Naruto: Chronicles of a Fire Ninja-Chapter 349 - 345: Defences

Kaida bought all of the supplies Reina had asked for, and when she had said it would be expensive, she wasn't joking. All of the things combined cost him more than one and a half million Ryo, an astonishing amount for such a small place.

With all of the supplies, Kaida asked Reina to begin the process as soon as she could.

"What's with the sudden house renovation?" Shisui asked, watching as Reina drew complex sealing arrays around their home.

"Just upgrading our security," Kaida replied casually. "Since we have the option to get the best defensive array possible, why not take it?"

Hae looked concerned. "It seems rather extensive for a simple upgrade and really sudden too. Is everything alright?" Especially considering the price—she knew Kaida would not spend so much for no reason.

"Of course, Aunt. It doesn't hurt to have extra precautions," Kaida said with a reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. Everyone felt something was off with Kaida, but since he wasn't sharing it by himself, they didn't push either, thinking it would be better to give him some space. With this, Reina continued to build the array and talk with Naruto in between the process as well.

Later that evening, Shisui pulled Kaida aside in the garden. "What's really going on? This isn't like you to suddenly strengthen defences without reason, and that too with such extreme measures. Something is not right."

Kaida hesitated, then spoke quietly. "Brother, recently, I've been having this... feeling. Like something feels off. Like something bad is approaching."

Shisui's expression turned serious. As a seasoned shinobi, he knew better than to dismiss such instincts. "sigh Okay, if having this defensive measure helps in that part, then there is no problem in having them," he said with a smile and a pat on Kaida's back. "If you are worried about anything, come and find me," he said reassuringly.

Just as Reina was finishing the last of the defensive arrays, three messengers arrived at their home. Kaida, Yomi, and Shisui each received a scroll bearing the Hokage's seal.

Kaida's hands trembled slightly as he read the deployment orders—not for himself, but because of the other two. Because if he got those orders, then others must have something similar. After finding out that he was being deployed at the outpost near Sunagakure and sea, Yomi at the other end of Sunagakure outpost, and Shisui at the path between Kumo and Konoha, a feeling of helplessness washed over him.

"Can't we decline? Request a different assignment maybe? At least going together?" Kaida asked.

"These are direct orders from Lord Hokage. They are given after deliberate thinking and planning and don't change normally unless you have a very solid reason," Shisui said, his voice gentle but firm.

Yomi touched Kaida's arm softly. "I know you're worried about something, Kaida, but don't be. Everything is going to be fine. Also, this is an opportunity for growth. We can't become stronger by always staying within the village's walls or by relying on others." Her eyes met his, filled with determination and warmth.

Kaida wanted to argue, but seeing the resolve in her eyes, he could only nod silently, because even after arguing there was little, he could do against it.

Later that afternoon, Kaida found himself at the training grounds practicing taijutsu against 10 of his clones to calm his mind, which kept thinking about various scenarios.

"Hey, hey, you are already a jonin. What the hell are you training so hard for? Do you want to become Kage next year or something?"

"Ryota, what are you doing here?" Kaida said, dispersing his shadow clones and wiping away the heaps of sweat he had produced.

"I came to meet you. I am being deployed to the Suna's Outpost soon, so I thought one spar before leaving would be nice."

Woof Woof

"You are also going there?" Kaida asked as brightness returned to his face.

"Yes, are you also coming?" Ryota asked, a little expectant.

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"No, not me, but Yomi is also going there to the northern outpost, right?" Kaida asked.

"Yes, but why are you so happy about it all of a sudden?" Ryota asked, finding it a little off.

"I have a bad feeling about something going wrong recently, and then this sudden deployment order came. I know it sounds strange, but..." Kaida's voice trailed off.

Ryota clapped a hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, buddy. We Inuzuka always trust our and our friends' instincts. It's not a problem to worry about things, but don't worry—I talked to my clan member. That outpost is actually safest even during wartime, and if it still worries you, I promise I will keep an eye out all the time."

"Thanks, Ryota. That means a lot."

"Now how about the spar I came here for?"

"Of course, whenever you are ready."

...

On the next day, everyone was getting ready to leave. The defensive array was complete, and Hae was saying bye to all three of her children.

"Always remain careful and eat on time, have proper sleep, okay?" she said to all three of them.

"Yes aunt, we will make sure to do it," Yomi replied, and others smiled, waving their hands.

"One day I will become a cool ninja like them too!" Naruto said, seeing all three of his siblings in green vests and metal headbands.

"Of course you will. You will become even cooler than them," Hae said, patting his small head as they went back inside the house. The bear, who was usually very lazy, was now fully attentive because of a pep talk with Kaida about how he would reduce his meal quantity by half if something happened in the house while he was gone—the biggest threat he could have given to Kenta.

"Yomi, you remember, right?"

"Yes, yes, you have told me this hundred times already. I will run without a second thought if a danger above our level arises. Now can you stop worrying? It is bad before a mission," Yomi said.

Kaida just nodded his head at that. The three of them separated and went in different directions to meet their respective groups leaving with them.

...

(Next day)

Kumo and Iwa both got reports about the increased movement of Konoha on the border. Like Konoha got the message from their spies in Kumo and Iwa, the same happened for the opposite side as well—about how hundreds of ninjas had left Konoha, and from the spies in various villages near the border, it was clear that Konoha had increased the security at the border.

Due to this, a meeting was called between the higher-ups of both villages.