Mid-morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees as Hiro and Kaya walked side by side through the woods near the orphanage. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves provided a serene backdrop, but Hiro’s thoughts were anything but calm. Kaya had promised to talk to him about his newfound abilities after breakfast, and the anticipation was gnawing at him.

  They eventually emerged into a small open field, the grass and low weeds swaying gently in the breeze. Thick woods surrounded the clearing, creating a natural barrier from prying eyes. Kaya stopped and id out a small bnket on the grass before gesturing for Hiro to sit with her.

  Hiro complied, his curiosity bubbling over as he watched her pull something from her pocket. It was the chakra paper she’d taken from him two days ago. She held it up, her fingers tracing the small, perfectly circur hole missing from one corner.

  “Hiro,” she began, her voice calm but serious, “I need to tell you what this means.”

  Hiro’s green eyes flicked between her face and the paper. “What do you mean? I thought it didn’t react.”

  Kaya shook her head. “That’s not true. It reacted, but not in a way I’ve ever seen before.” She pointed to the hole. “This isn’t a mistake or damage. It’s a reaction—a sign that your primary chakra affinity is Space-Time.”

  Hiro blinked, his brow furrowing. “Space-Time? What does that even mean?”

  Kaya folded her hands around the paper. “Space-Time chakra is one of the rarest affinities a ninja can have. Most shinobi who use it develop it as a secondary skill, something they work toward over years of training. For someone like you to have it as a primary affinity... it’s unheard of.”

  “Is that a good thing?” Hiro asked, tilting his head.

  Kaya hesitated, her expression tightening. “It’s not that simple. Space-Time chakra is the foundation of techniques like summoning jutsu, where ninjas create a bond with a summoning creature or family. They use a blood contract to summon those creatures from their realm to our world. But you... you’ve already shown something completely different.”

  Hiro leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. “Different how?”

  “You formed a summoner link with Chūta,” Kaya expined, gncing at the small flying squirrel perched on Hiro’s shoulder. “And he isn’t a summoning beast. He’s just... a normal animal. At least, he was. I’ve never read about anything like this happening before.”

  Hiro’s fingers brushed Chūta’s fur as he absorbed her words. “So, this means I’m different?”

  Kaya nodded but didn’t smile. Her serious demeanor deepened as she said, “That’s exactly why I’m worried. Do you know why?”

  Hiro shook his head. “Why?”

  Kaya’s gaze softened, but her tone remained grave. “Because it’s so rare. Rare abilities in this vilge attract attention—and not always the good kind. There are people who would do anything to get their hands on someone like you.”

  Hiro’s stomach twisted. “What kind of people?”

  She sighed, her hands tightening into fists. “There are individuals in Konoha with questionable motives. People like Orochimaru and Danzo. I’ve been warned about them through my own connections. They’re powerful, and they’ve been known to take... liberties in pursuit of power and knowledge.”

  Hiro felt a chill run down his spine at the names. While he didn’t recognize them, the weight in Kaya’s tone was enough to make him uneasy.

  “You’re an orphan, Hiro,” Kaya continued, her voice trembling slightly. “That makes you vulnerable. If someone decided they wanted to ‘adopt’ you and take you to some research facility... I might not be able to stop them.”

  Hiro’s hands balled into fists. “But you wouldn’t let that happen, right?”

  Kaya’s expression wavered before she reached out and took his hand in hers. Her forced smile was gentle but didn’t hide the worry in her eyes. “I won’t let it happen,” she said firmly. “But we need to be careful. For now, we have to keep your abilities a secret. The less attention we draw to you, the safer you’ll be. Once you’re older, it will be different. You’ll have more control, more autonomy. But for now, we have to hide this.”

  Hiro’s anxiety ebbed slightly as her words sank in. He took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. I’ll be careful.”

  Kaya’s grip on his hand tightened slightly. “Good. Now, Hiro, I need to know... do you still want to be a ninja?”

  The question caught him off guard. He thought for a moment before a determined look crossed his face. “Yes,” he said emphatically. Then, with a small smile, he added, “I’ll be the kind of ninja that makes sure to keep a smile on the face of those I care about.”

  Kaya’s eyes glistened as she pulled him into a firm hug. Hiro leaned into the embrace, the warmth of her arms dispelling the lingering tension in his chest. She ran a hand through his hair, her voice soft as she whispered, “Thank you, Hiro. I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

  They stayed like that for a long moment, the quiet clearing surrounding them in peace. For the first time since the tablet had activated, Hiro felt a sense of crity and resolve.

  Kaya pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Hiro’s shoulders. She gave him a small, determined smile, her earlier sadness repced with a glimmer of hope.

  “Starting tomorrow, we’ll begin your training,” she said firmly. “You’ll need to qualify for the academy without relying on your summoning abilities. It won’t be easy, but I know you can do it.”

  Hiro nodded, his green eyes bright with resolve. “I’m ready. I’ll work as hard as I can.”

  As the sun filtered through the trees, casting warm rays over the clearing, Kaya stood and began folding the bnket. Hiro followed her lead, stealing one st gnce at the woods beyond. In his mind, the swirling questions about his powers still lingered, but his path felt clearer now.

  The weight of his new abilities remained heavy, but the support of Kaya and the promise of training gave him a renewed sense of purpose. Clenching his fists in determination, he silently vowed to face whatever challenges y ahead.