"My name is Uchiha Madara!"
That domineering and conceited voice echoed in Kaede's ears long after the man had vanished. His eyes widened, his heart pounding in disbelief and awe.
He hadn't expected it to be *him*. Uchiha Madara's appearance was slightly different from how he looked in the future, which was why Kaede hadn't recognized him at first. But that tone, so commanding and absolute, there could be no mistake.
It fit Madara's personality perfectly.
"The Shura of the Ninja World..." Kaede whispered, his lips curling into a faint smile. "Heh, that day won't be far away."
Confidence burned in his eyes. Madara's presence had reminded him of a simple truth—the ninja world was cruel, chaotic, and full of hidden dangers. Even within Konoha's walls, there were shadows lurking beneath the peace.
To survive, one needed power.
He realized he had been living too comfortably lately, and that comfort had dulled his edge.
Kaede stood there in silence, the wind brushing past his hair. After a moment, he chuckled quietly and turned away. His back seemed smaller yet heavier, as though he now carried invisible pressure on his shoulders.
When he returned home, the usually lively Kaede was uncharacteristically quiet. He walked straight to his room without saying a word.
Sakura Kinomoto blinked in confusion. "What's wrong with him?"
Yota shrugged, feigning ignorance. "No idea. He's been like that since he went out earlier."
Sakura shot him a sharp glare, her hair fluttering slightly as her irritation flared.
Seeing that, Yota laughed awkwardly and scratched his head before quickly retreating to his son's room.
After knocking and getting permission, he entered to find Kaede seated on the floor, reading the ninjutsu scroll he had given him earlier. His concentration was intense, like a reader immersed in a good story.
Yota was about to speak when Kaede beat him to it.
"Dad, I'm fine."
"...Alright. Don't stay up too late," Yota replied softly.
Seeing his son's focus, he couldn't bring himself to interrupt further. With a small smile, he left the room.
Silence settled once more.
Kaede's gaze remained fixed on the scroll as he began studying the techniques in detail. His father was a ninjutsu-type shinobi, an elite jonin who knew many jutsu, including several of A and even S rank.
Most of the techniques written on the scroll were below B rank, but one particular entry caught Kaede's attention.
His eyes widened, and his pulse quickened.
**Flying Thunder God Technique.**
Kaede sucked in a deep breath.
*Why does Father have this jutsu?*
It was a space-time technique, a masterpiece created by Senju Tobirama himself and later perfected by Namikaze Minato. Both had used it to dominate the battlefield in their respective eras.
But it was also classified as a forbidden technique. It should have been sealed away in Konoha's archives under heavy guard. Even if his father was an elite jonin, access to such a jutsu was unthinkable.
Just as confusion clouded his thoughts, Yota re-entered the room and noticed Kaede's puzzled look.
"What's wrong? Something you don't understand?"
Kaede, too lost in thought, spoke before realizing his father was there. "I was just wondering... why this technique is here."
Yota chuckled, walking over to pat his head. "Don't think too much about it. Lord Tobirama personally sent that scroll. He said this jutsu suits you perfectly."
Kaede blinked, momentarily stunned. *Tobirama?*
He quickly understood—Tobirama must have learned about his Time-based Kekkei Genkai and wanted to see what he could do with this technique.
Still, the trust was shocking.
*To give such a forbidden jutsu to a child... does he really believe I can master it?*
Kaede sighed inwardly. The Flying Thunder God was notoriously difficult, combining both space and time manipulation. Since its creation, only two people had successfully learned it: Tobirama himself and Minato Namikaze decades later.
Its failure rate was legendary.
But Kaede wasn't discouraged. Instead, he looked up with new determination.
"Dad, can you buy me some weights? I want to train my body."
Though he possessed a Kekkei Genkai, he understood that physical strength was the foundation of all power. Taijutsu might not be the most glamorous art, but it was indispensable.
After all, Might Guy nearly changed the outcome of an entire war with nothing but his fists and his will.
Yota stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Weights, huh? I still have some at home, but they're probably not the right size for you. I'll buy lighter ones later."
Kaede shook his head. "No need. Let me try what we already have first."
Yota sighed but eventually relented. Together, they went to the utility room. He retrieved a set of old training weights and handed them over cautiously.
"Be careful. Don't overdo it."
Kaede nodded, but the moment Yota released the weights, the boy's knees nearly buckled. His face tensed as he gritted his teeth.
*So heavy!*
Each piece felt like a boulder, easily a third of his body weight. When combined, the set weighed more than double his own mass.
Yota frowned in concern. "Forget it, Kaede. It's too much for you. You'll hurt yourself."
Kaede's breathing was rough, but his eyes remained steady. "I'm fine. I know my limits."
His words were strained, but his resolve was unshaken.
Yota's expression softened. He wanted to stop him, yet something in the boy's determination made him hold his tongue.
He sighed quietly. Being a ninja meant enduring hardships most people couldn't imagine.
Kaede took one step forward and nearly fell. His legs trembled, his body swayed, but he steadied himself just in time.
The crushing weight made every movement feel like an uphill climb, yet he didn't stop.
Under the scorching sun, sweat poured down his face, soaking his clothes as the minutes turned into hours.
An hour later, Kaede's steps grew more stable. His body trembled less. The pain hadn't vanished, but he was adapting.
It was a small victory, but a meaningful one.
Watching from the side, Yota's lips curled into a faint smile. His heart was filled with pride and emotion.
Talent and perseverance—Kaede had both.
With those two things, the boy's future was limitless.