The air in the house felt heavier than usual. Kaya sat across from Hiro, her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the small dining table as if holding herself together. She had been quiet since he returned home from the Academy, which was unlike her. Normally, she would have been full of questions, eager to hear about his day.

  Hiro didn’t need to guess why. He had already told her.

  “I was assigned to the Summoner Corps.”

  Kaya closed her eyes, exhaling softly before nodding. “I know.”

  Hiro blinked. “You do?”

  She lifted her gaze, offering him a wobbly smile. “While you were at the Academy today, Enma came by.”

  Enma. Hiro wasn’t sure why that surprised him. The Monkey King had been watching over him since his summoning abilities had come to light, so it made sense that he would be involved. Still, there was something different in Kaya’s expression. Something deeper.

  “He expined everything to me,” Kaya continued, her voice unsteady. “You’re to report to the Summoner Corps headquarters tomorrow morning. They’ll determine how best to integrate your abilities into real shinobi training.”

  She paused, looking down at her hands. Hiro noticed they were trembling slightly. “I should have known this was coming,” she murmured. “But part of me wanted to believe I could keep you safe for a little longer.”

  Hiro watched her carefully. Kaya had always been his protector, his guardian. The weight of his secret—his abilities, his summons, the unknown potential within him—had been hers to carry alone. And now, she was letting go of that burden, but not without pain.

  “I know why you hid it,” Hiro said quietly. “You wanted me to have a normal childhood.”

  Kaya let out a shaky breath, nodding. “But that was never an option for you, was it?”

  He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

  Instead, he reached out, pcing his hand over hers. “I’ll be okay.”

  Kaya swallowed hard and squeezed his hand briefly before releasing it. “I know,” she whispered. “I just wish I could have given you more time.”

  The Next Morning

  The walk to the Summoner Corps headquarters was quiet. Kaya walked beside Hiro, her presence solid and reassuring even though neither of them spoke much. The building they arrived at was nondescript, tucked away near the training grounds close to the orphanage. It looked like any other government facility, but the moment they approached the entrance, Hiro noticed the presence of security.

  Two chūnin stood at the gates, scanning paperwork with sharp, practiced eyes. Hiro didn’t miss the barely perceptible flicker of movement on the roof—a hidden ANBU operative.

  Hiro stepped forward, handing over the official letter he had received at the Academy. The chūnin studied it, then him, before nodding and gesturing toward the entrance. “Proceed.”

  Hiro turned back to Kaya, who gave him one st reassuring smile. “Go on. You’ll do great.”

  He nodded and stepped inside.

  The first thing Hiro saw was the monkey.

  Seated behind the front desk, feet propped up zily, was a middle-aged monkey wearing a Konoha headband and a standard shinobi vest. His fur was slightly grayed around the edges, and he looked far too comfortable for someone working security.

  The monkey peered at him, then smirked. “You must be Hiro.”

  Hiro nodded hesitantly.

  The monkey grinned, then leaned back and yelled toward the back of the building. “Oi, boss! The kid’s here!”

  From the right hallway, Enma emerged.

  The Monkey King’s presence immediately filled the room, commanding respect even from the rexed receptionist. His golden eyes found Hiro, and he gave an approving nod.

  “Come,” Enma said simply. “You have people to meet.”

  Hiro didn’t hesitate. “Thank you,” he said, offering the monkey behind the desk a small bow before following Enma deeper into the building.

  The office at the end of the hall was sparsely furnished. A few shelves lined the walls, filled with scrolls and books. A small window let in weak morning light. Seated behind the desk, exuding an air of quiet authority, was a man Hiro had never met before.

  But the other figure in the room was impossible not to recognize.

  The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

  Hiro had only seen him from a distance before—giving speeches at the Academy, walking through the vilge with an air of calm control. But now, in person, Hiro felt the sheer weight of his presence. The man was in his early fifties, yet his sharp eyes carried decades of wisdom and experience.

  Hiro immediately bowed. “Hokage-sama.”

  Hiruzen chuckled warmly. “No need to be so stiff. Come, have a seat.”

  Hiro hesitated before moving to sit. Enma took his pce beside the Hokage, crossing his arms as he watched. There was something deliberate about this meeting.

  Hiruzen studied Hiro for a moment before speaking. “Tell me, Hiro, what do you think the Will of Fire means?”

  Hiro thought for a moment before answering. “It means protecting those you care about. Not just with words, but by growing strong enough to stand for them.”

  A slow smile spread across the Hokage’s face. He let out a hearty ugh, looking at Enma. “My friend has always had a great eye for talent.”

  Hiruzen stood and pced a firm hand on Hiro’s shoulder. “As long as you listen to the two men in this room, you will have all the room you need to grow. You will become an excellent shinobi, one more than capable of protecting those you care about.”

  He winked. “And maybe one day, when I’m old and gray, I’ll need you to protect me too.”

  Hiro allowed himself a small smile. “I’ll do my best.”

  The other man in the room finally spoke. “I have no doubt about that.”

  Hiro turned to him. The man was young—nineteen at most—but he carried himself with a confidence that reminded Hiro of Hiruzen. His sharp eyes, strong jawline, and calm demeanor made the resembnce impossible to miss.

  “I’m Shigeto Sarutobi,” the man said simply.

  Hiro blinked. Sarutobi?

  Shigeto must have noticed his expression because he smiled. “Yes, Hiruzen is my father. You may know my younger brother, Asuma. He’s a year ahead of you at the Academy.”

  Hiro shook his head. “I don’t know him. I’ve mostly kept to myself.”

  Shigeto nodded in understanding. “Well, that’s about to change. I’m going to be leading the Summoner Corps.”

  Hiro straightened slightly.

  “We need to discuss your abilities,” Shigeto continued. “By organizing this corps under the Hokage’s and Enma’s names, we’ve made it much more difficult for… certain elements in Konoha to interfere.”

  Hiro didn’t need crification. Danzo.

  Shigeto met Hiro’s gaze. “As long as you’re in this corps, you will be protected. If you leave on missions, we will make sure it is with a trustworthy team.”

  Hiro felt the weight of their efforts to protect him. He wasn’t just another student. He was something more.

  He looked at Enma, then at Shigeto, and finally at the Hokage.

  “Thank you.”

  He would make sure their trust wasn’t mispced.