Sharingan

"After you used Fire Release, I dodged your attack with the Substitution Technique and used Shadow Clone Jutsu to deal with you. It wasn't a life-or-death lesson, anyway, and it gave me a chance to practice Shadow Clone Jutsu..."

Nanfeng appeared off to the side, without a trace of the aftermath of battle. His clothes were clean and tidy, nothing like someone who had just finished fighting.

Sasuke, on the other hand, looked rather disheveled after using the Substitution Technique and Great Fireball Technique.

Seeing the difference, Sasuke's face darkened at once. A ninja from an ordinary family had such incredible talent. The so-called genius of a great clan had taken one blow after another today.

"I just happen to have a lot of chakra, and I've heard people at the Ninja Hospital talk about the details of various battles. I've just never had the chance to try any of it out. I can't use the Great Fireball Technique you've mastered, so don't sell yourself short..."

"Remember, the ninja world has never been short on geniuses. The top student a year ahead of us is also a genius from a great clan. Can you guarantee you'd beat him?" Nanfeng asked when he saw the unconvinced look in Sasuke's eyes.

Sasuke paused at that. He'd heard of the talented boy Nanfeng was talking about. After all, they were both from great clans, and they'd crossed paths a few times before.

For some reason, the moment Uchiha Sasuke thought of Neji Hyuga's cold face, he felt even more annoyed.

"Train hard. If you don't work to make the most of your talent, you might as well be an ordinary person," Nanfeng said without pulling any punches.

During his time interning at the Ninja Hospital, he'd seen far too many people slack off because they were talented. Most of them had ended up becoming mediocre. He knew Sasuke and Naruto wouldn't go down that path, but it was best to instill the right ideas in them early.

"Um, Big Brother Nanfeng, can I train with you guys?" Uzumaki Naruto asked. He seemed a little nervous.

Until now, he'd always trained alone. He didn't have any friends, or even anyone to talk to. Now that he had this opportunity, Naruto treasured it more than anything.

"Of course. But if I'm treating you guys to a meal, it'll probably have to wait until next time..." Nanfeng recalled how much Naruto had eaten earlier and shuddered.

At least he'd just gotten paid. Otherwise, after dinner, he might've ended up washing dishes at Ichiraku Ramen to pay off the bill.

"Does that mean we're friends?" Warmth spread across Naruto's face. Tears glistened in his eyes as he asked.

"Of course. This guy and I are both your friends. Don't mind that he looks reluctant. I'm sure he's happy to have a friend too..."

Before Nanfeng could finish, a kunai flew past his cheek.

"You talk too much. Let's just start training," Sasuke said coldly—if you ignored the way his ears had suddenly turned red.

What an interesting kid. Maybe only children could have such pure thoughts, especially after everything he'd been through.

With that, the boys got to work, quickly focusing on the areas where each of them was weakest.

Nanfeng had had another reason for using Shadow Clone Jutsu earlier. While the commotion from the Great Fireball Technique covered for him, another Shadow Clone had been busily writing something down.

It was what Nanfeng knew about the truth behind the Uchiha Clan's Annihilation. He wasn't sure when that old Third Hokage would start keeping an eye on him, so this was the only way he could pass the information along.

"I'm still not strong enough. If I were stronger... I wouldn't have to worry about them watching me. I hate this feeling." Nanfeng shook his head, forcing his frustration down.

Evening came before long, and it was time for them to part ways.

Taking advantage of the moment when they said goodbye, Nanfeng quickly slipped a note into Sasuke's hand. When he saw Sasuke's puzzled look, Nanfeng mouthed a few words.

Sasuke's pupils contracted slightly, then he quickly returned to normal.

Everyone who lived in the ninja world really was a natural actor, even a kid like this.

"The wounds on my body should be fine now, right?" Sasuke asked.

"For now, yes. As for your mental state, your training just now showed that you've recovered pretty well. You can leave the hospital for now. Remember to come back for a follow-up in a week, and don't forget to pay. My monthly salary depends on how much you guys pay... Honestly, could you stop letting the medical bills pile up for so long?"

Grumbling, Nanfeng picked up his backpack and headed home.

In the Konoha Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been watching the three of them, took a deep drag on his pipe. He smoked so much every day—was that really good for him?

"It's not a good thing for those three to be together. You should've done as I said and brought Nanfeng and Sasuke to me. Training with Root would help them make better use of their talents as ninja," Danzo said as he suddenly appeared, speaking to Hiruzen without the slightest restraint.

"I told you, this is not up for discussion. Besides, they're only training together. You saw how they trained—there was nothing wrong with it. If you have any other ideas, you can leave." Hiruzen frowned and spoke to Danzo in a displeased tone.

Danzo's face twitched slightly. He said nothing more and quickly left the Hokage Office. One day, he would make Hiruzen regret this.

"Nanfeng has a good amount of chakra. The fact that he mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu and Medical Ninjutsu in such a short time shows he has a remarkable talent for training. His combat experience seems decent too—at least, he's in a league of his own among his peers. It's just a shame I don't know if his views about Konoha are genuine..."

"Let those three graduate into the same class. Kakashi can take charge of them. If any of them have other ideas..." Hiruzen's expression suddenly darkened.

Nanfeng had no idea what had happened in the Hokage Office. The feeling of being watched only disappeared once he got home, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Lying on his bed, Nanfeng eagerly opened the System Panel. He still had no idea what this so-called Sharingan was—or what made it different.

"Ding! Host, would you like to activate the Sharingan's abilities?" The system's mechanical voice rang in Nanfeng's mind.