Third Training Ground

"You want that Uchiha's eye? You're not strong enough yet."

Kurama poured cold water on Naruto's plans, but he was telling the truth.

"Kurama, you've been sealed away for so many years, yet you still don't understand how ninja fight."

Naruto spoke helplessly. This big fox really didn't use his brain.

"What?" Kurama looked baffled.

"Fights between ninja are information wars," Naruto explained.

Information played a crucial role in battles between ninja. Hadn't Madara Uchiha, even after becoming the Sage of Six Paths, still gotten his heart ripped out?

"I have all of Uchiha Shisui's information, but he doesn't even know what my Mangekyō Sharingan's ocular techniques are. So this round, I have the advantage."

"Where exactly did you learn so much information?" Kurama looked utterly confused. Naruto had clearly done nothing but bury himself in training, so why did he know so much about the Ninja World?

"It doesn't count as cheating if I don't use it, Kurama."

"And I won't even need to make a move against Uchiha Shisui. Those old men in Konoha will do it themselves. When the time comes, I'll just pick up the scraps."

"Pick up the scraps? You mean someone in Konoha will make a move against that Uchiha?" Kurama's expression became extremely colorful. "That's the Mangekyō Sharingan. Are Konoha's Higher-ups really that stupid?"

"His ocular technique is called Kotoamatsukami. It can manipulate people without them noticing and permanently, completely alter their thoughts and will."

Naruto idly snapped his chopsticks as he continued, "Those old men aren't stupid. They're afraid. No matter how firm Uchiha Shisui's Will of Fire may be, as long as he possesses such an unreasonable ability, Konoha's Higher-ups will never be able to trust him."

"Only when your fate is in your own hands is it truly safe."

"Is that why you said that?" Kurama suddenly recalled Naruto's words when he had left.

Naivety and stupidity would get that Uchiha killed by Konoha's Higher-ups, and the Uchiha Clan, having lost the Mangekyō Sharingan, would be completely dealt with by Konoha's Higher-ups.

Naruto grinned. "So when the time comes, we can just pick up the scraps. Maybe we can even make Konoha's Anbu lose a few more people."

Kurama fell silent, while Naruto quickly finished the several cups of instant noodles on the table.

After lying on the sofa for a while, the rare relaxation made Naruto, who had been under intense training for so long, feel uncomfortable all over.

Sure enough, it was better to go work out.

He sprang off the sofa in one swift motion.

He rummaged through his bedroom for a few loose, breathable clothes. He didn't care whether they were dirty or not. With Kurama's Chakra around, even bugs wouldn't dare approach him.

Soon, Naruto changed into a white T-shirt and loose black shorts and prepared to head out.

But the moment he opened the door, a wrinkled, gaunt old face appeared before him.

He came prepared!

The word flashed through Naruto's mind, and he greeted him with a cheerful smile.

"Good morning, Third Hokage!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's originally smiling expression suddenly froze as he looked at the sun overhead.

Good morning?

"Why did little Naruto wake up so late today?"

Naruto continued smiling foolishly.

"I originally planned to rest for the day, but I felt that my youth couldn't be left with regrets, so I'm going to train."

The corner of Sarutobi Hiruzen's eye twitched, and the smile on his face nearly broke. Naruto had looked far too much like a certain Konoha jonin just now, especially with those gleaming teeth exposed beneath the sunlight.

"Little Naruto, the village hasn't been very peaceful lately. How about resting for a while and waiting until the Ninja Academy starts?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke earnestly. Although that mysterious person seemed to be targeting bloodline limits, he might also target the Jinchuriki.

Naruto's little face showed curiosity. "Did something happen in the village?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded and said worriedly, "A bad person has appeared in the village recently. Grandpa is afraid little Naruto might get kidnapped by him."

Huh?

Only then did Naruto realize that he was the source of this instability. So it seemed Uchiha Shisui hadn't revealed his Uchiha Clan identity. That made sense. If he had, then the Uchiha Clan robbing a fellow villager of his bloodline limit would mean that neither the Uchiha Clan nor Konoha had any chance left.

Uchiha Shisui wanted to deal with him alone.

"It's fine, Third Hokage. I'm not weak anymore. If any bad guy dares make a move against me, I'll knock them flat."

As he spoke, Naruto showed off his fist.

But Sarutobi Hiruzen could only smile bitterly. If even Uchiha Shisui couldn't handle the enemy, how could Naruto, who was at most as strong as a chūnin, possibly deal with him?

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to refuse, but he also didn't want to provoke Naruto's resentment. In the end, he came up with a compromise.

"Then Naruto can train at one of the village's training grounds."

"A training ground?" Naruto had never heard of one.

Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and gestured to the Anbu ninja beside him. "The village training grounds are places specially designed for ninja to practice ninjutsu, taijutsu, and ninja knowledge. There are forty-four of them in Konoha. If little Naruto is there, he can train however he wants. Would you like to go?"

As Naruto listened to Sarutobi Hiruzen's introduction, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. There was actually such a wonderful place within little Konoha Village.

"I want to go!"

The Anbu ninja Sarutobi Hiruzen had signaled earlier returned and respectfully said, "Third Hokage, the Third Training Ground is currently empty."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Then you can take Naruto there."

"Yes."

Only after Naruto arrived did he realize that this Third Training Ground was the place where Team 7 would fight over bells in the future.

The surroundings were bursting with life, everything flourishing. A gently flowing river ran through the entire forest.

"You can train here from now on."

After saying that, the Anbu ninja vanished without even waiting for Naruto's reply.

Naruto did not care. Instead, he looked toward the riverbank.

A silver-haired figure stood there.

"Yo, One-Eyed Uncle!"