"Jiraiya Sama! That masked man suddenly disappeared... What should we do now?" asked a senior member of the Nara Clan, casting a sideways glance toward the two unconscious Jinchūriki and the exhausted Third Tsuchikage in the distance.

"You tell me," Jiraiya replied calmly, his tone heavy.

He knew the Nara were famed for their sharp minds. Though the mission placed him in charge, the real strategist behind many operations was this man.

After observing the battlefield, the Nara strategist leaned in and whispered, "Ōnoki's condition is dire, and the two Jinchūriki are down. This is an opportunity."

"If we act before reinforcements from Iwagakure arrive, we could seize the Tailed Beasts. With them in our possession, we could negotiate a hefty supply deal with Iwagakure. Of course, this hinges on you being able to hold Ōnoki at bay, Jiraiya sama."

His words lit a spark in the surrounding Konoha shinobi. The logic was sound—two Tailed Beasts, one injured Kage, and no enemy back-up yet.

But then Aburame Shihui calmly spoke up, "You're forgetting something crucial. We're severely outnumbered. Iwagakure still has over ten thousand shinobi stationed nearby."

He adjusted his dark glasses. "They lost many when fighting the Third Raikage, yes, but their remaining forces would overwhelm us."

Like a cold splash of water, Shihui's words sobered the group.

Nara Tsunekawa sighed bitterly. "You're right. I let ambition cloud my judgment. Even standard Iwa forces would crush us with those numbers. Forget what I said."

"So... what now?" asked Chōza Akimichi.

Jiraiya thought for a moment before turning. "Hizashi, take your squad and another to secure the perimeter. Everyone else, back to your posts. If nothing else, Ōnoki won't be causing us trouble anytime soon—not after being humiliated like that."

With that, he returned to his tent, preparing to write a full report to the Third Hokage. That masked man... he was far too powerful. A single person holding back Ōnoki, Son Gokū, and Kokuō—if he were to go rogue, even a village might fall.

---

Meanwhile, Kaito had already crossed the border, leaving the Land of Fire behind as he journeyed toward the Land of Bears.

Compared to the Five Great Nations, Hoshigakure was insignificant—but it held something of value: the Hidden Star Village's meteorite. A chunk of cosmic ore that crashed 200 years ago, revered as sacred by the villagers and considered the source of their mysterious chakra techniques.

In his original timeline, Ayanami Kaito couldn't have taken it by force. He was a Konoha shinobi, bound by duty and diplomacy.

But now?

He wore no forehead protector. His identity was hidden. In the chaos of the Third Great Ninja War, if something disappeared from a minor village, who would care?

This is how the world works, Kaito thought. The strong take what they want.

This time, he didn't rush with lightning travel. Instead, he wandered at a normal pace—observing the war-torn land as he passed through it.

Hoshigakure, already poor, was now ravaged by war. Its people were pale, gaunt, and hopeless. Food was scarce. Starvation ran rampant.

Kaito shook his head as he walked. On the third day of his journey, after asking around discreetly, he finally reached the gates of the Hidden Star Village.

Though they called themselves a "ninja village," the strongest among them barely qualified as an elite jōnin.

Still, within Hoshigakure, they were seen as giants.

Compared to the starving commoners outside, the two guards at the village gate looked surprisingly healthy and well-fed.

"Halt! This is Hidden Star Village," one guard barked, stepping forward.

Kaito didn't speak. He raised a hand and casually knocked them both unconscious with a flicker of lightning. He wasn't here to negotiate. He came to take the meteorite—and there was no room for discussion.

He moved forward.

The village's architecture was primitive but mirrored the designs of the Five Great Nations in its layout. A tall building with the word "Kage" carved into it marked the residence of the Hoshikage.

Before Kaito had gone far, several star shinobi surrounded him, eyes alert and hands near their weapons.

One younger shinobi stepped out, shouting, "Who are you? Why have you come to Hidden Star Village?"

"I came for the meteorite," Kaito replied, voice calm and unwavering.

His answer sparked immediate outrage. The meteorite was sacred—only allowed to be used by a chosen few, and even then, only in moderation.

Their response was immediate. The star shinobi attacked without hesitation.

Buzz!

Kaito's chakra surged.

A violent storm of lightning burst outward, sweeping through the attackers like a cyclone. They were thrown back effortlessly, their bodies slamming into nearby buildings.

Inside the Kage residence, the Third Hoshikage sensed the disturbance. An older man with white hair beneath a bamboo hat bearing the kanji for "Star," he quickly moved to confront the intruder.

By the time he arrived, the battle was over.

Kaito stood calmly amidst the chaos, surrounded by downed shinobi.

The Hoshikage's eyes narrowed. He could feel it—the overwhelming chakra from this masked man. Far beyond anything he could challenge.

Still, he stepped forward.

"I don't believe I've seen you before," the Third Hoshikage said cautiously. "What brings you to Hidden Star Village?"

The man's voice was calm, but carried an unshakable weight.

"I've come to borrow your village's meteorite," Kaito said plainly.

The Hoshikage's expression froze. So it's true...

But rather than protest, he nodded slowly.

"Very well," he said. "Please, follow me."

As he turned, Kaito raised an eyebrow.

"You figured it out already, didn't you?" he asked.

The old man didn't look back. "With chakra like yours, I'd be a fool not to."

---

I be seeing other fanfics with over 400 Powerstones, and we be getting less than 50 lol. Makes me a little sad, honestly 🙂.