Coming out of the training space, Kaito was just like usual.
He brought out his own grilled meat and Ino's favorite noodles with gravy from the kitchen and waited for her to arrive.
A moment later, Ino showed up right on time, skipping cheerfully like always.
Seeing her bright expression, Kaito guessed that her father still had no idea that his private savings were secretly taken by Ino and handed to him.
"Oh, what a headache…"
Kaito pressed a hand to his forehead. This girl was way too carefree—she had no clue just how big of a mess she had stirred up!
Two hours later, Ino stood to leave.
"Kaito, I've got to go!"
"Okay, I'll walk you there."
As they stepped outside, they bumped into Yamanaka Inoichi, red-faced and clearly tipsy.
"Good evening, Uncle Inoichi!" Kaito greeted politely.
"Good evening, Kaito!"
"Dad! Why are you coming back so late?" Ino pouted, visibly displeased.
"Something came up. I won't let it happen again." Inoichi patted Ino's forehead affectionately.
"Oh no! Why are both you and Kaito always doing this? You love rubbing my forehead!" Ino grumbled and brushed his hand away.
Suddenly—
Kaito felt the temperature around him drop.
A suffocating wave of murderous intent enveloped him.
"Oh no…"
"Is that so, Kaito?" Inoichi's eyes gleamed green, almost like a demon had descended.
"Damn daughter-con…" Kaito cursed inwardly. "It's not like that! Just sometimes! Occasionally!"
"Occasionally?" Inoichi's drunken expression vanished instantly, replaced by a stormy glare.
My little girl's already being chased at this age? Are you trying to be the next Minato Namikaze and Kushina?
That thought alone sent Inoichi's rage surging. His gaze turned even more feral—like a tiger ready to pounce.
Feeling the sharp aura closing in, Kaito knew that if he didn't say the right thing, he might not survive the night.
"Uh, Uncle Inoichi, let's talk inside! I have something to give you!" he said, trying to stay calm.
He turned to Ino and added quickly, "Ino, head home first! I want to have a good chat with your dad!"
"What is there to talk about?" Inoichi asked coldly.
Kaito moved closer and whispered, "The private money. In the vase."
As if flipping a switch, Inoichi's bloodlust vanished, and his stern expression softened.
He cleared his throat. "Ino, go on home. I'm going to hang out with Kaito for a bit."
"Okay! I'll tell Mom when I get back!" Ino chirped, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
She tilted her head as she walked. What just happened? Dad looked terrifying just now… and now he's suddenly fine? Is he secretly a shape-shifter or something?
With that thought, she disappeared down the road.
"Kaito, there's no one else around. How did you find out about my secret stash?" Inoichi demanded as soon as they were inside, barely containing his panic.
This was his personal emergency fund—hidden away for years. No one was supposed to know!
"Wait here," Kaito said, pouring him a cup of tea and heading into the inner room.
When he returned, he was carrying a rectangular package wrapped in white cloth.
Inoichi frowned at the object. As clan head and close friend of Shikaku, he wasn't slow-witted.
Recalling the situation just now, he asked warily, "What's this? Could it be…?"
"That's right. It's your private stash," Kaito replied, calmly sipping his tea—even though internally, he was sweating bullets.
He was praying this would improve his relationship with his future father-in-law.
"Uncle Inoichi, you're wondering how I got it, right?"
Reading his expression, Kaito continued.
"Hmph! Who else could it be but that girl Ino?" Inoichi growled.
There was no need to guess. If his wife knew, she would never have given it to Kaito. The only possible culprit was their silly daughter.
Anger bubbled up. She's still so young and already handing money over to boys? She's not even married! What happens after marriage?
No! I must be strict with her from now on. I won't let this brat ruin my daughter's future!
Fuming, Inoichi didn't say another word. He grabbed the money and stormed off.
At the door, he growled, "Stay away from my Ino, kid!"
Kaito was stunned.
What just happened?
Wasn't Inoichi supposed to be moved by the gesture? Shouldn't he now approve of him and Ino spending more time together?
Why did he still look at him like he was guarding a thief?
"Ugh… I guess this backfired." Kaito rubbed his forehead. "If only I'd read more books on dealing with fathers-in-law back in my old world…"
---
Time passed like flowing water, and in a flash, three months had gone by.
The snow had melted, spring had arrived, and the world was coming alive again.
Kaito lounged lazily in a chair, basking in the warmth of early spring sunlight.
Three months in the real world equaled over two years of intensive training in his inner world.
And in that time, Kaito's strength had grown tremendously.
First, his chakra had evolved. His inner reserves were finally stabilized and filled to capacity. The next step was to refine and compress it further—just like chakra control principles found in advanced shinobi scrolls.
---