ã€ŠNaruto: The Sage Of The Infinity Stones.ã€‹


 Prologue.

    Nine-year-old Naruto limped through the dense forest, clutching his aching arm after yet another grueling, self-imposed training session. Sweat dripped from his brow, mixing with the dirt streaked across his face. His muscles screamed in protest with every step, but he barely noticed. The pain had become a constant companion.

    It wasn''t that he didn''t try his hardest¡ªhe always did. But with no one willing to train him, it fell entirely on his shoulders. He had asked his mother and father countless times, but their answers never changed.

    "Sorry, Naruto. But we can''t. Your siblings need the training more than you do. When you start attending the academy, they''ll train you. Just be patient."

    At first, he had clung to their words, holding onto hope. But patience had yielded nothing. Eventually, he gave up asking, and in turn, his family became even more distant.

    He wasn''t asking for much¡ªjust a little attention, a bit of the warmth and guidance his brother and sister received so freely. But it never came. He was the forgotten child, a castaway in his own home. And Menma and Mito? They never missed an opportunity to remind him of it. They relished tormenting him, laughing at his failures, flaunting the love and approval he was denied.

    Assholes.

    Gritting his teeth, Naruto hissed as his sprained ankle throbbed sharply under his weight. Earlier, in a fit of frustration, he had kicked the training post with all his strength. Unfortunately, his stance had slipped, and instead of hitting the post, his ankle had met solid wood. Not his smartest move.

    Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he ran a hand through his overgrown blond hair, grimacing.I need a haircut.The unruly strands clung to his skin, damp with sweat.

    Then, he glanced down at his clothes and groaned. His black T-shirt, once sporting a bright red Uzumaki spiral, was now coated in mud and torn at the hem. His gray shorts weren''t in any better shape, stained with dirt and grass.

    Namori''s gonna kill me.

    The elderly caretaker had a zero-tolerance policy for dirty clothes and never hesitated to chase him around the house, broom in hand. Dodging her was going to be a nightmare.

    As he grumbled to himself, a sudden gust of wind blasted through the clearing, knocking him flat on his ass.

    Naruto''s breath hitched as he stared, wide-eyed, at the swirling vortex now crackling above him. The air shimmered with an unnatural blue glow, streaked with violent bolts of red and purple lightning. The very fabric of reality seemed to twist and ripple around it, distorting the space like a warped mirror.

    Every instinct in his bodyscreameddanger. He scrambled backward just as a bolt of lightning struck the exact spot where he had been sitting.

    Damn, that was close.

    "Wanda! What are you doing?"

    A woman''s voice rang out from within the vortex, sharp with urgency. Before Naruto could even process it, something massive began emerging from the swirling abyss¡ªapurplearm.

    Thick, muscular, and an unnatural shade ofdeep purple, the arm was clad in a gaudy golden gauntlet. Embedded in the metal were six glowing gemstones, each pulsing with an eerie radiance. The fingers twitched, flexing as though attempting to grasp something, but a strange crimson energy¡ªlaced with streaks of blue and purple¡ªwrapped around it, restraining its movement.

    "I''m getting rid of the Infinity Stones for good," another female voice snapped. This one was filled with pain, fury, and something else¡ªdesperation. "He took Vision away from me, so I will take from him the thing he treasures most."

    "NOOO!"

    A deep, booming roar of anguish tore through the forest, rattling Naruto to his core. The voice was filled with such raw power, suchhatred, that the very air felt heavier.

    The arm jerked, nearly retreating into the vortex¡ªbefore the portal suddenly slammed shut.

    For a moment, silence reigned. Then, with a sickening thud, the gauntlet and the severed arm crashed onto the forest floor. A splatter of dark purple blood sprayed across the grass, soaking into the earth. The fingers twitched once... then stilled.

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    Naruto remained frozen, his breathing shallow as he stared at the grotesque sight before him. His heart pounded in his chest, but his body refused to move.Is this real?

    He half-expected a squad of ANBU to descend at any moment, to investigate the unnatural phenomenon that had just unfolded. But the forest remained eerily calm, untouched by the chaos that had just occurred.

    It was just him.

    He, and the severed arm of a titan.

    And a gauntlet holding the power of the universe itself.

    ??????????????

    Night had fully descended over the forest, casting long shadows between the towering trees. The moon''s pale light spilled into the clearing, illuminating the golden gauntlet like a sacred relic. Its six gemstones flickered weakly, their once-blinding radiance now dimmed to a soft, pulsing glow.

    Naruto hadn''t moved for hours. His legs were stiff, his ass numb from sitting on the damp ground, but he barely noticed. Even the dull ache of his ankle had faded into the background. The only thing demanding his attention now was his bladder, twisting uncomfortably under the strain.

    I need to take a piss.

    That ridiculous thought was what finally made him stir. With great effort, Naruto forced himself to his feet, immediately regretting it as a sharp bolt of pain shot through his swollen ankle. He clenched his teeth, hissing through the discomfort.

    He needed to get this checked out¡ªbut that meant facing his mother, and she''d have alotof questions. Questions hereallydidn''t want to answer. She already disapproved of him training alone, and if she found out he''d pushed himself to the point of injury? He''d never hear the end of it.

    Two more weeks. Just two more weeks, and he''d finally start at the Academy alongside Menma and Mito. Naruto couldn''t afford to fall behind now, not when all the other clan heirs had years of training under their belts. He was already the odd one out. He refused to be the class idiot, too.

    Limping cautiously, he made his way toward the severed arm, pausing every few steps as if expecting it to suddenly spring to life and attack him.Yeah, I''m being an idiot.But in his defense,a freaking portal just opened up and spat out an arm wearing a glove full of glowing rocks.At this point, was it really that crazy to think the damn thing might move?

    Stopping in front of it, Naruto hesitated before slowly crouching down. He extended a single finger and poked at the thick, purple limb¡ªthen immediately jumped back.

    Nothing happened.

    After a few beats of silence, he tried again. Poke. Retreat. Nothing.

    The third time, Naruto worked up enough nerve to grip the gauntlet itself and heave it upward.

    Crap, this thing''s heavy!

    His small hands barely managed to grasp two of the massive fingers before the severed arm slipped free, sending Naruto stumbling backward with a startled shriek. He landed flat on his back, blinking dazedly at the night sky.

    Ouch...

    Groaning, he sat up and rubbed the back of his sore head while his other hand still clutched the enormous gauntlet. It was even heavier than it looked. Holding it up to examine it more closely, he marveled at the intricate design¡ªthe golden surface gleamed under the moonlight, etched with strange, unreadable markings.

    "Wow..." Naruto murmured, his cerulean blue eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I''ve never seen a gauntlet this big before! No normal person could wear this..."

    His gaze drifted to the severed arm lying limp beside him. His fingers brushed against the thick, leathery skin. It was definitely not human.

    His grip tightened around the gauntlet as he turned it in his hands, wondering just how much bigger it was than his own. On a whim, he slid his right hand inside, his fingers barely even reaching halfway through. It swallowed his hand entirely.

    Naruto frowned. "If it was smaller, maybe I could wear it..."

    The moment the words left his mouth, the red stone embedded in the gauntlet flared to life, flooding the clearing with an intense crimson light.

    Naruto barely had time to react before the metal of the gauntletmelted. The once-solid gold shifted, turning to liquid as it slithered up his arm like a living thing. His eyes widened in horror as it coiled around his wrist, creeping up his forearm, his bicep¡ªuntil it covered his entire arm and shoulder.

    Then, the pain hit.

    Naruto screamed, clawing at his arm, trying to rip the gauntlet off, but it was useless. The gemstones shifted, sliding along his forearm. Four of them settled while the orange and yellow stones disappeared under his shirt, as if burrowing into his body.

    Suddenly, a searing pain exploded in the center of his chest.

    Then another¡ªblazing hot and relentless¡ªstruck his forehead.

    Naruto''s vision blurred as the agony consumed him. His body convulsed, arching violently off the ground as if an unseen force was drilling into his very soul. He barely registered the silent scream slipping from his lips before everything went black.

    His grip on reality shattered.

    And Naruto fainted.

 Chapter 1

    A sharp peck on Naruto''s cheek jolted him awake. With a startled yelp, he flailed his arms, scaring off the crow perched beside him. It squawked indignantly before taking to the sky, disappearing into the morning haze. Naruto groaned as he sat up, every muscle in his body stiff and aching from sleeping on the damp grass. However, as he shifted his weight, he realized something strange¡ªhis swollen ankle no longer throbbed. The pain that had plagued him the night before had mysteriously vanished.

    But that wasn''t his immediate concern. His bladder screamed for relief, making his predicament abundantly clear.

    Scrambling to his feet, Naruto ran toward the nearest bush, barely making it in time before he let loose. A long, relieved sigh escaped him as the immense pressure finally subsided. Once he finished his business, Naruto stumbled out of the bushes, yawning.

    "Man," he muttered, shaking off the last remnants of sleep, "what a weird dream I had..."

    He rubbed his face with another yawn, but he froze when his fingers brushed against his forehead. His heart stuttered in his chest.

    His hands shot up, patting frantically at his skin. "What?! It wasn''t a dream?"

    With wide eyes, Naruto turned toward the clearing where he had been the night before. The severed arm still lay in the same spot, though now flies swarmed over the dark purple flesh, feasting on the remnants of its former owner.

    "Yuck," he gagged.

    Shaking off his disgust, Naruto rushed toward the river, desperate to see his reflection. What he didn''t anticipate was how fast he moved. The moment he reached the water''s edge, his momentum betrayed him. With a panicked yelp, his feet tangled, and he tumbled forward, plunging headfirst into the freezing depths with a loud splash.

    A flock of geese erupted in alarm, honking their displeasure at the unexpected disturbance.

    Naruto broke the surface with a gasp, coughing and sputtering as he clawed at the grassy bank, shivering from the icy grip of the water.

    "Well, that was a splendid way of waking yourself, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze."

    Naruto stiffened. The voice was calm, polite¡ªeerily so. But what made his blood run cold was that it wasn''t coming from anywhere around him. It was inside his head.

    Scrambling out of the river, Naruto whipped his head around, scanning the clearing. He was alone. The only sound was the distant rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds.

    "Who''s there?!" he shouted, fists clenched.

    "There''s no need to yell, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze."

    Naruto flinched. His breathing quickened as he spun in place, still finding nothing. His gaze dropped to the river, and that''s when he saw it.

    There, in the reflection of the rippling water, embedded in the center of his forehead, was a yellow gemstone. The tip of the stone barely broke the surface of his skin, shimmering under the morning sun.

    His hands shot up, trembling as his fingers traced over the smooth, unyielding surface. There was no wound. No pain. Just the unsettling presence of something that shouldn''t be there.

    "H-How is this possible?" he muttered.

    The same calm voice responded, "It seems, Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze, that you have successfully merged with the Infinity Gauntlet."

    Naruto sucked in a sharp breath, mind racing. He clenched his fists, trying to steady himself. "Who are you?"

    "My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I am Vision. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

    Naruto swallowed hard, glancing around once more. "But where are you? I don''t see you anywhere."

    "I reside within the stone embedded in your forehead. The Mind Stone. It is one of six Infinity Stones."

    His stomach churned. "And... what exactly are these stones?"

    Vision''s voice remained as composed as ever. "Mr. Uzumaki-Namikaze, what you now possess are six of the most powerful artifacts in existence. Each of these stones governs a fundamental aspect of reality¡ªspace, time, power, the mind, the soul, and reality itself. Think of them as distinct jutsu, each capable of bending the universe to its will. Individually, they are formidable. Together... they become nearly unstoppable."

    Naruto''s mouth went dry. He struggled to wrap his mind around what he was hearing. If these stones were so powerful, why was he still alive? Wouldn''t they have torn him apart the moment they merged with him? No human should be able to withstand such immense power.

    As if reading his thoughts, Vision continued, "Very astute, Mr.¡ª"

    "Don''t call me ''Mister''!" Naruto snapped, making the nearby birds scatter into the sky. "My name''s Naruto."

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    A brief pause. Then, "Very well, Naruto."

    Despite the polite tone, something about Vision''s refined mannerisms made Naruto grumble. He crossed his arms. "And why am I still alive?"

    "I have analyzed the situation thoroughly. The most logical conclusion is that the Infinity Stones'' power weakened significantly when they were pulled from their original universe. The laws of this world operate on different principles, restricting their full capabilities."

    Naruto''s stomach dropped. "So... they''ll lose their power over time?"

    He clenched his fists. He had just gotten this incredible gift¡ªthis once-in-a-lifetime chance to change his fate. And now it might just slip away?

    "Fortunately, no," Vision reassured him. Naruto perked up instantly. "The stones have stabilized since merging with your body. I can sense an active connection to each one, as if they still retain a tether to their original reality."

    Naruto''s eyes widened. "So that means... I can use them?"

    "That is correct."

    A slow grin spread across his face. His heart pounded with excitement as he pumped his fist into the air. "That''s awesome, dattebayo! I''m gonna be the strongest ninja ever¡ªjust watch!"

    But before he could celebrate further, Vision''s tone turned somber. "A word of caution, Naruto. These stones are not mere tools or weapons. They are the very fabric of existence itself. Even the strongest beings have fallen to their temptation. You are their wielder now, but you must decide what kind of man you will be. Will you use them to protect... or will they consume you?"

    Naruto''s enthusiasm dimmed slightly at the weight of the warning. He took a deep breath and nodded, his expression turning serious.

    "Don''t worry, Vision. I just... I want to prove to everyone that I''m not as useless as they think I am. I want to protect my village... and one day, I''m gonna be hokage."

    For the first time, Vision''s voice carried something that almost sounded like approval.

    "A noble ambition. Then let us begin."

    ??????????????

    Naruto basked under the golden summer sun, reveling in the warmth that spread across his skin. A contented sigh escaped his lips as he stretched out on the soft grass, arms folded behind his head. He couldn''t help but grin. For the first time in his life, he felt truly special. He had been given an opportunity that no one else in the shinobi world had, and he wasn''t about to squander it.

    He imagined himself standing tall, the Hokage''s hat perched proudly on his head, villagers cheering his name. He would be a better hokage than his father¡ªstronger, wiser, and beloved by all. But just as he was lost in his daydream, a loud, gurgling protest from his stomach pulled him back to reality.

    Naruto''s eyes popped open, and panic set in. He bolted upright, scanning the clearing before his gaze landed on his clothes drying under the sun.

    Namori''s going to kill me! His blood ran cold. I didn''t go home last night! I missed dinner and breakfast! She must be worried sick!

    Without wasting another second, Naruto hastily yanked on his semi-damp clothes, shoved his feet into his shoes, and bolted through the forest at speeds he never thought possible. He weaved effortlessly between trees, his surroundings blurring past him.

    How the hell am I this fast?

    "Simple, Naruto," Vision''s voice chimed in smoothly. "Your body has undergone significant enhancement to accommodate the power of the Infinity Stones. You''re stronger, faster, and more perceptive than you were yesterday."

    Naruto let out a breathless chuckle as he leaped over a fallen log without breaking stride. "That... makes sense," he muttered, bursting out of the tree line and into the bustling streets of Konoha.

    The village was alive with its usual midday commotion. Vendors called out their wares, children darted through the streets, and shinobi moved with purpose. Naruto maneuvered through the crowds, taking back alleys to avoid too much attention. The last thing he needed was someone questioning why he had been gone all night.

    Soon, the massive gates of the Namikaze-Uzumaki compound loomed ahead. His family''s estate was a grand fusion of the two clans¡ªa testament to the unity forged between them after his mother and father married. The Namikaze, hailing from the Fire Capital, had settled in Konoha, while the remaining survivors of Uzushiogakure had been gathered by Kushina Uzumaki herself. Over the years, their numbers had flourished, swelling to over three hundred members. Two-thirds were Namikaze, and the rest bore the Uzumaki name.

    "Just a warning," Vision quipped, amusement laced in his tone. "You should refrain from speaking out loud when addressing me. Your fellow clansmen may believe you to be... mentally unstable."

    Naruto flushed, his steps faltering slightly. "Oh, great idea. As if they don''t already see me as a disgrace." His voice dropped as his shoulders sagged. "I don''t need to give them any more reasons to look down on me."

    A moment of silence stretched between them before Vision spoke again, his tone more measured. "Another thing¡ªI will place an illusion over the Infinity Stones and your golden arm. Until you are strong enough to defend yourself, it is best to keep them hidden. Many would seek to claim their power."

    The Reality Stone flared to life, casting a faint crimson glow that washed over Naruto''s arm. The transformation was seamless¡ªhis golden limb shifted back into the appearance of normal flesh, and the Mind Stone on his forehead vanished from sight.

    Naruto flexed his fingers, marveling at the illusion. "Thanks, Vision. For everything."

    "No need to thank me. We are in this together."

    Just as Naruto reached the compound gates, a piercing voice shattered the midday calm.

    "Naruto! Where have you been, young man?!"

    The sheer force of the yell nearly knocked Naruto off his feet. He skidded to a stop, kicking up dirt and dust before he came face-to-face with an irate Namori.

    The elderly woman''s long crimson hair billowed behind her, mirroring her fiery temper. Her sharp brown eyes locked onto him like a hawk zeroing in on prey. Deep wrinkles lined her face, but they did nothing to soften the sheer force of her fury. Worse still, in her right hand, she brandished a cast-iron frying pan like a weapon of mass destruction.

    Naruto gulped. I''m dead.

    The two Namikaze guards stationed at the gate barely concealed their smirks, undoubtedly relishing the show about to unfold. To them, Naruto was a disgrace¡ªa black mark on the esteemed Namikaze-Uzumaki clan. Seeing him get scolded was a form of entertainment.

    Before Naruto could even consider making a break for it, golden chains shot from Namori''s back, wrapping around him like iron shackles.

    "W-Wait, Namori-obaasan! I can explain¡ª"

    "Oh, I know you can explain, brat. And you''re going to explain while helping me peel potatoes for dinner!"

    As she dragged him toward the compound, Naruto could only send one last desperate plea through their mental link.

    Vision... help...

    "I''m afraid you are on your own for this one, Naruto. Best of luck."

    Traitor.

 Chapter 2

    Late in the evening, Naruto collapsed onto his futon, utterly exhausted. A dull ache throbbed through his skull¡ªa lingering reminder of Namori''s wrath, delivered via her infamous frying pan. She had been livid, to say the least. After an earful of scolding that could have made even the Hokage flinch, she had worked him to the bone as punishment. He never wanted to see another potato again as long as he lived.

    With a reluctant groan, Naruto rolled onto his side, staring at the cluttered chaos of his bedroom. Discarded clothing, crumpled scrolls, and dog-eared manga books were strewn haphazardly across the floor. His study desk, positioned near the bedroom door, was buried under empty ramen cups and stacks of untouched books. The closet stood half-open, its contents¡ªa mountain of clothes¡ªspilling out in a hopeless mess. Namori had long since given up on nagging him to keep his space tidy. After years of futile lectures, she had simply thrown up her hands and let him suffer the consequences of his habits.

    Yawning, Naruto peeled off his day-worn clothes, tugged on his pajamas, and all but collapsed back onto his futon. The moonlight filtered through the rice-paper doors, casting a soft, ethereal glow across his room. Shadows danced along the walls as the occasional guard passed by on patrol. One might assume his flimsy doors offered little security, but intricate f¨±injutsu seals were carefully woven into the wood, rendering them nearly impenetrable.

    Naruto turned onto his back, waiting for sleep to claim him, but his mind refused to quiet. Too many thoughts churned restlessly, each question circling in his brain like a pack of wild dogs.

    "Vision? You awake?" he asked, rubbing at his tired eyes.

    "I do not require sleep, Naruto," Vision replied smoothly. "When I am not needed, I enter a standby mode until I am summoned."

    "Oh, okay," Naruto mumbled, fingers absently tracing over the cool surface of the Power Stone embedded in his metallic-like skin. A strange, invigorating energy buzzed faintly beneath his fingertips. "I wanted to know more about these stones. What can they do exactly?"

    "The blue stone, or Space Stone, governs movement across dimensions, allowing its user to teleport instantly and manipulate the fabric of space itself," Vision explained. "With training, you could open portals anywhere or even bend distance so an enemy''s attack never reaches you."

    Naruto''s eyes widened, and he bolted upright, suddenly wide awake. His gaze darted toward a well-worn manga lying beside him¡ªhis beloved copy of Jujutsu Kaisen. With an eager grin, he snatched it up and pointed to the cover. "Wait, so you''re saying I could be just like Gojo?!"

    Vision was silent for a moment, and Naruto felt a peculiar sensation as if a ripple of water had washed over his brain. Then came the reply: "Yes, possibly. With modifications."

    Naruto blinked. "Modifications?"

    "We will discuss that later," Vision said, neatly sidestepping the topic. "For now, let us continue. The green stone, known as the Time Stone, grants control over time itself¡ªrewinding, pausing, accelerating, or even glimpsing into the past or future. However, time is delicate. Use it recklessly, and the consequences may be irreversible."

    Naruto shivered at the warning. Messing with time? Yeah, that sounded like a disaster waiting to happen. He made a mental note to be extra careful with that one.

    "Next, we have the purple stone, the Power Stone," Vision continued. "This gem vastly enhances physical strength and chakra reserves. With it, you could destroy mountains with a mere flick of your wrist. However, power without control leads only to chaos."

    Naruto scoffed. "Pfft. I doubt I''m at ''mountain-smashing'' levels, especially since the stones aren''t at full power anymore." Still, even a weakened version of the Power Stone was nothing to sneeze at.

    "The fourth gem," Vision went on, "is the Reality Stone. The most deceptive of them all. It bends reality to your will¡ªcreating illusions that become truth, turning enemies into stone, or reshaping the very world around you. Be wary, Naruto. Power like this has tempted even the strongest minds."

    Naruto stared at his hand, deep in thought. Bending reality to my will... The possibilities were endless, but the potential dangers were just as vast. He would have to tread carefully with that one.

    "As I mentioned earlier, Naruto," Vision added, his tone shifting slightly, "since I have integrated into your body, I have been able to analyze your blood. I discovered several mutations that have been activated because of your fusion with the Gauntlet."

    Naruto stiffened. "Mutations?"

    Vision''s response was calm, yet deliberate. "You know them as Kekkei Genkai."

    Naruto''s breath caught in his throat. Kekkei Genkai? His heart pounded at the revelation. What did that mean for him? What abilities had awakened?

    Naruto whispered, "Really? Like what?" His heart pounded against his ribs, excitement buzzing beneath his skin.

    Since he could remember, pouty princess extraordinaire¡ªaka Sasuke Uchiha¡ªhad always boasted about his inevitable awakening of the Sharingan. The smug bastard made it his life''s mission to remind everyone of his so-called superiority, strutting around like he was Kami''s gift to Shinobi. It was infuriating. Naruto had wanted to pummel him into the ground countless times, but unfortunately, Sasuke always won their fights, leaving Naruto grumbling in frustration.

    "Well, from your memory archive and blood analysis, you have awakened several Kekkei Genkai. One remains dormant but needs a push to awaken."

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    Vision was killing him with suspense. "What are they?!" Naruto practically yelled.

    His eyes widened as his brain caught up with his mouth. He slapped both hands over his lips and froze, ears straining for any sounds outside. After a long, tense moment, he exhaled in relief. No one had heard him. How could they? His room had been moved to the far west wing of the compound¡ªout of sight, out of mind¡ªfar away from his family and anyone remotely important.

    "Patience, Naruto. You have awakened the Mokuton, as it is called¡ª"

    "What?!" Naruto whisper-yelled, biting down on his comforter to muffle his shock. "That''s like the First Hokage''s power!"

    It wasn''t the fact that he was a Senju that surprised him¡ªeveryone knew Tsunade Senju was his grandmother. But she, along with the rest of the remaining Senju, hadn''t been able to manifest Mokuton. Yet somehow, he had?

    "Yes, and you also seem to have awakened your Sharingan¡ª"

    "No way!" Naruto punched the air, a wide grin splitting his face. "Take that, duck-butt!"

    The fact that he had Uchiha blood was also common knowledge. The Namikaze were distant cousins of the Uchiha, their bond dating back to the Warring States era. While the Namikaze weren''t a combat-oriented clan, they had been wealthy merchants who funded the Uchiha in their battles. His great-great-grandmother had been a Uchiha, one who never awakened her Sharingan, and had been allowed to marry into the Namikaze clan as part of a political alliance. Since then, other Uchiha have also merged into the Namikaze bloodline.

    Still, to his knowledge, no Namikaze had ever activated their Sharingan.

    "Naruto," Vision''s voice held a faint trace of exasperation beneath its usual neutrality. "Please calm down. You''re getting ahead of yourself. With your current lack¡ªor near lack¡ªof chakra control, the possibility of successfully using your Sharingan is nearly impossible."

    Naruto''s grin faltered, shoulders slumping. "Thanks, Vision. You really know how to wreck a guy''s parade, huh?"

    "I''m not trying to discourage you," Vision corrected, "but you need to be realistic. If you wish to use these abilities, you must dedicate yourself to mastering them first. There are no shortcuts in life."

    Naruto groaned, running a hand through his hair. As much as he hated to admit it, Vision had a point. He couldn''t just flip a switch and master Mokuton or the Sharingan overnight. He needed training¡ªa lot of it. But at least he had someone to guide him now.

    Then, an idea struck him. He perked up. "Hey, Vision, earlier you mentioned altering my body to use a technique similar to the Six Eyes and Limitless. Can you do the same thing with the Sharingan?"

    Silence.

    Naruto swallowed, feeling a bead of sweat roll down his temple.

    It would be beyond cool if he had his own unique d¨­jutsu¡ªsomething beyond the regular Sharingan. He had never been one to settle for the ordinary, and the idea of having a power that no other Namikaze had ever unlocked? Priceless. He could already picture the looks on Menma and Mito''s faces when they realized he had the Sharingan, not Sasuke.

    An evil grin spread across his face as he rubbed his hands together. Now, all he needed was a cat to stroke while he cackled like a true villain.

    "Naruto? Can you postpone your cat hunting and villainous laughter for later?" Vision deadpanned. "I have analyzed your request, and it is indeed possible to alter the Sharingan with the assistance of the Reality Stone. However, since the stone''s power has been weakened, I will need to augment it with the Power Stone before merging the Time and Space Stones'' energies to replicate the abilities of the Six Eyes and Limitless."

    "Sweet!" Naruto grinned.

    "However," Vision continued, "the process will take time. During this period, you will be unable to access your Sharingan until the alteration is complete. Additionally, you may experience slight discomfort in your eyes throughout the process."

    Naruto waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, I can handle a little pain."

    The excitement buzzing in his veins made him restless, but there was still one more thing bothering him.

    "Alright, Vision, go ahead with the Sharingan modifications. But before that¡ªwhat about the last two stones?"

    "Very well," Vision replied. "The fifth gem is called the Soul Stone. It is perhaps the most enigmatic of them all. It holds dominion over the essence of life itself. Some say it connects all living things, while others claim it grants power over spirits. I advise caution¡ªits influence is profound but not fully understood."

    A shiver crawled down Naruto''s spine. Spirits? "Don''t tell me I can see dead people now."

    "I have no conclusive evidence to suggest that. The Soul Stone''s power remains an enigma, even to me."

    Naruto pulled his blanket up to his chin. "Yeah, let''s not dwell on the creepy ghost stone. What''s the last one?"

    "I agree," Vision said. "The final gem is the Mind Stone. This stone amplifies mental abilities¡ªunderstanding, perception, and even telepathic communication. It is why I exist, Naruto. My consciousness is housed within it, allowing me to guide you. In time, you may even learn to sense and influence the thoughts of others."

    Naruto blinked. "That''s cool... and kind of sad." His curiosity got the better of him. He hesitated for a moment before blurting out, "Did you always live in the Mind Stone, or... were you human once?"

    Silence.

    For the first time since they started talking, Vision didn''t respond right away.

    Then, in a voice as calm as ever, he finally spoke. "I was not always within the Mind Stone, nor was I ever truly human."

    Naruto tilted his head. "Huh? Then what were you?"

    "I was... an artificial intelligence. A construct of advanced technology, given form and thought through the combined efforts of brilliant minds. I was created to assist, to learn, and, in time, to protect. Through a series of unexpected events, I gained something akin to humanity¡ªa consciousness, emotions, and even a body of my own. But I was never human in the way you are, Naruto."

    Naruto frowned. "So, you were kinda alive, but not really?"

    "In a way, yes. I was alive, but I did not live as humans do. I did not have a childhood, nor did I know hunger, fatigue, or the simple joys of everyday life. I existed to serve a purpose, and over time, I chose my own purpose. But in the end... I was destroyed. And now, I exist once more¡ªonly this time, within you."

    Naruto scratched his head. "Man... that''s kinda sad."

    Vision hummed thoughtfully. "That is one perspective. But another is that I have been granted a second chance. And so have you, Naruto. We are both more than what we once were. The question is¡ªwhat will we do with that opportunity?"

    Naruto grinned, determination burning in his eyes. "Easy! I''m gonna become the greatest Hokage ever! And you, Vision, you''re gonna be my super-awesome teacher!"

    Vision let out a small, amused hum. "Then I shall do my best, Naruto."

    And with that, the weight of the conversation lifted¡ªthough the question lingered in Naruto''s mind, tucked away for another time.

    Naruto let out a wide yawn, stretching his arms above his head before flopping back onto his futon. The warmth of his blankets wrapped around him like a cocoon, and he snuggled deeper into the mattress with a content sigh. "When will you start the alteration?" he mumbled sleepily, his voice already thick with drowsiness.

    "As soon as you fall asleep, Naruto," Vision replied, his tone as steady and patient as ever. "Rest well."

    Naruto hummed in response, his eyelids growing heavier by the second. "Thanks, Vision... and good night."

    Sleep claimed him before he could hear Vision''s quiet reply.

 Chapter 3

    In the dead of night, the full moon hung low in the star-speckled sky, casting an eerie silver glow over the sleeping forest. Silence reigned, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves as two figures darted effortlessly across the thick branches of ancient trees, heading toward the Hokage''s Tower.

    However, one of them suddenly came to a halt, landing soundlessly on a sturdy branch overlooking a clearing near a gently flowing river. His posture stiffened as he tilted his head slightly, sniffing the air.

    A faint but unmistakable scent drifted toward him.

    "Blood," the masked man murmured. Without hesitation, he changed course, leaping toward the source.

    His companion, slightly behind, skidded to a stop before dramatically throwing his arms in the air. "Kakashi! My eternal rival! What''s gotten into you all of a sudden?"

    The silver-haired shinobi exhaled heavily, already tucking a small, orange book into the pouch strapped to his back. "I smell blood nearby," Kakashi replied coolly. "I''m going to investigate."

    "Good thinking, Kakashi!" The green-spandex-clad man nodded approvingly, his enthusiasm unshaken even in the dead of night.

    Shaking his head at his friend''s boundless energy, Kakashi dropped down toward the clearing, his eyes scanning the area with practiced precision. As they reached the edge of the open space, the sight before them made both men pause.

    A massive, severed arm lay sprawled in the grass, its unnatural purple skin glistening under the moonlight. Dark, coagulated blood pooled around the limb, soaking into the earth like ink spilled from a broken vial.

    Kakashi stepped closer, crouching beside the grotesque appendage, his sharp gaze analyzing every detail. The sheer size alone was unnatural, and the strange skin color only deepened his unease. His fingers twitched toward his supply pouch.

    "What are you doing, Kakashi?" Might Guy asked, glancing warily between his friend and the dismembered limb.

    Without answering immediately, Kakashi unrolled an empty sealing scroll and spread it out next to the severed arm. "I''m sealing this. I''ve never seen anything like it... The size, the color¡ªit doesn''t even look human." His voice carried a rare note of seriousness.

    Forming a rapid series of hand signs, he ended with the ram seal and pressed his palm firmly onto the scroll''s kanji markings. "Seal."

    In an instant, a burst of chakra flared, and the massive arm warped, dissolving into a swirl of energy before vanishing completely into the scroll. Kakashi rolled the parchment back up and tucked it securely into his jacket.

    "We should check the area for more clues before reporting to Lord Third."

    Before Kakashi could take another step, a blinding white flash interrupted him as Might Guy struck a dynamic pose, teeth gleaming even under the dim moonlight. "Excellent idea, Kakashi! The first one to find a solid clue wins! Let the contest begin!"

    Before Kakashi could protest, Guy shot forward, kicking up leaves as he vanished into the forest.

    Kakashi let out a tired sigh, rubbing his temple. "Why am I friends with him again?"

    Nonetheless, he followed, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness, knowing full well that whatever had left that limb behind... was still out there.

    ??????????????

    The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat behind his massive wooden desk in the Hokage''s office, his expression one of quiet endurance. Stacks of paperwork towered on either side of him like miniature fortresses, an ever-growing testament to the endless responsibilities that came with his title. The dim glow of a nearby lantern cast flickering shadows across the room, illuminating the deep lines of age and wisdom etched into his face.

    With a weary sigh, he dipped his brush into the ink and scribbled his signature onto yet another document, barely glancing at the contents. Years of experience had turned this tedious process into muscle memory.

    A thin wisp of smoke curled lazily into the air as he brought his pipe to his lips, inhaling deeply before exhaling in a slow, contemplative breath. The familiar scent of burning tobacco mixed with the faint scent of old parchment and candle wax, filling the room with a strange sort of comfort.

    He leaned back slightly, adjusting his triangular hat, eyes flickering toward the moonlit village beyond his window. Even in the dead of night, Konoha never truly slept. The quiet hum of life outside reminded him of why he endured this never-ending paperwork, and why he shouldered the burdens of leadership.

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    Yet, as he stared at the next stack of reports, he couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwas it the threats outside the village that would one day break him... or the sheer amount of bureaucracy?

    With another sigh, he tapped his pipe against the ashtray and reached for the next scroll. The Will of Fire burned strong, but even the strongest flames could be dimmed by paperwork.

    It wasn''t as if he wanted the hat back after dedicating so many years of his life to Konoha. No, Hiruzen Sarutobi had long since resigned himself to stepping down. But Minato''s reluctance to reclaim his role as Hokage¡ªespecially after what had happened nearly ten years ago¡ªstill frustrated him.

    Instead of leading the village, Minato spent his days training his two younger children, helping them master the Nine-Tails'' chakra. He had lost himself in the lure of a prophecy, one that had convinced him that his twin children were destined for greatness. And in that obsession, he had neglected his eldest son, Naruto.

    Hiruzen exhaled deeply, wisps of smoke curling from his pipe as he thought about the boy. Naruto¡ªso much like his father in appearance, yet vastly different in spirit. Years of living in the shadows of his siblings had changed him. Hiruzen could only hope it hadn''t been for the worse.

    His musings were abruptly cut short when he sensed two familiar chakra signatures rapidly approaching. He raised a hand in a subtle signal to one of the hidden ANBU stationed in the ceiling, silently instructing them to open a window before it was inevitably broken.

    Moments later, two figures flashed into the office in a blur of movement.

    "Ha! Kakashi! I win!" Might Guy declared triumphantly, pointing at his eternal rival with the enthusiasm of a man who lived for competition.

    Kakashi, who had barely looked up from his well-worn orange book, finally turned his lazy gaze toward Guy. "Mm? Guy? Did you say something?" His tone was absentminded, as if he had just now realized his friend was even there.

    Might Guy clenched his fist and pointed dramatically. "Curse you, Kakashi, and your hip ways!"

    Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose. He was far too old to deal with this level of energy so late at night. Taking another slow puff from his pipe, he exhaled and leveled both men with a tired, expectant look.

    "Is there any reason why you two burst into my office at this hour?" His voice was calm, but the weight of long-suffering patience was unmistakable.

    Guy, ever the dramatic one, immediately struck a pose, arms crossed as he nodded solemnly. "Hokage-sama, we have made a most peculiar discovery during our nightly patrol!"

    Kakashi, as always, was far less theatrical. He simply closed his book with a quiet snap and tucked it away, before adding in his usual dry tone, "We found something unusual, Hokage-sama."

    Hiruzen exhaled again. Why did he have the feeling that this night was about to get much longer?

    Mighty Guy struck another dramatic pose, flexing an arm before pointing a thumb at Kakashi. "My rival here sniffed it out with his legendary tracking skills!"

    Kakashi sighed, "We found a severed arm, Hokage-sama," he stated simply, his tone as dry as ever. "A massive one. And it wasn''t human."

    Hiruzen''s brows furrowed, his fingers tightening slightly around his pipe. "A severed arm?" His mind immediately began cycling through possibilities. Was it some rogue summon? A failed experiment? Or something worse?

    "Yes," Kakashi continued, slipping a scroll from his flak jacket and placing it on the desk. "I sealed it here for further analysis. Its skin was purple, and the size alone suggests it belonged to something far from ordinary."

    Hiruzen reached for the scroll, his weathered fingers tracing the edge as he contemplated the implications. Something about this didn''t sit right with him.

    Mighty Guy, sensing the shift in mood, crossed his arms and nodded solemnly. "It was indeed a most curious find! And so, as guardians of Konoha, we have brought it to you, Lord Third!"

    Hiruzen exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the wooden desk. "You did well to bring this to my attention. I''ll have the researchers examine it at once. Anything else?"

    Kakashi stepped forward and produced another item¡ªa familiar pair of green goggles. The moment Hiruzen''s eyes landed on them, they widened, and without thinking, he reached for the headwear, his fingers brushing against the worn plastic.

    "Where did you find this?" he asked, his voice steady but edged with something unreadable.

    "At the edge of the river, in the same clearing," Kakashi replied, his visible eye narrowing in thought. "I''ve seen these before, but I can''t quite place who they belong to."

    Hiruzen''s face darkened as he studied the goggles, his grip tightening for a fraction of a second. Another fool who''s turned his back on Naruto.

    Kakashi, just like his sensei, spent all his time training and doting on Menma and Mito¡ªbut Naruto? The boy who should have been like a younger brother to him? Left in the shadows, forgotten.

    "Lord Third, is everything all right?" Kakashi''s voice broke the heavy silence. "Do you know who these belong to?"

    Hiruzen took another deliberate pull from his pipe, letting the smoke sit in his lungs before exhaling slowly. His eyes flicked toward the shinobi standing before him as he placed the goggles down on the desk beside him.

    "Yes, I do," he said, his voice grave. "Tomorrow morning, we''ll visit him. Until then, I want the two of you to keep this quiet. The last thing we need is unnecessary panic spreading through the village."

    Kakashi gave a sharp nod. "Understood, Hokage-sama."

    Might Guy grinned and threw up a dramatic thumbs-up, his teeth flashing even in the dim light. "Fear not! We shall remain as silent as the night itself!"

    Hiruzen resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose. He merely gave a weary nod. "Good. You''re both dismissed."

    With a synchronized bow, the two vanished in a blur of movement, leaving behind only the faint trace of Kakashi''s subtle cologne and the lingering energy of Guy''s boundless enthusiasm.

    Now alone, Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his tired gaze fixed on the scroll and the goggles lying before him. As if he didn''t already have enough to deal with¡ªnow Naruto''s possible involvement in this strange discovery weighed on his mind.

    Why didn''t he come to me?

    The thought settled heavily in his chest, but there was no easy answer.

    Taking another slow pull from his pipe, he exhaled, watching the smoke curl toward the ceiling.

    Something was coming. He could feel it in his bones.

 Chapter 4

    Naruto woke with a start, his eyes burning fiercely as if flames had been ignited behind them. He winced, blinking rapidly, but the effort only intensified the discomfort. A heavy fog clouded his vision, making everything around him blur together in a mess of indistinct shapes and shifting shadows.

    Groaning, he stumbled out of bed, his legs sluggish and unsteady beneath him. With one hand gripping the doorframe for balance, he half-blindly went to the bathroom. The cold tile sent a jolt up his spine as he leaned over the sink, twisting the faucet handle with clumsy fingers.

    A rush of icy water splashed against his face, the chill biting at his skin and momentarily dulling the relentless sting in his eyes. He exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of the counter. Was this the pain Vision warned me about? he wondered, squeezing his eyes shut before slowly cracking them open again.

    His blurred reflection finally swam into focus. Bloodshot and puffy eyes stared back at him, ringed by dark circles that made him look even more exhausted than he felt. His usually bright blue irises seemed dull, overshadowed by the irritation swelling around them.

    "How long is this gonna last?" he muttered, his voice rough from sleep and frustration. He reached for a towel hanging by the vanity and pressed it against his face, wincing as the fabric brushed over the sensitive skin beneath his eyes.

    "A week at most," Vision''s smooth, detached voice answered, his tone as composed as ever. "Until your eyes fully adjust to the alterations."

    Naruto groaned, rubbing the towel against his forehead before tossing it onto the counter.

    "I suggest asking Namori for some eyedrops to alleviate the discomfort," Vision continued.

    Naruto grumbled something unintelligible but nodded. His fingers twitched with the urge to rub his eyes raw, but he resisted. The burning itch was unbearable¡ªlike a thousand tiny needles pricking beneath his eyelids¡ªbut he knew scratching at them would only make it worse.

    With a frustrated sigh, he trudged back into his room, every step slow and heavy. The dim lighting still felt too bright, making his head throb in protest. His gaze drifted toward his desk, where he began rummaging through the drawers, pushing aside papers, pens, and the odd crumpled note until his fingers finally brushed against something familiar.

    A pair of sunglasses.

    He pulled them out and examined them¡ªold, scratched, a little bent at the frame, but still wearable. Good enough. With a tired huff, he slid them onto his face, sighing in relief as the tinted lenses dulled the sharp sting of the light. The soft darkness behind them was a welcome reprieve.

    For now, this would have to do.

    A soft knock at the rice-paper door drew Naruto''s attention. He blinked, momentarily distracted from his lingering eye irritation, and shuffled over, sliding the door open with a practiced hand.

    Standing before him was Namori, a tray of steaming breakfast balanced expertly in her hands. Her sharp gaze swept over the chaotic mess of his room, and she clicked her tongue in disapproval. Without a word, she stepped inside, her movements brisk and efficient as she made a beeline for the small wooden table at the center of the room. With a soft thud, she set the tray down, crossing her arms as she turned to face him.

    "Young man!" Namori''s voice was firm, carrying the no-nonsense authority of someone well-accustomed to obedience. "You are staying in this room until you clean up this filth."

    Naruto opened his mouth to protest, but the sharp glint in her eyes made his words die in his throat. He swallowed hard, quickly reassessing his life choices.

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    "No arguing," Namori continued, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You have three hours after you eat to get this room spotless. If it''s not done by then, you''ll be helping the other servants wash the clan''s dirty laundry."

    Naruto''s stomach churned at the thought. Laundry duty? The mere idea of scrubbing clothes for the people who treated him like dirt made his skin crawl. He could already picture himself hunched over a washbasin, wringing out the damp, stained fabric while smug clan members walked past, enjoying the sight of him being put to work.

    Yeah, no. Not happening.

    With a stiff nod, he silently accepted his fate.

    Namori gave a satisfied hmph before turning on her heel. She reached the doorway, pausing just before sliding the door shut behind her.

    "Remember, Naruto. Three hours," she reminded him, her voice carrying a quiet warning. And with that, the door snapped shut with a decisive clack.

    Naruto exhaled heavily before his stomach reminded him of the more pressing matter at hand. He all but lunged for the tray, scarfing down his breakfast like a starving man. In record time, he inhaled the last bite, wiped his mouth on his sleeve, and tossed the used napkin into the wastebasket beside his desk.

    "Hey, Vision?" he called out, eyeing the disaster zone that was his bedroom. "Can''t I just use the Reality Stone to, y''know, poof my room clean?"

    "No," Vision answered immediately, his voice as calm and unyielding as ever. "You need to learn to clean up after yourself. As I''ve told you before, there are no shortcuts in life. Now, hop to it."

    Naruto groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You''re mean, you know that?"

    A soft chuckle hummed through the air, but Vision offered no sympathy.

    Resigned to his fate, Naruto let out one final dramatic sigh before rolling up his sleeves and diving into the grueling task of cleaning his pigsty of a room. Three hours. He could do this. Probably.

    ??????????????

    After three grueling hours and countless tantrums, Naruto finally managed to clean his room. He collapsed onto the tatami mat with a dramatic huff, limbs sprawled out like a puppet with its strings cut. His body ached from the unexpected labor, and the lack of sleep from the night before was catching up to him fast. His eyelids grew heavy, and just as he was about to give in to the temptation of a well-earned nap, the door creaked open.

    His self-appointed blackmailer had arrived for inspection.

    Namori''s sharp, critical eyes swept across the room, scanning every corner with military precision. She took her time, ensuring not a single speck of dust remained. Finally, her gaze landed on Naruto, and for the first time since she walked in, her expression softened.

    Without a word, she knelt beside him, her fingers reaching out to ruffle his unruly blond hair with an affectionate touch. A small smile tugged at her lips.

    "Thank you, Naruto," she murmured. "I know you hate cleaning, but living in a clean environment leads to healthy habits."

    Naruto groaned dramatically, stretching his arms over his head with a whine. "Yeah, yeah." He shot her a playful side-eye. "I don''t get why I have to clean my room when the prince and princess get servants at their beck and call."

    Namori let out a deep sigh, settling down beside him. She gave him a knowing look, her expression tinged with something unreadable.

    "It''s unfair," she admitted, her voice low and honest. "There''s no denying that. But don''t let their preferential treatment poison your outlook on life. You''re learning to be independent while your younger siblings remain as useless as a blunt kunai."

    Naruto snorted, a grin pulling at his lips despite himself. Namori always knew just what to say. She was the only one who truly saw him, the only person in this entire compound who made him feel like he mattered.

    When his family ignored him, when his name was little more than an afterthought, it was Namori who listened. It was Namori who let him vent, who gave him advice, who reminded him¡ªno matter what¡ªthat he wasn''t alone. He loved her more than he could ever express. More than he loved his entire family combined.

    He didn''t even want to imagine where he''d be without her.

    But the warmth of the moment shattered like glass at the sound of someone clearing their throat.

    A new presence stood in the doorway, stiff and unwelcome.

    Naruto''s stomach churned as he looked up at the elder. An old man, with graying blond hair and cold brown eyes, loomed over them in a pristine red kimono, the Namikaze crest embroidered on his chest. His gaze was as sharp as a blade, cutting into Naruto with the same contempt as every other elder in his forsaken clan.

    "Boy," the elder spat, his voice thick with disdain. "Your presence is required in the council chamber."

    His eyes flicked to Namori, as if she were beneath his notice. "Uzumaki Namori, escort the boy and make sure he behaves. Lord Third has requested his presence."

    The air in the room turned heavy.

    Naruto''s jaw clenched, fingers twitching at his sides. He didn''t know what pissed him off more¡ªthe way the elder refused to say his name or the way Namori was ordered around like a servant.

    Either way, he already knew this meeting wasn''t going to be anything good.

 Chapter 5

    Naruto and Namori walked along the wooden patio toward the council chambers, located on the northern side of the massive Namikaze compound. The faint creak of the floorboards beneath their feet was drowned out by the murmurs and hushed whispers of the passing clansmen.

    Sneers. Snickers. The occasional pointed glance followed by a condescending smirk.

    Naruto grit his teeth, his fists clenching at his sides. He could hear their taunts even when they thought they were being subtle. Every insult, every hushed joke at his expense only fueled the fire of hatred burning inside him. He hated this clan. He hated every second he spent trapped in it.

    Just a little longer, he reminded himself. Once I turn fourteen and graduate, I''m leaving this rotten place for good.

    The Namikaze-Uzumaki or Uzukaze clan for short had become insufferable over the years, especially after helping his parents seal the Nine-Tails. They never let anyone forget their so-called heroic role that night. If it weren''t for them, his mother and father would have died¡ªbut that was years ago. Yet they still clung to the past, boasting about their accomplishments as if they were gods walking among mortals.

    "Don''t dwell on these thoughts, Naruto," Vision''s calm voice resonated in his mind, smooth and composed. "Humans, no matter which universe they hail from, are creatures of hubris by nature. Those truly worthy of praise are the ones who seek to remain humble despite their heroic exploits."

    Naruto scowled. Yeah, well, he grumbled internally, carefully schooling his expression of indifference. He couldn''t afford anyone suspecting Vision''s existence¡ªor the Infinity Stones.

    If they keep acting like this, they''re gonna end up just like the Uchiha.

    His thoughts drifted back to that night five years ago.

    When he was four years old, Itachi Uchiha massacred his clan, sparing only the children, his mother, and his little brother, Sasuke. From then on, Sasuke had become a brooding storm of vengeance, his arrogance reaching unbearable heights. The only person who could match his smug attitude was Naruto''s younger brother, Menma.

    Mikoto Uchiha had stepped up as the clan''s temporary leader, taking the orphaned Uchiha children under her wing. But Naruto could see the strain in her eyes whenever she looked at Sasuke¡ªthe son who refused to be saved from his darkness.

    A firm squeeze on his shoulder jolted Naruto from his thoughts.

    They had arrived.

    Towering before them were two massive golden doors, each adorned with the Uzumaki and Namikaze crests, their symbols etched into the polished surface like a mark of divine authority. Two guards stood at attention on either side, their cold, scrutinizing gazes locked onto the pair.

    "State your business," Dumbass Guard #1 barked.

    Namori dipped into a respectful bow. Naruto didn''t. He refused to give them the satisfaction.

    "We''re here at the behest of Elder Rion," Namori stated smoothly.

    Dumbass Guard #2 scoffed, unimpressed. With a slow, deliberate motion, he reached for the heavy doors, but not before sneering at Naruto with thinly veiled contempt.

    "You''re lucky you have an appointment," he sneered. "Otherwise, we''d have shown you the way to the nearest trash heap¡ªthe perfect place for a disappointment like you."

    Naruto''s gaze darkened, but he refused to look away. He met the guard''s glare head-on, his expression cold, unflinching.

    Just a little longer, he reminded himself again.

    Just a little longer, and he''d be free.

    ??????????????

    Naruto sat cross-legged on a small cushion before a raised dais, where five clan elders loomed over him, their eyes sharp with disdain. He had long since stopped wondering why they hated him¡ªthere was never an actual reason. Sure, he wasn''t one of the so-called prophesied children destined to save the world, but that hardly seemed like a valid excuse to treat him like an outsider. As the eldest of the triplets, he should have been the natural successor, trained to take on the role of clan head. Yet that had never happened.

    Instead, he had been ignored, cast aside, and left to fend for himself.

    Naruto glared at the polished wooden floor, refusing to meet their judgmental stares. As far as he knew, he hadn''t done anything wrong recently. His only goal was to grow stronger, even if it meant training on his own. So why, exactly, had they summoned him here?

    The soft creak of a door opening to his right drew his attention. He tensed as the Hokage entered the chamber, flanked by two shinobi. Naruto''s eyes immediately narrowed when he recognized them.

    One was none other than Hatake Kakashi, the one-eyed bootlicker who always had his nose buried in that damn perverted book. The man had practically adopted his younger siblings, training them, guiding them¡ªtreating them as though they were his little brother and sister. And Naruto? He might as well have been a ghost.

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    But it was another person who made Naruto''s blood boil.

    Jiraiya, the author of those perverted books.

    The toad-humper. The so-called "great" Sannin. His godfather. A man who had waltzed into his life only to ruin it before disappearing again, treating Naruto like he was nothing more than dirt beneath his geta.

    Naruto''s gaze briefly flickered to the second member of their group¡ªa spandex-clad man he didn''t recognize. Not that it mattered. He had no intention of remembering him.

    "Lord Third," came a voice from the dais. Naruto''s uncle, Hando, inclined his head respectfully, acknowledging the village leader.

    Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, taking his seat with the ease of a man used to the weight of leadership. "Good to see you again, Hando. How''s your son doing?"

    Naruto barely kept himself from scoffing. Oh, sure, let''s make small talk while I sit here wondering why the hell I was even called.

    The old man settled in, his two Jonin taking seats beside him as a group of servants entered the chamber. A desk was set before them, and steaming cups of tea were placed before the honored guests¡ªyet Naruto received nothing. His mouth felt dry, but he swallowed his discomfort.

    Hando adjusted his reading glasses before answering. "Oh, Conan is doing great. He recently reached the fifth level of F¨±injutsu. No doubt he''ll become a seal master in a few years."

    Naruto''s fingers clenched into fists. Another privilege denied to me.

    The clan''s library was restricted, its treasures locked behind layers of bureaucratic nonsense. To gain access, one needed permission from the elders. Unsurprisingly, Naruto had never received that privilege. In their eyes, he was a disgrace to the clan¡ªnot worthy of their teachings.

    "Do not fret, Naruto," came a calm voice in his mind. "There is a way to access the library without their knowledge."

    Naruto''s eyes widened slightly before he forced his expression into neutrality. "You mean... we sneak in?" he thought, communicating through their mental link.

    "Correct."

    His shoulders sagged. "That''s impossible. The library is warded with the best F¨±injutsu seals. There''s no way we can sneak in."

    "With the power of the Infinity Stones, there is no obstacle we cannot breach¡ª"

    "Insolent boy!"

    The sudden outburst jolted Naruto from his conversation with Vision. His gaze snapped upward just in time to see his uncle''s face turning an alarming shade of red, veins practically bulging from his forehead.

    "When I address you," Hando seethed, his voice trembling with fury, "I expect you to respond! Not sit there daydreaming about whatever idiotic nonsense is rattling around in that head of yours!"

    Naruto slowly lifted his gaze, his jaw tightening.

    Oh, he was so sick of this.

    "And do you think for one moment in your pathetic life that I give a fuck what you have to say?" Naruto hissed, his voice laced with venom.

    The entire chamber fell into stunned silence. Wide eyes, gaping mouths¡ªno one had expected him to bite back, let alone with such raw contempt.

    "You''re all just as arrogant as the Uchiha," Naruto continued, his gaze sweeping over the elders, "and look what happened to them."

    Hando''s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Is that a threat, boy?"

    Naruto met his uncle''s glare head-on, completely unfazed. "No. Just an observation," he said coolly. "An over-bloated ego usually gets someone killed. Maybe try practicing a little humility¡ªit might just save your ass."

    Hando''s face twisted with fury as he slammed his fist onto the desk in front of him, the sharp crack of impact echoing through the room.

    "Be careful, boy," he growled. "The only reason you haven''t been cast out of this clan is because you''re the son of our leaders. But even that won''t save you if you don''t learn your place."

    Naruto tilted his head slightly, eyes narrowing. "And that is?"

    Hando smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes.

    "In the shadows, where no one has to see your worthlessness. Maybe, if you manage to scrape by in the Academy, they''ll train you just enough to make you useful to the village. Then you can fade into obscurity¡ªlive out your meager existence as a mediocre Ch¨±nin stationed at some distant outpost, far away from anyone who actually matters."

    "Enough!"

    The Hokage''s voice rang through the room, sharp with authority.

    "Hando," Hiruzen said, his eyes hard as steel, "there is no reason for you to treat Naruto this way. What''s gotten into you?"

    Hando blanched, clearly unprepared for the Hokage to defend the boy. Naruto, however, felt the smallest flicker of gratitude for the old man''s intervention.

    "What''s gotten into me?" Hando echoed, his voice filled with indignation. "He''s been a disgrace to this clan! Dragging our name through the mud with his childish pranks and those ridiculous challenges¡ªall of which have ended in his defeat!"

    Naruto''s fists clenched. "And whose fault is that?" he shot back, his voice sharp with barely restrained anger. His gaze swept over his uncle and the other elders. "I''ve asked¡ªrepeatedly¡ªfor training. Like the other clan children get. Like my siblings get. But you all denied me that chance! You told me the Academy would train me instead. And now you have the nerve to blame me for falling behind? You''re all hypocrites!" He glared at them, voice unwavering. "What are you so afraid of?"

    Hando scoffed. "Afraid?" He leaned back, arms crossed. "We''re not afraid of anything. We already tested your potential in the past and found you severely lacking. You''re simple-minded. Your chakra reserves are below average, your chakra coils are underdeveloped, you lack discipline, and you''re too hotheaded to stay calm.

    "In simple terms¡ªsince I doubt you''d understand anything more complex¡ªyou''re an utter failure."

    The smirk that curled Hando''s lips was pure malice.

    "Teaching you would be a waste of our time. Even your parents realized this¡ªwhy do you think they never trained you themselves?"

    Naruto''s breath hitched.

    It was like a kunai straight through his heart.

    The world around him dimmed. The sounds of the room¡ªfading, distant. His nails dug into his palms, his whole body trembling.

    Was he right? Am I... a failure?

    "You are not a failure, Naruto." Vision''s voice cut through the haze, calm but firm. "They<i style="font-weight: bold"> underestimated you. And they still are. It will be their loss when you show them what you''re truly capable of."</i>

    Naruto swallowed thickly. "Thanks, Vision." His voice barely came out as a whisper.

    A warm hand on his shoulder brought him back to reality.

    Naruto blinked, his unfocused gaze landing on the Hokage.

    Hiruzen was watching him, concern etched deep into the lines of his aged face.

 Chapter 6

    When Naruto finally came back to his senses, the council room was empty¡ªsave for the Hokage and his accompanying J¨­nin. The heavy silence pressed down on him, making the air feel thick, and suffocating. He kept his gaze fixed on the polished wooden floor, unwilling to let them see the tears clinging to his lashes.

    He sniffed sharply and wiped his face with the sleeve of his worn-out jacket. The lingering sting of his uncle¡¯s words echoed in his mind, but he shoved them down, burying them under the usual wall of indifference.

    Suddenly, the scent of tobacco and fresh mint filled his nose, signaling the presence of the old man before Naruto even heard the soft thud of a chair being placed in front of him. A shadow cast over him, and despite the fear twisting in his gut, he remained still.

    The Hokage groaned slightly as he lowered himself into the chair, the weight of his years evident in the movement.

    ¡°Naruto.¡±

    The warmth of a wrinkled hand settled gently on his shoulder.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry your uncle spoke to you that way.¡± Hiruzen¡¯s voice was steady, but Naruto could hear the regret laced in it. ¡°I had no idea the clan¡¯s animosity toward you had reached this point. Are you alright, young man?¡±

    Naruto clenched his fists in his lap, willing his emotions into submission. He shook his head, pushing aside the intrusive thoughts, before meeting the old man¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Naruto said, forcing his voice to sound even. ¡°This is nothing new. But...¡± He hesitated for a second. ¡°It¡¯s the first time he¡¯s said those things to my face.¡± A hollow chuckle escaped him. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, though. I¡¯m used to it.¡±

    He forced a grin, one he¡¯d spent years perfecting. It was the same bright, carefree smile he always wore when pretending nothing could touch him. But he wasn¡¯t fooling anyone in the room.

    Might Guy, usually a beacon of enthusiasm, wore an uncharacteristically somber expression. Kakashi, however, was as unreadable as ever¡ªhis single visible eye locked on the pages of his perverted book.

    I swear, a woman could walk past him butt-naked, and he wouldn¡¯t even flinch, Naruto thought dryly.

    Still, the warmth of the Hokage¡¯s hand lingered, grounding him.

    ¡°It¡¯s not fair to you, being treated this way for nothing,¡± the old man said, giving Naruto¡¯s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. ¡°Every person in this world has talent, no matter how small. Looking down on others for the sake of reputation speaks volumes about a person¡¯s character. Do not take your uncle¡¯s words to heart, Naruto.¡±

    The Hokage¡¯s gaze softened, his voice filled with quiet conviction.

    ¡°I have faith that when you enter the Academy, you will grow into a strong shinobi.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s chest tightened at the words. A younger, more na?ve version of himself would have clung to them like a lifeline. But he wasn¡¯t that kid anymore. He wasn¡¯t stupid, no matter how many people thought otherwise.

    And now, with the Mind Stone augmenting his intelligence, he could see it¡ªsee the old man¡¯s words for what they were. Encouragement, yes. But did the Hokage truly believe what he was saying?

    Naruto doubted it.

    He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. ¡°So,¡± he said, his voice carefully neutral. ¡°What did you want to talk about, Jiji?¡±

    Hiruzen exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair as well. His eyes, however, remained sharp and unreadable.

    ¡°Recently, we came across something... unusual. A scene that has left us baffled.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s brows furrowed slightly, but he stayed silent, waiting for the old man to continue.

    ¡°Last night, a severed arm was found in a clearing.¡±

    The words sent a shiver down Naruto¡¯s spine, but he didn¡¯t react outwardly. He kept his expression neutral, though his mind was already racing.

    ¡°The same clearing,¡± the Hokage added, reaching into his robes, ¡°where you left this behind.¡±

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    From within his sleeve, he pulled out a familiar item¡ªgreen goggles, scratched and worn from years of use.

    Naruto¡¯s breath hitched.

    Shit.

    ¡°Naruto, you need to play it off and find a plausible excuse for why you were there,¡± Vision implored. ¡°Don¡¯t deny you were there, but twist the truth. They can¡¯t know about the Infinity Stones until you¡¯ve mastered them enough to protect yourself. Otherwise, they might experiment on you or try to forcibly remove them. The stones may have weakened, but if their power were to be fully unleashed, the entire village could be wiped out.¡±

    Outwardly, Naruto kept his expression neutral, but inside, he was freaking out. He didn¡¯t want that to happen. He didn¡¯t want to be locked away and dissected like some lab rat. He had to act swiftly.

    Naruto reached over and took the goggles from the Hokage¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°Oh... yeah, those are mine. I was training at Training Ground 9, and when I finished, I rushed to the river to wash up real quickly. Must¡¯ve taken my goggles off and left them there. Heh... guess I need to be more careful, huh?¡± He forced a sheepish chuckle, scratching the back of his neck as if embarrassed.

    The Hokage¡¯s sharp eyes studied him, scrutinizing his every move. Naruto resisted the urge to fidget, instead fiddling absently with the goggles, playing the part of the oblivious, careless child they probably thought he was.

    ¡°Good work, Naruto,¡± Vision praised. ¡°The Hokage believes you but remains skeptical. Fortunately, with my interference, he hasn¡¯t picked up on the subtle tells that indicate lying.¡±

    The old man leaned forward, his tone casual but probing. ¡°Naruto, did you see anything unusual while you were at the river?¡±

    Naruto blinked, tilting his head slightly, feigning curiosity. ¡°Like what?¡±

    ¡°Fighting? A person skulking through the forest? Perhaps an injured individual... missing an arm?¡±

    Naruto furrowed his brows, lips pressing into a confused frown. ¡°No... I didn¡¯t see anything like that. And even if I had, wouldn¡¯t I have called a ninja if I found an injured person?¡±

    The Hokage chuckled at that, ruffling Naruto¡¯s spiky blond hair in an affectionate gesture. ¡°Of course you would. I¡¯m glad to have such a law-abiding young man in the village.¡±

    Naruto grinned at the compliment, but the warm moment was quickly interrupted by Kakashi, who finally lifted his visible eye from his book.

    ¡°Why not just wash up at home?¡± he asked, his tone as lazy as ever, yet there was an edge beneath it. ¡°And why did you stay out all night? When we interviewed your babysitter¡ª¡±

    Naruto¡¯s grin faltered, quickly twisting into a glare at the word ¡°babysitter.¡±

    ¡°She told us you didn¡¯t return home until just before noon, yesterday.¡±

    Naruto let out an awkward chuckle, rubbing his arm. ¡°I... might¡¯ve fallen asleep after swimming. Woke up in the morning and realized how late it was. As for why I didn¡¯t go home...¡± His smile dimmed, shifting into something more self-deprecating. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to get yelled at for tracking mud into the house and looking like a hooligan while walking into the compound. They already think I¡¯m a disgrace to the clan. I didn¡¯t want to make things worse...¡±

    His shoulders slumped as he lowered his head slightly, letting just the right amount of defeated resignation slip into his voice.

    The Hokage sighed, patting his shoulder again. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my boy. We understand.¡± Naruto nearly flinched at the warmth in the old man¡¯s voice.

    ¡°The good news is that the Hokage believes you and doesn¡¯t suspect you¡¯d betray his trust,¡± Vision reassured him.¡°The bad news is that Kakashi Hatake doesn¡¯t believe you were entirely ignorant of what happened. He finds it unlikely that you slept so close to where a severed arm was discovered and noticed nothing. However, he has no proof to say otherwise. He will probably be watching us closely from now on.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s stomach twisted. Great. The last thing he needed was a paranoid Copy Ninja breathing down his neck.

    ??????????????

    Naruto collapsed onto his futon, both mentally and emotionally drained. He hadn¡¯t anticipated the Hokage¡¯s sudden visit¡ªor the uncomfortable line of questioning about the severed arm of Thanos lying in the middle of the clearing. It was a foolish mistake on his part. He should have burned it. Buried it. Done something. But now, thanks to his negligence, the damn Cyclops was breathing down his neck.

    ¡°I screwed up.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Naruto,¡± Vision reassured him, his voice calm as always. ¡°As long as we don¡¯t draw attention to ourselves, they have no proof that you were lying.¡±

    A golden shimmer flickered in the dimly lit room as Vision materialized before Naruto. His form rippled like a mirage before solidifying, the faint glow of the Mind Stone pulsing gently on his forehead. Vision''s synthetic features were unnervingly smooth, yet carried a depth of expression that made him feel almost human. His piercing eyes held a quiet wisdom, scanning Naruto with an almost parental concern.

    A deep crimson hue coated his skin, offset by intricate silver plating that ran along the sides of his face and down his neck, giving him an air of quiet authority. Despite his artificial nature, there was a warmth in his presence that Naruto found oddly comforting. He wore a simple, dark, form-fitting top that blended seamlessly into his sleek, otherworldly frame. The subtle glow from the Mind Stone cast soft, flickering reflections on the walls, making the room feel smaller and more intimate.

    Naruto¡¯s breath hitched. His body reacted on instinct, scrambling backward until his back hit the headboard with a dull thump. His wide blue eyes darted over Vision¡¯s towering form.

    "Whoa! Is this what you actually look like?" Naruto asked, voice hushed in awe.

    Vision¡¯s lips curled into an amused smile. ¡°Affirmative.¡±

    Just as Naruto was about to ask another question, the sliding doors to his room suddenly flew open.

    Namori strode in, balancing a tray of food with the ease of routine. But the moment her gaze locked onto Naruto, she froze.

    The tray trembled in her hands. Her brows furrowed. Then her voice, sharp and demanding, cut through the tense air like a kunai.

    ¡°Naruto! What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡±

    Naruto¡¯s stomach dropped.

    Shit.

 Chapter 7

    How could I be this unlucky? Naruto thought, frozen in place as he stared at Namori. His heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing for an explanation.

    For a moment, she didn¡¯t move. The silence stretched, suffocating.

    Then, to his utter confusion, she rushed past Vision as if he wasn¡¯t even there, heading straight for the low table. She set the tray of food down with practiced ease before turning to face him, her sharp eyes locking onto his.

    Naruto flinched under her glare as she strode over, closing the distance between them in a few brisk steps.

    Then, without warning, she bent down and snatched something off the floor.

    ¡°How many times have I told you not to throw your dirty clothes around?¡± she snapped, shaking his tattered orange jacket in his face. ¡°You just cleaned this room, Naruto!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± was all Naruto managed to say. His brain was still catching up, struggling to process what was happening.

    Completely ignoring his bewildered expression, Namori marched to the hamper near the bathroom and tossed the jacket in with an exasperated huff.

    ¡°Naruto, calm down,¡± Vision¡¯s voice was smooth and unwavering. He floated lazily through the air beside Naruto, his cape fluttering slightly behind him. ¡°She can¡¯t see me. I am a specter, a construct of the Mind Stone. I have no physical form and exist only to you, as you are the stone¡¯s bearer.¡±

    Naruto slumped against his bed, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. Thank Kami.

    If Namori had seen Vision¡ªhis glowing forehead, crimson skin, and floating body¡ªshe probably would¡¯ve dropped dead on the spot. The woman was tough, but even she had limits.

    ¡°So?¡± Namori¡¯s voice snapped him from his thoughts. She crossed her arms, fingers tapping impatiently against her hip. ¡°Are you just gonna lie there while your food gets cold?¡±

    Naruto blinked. ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°Then hop to it, young man. Or do I have to feed you myself?¡± she threatened, arching a brow.

    Naruto sat up immediately. ¡°I got it, I got it.¡±

    With a final dramatic sigh and an eye roll worthy of an Academy instructor, Namori turned and walked toward the door. As she exited, she muttered to herself, ¡°Ungrateful brats and their lack of manners...¡± before sliding the door shut behind her.

    Naruto let out a breath he didn¡¯t realize he had been holding.

    That... could¡¯ve been disastrous.

    Naruto walked over to the tray on the table, plopping down as he grabbed a pair of chopsticks. He dug into his meal, sneaking glances at Vision, who floated around the room, inspecting his belongings with an air of curiosity.

    It was beyond weird.

    Was he awake? Or was this some kind of fever dream? Maybe he was still lying unconscious in the forest after smacking his head on a tree branch. That sounded more reasonable than having an all-powerful artificial intelligence floating in his bedroom, examining his stuff like some high-tech ghost.

    Yet, even with the sheer absurdity of it all, Naruto couldn¡¯t ignore the small spark of excitement curling in his chest. The possibilities. The potential. The things he could achieve with the Infinity Stones at his fingertips.

    Maybe, for the first time, he had a real shot at proving everyone wrong.

    Naruto sat cross-legged in front of the table, absently poking at the rice in his bowl. His mind wasn¡¯t on food, though. It was on the floating, red-skinned man watching him with calm patience.

    It had been a crazy day¡ªfirst getting interrogated by the Hokage, then almost getting caught by Namori. But now that the immediate panic had settled, there was one thing Naruto couldn¡¯t ignore.

    He placed his bowl down with a sigh. ¡°Alright, Vision,¡± he said, narrowing his eyes. ¡°I gotta ask...how the hell are you even here?¡±

    Vision tilted his head slightly, the golden glow of the Mind Stone pulsing gently on his forehead. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean¡ª¡± Naruto gestured vaguely at him. ¡°You¡¯re floating here, talking to me, but you don¡¯t have a body. So... what happened? You were a real dude before, right?¡±

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    A moment of silence passed before Vision spoke.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he said simply. ¡°I once had a physical form. I was created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, given life through the power of the Mind Stone.¡± He lifted a hand, his translucent fingers flexing slightly. ¡°However... my body was destroyed by Thanos when he forcibly ripped the stone from my head.¡±

    Naruto winced at that. ¡°Damn...¡±

    Vision nodded. ¡°My existence should have ended in that moment. And in a way, it did. But some part of me remained within the stone¡ªfragments of my consciousness, my thoughts, my memories. The Mind Stone... preserved me.¡±

    Naruto frowned. ¡°But if the Mind Stone was in that gauntlet thing, and then it got stuck in my head... that means you¡¯ve been trapped inside it this whole time?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s stomach twisted uncomfortably. ¡°That¡¯s... that¡¯s messed up.¡±

    Vision smiled faintly. ¡°It is not as tragic as you might think. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue existing, even in this state.¡± His gaze softened. ¡°But you, Naruto, are now its bearer. My presence is tied to you.¡±

    Naruto exhaled, rubbing his temples. ¡°So, let me get this straight... Some big purple bastard crushes your skull, rips your brain-rock out, and somehow you don¡¯t die, you just... become a ghost inside it?¡±

    ¡°An oversimplification, but not inaccurate,¡± Vision admitted.

    Naruto groaned and flopped onto his futon. ¡°Great. So now I¡¯ve got a babysitting A.I. floating around in my head, giving me advice like some kinda ghost Jiji.¡±

    ¡°I assure you, I have no intention of being a burden,¡± Vision said smoothly.

    Naruto cracked open one eye. ¡°Yeah, well... you¡¯re a lot cooler than the actual old man.¡±

    A brief pause. Then, surprisingly, Vision chuckled. ¡°That is... reassuring to hear.¡±

    Naruto grinned. ¡°You¡¯ll get used to me, book-boy.¡±

    ??????????????

    Naruto lay on his futon, arms behind his head, staring up at the ceiling. After his delicious meal, Vision told him more about his universe and the Avengers. It was the most thrilling tale Naruto had ever heard. After Vision recounted his ¡®death¡¯, the room fell into silence. Vision hovered nearby, silent, as if lost in thought. The room was dimly lit, the only real glow coming from the Mind Stone¡¯s faint pulse.

    Naruto sighed, tapping his fingers against his stomach. The thought had been gnawing at him ever since Vision explained what had happened to him.

    ¡°Hey, Vision,¡± he said suddenly.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    Naruto hesitated for a moment before speaking. ¡°Do you... do you miss your old life?¡±

    Vision didn¡¯t respond immediately. His expression, usually so composed, shifted slightly¡ªsomething unreadable flickering across his synthetic features. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter than usual.

    ¡°I suppose... it would be illogical to say otherwise.¡±

    Naruto frowned. ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked.¡±

    Vision met his gaze, his golden eyes thoughtful. ¡°Then yes, Naruto. I do.¡±

    Naruto sat up, pulling his knees to his chest. ¡°What was it like?¡±

    Vision looked away for a moment as if gazing into memories Naruto couldn¡¯t see. ¡°It was... fulfilling,¡± he said at last. ¡°I was given life through unusual circumstances, but I found purpose among those I called my friends. I learned, I grew, and for the first time... I truly lived.¡±

    Naruto nodded slowly, letting that sink in. He knew what it was like to crave something more¡ªto want to be seen, to have a place where you belonged.

    ¡°And Wanda?¡± he asked, watching Vision carefully.

    For the first time since they had met, Naruto saw something like pain in Vision¡¯s expression. It wasn¡¯t dramatic, not the kind of grief Naruto had seen in people who lost someone, but a quiet sorrow¡ªone that had settled deep in his very being.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Vision murmured. ¡°I miss her.¡±

    Naruto swallowed. ¡°You... loved her, didn¡¯t you?¡±

    A small, almost wistful smile crossed Vision¡¯s lips. ¡°With all that I was.¡±

    Naruto exhaled through his nose, scratching at his cheek. ¡°That sucks, man.¡±

    Vision let out a soft chuckle. ¡°A rather simple, yet accurate assessment.¡±

    Naruto huffed. ¡°Hey, simple¡¯s what I do best.¡±

    Silence stretched between them before Naruto broke it again. ¡°Do you think she¡¯s okay?¡±

    Vision¡¯s gaze softened. ¡°I can only hope so.¡±

    Naruto nodded, then grinned. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re stuck with me now, I guess that makes me your new little brother.¡±

    Vision tilted his head. ¡°An interesting perspective.¡±

    ¡°Yup! So that means I get to annoy you whenever I want.¡± Naruto smirked.

    Vision sighed¡ªsomething Naruto didn¡¯t even think he could do. ¡°Perhaps I should reconsider my current existence.¡±

    Naruto laughed, the heaviness in the room lifting just a little. But it quieted down once again.

    ¡°Would you go back if you could?¡± Naruto asked, his voice quieter than before.

    Vision was silent for a moment, his normally unreadable expression shifting ever so slightly. Then, with a solemn nod, he answered, ¡°If it were possible, then yes.¡±

    Naruto figured as much. If he had the chance to return to the loved ones he lost, he¡¯d take it in a heartbeat. It was a no-brainer.

    A thought formed in the back of his mind, one that made his pulse quicken. He hesitated, but then whispered, ¡°Maybe it might be possible.¡±

    Vision turned to him, his golden eyes narrowing in curiosity. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    Naruto sat up straighter. ¡°Not now, but maybe in the future. I mean, the Infinity Stones had the power to reshape reality itself, right? If they could do that, then bringing you back¡ªyour real body¡ªshouldn¡¯t be impossible.¡±

    For the first time, Naruto saw genuine surprise flash across Vision¡¯s face. The A.I. floated closer, studying him as if he were a puzzle that suddenly made sense. Then, a rare smile broke across Vision¡¯s face, small but real.

    ¡°Perhaps,¡± Vision said, his voice lighter than before. ¡°But to do so, you¡¯ll need far greater control over your chakra. The stones, in their current state, are no longer at full power¡ªthey draw from your chakra to function.¡±

    Naruto grinned, determination flaring in his eyes. ¡°Then what are we waiting for?¡± He jumped to his feet, fist-punching the air. ¡°Let¡¯s get stronger!¡±

    Vision chuckled. ¡°A wise decision. Though I hope your methods involve more discipline than just running headfirst into trouble.¡±

    Naruto scoffed. ¡°C¡¯mon, you know me better than that.¡±

    ¡°That is precisely why I am concerned,¡± Vision deadpanned.

    Naruto just laughed. This was only the beginning.

 Chapter 8

    The Hokage sat in his office. It was well after midnight, the soft glow of candles created long shadows running along the walls. From his pipe, wispy smoke curled, its familiar tobacco scent softly filling the room. A growing pile of paperwork on his desk silently mocked his mounting obligations. Hiruzen exhaled deeply, his thoughts reverting to his earlier conversation with the eldest Namikaze-Uzumaki.

    Something about the boy unsettled him.

    Naruto hadn¡¯t lied¡ªnot outright, at least. His answers had been simple, his expressions guileless. Yet, the Hokage couldn¡¯t shake the nagging suspicion that there was more to the story. Could a mere nine-year-old truly deceive a veteran shinobi? He had spent a lifetime honing his ability to detect falsehoods, to pick apart the smallest of tells, and yet... Naruto¡¯s responses had been as convincing as they were frustratingly vague.

    He tapped his pipe against the ashtray, emptying its contents before leaning back in his chair.

    ¡°What do you think, Kakashi?¡± Hiruzen asked, his voice thoughtful. ¡°Was he truly so oblivious that he completely missed a severed arm lying in a clearing?¡±

    The silver-haired shinobi barely looked up from his book, his lone visible eye flicking toward the Hokage before returning to the pages. ¡°Most likely,¡± Kakashi replied, his tone unreadable. ¡°The kid¡¯s slow-witted at best. It wouldn¡¯t surprise me if he walked right past it without a second thought. But... if he¡¯s sharper than he lets on, and he did know about the arm, we should keep a close eye on him for the time being.¡±

    ¡°Come now, Kakashi!¡± Might Guy¡¯s booming voice filled the room, the man balancing effortlessly on his hands as he pumped out a series of push-ups. ¡°The boy is innocent! Do you truly believe he could have remained so nonchalant if he¡¯d seen something so gruesome? A severed limb would have petrified him!¡±

    Hiruzen stroked his beard, nodding slightly at Guy¡¯s words. There was truth in them, but doubt lingered in his mind. Before he could speak again, a firm knock at the door interrupted his musings.

    ??????????????

    ¡°Naruto,¡± a gentle voice shook him awake. ¡°Get up, young man. The sun has already risen and we¡¯re not getting any younger lazying about.¡±

    Naruto cracked his eyes open to find Namori smiling down at him while stroking his hair. The gentleness of her eyes warmed his heart, only if his mother looked at him that way. Shaking his head, he rose from his bed, rubbing his eyes while yawning up a storm. Several pops rang out in the room as Naruto stretched out.

    ¡°Breakfast is ready,¡± she said, hands on her hips. ¡°Get up before it gets cold.¡± The scent of miso and freshly steamed rice drifted about.

    Naruto groaned, rolling onto his stomach and burying his face in his pillow. ¡°Five more minutes...¡±

    ¡°Nope.¡± Namori grabbed his blanket and yanked it off, exposing him to the crisp morning air. ¡°If you don¡¯t get up now, I¡¯m eating your portion.¡±

    That got him moving.

    Dragging himself to the table, Naruto plopped onto the cushion, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His grumbling stomach quieted the moment he took in the spread before him.

    At the center was a steaming bowl of white rice, fluffy and perfect, just waiting to soak up the flavors of the meal. Beside it, a small lacquered bowl of miso soup sat, the rich aroma of fermented soybean paste and dashi wafting up. Tiny cubes of tofu floated on the surface, alongside slivers of green onion and wakame seaweed.

    A plate of grilled salmon rested nearby, the crispy golden skin glistening while the tender, flaky pink flesh promised warmth and satisfaction. Next to it, a neat stack of nori sheets lay ready to be wrapped around rice or dipped in soy sauce.

    There were also pickled vegetables¡ªcrisp, tangy slices of daikon radish and cucumbers adding a pop of color. A small dish of natto, the infamous fermented soybeans, sat untouched for now, its pungent aroma lingering in the air.

    But what caught Naruto¡¯s attention was the tamago-yaki, a beautifully layered, slightly sweet rolled omelet. He snatched a piece immediately, stuffing it into his mouth before Namori could scold him for not saying ¡°itadakimasu¡± first.

    ¡°Oi, slow down,¡± Namori sighed, pouring him a cup of green tea. ¡°Chew your food before you choke.¡±

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    Naruto grinned through a mouthful of rice and salmon, completely ignoring her as he shoveled another bite in. If this was how every morning started, then maybe waking up early wasn¡¯t so bad after all.

    After stuffing himself with the delicious meal, Naruto leaned back with a satisfied groan, rubbing his now-round belly. He swore Namori had some kind of magic in her cooking¡ªit was that good. If he could eat like this every day, he wouldn¡¯t mind waking up early.

    Across the room, Namori moved efficiently, clearing away the dishes with practiced ease. Watching her work, Naruto couldn¡¯t help but think how lucky he was to have her in his life. She wasn¡¯t the warmest person, but she took care of him in ways that mattered. And when it came to food? Absolute perfection.

    ¡°Well, young man,¡± Namori¡¯s voice cut through his food-induced haze, pulling him back to reality. She didn¡¯t even look at him as she wiped the table down. ¡°What do you have planned for today? You¡¯re not planning to laze around all day, are you?¡±

    Naruto sat up quickly, shaking his head. ¡°No way! I¡¯m going to train. I gotta get ready for the Academy.¡±

    Namori let out a long-suffering sigh and gave him a sideways glance. ¡°Why don¡¯t you wait until an instructor teaches you? I don¡¯t like the idea of you running around and hurting yourself.¡±

    Naruto scowled, his lips twisting in frustration. ¡°No way! I don¡¯t wanna be the only clan kid fumbling around like an idiot on the first day.¡±

    He crossed his arms, determination burning in his eyes. He¡¯d seen how other clan kids got trained by their parents and passed down all kinds of cool techniques before they even stepped foot in the Academy. Meanwhile, he was stuck figuring things out on his own. No way was he showing up clueless.

    Namori paused in her cleaning, her sharp eyes studying him for a moment before she clicked her tongue in disapproval. ¡°You¡¯re still just a kid, Naruto. There¡¯s no shame in learning at your own pace.¡±

    Naruto crossed his arms, puffing out his cheeks. ¡°Yeah, well, tell that to the other kids when they¡¯re laughing at me for not knowing how to throw a kunai properly.¡±

    Namori let out a long sigh, muttering something about stubborn brats under her breath. She wiped her hands on a cloth and turned to face him fully. ¡°Fine, fine. Just don¡¯t go overboard and come back covered in bruises, or I¡¯ll have to start force-feeding you natto as punishment.¡±

    Naruto gagged at the thought, dramatically clutching his throat. ¡°Ugh, not the natto! That¡¯s cruel and unusual punishment!¡±

    Namori smirked as she gathered the last of the dishes. ¡°Then be careful. And don¡¯t forget to drink plenty of water. You hear me?¡±

    Naruto grinned, jumping to his feet. ¡°Got it!¡± He darted toward the bathroom door, but before he left, he hesitated. Turning back, he rubbed the back of his neck, a small, genuine smile forming. ¡°Thanks for breakfast, Namori. It was really good.¡±

    Namori blinked, then gave him a rare, softer smile. ¡°Of course, brat. Now go on¡ªget stronger.¡±

    With that, Naruto entered the bathroom to get ready for the day. Excitement buzzed through his veins. Today was another step closer to proving himself¡ªnot just to the village, but to himself.

    ??????????????

    After finishing his morning grooming routine, Naruto bolted out of the Uzukaze compound, eager to get to Training Ground 9. He barely spared a glance at the judgmental stares from his fellow clansmen. Let them glare all they wanted¡ªhe didn¡¯t care. They could think whatever they liked, but soon, he¡¯d prove them all wrong.

    With Vision guiding him, he¡¯d grow stronger. Stronger than anyone expected. The thought alone made his grin widen as he sped through the village streets, dodging early-morning foot traffic before slipping into the woods.

    Training Ground 9 was secluded, surrounded by towering trees that filtered the morning sunlight, casting dappled shadows over the clearing. At the far end, a small waterfall cascaded down jagged rocks into a tranquil pond, its surface rippling as the water flowed deeper into the forest. The center of the field held five weathered training poles, their wooden surfaces pockmarked with holes from years of use.

    As Naruto reached the poles, a flicker of unease crawled up his spine. He wasn¡¯t alone.

    ¡°Who do you think it is?¡± he mind-linked Vision, his tone casual as he pulled out a few shurikens and lazily tossed them at the targets.

    ¡°Kakashi Hatake,¡± Vision answered, shimmering into existence beside him. The synthetic being hovered slightly above the ground before drifting toward the treetops. ¡°He¡¯s keeping an eye on you. Trying to determine if you¡¯re hiding anything.¡±

    Naruto barely held back a groan. He sent another kunai flying, but instead of embedding itself into the wood, it bounced off uselessly. His weapons were dull, their edges chipped from overuse. Scavenged from the compound¡¯s recycle bins, they were all he could afford on his measly 1,000 ryo stipend. Meanwhile, his siblings enjoyed the best training equipment money could buy, stuffing themselves with expensive meals while he had to ration his trips to Ichiraku. Just thinking about it made his fingers tighten around the next kunai.

    ¡°How long do I have to keep up this act?¡± he muttered, narrowing his eyes as yet another throw missed its mark.¡°I want to start training for real, but that idiot won¡¯t stop stalking me. ¡±A dark thought crossed his mind, and he briefly considered flinging a kunai straight at the cyclops¡¯ smug face.

    ¡°Not much longer,¡± Vision assured him, his voice calm. ¡°I¡¯m using the Mind Stone to subtly alter his thought processes. Soon, he¡¯ll convince himself there¡¯s nothing suspicious to find.¡±

    Naruto huffed but kept training. It took nearly an hour before he finally sensed Kakashi¡¯s presence retreating. The moment the Jonin disappeared from his radar, Naruto slumped in relief, rolling his shoulders before shooting a glare at the now-empty treetop.

    ¡°Thank Kami, he¡¯s gone,¡± he grumbled, running a hand through his spiky blond hair. He turned toward Vision, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ¡°Can we begin now?¡±

    Vision descended gracefully from the trees, a knowing smile on his face. ¡°Yes,¡± he confirmed. ¡°The area is clear of any intruders.¡±

    Naruto grinned. Finally. Time to get to work.

 Chapter 9

    Naruto¡¯s thoughts: Here I go.

    Naruto speaking to Vision using telepathy: ¡°Vision? Why are you bald?¡±

    Vision speaking to Naruto through telepathy: ¡°I do not possess biological hair follicles, Naruto. My body was designed for efficiency, not aesthetics.¡±

    If Naruto kept staring at him, unimpressed, Vision might add dryly:

    ¡°Would you prefer I had hair? Perhaps something spiky like yours?¡±

    If Naruto laughed and started suggesting ridiculous hairstyles¡ªlike making Vision¡¯s head look like Jiraiya¡¯s or giving him a wild mane like a lion¡ªVision would sigh and humor him. Maybe he¡¯d even create an illusion of himself with flowing golden locks, just to watch Naruto burst into laughter.

    ¡°Is this satisfactory? Or should I add a headband for dramatic effect?¡±

    ***

    Naruto sat cross-legged against the middle training stump, staring up at Vision with stars in his cerulean blue eyes. He still couldn¡¯t believe this was happening¡ªsomeone was actually going to teach him. And not just anyone, but a being from another universe! It felt like a dream, and for once, it was one he didn¡¯t want to wake up from.

    ¡°So, Vision-sensei,¡± Naruto grinned, practically vibrating with excitement. ¡°What are you gonna teach me first? Awesome fighting techniques? Supercool jutsus? Or maybe¡ª¡±

    Vision raised an eyebrow, cutting off Naruto¡¯s momentum before he could get carried away. ¡°Not so fast, Naruto,¡± he said, his tone patient yet firm. ¡°Before we move on to intermediate techniques, we need to start with the fundamentals.¡±

    Naruto visibly deflated, shoulders slumping. ¡°Like what?¡± he muttered, already dreading the answer.

    ¡°The most pressing issue we need to address is your lack of chakra control,¡± Vision explained. ¡°You¡¯ve already practiced the leaf-balancing exercise, but that alone won¡¯t be enough.¡±

    Floating effortlessly to a nearby tree, Vision gestured toward its towering trunk. ¡°From what I¡¯ve gathered by observing your clansmen¡¯s minds, I have enough information to teach you what you need to know. That said, the next step in your training is tree climbing.¡±

    Naruto blinked. Then he frowned. ¡°Tree climbing?¡± He got to his feet and walked closer to Vision. ¡°Uh... I already know how to climb trees, y¡¯know. Not exactly a big deal.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Vision corrected. ¡°Not in the way I¡¯m referring to.¡±

    Naruto tilted his head. ¡°Then what¡¯s so special about it?¡±

    ¡°The exercise uses the tree as a training tool,¡± Vision explained, his synthetic voice calm yet instructive. ¡°You¡¯ll need to push your chakra into the soles of your feet, using it to ¡®stick¡¯ to the tree. Your goal is to walk up and down its surface without using your hands¡ªuntil the action becomes second nature to you.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s frown deepened as he mulled over the information. ¡°Wait... Have the other clan kids already mastered this?¡±

    Vision shook his head. ¡°No. This is an exercise typically introduced at the Ch¨±nin level when shinobi begin refining their chakra for elemental techniques. If you can master this now, you¡¯ll be ahead of them.¡±

    Naruto¡¯s lips slowly curled into a smirk.

    ¡°Well,¡± he said, cracking his knuckles, ¡°why didn¡¯t you just say that from the start?¡±

    Naruto rushed toward the tree with all the enthusiasm he could muster, already picturing himself sprinting up to the highest branch like some kind of ninja prodigy. Unfortunately, he forgot one very critical thing¡ªchakra.

    The moment his foot hit the bark, he managed a few steps before his momentum stalled. Gravity wasted no time punishing his mistake, and he crashed down onto his back with a loud thud, the impact knocking the air right out of his lungs.

    Vision chuckled, floating a few inches above the ground. ¡°Naruto, you forgot to use chakra.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Naruto wheezed, rolling onto his side and pushing himself up with a groan. His face flushed with embarrassment. ¡°Yeah... I forgot. My bad.¡±

    Brushing the dirt off his jacket, he turned to glare at the tree, as if it had insulted him. He wasn¡¯t about to make the same mistake twice. Still, the idea of falling again wasn¡¯t exactly appealing.

    Instead of rushing in blindly, he walked up to the base of the trunk and flopped onto his back, lifting his legs so his feet pressed against the bark. Closing his eyes, he focused, channeling his chakra into the soles of his feet. It was a weird feeling¡ªlike trying to balance on an invisible thread.

    At first, he overdid it, and his feet repelled off the surface, pushing him away from the tree. Then he used too little, and his feet slid down like he was standing on ice. It took time¡ªfifteen frustrating minutes of trial and error¡ªbefore he finally found the right balance.

    Taking a deep breath, Naruto planted his feet firmly and stood up¡ªexcept now, he wasn¡¯t on the ground. He was standing sideways on the tree.

    A wide grin stretched across his face as he took his first step up. Then another. And another. Step by step, he climbed, moving faster while his confidence grew. By the time he reached the highest branches, he whooped in excitement, then turned around and walked back down as easily as if he were strolling through the village.

    ¡°Congratulations, Naruto,¡± Vision said, clapping his hands. ¡°It seems you¡¯re a genius. Most Ch¨±nin take several days to master this technique, but you did it in less than thirty minutes.¡±

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    Naruto froze at the praise. His grin trembled slightly, and his vision blurred as warmth bloomed in his chest. He quickly wiped at his eyes, hoping Vision wouldn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± he muttered, voice thick with emotion. No one had ever acknowledged him like this before¡ªnot his parents, not his clan, no one except Namori. And now Vision.

    However, his moment of pride was short-lived.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re finished,¡± Vision said, his tone light but firm. ¡°You need to keep going until you can do it without thinking. So hop to it.¡± He waved his hand in a shooing motion.

    Naruto laughed, shaking off his emotions, and dashed toward the tree, ready to keep pushing forward. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was truly getting somewhere.

    ??????????????

    It had been three days since he mastered the tree-walking exercise and the next one was water walking. The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays reflecting off the shimmering pond at Training Ground 9. A cool breeze rustled the treetops, but Naruto hardly noticed. He stood at the water¡¯s edge, eyes narrowed in determination, fists clenched at his sides.

    ¡°So... I just walk on it?¡± he asked, tilting his head at Vision.

    ¡°Correct,¡± Vision replied, floating beside him with his arms crossed. ¡°However, unlike tree climbing, where you apply a constant flow of chakra, water walking requires real-time adjustments. Too much chakra, and you¡¯ll repel the surface. Too little, and¡ª¡±

    ¡°You sink,¡± Naruto finished, nodding. ¡°Got it!¡±

    Taking a deep breath, he focused his chakra on the soles of his feet, just like he did with the tree. Confident in his ability, he took a bold step forward¡ª

    SPLASH!

    The moment his foot touched the water, he was sent flying backward, his body skidding across the pond¡¯s surface like a skipping stone before he plunged in with an undignified yelp.

    Vision sighed, watching as Naruto¡¯s blond head popped up from the water, sputtering.

    ¡°You used too much chakra,¡± Vision noted, his voice calm yet slightly amused. ¡°It¡¯s not a springboard, Naruto.¡±

    Naruto dragged himself to the shore, shaking like a soaked dog. ¡°Tch... stupid chakra control.¡±

    Undeterred, he tried again. This time, he hesitated at the edge, staring at the rippling surface. He sent chakra to his feet more carefully and gingerly stepped forward.

    For half a second, he stood on the water. A triumphant grin stretched across his face.

    Then he sank like a rock.

    After his third attempt, Naruto sat cross-legged on the shore, dripping wet and pouting. ¡°I don¡¯t get it! I did everything right!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re thinking about it too much,¡± Vision observed. ¡°You¡¯re trying to control the water rather than adapting to it. Chakra should flow naturally, adjusting with each step. Like breathing.¡±

    Naruto blinked. ¡°Like breathing...¡± He stared at the water, deep in thought.

    Taking another deep breath, he rose to his feet. He focused on the feeling of chakra flowing through his body¡ªnot forcing it, but guiding it like a steady stream. He stepped forward, carefully adjusting his output with each footfall.

    One step. Two steps. Three.

    He was walking.

    A broad grin stretched across his face as he moved further onto the pond. ¡°I¡¯M DOING IT!¡±

    And then¡ªSPLASH!

    Naruto resurfaced with a groan. ¡°Ugh... Why do I keep falling in!?¡±

    ¡°You celebrated too early,¡± Vision remarked, floating above him. ¡°Again.¡±

    With an exaggerated sigh, Naruto swam back to shore. This was going to take a while. And it did. It took Naruto another five days of constant training to master the technique where he could walk on the water without falling into the pond.

    ??????????????

    Late at night, after Namori had turned in, Naruto was busy pulling a black mask over his face. Dressed in a traditional shinobi stealth suit¡ªone he had swiped from the armory the previous day after slipping past the guards¡ªhe was ready for his mission. Vision had urged him to break into the clan¡¯s library, where the most advanced Uzumaki and Namikazi techniques were stored. Getting in wasn¡¯t going to be easy, but with the Infinity Stones at his disposal and his chakra control improving, he was confident he could pull it off¡ªat least to a certain degree.

    His heart pounded against his ribs as he sprinted along the high walls of the Uzukaze compound, his breath controlled but sharp with anticipation. He barely avoided a patrolling guard, pressing himself against the shadows as the man trudged past, muttering about how boring night shifts were. So far, so good.

    Naruto reached the white tower that housed the clan¡¯s restricted archives and prepared to ascend¡ªonly for Vision¡¯s calm voice to ring in his mind.

    ¡°Stop, Naruto,¡± Vision warned. ¡°The second and third-floor outer walls are covered in hidden seals. If you try to walk up, the clan¡¯s head of security will be alerted.¡±

    Naruto bit back a curse as he ducked behind a thick bush, his gaze snapping toward the tower. He knew exactly who Vision was talking about¡ªKaito, his uncle, and the so-called Uzukage, the man in charge of the clan¡¯s security. Even though he wasn¡¯t a real Kage, the title alone showed how much influence he had. Naruto had spent years under Kaito¡¯s scrutinizing golden eyes, which always seemed to pierce straight through him as if searching for some sliver of worth inside him. As far as Kaito was concerned, Naruto had none.

    Tch. Naruto scowled. No way in hell am I getting caught by that guy.

    He closed his eyes and tapped into the Mind Stone, allowing its power to sharpen his sensory abilities. His chakra flared, and when he opened his eyes again, they glowed with a faint yellow hue. The world around him shifted¡ªthin, glowing golden threads now shimmered across the tower¡¯s exterior, revealing the intricate sealing network embedded into the walls.

    Damn it! Sneaky bastards.

    ¡°Alright, so how do I get in?¡± Naruto muttered under his breath, pressing himself deeper into the foliage as another guard lazily strolled past, yawning.

    ¡°Simple,¡± Vision replied, materializing above him, his cape billowing despite the still night air. ¡°You¡¯ve already started learning how to harness the Mind Stone. Use it to levitate up to me, then phase through the wall when I give the signal. You¡¯ll have a ten-second window to slip inside before the barrier adjusts.¡±

    Naruto went rigid.

    Levitate? Phase through a solid wall?

    He swallowed hard, his confidence wavering. He¡¯d technically done both before¡ªbut only in short bursts. Floating even a few inches off the ground made his stomach twist, and phasing through anything left him feeling like he was suffocating in an endless void.

    ¡°Nervousness is expected,¡± Vision said, his voice even but firm. ¡°But if you want to gain the power you seek, you have to push past your limits. Now focus, Naruto.¡±

    Naruto clenched his fists, forcing himself to inhale deeply through his nose. Focus. He could do this.

    Closing his eyes, he reached deep into himself, feeling the warmth of the Mind Stone embedded in his skull. A tingling sensation spread through his limbs as he pushed a small amount of chakra into it.

    Vision lifted a hand. ¡°Now.¡±

    Naruto exhaled sharply, bent his knees¡ªand shot off the ground. His stomach lurched as he ascended far too quickly, but he clenched his jaw and forced himself to adjust. Vision was already at the top of the tower, watching him closely. Naruto willed himself to keep steady, stretching out a hand as he neared the wall.

    A flicker of hesitation struck him. Shit, shit, shit¡ª

    Then he clenched his teeth, shut his eyes, and plunged forward.

    The sensation was awful¡ªlike sinking into a thick, invisible sludge. A brief moment of panic surged through him before he felt himself passing through to the other side, tumbling onto solid ground.

    He gasped and scrambled to his feet, his body trembling slightly.

    ¡°Not bad,¡± Vision mused, his lips curving into a small smile. ¡°You still lack refinement, but you made it inside.¡±

    Naruto grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow. His heart still pounded, but excitement flared inside him.

    ¡°Alright,¡± he whispered, straightening. ¡°Time to get what I came for.¡±

 Chapter 10

    Naruto stood in a circular chamber lined with towering shelves, each packed with scrolls and ancient tomes. A massive table sat at the center, its surface cluttered with old manuscripts, ink bottles, and half-burnt candles. The room was swallowed in darkness, but his enhanced senses pierced through the gloom with ease. He wasn''t stupid enough to flick on the lights.

    Several sensor-fuinjutsu seals were embedded into the walls, their chakra signatures humming faintly. If he so much as tampered with the lights, he''d alert Kaito to his presence. The real challenge, however, was the floor¡ªmore seals, intricate and layered, waiting for the slightest misstep. Fortunately, he was still levitating, though maintaining his airborne state drained him faster than he''d like.

    "We need to hurry," Naruto mind-linked Vision, urgency tightening his mental voice. "The stones are eating up my chakra too fast, and I don''t know how much longer I can keep this up."

    Not that it surprised him. A week and a half of training wasn''t nearly enough to counteract the backlash of using the Infinity Stones. He just had to grab the scrolls he needed and get the hell out before his uncles or their men caught him. If they did, escape wouldn''t be an option. Hando would flog him in the courtyard¡ªpublicly, in front of the entire Namikaze-Uzumaki Clan.

    "Very well," Vision said in a calm but firm voice as he floated toward the iron-wrought doors. Then, he turned to Naruto. Naruto, come here and face the room."

    Naruto hesitated but obeyed, awkwardly drifting forward. He turned with a clumsy jerk, still far from mastering the art of flight, and faced the chamber filled with forbidden knowledge.

    "I need you to scan every document in this room using three Stones," Vision instructed. "The Power Stone will amplify the strength of the other two so you don''t pass out from the strain. Then, use the Reality and Mind Stones to extract every bit of knowledge stored here."

    Naruto blinked. "How the hell do I do that?"

    "Activate the Power Stone first since it stabilizes you," Vision explained patiently. "Then, activate the Reality Stone while keeping the Mind Stone active. Channel the Mind Stone''s energy into a soft glow, then enhance it with the Reality Stone''s power. Imagine the light absorbing the knowledge from the books, pulling it directly into the Mind Stone."

    Naruto stared at him like he''d lost his circuits. "That''s a lot of fancy words for ''do some reality-breaking magic and hope I don''t fry my brain.''"

    Vision''s lips twitched in amusement. "It will work, Naruto. The Reality Stone allows you to bend the world to your will, even if only for a short time. Once you''ve absorbed the knowledge, immediately deactivate the two Stones, activate the Space Stone, and teleport to your room."

    "The moment you light up this room, the seals will trigger," Vision warned. "The clan will know there''s an intruder."

    Naruto swallowed heavily. He hated this. The pressure. The risk. The very real possibility of failure.

    A cold, weightless touch settled on his shoulder¡ªVision''s attempt at comfort despite not existing in the physical world. "I have faith in you, Naruto. It''s time you started believing in yourself, too. You''re far more capable than you realize."

    Naruto''s throat tightened, a single tear threatening to escape. He sniffed, shook it off, and focused. He had no room for hesitation.

    Taking a deep breath, he activated the Power Stone first. Energy surged through him like a wildfire, filling his limbs with raw strength. The Reality Stone flared next, its power warping the surrounding air. Finally, the yellow glow of the Mind Stone spread outward, casting a soft, eerie light across the library.

    The moment the light touched the books, streams of glowing orange threads unraveled from them, slithering through the air like sentient ribbons before slipping into the Mind Stone. Naruto gasped as his head exploded with information. His vision blurred, and his skull felt like it was splitting in half. He clenched his teeth, a choked whimper escaping.

    "Keep going, Naruto!" Vision urged. "I know it hurts, but we only have one shot at this!"

    Naruto''s knuckles whitened as he fought through the agony. He couldn''t let this chance slip away. He wouldn''t. His face twisted in pain, but he pressed on, absorbing every bit of knowledge stored within the room''s scrolls. The seals tried to resist, pulsing with defensive chakra, but they were no match for the combined power of the Stones. One by one, their barriers crumbled, and the glowing threads fed into the Mind Stone like rivers emptying into the sea.

    Then, the alarms went off.

    A deafening klaxon blared through the tower, shaking the walls with urgency. Naruto barely registered it; his mind was too overloaded with information.

    "Naruto!" Vision''s voice sharpened with urgency. "You can''t pass out now! Push through the exhaustion and activate the Space Stone before it''s too late!"

    Thunderous footsteps pounded against the floors below, growing closer. The iron-wrought doors trembled as locks clicked open.

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    Naruto, panting heavily, summoned the last of his willpower. His fingers trembled as he grasped the Space Stone''s power. Blue light flared around him just as the doors burst open.

    And in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

    ??????????????

    Naruto collapsed onto his futon with a heavy thud, curling into a ball as searing pain pulsed through his skull. His breath hitched, and he clenched his teeth, muffling the urge to scream. His entire body trembled as agony coursed through him in sharp, relentless waves.

    Was it worth it?

    Doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind, but he shoved it aside. There was no turning back now. He had to see this through¡ªhad to. The knowledge he sought was his birthright, stolen from him just like everything else. If the clan refused to teach him, then he''d take it for himself.

    After what felt like an eternity, the pain dulled enough for him to move. Uncurling from his fetal position, Naruto forced himself onto shaky legs and stumbled toward the bathroom. His limbs felt like lead, but he had to get out of the stealth suit before someone saw him. Stripping it off, he splashed cold water on his face, trying to wash away the exhaustion clinging to his skin. His reflection stared back at him, his cerulean eyes shadowed with fatigue, but beneath it all burned a quiet determination.

    Once dressed in his pajamas, Naruto walked back to his closet, opening it just enough to slip his stealth suit inside. Then, summoning as little chakra as possible, he reached for the Space Stone. Reality shimmered at his fingertips as fractured space spiraled open, revealing the Mirror Dimension. He tossed the suit inside, watching it vanish into the infinite void before sealing the rift.

    Naruto let out a breathless chuckle, wincing as another sharp pulse of pain stabbed through his skull. "I''m not that stupid," he muttered, rubbing his temples. No one would find the suit now¡ªnot in a place only he could access.

    Vision had been training him in the Mirror Dimension''s use, though Naruto was still hesitant to fully enter it. Opening small rifts was one thing; stepping inside was another. Vision had warned him¡ªif he entered without mastering control, he could be trapped forever, lost in a world that had no way out.

    Sliding the closet shut, Naruto dragged himself back to bed and collapsed onto the mattress. Every inch of his body ached, but the pounding in his head was the worst of it. He barely had the energy to pull the blanket over himself before exhaustion started pulling him under.

    "I''m sorry, Naruto," Vision''s voice broke the silence as he phased into the room, his expression laced with regret. "I placed you in danger¡ª"

    Naruto weakly waved him off. "Don''t apologize, Vision." His voice was hoarse, but firm. "We both knew the risks. I had to do this. If they won''t train me, then I''ll train myself. They want to keep me weak, but I won''t let them." He let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. "Besides... we got what we needed. And a lot more."

    Vision hesitated, but nodded. "What were you doing outside?" Naruto asked, hoping to shift the conversation.

    The synthetic being smiled. "Making sure no one suspects you. Your clansmen are searching in all the wrong places for the ''intruder.''" His eyes flickered as he scanned the room. "The suit''s hidden?"

    Naruto grinned, despite the exhaustion weighing him down. "Yep. Slipped it into the Mirror Dimension. No one''s finding it."

    "Good," Vision said, his tone approving. He gave Naruto a final glance before floating back. "Now rest, Naruto. Absorb the information. There''s a long road ahead of us."

    Naruto let out a tired hum of agreement as his heavy eyelids finally shut. The road ahead was long... but for the first time, he wasn''t walking it alone.

    ??????????????

    Hiruzen appeared in a whirl of leaves, flanked by two men. One wore a dog-shaped ANBU mask, his silver hair defying gravity, standing out even in the dim evening light. The other had a bored expression, his black hair tied up in a high bun, giving him the appearance of a walking pineapple. Two thin scars ran down the right side of his face, adding a ruggedness to his otherwise unimpressed demeanor.

    As they approached the Namikaze-Uzumaki library tower, the compound was in a state of lockdown. Shinobi moved in squads of four, sweeping through the grounds in search of the intruder. The normally peaceful courtyard now buzzed with activity, the tension in the air thick. Families loitered at a distance, whispering amongst themselves, their curiosity piqued by the commotion. A light breeze stirred the night air, but it did little to ease the tension crackling between those present.

    Standing at the foot of the library tower were six individuals, two of whom Hiruzen immediately recognized. The others were shinobi under his command.

    "How is this possible?!" Hando Namikaze snapped, roughly shoving his glasses back onto the bridge of his crooked nose. His pale blue eyes burned with frustration as he glared daggers at the red-haired man standing before him. "There''s no way the intruder could have entered the tower without being detected! The seals were specifically designed to trap anyone foolish enough to trespass!"

    "Watch your tone, Hando," the redhead growled, his golden eyes flashing with irritation. "I''m not one of your lackeys¡ªremember that."

    The atmosphere grew even more charged, but before tensions could escalate, Hiruzen released a fraction of his killing intent (KI).

    A sharp wave of KI filled the courtyard, making the shinobi stiffen instinctively.

    The four unfamiliar shinobi immediately bowed, their voices crisp as they greeted him. "Good evening, Hokage-sama."

    Hando and the red-haired man, though less formal, also dipped their heads in acknowledgment.

    "Lord Third?" The redhead, clad in a dark, armored variation of the standard Uzumaki shinobi uniform, lifted his gaze. "I didn''t expect you here tonight. If I may ask, what brings you to the compound?"

    Hando huffed and crossed his arms. "I sent a messenger to inform the Hokage about the security breach in our most fortified building. And might I add," he shot a pointed glare at Kaito, "it seems our defenses are not as impenetrable as we were led to believe if an intruder could break in and leave without a trace."

    Kaito''s golden eyes narrowed dangerously, and for a moment, Hando visibly tensed.

    "Are you doubting the Uzumaki Clan''s sealing arts, Hando?" Kaito''s voice was quiet, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "If you have so little faith in our techniques, then perhaps the Namikaze shouldn''t be using them at all."

    Hando swallowed, his jaw tightening, but before he could fire back, Hiruzen raised a hand.

    "Enough."

    He let another pulse of KI ripple through the area, this time enough to make both men stagger slightly.

    "There is no time for infighting," the Third Hokage said firmly. "If an intruder gained access to our most classified fuinjutsu scrolls, then we may have a far bigger issue on our hands."

    "Well, that''s just it," Kaito replied, crossing his arms. "Nothing was taken."

    Hiruzen''s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. "Are you certain?"

    Kaito nodded, holding up a detailed inventory scroll. "We''ve done a full inspection of the archives, double-checked every scroll and book, and even tracked down every item that had been lent out." He glanced at the report in his hand. "According to the records, everything is accounted for."

    "Troublesome," the scarred shinobi beside Hiruzen muttered, exhaling through his nose. He leaned his head back slightly, his toothpick shifting lazily between his lips, eyes scanning the night sky as if contemplating just how much of a headache this situation would turn out to be.