"Master Muren, what are you looking for?"
"Master?" Muren turned his head and frowned slightly. "I don't recall ever teaching you."
Naruto scratched his head awkwardly. "You taught Neji and Hinata, so it seems reasonable enough to call you Master. Of course, if you don't like it, forget I said anything."
Muren gave no indication whether he liked it or not. He simply put the book in his hand back again, looking as though something was troubling him.
"Go find a pair of eyeballs for me. They'll be out in the open. Yes, that means they aren't tucked inside any books. Don't touch those books. They're far too dangerous for you. Of course, if you're really that curious, you can give it a try. After all, if you're lucky enough, you might not die."
Having said his piece, Muren suddenly vanished from where he stood. As for why? Dealing with brats was too much trouble.
Naruto blinked and looked at Sasuke. "Eyeballs?"
Sasuke pondered for a moment. "You must have noticed that Muren's eyes were closed. Maybe we're supposed to find his eyeballs. But assuming that's true, how does he know they're here? Or who gouged them out and put them here?"
"No," Naruto argued. "I got a close look at Muren's eyes just now. Normally, if there aren't any eyeballs beneath the eyelids, they should be sunken."
Sasuke frowned slightly. "Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"
As though afraid Sasuke wouldn't believe him, Naruto insisted, "I'm absolutely sure I didn't see it wrong. I don't know why, but something about Muren feels familiar. I paid attention to his appearance just now to figure out where that feeling came from."
Sasuke looked a little surprised. "Well, that's rare. The dead last actually got smarter."
Unhappy with this "compliment,"