Gamer, fixing the fates of fictional characters

The Uzumaki Clan compound was a lively sea of vibrant red and white, their signature colors fluttering on banners, streamers, and the robes of the attendees. The festive air was tinged with curiosity - whispers about what the Uzumaki heir had achieved were already circulating, though only a few knew the full truth. 

Kaitou, adorned in ceremonial robes embroidered with intricate Fūinjutsu symbols, stood at the center of the gathering. His composed demeanor belied the storm of emotions swirling within him. 

Hashirama Senju's hearty laughter rang through the courtyard as he called Kaitou over. Beside him stood a man whose very presence seemed to command the air around him - Madara Uchiha. The whispered conversations in the crowd faded as Kaitou approached. 

"Kaitou!" Hashirama's voice was filled with warmth, and his wide grin radiated pride. "Come here! There's someone I want you to meet." 

Kaitou approached with measured steps, bowing slightly to both men. 

"This," Hashirama said, gesturing grandly to the imposing figure beside him, "is Madara Uchiha. A man that is as prideful as he is strong and on top of this, he is my rival as well as my best friend." He chuckled. "Well, most of the time." 

Madara shot Hashirama a glare that could've frozen a lesser man. Then his eyes shifted to Kaitou, even without his sharingan activated, it was like a predator watching his prey. His gaze was intense, seemingly assessing every detail of the young heir. 

"So, this is the Uzumaki prodigy you've been boasting about," Madara said, his voice low and commanding. "You've got a sharp aura, boy. But sharpness without a proper edge is useless. I hope that you at the very least used the chance to learn from my clansman." 

Kaitou met his gaze, unflinching. "It's an honor to meet you, Lord Madara. I've heard much about your prowess and leadership. And I'm deeply grateful for this opportunity, I learned a lot under Daiken Sensei's guidance" 

Madara's lips curled into a faint smirk. "And I've heard some things about you as well. Mastering Fūinjutsu at your age is no small feat, if the rumors are true. And to top it off you seem to also have a knick for Kenjūtsu as well, at least so I heard." 

"They're not rumors, Madara!" Hashirama interjected, slapping the Uchiha on the back. "Kaitou's accomplishments are very real. I'd wager even *you* would have trouble countering his finesse with seals!" 

Madara gave Hashirama a sidelong glance. "Finesse isn't everything, Hashirama. Power shapes the world." He turned back to Kaitou. "Remember that, boy. Your talent is impressive, but raw strength will always tip the scales in the end." 

Kaitou nodded, his voice steady. "Seals may not be raw power, Lord Madara, but they can shape and control it. I plan to master both. Also, without any finesse accompanying the strength one will always seem to others like a mindless brute." 

For a moment, Madara's smirk faltered, replaced by something resembling approval. "We'll see if you can back up those words." 

As the evening deepened, Kazuto stepped onto a raised platform at the center of the courtyard. The chatter died down as he raised his hands for silence. Kaitou stood at his side, his crimson robes catching the light of the lanterns overhead. 

"Friends, family, and honored allies," Kazuto began, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "Tonight, we gather to celebrate the fifth birthday of my son, Kaitou. But this is no ordinary birthday. Tonight, we also celebrate an achievement that will be remembered for generations to come." 

The crowd leaned in, murmurs of curiosity rippling through them. 

"Kaitou Uzumaki," Kazuto continued, "has achieved the rank of Grandmaster in the art of Fūinjutsu." 

Gasps echoed throughout the courtyard. Even among the Uzumaki, known for their unparalleled skill in sealing arts, such a feat at Kaitou's age was unheard of. 

"Kaitou is not just the youngest Grandmaster in our clan's history - he is the youngest known Grandmaster in the world's history," Kazuto declared. "This is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and the strength of our Uzumaki bloodline." 

The crowd erupted into applause, though whispers soon followed as the reality of the announcement began to sink in. 

"I knew the Uzumaki were talented, but this? At his age?" 

"Grandmaster at five… Is that even possible? Surely there's been a mistake." 

"Madara Uchiha seems interested. If *he* respects the boy, then there is probably at least some truth to it." 

"This changes everything. The Uzumaki are already powerful - what will this mean for the balance of power between the clans?" 

After the announcement, Madara approached Kaitou once again, his expression unreadable. 

"You've stirred quite the commotion," Madara said, his voice low enough that only Kaitou could hear. "Do you know what this means?" 

Kaitou looked up at him, his face calm but his eyes alight with determination. "It means I have a responsibility. To my clan, and to myself." 

Madara's smirk returned. "Responsibility, yes. But also danger. There are those who will see your talent as a threat. I trust you're ready for that?" 

"I am," Kaitou replied firmly. "I've worked hard for this, and I'll protect it - no matter the cost, as this is merely one of the steps, I will have to take on my way." 

Madara nodded, a glimmer of approval in his gaze. "Good. Then prove it. Show the world what the Uzumaki are capable of, what you are capable of." 

As the party continued, Kaitou found himself surrounded by well-wishers, including his aunts and uncles, who showered him with praise and affection. But the weight of his decision lingered in his mind. He knew this was only the beginning. 

Hashirama clapped him on the back as he passed by, laughing heartily. "You've made quite the impression tonight, Kaitou. Even Madara seems intrigued. That's no small feat!" 

Kaitou smiled faintly, glancing at the Uchiha, who stood at the edge of the crowd, watching him intently. 

The party went on for a couple more hours and when it came to an end it was already late in the night. Most people decided to spend the night in close guesthouses, but the VIPs and close family guests stayed in the main area.

Kaitou already back in his room was meanwhile thinking about something that happened today. A short while before the party officially ended, he stood together with his aunt and uncles. Not many people dared to come close to this group as while Hashirama always seemed very approachable, the other two grown man were a whole different story. The already normally quite and scary Tobirama and Madara were once again giving each other the silent treatment, one could imagine that without such an occasion they probably couldn't even stay in the same room for long. Kaitou obviously knew about why these two are so against each other, but he still had to act like an oblivious child.

When the atmosphere became more and more strained Mito engaged Kaitou in a conversation to ease the tension in the air slightly. They both talked about how his training has been progressing and what he plans to do now, that he doesn't have to expend so much time for Fūinjutsu. At that, the other three were silently listening in, though Madara once again acted disinterested to all of that.

This changed abruptly as soon as Kaitou mentioned how he is planning to start with Ninjutsu soon, normally a child his age, wouldn't be able to actually study Ninjutsu, at least not thoroughly. But for Kaitou with his Uzumaki descent and his unnatural training since early childhood, it was possible. When the question of who would teach him then came up, he could feel intense stares from two sides, one Tobirama and one Madara. Kaitou realized at that moment that it seemed that Madara was really interested in him, at the very least his talents.

To get out of this situation for now, he said he wasn't sure yet and tried to quickly change the topic, which worked more or less.

Now in his room with the necessary silence to think about it, he decided to study under the one his chakra affinities would fit more. Over the last days Kaitou's had already managed to create a similar method to test his chakra as the chakra paper, which would later be developed. He held back on testing his affinities for now, as he thought to make it fair and also to impress the ones, he actually wanted to study under, so he would do it when they were present.

Now he would just need to bring this topic up tomorrow morning, he knew his father would most likely not say anything about studying under them, as they were known to be the strongest around, it wouldn't be long before they would be known as the strongest all around. But this should still take a few years as from what the Anime showed, they already had a certain prestige when they founded the village.

With those thoughts in his mind, Kaitou soon drifted slowly to sleep…