"Psychic Shadows of the Hidden Leaf

Boom!

Kaitan was in the middle of reviewing a memory when a sudden vibration jolted him.

The tremors were faint, but they caught his attention immediately.

"What's going on?" he muttered to himself.

As a perceptive ninja, Kaitan had honed his analytical skills by extracting information from enemy memories. He quickly deduced that a fierce battle was taking place near the village.

Focusing his chakra, Kaitan activated his sensory abilities. The movements within a three-kilometer radius slowly entered his mind. He traced the vibrations to their source and analyzed the situation further.

It was in the southeast, just outside the village. Based on the intensity of the tremors, he concluded the fight involved high-level shinobi—likely at least Jōnin.

Kaitan thought back to the original timeline he remembered. Given the location, timing, and magnitude of the disturbance, he guessed it was the event where Might Dai, Guy's father, unleashed the Eight Gates to protect his comrades.

"'Behind me, live with enthusiasm, youth, and a smile,'" Kaitan murmured, recalling the heartfelt words Dai had shared with Guy before his final stand.

Just as he was lost in thought, a sharp voice interrupted him.

"Gather up!"

Kaitan snapped back to reality. Yamanako had called an emergency assembly. Without hesitation, he joined his fellow members of the analysis division.

Yamanako addressed them briskly. "Urgent mission: head to the main gate and meet the Anbu dispatched by Hokage-sama. You'll be assisting them in an investigation. Kaitan, Shenu, and Dunko, you're on the team. Everyone else, standby."

"Yes, sir!"

Kaitan wasted no time, following the others as they disappeared in a blur of motion.

Yamanako sighed, glancing toward the southeast. "I hope this isn't the start of more trouble."

---

At the Main Gate

Kaitan's expression was serious as he used the Body Flicker Technique to leap across rooftops toward the main gate.

This has to be the incident with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kaitan thought. But with me here, the timeline might not follow the original events exactly.

Dunko, now leading the group, gave orders. "When we meet Anbu, they're in charge. Do as they say, no exceptions."

"Yes, Captain," Kaitan and Shenu replied in unison.

As they reached the gate, two Anbu teams clad in their signature animal masks stood waiting. After exchanging coded gestures to confirm their identities, the Anbu captain, a man with blonde hair under his mask, gave the order to move out.

"Let's go."

Their mission was clear: investigate the source of the disturbance near the village.

---

Through the Forest

The team moved swiftly through the trees, their movements silent and efficient.

Dunko asked the Anbu captain, "What's Hokage-sama's directive?"

The Anbu captain replied curtly, "There's been a large-scale battle near the village. It's possible that enemy forces, unwilling to accept their loss in the war, are attempting a sneak attack on Konoha. We're tasked with gathering intelligence and ensuring the village's safety. Your team is responsible for locating and tracking any hostile movements."

"Understood."

The analysis team immediately began using their sensory techniques to search for signs of the enemy.

Kaitan's sharp perception quickly picked up on three faint chakra signatures about three kilometers ahead. Judging by the chakra levels, they seemed to be Genin, but he couldn't rule out the possibility of a disguise.

"At 11 o'clock, three kilometers out," Kaitan reported. "Three chakra signatures, roughly Genin-level. Be cautious—they may be using a transformation jutsu."

The others looked at him in surprise. Kaitan's perceptive ability was far beyond theirs.

The Anbu captain nodded. "We'll set up an ambush within a mile. Keep tracking their movements."

"Yes, sir," Kaitan replied.

Though he suspected the three were Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma fleeing from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he prepared himself for a potential fight.

---

In the Forest

Meanwhile, Guy, Ebisu, and Genma were running for their lives. The forest was dark, and their breaths came in ragged gasps as they pushed forward.

"Dad..." Guy sobbed as he ran, tears streaming down his face.

Ebisu and Genma were equally shaken. The encounter with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had been harrowing. If not for Dai's intervention, they wouldn't have survived.

Leaning against a tree to catch their breath, Guy continued to cry uncontrollably.

"Kai, it's okay," Genma said gently. "Your dad is so strong—he'll definitely beat them!"

"Yes, yes," Ebisu chimed in. "Uncle is incredibly powerful. He can handle it!"

But their words only made Guy cry harder.

"You don't understand," Guy managed between sobs. "My father always said... this technique is only to be used when protecting what you cherish most. After using it... he'll..."

Ebisu and Genma exchanged a grim look, finally grasping the gravity of the situation.

"Kai," Ebisu said, forcing his voice to stay calm, "your father told us not to waste our youth. Crying won't help. We need to get stronger so we can protect the ones we care about."

Guy's sobbing slowed as Ebisu's words sank in.

"Yes," Guy said, his voice trembling but determined. "I can't waste my youth. I'll become stronger. I'll protect my friends, no matter what."

---

The Encounter

"Hey, isn't that Guy? What are you doing crying in the middle of the forest?"

The familiar voice startled the trio. Looking up, they saw Kaitan standing on a tree branch, his face partially obscured by bandages. Several Anbu flanked him.

"Kaitan?" Genma exclaimed, relief washing over him.

The Anbu captain stepped forward, addressing the boys. "State your identities and explain the situation."

Genma quickly recounted their encounter with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and how Dai had stayed behind to hold them off.

The Anbu captain's tone grew serious. "We need to confirm this information immediately. Kaitan, continue tracking the enemy's movements. Dunko, take the boys back to the village."

"Yes, sir," they replied.

As Kaitan prepared to move out with the Anbu, he glanced back at Guy, who was standing tall despite the tears still glistening in his eyes.

"Guy," Kaitan said, "your father's sacrifice won't be in vain. Use it as fuel to become stronger. That's how you honor him."

Guy nodded, his resolve clear. "I will. I swear it."

Kaitan turned away, disappearing into the trees with the Anbu. In his heart, he silently vowed to ensure the story unfolded as it should—protecting Konoha and the Will of Fire that burned in every shinobi's heart.

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