Training Begins

"This leaf concentration practice can help me improve both my chakra control and focus," Kibishi muttered to himself, recalling the time Iruka scolded Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji for their lack of concentration.

He stood beneath a tree, collecting fallen leaves with care. He scrutinized each one, searching for the perfect leaf to begin his training. "Not this one, it has holes... and this one's too fragile." He held up a particularly pristine leaf. "Ah, this one will do."

Placing the leaf carefully on his forehead, Kibishi focused his chakra. He felt a strange energy circulating through his body—a sensation both foreign and familiar.

So, this is what chakra feels like... It's the Chakra Pathway System, he thought, fascinated by the sensation.

He struggled to hold the leaf in place at first, but after a minute, he managed to keep it steady for two minutes before it fell. Frustrated but determined, he continued the leaf concentration training for two more hours, his focus unwavering.

Suddenly, his grandmother's voice broke his concentration. "Kibishi, are you hungry? I brought some takoyaki."

His stomach growled at the mention of food. "Coming, Grandma Kirina!" Kibishi dusted off his pants and shirt before running back to the house.

"Grandma, what took you so long?" he asked, noticing she had only brought a small amount of ingredients despite being gone for a while.

"Oh, I had just finished gathering the ingredients for dinner when your grandpa called me to go to the Hyuga compound. The clan head had a newborn child, and we went there for a small celebration," she explained.

"I only stayed for about an hour and a half," she added with a playful smile, "because I knew you'd be hungry. Aren't I the best grandma in the world?" She puffed her chest out proudly, looking at the ceiling with a grin.

Kibishi chuckled, a wave of nostalgia washing over him as he remembered his family on Earth. I hope they're okay, he thought, feeling a pang of homesickness.

On impulse, he hugged his grandmother, wrapping his small arms around her thighs. Kirina bent down and embraced him warmly. "Yes, Grandma, you're the best in the world," he said, smiling. Acting like a child isn't so bad sometimes.

"Now, eat your food before it gets cold," Kirina said as they sat down to eat. After their meal, Kibishi returned to the backyard to continue his leaf concentration training. By the time he stopped, the sun was setting, and he had managed to hold the leaf for an impressive 23 minutes.

At this pace, I should be able to hold it for an hour in about three days. In a week or less, I'll be able to keep it until my chakra runs out. Kibishi mentally planned out his training. After dinner, I'll do some planning and meditate for an hour or two.

As he headed inside, he heard his grandmother calling from the kitchen. "Kibishi, go take a shower. Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes."

Obeying her instructions, Kibishi took a quick shower. When he emerged, dressed and refreshed, he noticed that his grandfather had returned—and he was slightly drunk. Kibishi sat down at the table, his eyes on his grandfather, who beckoned him over.

"Kibishi, come here. I have something important to tell you," Bishiro said, his voice serious despite his inebriation.

A cold shiver ran down Kibishi's spine as he took a seat across from his grandfather. What's going on? he wondered, bracing himself.

Meanwhile, deep underground in Konoha, a different kind of conversation was unfolding.

"Is it confirmed that 'that man' unlocked the Mangekyo Sharingan?" asked a man with a bandage covering his right eye and arm—Danzo.

"Yes, Lord Danzo," replied a masked man in a black cloak. "One of his teammates let it slip while drunk, boasting about how 'that man' single-handedly took down two Jounin and fifteen Chuunin from Kumogakure."

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Good work. This may explain the Nine-Tails attack on our village five years ago. The Uchiha likely used their cursed eyes to control the Kyuubi, leading to the death of our Fourth Hokage and countless others. Fugaku's rejection as Hokage was no accident."

The roots around Danzo released a wave of bloodlust, many of them survivors of the Kyuubi's rampage. Danzo, ever the opportunist, had saved and brainwashed them to serve in his secret organization.

"Send Bachi Aburame to spy on 'that man.' Use his insects, and ensure he isn't detected," Danzo ordered.

"Yes, Lord Danzo," the masked figure replied before disappearing with the others.

Alone now, Danzo removed the bandage from his eye. "Thank you, my old friend Yagami. Your eye has served me well, but its time is nearing an end. I'll need a replacement soon," he said with a chilling smile, his ambitions ever-growing.

Back at the Senju Compound, the evening was far more peaceful, though not without its own surprises.

As Kibishi and his grandparents sat down for dinner, the usual chatter filled the air, accompanied by stories of Bishiro and Kirina's glory days. Everything was going smoothly until Bishiro casually dropped a bombshell.

"Kibishi, I've arranged a marriage between you and Hiashi's newborn daughter. The marriage will take place in eighteen years."

"WHAAT?!" Kibishi's shout echoed throughout the compound, startling the neighbors. His grandmother giggled while his grandfather winked at him, as if he'd done Kibishi a huge favor.

"Why are you shouting, Kibishi? You've woken up the whole compound," Kirina teased, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Grandma!" Kibishi whined, exasperated. "How can I marry someone I don't even know? She's a newborn!"

"Didn't you hear your grandpa? You'll be marrying her in eighteen years. By then, you'll know each other well," Kirina explained, as if the arrangement made perfect sense.

"But what about love? How can I marry someone I don't love? And she'll probably feel the same way!" Kibishi sighed internally. Acting like a child is exhausting.

"What do you know about love, Kibishi? Look at me and your grandpa. We had an arranged marriage, and we grew to love each other," Kirina said, her voice soft with nostalgia.

Kibishi's eyes widened. An arranged marriage between a Senju and an Uzumaki? Was this all part of some bigger plan? He pondered the implications, his mind spinning.

His grandfather, meanwhile, nodded along enthusiastically, clearly amused by the whole situation. Kibishi glanced over at him and groaned inwardly. Why does he look so... in love right now?

"Enough about that," Bishiro said suddenly, changing the subject. "Kirina, bring the chakra paper. We need to check Kibishi's nature affinity."

Kibishi's eyes lit up with excitement. Finally! I was going to ask Mother yesterday, but I forgot. Let's see what my chakra nature is.

If I get lightning, that'll be perfect for destruction and speed. Kibishi thought, his mind racing. My second choice would be wind—great for wide-range attacks and penetration. Either way, I'm ready to see what I've got.