Because the chakra within Kai’s body was senjutsu chakra, although his reserves were only around the elite jōnin level, the quality of that chakra had already surpassed that of ordinary elite jōnin.
Kakashi frowned as a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
“This child’s chakra… why does it resemble Lord Jiraiya’s a little?” “No… more precisely, it feels like the chakra Lord Jiraiya emits when he enters a certain state.” Kakashi had once seen Jiraiya enter Sage Mode.
And the chakra inside Kai gave him an almost identical feeling.
“This kid really is hiding a lot of secrets…” At this moment, Kakashi found himself conflicted.
Logically speaking, Kai’s situation should be reported to the Third Hokage.
But after everything he had experienced, and after spending so many years in the ANBU, Kakashi understood all too well what would happen if he did.
Once the Third Hokage learned about Kai, regardless of whether he posed a threat to the village or not, his future would never be peaceful again.
He might even end up as a specimen in some laboratory.
Thinking of that, Kakashi gradually calmed down.
“I just hope you never become a threat to Konoha.” In the end, Kakashi decided to conceal Kai’s situation.
Within Konoha, aside from the Hyūga Clan, only Kakashi could perceive the abnormal nature of Kai’s chakra.
As long as he remained silent, even if Asuma or someone else reported Kai, the Third Hokage would never fully understand what was special about him.
Once he made his decision, Kakashi disappeared from the balcony.
Kai, meanwhile, had no idea he had nearly been reported to the Third Hokage.
But even if he knew, he probably would not care much.
After all, he was someone who had already lived one life before.
As for how this new life would unfold, even he did not particularly care.
Even the possibility of becoming a test subject for the village did not bother him that much.
If he could resist, then he would.
If he could not, there was no point worrying about it.
Kai’s mentality was extraordinarily calm.
He was not overly ambitious.
Nor had he given up on life.
He was simply living quietly and naturally.
The next morning, Kai arrived at the training grounds early.
Almost immediately, he noticed that Motoyo Tano seemed different from yesterday.
She appeared noticeably more distant toward him now.
Yamada Itsuki, however, was exactly the same as ever.
Leaning close to Kai, he whispered, “Kai, did anything happen between you and Tano after you went home yesterday?” Itsuki asked with obvious curiosity.
Kai replied flatly, “What exactly are you hoping to hear?” Itsuki grinned mischievously.
“You know what I mean.” “Obviously nothing happened.
What nonsense are you thinking about?” Kai felt speechless.
He and Tano had only just met.
There was no way they would suddenly start saying intimate things to each other.
And even if something had happened, he certainly would not tell Itsuki.
Itsuki looked disappointed.
“Can’t you tell Tano likes you?” “That was such a perfect opportunity yesterday, and you actually let it slip away.
I’m seriously disappointed in you.” “Don’t tell me you think she isn’t pretty?” Kai’s expression turned helpless.
“What’s wrong with your brain?
Did your family really have an emergency yesterday?” He seriously suspected Itsuki had intentionally left them alone.
Itsuki stared at him in disbelief.
“Don’t ask anymore.
I’m disappointed in you.” “Seriously, how could you waste such a good opportunity?” “Tano may not come from a ninja clan, but her family is still an influential household in the Land of Fire.” “She’s beautiful, gentle, and clearly likes you.
If I were you, I would have confessed yesterday.” Itsuki rubbed his forehead dramatically and shook his head in disappointment.
Kai’s face darkened.
“What exactly are you thinking about?
Are you really twelve years old?” He knew children in this world matured earlier than normal, but surely not this early.
At this point, Kai was beginning to suspect Itsuki might secretly be over twenty mentally.
Otherwise, how could he think so far ahead?
Even Kai himself had not considered any of this.
Itsuki raised a hand in a “don’t talk to me” gesture.
“Disappointed.
Truly disappointed.” “Kai, you’ve let me down.” His exaggerated adult-like demeanor made the corner of Kai’s mouth twitch.
“You’d be better off putting this much effort into training.
If you trained as seriously as you gossip, you wouldn’t still be this weak.” Among this year’s graduates, Itsuki’s strength was around average.
Technically, Kai had once been considered average too.
But his current strength was already far beyond Itsuki’s.
Nearby, Motoyo Tano stood silently listening to their conversation.
Her face was so red it looked like blood might drip from it at any moment.
But she could not say anything.
After all, the two boys were deliberately speaking quietly.
Clearly, they did not want her overhearing.
Whether Kai liked her or not, she did not know.
But last night… She truly had almost confessed to him.
She simply lacked the courage in the end.
Even though she had listened to her mother and decided to distance herself from him a little, her feelings for Kai still remained.
Just as the three continued talking, Kai suddenly sensed something.
Whoosh!
Clang!
Clink!
Several sharp metallic sounds rang out instantly.
In the blink of an eye, Kai stepped in front of Itsuki and Tano, a kunai already clenched in his hand.
Several kunai and shuriken had been deflected into the ground beside him.
Kai frowned as he stared into the distance.
“Dōichi-sensei… that was going too far.” His voice carried obvious displeasure.
That surprise attack just now was not something ordinary genin could defend against.
If Kai had not reacted in time, Itsuki and Tano would have been turned into pincushions.
The fact that both of them were still standing there completely dumbfounded made it obvious what would have happened otherwise.
What angered Kai most was that Dōichi Kimoto had nearly gotten them seriously injured—or even killed.
After Kai spoke, a figure slowly emerged from beneath a distant tree.
Dōichi Kimoto walked out while lightly clapping his hands.
“Not bad.
Just as I expected.
That level of attack posed no threat to you at all.” He paid no attention to Kai’s accusation.
Only now did Itsuki and Tano fully process what had happened.
They had just been attacked by their own instructor.
Looking at the kunai and shuriken embedded near their feet, both of them felt a chill run down their spines.
If Kai had not blocked the attack just now, they might have died before even understanding what had happened.
The two instinctively looked toward Dōichi.
Ever since yesterday, they had already feared him greatly.
The oppressive aura he emitted, yesterday’s killing intent, and today’s sudden ambush— All of it made them deeply aware of just how ruthless their instructor could be.
Then they looked at Kai’s back.
At that moment, his figure felt incredibly dependable.
Like a massive mountain shielding them from danger.
Unfortunately, Kai himself was in no such good mood.
In his eyes, Dōichi’s actions showed complete disregard for their lives.
Seeing the anger on Kai’s face, Dōichi slowly walked over.
“No need to get so angry.
I was only testing your reaction speed.” “I’m not reckless enough to place my own students in real danger.” But Kai clearly did not accept that explanation.
Still, since nobody had actually been hurt, there was not much he could say.