Beyond Lives and Horizons

Kaiden suddenly crouched in front of Zack, a mischievous smile on his face. He looked at the boy with an expression that seemed to signal he had found the perfect opportunity to make a joke.

"What are you doing?" Zack asked, a bit surprised by Kaiden's sudden shift in attitude.

"I lost the bet," Kaiden replied, still wearing that playful grin, "so I'm going to take you home."

Zack raised his eyebrows, surprised by Kaiden's seriousness. "Hah, I didn't think you would actually do it."

Kaiden laughed loudly, jumping to his feet with a gleam in his eyes. "Of course I will! Now I want to see how long you can last being carried by me."

Zack almost rolled his eyes, but a laugh escaped his lips. "You're impossible, did you know that?"

Kaiden was already preparing, stretching his arms and assuming a stance as if gearing up for a big effort. "Let's see if you can handle it. But if I don't put you on my back, I'll feel defeated. It's not every day a guy like me loses a bet."

Zack, already aware that Kaiden wouldn't let it go, sighed and braced himself for the challenge. "Alright, let's go. But don't complain later when you get tired. I'm going to make you train three times harder tomorrow; that's what you'll get in return."

Kaiden made a face but quickly recovered with a smile. "You got it! Now hold on tight because you'll have to endure a high-speed run."

Zack puffed out a breath, already settling in for what was to come. No matter how unpredictable and energetic Kaiden was, at least he had someone to share this learning journey with — and maybe, just maybe, that was exactly what Zack needed.

As Kaiden carried Zack, the walk to the village became a bit easier, but the weight of Zack on his back, combined with Kaiden's enthusiasm, made the conversation flow naturally.

"So," Zack started, trying to break the silence while Kaiden adjusted his posture to avoid stumbling, "tell me a bit about your family. You never said much about them."

Kaiden chuckled, struggling a bit but seizing the chance to talk. "My family? Oh, well... my parents are simple. No famous clan, no powerful lineage. My dad is a ninja, but not a great leader or anything like that. He always says that the secret to being good is more about daily effort than what you were born with." Kaiden looked up, thoughtful for a moment. "He's kind of an example for me, you know? He's never been famous, but he has a strength that doesn't come from blood or technique, but from never giving up."

Zack listened in silence, pondering Kaiden's words. It wasn't what he'd expected to hear, but it made sense. Strength, for Kaiden, came from perseverance and personal effort, something Zack respected.

"I have a younger brother too," Kaiden continued, chuckling lightly. "He's much calmer than I am, and honestly, he seems more talented than me when it comes to ninjutsu. But we always have fun together. I'm a bit stubborn, so... I always end up butting heads during training."

Zack smiled, imagining the contrast between Kaiden and his younger brother. The boy next to him always seemed to have a lot of energy, but it seemed like, deep down, he also respected and admired his brother, even if it was in a playful way.

"But what about you?" Kaiden asked, interrupting Zack's thoughts. "What happened to you? I saw how people looked at you in class, like you were a bit different. You don't have a clan, but that doesn't seem to bother you, right?"

Kaiden fell silent for a moment, Zack's words catching him by surprise. He continued walking, balancing Zack on his back, but the weight he carried seemed to increase, not because of the boy's body, but due to the revelation.

"I... didn't know," Kaiden said, his voice now softer. "I'm sorry."

Zack sighed, as if finally lightening a burden by speaking about it. "It's okay. It's been a while. The pain, I mean... it's never going to disappear completely, but you learn to move on."

Kaiden looked at him, trying to understand better. "And... your uncle? Is he nice to you?"

Zack was quiet for a few seconds, thinking. "He's... distant. Not like my parents were, but he takes care of me. Not in the way I would like, but he does what he can. It's complicated."

Kaiden, still with a thoughtful look, responded with a faint smile. "It seems like you have immense strength inside you, Zack. It's not easy to lose family and still have the strength to continue. I admire that."

Zack looked at the horizon, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Kaiden, even though his words were simple. He hadn't expected someone like Kaiden to understand, but here he was, offering a word of comfort without even realizing it. It made Zack feel that, perhaps, just perhaps, he could begin to see a new path for the future.

"But you don't have to worry about me," Zack finally replied, with a faint smile. "I'm stronger than I look."

"I know you are," Kaiden said, in a tone that sounded much more serious than usual. "But if you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me, right?"

Zack didn't know what to say. Kaiden's irreverent demeanor was revealing itself more and more as a facade for something more genuine, more profound. He had no idea how, but for some reason, he felt that Kaiden was willing to be more than just a training partner.

"Thank you, Kaiden," Zack finally said, with a sincere look.

"No need to thank me," Kaiden replied with a smile. "Just... let's achieve our goals. Together, right?"

Zack nodded, feeling that, perhaps, he had found more than just a simple friend. He might not have a traditional family, but by his side was someone he could count on.

Suddenly, without any warning, Kaiden stumbled forward, making a dull thud on the ground, with Zack still on his back. The impact was strong, but for a second, Zack didn't understand what had happened.

"Kaiden?!" Zack shouted, trying to quickly wriggle free to check what was going on.

Kaiden, with his face turned to the ground, let out a muffled laugh, still holding his stomach. "Looks like... maybe I overdid it with the food... again."

Zack watched him, perplexed, unsure whether to be worried or just laugh too. What had started as a casual training session was turning into something more chaotic with each passing moment.

"You... are joking, right?" Zack asked, leaning in to check if Kaiden was really okay.

Kaiden, still chuckling, lifted his head, slightly embarrassed. "I told you... my chakra is... a bit more sensitive than it should be after a good lunch. I think now I can really feel where the chakra goes... straight to my stomach."

Zack sighed, not knowing what to say. "I can't believe you actually did that. You're going to make me carry you now, aren't you?"

Kaiden, with a mischievous grin, slowly got back to his feet. "Well, if you're willing, I might let you... But it won't be easy, you know? I weigh more than I look."

Zack couldn't help but laugh, and the weight on his mind, even though still there, felt a little lighter. "You're impossible, did you know that, Kaiden?"

"Maybe... but that's why you'll want to be by my side when I become the best water ninja, right?" Kaiden replied, winking at Zack with a smile full of confidence.

"Let's go," Zack answered, still smiling. "You're going to pay for this later."

Kaiden looked at him, still full of that endless energy. "Of course, when I'm the best, I'll train you and make you forget this day... I promise!"

And with that, they continued on their way, the conversation now filled with laughter and teasing, but with a silent understanding that, despite their differences, they were starting to trust each other in a way they hadn't expected.

After arriving home, Zack made his way to the corner of the living room, sitting in silence for a moment as Haruto, busy with his tasks, noticed his presence and called out to him.

"How was your day, Zack?" Haruto asked in a calm yet attentive tone. "Did you learn something useful about ninja fundamentals?"

"I'm learning about ninja fundamentals and chakra," Zack replied, his voice a bit tired but still reflecting on the day's words and events. "It's still hard, but some things are starting to make sense... but there's something that's been on my mind."

"Go ahead, what is it?" Haruto asked, with an interested look, making it clear he was willing to listen.

Zack hesitated for a moment before answering, reflecting on what he had observed throughout the day. "I've come to understand that there's a difference in people's attitudes depending on the status from which they come. Even in my class, which doesn't seem so prestigious, this is very evident. From what I saw just on the first day, my classmates don't have much potential, unfortunately, including me."

Haruto listened attentively, not interrupting, and after a brief moment of silence, he said in a more grave yet firm voice, "You're right, Zack. That's something that will follow you always. Those who don't have a lineage of power or prestige are often seen differently and end up being treated as inferior. But what will truly make you stand out in this world, especially if you're not blessed with great talent, is finding a way to shine without relying on any lineage."

Zack looked at him, confused. "And how do I do that? I'm not like the others; I don't have something that makes me stand out immediately."

Haruto approached, looking at Zack with a serious yet understanding gaze. "Those like you, who don't possess an extraordinary talent lineage, need to find a way to stand out by their own merit. This doesn't mean you should accept being one step behind. On the contrary, it means you have to work harder, seek something that others don't have. If you weren't born with great talent, you need to find a unique way to shine."

Zack listened intently, absorbing every word. He knew Haruto was right, but the words still felt heavy, like an added responsibility. "So what exactly should I do?"

Haruto smiled slightly, as if he had been waiting for that question. "The key lies in your determination. Many fail to shine because they settle for the easy path, the one that has already been laid out for them. You need to go beyond that. You need to find something unique in yourself, something that others don't have. It doesn't matter how much more you might need to struggle than the others. In the end, it's your willpower, your perseverance, that will make the difference. Those who aren't fortunate enough to be born into a great lineage must stand out through their own dedication."

Zack remained silent, his thoughts racing through his mind. He felt that the path would be harder for him, but Haruto's words inspired him to push even harder.

"So I have to be different... I have to find my own way to be strong, even if I don't have natural talent," Zack said, more to himself, trying to internalize what he had just heard.

Haruto nodded with a smile. "Exactly, Zack. And remember: being different can be your greatest advantage if you know how to use it. Now, go rest. Tomorrow will be another day for you to put this into practice."

Zack looked at Haruto with a newfound focus in his eyes. "Yeah, I'll give it my all. I'll find my own way to shine."

Haruto, satisfied with Zack's response, gave a slight nod. "That's all I hope for. Good night, Zack."

Zack withdrew, feeling more determined. It wasn't the talent he possessed, but what he would do with his willpower that truly mattered. The journey to find his own path was just beginning.