KONOHA :THE RISE OF KAITON

A month later...

The training grounds in the back mountains of Konoha were alive with activity. Several Shadow Clones of Kaiton worked tirelessly, experimenting with various ninjutsu. Fireballs scorched through the air, earthen walls rose from the ground, and sharp spikes erupted as his clones tested Earth and Fire Release techniques.

Amidst the chaos, Kaiton sat cross-legged in the center, eyes closed in meditation. His face showed serene focus as he felt his body strengthen from within, thanks to the Cell Enhancement Technique he had practiced for the past month.

Opening his eyes, Kaiton clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within him.

"This time," he muttered, "I should be able to open the Eight Inner Gates successfully."

Kaiton had spent the last month pushing his limits. His mastery of the Cell Enhancement Technique had not only enhanced his chakra reserves but also strengthened his body to an incredible degree. Now, his chakra reserves rivaled that of elite Chūnin, bordering on Jōnin level.

As he reviewed the Eight Inner Gates method in his mind, excitement bubbled within him. But caution held him back. After some thought, Kaiton bit his finger, forming a series of hand seals before slamming his palm onto the ground.

"Summoning Technique!"

With a puff of smoke, Katsuyu, the slug sage, appeared before him.

"Kaiton-sama, how may I assist you?" the gentle voice of Katsuyu asked.

"Katsuyu," Kaiton began, "I'm about to train in a Forbidden Technique. It may harm my body. I'll need your healing abilities on standby."

Katsuyu nodded understandingly, positioning itself nearby.

Feeling ready, Kaiton sat down again. With a deep breath, he gathered his chakra and began to channel it toward the first gate in the Eight Inner Gates—The Gate of Opening.

---

As Kaiton focused, a sharp pain coursed through his body, making him grit his teeth. Still, he persisted, pushing against the barrier within him. With a final burst of effort, he felt the gate shatter like glass.

A surge of power flooded through him as untapped chakra was released, mixing with his reserves in a chaotic whirlwind. The sheer intensity left Kaiton breathless.

"This is... incredible!" Kaiton exclaimed. "Even just opening the first gate, my chakra feels like it's gone berserk. I can barely control it!"

He tried to channel the chakra into a steady flow, but it resisted his efforts, moving unpredictably through his body like an untamed beast. Kaiton released the gate, returning his chakra to normal.

After a moment of recovery, he came up with a plan. By creating dozens of Shadow Clones, Kaiton distributed his chakra across them, leaving only a fraction in his own body. When he opened the gate again, the reduced chakra volume made it slightly more manageable.

Progress was slow, but steady. For hours, Kaiton repeated the cycle of opening the gate, attempting to control the chakra, and then resting. By the time the sun began to set, he had reached his limit.

His legs gave out beneath him, and Katsuyu immediately moved to heal him. Lying on the ground, Kaiton reflected on the day's progress.

"At this rate, it's going to take ages to fully control my chakra in this state," he thought. "But there's no shortcut. I'll have to keep grinding until I master it."

---

By the time Katsuyu finished healing him, night had fallen. Exhausted but determined, Kaiton decided to make one last attempt before calling it a day. Summoning his willpower, he opened the gate once more and focused on the chaotic flow of chakra in his body.

This time, something clicked. A single strand of chakra came under his control, then another. It wasn't much, but it was progress. Satisfied, Kaiton closed the gate and dismissed Katsuyu.

Dragging his weary body home, Kaiton couldn't help but smile.

---

When Kaiton finally stepped into his house, the sound of familiar laughter greeted him from the living room.

"Kingsu," Hinatabi's voice called warmly, "you're saying Jiraiya and Orochimaru kissed on their first day at the Academy?"

"That's right, Hinatabi-aunt!" Kingsu replied with a mischievous grin. "Jiraiya was trying to show off and tripped, and, well, Orochimaru wasn't happy about it!"

Kaiton coughed loudly, startling the two. Turning toward the sound, Kingsu's eyes widened in panic, while Hinatabi merely smiled knowingly.

"Kaiton! Uh... when did you get back?" Kingsu stammered, looking guilty.

Kaiton gave her an exasperated look. "When you were about to throw me under the bus."

Kingsu gave an awkward laugh, but Kaiton didn't press further. "What brings you here, Kingsu?" he asked.

Kingsu's expression brightened as she remembered her purpose. "I'm here to learn the Cell Enhancement Technique!" she declared confidently. "I've been practicing my chakra control, and I think I'm ready."

Kaiton raised an eyebrow but wasn't surprised. Kingsu's talent was undeniable, and her progress was a testament to her hard work.

"Fine," Kaiton said, leading her upstairs to his room. "Let's see if you've got what it takes."

After explaining the technique step-by-step, Kaiton supervised as Kingsu attempted it. To his amazement, she succeeded on her first try, producing the pale golden chakra unique to the technique.

"I did it!" Kingsu exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Not bad," Kaiton admitted, though his tone was teasing. "But still not as fast as me."

Kingsu huffed indignantly. "Don't get cocky, Kaiton! I'll surpass you soon enough and reclaim my title as the strongest!"

Kaiton laughed. "You can try, but you'll never beat me."

Their banter quickly devolved into playful wrestling, filling the house with noise.

Downstairs, Hinatabi chuckled to herself, listening to the commotion. She couldn't help but feel proud of her young charge and his unbreakable bond with his friends.

---

That night, Kaiton lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. He couldn't help but think about how far he had come and how much further he still had to go. With Kingsu's progress, Orochimaru's brilliance, and Jiraiya's unyielding spirit, the four of them were bound to achieve greatness together.

With a contented smile, Kaiton closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day he would unlock the true potential of the Eight Inner Gates and protect those he cared about.

---

To be continued...

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