Incomprehensible

Although the Rinnegan inherently grants mastery over seven attributes, this mastery is only at the jonin level. To become stronger... it requires guidance from a master and personal effort, neither of which Naruto Uzumaki can manage for the time being.

There is also Chakra nature transformation—practicing the Rasengan is essentially training in Chakra nature transformation.

One morning, Naruto Uzumaki stepped out of his house, preparing to head to the Ninja Academy.

The Nine-Tails suddenly warned, "Kid, the number of people watching you has increased by four."

Naruto Uzumaki remained calm, replying internally, "Yeah, I sensed it too."

By utilizing the Rinnegan dojutsu Ukanomitama to continuously strengthen his soul, Naruto Uzumaki's sensory perception had grown increasingly powerful.

The people monitoring him in the vicinity had long since had nowhere to hide, and even the Telescope Technique used by the Third Hokage had been detected by Naruto Uzumaki.

It was precisely because he had detected the Third Hokage's surveillance that Naruto Uzumaki understood just how much the Third Hokage "cared" for him.

On light days, it was once a day; on heavy days, it was four or five times.

But regardless of the frequency, there was at least one check-in every single day, rain or shine, without fail.

One could say that the Third Hokage didn't even show this much concern for his own grandson.

Fortunately, the Third Hokage had some sense of decency; he would consciously avert his gaze when Naruto Uzumaki was bathing or using the restroom.

If not for that, Naruto Uzumaki would have long since found it unbearable and defected from the village.

"What kind of look is that?"

At the Ninja Academy, during a break.

Sasuke turned his head to look at Naruto Uzumaki, his face full of irritation.

Are you sick or something? Why do you keep looking at me with that sympathetic, pitying gaze!

And you've got the roles reversed, haven't you? I'm the one with a complete family; you're the orphan!

"...Sorry, I wasn't looking at you, and I didn't mean to offend. I was just suddenly thinking about something else."

Naruto Uzumaki was stunned for a moment, but quickly snapped back to reality and apologized to Sasuke.

"Hmph!"

Sasuke let out a cold snort. Having no interest in asking what Naruto Uzumaki was thinking about, he turned his head away, fully embodying his cold and aloof persona.

"Sasuke is so cool!"

The young girls in the class had hearts in their eyes, letting out infatuated squeals.

"Women are such a drag..."

Shikamaru lay on his desk, glanced at Ino who had joined the group of fangirls, and sighed listlessly.

"He's really putting on an act... that guy..."

A hint of jealousy appeared on Kiba's face; he also wanted to be as popular as Sasuke.

"He's just pretending to be cool on purpose to attract the girls' attention... don't you think so, Choji?"

Kiba turned his head to seek support from his friend Choji.

Crunch~ crunch~

Choji was busy eating potato chips. He paused upon hearing this, his hands not stopping, and said while chewing, "Mmm... what did you... mmm..."

Kiba's face darkened: "Never mind, keep eating."

"Oh."

Crunch~ crunch~

Nearby, Shino adjusted his sunglasses and said profoundly, "I, on the other hand, don't think it's an act. If you ask why..."

Kiba ignored Shino entirely and turned to seek support from Naruto Uzumaki instead.

"Naruto, do you think I'm right?"

"Uh... maybe, but I don't really know the truth of the situation. After all, I don't know him that well."

For the entire school year, Naruto Uzumaki hadn't spoken more than a few words to Sasuke.

After all, Sasuke was aloof, and Naruto Uzumaki didn't take the initiative; it would be a miracle if the two of them could hold a conversation.

Class time.

On the podium, Iruka was lecturing with great enthusiasm.

Below, Naruto Uzumaki had no heart for the lesson. He glanced at Sasuke, then shifted his gaze away, his eyes deep in thought.

The Uchiha clan... they are going to be wiped out in the next few days, aren't they?

The sudden increase in observers... it must be to prevent the Uchiha from taking extreme measures and holding him, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, hostage to incite a rebellion.

The increasingly tense atmosphere within the village served as proof that the night of the clan annihilation was drawing near.

What could I do? What did I need to do?

After pondering for a long while, Naruto Uzumaki shook his head gently.

No, I cannot, and I do not need to get involved. What I must do now is lie low and develop; nothing else requires my concern.

So... I will just pretend I know nothing at all.

The night was as cool as water, and Naruto Uzumaki lay in bed with Raiden Shogun by his side.

Within the sealing space, the consciousnesses of Naruto Uzumaki, Shadow, and Raiden Shogun appeared.

The sealing space had changed drastically; the dark, damp sewer environment had vanished, replaced by a beautiful landscape of grasslands and forests.

Of course, the grasslands and forests were not real; their origin, much like the mahjong tiles, was a combination of Nine-Tails Chakra, the ocular jutsu of the Rinnegan, and the Transformation Jutsu.

Seeing the three appear, Kurama immediately urged, "Come, come, let's play mahjong."

Naruto Uzumaki deliberately scolded, "You useless fox, all you know how to do all day is play mahjong. You play during the day, and you play at night. Tell me... is there anything you can do besides playing mahjong?"

Kurama froze for a moment, then realized this guy was just looking for trouble.

He was forcibly locked inside; what else could he do to pass the time besides playing mahjong?

Kurama roared, "You brat, you are truly too insolent."

Naruto Uzumaki replied modestly, "Ah, it's alright."

Kurama became even angrier, "Bastard! I wasn't complimenting you!"

Naruto Uzumaki brushed him off, "Uh-huh, not a compliment."

ROAR!

Amidst the noise and clamor, the three of them and the fox sat around the mahjong table and began to play.

Shadow summoned all her focus, standing ready for battle.

She had lost every previous round, but as a warrior, she was determined to win back what she had lost.

Raiden Shogun remained expressionless; she had no interest in mahjong, nor did she care about winning or losing.

If not for Naruto Uzumaki's request, she would have preferred to sit quietly alone and contemplate how to practice the Way of Eternity within the ninja world.

Kurama, meanwhile, talked trash to Naruto Uzumaki while playing.

"Weak, weak, weak! Brat, you are truly too weak. I could let you use all nine tails and still beat you."

Kurama had won again, mocking Naruto Uzumaki relentlessly.

When facing mockery, the best response was to ignore it.

Naruto Uzumaki ignored Kurama, turning instead to encourage the dejected-looking Shadow, "Don't be discouraged. It's all Kurama's fault. I'll help you beat him in the next round."

Shadow pulled herself together and refused, "No need. What I lost, I will win back myself."

Naruto Uzumaki gave a thumbs up, "A true heroine with great ambition."

Ten minutes later.

Shadow lowered her head powerlessly, her dark purple braided hair drooping to the floor, her aura gloomy and gray.

"As expected... I am unable to do anything."

Kurama and Naruto Uzumaki exchanged glances, looking at each other in dismay.

The golden crow sank into the west, the setting sun like blood.

Outside the Uchiha clan grounds, Root ninjas silently set up a sealing barrier to ensure that nothing happening within the Uchiha clan grounds would leak out.

Danzo leaned on his cane, looked at Itachi, and spoke indifferently, "Begin. I will take good care of your younger brother."

At this point, words had lost all meaning. Itachi simply said coldly, "Please remember your promise."

With those words, Itachi turned and stepped into the barrier.

"My lord, will he really lay hands on his own clansmen... just for the sake of his younger brother?"

A Root member wearing a calico cat mask watched Itachi's retreating back, their voice filled with a trace of incomprehension.