Kagura's Mind's Eye

"Waaah!" Naruto suddenly burst into tears for no apparent reason, leaving both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Teuchi at a loss.

"What's wrong, Naruto? Is Uncle's ramen not to your taste?" Teuchi asked with concern.

Judging by Naruto's performance just now, he had even finished the broth. It was clear that Naruto genuinely liked his ramen. Seeing his ramen receive such sincere approval, Teuchi had begun to like Naruto as well.

For a chef, what could be more moving than having someone recognize his cooking?

"That's right, Naruto. Tell Grandpa, what's wrong? Why did you suddenly start crying?" Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was also rather bewildered, he patiently asked Naruto what the reason was.

Why had he suddenly started crying out of nowhere?

"Waaah, it's nothing, Uncle Teuchi, Grandpa. It's just that this ramen is so delicious that I wish I could eat it every day. But I only have so little money, so I can't come here very often in a month. That's why I'm so sad I want to cry!"

Naruto said tearfully as he wiped his eyes.

Learning that this was actually why he had cried, Teuchi and Hiruzen Sarutobi did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Teuchi was also quite proud of Naruto's approval.

He generously said to Naruto, "It's fine, Naruto. How about this? You can come here once a week and eat for free, all you can eat. You can have as many bowls as you want. Does that work?"

"Really? Thank you, Uncle! You're such a good person, Uncle. I hope you become the number one ramen shop in Konoha Village!" Naruto immediately beamed with joy.

After all, Ichiraku Ramen tasted so good, and its prices were not exactly cheap. For Naruto, getting to eat there even once was a rare treat.

If he could come and freeload once a week, he could indeed save quite a bit of money.

Naruto had not forgotten his goal for today. He turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi as if asking, Old bastard, why aren't you showing anything?

Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally understood what Naruto meant and was still considering how to respond.

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi still hesitating, Naruto felt anger rise in his heart. You're this stingy over treating me to ramen? Old bastard, you deserve to get stabbed to death by Orochimaru!

At this point, he could only use the art of speech to make Hiruzen Sarutobi obediently give in!

"It's okay, Grandpa. I've had no father or mother since I was little, and you're the only one who's been good to me. I shouldn't ask for too much, but the other shop owners won't accept my money. They sell me expired food at high prices instead. Only Uncle Teuchi didn't look down on me, so I was thinking how nice it would be if I could come to Ichiraku Ramen to eat every day."

Tea. The pinnacle of tea artistry.

After hearing Naruto's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelids twitched, and dark lines seemed to appear over his head.

"Say no more, Naruto. From now on, whenever you eat at Ichiraku Ramen, put it on my tab. Grandpa can still afford your ramen. Make sure you study hard at the Ninja Academy and make a few good friends!"

Hearing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had actually agreed to put it on his tab, Naruto's objective had been smoothly achieved.

"Thank you, Grandpa! You're a good person too, Grandpa. You'll definitely live forever!" Naruto beamed and said gratefully to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

What he thought was: You old bastard, when Orochimaru sends you on your way, I'll definitely watch from the sidelines. I'll burn extra paper money at your grave!

After Hiruzen Sarutobi paid for this meal and escorted Naruto back to his home, he left.

After this incident, Hiruzen Sarutobi understood that Naruto's current attitude toward Konoha was still very positive.

Moreover, even though the villagers hated him so much, he had not shown much anger or resentment.

All the way here with Naruto, Hiruzen Sarutobi had secretly observed him. He found that Naruto barely showed any expression. Perhaps he was simply used to it.

This was also what Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to see. He felt that his own arrangements had made Naruto so sensible and took all the credit for himself.

Furthermore, after treating Naruto to ramen, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt that Naruto seemed to admire him greatly, which put him at ease.

After returning to the Hokage's office, he waved both hands, and an ANBU appeared in a Body Flicker from afar.

Sitting in his chair, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "From now on, there is no need to monitor Naruto so intensely. Simply arrange for two ANBU to take turns ensuring his safety at regular intervals. Also, inform Danzo's ninjas. As for the specifics, have Danzo come discuss them with me himself."

"Understood, Lord Hokage!" The ANBU nodded and went to convey Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders.

Previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi had assigned so many ANBU ninjas to work with Root to monitor Naruto because he was worried that Naruto would lose control amid the villagers' emotional venting.

If he lost control, they would also have sufficient force to suppress Naruto at once and detain him.

However, it now seemed that Naruto had good control over his emotions and showed no resentment toward the villagers, which greatly satisfied Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Not long after the orders were issued.

The Hokage's office door was forcefully pushed open again. No knocking—it had to be Danzo.

Setting down the paperwork in his hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up and saw that it was indeed Danzo Shimura.

Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Danzo Shimura launched into an impassioned tirade. "Hiruzen, what are you thinking? How can you be so careless with the surveillance of the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki? He is a jinchuriki—the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, the strongest of the tailed beasts.

"If he loses control, how great would Konoha's losses be? Have you really thought this through? If you're trying to conserve ANBU resources, the ninjas from my Root can fill in. Let my Root ninjas take the lead, with your ANBU ninjas assisting."

Danzo immediately raised the issue as he saw it and conveniently offered a solution.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep puff from his large pipe and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke before saying to Danzo, "Enough, Danzo. Knowing you, if your people have too much contact with the jinchuriki, one day my people may report to me that the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki has disappeared.

"By then, you might have taken him back to Root and secretly brainwashed him without anyone knowing.

"Rest assured, this isn't a manpower issue. I've already met Naruto. He's an obedient and sensible child. He won't lose control."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with complete confidence.

"You say he won't, so he won't? I don't believe it. No, Root's ninjas cannot be reduced!" Danzo persisted. Hiruzen Sarutobi knew perfectly well what Danzo was plotting.

"Danzo, I'm not discussing this with you. I am informing you in my capacity as Hokage. You will do it whether you can or not!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone instantly became forceful.

"Hiruzen, you'll regret this. The Nine-Tails' jinchuriki should be handed over to Root!" Danzo immediately became agitated.

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the table and stood up.

Under the tremendous force, the desk instantly split in two.

"Hmph!" Unable to outargue Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura could only leave with a belly full of resentment, slamming the door behind him.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Danzo too well. That reaction meant he had chosen to silently accept it.

By then, Naruto had been home for a while.

Lying on his bed, he muttered to himself, "Hiruzen Sarutobi keeps watching me. Is he afraid his intentions aren't obvious enough? Good thing I noticed long ago that he was observing my behavior, so I pretended not to care about those villagers. Looks like he believed it. '

"Having to act with him every time is so exhausting. Strength—I'm far too lacking in strength. Once I have strength, I won't need to hide myself like this or watch other people's faces. Stronger. I need to work hard and become stronger!"

At that moment, Naruto suddenly sensed that there seemed to be far fewer watchful gazes outside the window.

It seemed his performance today had greatly satisfied Hiruzen Sarutobi. Now there were far fewer people monitoring him, and he had become much freer.

At last, he would not have to be so timid and restrained. With so many fewer people, it meant he was currently in a stage where he was trusted. The people responsible for watching him probably would not keep such a close eye on him as before.

This was his opportunity. He had to seize this time and train hard.

Right, he had not yet claimed the reward for getting Hiruzen Sarutobi to pay today!

System, claim today's mission reward!

Congratulations, Host. You have completed the mission of making Hiruzen Sarutobi pay for ramen and awakened the Uzumaki Clan bloodline ability, Kagura's Mind's Eye!

Kagura's Mind's Eye: A mind's eye that can see through others and perceive distant places. It is one of the strongest sensory ninjutsu to have appeared in Naruto so far.

This technique is known to be a unique ninjutsu that exists within the Uzumaki Clan bloodline. It is precisely because the Uzumaki Clan possesses excellent sensory abilities that they can master an enemy-detection technique with an enormous range.

Like Adamantine Sealing Chains, it is a unique bloodline ability of the Uzumaki Clan!

After closing one's eyes to activate the mind's eye, any unusual movement within a radius of dozens of kilometers can be sensed through chakra.

Additionally, if a specific chakra signature is known, its exact location and movements can be detected. The opponent's numbers, characteristics, and even movement speed can all be grasped in great detail. It is the ultimate sensory technique.

Listening to the system's introduction, Naruto had only known that this was a ninjutsu Karin Uzumaki had once used. He had not expected its origins to be so impressive.

After claiming the system reward, Naruto instantly learned Kagura's Mind's Eye.

He formed a special hand sign and closed his eyes.

Kagura's Mind's Eye had not required this in the original work, but it was Naruto's first time using it, so he was unfamiliar with it. Once he became proficient, he could activate Kagura's Mind's Eye without anyone noticing!

The mind's eye opened!

Naruto instantly sensed everything around his home.

At distances of one hundred and two hundred meters from his house, there were two separate groups of ninjas. Their chakra levels were considerable, so they should be the ninjas assigned to monitor him.

The mind's eye closed. His hands returned to a normal position, and he exited the state of Kagura's Mind's Eye.

"This technique is really good. With it, anyone monitoring me will be completely exposed. I can also use it to scout the surrounding environment. When I leave the village for missions in the future, this technique will be extremely useful."

Previously, when there had been many people watching him, none of them had noticed that he was training and extracting chakra.

Now that there were far fewer people, Naruto could safely hide beneath his blanket and pretend to sleep while actually extracting chakra.

Stronger, stronger. I need to work hard and become stronger!

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