"Psychic Shadows of the Hidden Leaf

Time flew by.

Kaitan quietly went about his duties, enjoying the rare moments of peace and the simple joy of strolling through the village. His job remained stable, and his conversations with Acorus were as pleasant as ever.

It was during this period that Orochimaru returned to the village, accompanied by Namikaze Minato. Their return marked the end of the war, though some troops had been left behind to guard against potential counterattacks from other villages.

Amidst the welcoming crowd, Kaitan spotted Minato—Konoha's "Yellow Flash." His presence radiated a sunny warmth, and the cheers from the crowd confirmed his popularity. However, Orochimaru was notably absent, likely avoiding the celebratory atmosphere altogether.

"It's finally over," Kaitan thought, relieved by the end of the war. Now, Konoha could enjoy a period of stability—at least until the Nine-Tails incident, a disaster Kaitan couldn't forget.

After briefly observing Minato, Kaitan left the gathering and returned home. He saw no reason to ingratiate himself with the new hero. Instead, he chose to remain aligned with Yamanako, his trusted superior in the Analysis Unit. Affiliation with the Ino-Shika-Cho clan trio guaranteed security and stability.

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A Village in Mourning

Shortly after their return, Konoha held a grand funeral for its fallen comrades. All ranks—from Genin to Jōnin—gathered to honor the deceased. Kaitan joined the solemn ceremony, where he spotted several familiar faces from the war, including Kakashi, Guy, and the younger generation of ninjas.

He also noticed Kushina Uzumaki, her red hair unmistakable, and the sheer magnitude of her chakra undeniable even from afar. Her pregnant figure added a poignant layer to the gathering.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, refrained from his usual speeches about the "Will of Fire," opting instead for silent mourning. It was a rare moment of humility from the village leader.

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The Fourth Hokage is Chosen

As the village began to heal, rumors spread that Hiruzen would soon step down and appoint a successor. After weeks of deliberation, the decision was finalized: Namikaze Minato would become the Fourth Hokage.

The news caused a stir in the village, though it was overwhelmingly positive. On the day of his inauguration, villagers crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of their new leader. Minato's youthful smile and bright demeanor seemed to embody the hope Konoha desperately needed.

From a distance, Kaitan watched the ceremony unfold. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, noting the absence of Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo. He speculated on their reasons for staying away—perhaps Orochimaru was sulking over being passed over, or maybe he was preoccupied with his experiments. As for Danzo, the elusive "Root" leader rarely made public appearances.

"Probably better not to see them," Kaitan muttered to himself, deciding to skip the remainder of the ceremony. "Time for ramen instead."

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A New Routine

Kaitan made his way to Ichiraku Ramen, a favorite haunt. As he entered, the owner, Teuchi, gave him a knowing look that suggested he'd had enough of Kaitan's frequent visits to see Ayame. However, Teuchi maintained his professional demeanor.

"One tonkotsu ramen, coming right up," Teuchi said with a smile, though there was a glimmer of protectiveness in his eyes.

"Thank you, sir. By the way, where's Ayame?" Kaitan asked, glancing toward the kitchen.

"She's delivering food to an elderly woman who can't move well," Teuchi replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Kaitan seized the opportunity. "Let me help you out here. My hands are quick and steady."

Teuchi hesitated. "I appreciate the offer, but ramen-making isn't something you can pick up on a whim. It takes years of dedication to perfect."

Ignoring the warning, Kaitan quickly finished his meal and slipped behind the counter. "I've been watching you work for weeks. I think I've got the basics down."

Before Teuchi could protest further, Kaitan began kneading the dough with surprising skill. His precision and efficiency left the seasoned chef stunned.

"You've done this before," Teuchi accused, though there was no real malice in his tone.

"Nope," Kaitan replied with a grin. "Just a quick learner. I've been observing your technique every time I come here."

Despite his initial resistance, Teuchi began giving Kaitan pointers. The young ninja's rapid improvement impressed him, and he started to warm up to the idea of Kaitan as a potential son-in-law.

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A Surprise Visit

As the two worked, the bell at the entrance jingled, signaling new customers. Kaitan turned to see none other than Minato and Kushina entering the shop. Kushina's pregnant belly was hard to miss.

Kaitan froze for a moment before bowing deeply. "Lord Fourth Hokage, welcome."

Minato smiled warmly. "At ease. You're a ninja, right?"

"Yes, sir. Kaitan, from the Analysis Unit under Yamanako's command," he replied, keeping his tone respectful.

Teuchi quickly chimed in, hoping to prevent any misunderstandings. "Lord Hokage, he's just helping out because I was shorthanded. He's been a great help!"

Minato nodded in approval. "It's good to see ninjas supporting the community. Keep up the good work."

Kushina, meanwhile, smiled and patted her belly. "I'm eating for two these days, so make mine a large portion!"

Kaitan smiled nervously as he helped prepare their orders. Despite Minato's friendly demeanor, the pressure of serving the village leader and his wife was palpable. He focused on his task, grateful for the distraction.

After finishing their meal, Minato thanked Teuchi and Kaitan before leaving with Kushina. As they walked away, Kaitan couldn't help but admire the young Hokage's approachable nature.

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A Moment of Reflection

Later that evening, as Kaitan walked home, he mulled over the day's events. The village was entering a new era under Minato's leadership, and while Kaitan preferred to keep a low profile, he couldn't deny the energy and optimism surrounding the Fourth Hokage.

For now, he resolved to continue honing his skills and supporting the village from the shadows. Whether it was analyzing intelligence, helping at a ramen shop, or navigating the complexities of village politics, Kaitan was determined to adapt and thrive.

After all, even the smallest actions could contribute to Konoha's future.

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