Despite all the efforts of the Valar, no trace of Sauron was ever found.Not in the winds of Manwë, nor in the waters of Ulmo, nor even in the depths of the Void watched over by Mandos.
The Ages passed.
Songs became whispers, whispers became memories, and memories turned into legends.
As after his defeat in the Second Age, Middle-earth gradually forgot his existence. The name of Sauron became nothing more than a simple entry in history books.
Without the intervention of the Valar—or that of Sauron—Middle-earth underwent profound changes.
Continents shifted, the laws of magic altered, and the world itself lost all memory of its original form.
Arda did not die—it fragmented.
Each era gave it a new name, each civilization a new truth.
Thus were born Tamriel, Thedas… and many other worlds still, unaware that they were heirs to the same forgotten cradle.
With these upheavals, Evil resurfaced in many forms. At times, the Valar themselves were forced to intervene to contain it. Yet, to everyone's dread, Sauron never reappeared. They knew he was alive—hidden, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
He had become their shadow.
…
Eighth Age — The Elemental Nations
A man clad in noble robes of immaculate white approached the gates of the most powerful ninja village. He stopped when the guards challenged him.
"Halt! State your reason for coming to Konoha!"
The traveler displayed a kind, warm smile as he removed his hood. He was a handsome young man, with long white hair flowing down his back. Judging by his appearance and attire, he was muscular yet lean.
"Greetings. My name is Annatar, and I am here to offer a gift to your Hokage."
The guards appeared stunned upon hearing that name and immediately adopted a respectful stance. For several months now, that name had been circulating throughout the shinobi world.
"Welcome, Lord of Gifts. We are honored to receive you in our village. Follow me; I will lead you to Lady Tsunade," announced one of the guards.
Annatar nodded and followed him, a cunning smile playing upon his lips. As he observed Konoha, he noted that its inhabitants lived in far greater luxury than those of other nations—hardly surprising, as Konoha was the most financially prosperous village.
They soon reached a large building adorned with the kanji of Fire. After waiting a few minutes in the hall, the visitor was escorted directly to the Hokage's office.
The moment he entered the room, he detected the presence of nearly a dozen ANBU, though his face revealed nothing.
Behind the desk stood a magnificent blonde woman: Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage. Though she appeared to be nothing more than a beautiful woman, appearances were deceptive—she was the physically strongest Kage in history. Bowing slightly, the traveler introduced himself.
"It is an honor to meet you, Lady Tsunade. You are an exceedingly busy woman, and you cannot imagine the joy your welcome brings me."
The introduction made a good impression on the Sannin.
"Come now, you are too modest. We have heard of the Lord of Gifts, offering unique presents to each of the Kage of the Hidden Villages. It is an honor to receive you."
With humility, Annatar replied,"You flatter me, my lady. I am merely a man who enjoys giving to those who are in need—or who are worthy."
"Then you truly have a good heart. But may I ask—whom do you consider worthy… or in need?" the Hokage asked.
The young man's smile softened at the question."Those who are worthy through their strength and merit, and those who need protection or comfort. I offer these gifts as symbols of friendship. Thus, after years of painstaking work, I have created this…"
The traveler revealed two objects: a ring meant for a woman, and another for a man.The first was made of silver, sculpted in the shape of a leaf.The second was a ring of gold, evoking fur, crowned with a fox's head whose eyes were obsidian.
Shizune, Tsunade's assistant, exclaimed,"They're beautiful!"
"You flatter me, miss. But it is not their appearance alone that should entice you… it is also their power."
Annatar slowly closed his hand around the rings, as though prolonged exposure alone might disturb the balance of the room. For a brief moment, the air grew heavier, almost vibrating, and several ANBU exchanged uneasy glances without knowing why.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes slightly. She had seen legendary weapons, forbidden scrolls, techniques capable of leveling mountains. Yet something about the presence of these two simple rings oppressed her more than a drawn blade.
"What kind of power?" the Sannin asked, her voice calm but tense.
Annatar stepped closer, close enough for the Hokage to discern the patterns engraved in the metal. The runes belonged to no known fūinjutsu system. They seemed… older.
"The first ring is for you, Lady Hokage."
He presented the silver leaf-shaped ring, which reflected the light as if it were alive.
"It will act as a perfect catalyst. Your chakra will be amplified—but more importantly, stabilized. Your regenerative abilities will reach a level that even your seal could not sustain indefinitely. Your already legendary physical strength will be increased, and your mind will gain clarity, speed of calculation, and strategic perception."
Shizune felt a shiver run down her spine.
That's… monstrous, she thought.
Tsunade remained silent. Her gaze had fixed itself on the second ring.
The golden one.
The fox's head seemed to observe the room, its obsidian eyes capturing every movement.
Annatar followed her gaze, and his smile changed imperceptibly.
"As for the other…"
He let a calculated silence hang, savoring the tension that settled over the room.
"It can allow a jinchūriki to survive… even after the extraction of their tailed beast."
The shock was immediate.
"What!?" Tsunade shouted, rising abruptly as her fist slammed into the desk with a sinister crack."That's impossible! Everyone knows a jinchūriki dies within an hour after losing their beast! How could these rings possibly achieve that!?"
Two ANBU emerged from hiding by reflex, positioning themselves in front of the door. The Hokage's chakra flared wildly, uncontrolled.
But Annatar did not step back.
He looked at her with a serenity that was almost condescending."Because the world accepts that death as an inevitability… I do not."
He lifted the golden ring between two fingers.
"This artifact acts as a reservoir and a regulator. A portion of the bijū's chakra is slowly transferred into it, day after day, gradually altering the bearer's chakra network. The body learns to survive without relying entirely on the beast."
He inclined his head slightly.
"Thus, if extraction occurs, the shock is absorbed. The jinchūriki retains enough vital energy to live… and even to fight. He becomes a pseudo-jinchūriki."
The silence that followed was heavy—almost sacred.
Tsunade felt her heart tighten. It was a way to save the life of the boy who constantly reminded her of her little brother. Especially since, according to Jiraiya, the Akatsuki were already hunting him.
"What is the price to pay?" she finally asked, her voice lower.
Annatar tilted his head, as though amused by the question.
"No trap. No constraint. A simple request."
He clasped his hands behind his back.
"If the shinobi accepts, I may summon him only in cases of absolute necessity, when he is available. Otherwise, he will remain entirely free. No oath. No chain."
Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment.
Logically, everything screamed danger.Emotionally… it was a lifeline.
"I accept…" she finally said."But the final decision will be Naruto's."
Annatar's smile grew gentler, almost paternal.
"Naturally, Lady Hokage. I never force another's will."
He paused.
"And should he ever find himself in a critical situation, his ring will allow him to reverse an invocation to my location… or even call me directly. Wherever I may be."
His eyes gleamed with an indefinable light.
"I will always be happy to watch over him."
…
Annatar briefly met the young blond boy. It did not take much effort to convince him to accept the gift. The boy seemed determined to gain more power in order to bring back one of his friends.
Whatever his reasons, the essential truth was this:
He was now bound to the Lord of Gifts.
The latter wasted no time in leaving the village. Ensuring that no one was following him, he opened a dark portal beneath his feet, which swallowed him whole.