mask his nerves. "I'm ready."

The sparring session began with Aki. She was fast, her movements fluid and controlled, and it took everything Kaito had just to keep up with her. Her attacks came in quick, precise jabs, each one aimed to test his reflexes. He managed to dodge and block some, but she slipped past his defenses more often than he'd like.

Aki chuckled as she stepped back, pausing to let him catch his breath. "Not bad, but you're holding back. Stop worrying about getting hurt and focus on the fight."

Kaito took a deep breath, nodding. She was right. If he wanted to be taken seriously, he couldn't afford to hesitate.

They resumed, and this time, he pushed himself harder, forcing his mind to keep pace with her rapid strikes. He was rewarded with a small opening—a chance to counterattack. Without thinking, he lunged forward, managing to land a glancing blow on her arm. It wasn't much, but the brief flicker of surprise in her eyes told him he was improving.

Aki stepped back with a smile. "You're getting there. Keep that up, and maybe you'll catch up to Shisui one day."

Kaito grinned, but he could feel the fatigue setting in. Next up was Ryo, and from the moment they began, Kaito knew this would be a different experience. Ryo's movements were slower but far more powerful. His blows were like hammer strikes, each one sending shockwaves through Kaito's arms as he blocked. It took all his strength just to stay on his feet.

But he didn't back down. Instead, he used the defensive techniques Shisui had drilled into him, focusing on endurance rather than offense. Ryo nodded approvingly, his strikes slowing as he seemed to gauge Kaito's resilience.

Finally, Ryo stepped back, signaling the end of the spar. "You have determination, I'll give you that," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "With enough work, you might even make a decent shinobi."

Kaito exhaled, relief and pride flooding through him. It wasn't exactly high praise, but coming from Ryo, it felt like an achievement.

Shisui clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You did well today, Kaito. Keep up this pace, and you'll be a force to be reckoned with."

Kaito nodded, his mind buzzing with excitement. But as he turned to leave the training grounds, he felt that prickling sensation again—the one that told him someone was watching.

He glanced around, his eyes scanning the shadows. The training ground was empty save for him, Shisui, Aki, and Ryo. Yet the feeling persisted, lingering like a shadow at the edge of his vision.

"Is something wrong, Kaito?" Shisui asked, noticing his distracted look.

Kaito hesitated. "I… I keep feeling like I'm being watched," he admitted. "Ever since yesterday, it's like there's someone following me."

Shisui's expression grew serious. "It could be paranoia," he said slowly. "Or it could mean someone is interested in your progress."

"You mean Itachi?" Kaito asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. The idea that Itachi might be keeping tabs on him was unsettling. It felt like he was under a magnifying glass, every move scrutinized.

Shisui nodded thoughtfully. "It's possible. Itachi values strength and loyalty above all else. If he sees potential in you, he'll want to know how far you're willing to go. But remember, Kaito," he added, his voice softening, "you're not defined by anyone's expectations but your own."

Kaito's frustration faded, replaced by a newfound determination. He wouldn't let Itachi's gaze weigh him down. If he was being watched, then he'd give them something worth watching.

With a nod of gratitude to Shisui, Kaito left the training grounds, his thoughts more focused than ever. He'd find his own path, his own reason for becoming strong. And if Itachi was watching, then Kaito would make sure he had no regrets about letting him walk away.

As he walked through the village, he felt lighter, a sense of purpose filling his chest. The days of merely surviving were over. Now, he had a reason to strive, to push himself beyond his limits.

But as he disappeared down the path, a pair of watchful eyes remained fixed on him, hidden among the leaves.