Clap, clap, clap.
Naruto stood up and clapped slowly. A faint smile played on his lips. "You're really growing, aren't you?"
"No need to be sarcastic!"
Sasuke's face flushed red. "With your abilities, you already know what I'm thinking, don't you?"
"Yeah. You started suspecting a month ago."
Naruto continued calmly, then shook his head. "You won't believe this, but I'm in a similar situation now. My own secrets are being watched, just like yours."
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. "You mean...?"
"That's right. Exactly what you're thinking."
Naruto's eyes were calm. "Someone else has abilities similar to mine—able to effortlessly learn everything about you and me."
"There's someone else like you?"
Sasuke's expression changed. His instinct told him Naruto was bluffing, but a voice in his head whispered this might actually be true.
After all, Naruto was living proof.
Just the thought of another person having access to his secrets made murderous intent stir deep in Sasuke's heart.
"Where is this person?"
His voice dropped, low and deadly.
"Why not ask who the person is first?"
Naruto looked genuinely surprised. "Interesting. That caught me off guard."
"I don't care who they are."
Sasuke's expression was grim. "From your words, it's obvious—you know exactly who it is, and where. And I'm sure you'd like nothing more than to eliminate them."
"Tsk-tsk… you're bold, I'll give you that."
Naruto gave Sasuke a long look, like he was seeing him anew. "I can tell you can't stand having someone else hold your secrets. Wanting to silence them is understandable. And I'm genuinely glad you haven't had the same thought toward me—yet. But you're still too impulsive. You've forgotten the most important part of what I said."
"The important part…"
Sasuke's heart trembled. Then it clicked—Naruto had said the person had similar abilities.
Meaning… everything he'd just thought had already been read by that person.
"Damn it! Who is it?!"
Sasuke gritted his teeth.
"It's not a person."
Naruto spoke with meaning. "It's a toad."
"…A toad?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What kind of toad?"
"You actually believe me?"
Naruto found Sasuke's reaction amusing.
"Why not?"
Sasuke's tone was serious. "That's far more believable than your claim that the stone tablet beneath the Uchiha Shrine was altered a thousand years ago."
"Fair."
Naruto crouched down and rapidly formed hand seals before pressing his hand to Rock Lee's forehead. "The toad is the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku—one of the Three Great Sage Lands. His name is Gamamaru, and he's lived for over a thousand years. He can see the future."
"Mount Myōboku… sees the future… a thousand years… wait."
Sasuke's mind connected the dots—the ancient stone tablet being altered, and now this thousand-year-old toad.
His thoughts raced as he watched a series of complex sealing runes flood into Lee's forehead.
"That seal…"
His Sharingan captured the hand seals and spell patterns.
"Memory Erasure Technique."
Naruto stood up. "Your turn."
Sasuke instantly understood what the seal did. He stepped forward, lifted Rock Lee's eyelids, and after a moment of thought, began using Genjutsu to implant false memories.
A breath later, he turned to Naruto. "It's done."
Naruto nodded, then asked, "Aren't you curious why I didn't kill him?"
"Killing him wouldn't help you."
Sasuke spoke plainly. "Might Guy knows he challenged me. If he died, I'd be questioned. Even if you made sure nothing traced back to you, it'd still affect your bigger plans."
"…But there's one thing I don't get."
Naruto tilted his head. "What's that?"
"Why him?"
Sasuke stared hard at Naruto. "Why did you choose him to fight me? Especially since that so-called 'pointless' fight ended up awakening my left eye."
"Like you already knew it would happen."
"Did you foresee this with your ability? Do you already have another plan to awaken my right eye?"
"You've got quite the imagination."
Naruto chuckled. "I'm not that omnipotent. If I knew how to evolve your eyes, I'd have scheduled it all out for you. This was just a test—an experiment."
"Just an experiment?"
Sasuke clearly didn't believe him.
Naruto simply shook his head. He formed a Shadow Clone, which took Lee and disappeared in a flash.
A moment later, Naruto received the clone's message: Lee had been safely returned home via a clone stationed near the Forest of Death.
Sasuke looked at Naruto warily. "What now?"
Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, his expression playful.
"Your left eye evolved. Of course I want to study it."
Sasuke's eyes widened. Before he could react, he found himself standing in a brightly lit laboratory.
On either side of the room were six towering glass chambers, each over three meters high. Inside each floated a baby hooked up to breathing apparatuses.
Sasuke's pupils dilated in shock. He turned to look at the far wall—and his entire body tensed.
"…What the hell is this?! Why do you have so many Byakugan?!"
"They're valuable experimental results."
Naruto's voice was calm, matter-of-fact.
"Experiment…?"
Sasuke froze. Naruto had said 'they', not 'they (people)'. Looking closely at the glass tanks, Sasuke felt a chill creep up his spine.
"These forbidden experiments… you actually dare…?!"
Naruto, now in front of some equipment, turned around and smiled.
"Forbidden? By who? The world? Humanity?"
"These are clones. No one's taboos were broken."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Clones?"
"You wouldn't get it even if I explained."
Naruto pulled out a console and tapped a few buttons. It unfolded into a reclining chair.
"Come here. Once I take your left eye, you'll understand."
Two hours later…
Sasuke stared at Naruto, stunned.
"…You're cloning my eyes?"
"Why else would I bring you here?"
Naruto nodded. After forming a Shadow Clone, he slipped on sterile gloves and sat at the sterile workbench.
"You're free to go."
"Wait."
Sasuke frowned. He glanced at the glass containers on the side wall.
"What's the point of all those Byakugan?"
"Oh, right—I almost forgot."
Naruto seemed to remember something. He pulled off his gloves, fished out a scroll, and tossed it to Sasuke.
"Here. Consider it payment for your contribution to the experiment."
Sasuke opened the scroll—and froze.
"Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan Fusion Technique?!"
That night…
"Naruto, that Uchiha brat went back to the stone tablet. He's conflicted again."
In the Mirror World, Naruto hovered mid-air in his chakra armor, having just deployed a team of Shadow Clones to ambush Danzo.
Kurama suddenly appeared behind him.
"Updated data allows more people to join the fight now."
"What's he so conflicted about?"
Naruto floated to eye level with Kurama and grinned.
"With his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he can now read the part of the stone tablet about unlocking the Mangekyō Sharingan. I guess he's struggling with the idea of having to kill a loved one?"
"Heh."
Kurama chuckled. "Not quite. He's just suspicious. He doesn't fully believe the stone's message—because you told him someone tampered with it a thousand years ago. And now you're telling him a thousand-year-old toad exists. He's starting to wonder if the toad messed with the tablet."
"Oh?"
Naruto raised a brow. "He's more perceptive than I thought."
"But why did you tell him about that old toad?"
Kurama lowered his head. "And why did you have Lee pick a fight with him? Don't tell me it was 'just an experiment.' Even experiments need a reason. That Uchiha kid still suspects you knew the fight would evolve his eye."
"I wonder about that too. Before, you could only read data puppets' thoughts. But today… it's like you predicted the future."
"I'll answer your first question."
Naruto's wings spread slightly as he floated closer to Kurama's right eye.
"That toad has been interfering with what I want. I'm sure it knows my plans for Sasuke. I told Sasuke about it just in case it acts later."
"Unlike me, who can only see the past—that toad sees the future. I don't know how much it knows or what it might do."
"I even went to Maze Mountain myself six months ago—sent hundreds of Shadow Clones to search—but we found nothing. Mount Myōboku has clearly put up strong barriers."
"So I'm setting a trap. Hopefully the toad won't resist the urge to bring Sasuke to Mount Myōboku."
"If he goes—then so can I."
Kurama's eyes lit up. "Clever. And what about the Lee fight earlier?"
Naruto's tone remained even. "That was a real experiment. I wanted to see if fighting Lee would trigger his evolution. I didn't expect his pride to be so fragile—he couldn't stand being outmatched by someone who only knows Taijutsu, so he awakened his Sharingan."
"No no."
Kurama growled. "You're dodging the question. What gave you the idea to test that theory in the first place?"
"His previous Sharingan evolution experiences."
Naruto smiled. "Aside from the first time, when I forced him to awaken his one-tomoe eye, every evolution since then has been triggered by ego."
"Didn't you look at his memory?"
"Not interested."
Kurama scoffed. "It wasn't even the Mangekyō Sharingan. If Mu Wang hadn't told me it reached Three-Tomoe, I wouldn't have looked twice."
"Well."
Naruto shrugged. "The first time his right eye evolved into two tomoe, it was during our fight—his desire to win pushed the breakthrough. His left eye evolved when I defeated Zabuza—he couldn't stand being shown up by an Ice Release ninja in front of me."
"Both times, it was pride that triggered the evolution."
"This morning, when Lee appeared, he thought: 'Just a rookie Genin dares challenge me? A guy who's trained six years?' He found it laughable."
"I'd already discussed using this mindset with Mu Wang earlier today, but he didn't get it. Then I noticed Lee tailing Sasuke to the cliff—I couldn't pass up that opportunity."
"Hahahahaha…"
Kurama burst out laughing.
"So that Uchiha brat only evolved because he couldn't stand losing?!"
"You could say that."
"Pfft—remember what you once told him? You were right. That kid bullies the weak and fears the strong."
"Otherwise, why didn't he evolve his eye during all his fights with you? Maybe deep down… he thinks you're unbeatable?"
"No."
Naruto chuckled. "He believes losing to me is only temporary. Once he awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan—and gets power like Itachi—he's sure he'll crush me."
"Hahahaha!"
Kurama howled with laughter, pounding the ground with his paw.
"He's the most naive Uchiha I've ever seen!"
The Next Morning.
"Sasuke, Lee told me what happened. You should stop that kind of reckless training."
Kakashi stood at the mission office doorway, his face serious.
That morning, Might Guy and Lee had blocked his path. Lee claimed he saw Sasuke jump off a cliff at Nanga River for training. Later, Lee opened the Eight Gates to follow him down and save him.
Kakashi didn't know whether to laugh or sigh—Lee really was Guy's disciple.
He imagined Sasuke's reaction. He himself had done similar training as a child—only back then, it was Might Guy interfering during his cliffside endurance drill, not Lee.
"I've always trained there. It's not dangerous."
Sasuke's expression was blank. "His meddling is what put me in danger. I even had to save him in the end. Did he mention that part?"
"He meant well."
Kakashi softened a little.
Sasuke's face turned cold. "Tell him to stay away. Next time, he won't walk away so easily."
Kakashi said no more, but he decided to warn Guy—Sasuke wasn't like the old him. Guy would understand.
Sakura glanced at Sasuke, wanting to ask what had happened—but one look at the tense air between him and Kakashi made her hold her tongue.
Silence fell over the group.
"So… what's our mission this time, Kakashi-senpai?"
Naruto broke the ice.
"C-rank escort mission."
Kakashi unfurled a scroll. "A missing-nin from the Sand Village named Mukade has gathered a group of bandits. They've been raiding merchants near the border. We're to escort a caravan back to the Land of Wind."
"Mukade…?"
Naruto's eyes narrowed. That name triggered memories—of his father's warning about Rōran. Could this mission lead to the Ryūmyaku (Dragon Vein) and time travel?
He had seen fragments of the Rōran Mission in the memories of Dingza, Kakashi, and the Third Hokage—but he had never been part of it.
Yet Minato's warning said otherwise.
And now Mukade—aka Anrokuzan from that mission—had shown up early?
A ninja turned bandit… if the Dragon Vein really enabled time travel…
Could he meet his father again?
Just as Naruto was lost in thought—
"Kakashi, I thought C-rank missions weren't supposed to involve combat?"
Sasuke spoke up.
"That's true," Kakashi replied.
"Then why are we dealing with a missing-nin from another village?"
Sasuke didn't hide his frustration. He'd just evolved his Sharingan and needed time to train—not go on a week-long mission where Shadow Clones wouldn't help.
Sakura looked confused. "Yeah, are you sure this isn't a mistake, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Don't worry," Kakashi reassured them. "This Mukade won't fight directly. He stays hidden, using bandits to attack merchant caravans. He hasn't shown up since being injured by Grass Village ninja three months ago."
Naruto's expression tightened. If Mukade doesn't show, how can I trigger the Rōran mission?
Without him, there's no Anrokuzan. No puppet army. No time travel. No meeting my father.
Maybe… it was time to go fishing.
Kakashi continued, "The latest reports say Mukade's been spotted near the Rōran ruins. We're safe. Go prepare. We leave in two hours."
Naruto had a new plan. If Mukade was near Rōran, he'd just go wait by the Dragon Vein.
Two hours later.
On the road outside Konoha, Kakashi led the way, nose deep in Icha Icha Paradise.
Naruto wore black and carried a massive pack on his back. Sasuke walked on his left, Sakura on Sasuke's other side. Each carried only a single ninja pouch.
Behind them was the merchant caravan—less than thirty people, even counting the four shinobi.
It was a dull journey. Aside from Sakura chattering to Sasuke, no one spoke. Trees and rivers blurred past.
"Naruto, that guy's been tailing you like a shadow."
Kurama's voice grumbled in Naruto's mind.
"I know. He's my personal bodyguard. But after the Chūnin Exams, he'll go back where he belongs."
"Old man Hokage sent him in case something happens. Kakashi doesn't know Wood Release, remember? And that guy is strong."
"Then why didn't the old man just assign him a different mission this morning?"
"He wants people to accept you as a normal ninja—like Killer Bee."
"If I hadn't seen his memory, I would've thought this mission was his plan. Turns out Kakashi drew it randomly."
"…Tch."
The three-tailed beasts sealed within Naruto bantered back and forth. Occasionally, Naruto chimed in.
Night fell. The group set up camp on a high plateau.
"You're pitching a tent?"
Kakashi returned from scouting to find Naruto hammering in stakes.
"Is there a problem?" Naruto asked, casually finishing his setup.
"We're protecting the merchants. We're supposed to take turns on night watch—"
Kakashi stopped mid-sentence.
Because Naruto had just summoned forty Shadow Clones.
They dispersed around the camp instantly.
Naruto grinned. "Problem, Kakashi-senpai? If not, these guys can handle patrols while we sleep."
Kakashi gave a small shake of his head and returned to his book.
"Damn it."
Sasuke scowled. Why didn't I think of that?
Even one Shadow Clone could stand watch. Now he was stuck sleeping on the ground.
Sakura looked envious, then blushed as she peeked at Sasuke.
Hidden nearby, Yamato chuckled. If he were Kakashi, he'd be speechless too. Naruto had weaponized Shadow Clones perfectly.
Late at night…
Whoosh.
Naruto appeared beside a river. His chakra wings unfurled and launched him silently into the sky.
Two hours later, he hovered over the Rōran ruins.
"Hm? Only one ninja's chakra signature in the whole area? Could it really be Mukade?"
He threw a kunai and blinked forward a few times—arriving at the ruins.
"…Not Mukade. But still a surprise."
In front of him stood an **old woman with
a wrinkled face**.
Naruto raised a brow. Chiyo of the Sand—Suna's elder advisor.
"Who's there?!"
Chiyo turned sharply. Seeing the masked figure in black, she immediately pulled out a scroll.
Poof!
With a puff of smoke, two gray-robed figures appeared—one male with red hair, the other female with black hair. Thin blue chakra threads stretched from Chiyo's fingers to their backs.
"Easy, granny. At your age, you shouldn't get so worked up."
Naruto's eyes briefly scanned the puppets. He drew a kunai. "Summoning your son and daughter-in-law like that… aren't you afraid your grandson will be heartbroken?"
"You know Sasori?!"
Chiyo flinched. The puppets' arms snapped open—five steel wires shot out, locking their hands together. Each extended a sword or bladed chain.
"Tell me where he is!"
Chiyo shouted and launched the puppets at Naruto.
"I came here for Mukade. But if you're so eager to die—I don't mind obliging."
Naruto raised his right hand. His kunai crackled as it became wrapped in razor-sharp lightning chakra.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
A flash of light—
Dozens of kunai burst forth like a rainstorm.
Chiyo's eyes shrank to pinpoints.
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