The return journey from the Land of Rice Fields was punctuated by Maito Gai-sensei's triumphant declarations of "youthful victory!" Despite the skirmish, he was elated, seeing our first C-rank as a resounding success for Team 11. He made us do "victory sprints" and "reflection push-ups," turning every stretch of road into another grueling training session. Akio groaned but complied, invigorated by the combat experience. Ren, ever stoic, managed to keep pace, her breathing even. I pushed myself harder than ever, using the physical exertion as a distraction from the frantic thoughts swirling in my mind. The serpent-like symbols carved into the trees back on Tetsuo's land remained seared into my memory, proof of Mizuki's far-reaching conspiracy.
Back in Konoha, the debriefing at the Hokage's office was brief. Gai-sensei, standing before the Third Hokage, delivered a passionate, lengthy report, emphasizing our "youthful dedication" and "splendid teamwork." He painted the encounter with the rogue ninja as a foundational test, praising Akio's courage, Ren's sharp senses, and my "excellent support and keen eye." I maintained my humble façade, bowing and offering quiet affirmations. The Third Hokage, a kind, elderly man, nodded with a gentle smile, seemingly pleased with Gai's enthusiasm and our performance. He had no idea the true extent of the shadows we had skirted.
Mission Objective Complete: Field Combat Experience. You have been awarded 25 EP. Current EP: 160.
That night, in the quiet solitude of the orphanage, I finally had time to fully process the information gleaned from the "Serpent's Deception" mission. I pulled up the Evolution System's interface. The newly acquired Stealth and Intelligence Skill Points were minor, but tangible proof of my progress. The system now displayed a comprehensive dossier on Mizuki, compiled from the mission data and my own prior knowledge from the anime: his Chunin rank, his history, his jealousy of Iruka, and most importantly, his connection to the Forbidden Scroll of Seals.
His offer to me, the coded message, and the symbols in the Land of Rice Fields all clicked into place. Mizuki wasn't just a rogue; he was a traitor, planning to steal the Forbidden Scroll, likely to gain power for himself and possibly align with Orochimaru, or at least use the scroll as a bargaining chip. The timeline was crucial. From what I remembered, his betrayal would happen soon, possibly within days or weeks of graduation. He needed a scapegoat (Naruto) and he needed access. My "potential" was merely a tool he hoped to exploit.
My immediate priority was no longer just training; it was prevention. I couldn't risk telling anyone directly. My story of survival was already thin; revealing precognitive knowledge of a Chunin's treason, combined with my hidden Sharingan, would undoubtedly raise more questions than it answered, perhaps even leading to my own interrogation, or worse, placement under strict observation by the ANBU. I had to act alone, subtly, and ensure I was at the right place, at the right time.
My thoughts turned to the Forbidden Scroll of Seals. I knew it contained powerful, dangerous jutsu. If Mizuki got his hands on it, Konoha would be in grave danger. Naruto was canonically manipulated into stealing it. My new mission: intercept Mizuki, protect the scroll, and somehow, still ensure Naruto gained the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
I needed more speed, more evasion, and a way to quickly neutralize threats without revealing my Sharingan to the wrong people. My focus turned to the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker), which I had subtly used during the recent C-rank. The System also provided a blueprint for another fire technique for my "Elemental Mastery" mission: Fire Release: Burning Ash Accumulation (Katon: Haisekishō), a technique that produced explosive ash, perfect for creating a diversion or blinding an opponent.
My nightly backyard sessions became a furious blur. I pushed my Shunshin, trying to cover greater distances faster, silently. I imagined myself weaving through a forest at blinding speed, appearing and disappearing like a ghost. For the Burning Ash Accumulation, I focused on precision in chakra molding and the rapid release, aiming to create a dense cloud of superheated ash. It was physically taxing, but the thought of Mizuki's sneering face spurred me on.
Skill Progress: Shunshin no Jutsu (Ninjutsu - Rank E -> D)Skill Progress: Fire Release Ninjutsu (C+ -> B-)Mission Objective: Elemental Mastery - Fire. (Progress: 3/3 techniques mastered - Phoenix Sage Fire Technique, Great Flame Bullet, Burning Ash Accumulation)Mission Objective Complete: Elemental Mastery - Fire. You have been awarded 40 EP. Current EP: 200.You have acquired a Major Ninjutsu (Fire Release) Boost and a Fire Release Affinity Boost.
With 200 EP, I knew what I had to do next. My Sharingan was stable, but its development was slow. I needed to accelerate.
"System," I thought, "purchase Sharingan Upgrade (Two-Tomoe)."
Purchase Confirmed: Sharingan Upgrade (Two-Tomoe) (100 EP). Current EP: 100.Sharingan Status Updated: Two-Tomoe (Stable).You have acquired a Major Sharingan Control Boost and a Significant Visual Perception Boost.
A profound, almost overwhelming surge of power flooded my eyes. It wasn't painful like the first activation, but it was incredibly intense. When I activated it, the crimson glow was deeper, and a second tomoe, perfectly formed, spun into existence in each eye. The world seemed to slow down further. Details I'd previously struggled to perceive with one tomoe were now crystal clear. I could see the individual fibers of my futon, the dust motes dancing in the moonlight, the faint, irregular heartbeat of a sleeping child in the next room. This was an entirely different level of perception. This was the power I needed.
Days passed, filled with more D-rank missions under Gai's booming guidance. I kept my eye on Naruto. He was still frustrated, still struggling with basic techniques. Mizuki, for his part, began subtly approaching Naruto after class, whispering to him, often out of earshot of Iruka or other teachers. He was clearly setting up the trap. The storm was coming.
One evening, I saw Mizuki talking animatedly with Naruto near the gates of the training grounds, gesturing towards a distant, heavily guarded building – the Hokage's office. Naruto looked confused, then intrigued. Mizuki handed him something, a small, rolled-up paper, then quickly walked away as Iruka-sensei approached.
The pieces snapped into place. The Forbidden Scroll. The theft was imminent. Mizuki had likely told Naruto about the "secret test" to become Hokage, sending him to steal the scroll. My time was now.
I slipped away from the orphanage after dark, not towards the training yard, but towards the Hokage's office. The stable Two-Tomoe Sharingan was a silent advantage, allowing me to move through the village's back alleys and rooftops with unparalleled stealth. I was no longer just the forgotten Uchiha; I was the ghost in the machine, moving against the currents of fate. The night air was tense, electric. The storm was here.
End of chapter 17