"..."
After Uchiha Izumi left, Naruto got up and looked out the window.
Her silhouette, running off into the night, had already shrunk to the point it was almost invisible.
That kind of speed—there's no way a mere genin, or even a chunin or jonin, could achieve that.
"She actually… awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan…"
Naruto was genuinely surprised when he saw Uchiha Izumi arrive with Mangekyō Sharingan activated.
After all, who would've thought that just visiting someone in the hospital, taking care of them a bit, feeding them some milk to restore their strength… would lead to awakening the Mangekyō?
What the…
But then again, according to official lore, Izumi awakened her Sharingan earlier than either Itachi or Sasuke.
So you could say she had massive potential and innate talent.
Of course, since Izumi had a kind heart and no real killing intent, she was only overpowered on paper.
In an actual fight, she was pretty weak.
However, the Mangekyō isn't like the basic one-, two-, or three-tomoe Sharingan.
It truly changes an Uchiha.
After all, the Second Hokage once said that without extreme emotions, there's no way to gain powerful ocular abilities… in other words, no way to awaken the Mangekyō.
Izumi, you've gone too far.
They say "a dark heart is ten times stronger."
It's obvious that Uchiha Izumi's mental state isn't normal.
Even compared to someone like Hyūga Hanabi, who was barely affected by anything…
Or even compared to the unhinged Uzuki Yugao, Izumi clearly seems crazier.
So—
Has she gone full dark side? Or did she just develop a split personality?
Or is this all just an effect of the Mangekyō's ocular powers?
After all, the Sharingan is the eye that reflects the heart.
Each Mangekyō ability is directly tied to the heart of its wielder.
What does Izumi truly desire deep down? Hm… now that's a question worth exploring.
But regardless—
Izumi's Mangekyō is a pleasant surprise.
With proper guidance, she could become an incredible asset in battle.
At the very least, against most ninjas, she could sweep through them with ease.
In Naruto's heart, a sense of resolve formed—he had to win Izumi over.
What began as simple fun had now become something more serious.
"Oh, right… I remember now… Sister Izumi has a mo too~…"
Naruto's voice suddenly turned innocent and gentle.
Kurama: "Aren't you afraid she'll kill you?!"
Kurama's warning had never been this explicit before.
Not even when facing the demonic force of the underworld, Yomi, was he this nervous.
Clearly, the Mangekyō Sharingan had touched a nerve—and possibly even triggered PTSD.
Naruto understood, deeply.
"Kurama, what are you talking about? I don't get it…"
Naruto shook his head and put on an expression of utter ignorance.
But the mental space… the black corruption seeping into the sealed gate… said it all.
Kurama knew—this kid was plotting something seriously messed up again.
"Hmph… Just don't burn yourself playing with fire!"
Kurama, for one, urged the kid to behave himself—because Uchiha Mangekyō users… don't play fair.
Swoosh!
At that moment, a figure rapidly approached Naruto's residence and stopped outside the window.
It was Uzuki Yugao, her mask already pushed to the side of her head, face filled with shame.
After all, she had been instantly taken down by Uchiha Izumi the moment they met.
What an utter humiliation.
She had failed completely in her mission to protect Naruto…
And she felt deeply dejected about it.
"Naruto, I'm sorry…" Yugao apologized softly under the moonlight, her sorrowful expression enough to inspire pity.
"It's okay, Sister Yugao~ You must've just been too tired."
Naruto smiled gently.
"Go home and get some rest. Everyone needs a break sometimes. Let's call it a night…"
Did Yugao witness Izumi awaken the Mangekyō?
Probably not.
To her, everything went black in an instant.
And the Mangekyō can cause temporary memory loss—interrogators often can't recall anything after facing it.
"Too much work, exhausting missions… remember to come home now and then…"
Naruto mumbled as he opened the window.
"Sister Yugao… let me walk you home…"
Naruto grinned as he offered to escort her—it was late after all.
No helping it… Uchiha Izumi had stirred up something in him tonight. Couldn't even sleep in peace.
"Alright."
Yugao smiled in relief and looked at Naruto with gratitude.
"This kid… he's so considerate…"
---
Under the moonlight, Konoha was bathed in silver glow.
Two shadows darted through the dark alleys.
After a while, Naruto finally brought Yugao home.
It was his first time visiting her place.
A standalone house, very different from downtown. Each home here had its own courtyard.
"This is my home," Yugao said, pointing at the warm-looking two-story house ahead.
"Next door is Hayate's place," she added, pointing at the townhouse beside it.
Only a thick wall separated their homes.
Naruto nodded—got it.
The house was dark, with no lights on. But the silver moonlight was enough to see everything clearly.
Once inside the bedroom, Yugao didn't know what to say for a moment.
Her request was simple.
"Naruto… can you… help me become stronger again…"
She hesitated, then spoke.
She seemed normal on the outside—but Naruto could tell, her entire mindset had changed.
Yugao knew it was late and didn't want to disturb anyone.
But her strong sense of duty wouldn't let her slack off.
If she kept failing missions, how could she remain an ANBU ninja?
Seeing her so sincere, Naruto couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Guess he'd be staying up tonight.
"Oh right, Sister Yugao—if we train, won't we disturb Brother Hayate next door?" Naruto asked innocently.
"The wall is thick and soundproof. It's fine," Yugao reassured him.
"Good." Naruto stepped forward, signaling her.
Yugao obediently turned to face the wall.
She slowly stretched out her hands and pressed them against it.
"I'm… ready…"
A soft rustling sound accompanied her movements. Naruto's palm began to glow with pitch-black chakra.
Yugao turned back, breath quickening with excitement at the thought of becoming stronger again.
Who wouldn't be thrilled at the idea?
"Hand signs… begin!"
Just like before—they used the Twin Snakes Mutual Death technique, syncing their chakra pathways.
Naruto assisted Yugao in forming seals, transmitting the power of Yang Release + Nine-Tails Chakra to her.
As the hand signs accelerated, Naruto's movements blurred.
The terrifying chakra surged into Yugao's body through their linked meridians.
Such intense power came with risks.
Yugao felt the chakra storming through her—like she was going to die.
"Ughhhh~!"
The pain was unbearable, and she cried out.
To ease the suffering, she had to release Water-Style jutsu, expelling moisture and some of the negative chakra from her body.
Hiss~!
Hisssssss~!!!
While Yugao trained hard, drawing power from the Nine-Tails and Yang Release…
On the other side of the wall, Hayate was peacefully asleep.
He even smiled a little in his sleep—probably dreaming of love.
The night grew colder.
The training noises on the other side intensified—but the thick wall blocked it all.
Hayate, sound asleep, had no idea that his childhood friend was still working hard…
And maybe, that's why their fates ended up so different in the original story.
Oh, Naruto meant—Sister Yugao was a highly ambitious kunoichi.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have replaced Kakashi and become the captain of ANBU Squad Six.
So, Brother Hayate… you better step up too…
Yugao: "Ooooooh~!!"