The Raikage's office was always alive with noise. The scratching of brushes against paper, the shuffle of messengers' sandals, the distant clash of weapons from the training grounds below. But that morning, there was another sound, an odd little babble, half-words punctuated by the occasional pop of a pacifier.
Kaien sat cross-legged on a mat, a scroll unrolled before him. His tiny fingers traced the diagrams of chakra network and tenketsu points with almost reverent focus, though every so often he paused to gnaw at the pacifier dangling from his lips. Aya, seated just behind him, leaned on one hand and chuckled softly, her eyes warm.
"You're supposed to be chewing on food, not chakra theory, little one, and where did you even find them?" she teased, flicking his cheek lightly.
Kaien shot her a sideways glance and rolled his eyes, pulled the pacifier from his mouth, and answered in perfect childish tone, "I want to be strong like mama."
"Ara~Ara~"Aya said.
Then, as if embarrassed by his own words, he stuck the pacifier back in and went back to reading about chakra.
--
Across the chamber, the 3rd Raikage leaned forward on his desk, massive arms folded, his presence filling the room. Beside him stood Renga, one of his most trusted assistant, delivering the latest battle reports.
"Konoha remains still," Renga said, voice crisp. "No counter-offensives. The chakra ore mine has more than offset any losses we suffered. In four months, our blacksmiths have forged armor, weapons stronger than any before. Kunai tipped with chakra-conductive alloy. We have given huge discounts for those who have contributed the most in the war. And the reserves… we can fuel prolonged campaigns without pause. "
"There are few skirmishes from Iwa at the Land of rice fall [which would later be called hidden sound village] which the 2nd base dealt with swiftly."
young Ay, hot-blooded son, grinned lightning sparking faintly around his shoulders. "Tch. With that mine, we're untouchable. Konoha bleeds while we sharpen our edge. We should not focus on Konoha. We should occupy the Land of rice falls and set up a base before Iwa. The second base can act as a contingency."
Bee leaned against the wall, humming a rhythm under his breath. His rhymes trailed off into seriousness as he spoke. "We should ride the wave, take a base, make them cave. Before Iwa gets ideas of their own."
The 3rd Raikage's gaze flicked to them both. His eyes were calculating, weighing not just the battlefield but the political map of nations. "Patience. We strike, yes—but too recklessly, and we give Iwa the opening they crave. Onoki is not to be underestimated."
For a moment, silence. Then, from the mat on the floor, came a small, clear voice.
Kaien pulled the pacifier free, eyes still on the scroll. "No. Uncle Ay and Uncle Bee must focus only on Konoha."
Every head turned.
The child looked up, unafraid, his tone a strange mixture of innocence and intelligence. "We hurt Konoha badly, now to regain the base the Hokage might come himself. Old man Sarutobi… he's strong from the data book that I read, he is even called the strongest kage."
Bee raised an eyebrow. "Yo, did that baby just diss me?"
Aya laughed, ruffling Kaien's hair. "He talks only when he wants to. Guess you're worth it."
Kaien ignored her teasing. He lifted the scroll slightly, as though presenting evidence. "They already lost many shinobi. They're scared. But if we push too hard, they'll stop being scared and start being desperate. Desperate people fight crazy. That's when Hokage might move."
Renga coughed, half amused, half stunned. "He speaks like a strategist, Lord Raikage."
The 3rd Raikage's stern face cracked into the faintest smile. He leaned back, massive hands drumming on the desk. "Perhaps Kumo's future is already writing itself. Now, I don't have to worry."
Later, when the council dispersed, Aya remained with Kaien in the training yard. The boy waddled across the grass, already steady on his legs. She clapped her hands. "Alright, little one, let's see if you can feel it this time. Small chakra thread, just like I showed you."
Kaien frowned, cheeks puffing in determination. His tiny fingers pressed together in a crude imitation of a hand sign.
Aya whistled. "At one year old, and already able to see chakra. You'll make your uncle Ay look slow at this rate."
Kaien grinned, dropping the pacifier so his words came clearer. "It feels… warm. Like fire. But it's heavy to circulate chakra."
"That's your chakra nature trying to speak," Aya said, kneeling beside him. "Don't force it yet. Just listen to it and let it flow."
Kaien's brows furrowed as the glow flickered, "It's a bit better but still difficult."
Aya's heart clenched. She scooped him up, ignoring his protests, and nuzzled his cheek. "Don't grow up too fast, Kaien. Even geniuses need their mothers."
He wriggled, squirming to get back to the scrolls.
--
Meanwhile, Renga's reports echoed in the Raikage's mind. The chakra ore was proving a game-changer. Armor laced with chakra conduits allowed even average shinobi to withstand jutsu that once shredded them. Weapons cut cleaner, sharper, infused with lightning chakra at a fraction of the cost. Seals etched into arrowheads let volleys explode mid-air, raining destruction on entrenched foes.
And there was more: medical-nin discovered powdered ore infused into salves accelerated healing by syncing with the body's chakra. Supply lines stretched further, sustained longer. Losses were minimal. Every skirmish with Iwa's probing squads ended quickly, Kumogakure shinobi reinforced and rejuvenated.
Kumo was not just holding its ground. It was growing stronger with every passing week.
The 3rd Raikage saw it clearly: in another year, with enough ore, Kumogakure could rival even Konoha's famed shinobi clans. But the boy's words lingered. Push too far, and Hiruzen himself may come.
~~
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