Chapter 21: Eternal Mangekyō, Blooming Flowers, Mikoto, Izumi

"Too rich."

Storage scrolls were placed one after another in the temporary material storage area. There were so many that they nearly filled the entire space.

Inside them was an unimaginable fortune—piles of ryo, mountains of ninjutsu scrolls, forbidden techniques, secret arts, and more.

Even Naruto, who never cared much about wealth, couldn't help but be astonished by the sheer amount.

"And that's not all."

"The Uchiha clan's inheritance wasn't just these, but the rest was divided among Konoha's higher-ups. I'm lucky to have even half of it."

Taijutsu, genjutsu, ninjutsu—everything was here. Techniques of all elements: Yang Release, Yin Release, Lightning, Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth. Ninjutsu ranging from D-rank to S-rank. Even forbidden techniques.

Naruto smiled. "I probably don't even need to study these scrolls. If I just absorb all their knowledge, I can master everything the Uchiha once knew without needing a teacher."

"And this time, even their eyes are here."

His gaze shifted toward a specific area.

"If I count them... seventy pairs of three-tomoe Sharingan, one hundred pairs of two-tomoe Sharingan, and three hundred pairs of single-tomoe Sharingan."

"The most special among them—Fugaku's eyes. They were on the verge of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan."

"I really can't afford to let these go to waste."

Originally, Naruto had planned to move in secret—it was the safest approach. But things had turned out differently.

All thanks to White Zetsu.

Without the Mayfly Technique, he wouldn't have dared to move so boldly. Konoha's sensory ninja weren't completely useless; without that technique, he would've left behind traces.

"No need to rush the absorption. The sheer amount of knowledge and power will take time to process."

"So let's start with the eyes. It's time for my two-tomoe Sharingan to evolve."

"Unfortunately, my Mangekyō Pupil Technique might not activate... after all, I didn't awaken it naturally."

"But... once enough of the Rinnegan's foundation is in place, I'll get what I deserve."

Naruto took a deep breath, steadied his emotions, and raised his hand.

The tree holding the Sharingan responded, vines sprouting and gently lowering the eyes toward him, one by one.

"The trees tell me no one's been here for years. I should be safe."

At that moment, Naruto's hands transformed—splitting into countless tiny vines, each slithering forward to connect with the severed Sharingan.

The absorption began.

Pure, potent ocular energy surged through his body.

Naruto's vision blurred as his eyes grew hot, almost burning. Tears streamed down his face.

Soon, he looked like he was weeping uncontrollably. But the heat only intensified.

His mind grew clearer, sharper. When he finally managed to open his eyes, he saw that one had evolved into a three-tomoe Sharingan.

The other was still spinning wildly, absorbing more power.

Moments later, it too became a three-tomoe Sharingan.

Then, the pain worsened—his vision darkened completely.

For a quarter of an hour, he saw nothing.

Then, clarity returned.

Naruto turned to the mirror he had prepared and saw his reflection.

Mangekyō Sharingan.

A brand-new pattern, one never before seen in the Uchiha clan.

The Sharingan he'd absorbed had been completely drained, vanishing into nothingness. Yet something still felt incomplete.

So, he reached for Fugaku's eyes.

As their potent energy flooded into him, a critical threshold was reached.

Boom!

A powerful chakra surged in his mind.

His Mangekyō spun violently.

"Chakra loss is too severe... No, my Wood Clones—return!"

His body turned to an elemental state as all his Wood Clones instantly dissolved, returning their accumulated energy to him.

A massive burst of chakra exploded inside him.

He ignored everything else, focusing entirely on absorbing the final remnants of the Uchiha's legacy.

For another half hour, he remained like this, drenched in sweat.

Then, when he opened his eyes again—

Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

Most of his chakra was depleted.

"So that's it... Ashura's chakra played a role at the end. It pulled away and poured directly into my eyes."

"With this, I've fulfilled one of the conditions for the Rinnegan."

"But that can wait. My body is still too young to handle another evolution so soon."

Exhaling deeply, Naruto sat down. Beneath him, a massive flower bloomed, forming a natural throne.

"Hahhh..."

"As expected, this much chakra was enough to unlock the Eternal Mangekyō."

"And along with it, countless fragmented memories of forbidden jutsu and more."

"But this will take time to digest. No need to rush."

He lay back, utterly exhausted.

His body was still too young to withstand the full burden of power.

"I don't feel any unique Mangekyō abilities yet. Or maybe... since I absorbed so many different Sharingan, do I possess every eye technique ever seen in the original timeline?"

"That would be ideal... but even if chakra consumption isn't a big issue for me, my body simply isn't ready yet."

Naruto decided not to push further.

For now, he just wanted to rest.

The wooden clone at school had already sent Tenten home.

It was time for Naruto to return and get some proper rest.

With a mere thought, he activated the power of the Mori Mori no Mi.

Countless vines surged outward, quickly filling the entire temporary supply storage. Within moments, the structure was sealed airtight, ensuring that any movement within would be immediately detected by him.

"Alright, time to go home."

But just as he lifted his foot, he suddenly turned back.

"Almost forgot something."

He walked over to Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Izumi, extending his hand to touch their closed eyes.

"I was this close to absorbing you completely."

A smirk curled on his lips as he continued.

"You should be grateful. Your clan leader and your husband protected you well. Their sacrifices provided just enough nutrients for your ocular abilities to remain intact."

His tone carried a mix of amusement and intrigue.

"With Asura's chakra now neutralized, there are no longer any foreign influences trying to manipulate me. Finally, no more mysterious thoughts pulling at my mind."

His fingers lingered briefly before he withdrew his hand. His gaze settled on their iconic Uchiha features—cold, beautiful, and now completely at his mercy.

From the vines behind them, two carnivorous plants sprouted. Without hesitation, they devoured the two women whole, leaving only their heads exposed to allow them to breathe.

With that final task complete, Naruto activated the Mayfly Technique, slipping into the earth's depths as he made his way home.

By the time he arrived, the wooden clone had already dispelled, returning its memories to him.

After a quick shower, Naruto sat down, sifting through the memories of the day before preparing to sleep.

But then—

Knock, knock.

His eyes narrowed.

"Already here? That was fast… You must have a lot of free time."

As he processed his clone's memories, Naruto noticed something odd—Hiruzen had not used the Crystal Ball Jutsu to monitor him all afternoon, nor even until now. That was unusual.

"Who is it…?"

But when he opened the door, he feigned surprise.

"Grandpa?!"

His drowsy expression shifted into one of delight as he grinned.

"Why are you here? Come in, come in!"

Hiruzen chuckled as he stepped inside, his old but perceptive eyes scanning Naruto.

"Hahaha, alright, alright."

The Third Hokage appeared pleased as he inquired about Naruto's well-being, to which Naruto responded with casual chatter, deflecting any deeper questioning.

"It looks like you've been making a lot of friends."

Then, after a brief pause, Hiruzen finally got to the real reason he came.

"Naruto, I heard you defeated Sasuke today?"

Here we go.

Naruto barely concealed his amusement.

Hiruzen continued, his smile warm, but his gaze keenly observant.

"That's quite impressive. Sasuke is an Uchiha—his ninja fundamentals are far beyond those of ordinary children."

Naruto met his gaze naturally, puffing out his chest in mock pride.

"Of course~!"

His voice was filled with youthful arrogance.

"I am Konoha's future! Trained personally by Grandpa himself! One day, I'll grow into a mighty tree that shelters everyone and become Hokage—just like you!"

Hiruzen laughed heartily.

"Hahaha, well said, Naruto. You've grown so much. I imagine it must have been difficult for you?"

Naruto suppressed his distaste, smiling warmly as he shook his head.

"Not at all! This little bit of hardship is nothing if it helps me become Hokage!"

Old fox.

You're avoiding the topic, aren't you? Fine, let me bring it up myself.

Feigning curiosity, he tilted his head and said:

"Oh, Grandpa, you once told me that battles require flexibility—that a ninja should play to their strengths and adapt."

"During my fight with Sasuke, I had a sudden idea—I combined the Clone Jutsu with the Body Flicker Technique mid-battle."

He clapped his hands together, his excitement seemingly genuine.

"I didn't expect it to be so effective! Sasuke never saw it coming!"

His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he looked at Hiruzen expectantly.

The old Hokage smiled proudly.

"Naruto, you're quite the genius. That's a brilliant strategy!"

"Right?!"

Naruto beamed, playing the part of an eager child seeking validation.

Hiruzen, too, appeared pleased—after all, he was the famed Professor of Ninjutsu. It was only natural that his teachings had such a profound effect.

But suddenly, Naruto's expression fell slightly. He hesitated before speaking with frustration.

"But… Grandpa, my Clone Jutsu never works properly."

"Even when I create a normal clone, it disappears almost instantly."

Isn't that obvious?

With the Nine-Tails sealed inside me, my chakra control is constantly disrupted.

Hiruzen stroked his beard, as if in thought.

"That depends on your practice habits."

But Naruto wasn't done yet. He continued, his voice carrying a hint of naive curiosity.

"I heard there's an advanced version called the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

He leaned in conspiratorially.

"Also, one of my teachers mentioned a forbidden jutsu that can make a ninja incredibly strong!"

His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Grandpa, I want to learn them too! I want to become strong quickly so I can be a Hokage that everyone acknowledges!"

For a brief second, Hiruzen's smile faltered.

He studied Naruto with complex emotions swirling in his gaze.

It seems… he has fully embraced Konoha.

He truly believes in the Will of Fire now.

He has inherited both Minato's intelligence and Kushina's determination… The Uzumaki clan's natural perception abilities are strong, so he won't need surveillance anymore.

As for the real spy at the Academy…

His mind flickered to Mizuki.

Orochimaru, are you still meddling in my village?

Regaining his composure, Hiruzen chuckled warmly and patted Naruto's head.

"Don't worry, Naruto. You're still young. In time, I will prepare a very special gift for you."

Naruto's face lit up.

"Really? Grandpa, you're the best!"

Hiruzen laughed.

"Haha, alright then. I won't keep you up any longer. I still have duties to attend to."

Naruto waved enthusiastically.

"Okay~! Goodnight, Grandpa!"

The moment the door shut behind the old Hokage, Naruto's expression darkened.

The innocent smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare.

His voice was an icy whisper.

"Laugh while you still can, old man."

"Soon enough, you'll be the one crying."

…

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