"I remember your stamina is pretty good."
"So your task is simple," Kaito said calmly.
"Go look around nearby for anything edible—fruits, wild plants, mushrooms. About ten to fifteen pounds should do. Only plants and fruits, no animals."
"Oh, and wear this vest while you're at it."
After leaving the limestone cave and reaching the main road, Kaito finished speaking and helped Yahiko put on a training vest.
It looked like it weighed ten pounds.
In reality, it was set to fifty.
Yahiko's body instantly sank.
"Director—weren't you supposed to teach me how to make big money through business? What does gathering food have to do with that?"
"It has everything to do with it," Kaito replied.
"Just do it."
"…Alright."
Yahiko accepted his fate and set off.
Kaito walked a short distance away, formed a single hand sign.
"Shadow Clone."
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!
"Two per group. Watch carefully."
"Yes!" ×4
"Dismiss."
The clones vanished.
Kaito yawned and headed toward a nearby town to get something to eat. He couldn't keep burning through long-term rations forever.
Inside the cave, Konan quickly discovered that the kitchen knife was both heavy and dull.
"…How am I supposed to cut one-millimeter slices with this thing?!"
She had just killed a fish and was already close to losing her mind.
Honglian spoke up beside her.
"Sister Konan, you can use Wind-Release chakra."
"Wind Release?" Konan frowned. "How would I even—"
Before she could finish, Honglian pulled a small metal case from her bag, took out a beautifully crafted scalpel, and lightly infused it with Wind-Release chakra.
Slash.
The fish's head split cleanly.
Konan froze.
"You… you already know advanced ninjutsu at your age?"
Honglian shook her head while washing the scalpel and putting it away.
"This is just basic chakra application. The cut wasn't even clean."
"Teacher said once I fully master Wind-Release nature transformation, my strikes will be much sharper."
Konan finally understood.
"So cooking as a hobby… is actually training chakra nature transformation?"
"I get it now!"
She immediately regained motivation and began practicing seriously.
Nearby, Nagato overheard the exchange—and realized the purpose behind Kaito's method.
But looking down, he saw two ruined water-pens by his feet.
One had burst and scorched itself.
The other had crumbled into powder.
Molecular imbalance. Too much uncontrolled elemental chakra.
"I can't break any more…" Nagato muttered nervously.
"I don't want to sleep in this pitch-black cave again."
He raised his pen carefully.
"I used fire and earth before… maybe wind this time?"
"I need to be careful."
A hidden shadow clone watched silently.
Idiot.
Wind can separate molecules—but only with refined control.
Fire overheats them.
Earth compresses them too much.
Crack.
The pen snapped cleanly in half.
"Another one broken!" Nagato nearly collapsed.
"Use water."
Nagato turned around.
"…Director?"
The shadow clone nodded.
"Water is gentler. The goal was never difficulty—you only needed to guide ink onto the board."
"Oh! You're a shadow clone!"
The clone glanced subtly in one direction.
They're still watching…
Even Black Zetsu was deep in thought.
This teaching method… it's far better than Jiraiya's.
If this man truly makes Nagato strong… this is bad. I need another Uchiha—fast.
Training officially began.
Day one: complete failure.
All three failed their objectives and had their chakra sealed, forced to sleep inside the cave.
Three sleepless heads stared into the darkness.
Even Black Zetsu, forced to keep watch, felt his sanity slipping.
If this guy is a good person, I'll chop my own head off.
Day ten:
Nagato successfully drew several strokes using Water-Release.
Konan could cut fish using Wind-Release.
Yahiko was still gathering supplies.
Day twenty:
Nagato completed his first painting.
Konan produced a three-millimeter slice.
Yahiko wandered farther and nearly clashed with Rain ninja.
After one month:
Nagato and Konan succeeded.
Yahiko did not.
Kaito had them demonstrate.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
"Paper Release: Paper Shuriken!"
The enhanced paper blades sliced cleanly through a tree.
Yahiko stared, completely jealous.
"Why did it become so strong?" Nagato asked.
Konan answered calmly, "Because my Wind-Release control became more refined."
Kaito nodded.
"That's correct."
He turned to Yahiko.
"Your training starts now."
"…And it will hurt."
"ROOM."
Kaito placed his hand on Yahiko's head.
"AAAAAA—!"
Cells burned. Necrosis appeared.
Fourth attempt—one drop of blood successfully fused.
"Even with good physical conditioning, forming resistance without a bloodline is hard."
Yahiko collapsed unconscious.
The next morning.
"…Did I get more handsome?" Yahiko blinked.
"No," Nagato replied. "You're just delusional."
Kaito sipped breakfast calmly.
"Your task remains the same today."
Later, Black Zetsu finally relaxed when Nagato stopped chakra training.
Inside, Kaito began a lecture.
"What have you learned this month?"
Honglian answered first.
"This country lacks food, resources, and people get sick easily."
Kaito smiled.
"Exactly."
He turned serious.
"Peace is not created by strength alone."
"Without food, without money, without stability—peace is impossible."
He raised a final question.
"If you must choose between protecting your companions… or strangers—who do you choose?"
Honglian raised her hand instantly.
"My teacher and my parents."
Kaito nodded.
"That's correct."
Thus, the plan was set.
Month one: foundations.
Month two: balance and perspective.
Month three: travel.
They would leave Rain Country on foot—
And step into a much larger world.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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