3 months later…
POV: Koi
Today… was awesome.
I woke up early, before the sun even got up. I jumped out of bed so fast, I think I scared Mama. She was still stretching when I ran into the kitchen.
"It's my birthday!!" I yelled.
She smiled at me, her hair a mess. "I know, baby. Happy birthday."
Papa came out next, rubbing his eyes. "So loud… so early…"
"Because I'm six now!" I said, spinning in a circle. "Six is older than five, which means I'm super grown up now."
Mama giggled. "Mm-hmm, very grown up. Why don't you help set the table then, Mister Grown Up?"
"Okay… wait, what?!" I blinked.
She laughed again and handed me the plates.
After breakfast, I changed into my favorite outfit — dark blue pants and my red shirt with the Uchiha fan on the back. Mama even gave me a headband to keep my hair out of my face.
"I look like a real ninja now!" I said, staring at myself in the mirror.
Papa patted my head. "Just don't start charging villagers for missions yet."
The village square was full of people when we got there. Colorful streamers, food stalls, and a big wooden table stacked with presents waited for me.
"WOAH!" I gasped.
The other kids from the village were already running around, tossing snowballs and chasing each other. Some of the grown-ups were dancing, others just drinking and laughing together.
"Look, Koi! A target game!" one kid shouted, waving me over.
It was a game with kunai, where you had to throw them at wooden boards.
I ran over and threw my first one. Thunk! It hit the outer ring. Not bad.
"You've been training," one of the dads said.
I grinned. "Yep! I'm gonna be the coolest ninja in the world!"
"Right after me," Papa said behind me.
I looked back at him and stuck out my tongue. "No way!"
We played games for hours. There was tug-of-war, ninja obstacle courses, and even a snowball team battle. I was the leader of my team.
"Attack formation!" I shouted, diving behind a pile of snow. We charged and took the win by sneaking around the side.
Even Mama joined in. She hit Papa right in the face with a snowball and he stood there with snow dripping down his face.
"I… surrender," he said, wiping it off.
Everybody laughed.
The food was amazing too. Meat skewers, dumplings, rice balls, sweet buns, and a big warm pot of stew. I ate so much my belly hurt. There was even cake!
Big, fluffy vanilla cake with a swirl of red frosting and little black candles shaped like kunai.
Mama clapped her hands. "Make a wish, Koi."
I closed my eyes.
I wish I can protect everyone. Forever.
Then I blew out all the candles in one breath.
After the sun started to go down, people slowly left to go home. They gave me presents, hugs, and pats on the head.
When we got back to the house, I had a big pile of gifts in my room. Toys, training tools, snacks, books. Even some dumbbells from Papa.
"You'll be carrying these next month," he said with a wink.
"Cool!" I said, pretending they weren't super heavy.
I was already tired when Mama came in and handed me a warm towel to wipe my face. "Get ready for bed, birthday boy."
"Okay…"
I brushed my teeth, changed into my pajamas, and jumped under the blankets. Papa sat down next to me like always, but before reading, he just smiled at me for a bit.
"You're growing up fast," he said.
"I know," I said. "Soon I'll be stronger than you."
He laughed. "You better be."
Mama kissed my forehead. "Goodnight, Koi. Happy birthday."
"Thank you," I said, eyes getting sleepy. "Best day ever…"
POV: Third Person
As Koi drifted off to sleep in the warmth of his room, safe and happy, a shadow crept beyond the quiet safety of the village.
Far outside, where the forest swallowed the moonlight, a group of masked figures moved silently through the snow.
Their steps left no sound. Only prints.
Each of them wore different masks — animals, demons, some blank. Black cloaks fluttered around their legs. Their blades were drawn, metal gleaming in the dark. Their eyes were locked forward.
Toward a single, small house at the edge of the village.
Koi's house.
One figure in the middle raised a hand, signaling the others to slow down.
They stood at the ridge above, staring down at the lights from the home. The sound of laughter still echoed faintly from inside.
The leader whispered, voice cold like the snow beneath them.
"For the Raikage..."
The group began walking again.
Toward the boy.
Toward Koi.