Crimson Maelstrom: The Eye of the Fox

The moon hung low over Konoha, casting long shadows across the Hokage Monument. Blood pooled beneath Shisui Uchiha's body as he lay dying at the edge of the Naka River. His remaining eye—the last vessel of his legendary Mangekyō Sharingan—pulsed with fading chakra.

"Itachi..." Shisui whispered, his voice barely audible over the rush of water. "I've failed. Danzō has taken one eye, and the clan's coup cannot be stopped through my genjutsu alone."

Itachi knelt beside his closest friend, tears streaking his face. "You haven't failed. We'll find another way."

Shisui's fingers trembled as he reached toward his remaining eye. "Take it. Use it to protect the village."

Itachi shook his head. "No. I can't—"

But before he could finish, a small figure emerged from the darkness, moving with unnatural silence for a child.

"Naruto?" Itachi's voice cracked with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

The seven-year-old blond boy stepped forward, his blue eyes wide with concern. "I heard fighting. I was worried."

Shisui coughed, blood spattering his lips. His Sharingan spun wildly as a sudden vision flashed before him—a golden fox wreathed in crimson chakra, nine tails swirling behind it, eyes blazing with the pattern of his own Mangekyō.

"The jinchūriki," Shisui whispered, understanding flooding his dying mind. "Of course." A bitter smile twisted his lips. "Itachi, change of plans."

Before either could react, Shisui's hand shot forward with startling speed, pressing his remaining eye into Naruto's forehead. The boy screamed as foreign chakra invaded his system, the eye dissolving into pure energy as it entered his chakra network.

"What have you done?" Itachi gasped, catching Naruto as he collapsed.

Shisui's smile was peaceful now. "Created a contingency. The fox's chakra will preserve the eye's power until he's ready. When the time comes—when he faces true darkness and his heart remains pure—the power will awaken." His breathing grew more labored. "Nobody will expect it. Not even Danzō."

"But Naruto is—"

"The perfect vessel," Shisui interrupted. "An Uchiha eye in the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, protected by the Fourth's seal and hidden in plain sight." He gripped Itachi's hand. "Promise me you'll watch over him. Promise me you'll keep this secret."

Itachi nodded solemnly. "I promise."

As life faded from Shisui's body, he whispered his final words: "The Kotoamatsukami will live on... in the eye of the fox."

Naruto convulsed in Itachi's arms, his unconscious form wracked with pain as the foreign chakra buried itself deep within his system, hidden even from the Third Hokage's watchful gaze. By morning, the boy would remember nothing of this night, and the power of Shisui's eye would slumber alongside the Nine-Tailed Fox, waiting for the moment when Naruto would need it most.

Itachi lifted the unconscious boy in his arms, glancing once more at his fallen friend before disappearing into the shadows of Konoha.

The wheels of fate had begun to turn.

Five years later, a twelve-year-old Naruto Uzumaki lay sprawled across his bed, his snores practically rattling the windows of his small apartment. Morning sunlight spilled through gaps in his curtains, illuminating dust motes that danced in the air. On his nightstand, an alarm clock ticked steadily toward 8:00 AM—exactly one hour after he was supposed to meet his team at the village gates.

In his dreams, Naruto stood in a vast, flooded corridor. Pipes ran along the ceiling, dripping water that echoed eerily through the space. At the end of the corridor loomed a massive gate, sealed with a paper tag bearing the kanji for "seal."

Behind the bars, something stirred in the darkness—something massive and ancient, with eyes that burned like molten gold.

"Soon," the creature rumbled, its voice reverberating through Naruto's bones. "Soon you will need me, little human."

But there was something else there too—a flicker of crimson light that didn't belong to the Nine-Tails. It swirled at the edges of his vision, never quite in focus, like an after-image from staring at the sun.

The sound of knocking jolted Naruto from his sleep. He rolled out of bed, landing with a thud on his floor.

"Naruto!" Sakura's voice came through the door, sharp with irritation. "We've been waiting for an hour! Kakashi-sensei sent me to get you. If you don't open this door right now, I swear I'll break it down!"

"Coming, coming!" Naruto scrambled to his feet, stumbling over empty ramen cups as he yanked on his orange jumpsuit. "Just give me a second!"

Ten minutes later, Team 7 stood at Konoha's main gate. Sasuke leaned against a post, arms crossed, looking as though Naruto's tardiness physically pained him. Kakashi, ironically, seemed amused by the role reversal.

"Nice of you to join us, Naruto," the jōnin said, his visible eye crinkling. "Ready for your first C-rank mission?"

Naruto pumped his fist in the air. "Believe it! I've been ready forever! No more catching stupid cats or pulling weeds!"

Their client, Tazuna, took a long swig from his flask, eyeing the team skeptically. "These are the ninja protecting me? They're just a bunch of kids. Especially the short one with the stupid face."

Naruto's excitement evaporated. "Who's the short one with the stupid face?!"

Kakashi placed a restraining hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Ah, Naruto, perhaps we shouldn't threaten the client we're supposed to be protecting."

Tazuna grunted. "I'm the master bridge builder of the Land of Waves. That bridge is the key to our country's future. I expect real protection, not babysitting a bunch of genin."

"Don't worry, old man," Naruto declared, jabbing a thumb at his chest. "I'm gonna be Hokage someday, and a future Hokage never fails a mission! Believe it!"

As they set out on the road, none of them noticed the pair of eyes watching from the shadows of the treeline—eyes that reflected the morning light with a metallic gleam.

Several hours into their journey, Naruto couldn't shake a growing unease. For days, he'd been plagued by strange dreams and unexplained headaches. Now, as they followed the path toward the Land of Waves, a persistent buzz of chakra tingled at the base of his skull.

The road stretched before them, dappled with shadows from overhanging trees. Birds called from the branches above, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. To anyone else, it would have seemed peaceful.

But Naruto felt watched.

He scanned the treeline, blue eyes narrowed in concentration. Nothing seemed out of place, yet the sensation persisted, along with a strange pressure behind his eyes.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei," he said, breaking the silence, "are we being followed?"

Kakashi glanced at him, visible eye widening slightly in surprise. "What makes you ask that, Naruto?"

Before he could answer, Sasuke spoke up. "The dobe's just paranoid. This is his first time outside the village."

"I am not!" Naruto protested. "Something feels off, that's all."

Kakashi studied him for a moment longer, then casually scanned their surroundings. "It's good to trust your instincts, Naruto. Stay alert, everyone."

They continued walking, Naruto's unease growing with each step. Then he spotted it—a puddle on the road, despite the fact that it hadn't rained in days.

The pressure behind his eyes intensified suddenly, and for just an instant, his vision seemed to sharpen dramatically, the world becoming hyper-focused. The puddle pulsed faintly with blue chakra.

"Sensei—" he began, but it was too late.

Two figures erupted from the puddle, trailing barbed chains that wrapped around Kakashi before anyone could react. With a vicious yank, their teacher was torn to shreds before their eyes.

"One down," one of the attackers growled.

"Four to go," finished the other.

Sasuke reacted first, launching into action with shuriken that pinned the assassins' chain to a tree. He followed with a flying kick that forced them to detach from their weapon.

They split up—one heading for Tazuna, the other for Naruto.

Time seemed to slow as the attacker rushed toward him, poison-coated claws extended. The pressure behind Naruto's eyes exploded into searing pain. His vision blurred, then snapped into focus with frightening clarity.

He could see the attacker's movements before they happened, as if watching a telltale twitch of muscle that betrayed intention. His body moved instinctively, ducking under the strike that should have caught him completely by surprise.

"What the—" The assassin's voice cut off as Naruto's fist connected with his solar plexus, driving the air from his lungs.

Before Naruto could press his advantage, Kakashi appeared, effortlessly subduing both attackers. "Good work, team," he said casually, as if he hadn't just faked his own death.

Naruto blinked rapidly, the strange clarity fading from his vision. A dull throb remained behind his eyes, and he pressed the heels of his palms against them.

"How did you do that, Naruto?" Sasuke demanded, suspicion evident in his voice.

"Do what?" Naruto asked, genuinely confused.

"Dodge like that. You moved... differently."

"I don't know. I just... reacted."

Kakashi studied him intently. "Interesting," he murmured, before turning his attention to Tazuna. "I think it's time you told us the truth about this mission, don't you?"

As Tazuna revealed the dire situation in the Land of Waves—the tyranny of Gatō, the importance of the bridge, the inability of his impoverished country to afford a B-rank mission—Naruto barely listened. He was too preoccupied with what had just happened.

For a moment, he could have sworn his vision had turned red.

Later that night, as they made camp, Naruto sat apart from the others, staring into the flames of their small fire. The incident with the Demon Brothers had left him shaken, not because of the danger, but because of what had happened to him during the fight.

Kakashi approached, sitting down beside him with casual grace. "Something on your mind, Naruto?"

Naruto hesitated, then nodded. "During the fight today... something weird happened. I could see everything so clearly, like I knew what was going to happen before it did." He looked up at his teacher. "Is that normal?"

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed slightly. "Combat can sometimes trigger heightened awareness in shinobi. Adrenaline sharpens the senses."

"It felt like more than that," Naruto insisted. "And my eyes hurt afterward."

For a moment, Kakashi went very still. "Your eyes?" he asked carefully.

"Yeah. It was like pressure building up, and then..." Naruto trailed off, unsure how to describe it.

Kakashi seemed to weigh his words before speaking. "Perhaps it's related to your... unique chakra situation."

Naruto's hand unconsciously moved to his stomach, where the seal containing the Nine-Tails was located. "You mean the fox?"

"Possibly." Kakashi's tone made it clear he wasn't entirely convinced. "If it happens again, tell me immediately. For now, try to get some rest. We have a difficult journey ahead."

As Kakashi walked away, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that his teacher knew more than he was letting on.

That night, Naruto's dreams were more vivid than ever.

He stood before the Nine-Tails' cage again, but this time, the crimson light he'd glimpsed before was brighter, swirling like a small galaxy in the corner of his vision.

"You're starting to awaken," the fox growled, its massive maw curling into what might have been a smile. "I wonder if you're ready for what's coming."

"What are you talking about?" Naruto demanded. "What's happening to me?"

"A gift. A curse. Perhaps both." The fox's laughter shook the foundations of the mindscape. "The eye of illusion meets the heart of chaos. What interesting patterns you'll weave, little human."

The crimson light pulsed, and for a split second, it took shape—a single eye, with a pattern unlike anything Naruto had ever seen.

He woke with a gasp, sweat soaking his clothes despite the cool night air. Across the camp, Kakashi watched him, unblinking.

The Land of Waves greeted them with dense fog and the silent passage of the boat that carried them toward Tazuna's home. As they disembarked on the shore, the mist clung to them like ghostly fingers, reducing visibility to mere meters.

"Stay close," Kakashi warned. "We're not alone."

Naruto felt it again—that prickling sensation at the base of his skull, the pressure building behind his eyes. Something was coming, something deadly.

A faint whistling sound cut through the air.

"Get down!" Kakashi shouted.

They dropped just as an enormous sword whirled over their heads, embedding itself in a tree trunk. A figure appeared, standing on the blade's hilt with casual arrogance—a tall, muscular man with bandages covering the lower half of his face and a slashed Kirigakure headband.

"Zabuza Momochi," Kakashi identified, "the Demon of the Hidden Mist."

Zabuza's eyes crinkled with dark amusement. "Kakashi of the Sharingan. I'm honored." His gaze swept over the genin. "Hand over the bridge builder, and I might let the children live."

"Manji formation," Kakashi ordered, lifting his headband to reveal a scarred eye with a red iris and three tomoe. "Protect Tazuna. This one's on a different level."

The mist thickened unnaturally, chakra-infused vapors obscuring everything.

"Eight points," Zabuza's voice echoed from everywhere at once. "Larynx, spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidneys, heart. Which vital organ do you want to be struck at?"

Naruto felt the killing intent radiating from the hidden assassin, so potent it nearly froze him in place. But something was happening inside him—a response to the danger, a fire igniting in his veins. The pressure behind his eyes built to an unbearable crescendo.

And then Zabuza was there, between them and Tazuna, sword raised for a killing blow.

Time slowed.

Naruto saw it all with impossible clarity—the arc of the blade, the flex of Zabuza's muscles, the precise angle of the attack. But more than that, he saw something no one else could: the faint blue lines of chakra flowing through Zabuza's body, the subtle flickers that betrayed his next movement.

Without thinking, Naruto moved, his body operating on instinct. He shoved Tazuna aside with one hand while the other formed a seal.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

A dozen clones burst into existence, diving toward Zabuza from all angles. The assassin's eyes widened fractionally in surprise—not at the technique, but at the precision of the attack, each clone targeting a different opening in his defense.

It wasn't enough to defeat him, but it created the split-second distraction Kakashi needed. Water clones collided with shadow clones in an explosion of smoke and moisture, and then the jōnin were engaged in a deadly dance of blades and jutsu.

Naruto fell back, gasping, as his vision returned to normal. The world seemed dimmer somehow, colors less vibrant, movements less defined.

"What did you just do?" Sasuke demanded, staring at him with a mixture of confusion and something that looked almost like jealousy.

"I don't know," Naruto admitted, touching the skin beneath his eyes. "I just... saw."

Before they could discuss it further, the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza escalated. Water dragons crashed together, waves swept across the battlefield, and eventually, Kakashi gained the upper hand, trapping Zabuza in a water prison.

But just as victory seemed assured, senbon needles flashed through the air, striking Zabuza in the neck. A masked hunter-nin appeared, claiming to have been tracking the rogue ninja for weeks.

As the hunter-nin disappeared with Zabuza's body, Kakashi collapsed from chakra exhaustion, leaving the genin to carry him to Tazuna's house.

That night, as Naruto sat beside his unconscious teacher, he whispered, "Sensei, something's happening to me, and I'm scared."

In the depths of his mind, the Nine-Tails stirred, its laughter echoing through the corridors of Naruto's subconscious, joined by the pulsing of a crimson light that grew stronger with each passing hour.

Kakashi's recovery was slower than anyone had anticipated. Three days after the encounter with Zabuza, he was still confined to bed, though at least now he could sit up and speak without his voice wavering from exhaustion.

"The hunter-nin was working with Zabuza," Kakashi explained to his team, gathered around his futon in Tazuna's house. "Those senbon struck pressure points that induce a death-like state. Zabuza is alive, and they'll be back—likely within a week, once he's recovered."

"Then we need to prepare," Sasuke said, arms crossed over his chest.

"Indeed." Kakashi's visible eye crinkled in what might have been a smile. "It's time for some special training."

"Training?" Naruto perked up instantly. "What kind of training?"

"Tree climbing."

Sasuke and Sakura exchanged confused glances, while Naruto's face fell in disappointment.

"Tree climbing? That's your special training?" he complained. "I've been climbing trees since I was a kid!"

"Not like this," Kakashi replied, holding up a finger. "You'll be climbing without using your hands."

He demonstrated by channeling chakra to his feet and walking up the wall of the room, his crutch tucked under one arm. When he reached the ceiling, he hung upside down, looking down at his stunned students.

"Focus your chakra to the soles of your feet and use it to connect to the tree's surface. Too little chakra and you'll fall off. Too much and you'll damage the bark and be repelled."

The exercise proved more challenging than any of them had anticipated. Sakura mastered it first, her precise chakra control allowing her to reach the top of her tree on the first attempt. Sasuke made it halfway up before the bark splintered beneath his feet, sending him tumbling back to earth.

And Naruto? He managed three steps before falling flat on his back.

"Dammit!" he cursed, rubbing the growing lump on the back of his head.

"Keep trying," Kakashi advised from where he sat observing. "This exercise is particularly important for you, Naruto."

"Why's that?" Naruto asked, clambering back to his feet.

"Because your chakra control is the worst of the three of you. You have enormous reserves, but without control, much of that power is wasted."

Naruto grumbled but returned to his tree, determined to master the technique. By sunset, his hands were raw from repeatedly marking his progress with a kunai, and he'd only managed to make it a quarter of the way up.

As they walked back to Tazuna's house, Naruto lagged behind, frustration evident in his hunched shoulders.

"Hey," Sakura fell into step beside him, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "Want some advice?"

Naruto looked up, surprised. Sakura rarely offered him anything but criticism.

"Try to clear your mind," she suggested. "When I focus, I picture my chakra as a constant, steady flow—like water from a tap, not too fast, not too slow."

"Thanks, Sakura-chan," Naruto said, genuinely grateful.

That night, after everyone else had gone to bed, Naruto returned to the forest alone. The moon provided just enough light to see by as he stood before his marked tree, determination etched into his features.

"Clear my mind," he muttered to himself. "Steady flow."

He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. In the darkness behind his eyelids, he tried to visualize his chakra as Sakura had described—a steady stream flowing to his feet.

But something else happened instead. As he concentrated, he became aware of a second chakra source within him—vast, malevolent, and orange-red in his mind's eye. The Nine-Tails' power. And beside it, much smaller but equally distinct, a flicker of crimson energy that seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat.

Curious, he mentally reached for this unfamiliar chakra. The moment he touched it, pain lanced through his head, and his eyes snapped open.

The world had changed.

Colors were sharper, more vibrant. He could see every detail of the bark before him, count each individual leaf on the branches above. When an owl took flight from a distant tree, he tracked its movement with perfect clarity despite the dim light.

But most surprising of all was the faint blue glow that outlined his own body—his chakra, visible to his naked eye.

"What's happening to me?" he whispered, reaching up to touch his face.

He caught his reflection in a puddle at the base of the tree and froze. His usual blue eyes had been replaced by red ones, with a strange pattern—three tomoe arranged in a circle.

"Sharingan," he breathed, recognition dawning despite never having seen the dōjutsu up close before. "But how? I'm not an Uchiha."

As if in response to his confusion, a memory surfaced—not his own, but vivid enough to make him stagger. A riverbank at night. A dying man with blood on his face. Pain as something entered his body, and a voice: "The fox's chakra will preserve the eye's power until he's ready."

The vision faded, leaving Naruto trembling. Somehow, he'd received a Sharingan—an Uchiha eye. But who had given it to him? And why couldn't he remember it happening?

His turmoil was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes. Instinctively, he dropped into a defensive stance, kunai drawn.

"Show yourself!" he demanded.

A figure emerged from the undergrowth—a slender teenager with long black hair and delicate features, carrying a basket of herbs.

"I'm sorry if I startled you," the stranger said softly. "I'm gathering medicinal herbs."

Naruto relaxed slightly but didn't lower his kunai. With his newly awakened Sharingan, he could see the steady flow of chakra through the teenager's body—trained chakra, too disciplined for a civilian.

"You're a shinobi," he stated, not a question.

The stranger's eyes widened fractionally. "What makes you say that?"

"Your chakra." Naruto gestured vaguely. "I can see it."

A moment of tense silence passed between them.

"Your eyes," the stranger finally said. "They're red."

Naruto blinked, realizing his dōjutsu was still active. He concentrated, willing it to deactivate, and felt the strange clarity of his vision fade. The pain behind his eyes subsided to a dull throb.

"Who are you, really?" Naruto asked.

The stranger's lips curved in a melancholy smile. "My name is Haku. And yes, I am a shinobi—though not the one you might think."

"You're with Zabuza." It wasn't a question this time either.

Haku didn't deny it. "He saved me when no one else would. I exist to make his dreams come true—that is my purpose." Haku studied Naruto intently. "Do you have someone precious to you? Someone you would die to protect?"

The question caught Naruto off guard. Images flashed through his mind: Iruka-sensei shielding him from Mizuki's giant shuriken; the Third Hokage smiling at him from behind his desk; Kakashi, Sakura, and even Sasuke fighting alongside him against Zabuza.

"I do," he answered honestly.

"Then you might understand. True strength comes from protecting those precious to you." Haku set down the basket and approached Naruto, stopping just out of arm's reach. "Your eyes—they're not natural to you, are they?"

Naruto stiffened. "How would you know that?"

"I've encountered dōjutsu before. Yours... flickers, as if it's not fully integrated with your chakra system yet." Haku's gaze was penetrating. "Be careful. Such power always comes with a price."

Before Naruto could respond, Haku picked up the basket and turned to leave. "By the way, I'm a boy."

Naruto's jaw dropped in surprise. "Wait! If you're with Zabuza, why are you telling me all this? Why not just attack me?"

Haku looked back over his shoulder, expression serene. "Because this isn't the battlefield we've chosen. But when next we meet, I will fight with everything I have." He disappeared into the trees with unnatural speed.

Alone again, Naruto stared at his hands, which trembled slightly. He needed answers, but who could he ask? If he revealed the Sharingan to Kakashi or Sasuke, what would happen? Would they think he'd stolen it somehow?

The only being that might know was the one sealed inside him.

Taking a deep breath, Naruto sat cross-legged on the forest floor and closed his eyes. He'd never intentionally tried to contact the Nine-Tails before, but instinct told him it was possible.

He focused on the malevolent chakra within him, allowing his consciousness to sink toward it like a stone dropped in a deep pond.

When he opened his eyes, he stood in the familiar flooded corridor of his mindscape, the massive cage of the Nine-Tails looming before him. Two enormous eyes gleamed in the darkness beyond the bars.

"So, the jailer finally visits his prisoner," the fox rumbled, its voice reverberating through the chamber. "To what do I owe this... pleasure?"

"You know why I'm here," Naruto said, trying to keep his voice steady. "What's happening to me? How do I have the Sharingan?"

The Nine-Tails' chuckle sent ripples across the water at Naruto's feet. "You were given a gift, little human. A dying Uchiha's last gambit."

"Who? When?"

"Shisui was his name. The night he died, he placed his remaining eye inside you—not physically, but as pure chakra, merged with your own network."

"Why wouldn't I remember something like that?"

"You were seven, unconscious, and traumatized. The mind protects itself by forgetting." The fox's massive head emerged from the shadows, teeth gleaming in a mockery of a smile. "But I remember. I remember everything."

"Why would this Shisui give me his eye?"

"Because of me." The Nine-Tails' tails swished behind it, sending waves of putrid chakra against the bars. "My chakra preserved the eye's power, kept it dormant until you were ready. A perfect hiding place—who would look for an Uchiha dōjutsu in the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails?"

Naruto absorbed this information slowly, trying to make sense of it. "So now that it's awakened, what does it mean? What can it do?"

"Shisui's eyes were special, even among the Sharingan. They possessed a power known as Kotoamatsukami—perhaps the most formidable genjutsu ever created." The fox's voice held a note of respect, unusual for the hateful creature. "But what you have is... incomplete. A fragment of that power, merged with your own unique chakra and tainted by mine. What it will become remains to be seen."

"Can I control it?"

"Perhaps. With practice." The Nine-Tails drew closer to the bars, its breath hot against Naruto's face. "Or perhaps it will consume you. Either way, it will be... entertaining."

Anger flared in Naruto's chest. "This isn't a game! People are counting on me. I need to master this power, not be destroyed by it."

The fox studied him for a long moment, then gave a slow, deliberate blink. "Then listen carefully, little human. The Sharingan responds to emotion—particularly negative emotions like anger, fear, and grief. The stronger the emotion, the stronger the eye becomes, but the more it drains you."

"So I need to stay calm?"

"No. You need to find balance. Too much emotion will consume you. Too little will render the eye useless." The Nine-Tails settled back into the shadows. "Now leave. I've told you more than you deserve to know."

Naruto hesitated. "One more thing—should I tell my team?"

The fox's laughter echoed through the chamber. "And reveal your newfound advantage? Foolish child. Shinobi live and die by their secrets. Keep this one close... at least until you understand its true nature."

With that cryptic advice lingering in his mind, Naruto returned to consciousness in the forest. Dawn was breaking, golden light filtering through the trees. He'd been in his mindscape far longer than he'd realized.

He stood, legs stiff from sitting for hours, and turned toward his tree. With new determination, he formed the seal to focus his chakra.

This time, he felt the dual nature of his power—his own blue chakra and the crimson energy of the Sharingan, distinct yet intertwined. He didn't fully activate the dōjutsu, but he allowed a trickle of its power to flow through his chakra network.

The result was immediate. His perception of chakra sharpened, allowing him to visualize the perfect amount needed for the tree-climbing exercise.

He placed his foot against the trunk, then the other. Step by step, he walked upward, past his previous marks, past Sasuke's highest point, all the way to the top of the tree.

When he reached the highest branch, he let out a whoop of joy that echoed through the forest.

"I did it!" he shouted to the rising sun. "I really did it!"

But his celebration was short-lived as the implications of his new power settled in. He had awakened a legendary dōjutsu by accident, one that rightfully belonged to the Uchiha clan. If Sasuke found out, what would he think? Would he see it as theft? As a mockery of his clan's tragedy?

And Kakashi—he had a Sharingan too, one that wasn't naturally his. Would he understand, or would he see Naruto as a threat?

These questions plagued Naruto as he made his way back to Tazuna's house, where he found his team already having breakfast.

"Where were you?" Sakura asked as he slipped into his seat, trying not to draw attention.

"Training," he replied simply, avoiding eye contact.

"All night?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

Naruto nodded, shoveling rice into his mouth to avoid further questions.

"Did you make any progress?" Sasuke asked, his tone suggesting he expected the answer to be no.

Naruto swallowed, then grinned. "Actually, I made it to the top."

"Yeah, right," Sasuke scoffed.

"It's true," Naruto insisted. "I can show you after breakfast."

Kakashi studied him with his one visible eye. "That's quite an achievement, especially given where you were yesterday. What changed?"

Naruto froze, chopsticks halfway to his mouth. "I, uh, took Sakura-chan's advice. About visualizing my chakra flow."

It wasn't entirely a lie, but the way Kakashi continued to stare at him made Naruto wonder if his teacher somehow knew he wasn't telling the whole truth.

After breakfast, Naruto led them back to the forest and demonstrated his newfound mastery of the tree-climbing technique, racing to the top of his tree without hesitation.

"Impressive," Kakashi acknowledged when Naruto returned to the ground. "Now let's see if you can maintain that control consistently."

For the rest of the morning, they practiced walking up and down the trees, with Kakashi insisting they continue until the movements became instinctive. Sasuke, frustration radiating from him like heat, doubled his efforts after seeing Naruto's success.

By midday, even Sasuke had reached the top of his tree, though his control wasn't as consistent as Naruto's or Sakura's.

"Good work, all of you," Kakashi said, leaning on his crutch. "Tomorrow, we'll advance to water walking."

That evening, as they sat around the dinner table at Tazuna's house, the bridge builder's grandson, Inari, finally broke his sullen silence.

"Why do you even try?" he demanded, glaring at the Konoha ninja. "No matter how hard you train or how strong you think you are, you're no match for Gatō's men. Heroes don't exist in this world."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the table.

"Inari!" Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter, admonished.

But the boy continued, tears welling in his eyes. "You'll all just end up dead, like everyone else who's stood up to Gatō!"

Naruto's fist hit the table with enough force to make the dishes rattle. "That's where you're wrong, kid. Heroes do exist. And I'm gonna prove it by defeating Gatō and saving your country!"

"You don't know anything!" Inari shouted. "You don't know what it's like to suffer!"

The words struck Naruto like a physical blow. His vision flashed red for an instant, the Sharingan threatening to activate in response to his anger.

"You think you've got a monopoly on suffering?" he growled, rising from his seat. "Try growing up without parents, without a single person who cared if you lived or died. Try being hated by an entire village for something you had no control over."

"Naruto," Kakashi's voice held a warning note.

But Naruto was already storming out of the house, needing to put distance between himself and Inari before he lost control completely.

He found himself back at the training ground, the now-familiar trees looming in the darkness. His breathing came in ragged gasps as he fought to contain the swirl of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

Anger. Grief. Loneliness.

Precisely the emotions the Nine-Tails had warned would trigger the Sharingan.

"Calm down," he muttered to himself, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes. "Calm down."

But instead of calming, his mind filled with memories—the cold glares of villagers, whispered insults, the crushing solitude of his childhood. Emotions he'd buried beneath a facade of cheerful determination bubbled to the surface, potent and raw.

The pressure behind his eyes built until he couldn't fight it anymore. When he finally lowered his hands, the world was once again bathed in the crystalline clarity of the Sharingan.

Only this time, it felt different. Stronger. The three tomoe in each eye spun lazily, and the forest around him seemed to pulse with life and chakra. He could sense everything—the small animals hiding in the underbrush, the flow of sap inside the trees, even the distant chakra signatures of his team back at Tazuna's house.

"What is this?" he whispered, both awed and frightened by the intensity of his perception.

"The beginning," the Nine-Tails' voice rumbled through his mind, unexpected and unwelcome. "Your emotions are feeding the eye's power, just as I warned."

"How do I control it?" Naruto demanded aloud.

"Find your center. The eye responds to emotion, but it obeys will."

Naruto closed his eyes, focusing inward. He could feel the crimson chakra of the Sharingan, distinct from both his own blue energy and the Nine-Tails' malevolent orange-red power. It swirled through his system like a current in a river, powerful but directionless.

Gradually, he imposed his will upon it, guiding it rather than fighting against its flow. When he opened his eyes again, the Sharingan was still active, but the overwhelming sensory input had diminished to a manageable level.

"I did it," he said, a note of wonder in his voice.

"For now," the fox replied, its tone dismissive. "But the true test will come in battle, when emotions run high and control is hardest to maintain."

"Then I'll just have to get stronger before Zabuza returns," Naruto declared.

He spent the next few hours experimenting with his newfound power, activating and deactivating the Sharingan at will, testing its limits. He discovered that he could maintain it for about fifteen minutes before exhaustion set in—far less than a born Uchiha could manage, but longer than he'd initially feared.

With the Sharingan active, his ability to perceive and manipulate chakra increased dramatically. When he attempted a basic clone jutsu—not his signature Shadow Clone, but the simple illusion taught at the Academy—the result was perfect, without the sickly, malformed appearance his clones had always had before.

His aim improved as well; he could track the flight of kunai and shuriken with such precision that hitting targets blindfolded became a simple matter of calculating trajectories.

But most fascinating was the Sharingan's ability to see through genjutsu. When he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a puddle, he noticed faint lines of chakra covering his own image—a refraction of light caused by the eye itself, a sort of built-in defense against illusions.

By the time he returned to Tazuna's house, it was well past midnight. He crept in quietly, not wanting to wake anyone, only to find Kakashi sitting at the kitchen table, waiting.

"Sensei?" Naruto froze in the doorway.

"Sit down, Naruto," Kakashi said, his tone unreadable.

Naruto complied, tension knotting his shoulders. Had Kakashi somehow discovered his secret?

"I owe you an apology," Kakashi began, surprising him. "What Inari said tonight clearly struck a nerve, and I should have intervened sooner."

Relief washed over Naruto. "It's okay, sensei. He doesn't know any better."

"Perhaps not. But you were right about one thing—suffering isn't unique to any one person." Kakashi leaned forward, his visible eye fixed on Naruto with uncomfortable intensity. "Though I have to wonder... you've seemed different since our encounter with Zabuza. More perceptive. More controlled. Almost like you can see things the rest of us can't."

Naruto's heartbeat quickened. "I've just been training really hard."

"Have you?" Kakashi's eye narrowed slightly. "Or is there something you're not telling me?"

The moment stretched between them, taut with unspoken questions. Naruto considered coming clean, revealing everything about the Sharingan and Shisui, but the Nine-Tails' warning echoed in his mind: "Shinobi live and die by their secrets."

"I've been having these dreams," Naruto said finally, offering a partial truth. "About the Nine-Tails. It's been... talking to me."

It wasn't what Kakashi had expected to hear. His posture shifted, concern replacing suspicion. "What does it say?"

"Mostly threats. Boasts about its power." Naruto shrugged, trying to appear casual. "But sometimes it shows me things—like how to see chakra better, how to control my own."

"I see." Kakashi leaned back, considering this information. "The seal containing the Nine-Tails wasn't just designed to imprison it, but also to gradually filter its chakra into your system. It's possible that as you grow stronger, some of its abilities are manifesting through you."

It was a plausible explanation—one that would account for many of the changes Kakashi had observed without revealing the truth about the Sharingan.

"Should I be worried?" Naruto asked, feigning innocence.

"Always," Kakashi replied seriously. "The Nine-Tails is not your ally, Naruto. It will use any opportunity to influence you, to weaken the seal. Whatever power it offers comes with a price."

"I understand, sensei."

"Do you?" Kakashi's gaze was penetrating. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're keeping something from me."

Naruto swallowed hard. "I'm just... scared. Of what's inside me. Of what I might become."

The admission wasn't entirely false, and Kakashi's expression softened. "That fear is healthy—it means you're taking this seriously. But remember, you're not alone in this. I'm here. So are Sakura and Sasuke. Trust in your team, Naruto."

Guilt gnawed at Naruto as he nodded. "I will, sensei. Thank you."

As he climbed the stairs to the room he shared with Sasuke, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that he'd crossed a line—not just in lying to Kakashi, but in embracing a power that, by all rights, belonged to the Uchiha clan.

Sasuke was still awake, sitting by the window, moonlight illuminating his brooding features.

"You finally decided to come back," he said without looking at Naruto.

"Yeah, I needed to blow off some steam." Naruto settled onto his futon, avoiding Sasuke's gaze.

"You've changed," Sasuke observed, echoing Kakashi's sentiment. "Since the fight with the Demon Brothers. You're... different."

"Is that a bad thing?"

Sasuke finally turned to look at him, dark eyes unreadable. "I haven't decided yet."

The week passed quickly, filled with intensive training. As promised, Kakashi taught them water walking, a more advanced chakra control exercise that required constant adjustment to the shifting surface of the water.

Once again, Naruto found that his ability to perceive chakra—enhanced by brief, hidden activations of the Sharingan—gave him an advantage. By the third day, he could run across the surface of the pond as easily as solid ground.

Sasuke, displaying his prodigious talent, mastered the technique shortly after. Sakura, despite her excellent control, struggled with the stamina requirements, often sinking after a few minutes.

On the sixth day, Kakashi declared them ready to accompany Tazuna to the bridge.

"Zabuza will have recovered by now," he warned as they set out. "Be prepared for anything."

The morning fog clung to the unfinished bridge like a shroud, limiting visibility to a few meters. As they approached, Naruto felt a familiar pressure building behind his eyes—his body's warning system, he'd come to realize, triggered by the proximity of danger.

"Something's wrong," he said quietly to Kakashi. "It's too quiet."

Kakashi nodded, already reaching for a kunai. "Stay alert."

The fog parted to reveal the workers sprawled across the bridge, unconscious or worse.

"Tazuna-san, get back!" Kakashi ordered, moving to shield their client.

"Well, well," a familiar voice drawled from the mist. "The Copy Ninja and his little genin have returned."

Zabuza materialized before them, no longer wearing bandages over his face. Beside him stood the masked hunter-nin—Haku, Naruto now knew.

"I've been looking forward to this rematch, Kakashi," Zabuza continued, his massive sword gleaming dully in the diffuse light. "And this time, there won't be any interruptions."

"Formation B," Kakashi commanded, lifting his headband to reveal his Sharingan. "Protect Tazuna at all costs."

The genin moved into position, surrounding Tazuna in a triangular formation, weapons drawn.

Zabuza laughed. "Still playing at being ninja, children? Haku, deal with them. Kakashi is mine."

The masked nin stepped forward. "As you wish, Zabuza-sama."

What happened next occurred too quickly for normal eyes to follow. Haku seemed to flicker, appearing in the midst of their formation. Senbon needles flashed toward Tazuna's throat.

But Naruto saw it all in perfect clarity. Without conscious thought, his Sharingan activated, time seeming to slow as he tracked Haku's movement. He intercepted the attack with a kunai, deflecting the senbon harmlessly away.

"You!" Haku's voice betrayed surprise. "Your eyes—"

"I told you we'd meet again," Naruto replied, maintaining his position in front of Tazuna.

Nearby, Kakashi and Zabuza had already engaged in their own deadly dance, water clones and mist jutsu obscuring much of their battle.

"Those eyes," Haku repeated, voice softer now. "The Sharingan. How is that possible?"

Before Naruto could respond, Sasuke intervened, launching a barrage of shuriken at Haku. "Your fight is with all of us," he declared, moving to stand beside Naruto.

Then Sasuke noticed Naruto's eyes. His own widened in shock, then narrowed in fury. "What the hell is this?" he demanded. "What have you done, Naruto?"

"Not now, Sasuke," Naruto pleaded, keeping his gaze fixed on Haku. "We need to focus on the enemy."

"How dare you," Sasuke hissed, his voice trembling with rage. "Those eyes belong to the Uchiha clan—my clan. How dare you mock my heritage with this... this trick!"

"It's not a trick," Naruto insisted. "I'll explain everything later, I promise. But right now, we need to—"

His words were cut off as Haku attacked again, this time forming hand seals with incredible speed. "Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!"

Water from the mist condensed into a dome of ice mirrors surrounding them, with Haku's reflection appearing in each one.

"Now," Haku said, "you will experience true speed."

Senbon began raining down from all directions, moving faster than any normal human could track. But Naruto's Sharingan allowed him to perceive their trajectories, and he deflected those aimed at vital points while allowing others to strike less critical areas.

Sasuke, however, was caught completely unprepared. Dozens of senbon embedded themselves in his limbs and torso, driving him to his knees.

"Sasuke!" Naruto cried, torn between defending Tazuna and helping his teammate.

"Stay focused, Naruto!" Sakura shouted, moving to cover Sasuke while maintaining the protective formation around Tazuna.

Naruto gritted his teeth, understanding the impossible choice before him. If he abandoned his position to help Sasuke, Tazuna would be vulnerable. If he stayed, Sasuke might die.

In his moment of indecision, Haku struck again, a barrage of senbon targeting Naruto's eyes—a deliberate attempt to destroy the Sharingan.

Time seemed to freeze. Naruto could see the needles approaching, could calculate their trajectory and speed, but his body wasn't fast enough to dodge them all.

Then something unexpected happened. Sasuke, despite his injuries, launched himself into the path of the attack, shielding Naruto with his own body.

The senbon struck Sasuke's back with sickening thuds, and he collapsed against Naruto, blood trickling from his mouth.

"Why?" Naruto gasped, catching him.

Sasuke's eyes, already growing dim, fixed on Naruto's Sharingan. "My body... moved on its own," he whispered. "I hated you, you know. But... I didn't want you to die."

"Don't talk like that! You're not going to die!"

A bitter smile twisted Sasuke's lips. "Those eyes... I should have awakened them first. Not you." He coughed, more blood spattering his chin. "My brother... I swore to kill him. To avenge my clan. Now I'll never..."

His voice trailed off, and his body went limp in Naruto's arms.

Something snapped inside Naruto—a dam holding back emotions too powerful to name. Grief, rage, and an overwhelming sense of loss crashed through him, amplified by the Sharingan that fed on such feelings.

"Is this the first time you've seen a comrade fall in battle?" Haku asked, his voice emotionless behind his mask. "This is the way of shinobi. We are tools for our masters, nothing more."

"Shut up," Naruto growled, gently laying Sasuke's body on the bridge. "Just shut up!"

The pressure behind his eyes intensified, and for a moment, the pattern of his Sharingan shifted—the three tomoe swirling together to form a new shape, something between a pinwheel and a kaleidoscope.

Raw power surged through Naruto's chakra network, a mixture of his own energy, the Nine-Tails' malevolence, and the crimson force of Shisui's eye. The air around him began to shimmer, distorted by the chakra radiating from his body.

"Yes," the Nine-Tails purred in the back of his mind. "Let go, little human. Let the hatred flow through you. Let me out!"

But even as the fox's chakra began to leak from the seal, manifesting as a visible aura of orange-red energy around Naruto, the Sharingan pulsed with its own agenda. The two foreign chakras clashed within him, neither fully dominating.

The result was something entirely new—a fusion of powers never before witnessed in the shinobi world.

Naruto's consciousness expanded, perception stretching beyond the physical realm into the very fabric of chakra itself. He could see Haku's life force, could trace the connections between the ice mirrors, could perceive the subtle weaknesses in their structure.

More than that, he could influence them with his gaze alone.

"Crystal Ice Mirrors," he murmured, his voice resonating with power, "shatter."

The mirrors vibrated, cracks spreading across their surfaces as Naruto's combined chakra imposed his will upon the physical world. One by one, they exploded into glittering fragments, leaving Haku exposed.

"Impossible," Haku breathed, stumbling backward. "No one has ever broken my mirrors."

Naruto advanced, the strange fusion of chakras swirling around him like a storm. "You killed Sasuke," he said, his voice unnaturally calm despite the rage burning within him. "For that, you'll pay."

Fear flickered across Haku's face—visible even through the mask—as he realized the danger he faced. He formed seals rapidly, attempting another ice jutsu, but Naruto was already moving.

With speed that rivaled Haku's own, Naruto closed the distance between them, the Sharingan predicting and countering every defensive move. His fist connected with Haku's mask, shattering it and sending the teenager flying backward.

When Haku struggled to his feet, his face was exposed—the same delicate features Naruto had encountered in the forest.

"You," Naruto faltered, recognition momentarily dampening his rage. "From the forest."

"Yes," Haku confirmed, wiping blood from his mouth. "It seems our paths have crossed again, as I warned they would."

"Why?" Naruto demanded. "Why serve someone like Zabuza? Why kill for him?"

"Because without him, I have no purpose." Haku's expression was resigned, almost peaceful. "Before Zabuza-sama found me, I was nothing—a child with a bloodline limit, hated and feared by my own village. He gave me a reason to live."

The words struck a chord in Naruto, echoing his own loneliness, his own search for acknowledgment and purpose. For a moment, the storm of chakra around him subsided as empathy fought against his rage.

"There must be another way," he insisted. "You don't have to be just a tool."

Haku shook his head sadly. "It's too late for me, Naruto. I've failed Zabuza-sama. A broken tool has no purpose." He glanced toward where Kakashi and Zabuza were still locked in combat, obscured by mist. "Kill me."

"What? No!"

"Please." Haku's eyes were desperate now. "I cannot face Zabuza-sama with this shame. At least let me die with honor."

Naruto's Sharingan registered the truth in Haku's words, the genuine desire for death. But it also saw something else—a flicker of chakra in the distance, a shift in the battle between Kakashi and Zabuza.

"Kakashi-sensei is about to kill Zabuza," he realized aloud, the Sharingan's enhanced perception cutting through the mist.

Horror bloomed on Haku's face. "No!" Without another word, he formed a hand seal and vanished in a swirl of ice crystals.

Naruto's enhanced vision tracked him as he reappeared directly in the path of Kakashi's lightning-covered hand, which was aimed at Zabuza's heart.

"Chidori," Naruto whispered, recognizing the technique from the Sharingan's innate ability to identify jutsu.

Time seemed to slow as Kakashi's hand pierced Haku's chest rather than Zabuza's. Blood sprayed across the bridge, and Haku's body went limp, held upright only by Kakashi's arm still embedded in his chest.

"Haku," Zabuza grunted, surprise evident in his voice. "Always the loyal tool."

Kakashi withdrew his hand, allowing Haku's body to crumple to the ground. "He died for you," he said, disgust evident in his tone. "The least you could do is show some remorse."

Zabuza's laugh was hollow. "Remorse? For a weapon that fulfilled its purpose? Don't be absurd, Kakashi."

Naruto watched this exchange, his mixed chakra still swirling around him, though less violently now. The dispassionate way Zabuza dismissed Haku's sacrifice ignited a different kind of anger in him—cold and clear rather than chaotic and hot.

"Is that all he was to you?" Naruto called out, advancing toward them. "A tool? A weapon? After he gave his life for you?"

Zabuza's gaze shifted to Naruto, widening slightly at the sight of his eyes and the visible chakra surrounding him. "The brat has the Sharingan? Interesting."

"Answer me!" Naruto demanded, the pattern in his eyes shifting again, the tomoe blurring into a new configuration.

For a brief moment, Zabuza's expression changed, confusion replacing arrogance. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to clear his vision. "Haku was..." he began, then stopped, shaking his head as if to dislodge an unwelcome thought.

Kakashi, observing the interaction with growing alarm, stepped between them. "Naruto, stand down. Your chakra is destabilizing."

But Naruto barely heard him, focused entirely on Zabuza. "Haku loved you," he said, each word imbued with the power of his combined chakras. "He lived for you. Died for you. And you can't even acknowledge his sacrifice?"

Something strange happened then. As Naruto spoke, the pattern in his right eye stabilized into a design different from a standard Sharingan—a circular pattern with curved lines radiating from the pupil, reminiscent of a pinwheel.

Zabuza's expression shifted again, this time to one of pain. "Haku," he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "Haku was..."

Tears, unexpected and unbidden, began to stream down the Demon of the Mist's face.

"Haku was precious to me," he admitted, the words seeming to surprise even himself. "More than a tool. More than a weapon. He was... the closest thing to a son I've ever known."

Kakashi's visible eye widened in shock. "Genjutsu?" he murmured, analyzing Zabuza's behavior. "No... something else. Naruto, what have you done?"

Before Naruto could respond, slow clapping echoed across the bridge. The mist parted to reveal a short man in an expensive suit, flanked by dozens of mercenaries.

"Well, isn't this touching," Gatō sneered, stepping forward. "The Demon of the Mist, reduced to tears over a dead boy. How pathetic."

Zabuza's expression hardened, the vulnerability vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. "Gatō. What are you doing here?"

"Changing the terms of our arrangement," Gatō replied, gesturing to his men. "You see, hiring missing-nin is expensive, and you've failed twice now. It's more economical to have you killed and let my men finish the job."

He approached Haku's body, nudging it with his foot. "This one gave me quite a bruise when he intervened at our last meeting. Allow me to return the favor." He kicked Haku's lifeless face.

The action sparked something primal in both Naruto and Zabuza.

"Don't touch him," they growled in unison.

Zabuza turned to Kakashi, his expression resolute. "It seems our battle is postponed, Copy Ninja. I have a new target." He glanced at his bandaged arms, rendered useless by Kakashi's earlier attacks. "Though I find myself at a disadvantage."

"Here," Naruto said, pulling a kunai from his pouch and offering it to Zabuza. "For Haku."

Zabuza's eyes met Naruto's Sharingan, and understanding passed between them. "For Haku," he agreed, taking the kunai between his teeth.

What followed was a massacre. Zabuza charged into Gatō's men, a demon in truth now, driven by grief and rage. Despite his injuries, he cut through the mercenaries like a force of nature, the kunai in his teeth slashing throats and severing arteries.

Naruto watched, his Sharingan recording every detail of the brutal display. The fusion of chakras within him had stabilized somewhat, the red aura fading as his emotions cooled.

Gatō, realizing his predicament, retreated to the end of the bridge, only to find himself cornered as Zabuza approached, covered in blood and driven by vengeance.

"Wait," Gatō pleaded, backing against the railing. "I can pay you double, triple what we agreed!"

"I'm not interested in money anymore," Zabuza growled around the kunai. "This is for Haku."

The blade flashed once, and Gatō's head separated from his body, both toppling over the edge of the bridge into the churning waters below.

Zabuza staggered back toward where Haku's body lay, his own riddled with arrows and swords from Gatō's men. He collapsed beside the boy, the kunai falling from his mouth.

"Haku," he whispered, his voice barely audible as Naruto, Kakashi, and the others approached. "I'm sorry it took me so long to acknowledge you. Wait for me... I'm coming."

With those words, the Demon of the Hidden Mist closed his eyes for the final time.

Naruto stood over their bodies, the strange pattern in his right eye fading back to the standard three-tomoe Sharingan, then deactivating entirely as exhaustion overtook him.

"Sensei," he said quietly, turning to Kakashi. "Can we... can we bury them together?"

Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his expression solemn. "Yes, Naruto. I think that would be appropriate."

As they prepared to move the bodies, another voice called out from the far end of the bridge.

"Don't tell me we missed all the action?"

They turned to see Inari leading what appeared to be the entire village, armed with everything from pitchforks to kitchen knives.

"We came to fight for our bridge," Inari declared, scanning the carnage with wide eyes. "But it looks like you didn't need our help after all."

Naruto managed a tired smile. "Actually, you came at the perfect time. There are still some mercenaries left to deal with."

The remaining thugs, seeing themselves outnumbered by the newly arrived villagers, quickly retreated, diving off the bridge into boats waiting below.

The threat was over. The Land of Waves was free.

But as Naruto turned back to where Sasuke's body lay, grief threatened to overwhelm him again. They had won, but at what cost?

Then he noticed something—a faint flicker of chakra where before there had been none.

"Sasuke?" he murmured, hurrying to his teammate's side.

Sakura looked up, tears streaking her face. "He's gone, Naruto. Just like you said."

But Naruto's temporarily dormant Sharingan had seen what normal eyes could not. "No... there's still chakra flowing through him. It's weak, but it's there." He knelt beside Sasuke, examining the pattern of senbon. "Haku... Haku didn't kill him."

Hope dawned on Sakura's face. "What do you mean?"

"The senbon... they're in pressure points, just like the ones Haku used on Zabuza during our first encounter. He put Sasuke in a death-like state, but he didn't kill him."

As if to confirm his words, Sasuke's eyes fluttered open, glazed with pain but undeniably alive.

"Naruto?" he croaked. "What... happened?"

Relief washed over Naruto, so powerful it nearly brought him to his knees. "We won, Sasuke. It's over."

But even as he spoke the words, Naruto knew that for him, it was just the beginning. The awakening of Shisui's eye had changed everything—his capabilities, his relationships, perhaps even his destiny.

As he helped Sasuke to his feet, supporting his weakened teammate, Naruto caught Kakashi watching him with an unreadable expression.

"We need to talk," his sensei said quietly. "About those eyes."

Naruto nodded, knowing the time for secrets had passed. "Yes, sensei. We do."

Behind them, the mist began to clear, sunlight breaking through to illuminate the bridge that would soon connect the Land of Waves to the mainland—a symbol of hope and new beginnings.

For Naruto Uzumaki, jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox and bearer of Shisui Uchiha's legendary eye, a new path had opened—one that would test not only his strength and courage but his very identity.

The wheel of fate continued to turn.

The journey back to Konoha was subdued. Despite their victory in the Land of Waves, the atmosphere among Team 7 was tense, filled with unspoken questions and lingering shock.

Tazuna had named the completed bridge after Naruto, declaring him the hero who had restored hope to their land. But Naruto had accepted the honor with uncharacteristic quietness, his mind preoccupied with the confrontation he knew awaited him.

Sasuke, still recovering from his injuries, maintained a cold distance from Naruto. The revelation of the Sharingan had opened a gulf between them that seemed impossible to bridge.

Sakura, sensing the friction, tried valiantly to maintain normalcy, but her efforts only highlighted the strangeness of their new dynamic.

And Kakashi watched them all, his visible eye missing nothing, his thoughts carefully guarded.

It wasn't until they made camp on the second night of their journey that Kakashi finally initiated the conversation they'd all been avoiding.

"I think it's time we discussed what happened on the bridge," he said as they sat around the campfire. "Specifically, Naruto's... abilities."

Sasuke's head snapped up, dark eyes burning with barely contained fury. "You mean his theft of my clan's bloodline limit?"

"I didn't steal anything!" Naruto protested. "It was given to me!"

"By whom?" Kakashi asked, his tone deliberately neutral. "The Sharingan is hereditary to the Uchiha clan. The only known exception is me, and that was under very specific circumstances."

Naruto hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. His conversation with the Nine-Tails had provided some answers, but many questions remained.

"It was Shisui Uchiha," he finally said. "At least, that's what the Nine-Tails told me."

Kakashi went very still. "Shisui Uchiha died years ago, before the massacre. You would have been a child."

"I was seven," Naruto confirmed. "I don't remember it happening. The fox says Shisui gave me his eye as he was dying, that it was preserved by the Nine-Tails' chakra until I was ready."

"Convenient that you don't remember," Sasuke sneered. "And that the only witness is the demon sealed inside you."

"I'm telling the truth!" Naruto insisted. "Why would I lie about this?"

"To excuse your theft," Sasuke shot back. "Shisui was my cousin. His Sharingan was renowned throughout the shinobi world. And you expect me to believe he just... gave it to you? A random child with no connection to the Uchiha?"

The accusation stung, but Naruto held his ground. "I don't know why he chose me. But when I activated the Sharingan, I had a vision—a memory of that night. He said something about creating a contingency, about the fox's chakra preserving the eye's power until I was ready."

"Ready for what?" Sakura asked, speaking up for the first time.

Naruto shook his head. "I don't know. But on the bridge, when I thought Sasuke was dead... something happened. The Sharingan changed."

Kakashi leaned forward, his attention sharpening. "Changed how?"

"The pattern. For a moment, it wasn't the normal three tomoe anymore. It was different—like a pinwheel or something."

A hiss of indrawn breath from Sasuke. "That's impossible," he whispered. "The Mangekyō Sharingan only awakens through the trauma of losing someone precious to you, and only in those with Uchiha blood."

"The Mangekyō?" Naruto repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

"An advanced form of the Sharingan," Kakashi explained, his expression grave. "Extremely rare and incredibly powerful. It's said that Itachi Uchiha possesses it."

The mention of his brother's name caused Sasuke's face to darken further. "If what you're saying is true, and you somehow have Shisui's eye... then you have no right to it. That power belongs to the Uchiha clan—to me. It should be used to avenge my family, not wasted on someone who doesn't even understand what it is!"

"That's enough, Sasuke," Kakashi interjected, his tone firm. "Whether we like it or not, the Sharingan is now part of Naruto. What matters is how he uses it going forward."

He turned to Naruto, his gaze penetrating. "What happened with Zabuza on the bridge? When you confronted him about Haku, something changed in him. Almost as if..."

"As if I'd made him recognize his true feelings," Naruto finished quietly. "I don't know how it happened. I was angry, and the eye reacted. When I spoke to him, I could feel my chakra... pushing against his somehow. Influencing him."

Kakashi's visible eye widened. "Kotoamatsukami," he breathed.

"What's that?" Sakura asked.

"Shisui's unique ability—perhaps the most powerful genjutsu ever created. It allows the user to implant thoughts and feelings in the target's mind without them even realizing they're being manipulated." Kakashi's gaze never left Naruto. "It was said to be undetectable, perfect mind control. And apparently, you've inherited some version of it."

The implications hung heavy in the air. The ability to control minds—to alter someone's very thoughts and desires—was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

"I didn't mean to do it," Naruto said, his voice small. "It just... happened."

"Which makes it even more dangerous," Sasuke snapped. "You have no idea what you're doing with that power. You could accidentally destroy minds, create permanent damage—"

"I would never hurt anyone like that!" Naruto protested.

"Not intentionally, perhaps," Kakashi acknowledged. "But Sasuke has a point. A power like this requires immense control and responsibility." He sighed deeply. "When we return to Konoha, we need to inform the Hokage immediately."

Naruto's stomach twisted with anxiety. "What will happen to me?"

"I don't know," Kakashi admitted. "This situation is unprecedented. But the Hokage will know how to proceed."

That night, after the others had fallen asleep, Naruto sat alone by the dying embers of their campfire, turning the revelations over in his mind. The Mangekyō Sharingan. Kotoamatsukami. Powers he'd never dreamed of, now residing within him.

"Can't sleep?" Kakashi's voice came quietly from the shadows.

Naruto shook his head as his teacher settled beside him. "I'm scared, sensei. What if the Hokage makes me give up the eye? Or locks me away because I'm too dangerous?"

"The Third would never do that," Kakashi assured him. "He cares for you, Naruto. He'll want what's best for everyone involved."

"And what is that?" Naruto asked, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice. "Sasuke's right—I don't deserve this power. It should be his."

Kakashi was silent for a long moment, staring into the fading flames. "You know," he finally said, "I felt the same way when Obito gave me his Sharingan. I wasn't an Uchiha. I hadn't earned it. For a long time, I believed I was unworthy of his gift."

"What changed?"

"I realized that the question wasn't whether I deserved it, but what I would do with it." Kakashi turned to face Naruto directly. "Obito gave me his eye because he believed in me—believed I would use it to protect our teammates, to fulfill the promise he couldn't keep himself."

He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "If Shisui truly gave you his eye, he must have had a reason. A purpose he believed you could fulfill. The question you should be asking isn't 'Do I deserve this power?' but 'What am I meant to do with it?'"

The words settled in Naruto's mind, offering a new perspective on his situation. What had Shisui intended when he'd made his dying choice? What purpose had he envisioned for his legendary eye?

"Thank you, sensei," Naruto said quietly.

Kakashi squeezed his shoulder once before standing. "Get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us."

As Naruto finally drifted into sleep, his dreams were filled with swirling red eyes and fragments of a memory he couldn't quite grasp—a dying Uchiha's final gambit, and a destiny now inextricably linked with his own.

The gates of Konoha loomed before them three days later, familiar and somehow changed in Naruto's perception. As they passed through the massive entrance, returning from their mission, he felt as though he were seeing his home with new eyes—which, in a sense, he was.

"Report to the Hokage's office immediately," Kakashi instructed as they entered the village. "All of you."

The walk through Konoha's streets was surreal. Everything appeared normal—vendors calling out their wares, children playing in the streets, shinobi leaping across rooftops—yet Naruto felt disconnected from it all, as if a glass wall separated him from the world he'd known.

The Hokage was waiting for them, his aged face creasing with a smile as they entered his office. "Team 7, welcome back. I understand your C-rank mission turned out to be considerably more complex than anticipated."

"You could say that, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied, his tone carefully neutral. "There have been... significant developments."

The Third's gaze sharpened, moving from Kakashi to each of the genin in turn, lingering on Naruto. "I see. Report."

For the next hour, Kakashi detailed their mission—the encounter with the Demon Brothers, the battle with Zabuza, Naruto's unexpected awakening of the Sharingan, and the final confrontation on the bridge. The Hokage listened without interruption, his expression growing increasingly grave.

When Kakashi concluded his report, silence fell over the office. The Third leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled before him, his gaze fixed on Naruto with an intensity that made the boy shift uncomfortably.

"Naruto," he finally said, "I'd like you to activate the Sharingan for me."

Sasuke stiffened beside him, but Naruto simply nodded. He closed his eyes briefly, focusing on the now-familiar pressure behind them, drawing upon the crimson chakra that had become a part of him.

When he opened his eyes again, the world was bathed in the crystalline clarity of the Sharingan's perception. The Hokage's chakra became visible to him—an impressive blue flame that belied the old man's age and frail appearance.

"Remarkable," the Third murmured, studying Naruto's eyes. "Three tomoe in each eye, fully mature. And you say it evolved temporarily into something resembling the Mangekyō?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Naruto confirmed. "When I thought Sasuke had died."

The Third glanced at Kakashi. "And he displayed an ability similar to Kotoamatsukami?"

"It appeared so," Kakashi affirmed. "Though seemingly less controlled than Shisui's version."

The Hokage nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Sasuke, Sakura, you're dismissed. Kakashi, Naruto, please stay."

Sakura glanced worriedly at Naruto before bowing and turning to leave. Sasuke, however, hesitated.

"Lord Hokage," he began, his voice tight with suppressed emotion, "this concerns my clan's bloodline limit. I respectfully request to be included in any decisions regarding its use."

The Third regarded him with compassion. "I understand your feelings, Sasuke. But I need to speak with Naruto privately first. I promise you'll be consulted before any final decisions are made."

Sasuke's jaw clenched, but he bowed stiffly and followed Sakura out of the office. When the door closed behind them, the Hokage activated a privacy seal with a casual gesture, ensuring their conversation would remain confidential.

"Deactivate the Sharingan, Naruto," he instructed. "It drains your chakra unnecessarily."

Naruto complied, releasing the dōjutsu with a small sigh of relief. Even with his massive reserves, maintaining the Sharingan for extended periods was taxing.

"Now," the Third continued, his tone softening, "tell me everything you know about how you acquired this eye. Don't leave anything out, even if it seems insignificant."

Naruto recounted his conversations with the Nine-Tails, the fragmented memory of Shisui's dying gift, and the gradual awakening of the eye's power during the Wave mission. As he spoke, a strange expression crossed the Hokage's face—something between recognition and resignation.

"So it's true," the old man murmured when Naruto finished. "Itachi warned me this might happen someday."

"Itachi?" Naruto and Kakashi exclaimed in unison.

The Third sighed heavily. "Shortly after the Uchiha massacre, Itachi came to me in secret. Among other things, he mentioned that Shisui had made a contingency plan before his death—insurance against Danzō's ambitions and the fallout of the clan's failed coup."

"Danzō?" Naruto frowned. "The elder on the council?"

"Yes. It seems he took one of Shisui's eyes by force before his death. Shisui, fearing Danzō would claim the other as well, entrusted it to Itachi initially. But Itachi made the decision to transfer it to you, Naruto."

"But why me?" Naruto asked, the question that had plagued him since the eye's awakening.

"Because of the Nine-Tails," the Hokage explained. "The seal your father created does more than simply contain the fox; it gradually filters its chakra into your system, converting it into your own. This process provided the perfect environment for Shisui's eye to be preserved and eventually integrated into your chakra network."

Naruto absorbed this information slowly. "So Itachi was there that night? He helped Shisui give me the eye?"

"Yes. According to what he told me, the transfer was Shisui's idea, but Itachi facilitated it." The Third's gaze grew distant. "The irony is... Danzō wanted Shisui's eyes for the very power you displayed on the bridge—Kotoamatsukami, the ability to manipulate minds without detection. In the wrong hands, such power could destroy the village from within."

"And I have that power now," Naruto realized, a chill running down his spine. "What if I can't control it? What if I accidentally use it on someone?"

"That is indeed a concern," the Hokage acknowledged. "Which is why we must proceed carefully. First, we need to determine the full extent of your abilities with the Sharingan and establish safeguards to prevent accidental use."

He turned to Kakashi. "You'll continue training Naruto, with an emphasis on chakra control and dōjutsu management. Your experience with a transplanted Sharingan makes you uniquely qualified for this task."

"Understood, Lord Hokage," Kakashi nodded. "But what about Sasuke? He's not going to accept this situation easily."

The Third sighed again. "No, I don't imagine he will. But we can't simply extract the eye from Naruto—it's no longer a physical organ but chakra integrated into his system. Even if we could, doing so might kill him, given how deeply it's connected to the Nine-Tails' seal."

He addressed Naruto directly. "For now, I believe it's best if you limit your use of the Sharingan to training sessions with Kakashi. Avoid activating it around Sasuke until he's had time to process this development."

"Yes, Lord Hokage," Naruto agreed, though his heart sank at the thought of further alienating his teammate.

"There's another matter we need to discuss," the Third continued, his expression growing more serious. "If word of your ability spreads, you'll become a target for enemies both within and outside the village. Danzō, in particular, must not learn of this development."

"You think he'd try to take the eye from Naruto?" Kakashi asked, alarm evident in his voice.

"I think he'd do whatever he deemed necessary for what he perceives as the village's best interests," the Hokage replied carefully. "Naruto, from this moment forward, the existence of your Sharingan is an S-rank secret. You may discuss it only with those already aware—myself, Kakashi, and your teammates."

Naruto nodded soberly, the weight of secrecy settling onto his shoulders like a physical burden.

As they prepared to leave, the Hokage called Naruto back for one final word. "Naruto... your father would be proud of how you've handled this situation. He, too, carried a power he didn't ask for, yet used it to protect those precious to him."

The words sent a jolt through Naruto's system. "My father? You knew him?"

A flicker of regret crossed the old man's face. "That's a conversation for another time, I'm afraid. For now, focus on mastering this new ability. The path ahead won't be easy, but I believe you have the strength to walk it."

Outside the Hokage Tower, Sasuke was waiting, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. His expression was carefully blank, but tension radiated from him like heat from a fire.

"Sasuke," Naruto began, unsure what to say but needing to try. "I—"

"Save it," Sasuke cut him off. "The Hokage said you're keeping the eye, didn't he?"

Naruto hesitated, then nodded. "It's not as simple as giving it back. It's become part of my chakra system."

"Convenient," Sasuke said bitterly. "You know what the worst part is? That eye might be the only remaining Sharingan besides my brother's and what Kakashi has. A piece of my clan's legacy, given to someone who could never understand its true significance."

The accusation stung, but Naruto refused to back down. "Maybe I don't understand what it means to the Uchiha. But I do understand what it means to protect the people I care about. And that's what I plan to do with this power, whether you approve or not."

For a moment, something flickered in Sasuke's eyes—not quite respect, but perhaps a grudging acknowledgment of Naruto's resolve.

"Just stay out of my way," he said finally. "And don't expect me to watch your back anymore."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Naruto standing alone in the shadow of the Hokage Tower, the future of Team 7 hanging in precarious balance.

The following weeks were some of the most challenging of Naruto's life. Team 7's dynamic had fractured, with Sasuke maintaining a cold distance and Sakura caught uncomfortably in the middle. Their missions together were completed with rigid professionalism but none of the camaraderie that had begun to develop during the Wave mission.

When not on missions, Naruto spent most of his time training with Kakashi, learning to control his unique Sharingan. The sessions were intense and often left him drained to the point of collapse.

"Again," Kakashi instructed as they stood in a secluded training ground, well away from curious eyes. "Activate it for exactly thirty seconds, then deactivate. Precision is key."

Naruto nodded, focusing his chakra. The now-familiar pressure built behind his eyes, and the world shifted into the Sharingan's crystalline perspective. He began counting silently, maintaining the dōjutsu with careful concentration.

"Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty," he murmured, then released the chakra flow, his vision returning to normal.

"Better," Kakashi acknowledged. "Your control is improving. The key is to use exactly as much chakra as needed—no more, no less."

"It's getting easier," Naruto admitted. "At first, it was like trying to control a flood with a paper fan. Now it's more like... redirecting a stream."

Kakashi nodded approvingly. "That's a good analogy. The Sharingan is ultimately just another chakra technique, albeit an advanced one. The principles of control remain the same."

They moved on to more complex exercises—tracking fast-moving objects, copying simple jutsu, and penetrating basic genjutsu. In each area, Naruto's progress was remarkable, his natural determination amplified by the Sharingan's power.

"There's something we need to discuss," Kakashi said as they took a break, sitting beneath the shade of a large oak tree. "The more advanced aspects of the Sharingan—specifically, what happened on the bridge."

Naruto tensed. They hadn't attempted to replicate the Mangekyō activation or the Kotoamatsukami-like ability since returning to Konoha.

"I'm not sure I want to use that power again," he admitted. "It felt... invasive. Like I was forcing my way into Zabuza's mind."

"And that concerns you," Kakashi observed. "That's good. It should. The ability to influence another's thoughts without their knowledge or consent is perhaps the most ethically problematic power a shinobi can possess."

He fixed Naruto with a serious gaze. "But whether you want this ability or not, it exists within you. And if it activates accidentally in a moment of emotional distress, as it did on the bridge, the consequences could be severe."

"So what do I do?" Naruto asked, frustration evident in his voice. "How do I control something I don't even understand?"

"We start by understanding it better," Kakashi replied. "What triggered the evolution of your Sharingan on the bridge?"

Naruto thought back to that moment—the sight of Sasuke's seemingly lifeless body, the overwhelming grief and rage that had followed. "I thought Sasuke was dead. I felt... it was like everything inside me broke at once."

"Extreme emotional trauma," Kakashi nodded. "Consistent with what we know about the Mangekyō's awakening. And the Kotoamatsukami effect on Zabuza?"

"I was angry at how he dismissed Haku's sacrifice. I wanted him to acknowledge what Haku meant to him, to feel the truth he was denying." Naruto frowned, recalling the sensation. "It wasn't like I planned it. My emotions just... pushed outward, through the Sharingan."

"Interesting," Kakashi mused. "In Shisui's case, Kotoamatsukami was a precisely controlled technique. What you experienced seems to be a more raw, emotionally driven version—perhaps a result of the Nine-Tails' influence or the unusual way the eye was integrated into your chakra system."

He stood, brushing dust from his pants. "I believe we need to approach this from two angles. First, emotional regulation—learning to maintain control even in extreme situations. Second, intentional activation—understanding how to consciously direct this ability rather than having it triggered by circumstance."

"You want me to try using it on purpose?" Naruto asked, alarmed. "On who?"

"On me," Kakashi said simply.

"What? No way!" Naruto protested. "What if I hurt you? What if I permanently mess up your mind or something?"

"The risk is minimal," Kakashi assured him, though his casual tone didn't quite reach his eyes. "My own Sharingan should provide some protection, and we'll start with extremely minor suggestions—nothing that could cause harm even if it went wrong."

Despite Naruto's continued objections, Kakashi was adamant. They spent the remainder of the afternoon attempting to recreate the conditions that had triggered the advanced Sharingan, with Naruto focusing on controlled emotional states while activating his dōjutsu.

Progress was minimal. The standard Sharingan activated easily enough, but the evolutionary leap to what Kakashi theorized might be an incomplete Mangekyō remained elusive. By sunset, Naruto was thoroughly exhausted, both physically and emotionally.

"That's enough for today," Kakashi finally conceded. "We'll try again tomorrow."

As Naruto trudged home through the darkening streets of Konoha, his mind was so preoccupied with the day's training that he almost didn't notice the figure waiting outside his apartment building. A tall man with spiky white hair and distinctive red marks on his face leaned casually against the wall, watching Naruto's approach with undisguised interest.

"So," the stranger said as Naruto drew near, "you're Minato's kid."

Naruto tensed, immediately on guard. "Who are you? And how do you know about my father?"

The man's eyebrows rose. "So you do know about Minato. Interesting. The old man's been keeping more secrets than I thought." He straightened, towering over Naruto. "The name's Jiraiya. Your father was my student, and I'm here because the Hokage thinks you could use my... unique perspective on your situation."

"You're talking about the Sharingan," Naruto realized. "And the Nine-Tails."

Jiraiya nodded, his expression growing more serious. "The combination of those two powers makes you something unprecedented in the shinobi world. The Hokage thought I might be able to help, given my expertise with seals and... unconventional chakra situations."

"Are you going to train me?" Naruto asked, interest piqued despite his exhaustion.

A wry smile crossed Jiraiya's face. "We'll see. First, I need to examine that seal of yours and get a look at how this Uchiha eye has integrated with it. Meet me at Training Ground 7 tomorrow at dawn." He turned to leave, then paused. "And Naruto? Don't mention this to anyone—not even Kakashi. The fewer people who know I'm taking an interest in you, the better."

Before Naruto could ask why, Jiraiya vanished in a swirl of leaves, leaving him alone with more questions than answers.

The next morning dawned clear and cool as Naruto made his way to the appointed meeting place. He'd left a shadow clone in his bed in case Kakashi came looking for him, a precaution that made him feel slightly guilty but seemed prudent given Jiraiya's warning.

The white-haired man was already waiting, sitting cross-legged on a large boulder with his eyes closed in meditation. Without opening them, he addressed Naruto as he approached. "You're late."

"The sun's barely up!" Naruto protested.

"Dawn was seventeen minutes ago," Jiraiya replied, finally opening his eyes. "Punctuality matters when you're dealing with seals complex enough to imprison a tailed beast. One mistake in timing can be catastrophic."

He hopped down from the boulder with surprising agility for his size. "Alright, kid. Let's see what we're working with. Lift your shirt and channel some chakra."

Naruto complied, revealing the seal on his stomach as he focused his energy. The spiral pattern appeared, black ink stark against his skin.

Jiraiya knelt to examine it, his previously casual demeanor replaced by intense focus. His fingers traced the patterns of the seal without quite touching Naruto's skin, and occasionally he murmured to himself in terms too technical for Naruto to understand.

"Now activate the Sharingan," he instructed after several minutes.

Naruto did so, the familiar pressure building behind his eyes before the world shifted into enhanced clarity.

"Fascinating," Jiraiya muttered as he observed the subtle changes in the seal's pattern. "The Eight Trigrams Seal is responding to the dōjutsu's chakra, integrating it into the filtering mechanism. Minato, you brilliant, reckless bastard..."

"What does that mean?" Naruto asked anxiously. "Is something wrong with the seal?"

"Not wrong, exactly," Jiraiya replied, standing up. "Just unexpected. The seal was designed to gradually convert the Nine-Tails' chakra into your own, but it's doing the same thing with the Sharingan's chakra—merging it into your system in a way that makes separation impossible without killing you."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It also explains why you might be experiencing a different version of Shisui's abilities. The Sharingan isn't just implanted in you like Kakashi's; it's becoming part of your natural chakra network, influenced by both your own nature and the Nine-Tails'."

"So what does that mean for my training?" Naruto asked.

"It means," Jiraiya said with a slow smile, "that we're going to have to get creative. The standard Uchiha methods won't work for you. We need to develop an approach tailored to your unique situation."

For the next three hours, Jiraiya put Naruto through a series of exercises unlike anything Kakashi had attempted. Rather than focusing solely on the Sharingan, he had Naruto practice shifting between three distinct chakra states: his own natural blue chakra, the Nine-Tails' volatile red energy, and the Sharingan's crimson power.

"The key," Jiraiya explained as Naruto struggled to maintain the delicate balance, "is understanding that these aren't separate systems anymore. They're becoming a unified whole, like tributaries flowing into a single river. You need to learn to direct the flow, not fight against it."

By mid-morning, Naruto had made modest progress. He could transition between his natural chakra and the Sharingan smoothly, and could even draw a controlled trickle of the Nine-Tails' power without losing himself to its influence.

"Not bad," Jiraiya acknowledged as they took a break. "But we've barely scratched the surface. The real challenge will be integrating all three simultaneously without losing control."

"Is that even possible?" Naruto asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Theoretically, yes. Practically..." Jiraiya shrugged. "No one's ever tried it before. But if anyone can do it, it's probably you, given your heritage."

"My heritage?" Naruto perked up. "You knew my father. And my mother too?"

A shadow passed over Jiraiya's face. "I did. They were extraordinary people, both of them. Minato was a once-in-a-generation genius, and Kushina..." He smiled fondly. "Well, she had a spirit that could make even the Nine-Tails think twice."

"What were they like?" Naruto asked eagerly. "No one ever talks about them."

"For good reason," Jiraiya replied, his expression sobering. "Your father made powerful enemies during the last war. Enemies who wouldn't hesitate to target his son if they knew who you were."

"Is that why no one told me? To protect me?" Naruto struggled to reconcile this explanation with the loneliness and confusion of his childhood.

"Partly," Jiraiya admitted. "Though I've always thought you deserved to know, regardless of the risk. The Hokage felt differently." He studied Naruto for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. "Tell you what—master the exercises I've shown you today, and I'll tell you about your parents. Deal?"

Naruto's face lit up with determination. "Deal!"

As they resumed training, neither noticed the solitary crow perched on a distant tree, its unusual red eyes fixed intently on their activities.

For the next week, Naruto maintained a grueling schedule—mornings with Jiraiya, working on integrating his three chakra sources; afternoons with Kakashi, refining his control over the standard Sharingan abilities; and evenings with Team 7, navigating the lingering tension with Sasuke while completing D-rank missions around the village.

The strain began to show. Dark circles appeared under his eyes, his normally boundless energy waned, and even his appetite diminished—a development that alarmed Teuchi when Naruto ordered only one bowl of ramen instead of his usual five.

"You're pushing yourself too hard," Kakashi observed after Naruto nearly collapsed during a particularly intense training session. "Even with your stamina, there are limits."

"I'm fine," Naruto insisted, though the tremor in his hands belied his words. "I need to master this as quickly as possible."

Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. "This sudden urgency wouldn't have anything to do with your secret morning training sessions, would it?"

Naruto froze. "You knew about that?"

"I am a jōnin, Naruto. Shadow clones might fool civilians, but not me." Kakashi sighed. "The Hokage informed me about Jiraiya's involvement. While I understand his expertise is valuable, particularly regarding the Nine-Tails, you need to pace yourself."

"But I'm making progress," Naruto protested. "Real progress! Jiraiya-sensei says I'm close to being able to use all three chakra types at once!"

Alarm flashed across Kakashi's face. "All three simultaneously? Naruto, that could be extremely dangerous. The strain on your chakra network—"

"Is something I can handle," Naruto interrupted. "You've seen how quickly I recover. And this might be the key to controlling the advanced Sharingan abilities."

Kakashi studied him for a long moment, then shook his head. "I can see you've made up your mind. Just promise me you'll stop if anything feels wrong—and I mean anything. Chakra exhaustion can kill even someone with your reserves if pushed too far."

"I promise," Naruto agreed, relieved Kakashi wasn't forbidding the training outright.

That evening, as Team 7 completed their mission—walking dogs from the Inuzuka kennel—Naruto noticed Sasuke watching him with an intensity that had been absent in recent weeks.

"What?" he finally asked as they returned the last of the dogs.

"You've been training with someone else," Sasuke stated, not a question. "Someone who knows about dōjutsu."

Naruto hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Yeah. A specialist the Hokage assigned."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "To help you master the Sharingan. My clan's bloodline limit."

"Sasuke—"

"I want in," Sasuke cut him off. "Whatever training you're doing, I want to be part of it. If anyone should be learning advanced Sharingan techniques, it's me."

The demand caught Naruto by surprise. After weeks of cold silence, this was the last thing he'd expected from Sasuke.

"It's not just about the Sharingan," he tried to explain. "It's complicated because of... you know." He gestured vaguely toward his stomach, where the Nine-Tails' seal was located.

"I don't care," Sasuke insisted. "The Sharingan is my birthright. If there's someone in the village teaching its secrets to you, they should be teaching me as well."

Naruto could see the logic in Sasuke's argument, even sympathize with it. But Jiraiya's warning about secrecy made him hesitate.

"Let me talk to my instructor," he finally said. "It's not my decision to make."

Sasuke seemed about to argue further when Sakura joined them, her expression concerned. "Is everything okay? You two aren't fighting again, are you?"

"Everything's fine, Sakura-chan," Naruto assured her with a forced smile. "Just discussing some training ideas."

She clearly didn't believe him but chose not to press the issue. "Well, Kakashi-sensei says we're done for the day. I was thinking maybe we could all get dinner together? It's been a while since we did anything as a team outside of missions."

The invitation hung in the air, an olive branch extended across the chasm that had formed within Team 7. Naruto wanted desperately to accept, to return to the camaraderie they'd begun to develop before everything changed.

"I'd like that," he said sincerely.

They both looked to Sasuke, who hesitated before giving a curt nod. ""Fine."

The meal at Ichiraku Ramen was awkward at first, with Sakura valiantly attempting to maintain conversation while Naruto and Sasuke ate in silence. But gradually, as bowls emptied and were refilled, the tension began to ease. They discussed their recent missions, traded observations about the other rookie teams, and even managed to share a laugh at Kakashi's perpetual tardiness.

For a brief, precious hour, it almost felt like things were back to normal.

"I've been thinking," Sakura said as they finished their meal, "about what happened in the Land of Waves. We all changed during that mission, not just Naruto."

Sasuke glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that mission showed us what being a shinobi really means—the danger, the difficult choices, the reality of life and death." She hesitated, then continued. "And it showed me how far behind I am. You two faced Haku while I just stood there protecting Tazuna. I didn't contribute anything meaningful to the battle."

"That's not true, Sakura-chan," Naruto protested. "Your role was just as important. If anything had happened to Tazuna, the whole mission would have failed."

"We all know that's not the same," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "I need to get stronger. Much stronger. Which is why..." She took a deep breath. "I've asked Lady Tsunade to take me as her apprentice."

Both boys stared at her in shock.

"Tsunade? One of the Legendary Sannin?" Sasuke asked, visibly impressed despite himself.

Sakura nodded, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "She's in the village temporarily, consulting on some special cases at the hospital. I approached her yesterday and demonstrated my chakra control. She said it was... promising."

"That's amazing, Sakura-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, genuinely happy for his teammate. "You'll be an awesome medical ninja!"

"If she accepts me," Sakura cautioned. "It's not decided yet. But she's giving me a trial period, starting tomorrow."

"She'd be a fool not to take you," Sasuke said quietly, surprising both of his teammates with the unexpected compliment.

Sakura's blush deepened. "Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

As they parted ways after dinner, the atmosphere between them was lighter than it had been in weeks. Progress, Naruto thought. Small, but real.

The next morning, he approached Jiraiya with Sasuke's request, expecting resistance. To his surprise, the Sannin seemed intrigued by the idea.

"The last Uchiha, eh? I'm curious to see how his natural Sharingan compares to your... unique situation." Jiraiya scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Plus, having both of you train together might actually help us understand the dōjutsu better."

"So he can join us?" Naruto asked hopefully.

"On one condition," Jiraiya held up a finger. "He doesn't learn about the integration technique we've been working on. That's specific to your circumstances and could be dangerous for anyone else to attempt."

Naruto nodded eagerly. "I'm sure he'll agree to that!"

When Sasuke arrived at Training Ground 7 the following dawn, his normally impassive face couldn't quite hide his shock at discovering the identity of Naruto's instructor.

"Jiraiya of the Sannin," he murmured, eyes widening slightly. "They assigned you a legendary ninja as a private tutor?"

"The Hokage has his reasons," Jiraiya replied before Naruto could respond. "Now, I understand you're interested in advancing your Sharingan abilities. Show me what you can do."

For the next several hours, Jiraiya put Sasuke through a series of tests and exercises, evaluating his proficiency with the Sharingan. The Uchiha performed admirably, demonstrating a natural talent with the dōjutsu that even Naruto had to admire.

"Not bad," Jiraiya acknowledged when they finally took a break. "Your chakra control is excellent, and your affinity for the Sharingan is obviously strong. But you're still thinking of it as a tool rather than an extension of yourself."

Sasuke frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you activate it when needed, use it, then deactivate it to conserve chakra. Efficient, but limited." Jiraiya glanced at Naruto. "Whereas our friend here is gradually integrating the Sharingan into his natural chakra flow. For him, it's becoming less like putting on a pair of glasses and more like opening his eyes a different way."

"That's impossible," Sasuke objected. "The chakra drain of maintaining the Sharingan constantly would be unsustainable, even for an Uchiha."

"Under normal circumstances, yes," Jiraiya agreed. "But Naruto's circumstances are far from normal. His massive chakra reserves and... unique situation allow for approaches that wouldn't work for others."

Sasuke's gaze shifted to Naruto, calculation evident in his expression. "Because of the Nine-Tails."

"Exactly," Jiraiya confirmed. "Which means that while you can train together in many aspects, some techniques will necessarily be different for each of you. You'll need to find your own path to advancing your Sharingan, Sasuke, one that suits your specific strengths."

Despite the inherent competitiveness between them, having Sasuke join the training proved beneficial for both genin. Sasuke's disciplined approach and deeper understanding of the Sharingan's traditional uses complemented Naruto's more intuitive, unorthodox style. Together, under Jiraiya's guidance, they made rapid progress.

For Naruto, the breakthrough came three weeks into their joint training. After countless attempts to synchronize all three chakra sources—his own, the Nine-Tails', and the Sharingan's—he finally achieved a momentary harmony.

The world around him transformed. Colors became so vivid they almost hurt to look at, sounds crisp enough to distinguish individual leaves rustling in the breeze, and chakra signatures visible as distinct auras surrounding every living thing. More than that, he could sense emotions—Jiraiya's approval, Sasuke's jealousy and determination, even the distant flicker of curiosity from a squirrel watching them from a nearby tree.

"I did it," he whispered, awestruck by the intensity of his perception.

"Don't lose focus," Jiraiya cautioned. "Maintain the balance."

For a precious thirty seconds, Naruto held the three-way fusion stable. Then, like an overextended rubber band, his control snapped. The backlash sent him crashing to his knees, blood trickling from his nose and the corners of his eyes.

"Naruto!" Sasuke was at his side instantly, concern momentarily overriding their rivalry.

"I'm okay," Naruto gasped, though the world spun sickeningly around him. "Just... tired."

"That's enough for today," Jiraiya declared, helping Naruto to his feet. "But what you just achieved is remarkable. With practice, you'll be able to maintain that state longer, and eventually activate it at will without the physical strain."

"What exactly did he do?" Sasuke asked, frustration evident in his voice. He'd been excluded from this aspect of Naruto's training, as agreed, but witnessing the results firsthand made the restriction chafe.

Jiraiya exchanged a glance with Naruto, who nodded slightly. "He synchronized three distinct chakra sources into a unified flow," the Sannin explained. "Think of it like three instruments playing separate melodies suddenly joining in perfect harmony."

"And what does that accomplish, besides enhanced perception?"

"That remains to be seen," Jiraiya replied cryptically. "But if my theory is correct, it might be the key to unlocking the full potential of the evolved Sharingan he briefly manifested on the bridge."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "The Mangekyō."

"Something like it," Jiraiya acknowledged. "Though given the unique circumstances, we can't be sure exactly what form it will take."

Later that evening, as Naruto recovered in his apartment, a soft knock at his window drew his attention. Kakashi perched on the sill, his posture casual but his visible eye alert.

"Sensei?" Naruto moved to open the window, wincing as his overtaxed muscles protested. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking on my student," Kakashi replied, slipping into the room. "Jiraiya informed me about your breakthrough today. And the aftermath."

Naruto sank back onto his bed, too exhausted to be embarrassed about the mess of his apartment. "It was amazing, Kakashi-sensei. Like seeing the world for the first time."

"I'm sure it was," Kakashi said softly. "But at what cost? Your chakra network is showing signs of strain, Naruto. Even with your extraordinary healing abilities, there's damage occurring."

"It'll get better with practice," Naruto insisted. "Jiraiya-sensei said so."

"Perhaps. But there's something you should both consider." Kakashi sat on the edge of the bed, his expression grave. "The Mangekyō Sharingan exacts a terrible price from its users. The more it's used, the more it deteriorates the wielder's eyesight, eventually leading to blindness."

Naruto's blood ran cold. "Blindness? But I thought—"

"That you're different? That the Nine-Tails' healing might prevent it?" Kakashi shook his head. "It's possible. But it's also possible that the fusion technique you're developing could accelerate the process instead of preventing it. We simply don't know."

"Then what should I do? Just give up on mastering this power?"

"No. But proceed with caution. Use this fusion technique sparingly, only when absolutely necessary." Kakashi's eye held Naruto's gaze firmly. "Promise me that, at least."

Naruto wanted to argue but could see the genuine concern in his sensei's expression. "I promise," he agreed reluctantly.

Kakashi nodded, seemingly satisfied. "Good. Now, there's another reason for my visit. The Chūnin Exams are approaching, and I've nominated Team 7 to participate."

"Really?" Despite his exhaustion, excitement bloomed in Naruto's chest. "All of us? Even with everything that's happened?"

"Yes. Despite your... internal challenges, Team 7 has shown remarkable growth since the Wave mission. I believe you're ready." Kakashi paused, his tone becoming more serious. "But this means you'll need to find a way to work together effectively again. The exams are designed to test not just individual skill but teamwork and trust."

"Sasuke's been training with me and Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto offered hopefully. "And we had dinner with Sakura-chan the other night. Things are getting better."

"I'm glad to hear it. But the Chūnin Exams will push you all to your limits—and beyond. You'll need more than a tentative truce to survive what's coming." Kakashi stood, moving back toward the window. "Think about that while you recover. The exams begin in two weeks."

After Kakashi departed, Naruto lay awake for hours, his mind racing despite his body's exhaustion. The Chūnin Exams represented an opportunity to advance as a shinobi, to prove himself to the village and perhaps take one step closer to his dream of becoming Hokage.

But they also presented a dilemma. The exams would undoubtedly involve combat, situations where his new abilities might make the difference between success and failure—or even life and death. Yet using the fusion technique, potentially accelerating whatever damage the evolved Sharingan might cause, could jeopardize his future as a ninja entirely.

And underlying all these concerns was the fundamental question of Team 7 itself. Could they overcome the fractures in their relationship? Could he and Sasuke find a way past the Sharingan issue to trust each other in battle again? And where did Sakura fit into this new dynamic, with her medical training under Tsunade?

As sleep finally claimed him, Naruto's dreams were filled with swirling red eyes and shadowy figures watching from a distance.

The next two weeks passed in a blur of preparation. Team 7 trained together daily, rebuilding their coordination and developing new combination techniques that incorporated Sakura's budding medical skills, Sasuke's fire jutsu, and Naruto's shadow clones.

On the surface, their teamwork improved remarkably. But underneath remained a current of tension, particularly between Naruto and Sasuke. Their rivalry had always been intense, but now it was complicated by the Sharingan issue and Sasuke's awareness that Naruto was developing abilities he couldn't access.

The day before the exams were set to begin, they met for a final strategy session at their usual training ground.

"Remember," Kakashi advised as they reviewed their plans, "the Chūnin Exams are as much about information gathering and strategic thinking as they are about combat. Work together, pool your strengths, and don't get separated if you can avoid it."

"We're ready, Kakashi-sensei," Sakura assured him, confidence evident in her posture. Her training with Tsunade had already begun to show results—not just in her medical jutsu but in her overall bearing and focus.

"One more thing," Kakashi added, his gaze settling on Naruto. "I want to be absolutely clear about this: no fusion technique during the exams unless your lives are in immediate danger. The standard Sharingan is permitted when necessary, but nothing beyond that. Understood?"

Naruto nodded reluctantly. "Understood."

"Good. Then all that remains is for me to say..." Kakashi's eye crinkled in what they'd come to recognize as a smile beneath his mask. "I'm proud of all of you. Whatever happens in these exams, remember that."

As they disbanded for the evening, Sasuke fell into step beside Naruto, something clearly on his mind.

"What is it?" Naruto asked after they'd walked in silence for several blocks.

"This fusion technique Kakashi mentioned," Sasuke began, his tone careful. "It's what you and Jiraiya have been working on separately, isn't it? The thing I wasn't allowed to learn."

Naruto hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. It's complicated, and honestly, pretty dangerous. That's why Jiraiya-sensei didn't want to include you."

"But it's powerful," Sasuke pressed. "Powerful enough that Kakashi is worried about you using it in the exams."

"I guess so," Naruto admitted. "But like I said, it's not something—"

"I could use. I know." Sasuke's voice held an edge of bitterness. "Because I don't have the Nine-Tails. Because I'm not special in that way."

"That's not what I was going to say," Naruto protested. "And you are special, Sasuke. You're a natural genius with the Sharingan, everyone says so. You've mastered techniques in weeks that take others years."

Sasuke was silent for a moment, seemingly considering Naruto's words. "Do you ever wonder why?" he finally asked. "Why Shisui would give his eye to you specifically? Out of everyone in the village?"

The question caught Naruto off guard. "I've wondered, yeah. The Hokage said it had something to do with the Nine-Tails' seal, how it could preserve the eye's power."

"That explains the method, not the choice," Sasuke pointed out. "Shisui was one of the most talented Uchiha of his generation. He wouldn't make a decision like that lightly, especially with his dying breaths."

"What are you getting at, Sasuke?"

"I'm saying there must have been a reason—a purpose he saw for that eye that only you could fulfill." Sasuke's gaze was intense, searching. "Have you ever considered what that might be?"

Naruto hadn't, not really. He'd been so focused on learning to control the power that questions about its intended purpose had remained secondary. "Not specifically," he admitted. "But Kakashi-sensei said something similar—that the question isn't whether I deserve the power, but what I'm meant to do with it."

Sasuke nodded slowly. "That's... surprisingly insightful of Kakashi." He hesitated, then added, "Whatever that purpose is, I hope it's worth it. Worth having part of my clan's legacy reside outside the Uchiha."

The statement wasn't quite an acceptance, but it wasn't outright rejection either. It was, Naruto realized, the closest thing to understanding that Sasuke could offer right now.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "That means a lot, coming from you."

Sasuke merely shrugged, but the tension between them had eased slightly—a promising sign as they prepared to face the challenges of the Chūnin Exams together.

The morning of the exams dawned bright and clear. Team 7 met at the designated location, a nondescript building in Konoha's administrative district. Dozens of other genin teams from various villages milled about, sizing up the competition.

"Remember the plan," Sakura murmured as they entered the building. "Low profile, gather information, stick together."

Naruto nodded, though the urge to announce his presence loudly—his usual style—was strong. He'd matured enough to recognize that stealth had its place, even for a future Hokage.

The first challenge came immediately, as they discovered the room they sought—301—was only on the second floor, despite the sign above it reading "301." A simple genjutsu, designed to weed out the less observant candidates.

Sasuke was about to point this out when Naruto subtly touched his arm, shaking his head slightly. Better to let the deception stand and allow weaker teams to be eliminated before the real challenges began.

Understanding flashed in Sasuke's eyes, and he nodded, silently acknowledging the strategic thinking. Together with Sakura, they slipped past the commotion and continued to the actual third floor.

The real Room 301 was already crowded with genin from various villages—some familiar faces from Konoha, others complete strangers. The atmosphere was tense, charged with competitive energy and more than a little hostility.

"Well, look who finally showed up," a familiar drawling voice called out. Kiba Inuzuka approached, his ninken partner Akamaru perched on his head. "I was beginning to think you three would chicken out."

"Not a chance," Naruto replied with a grin. Despite the competitive context, it was good to see a friendly face—or at least, a familiar one. "Wouldn't miss this for anything."

"N-Naruto-kun," a soft voice greeted from behind Kiba. Hinata Hyūga stood there, fingers pressed together nervously, her pale eyes briefly meeting Naruto's before darting away. "G-good luck in the exam."

"Thanks, Hinata! You too!"

As more of the Konoha rookies gathered around them, the conversation grew animated. Ino and Sakura engaged in their usual rivalry, though Naruto noticed that Sakura's responses lacked their previous heat—perhaps a sign of her growing confidence under Tsunade's tutelage.

Their reunion was interrupted by the arrival of a silver-haired Konoha genin wearing glasses. "You might want to keep it down," he advised, approaching their group. "You're attracting a lot of attention, and not the good kind."

Naruto glanced around to find that, indeed, many of the other candidates were watching them with predatory interest.

"Who are you?" Sasuke asked, his tone suspicious.

"Kabuto Yakushi," the newcomer replied with a friendly smile. "This is my seventh time taking the exams, so you could say I'm something of a veteran."

"Seventh time?" Ino echoed incredulously. "You must really suck!"

Kabuto laughed good-naturedly. "Or the exams are just that difficult. But my failures haven't been entirely wasted—I've gathered quite a bit of information over the years." He pulled out a deck of cards. "These ninja info cards contain data on nearly all the candidates. Is there anyone you're curious about?"

The offer was tempting, but something about Kabuto's convenient appearance and helpfulness raised flags in Naruto's mind. Since awakening the Sharingan, he'd become more attuned to the subtle cues of deception—the minute tells that people gave when their words and intentions didn't align.

And right now, those instincts were humming with warning.

"That's a generous offer," Naruto said carefully, "but maybe we should rely on our own observations instead of secondhand information."

Kabuto seemed surprised by the refusal, his smile faltering slightly. "Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, I'm happy to help fellow Konoha ninja."

As Kabuto moved away to speak with other teams, Sasuke leaned closer to Naruto. "You sensed it too?"

Naruto nodded slightly. "Something's off about him. Too eager to share information with strangers."

"Agreed. Keep an eye on him during the exam."

Before they could discuss further, the front of the room erupted in a cloud of smoke. When it cleared, a group of Konoha chūnin and jōnin stood there, led by a scarred, intimidating man in a black trench coat.

"Listen up, maggots!" he barked. "I am Ibiki Morino, the proctor for the first exam. From this moment, you are under my jurisdiction, and my rules are absolute."

The first phase of the Chūnin Exams was a written test—a development that filled Naruto with dread. Despite his growth in recent months, academics had never been his strong suit.

As the papers were distributed and the rules explained, his anxiety only grew. The test was composed of nine fiendishly difficult questions, with a tenth to be revealed at the end. Worse, the scoring system was team-based; if one member failed, the entire team would be eliminated.

Cheating was theoretically punished by the deduction of points, but as Naruto scanned the questions, he began to understand the true nature of the test. These problems were beyond the knowledge level of most genin. The real challenge was to gather information without being caught—to cheat successfully.

For a moment, he considered activating his Sharingan. With it, he could easily copy the pencil movements of someone who knew the answers. But Kakashi's warning echoed in his mind: use the Sharingan only when necessary.

Was this necessary? Or was there another way?

As he weighed his options, he noticed something strange. The pressure behind his eyes—the precursor to the Sharingan's activation—had appeared on its own, a gentle throb rather than the usual sharp build-up. And with it came a subtle enhancement to his vision, not the full crystal clarity of the activated dōjutsu, but enough to see the paper of the candidate in front of him more clearly.

It was as if the Sharingan was partially activating in response to his need, integrating more smoothly with his natural chakra flow just as Jiraiya had been teaching him.

Naruto focused on this sensation, neither fighting against it nor fully embracing it, simply allowing it to exist. The enhancement to his vision stabilized, providing just enough clarity to read the paper ahead without the telltale red eyes that would give away his method.

Carefully, he began to write, copying the answers with growing confidence. Across the room, he could see Sasuke using his fully activated Sharingan to similar effect, while Sakura—the brightest of their team academically—seemed to be solving the problems legitimately.

As the test progressed, Naruto became aware of the various methods other candidates were employing: Hinata and Neji using their Byakugan, Ino presumably using her Mind Transfer Jutsu, Shino sending insects to gather information. Each team played to their strengths, demonstrating the resourcefulness expected of chūnin.

Finally, with just fifteen minutes remaining, Ibiki announced the tenth question. But this came with a twist: candidates could choose whether to take it, but if they failed, they would be barred from future Chūnin Exams forever. However, if they declined the question, their entire team would fail this round but could try again in the future.

One by one, teams began to drop out, the pressure of permanent failure too great to bear. Naruto watched as the room gradually emptied, until less than half the original candidates remained.

He glanced at Sasuke and Sakura, reading resolve in their expressions. They were staying. For Team 7, there was no question of retreating.

"Time's up for decisions," Ibiki announced, his scarred face stern as he surveyed the remaining candidates. "For those still here... you all pass the first exam."

A collective cry of confusion echoed through the room.

"The tenth question was a test of resolve," Ibiki explained with a grim smile. "As chūnin, you will face missions where the risk of failure is high, where retreat might seem the safer option. But true shinobi push forward despite those risks, committed to their duty regardless of personal consequence."

He removed his headband, revealing a head covered in burn marks, puncture wounds, and scars—evidence of torture. "Information is a valuable weapon, sometimes worth dying to protect or obtain. The first nine questions tested your ability to gather intelligence covertly, a critical skill for chūnin. The tenth tested your courage to face the unknown."

Before he could elaborate further, the window shattered as a dark blur crashed through it. A banner unfurled, and a woman with purple hair and a tan trench coat stood before them, grinning wildly.

"Alright, maggots!" she announced. "No time to celebrate! I'm Anko Mitarashi, proctor for the second phase. Follow me to Training Ground 44—better known as the Forest of Death!"

As they filed out of the room, following the energetic Anko, Naruto couldn't shake a growing sense of unease. They'd passed the first hurdle, but something told him the real challenges were just beginning.

And somewhere in the back of his mind, the Nine-Tails stirred restlessly, as if sensing a familiar and unwelcome presence approaching.

Training Ground 44 lived up to its ominous nickname. Massive trees blocked out the sunlight, their canopies creating a perpetual twilight beneath. The air was thick with humidity and the sounds of unseen creatures.

"Welcome to the Forest of Death," Anko announced with disturbing cheerfulness. "This will be your home for the next five days. Each team will receive either a Heaven scroll or an Earth scroll." She held up samples of each. "Your objective is simple: obtain both scrolls and reach the tower in the center of the forest before time expires."

She grinned, the expression more predatory than amused. "Of course, that means half of you will fail at minimum. And that's assuming the forest doesn't claim a few teams itself. The wildlife here is... aggressive."

A waiver was distributed to each candidate, releasing Konoha from liability in case of injury or death. Naruto stared at the document, the reality of what they were about to face sinking in.

"Having second thoughts?" Sasuke asked quietly beside him.

Naruto shook his head. "No way. We've faced worse together."

Once the paperwork was completed and their Heaven scroll secured (with Sakura elected as the carrier), Team 7 was directed to Gate 12, one of many entrances to the forest.

"Remember the plan," Sasuke murmured as they waited for the signal to begin. "We head straight for the tower, setting traps along the way. Better to let teams come to us than to waste energy hunting."

"And our formation?" Sakura confirmed.

"Naruto's shadow clones scout ahead and to the sides. I take point, you stay center with the scroll, and Naruto guards the rear. If we encounter enemies, priority is protecting the scroll, not engaging unless necessary."

Naruto nodded his agreement, though the strategy felt overly cautious to his taste. Still, he couldn't deny Sasuke's tactical thinking was sound.

A whistle blew sharply in the distance, and gates around the perimeter of the forest clanged open.

"Let's go!" Naruto called, and Team 7 plunged into the shadows of the Forest of Death.

The plan worked well initially. Naruto's shadow clones provided excellent reconnaissance, allowing them to avoid two teams in the first few hours. By nightfall, they had covered significant distance toward the central tower without expending much energy.

They made camp in the hollow of a massive tree, its tangled roots providing natural concealment. As Sasuke prepared a small, smokeless fire, Sakura set basic traps around their perimeter.

"We're making good progress," she said, returning to the hollow. "But we still need an Earth scroll."

"There's a team camped about half a kilometer east," Naruto reported as his last scout clone's memories reached him. "Three Rain ninja. They seem exhausted—I think they were in a fight earlier."

Sasuke's eyes gleamed with interest. "Did your clone see which scroll they have?"

"No, but they'd be easy targets right now."

A silent communication passed between the three of them. Their plan had been to avoid unnecessary confrontation, but an opportunity this good might not present itself again.

"We'll check it out," Sasuke decided. "If they have an Earth scroll, we take it. If not, we withdraw without engaging."

They moved through the forest like shadows, Team 7's coordination flawless despite the lingering tension between them. When they reached the Rain team's position, they observed from concealed positions in the canopy.

The Rain ninja indeed appeared drained, one sporting a bandaged arm while another dozed fitfully. The third kept watch, but his attention wandered, fatigue evident in his posture.

Naruto's enhanced vision—that semi-activated state of the Sharingan he'd discovered during the written exam—allowed him to spot the outline of a scroll tucked inside the leader's jacket.

"Second pocket from the bottom, left side of the tall one's vest," he whispered to Sasuke. "Can't tell which type, though."

Sasuke nodded, activating his own Sharingan to confirm. "I see it. We need a closer look."

"I'll create a distraction," Sakura offered. "Something subtle to draw their attention without alerting them to an attack."

She withdrew a small vial from her medical pouch—one of Tsunade's concoctions—and carefully opened it. The liquid inside emitted no visible vapor, but Naruto's sensitive nose detected a faint, sweet scent.

"Hallucinogenic compound," Sakura explained quietly. "Non-lethal, but it will make them suggestible and confused. Once I release it, we have about two minutes before they'll start to recover."

Impressed by her preparation, Naruto and Sasuke positioned themselves for a quick strike. On Sasuke's signal, Sakura lobbed the vial into the Rain ninja's camp. It shattered silently, the liquid instantly vaporizing in the warm night air.

The effect was remarkable. Within seconds, the three Rain ninja became disoriented, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated. The guard began speaking to shadows, while the wounded one laughed softly at nothing.

Team 7 moved in. Sasuke immobilized the watchman with a precise strike to the neck, while Naruto restrained the wounded ninja. Sakura went straight for the leader, her movements economical as she extracted the scroll from his vest.

"Earth scroll," she confirmed with a triumphant smile. "We've got both now."

They retreated as quickly as they'd arrived, leaving the Rain ninja to recover from the hallucinogen with nothing more than confusion and a missing scroll as evidence of what had transpired.

"That was almost too easy," Naruto commented as they made their way back to their own camp.

"Don't jinx us," Sakura warned, but her tone was light with relief. "We still have to reach the tower."

The night passed without incident, and they set out at first light, their pace brisk now that they had both required scrolls. The central tower was visible in the distance, perhaps a day's journey through the dense forest.

By midday, they had covered more than half the remaining distance. Naruto's shadow clones reported no teams in their immediate vicinity, and a cautious optimism began to build among them.

Then everything changed.

A tremendous gust of wind tore through the forest, so powerful it separated Team 7 despite their attempts to stay together. Naruto found himself hurled through the air, crashing through branches before slamming into the trunk of a massive tree.

Dazed, he struggled to his feet, his enhanced healing already repairing the worst of his injuries. "Sasuke! Sakura!" he called, but the only response was an eerie silence.

He created a dozen shadow clones, sending them out to search in all directions. Then, from behind, a voice that sent chills down his spine.

"My, my... what an interesting development. The Nine-Tails jinchūriki, all alone."

Naruto spun around to face a Grass ninja—a woman with an unnaturally wide smile that didn't reach her eyes. Everything about her seemed wrong, from her too-fluid movements to the predatory intent radiating from her like a physical force.

"Who are you?" Naruto demanded, instinctively dropping into a defensive stance. "What did you do to my teammates?"

"Such concern," the woman purred, her voice oddly masculine beneath the feminine tone. "How touching. But perhaps you should worry more about yourself, Naruto Uzumaki."

The fact that she knew his name only heightened Naruto's unease. And there was something else—a flicker of recognition from within his mindscape, the Nine-Tails stirring with what felt like... fear?

"I asked who you are," Naruto repeated, channeling chakra in preparation for battle.

"Someone very interested in you," the Grass ninja replied, her tongue—impossibly long and serpentine—slithering out to lick her lips. "Or rather, in what you possess. The power within you... and the power of those eyes."

She knows about the Sharingan, Naruto realized with a jolt. And the Nine-Tails.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he bluffed, his mind racing for a strategy. This opponent was clearly far beyond the level of a typical genin.

The woman's laughter was chilling. "No? Then perhaps a demonstration will refresh your memory."

Before Naruto could react, she formed a complex series of hand signs, her speed beyond anything he'd witnessed before. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

A wall of compressed air slammed into Naruto, sending him flying once more. This time, however, he was prepared. Creating shadow clones mid-air, he used them as anchors to control his trajectory, landing in a crouch atop a thick branch.

No time to waste. He activated his Sharingan fully, the world sharpening into hyper-focus as the crimson chakra flowed to his eyes.

"There they are," the woman whispered, her excitement palpable even from a distance. "The eyes of Shisui Uchiha. How fascinating that they ended up in your possession."

"How do you know about Shisui?" Naruto demanded, genuinely shocked. His connection to Shisui's eye was supposed to be an S-rank secret.

Instead of answering, the woman struck again, this time with a barrage of snakes that erupted from her sleeve. Naruto leapt away, his Sharingan tracking each serpent's movement and allowing him to evade their venomous fangs.

He countered with a volley of shuriken, their trajectory calculated with the Sharingan's precision. But the woman simply bent in ways that defied human anatomy, twisting around the projectiles as if her bones were made of rubber.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto created twenty clones, sending them in a coordinated attack pattern designed to divide the woman's attention.

She dispatched them with dismissive ease, her movements so fluid they were difficult to track even with the Sharingan. As the last clone popped, she spoke again, this time dropping the female affectation entirely.

"You rely too heavily on those clones, boy. Quantity cannot substitute for quality."

With that, she reached up and grasped the skin of her face, pulling it away like a mask to reveal pale, almost white skin beneath, and yellow, slitted eyes that reminded Naruto of a snake.

"Orochimaru," the Nine-Tails growled in the back of Naruto's mind, the name carrying with it a wave of hatred and caution.

"Who?" Naruto murmured, momentarily confused by the fox's interjection.

"Ah, is the fox speaking to you?" The revealed face smiled, the expression infinitely more disturbing on these new features. "Yes, I am Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin. And you, Naruto Uzumaki, have something I find extremely interesting."

Legendary Sannin. Like Jiraiya and Tsunade. This was bad—very bad. Naruto knew he was completely outmatched.

"What do you want?" he asked, playing for time as he desperately tried to think of a way out of this situation.

"I came for Sasuke Uchiha initially," Orochimaru replied with casual honesty. "The last of his clan, with such potential... he would make an ideal vessel for my ambitions. But now I find something potentially even more valuable—Shisui's eye, merged with the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. The possibilities are... enticing."

Vessel? The word sent a fresh wave of revulsion through Naruto. This man—this monster—wanted to take over Sasuke's body?

"You're not getting Sasuke," Naruto declared, resolve hardening within him. "And you're not getting me either."

Orochimaru laughed, the sound devoid of genuine mirth. "Bold words from a genin facing a Sannin. What do you think you can possibly do to stop me?"

It was a fair question. Naruto knew he couldn't win this fight through conventional means. But he wasn't limited to conventional options anymore.

Taking a deep breath, he reached within himself, drawing upon the techniques Jiraiya had been teaching him. He needed the fusion—the synchronized harmony of his own chakra, the Nine-Tails' power, and the Sharingan's energy.

The pressure built behind his eyes, chakra swirling through his system in complex patterns. For a moment, the three energy sources fought against each other, resisting the unnatural combination. Then, with a mental push that felt like breaking through a wall, they aligned.

The world transformed, just as it had during his breakthrough with Jiraiya, but stronger now—more stable. He could see Orochimaru's chakra in vivid detail, could track the flow of energy through the Sannin's body, could even perceive the unnatural modifications that allowed him to perform his disturbing physical contortions.

More than that, he could sense the malevolence that permeated Orochimaru's being, a darkness that rivaled even the Nine-Tails in its intensity.

"Interesting," Orochimaru murmured, his slitted eyes narrowing as he observed the change in Naruto. "Your eyes... they're not quite the Mangekyō, are they? Something new. Something unique."

Naruto didn't waste time responding. With his enhanced perception, he could see an opening in Orochimaru's stance—a fractional imbalance in his weight distribution. He attacked, moving faster than he ever had before, his body seemingly responding to his thoughts before he even fully formed them.

His fist connected with Orochimaru's jaw, sending the Sannin flying backward into a tree trunk with enough force to crack the massive wood. It was a blow that should have incapacitated any normal opponent.

Orochimaru simply stood up, working his jaw with a thoughtful expression. "Impressive strength. The Nine-Tails' contribution, no doubt. But not enough, I'm afraid."

He formed a single hand sign, and suddenly Naruto found himself paralyzed, his body refusing to respond to his commands. A genjutsu, he realized, one powerful enough to overcome even the Sharingan's resistance.

"Now then," Orochimaru approached leisurely, confident in his control. "Let's have a closer look at those eyes of yours."

Panic surged through Naruto as the Sannin drew nearer, his fingers extended toward Naruto's face. In his mindscape, the Nine-Tails roared, its chakra surging against the seal in a desperate bid for freedom.

"Use it!" the fox demanded. "Use the eye's power!"

The Sharingan pulsed in response, the pattern in Naruto's right eye shifting, evolving into the pinwheel-like design he'd briefly manifested on the bridge in the Land of Waves. With it came a new awareness, a different kind of power—not physical strength but something more subtle and profound.

As Orochimaru's fingers brushed against his face, Naruto focused all his will through that transformed eye, reaching out with his consciousness to touch the Sannin's mind.

"You will release me," he commanded, his voice resonating with a power he didn't fully understand. "You will leave me and my teammates alone."

For a breathtaking moment, it seemed to work. Orochimaru froze, his yellow eyes widening in surprise. The genjutsu holding Naruto in place wavered, then shattered.

Then Orochimaru began to laugh, the sound building from a chuckle to a full-throated cackle of genuine amusement.

"Kotoamatsukami!" he exclaimed when his laughter finally subsided. "Or some version of it, at least. How marvelous! To think that Shisui's legendary ability would resurface in such an unexpected vessel."

His eyes narrowed, calculation replacing amusement. "But you lack finesse, boy. The technique requires precision to be truly effective—especially against a mind as disciplined as mine."

With blinding speed, Orochimaru's hand shot out, fingers digging painfully into Naruto's throat and lifting him off the ground. "Still, the potential is undeniable. I wonder..."

His free hand formed a complex seal, then began to glow with an eerie purple flame. "Perhaps a small adjustment to your seal is in order. Let's see what happens when a bit more of the Nine-Tails' chakra mingles with that eye."

He slammed the glowing hand into Naruto's stomach, directly over the seal containing the Nine-Tails. Pain unlike anything Naruto had ever experienced tore through him, as if his very chakra network was being ripped apart and rewoven.

He screamed, the fusion technique collapsing as his concentration shattered. The Sharingan deactivated, his normal vision returning just in time to see Orochimaru's satisfied smile.

"A little gift for you, Naruto Uzumaki," the Sannin whispered. "I've weakened the barrier between you and the Nine-Tails. When you draw on its power, more will flow than before—feeding your developing abilities but also pushing you closer to losing control."

He released Naruto, who crumpled to the forest floor, his body spasming from the trauma inflicted on his chakra system. "Consider it an experiment. I'm most interested to see how this develops."

Orochimaru stepped back, his form already beginning to melt into the bark of a nearby tree. "We'll meet again, I'm sure. And when we do, perhaps you'll have mastered that eye properly. Or perhaps the fox will have consumed you. Either outcome promises to be entertaining."

With those ominous words, he disappeared completely, leaving Naruto alone, gasping and trembling on the forest floor.

For several minutes, Naruto couldn't move, his body rebelling against the violation it had suffered. Within his mindscape, he could feel the change Orochimaru had wrought—the seal containing the Nine-Tails was intact but altered, the barriers between their chakras more permeable than before.

"He tampered with the Fourth's seal," the Nine-Tails growled, its voice closer and clearer than it had ever been outside of direct mindscape conversations. "Fool. He has no idea what he's playing with."

"What... what did he do to me?" Naruto managed to ask aloud, slowly pushing himself to his hands and knees.

"He created a shortcut—a channel through which my chakra can flow more freely into your system. He thinks to accelerate your development, to create a more interesting 'specimen' for his twisted experiments."

The fox's tails lashed against the bars of its cage. "But the seal was designed with specific safeguards. Tampering with it has consequences he couldn't possibly understand."

Before Naruto could ask what consequences, a sharp spike of pain lanced through his head. Images flashed before his eyes—memories that weren't his own.

A young boy with spiky black hair practicing fire jutsu by a lake, determined despite repeated failures.

A teenager with the same features standing over fallen comrades, tears streaming down his face as his eyes transformed, tomoe swirling into a new pattern.

A young man kneeling by a river, blood dripping from his eye socket as he pressed something into the forehead of a small blond child.

"Shisui," Naruto whispered, recognizing the face from the fragmented memory he'd experienced before. "These are his memories."

"It seems Orochimaru's meddling has destabilized more than just my seal," the Nine-Tails observed. "The barriers between your consciousness and the residual imprint of Shisui within the eye are weakening as well."

Another wave of foreign memories washed over Naruto, these more coherent than the first:

Shisui standing before the Third Hokage, explaining his plan to use Kotoamatsukami to prevent the Uchiha coup.

Danzō ambushing him, stealing his right eye while declaring it too dangerous to leave in Shisui's hands.

The decision to entrust his remaining eye to Itachi, then the change of plans when they encountered a young Naruto by chance—the realization that the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails would be the perfect hiding place for the eye, protected by both the Fourth's seal and the assumption that no one would look for an Uchiha dōjutsu in a non-Uchiha child.

The memories faded, leaving Naruto gasping and disoriented. But they had answered questions that had plagued him since the eye's awakening—why him, and what purpose Shisui had envisioned.

"He wanted to stop a coup," Naruto murmured. "The Uchiha were planning to overthrow the Hokage?"

"Politics," the Nine-Tails scoffed. "Always the same with you humans. Power struggles dressed up as principles."

Naruto pushed himself to his feet, still shaky but driven by a new urgency. He needed to find Sasuke and Sakura, to warn them about Orochimaru. If the Sannin had initially come for Sasuke, there was a good chance he would seek him out despite his interest in Naruto's abilities.

He created a shadow clone, immediately noticing that the jutsu required less chakra than usual—another effect of Orochimaru's tampering with the seal. The clone transformed into a small bird and took flight, searching for his teammates from above while Naruto continued on foot.

It took nearly an hour of searching before the clone's memories returned to him—it had spotted Sakura in a hollow beneath the roots of a gigantic tree, tending to an unconscious Sasuke.

Naruto raced toward their location, pushing his already taxed body to its limits. When he arrived, he found Sakura wielding a kunai, dark circles under her eyes suggesting she hadn't slept.

"Naruto?" she called, suspicion evident in her voice. "Prove it's really you."

"Smart," Naruto approved, stopping at a safe distance. "During our mission to the Land of Waves, you climbed the tree before either Sasuke or me. And you gave me advice about visualizing my chakra as a steady flow."

Sakura lowered the kunai, relief washing over her face. "Thank goodness. I was so worried when that wind separated us."

"What happened to Sasuke?" Naruto asked, moving closer to examine his unconscious teammate.

Sakura's expression darkened. "We were attacked by that Grass ninja—except she wasn't really a Grass ninja. Her face... it came off like a mask, and underneath was this pale man with snake-like eyes."

"Orochimaru," Naruto confirmed grimly. "I encountered him too."

"He was after Sasuke specifically," Sakura continued. "He kept talking about Sasuke's potential and how he would seek him out when he was ready for more power." Her voice trembled slightly. "Then he bit Sasuke's neck, leaving some kind of mark. Sasuke's been unconscious ever since."

Naruto gently turned Sasuke's head to examine the mark Sakura described. Three tomoe arranged in a circular pattern, similar to the Sharingan but clearly something else entirely. The skin around it was inflamed, and occasionally black flame-like patterns would spread from it before receding again.

"It's some kind of seal," he realized, recalling what little he'd learned about fuinjutsu from Jiraiya. "But I don't recognize it."

"Can you help him?" Sakura asked, hope and desperation mingling in her voice.

Naruto wished he could say yes, but he knew this was beyond his capabilities. "Not here. We need to get to the tower as quickly as possible. The proctors might have medical ninja who can help, or at least a way to contact the Hokage."

He created several shadow clones, arranging them to form a stretcher for Sasuke. As they prepared to depart, Sakura placed a hand on Naruto's arm, her gaze searching.

"You're injured too," she observed. "And there's something different about your chakra. I can sense it, even without special training. What did he do to you?"

Naruto hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "He... tampered with the Nine-Tails' seal. I don't fully understand what he did, but it's affected how the chakra flows through my system."

Fear flashed across Sakura's face, quickly replaced by determination. "All the more reason to reach the tower quickly, then. Both of you need medical attention beyond what I can provide."

They set out at the fastest pace they could manage with Sasuke unconscious, Naruto's clones carrying him while the original and Sakura guarded their flanks. The journey was tense, every shadow and rustle potentially hiding enemies eager to take advantage of their weakened state.

To their surprise, they encountered no opposition. Whether due to luck or the fact that many teams had already either obtained their scrolls or been eliminated, the forest seemed eerily empty as they approached the central tower.

"Almost there," Sakura encouraged as the tower loomed before them, its red walls a welcome sight after the endless green of the forest.

They entered through a door marked with the Konoha symbol, finding themselves in a bare room with a large inscription on the wall—a poem about heaven and earth, clearly referencing the scrolls they'd obtained.

"I think we're supposed to open the scrolls now," Sakura deduced, withdrawing both the Heaven and Earth scrolls from her pouch.

Together, they unrolled the scrolls on the floor. Smoke immediately billowed from the parchment, coalescing into a human figure—their Academy teacher, Iruka Umino.

"Congratulations on completing the second phase of the Chūnin—" he began, then stopped as he took in their condition. "What happened? Sasuke—"

"We need help," Naruto interrupted urgently. "Sasuke was attacked by Orochimaru. He has some kind of seal on his neck."

Iruka's face drained of color. "Orochimaru? Are you certain?"

"Yes," Sakura confirmed. "He identified himself after dropping his disguise."

"And he did something to Naruto's seal too," she added, gesturing toward her teammate.

Iruka's expression shifted from shock to decisive action. "This is far beyond a normal exam situation. I'm activating an emergency protocol."

He formed a series of hand signs, then slammed his palm against the floor. A complex seal pattern spread from the point of contact, glowing briefly before fading.

"The Hokage and ANBU have been alerted," he explained. "They'll meet us in the medical wing. Follow me, quickly."

As they hurried through the tower's corridors, Naruto felt a strange pulsing sensation from both the altered seal on his stomach and the Sharingan dormant in his chakra network. It was as if Orochimaru's tampering had created a resonance between the two powers, each amplifying and destabilizing the other.

"Your chakra system is adapting," the Nine-Tails commented, its voice still unnervingly clear despite Naruto not actively entering his mindscape. "But the process is chaotic. Without intervention, there's a significant risk of your network collapsing entirely."

"What does that mean?" Naruto asked internally, careful not to alert Iruka or Sakura to his conversation with the fox.

"It means death, little human. Or worse—complete chakra burnout, leaving you alive but unable to ever mold chakra again."

The gravity of the situation settled on Naruto like a physical weight. He'd known Orochimaru's attack was serious, but he hadn't realized it might be life-threatening in ways beyond the immediate battle.

They reached the medical wing just as the Hokage arrived, accompanied by two ANBU operatives and, to Naruto's relief, Jiraiya.

"Lay him here," a medical ninja directed, indicating a examination table for Sasuke. "And you, Naruto, on this one."

As the medical team began examining both boys, the Hokage conferred quietly with Jiraiya and the ANBU, their expressions grave. Sakura stood nearby, exhaustion evident in her posture but refusing to leave her teammates.

Jiraiya approached Naruto's table first, his normally jovial demeanor replaced by intense focus. "Let me see what that snake bastard did to you," he muttered, lifting Naruto's shirt to examine the seal.

His fingers traced the altered patterns, occasionally applying small bursts of chakra that made Naruto wince. "Clever and reckless, typical Orochimaru," he finally said, straightening up. "He's modified the Eight Trigrams Seal to allow more of the Nine-Tails' chakra to flow into your system."

"Can you fix it?" Naruto asked anxiously.

"Yes and no," Jiraiya replied. "I can apply a stabilizing seal—a Five Elements Seal that will essentially counterbalance the changes Orochimaru made. It won't restore the original configuration exactly, but it will prevent further deterioration and reduce the immediate risk."

He glanced toward Sasuke, where the medical team was still working. "A more permanent solution will have to wait until we better understand his intentions. This wasn't random tampering—he had a specific purpose in mind."

The Hokage joined them, his aged face lined with concern. "Naruto, I need you to tell me everything that happened. Every detail of your encounter with Orochimaru."

So Naruto recounted the battle, from the initial separation of Team 7 to Orochimaru's revelation of his interest in both Sasuke and the Sharingan, and finally the alteration of the Nine-Tails' seal. He hesitated before mentioning the flood of Shisui's memories, unsure whether to share such personal information with others present.

"There's more," the Hokage prompted, reading his reluctance. "Something you're hesitant to discuss openly."

Naruto glanced at Sakura, who was focused on Sasuke's treatment, then nodded. "After he altered the seal, I started experiencing memories that aren't mine. Shisui's memories, about why he gave me his eye and... other things. About the Uchiha clan."

Jiraiya and the Hokage exchanged a significant look.

"We'll discuss that privately," the Third said quietly. "For now, let's address the immediate concern."

He nodded to Jiraiya, who began preparing for the sealing technique. "This will be painful," the Sannin warned, his fingers glowing with chakra. "But it's necessary."

Naruto gritted his teeth and nodded his readiness. Jiraiya's hand struck with precision, five points of burning agony as the new seal locked into place over Orochimaru's modification. The pain was intense but brief, leaving Naruto gasping as the disruptive resonance between the Nine-Tails and the Sharingan gradually subsided.

"Rest now," Jiraiya instructed. "The Five Elements Seal will stabilize your condition, but your chakra network needs time to adjust."

Across the room, the medical team treating Sasuke stepped back, their expressions troubled.

"We've contained the Cursed Seal of Heaven for now," the lead medic reported to the Hokage. "But we can't remove it. Only Orochimaru himself could reverse the process entirely."

"What does it do?" Sakura asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

The medic hesitated, looking to the Hokage for permission to elaborate. At his nod, she continued, "It's a forbidden jutsu that infuses the recipient with a sample of Orochimaru's own chakra. This creates a potential for enormous power, but at the cost of gradually corrupting the recipient's mind and body. The corruption is subtle at first—increased aggression, darker thoughts, a craving for power at any cost."

"And long-term?" Naruto asked, though he feared he knew the answer.

"Complete subordination to Orochimaru's will," the Hokage answered grimly. "The seal is designed to slowly bend the victim toward Orochimaru's influence, making them eventually seek him out willingly."

The implications were chilling. Sasuke, with his burning desire for revenge against Itachi, would be particularly vulnerable to the lure of power the Cursed Seal offered.

"What can we do?" Naruto asked, sitting up despite the lingering pain from Jiraiya's sealing technique.

"We've placed a containment seal around the cursed mark," the medic explained. "It should suppress its influence as long as Sasuke maintains his willpower against it. But ultimately, the choice to resist or succumb will be his."

The Hokage turned to address both conscious members of Team 7. "You've both performed admirably under extraordinary circumstances. Few genin—few jōnin, even—could have survived an encounter with Orochimaru."

His expression softened slightly. "You've technically completed the second phase of the exams by reaching the tower with both scrolls. You'll be allowed to rest and recover here until the phase concludes, after which we'll determine whether you can continue to the third phase."

"What about Sasuke?" Sakura asked. "Will he be allowed to continue if he wakes up?"

"If he regains consciousness and our medical team clears him, yes," the Hokage confirmed. "But his condition will be closely monitored."

As the medical team moved Sasuke to a recovery room and Sakura followed, Naruto found himself alone with the Hokage and Jiraiya. The ANBU had disappeared as silently as they'd arrived.

"Now," the Third said, his voice low and serious, "tell us about these memories you experienced. What exactly did you see of Shisui's past?"

Naruto hesitated, organizing his thoughts. "It was fragmented—flashes of his life. I saw him as a child practicing jutsu, then as a teenager awakening what I think was his Mangekyō Sharingan after teammates died."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "But the clearest memories were about the Uchiha clan planning a coup against Konoha. Shisui intended to use Kotoamatsukami to stop it peacefully by changing the clan leaders' minds. But then Danzō attacked him and stole one of his eyes, claiming it was too dangerous to leave in Shisui's hands."

The Hokage's face remained impassive, though Jiraiya's eyes narrowed at the mention of Danzō.

"After that, Shisui was planning to give his remaining eye to Itachi, but they encountered me by chance. Shisui realized the Nine-Tails' seal would be the perfect hiding place for the eye's power." Naruto met the Hokage's gaze directly. "Is it true? Were the Uchiha really planning to overthrow you?"

The Third sighed heavily, suddenly looking every one of his years. "Yes. It's a dark chapter in our village's history, one few know the full truth of. The Uchiha felt increasingly marginalized after the Nine-Tails' attack. Suspicions arose that an Uchiha had been involved in releasing the fox, leading to further distrust between the clan and the village leadership."

"Isolated and under constant surveillance, the clan's resentment festered," Jiraiya continued. "Eventually, under Fugaku Uchiha's leadership—Sasuke's father—they began planning a coup that would have plunged Konoha into civil war."

"Shisui's plan was noble," the Hokage said. "Using Kotoamatsukami to peacefully end the conflict would have saved countless lives. But Danzō, in his misguided belief that more decisive action was needed, prevented that option."

"And then the massacre happened," Naruto realized, pieces falling into place. "Itachi killed the entire clan, except for Sasuke. But why? Was he acting on orders?"

A heavy silence fell over the room. Finally, the Hokage spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "What I'm about to tell you is classified at the highest level. If this information were to become public, it could destabilize the village and potentially trigger another war."

He fixed Naruto with a penetrating gaze. "Do you understand the burden of such knowledge? Are you prepared to carry it?"

Naruto didn't hesitate. "Yes, Lord Hokage."

"Very well." The Third folded his hands. "After Shisui's death eliminated the possibility of a peaceful resolution, we continued negotiating with the Uchiha leadership while seeking alternatives. But Danzō lost patience. Acting without my knowledge or approval, he and his Root organization gave Itachi an impossible choice: become the instrument of his clan's destruction to prevent a bloody civil war and save his brother's life, or watch as Root eliminated every Uchiha, Sasuke included."

The enormity of this revelation left Naruto speechless. Itachi, vilified as a clan-killer, had actually been protecting Konoha—and Sasuke—at the cost of his own honor and happiness.

"Itachi chose the village over his clan, and Sasuke's life over all else," Jiraiya added. "He's been living as a rogue ninja ever since, his true loyalties known only to a select few."

"That's why he was there that night," Naruto realized. "When Shisui gave me his eye. Itachi was helping fulfill his friend's final wish."

The Hokage nodded. "Itachi has continued to serve Konoha from the shadows, taking on the burden of a villain to maintain peace. His is perhaps the greatest sacrifice any shinobi has made for this village."

Naruto's mind reeled with the implications. If Sasuke ever learned the truth... "Does Sasuke know any of this?"

"No," the Third replied firmly. "And he must not learn it, at least not yet. In his current state of mind, with his singular focus on revenge, such knowledge would only confuse and torment him further."

"But he deserves to know the truth about his brother," Naruto protested.

"Eventually, yes," Jiraiya agreed. "But timing is crucial. With Orochimaru's seal influencing him, learning such an emotionally devastating truth could push Sasuke over the edge, making him vulnerable to manipulation."

Naruto couldn't argue with that logic, though keeping such a significant secret from his teammate felt wrong. "So what do we do now? About Orochimaru, about Sasuke... about everything?"

"We proceed carefully," the Hokage advised. "Jiraiya will continue training you to control both the Nine-Tails' chakra and the Sharingan, with added emphasis on handling the altered seal. As for Sasuke, we'll monitor him closely while helping him develop the willpower to resist the Cursed Seal's influence."

"And Orochimaru?"

Jiraiya's expression darkened. "We hunt him. He's declared himself an enemy of Konoha by attacking you and Sasuke. His presence during the exams suggests a larger plot, one we need to uncover and disrupt."

The conversation was interrupted by a medical ninja entering with news that Sasuke had regained consciousness. As they made their way to his room, the Hokage placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"The knowledge you now possess—about Shisui, Itachi, and the Uchiha—is dangerous. Guard it carefully, Naruto. The future of Team 7, and perhaps the village itself, may depend on your discretion."

Sasuke was sitting up in bed when they arrived, his face pale but his eyes alert. Sakura sat beside him, relief evident in her expression.

"Naruto," Sasuke acknowledged, his voice slightly hoarse. "They tell me we made it to the tower."

"Yeah, after you decided to take a nap while Sakura and I did all the work," Naruto joked, trying to keep his tone light despite the weight of secrets now pressing on him.

A ghost of a smile touched Sasuke's lips. "Next time, I'll let you be the one who gets a cursed hickey from a legendary rogue ninja."

The unexpected humor, however dark, was reassuring. If Sasuke could joke about his situation, perhaps the Cursed Seal's influence wasn't as immediate as they feared.

The Hokage stepped forward. "Sasuke, I need to be direct with you about your condition. The mark Orochimaru placed on you is called the Cursed Seal of Heaven. It's a forbidden jutsu that offers power but gradually corrupts the recipient's mind, making them susceptible to Orochimaru's influence."

Sasuke's hand moved to the mark on his neck, now surrounded by a circular sealing formula. "You've contained it?"

"Temporarily," Jiraiya confirmed. "But ultimately, its power depends on your will. If you desire the power it offers—if you give in to that temptation—the seal will override our containment measures."

"In other words," Sasuke concluded, "it's a trap designed to make me seek out Orochimaru willingly."

"Precisely," the Hokage affirmed. "Orochimaru is playing a long game, one in which you're intended to be a pivotal piece. Your resistance to this manipulation will require extraordinary mental discipline."

Sasuke's expression hardened with determination. "He underestimates me if he thinks I can be controlled so easily."

The confidence in his voice was reassuring, but Naruto noticed the subtle tremor in Sasuke's hand as he touched the seal—a sign that perhaps he wasn't as certain of his resistance as he claimed.

"Both of you have been cleared to continue in the exams if you choose," the Hokage informed them. "The second phase concludes in two days. You'll remain here to recover until then, after which the third phase will begin for those who have qualified."

After the Hokage and Jiraiya departed, Team 7 found themselves alone together for the first time since their separation in the forest. An awkward silence settled over them, each processing the events of the past day in their own way.

"So," Naruto finally said, "we're still in this thing. Think we can win it?"

Sakura smiled tiredly. "After surviving Orochimaru, the rest of the exam should be a cakewalk, right?"

"Absolutely," Sasuke agreed, though his eyes remained serious. "But more importantly, we survived because we worked together. Whatever comes next, we face it as a team."

The sentiment, so unlike Sasuke's usual lone-wolf attitude, touched Naruto deeply. Despite everything—the Sharingan issue, Orochimaru's attack, the secrets he now kept—Team 7 was still holding together.

For now, that was enough.

The remaining two days of the second phase passed quickly as Team 7 recovered from their ordeal. Nine teams in total had reached the tower with both scrolls, requiring preliminary matches to reduce the numbers before the final tournament.

These one-on-one battles would determine who advanced to the official third phase, a public tournament to be held a month later.

Team 7 joined the other successful teams in a large arena within the tower. The Hokage addressed them all, explaining the true purpose of the Chūnin Exams—not merely to promote individual ninja but to serve as a substitute for war, allowing villages to demonstrate their strength without widespread bloodshed.

As the preliminary matches began, Naruto found himself torn between anxiety about his own upcoming battle and concern for Sasuke, whose match was announced early in the proceedings. His opponent was Yoroi Akadō, a Konoha genin whose ability to absorb chakra posed a particular threat given Sasuke's condition.

"Be careful," Naruto warned as Sasuke prepared to enter the arena. "If that seal activates during the fight..."

"It won't," Sasuke replied, determination evident in his voice. "I won't give Orochimaru the satisfaction."

The match proved challenging for Sasuke. Unable to risk using his Sharingan lest it trigger the Cursed Seal, he was forced to rely on basic taijutsu and strategy. When Yoroi managed to grab him and begin draining his chakra, it seemed Sasuke might lose.

But inspiration struck in the form of Lee's Front Lotus technique, which Sasuke had observed with his Sharingan prior to the exams. Adapting it into his own Lion's Barrage, he defeated Yoroi without activating either his Sharingan or the Cursed Seal—a testament to his natural skill and adaptability.

As Sasuke was led away by Kakashi for additional sealing measures, the matches continued. Sakura fought Ino to a draw, both knocking each other unconscious. Naruto watched anxiously as other competitors displayed impressive and often brutal abilities, knowing his turn would come soon.

Finally, his name appeared on the board: Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka.

"Yeah! Lucky us, Akamaru! We got an easy one!" Kiba boasted as he and his ninken partner jumped into the arena.

Naruto joined them, ignoring Kiba's taunts. After facing Orochimaru, a fellow genin—even one as skilled as Kiba—seemed far less intimidating.

"Begin!" the proctor announced, jumping clear as Kiba immediately launched into his Four Legs Technique, enhancing his speed and strength with chakra.

Naruto dodged the initial assault, evaluating his options. He could feel Jiraiya's Five Elements Seal restricting his chakra flow, making it more difficult to mold energy precisely. The Sharingan was available but would drain him faster than usual due to the seal's interference.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he called, creating five clones—fewer than he'd intended, another effect of the disrupted chakra.

Kiba and Akamaru tore through the clones with ease, their coordinated attacks leaving the duplicates no chance to counter.

"Is that all you've got?" Kiba laughed. "I expected more from someone who survived the Forest of Death!"

Naruto gritted his teeth, calculating his next move. With his chakra control hampered, he needed to be strategic rather than relying on his usual abundance of shadow clones.

As Kiba prepared his next attack, Naruto made a decision. He needed the enhanced perception of the Sharingan, but not its full activation that would drain his limited accessible chakra. Focusing, he reached for that halfway state he'd discovered during the written exam—just enough of the eye's power to sharpen his senses without the visible transformation or significant chakra expense.

The world came into subtle focus, not as dramatically as with the full Sharingan but enough to track Kiba's movements more effectively. When Kiba and Akamaru executed their Fang Over Fang technique, spinning like drills toward him, Naruto was ready.

He waited until the last possible moment, then moved with precision, using Kiba's own momentum against him. As the Inuzuka passed, Naruto grabbed his ankle, redirecting his trajectory into Akamaru's path. The collision disrupted their technique, sending both sprawling.

Kiba recovered quickly, shock evident on his face. "How did you—"

Naruto didn't give him time to regroup, pressing his advantage with taijutsu combinations that seemed to anticipate Kiba's defensive moves. The partially activated Sharingan allowed him to read Kiba's intentions from subtle muscle movements, giving him a crucial edge.

"Since when are you this good at taijutsu?" Kiba growled, frustration mounting as his attacks failed to land effectively.

Instead of answering, Naruto formed a single shadow clone—quality over quantity. Together, they executed a combination attack that separated Kiba from Akamaru, then focused on keeping them apart, neutralizing their greatest strength.

The battle stretched on, Kiba's initial confidence giving way to grim determination as he realized Naruto was a more formidable opponent than expected. Finally, seeing an opening, Naruto delivered a decisive blow that left Kiba unable to continue.

"Winner: Naruto Uzumaki!" the proctor announced.

As medical ninja attended to Kiba, Naruto returned to the observation balcony where Sakura waited.

"That was amazing," she said. "Your taijutsu has improved so much. And you didn't even need to use the Sharingan."

Naruto smiled, not correcting her assumption. The partial activation had been subtle enough that only the most observant spectators—like the jōnin present—would have noticed the slight change in his fighting style.

The preliminary matches concluded with eight genin advancing to the final tournament: Naruto, Sasuke, Neji Hyūga, Gaara of the Sand, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, Temari of the Sand, and Dosu Kinuta from the Sound Village.

Sasuke returned in time for the matchup announcements, looking tired but satisfied. The sealing ritual Kakashi had performed had reinforced the containment around the Cursed Seal, though the mark itself remained.

The final tournament brackets were decided by random draw:

Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga Gaara vs. Sasuke Uchiha Shino Aburame vs. Dosu Kinuta Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari

"One month to prepare," the Hokage announced. "Use this time wisely to develop your skills and strategies. The eyes of the entire shinobi world will be upon you during the tournament."

As they left the tower, returning to the village proper, Naruto found himself walking alongside Sasuke.

"Gaara," Sasuke said quietly. "There's something not right about him. Did you notice his match?"

Naruto nodded grimly. Gaara had brutally crushed his opponent, Lee, nearly killing him with attacks of unprecedented ferocity. "He's dangerous. And not just because of his sand techniques."

"There's more to him than that," Sasuke agreed. "It's almost like..."

"Like there's something inside him," Naruto finished, the realization dawning. "Something similar to what's inside me."

Sasuke glanced at him sharply. "You think he's a jinchūriki too?"

"It would explain a lot. The killing intent, the inhuman chakra levels, that gourd of sand that seems to have a mind of its own."

They walked in silence for a moment, contemplating this possibility.

"You'll need to train harder than ever," Sasuke finally said. "Neji Hyūga is a prodigy, even among the Hyūga clan. And if I make it past Gaara, we could end up facing each other in the finals."

The prospect sent a thrill of excitement through Naruto despite everything else weighing on his mind. "I'm counting on it."

As they parted ways, each heading home to rest before their month of intensive training began, Naruto found himself thinking about the path that had led him to this point. From the lonely, ostracized child he'd been to a genin competing in the Chūnin Exam finals, bearing the power of both the Nine-Tails and Shisui Uchiha's eye.

The roads ahead were many, and none without peril. Orochimaru's shadow loomed over both him and Sasuke. The altered seal on his stomach created new uncertainties about his ability to control the Nine-Tails' power. And the knowledge he now carried about Itachi and the Uchiha massacre was a burden he'd never anticipated.

But for the first time in his life, Naruto didn't feel alone in facing these challenges. He had Team 7, he had Kakashi and Jiraiya, and he had a clearer understanding of his own unusual gifts and the responsibilities they entailed.

Whatever came next, he would face it with the determination that had always defined him—and with the support of those he'd come to think of as family.

The first week of the month-long preparation period passed in a blur of intensive training. Jiraiya focused on helping Naruto adjust to the altered chakra flow caused by Orochimaru's tampering and the Five Elements Seal counterbalance.

"Your chakra system is adapting," the Sannin explained as they worked beside a secluded waterfall outside the village. "But it's like a river changing course—there are bound to be unexpected currents and eddies until a new equilibrium establishes itself."

These "currents" manifested in frustrating ways. Sometimes Naruto's chakra would flow too freely, resulting in jutsu that overshot their targets with excessive power. Other times, it would seemingly dam up, leaving him unable to mold chakra effectively at all.

"Consistency is key," Jiraiya advised. "The more you practice basic chakra control exercises, the faster your system will adapt to its new configuration."

So Naruto walked on water, climbed trees without hands, and balanced kunai on his fingertips using chakra alone—academy-level exercises that had become challenging again due to his altered internal state.

Most intriguing was how these changes affected his access to the Sharingan. The dōjutsu seemed more integrated with his natural chakra flow than before, easier to partially activate but harder to sustain at full power for extended periods.

"It's like the barriers between your chakra sources are becoming more permeable," Jiraiya observed after a particularly grueling session. "The distinction between 'your' chakra, the Nine-Tails' chakra, and the Sharingan's energy is blurring."

"Is that good or bad?" Naruto asked, exhausted from hours of practice.

"Both, potentially. Greater integration means more intuitive access and better efficiency. But it also means less separation—the Nine-Tails' influence might be harder to isolate when you draw on its power."

This concern proved prescient during their second week of training, when Jiraiya decided it was time to address Naruto's upcoming match against Neji Hyūga.

"The Byakugan gives him nearly 360-degree vision and the ability to see chakra networks with precision," Jiraiya explained. "Combined with the Gentle Fist style, which targets those networks directly, he presents a particularly dangerous opponent for you."

"Because of the Nine-Tails?" Naruto guessed.

"Partly. A Hyūga skilled enough to see the details of your seal might notice its unusual configuration. But more importantly, your current strategy of using shadow clones to overwhelm opponents won't be as effective against someone who can literally see which is the real you based on your chakra signature."

"So what do I do?"

Jiraiya's expression grew serious. "I think it's time we worked on directly accessing and controlling a portion of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Not the fusion technique—that's too risky with your current instability. But a controlled draw on its power could give you the edge you need against Neji."

The process was arduous and often painful. Naruto would enter his mindscape, confronting the Nine-Tails directly to negotiate—or sometimes simply seize—small portions of its vast chakra reserves. Each attempt was met with resistance, the fox clearly unhappy with Naruto's intrusions.

"You think yourself worthy of my power, little human?" it would growl, massive claws reaching through the bars of its cage. "You, who can barely control your own meager abilities?"

But gradually, a pattern emerged. When Naruto approached with anger or desperation, the Nine-Tails would fight him, making the chakra extraction violent and dangerous. When he came with determination and a clear purpose, the resistance was less pronounced—almost as if the fox respected resolve more than it did fear.

By the end of the second week, Naruto could summon a visible shroud of the Nine-Tails' chakra around himself, a bubbling red energy that enhanced his physical abilities and accelerated his already impressive healing factor.

"Good," Jiraiya approved, watching as Naruto maintained the shroud while performing increasingly complex taijutsu katas. "But remember, this is a double-edged sword. The longer you maintain this state, the more the Nine-Tails' negative emotions—its hatred, its rage—will influence your own."

Naruto had already noticed this effect—a creeping aggression that made even small frustrations seem magnified, a desire to lash out that wasn't entirely his own. It was manageable for now, but unsettling nonetheless.

"What about the Sharingan?" he asked during a break in their training. "Shouldn't I be practicing with it too?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "Against a Hyūga? It would be like waving a red flag. The Byakugan would instantly recognize the foreign chakra in your eyes, raising questions we don't want asked. Besides, your partial activation technique serves you well enough without revealing your trump card."

The logic was sound, but Naruto couldn't help feeling that neglecting half of his unique abilities was a missed opportunity. Without telling Jiraiya, he began practicing with the Sharingan during his few free hours, usually late at night in the privacy of his apartment.

During one such session, as he studied his reflection in the mirror, activating and deactivating the dōjutsu repeatedly to improve his control, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Interesting exercise," Kakashi observed casually, perched on Naruto's windowsill. "Though your form could use some refinement."

Naruto spun around, startled. "Kakashi-sensei! I was just—"

"Practicing with the Sharingan despite Jiraiya's advice to the contrary," Kakashi finished for him, climbing into the room. "I'm not here to scold you, Naruto. In fact, I think you're right to develop all your abilities, not just those convenient for your upcoming match."

Relief washed over Naruto. "So you'll help me train with it?"

"For the next week, yes. Sasuke is working with a specialist on fire jutsu to prepare for his match with Gaara, so my evenings are free." Kakashi's visible eye crinkled. "But our training stays between us. Jiraiya has his reasons for focusing on the Nine-Tails' chakra, just as I have mine for believing the Sharingan deserves equal attention."

For the next seven days, Naruto maintained a grueling schedule—days with Jiraiya learning to control the Nine-Tails' chakra, evenings with Kakashi refining his use of the Sharingan. The dual training pushed his already stressed chakra system to its limits, but the results were undeniable.

Under Kakashi's guidance, Naruto learned to activate the Sharingan with minimal chakra expenditure, to track multiple targets simultaneously while maintaining awareness of his surroundings, and to analyze and counter various taijutsu styles by reading muscle movements and chakra fluctuations.

"You're progressing faster than I expected," Kakashi remarked during their final session. "Your instinctive understanding of the Sharingan's capabilities is impressive for someone who wasn't born with the dōjutsu."

"Maybe it's because of how Shisui's eye merged with my chakra system," Naruto suggested. "It feels less like using a tool and more like... I don't know, opening a different set of eyes that were always mine."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully. "That integration might be the silver lining to your unique situation. Most transplanted dōjutsu—like my own Sharingan—remain foreign entities, always draining chakra and never fully melding with the recipient's natural abilities."

The observation gave Naruto pause. He'd been so focused on mastering his unusual powers that he hadn't fully appreciated how unprecedented his condition was. Not just a jinchūriki, not just the bearer of a transplanted Sharingan, but something entirely new—a fusion of bloodlines and sealed entities that had never existed before.

"What do you think it means, Sensei?" he asked quietly. "All of this—the Nine-Tails, Shisui's eye, even Orochimaru's tampering. Is there some purpose to it, or is it just random chance?"

Kakashi was silent for a long moment, his gaze distant. "I'm not one for destiny or preordained paths," he finally said. "But I do believe that extraordinary circumstances create extraordinary possibilities. Whether these converging factors in your life represent some greater design or merely chaotic coincidence doesn't matter as much as what you choose to do with the power they've given you."

The words echoed what he'd said after the Wave mission, about the question not being whether Naruto deserved Shisui's eye but what he was meant to do with it.

"I want to protect my precious people," Naruto said with quiet certainty. "To become strong enough that no one like Orochimaru can threaten them again."

"A worthy goal," Kakashi approved. "Just remember that true strength isn't measured solely by the power of your jutsu or the keenness of your eyes, but by the clarity of your convictions and the wisdom of your choices."

The final week before the tournament brought an unexpected development. Jiraiya announced that they would be taking a short journey to find a specific toad oil that would help stabilize Naruto's chakra system.

"It's a rare substance, produced only by the elder toads of Mount Myōboku," he explained as they traveled. "A few drops added to your chakra network should help smooth out the remaining inconsistencies caused by Orochimaru's tampering."

But when they arrived at their destination—not Mount Myōboku as Naruto had expected, but a small hot springs town known for its gambling establishments—it became clear that Jiraiya had another agenda entirely.

"We're looking for an old teammate of mine," he admitted when Naruto confronted him. "Tsunade Senju, the greatest medical ninja in the world and the only person who might be able to properly assess the long-term effects of what Orochimaru did to you and Sasuke."

"Tsunade? Sakura's new mentor?" Naruto asked in surprise. "I thought she was in Konoha."

"She was, briefly, consulting at the hospital. But she left shortly after the preliminary matches concluded." Jiraiya's expression grew troubled. "Her departure was abrupt and unexplained. Given the timing and Orochimaru's recent appearance, I'm concerned there might be a connection."