A Special Gift

Naruto did not know what she was talking about, so he walked into the bathroom and looked in the mirror, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

What is going on?

The Nine-Tails told him:

"That is a more advanced form of the Sharingan, called the 'Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.' These eyes can only awaken through near-death experiences or intense training."

So the knife passing through me was just an illusion?

"I guess so. But I have never seen anything like this. I saw Madara use techniques with those eyes, but I do not know how to use them, so you will have to figure it out yourself. Deal with those intruders first, and I will explain later," the Nine-Tails said.

Naruto nodded and quickly tied up the surviving jonin, placing a chakra-restricting seal on him.

He picked up a cup of water and splashed it on the jonin's face to wake him.

"Hey, buddy, let's have a chat."

"Damn monster, I will not say anything. You might as well kill me now," the jonin said, trying to hide his fear.

"What fun would there be in killing you?"

Naruto activated his Sharingan and used "Mangekyō Sharingan—Hellfire Scorch Technique."

The jonin was trapped in a genjutsu, feeling as though he were being burned alive. Bound and bearing a chakra-restricting seal, he could not break free from the illusion. It continued for several minutes until the jonin could no longer endure it.

"Okay, okay, I'll talk... stop..." he begged.

Naruto immediately stopped.

"It was a deal. My friend and I agreed to kill you in exchange for payment," the jonin explained, looking at his dead friend's body.

"Who sent you?"

The jonin hesitated.

Naruto deactivated his Sharingan and fixed the jonin with his icy blue eyes, which seemed capable of piercing the soul.

"It was Endo Toin, a merchant in the village and a member of the civilian council," the jonin answered.

"Hinata, he's telling the truth, right?" Naruto asked. Hinata nodded. Naruto turned to the bound jonin and smiled. Then he struck the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious.

The Hokage sat in his chair, enjoying a cup of hot tea.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," the old Hokage said.

The door opened, and he saw an unhappy Naruto with Hinata, holding two scrolls.

This cannot be good.

"Naruto, how are you?" he asked.

"We're fine, much better off than these two," Naruto replied, tossing the scrolls to the Hokage.

"Naruto, what are these?" the Hokage asked.

"Open them and see for yourself." The Hokage opened both scrolls. He activated them with chakra, and a dead jonin appeared on the floor, along with another who was bound but still conscious.

"Naruto, what does this mean?" the Hokage asked sternly.

Naruto walked over to the bound jonin and tore the tape from his mouth.

"Would you tell him what this is about?"

The jonin quickly answered.

"Good heavens, what a mess. The other one is dead, right?" the Hokage asked. Naruto nodded.

"At least neither of you was hurt. Do not worry, Naruto. Anyone who attacks a ninja of the village will be treated as a traitor and punished accordingly."

The Hokage glared at the jonin. It was truly tragic to see one of his ninja reduced to this, actually attempting to murder a fellow villager.

"Old man, I actually find this funny," Naruto said, laughing.

Seeing the Hokage's confused expression, he continued:

"They tried to kill me because they were afraid I would become too strong when I grew up and attack the village one day. But they only made me stronger." As Naruto spoke, he activated his Mangekyō Sharingan and showed it to the Hokage.

The Nine-Tails began explaining everything it knew about pure-blooded Uchiha and the awakening process of these eyes.

After listening, the Hokage's mouth fell open.

"So that means Itachi will eventually go blind unless he gets Sasuke's eyes."

"That's right. But Sasuke has definitely unlocked his Mangekyō Sharingan, and knowing him, if he finds out, he may do anything to take the life of someone close to him," Naruto answered seriously.

"I will try to keep an eye on him. Naruto, in the meantime, hide those eyes even more carefully. Madara Uchiha became one of the strongest ninja in history because of the Sharingan. You still need to learn how to use them."

Naruto nodded and left the room.

The Hokage channeled chakra, and an ANBU ninja appeared before him.

"Take the living one to Ibiki and Anko. Arrest Endo Toin as well," the Hokage ordered.

I'm already an old man, and I still have to deal with this crap.

Naruto and Hinata were at home, with Hinata preparing dinner in the kitchen.

Naruto called to Hinata.

"Hinata, come here for a moment."

Hinata came out of the kitchen. Naruto thought she looked even more beautiful with her hair tied in a ponytail and a lavender apron on.

Naruto stepped closer and gently kissed her.

"I have a gift for you," Naruto said.

Naruto smiled and handed her a wrapped present. Hinata unwrapped it and gasped when she saw a small ring.

The ring was made of gleaming pure silver, with the image of a fox engraved upon it.

"It's so beautiful. Thank you," Hinata said.

She hugged him.

"I'm glad you like it. This ring is special. It does not just represent my love, it also has a Flying Thunder God Seal on it. That means if you are in trouble, just send some chakra into the ring, and I will appear immediately," Naruto said happily.

Today, they were supposed to form teams and meet their jonin instructor.

Naruto grabbed her arm and rushed toward the Ninja Academy with the Lightning Release Body Flicker Technique. They arrived on the rooftop without making a sound, so as not to draw too many questions. Then they headed toward their classroom, where all their friends were already seated, though Iruka had not arrived yet. Hinata climbed the stairs and sat in the back row.

Naruto naturally followed her, but in the hallway, Sasuke Uchiha shot him a glare. Sasuke was still furious about losing to the Academy's dead last.

How could I lose to trash like him? I'm from the Uchiha Clan.

They stared at each other for several minutes until Sasuke impatiently looked away, plotting various ways to kill his brother.

Naruto went up the stairs to join Hinata, only to run into Kiba Inuzuka.

"Hey, Hinata, how are you?" Kiba Inuzuka asked as he walked over, preparing to sit beside her.

"I'm fine, Kiba Inuzuka. Please do not sit there. That seat is reserved for Naruto."

"How can that be, Hinata? I'm stronger than him," Kiba Inuzuka said, rubbing the bridge of his nose with a finger.

"Kiba Inuzuka, I already told you that I like Naruto."

In that instant, Kiba Inuzuka actually took a step back. The shy Hinata was gone.

"Kiba Inuzuka, stop bothering my girlfriend," Naruto said as he walked over. He passed Kiba Inuzuka, who merely sneered, then Naruto sat beside Hinata and kissed her on the cheek.

Kiba Inuzuka tried to hit Naruto.

No one expected Naruto not to move. It was Hinata who stood up and struck Kiba Inuzuka in the chest with a Gentle Fist blow, sending him collapsing to the floor in pain.