Mangekyō Sharingan

Lee was a training fanatic and burned through a lot of energy, so he had no restraint when it came to eating meat. He'd use it all up again soon anyway. "Naruto, even Guy-sensei won't treat us to barbecue. You're the most generous."

Naruto accepted his fate. "Then you can use me as collateral with the barbecue shop owner later!"

"Hahaha!" Hinata laughed. "Naruto, I don't think the barbecue shop owner would dare accept you."

"Hinata, you and Karin will become good friends someday," Naruto said.

Karin nodded quickly, showing that she would get along well with Hinata.

Children might squabble, but their bonds only grew stronger.

Everyone dug in happily.

Naruto looked at Lee and asked in a low voice, "Lee, has Guy-sensei taught you any special Taijutsu?"

Lee stammered, "Guy-sensei seems to have promised to teach me his signature Taijutsu, but he said I haven't met his requirements yet." His mouth was full of meat.

Naruto didn't know why Might Guy was unwilling to teach him the Eight Inner Gates. Was there really some reason he couldn't talk about?

But Naruto thought he could discuss it with Lee later. That would be faster than waiting for Might Guy to bring it up himself.

The truth was, Might Guy hadn't taught Naruto the Eight Inner Gates because using them damaged the body, and Naruto was clearly more talented in ninjutsu than Taijutsu. That was the main reason.

As for Lee, training in the Eight Inner Gates was more important if he wanted to become a capable ninja in his own right.

The barbecue meal cost Naruto all his pocket money.

But it brought the children closer together, so the money was well spent.

Neji took Lee to the woods.

Karin was sent back to Konoha Hospital at Naruto's insistence.

Then Naruto took a leisurely walk with Hinata, slowly making his way toward the Hyuga Clan compound.

"We're here!" Naruto held Hinata's hand. "Hinata, don't feel pressured. When it comes to training, you should first compare yourself to who you were yesterday. If you improve every day, you'll eventually become an excellent ninja."

Hinata said brightly, "Naruto, I won't fall behind. I'll definitely be there to stand by your side and fight with you someday."

"Hinata, you're so cute. I can't imagine anyone wanting to hit you!" Naruto said protectively.

A year ago, Hinata had gained a little sister, Hyuga Hanabi.

As Hanabi grew up, her talent for the Gentle Fist surpassed Hinata's. This led Hyuga Hiashi to devote more of his time to teaching Hanabi.

Hinata was left to fend for herself a little.

Neji and Lee were both blunt, and when they found out, they told Hinata to face the facts: she was already a little behind.

Naruto had to encourage Hinata.

The Shinobi World had never been peaceful. The stronger you were, the better your chances of survival.

Naruto had also thought about teaching the Eight Inner Gates to Hinata. The problem was that it required constantly pushing past one's limits, while Hinata had studied her clan's Gentle Fist from childhood—a discipline that was the exact opposite.

So he put the idea aside.

With Naruto's support and company, Hinata hadn't grown insecure. She kept working hard to improve, slowly but surely, and there was always hope.

Hinata went home. Naruto glanced at the sunset, put his hands in his pockets, and strolled leisurely down the street.

Should I go see Neji and Lee in the woods? Watching those two fight is pretty entertaining.

Naruto thought.

At a three-way intersection.

Naruto had just turned when he collided head-on with someone.

Naruto's body tensed in an instant, and he bounced all the force back.

The man was shoved back several steps by the rebound, then abruptly looked up.

His eyes were red, with three tomoe surrounding each pupil. They were stunning.

As Naruto watched, the three tomoe changed again, forming the shape of shuriken around the pupils. They looked incredibly mysterious.

Naruto was stunned. There could be eyes this cool in the world? Is this some kind of ocular ninjutsu?

Naruto noticed the man's Anbu uniform and figured he must be strong. Then he saw the Uchiha Clan's fan emblem and thought of Uchiha Sasuke, whom he'd seen at the entrance exam.

Shisui Uchiha clutched his head. The pain that accompanied his Sharingan's evolution into the Mangekyō Sharingan stabbed at his brain, making it difficult to control his eyes.

I mustn't hurt a child from Konoha.

Shisui quickly shut his eyes.

"Are you all right?" Shisui asked first.

The child had looked directly into his eyes. Shisui wasn't sure if he had used his ocular powers!

"I'm hurt. My stomach hurts." Naruto clutched his belly. "You have to compensate me."

With his eyes closed, Shisui really thought he'd injured Naruto in the collision. "Then we should hurry to Konoha Hospital."

The pain in his eyes gradually faded, and Shisui slowly gained control over the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan. To protect the village and lead the Uchiha toward a brighter future, he had broken through his limits and gained an immensely powerful pair of eyes.

Naruto couldn't go to the hospital. An examination would give him away. "No need. I only have one little request: teach me how to get eyes like yours!"

Shisui opened his eyes. They had returned to their normal black color. Seeing the hopeful look on Naruto's face, he smiled. "Kid, this isn't ninjutsu, so I can't teach it to you. Does your stomach still hurt? I should take you to the hospital anyway."

Naruto said disappointedly, "It's okay. I'll just bear with it. Are you from the Uchiha Clan?"

Shisui asked, "Kid, you know the Uchiha?"

"There's someone named Uchiha Sasuke. He might be my classmate someday." Naruto tried to make them sound closer. "Do you know him?"

Shisui remembered that today was the Ninja Academy entrance ceremony. Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke, was just the right age to enroll.

"I do. Sasuke's easy to get along with. You two will become good friends," Shisui said.

Naruto wanted to get to know him. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto. What should I call you?"

"Shisui Uchiha."

"Shisui, it's nice to meet you. Where are you headed?" Naruto asked with a smile.

Shisui took out some money and gave it to Naruto. "Naruto, sorry for the trouble, but I have something urgent to take care of. If you still feel unwell, go to the hospital right away. Don't put it off."

"Got it."

Naruto put the money in his pocket and watched Shisui Uchiha hurry away.

Notice.

Mission: Help Shisui Uchiha successfully use Kotoamatsukami in the woods behind the Uchiha residential district.

Mission completion reward: Fire Release Chakra Nature Transformation (100%)

"The location's there, but what about the timing?"

Naruto knew he hadn't run into Shisui Uchiha for no reason. It was like meeting an NPC, then triggering a new mission afterward.

Panel notice.

Host: Uzumaki Naruto.

Ninjutsu: Talk no Jutsu; Rasengan.

Taijutsu: Eight Inner Gates (no-damage version); Super Self-Healing.

Sealing Jutsu: None.

Summoning Jutsu: None.

Chakra Attributes: Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water, Yang.

Remaining Chakra: 100%.

Chakra Control: 70%.

Chakra Nature Transformation: Wind (100%).