Kabuto placed the jar on the ground and explained,
"This is something I secretly kept back when I helped Danzō with surgery years ago. I've never told Lord Orochimaru about it, because I knew should he find out, he would most certainly seek to implant it within himself. I couldn't risk it…"
"You mean…" Naruto seemed to understand something.
"I didn't say anything—just think carefully for yourself," Kabuto interrupted Naruto. "I'm simply giving you an option; what you choose to do is your own decision. My job is only to hand this over to you. What you plan to do with it is none of my concern. However, if you see Sasuke, be sure to teach him a good lesson for me…" With that, he turned around and vanished into the darkness.
"Why are you thanking me?" Naruto shouted toward the place where Kabuto had disappeared.
"Because you've reminded me of my own goal, Naruto-kun!" Kabuto's voice echoed from afar, already completely lost in the dark. "You were once a despised Jinchuriki, a pawn of Danzō's, and the dead last of your village. But now, you control your own fate, steadily climbing toward the pinnacle of the ninja world. You and I aren't so different—we're both searching for our own purpose, and now, finally, I have found mine!" As he spoke, he pulled off his hoodie, revealing his true face.
"You…" Maki recoiled in shock at the sight of Kabuto, stumbling back several paces. Half of his left face and arm had mutated into serpentine forms, pale scales shimmering eerily in the firelight. "How could you turn into this?!"
"Lord Orochimaru embodies immortality. Even after his physical body perished, his spirit remains within me, constantly reminding me who my ultimate target is!"
As Kabuto spoke, he looked down at his left arm which had morphed into a serpentine form, his lips curling into a savage grin.
"Even now, I can feel Lord Orochimaru's cells writhing inside me, trying to consume me—but I will conquer them!"
With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving behind only one final phrase echoing through the trees:
"I'm looking forward to your news, Naruto-kun. Consider this as a token of our cooperation."
After Kabuto left, Naruto walked forward and picked up the jar from the ground.
"Looks like I still have scores to settle with Danzō!" Naruto clenched his fist tightly and opened the Sealing Scroll in his hand, sealing the Sharingan inside it. "But for now—"
"Senior Naruto…" Maki interrupted him. "I can help you inspect this eye for any problems—I've done some research in this area. Also…"
"Also what?" Naruto asked.
"If you'll let me," Maki said softly, her cheeks flushing faintly, "I can help transplant this eye into your body. You can think about it—it might give you an advantage against Sasuke and Itachi. Plus, given your chakra reserves, you could wield the Sharingan's full power without any training—perhaps even more effectively than a typical Uchiha."
"Seriously? Is the Sharingan really that powerful?"
Naruto was lost in thought. "Danzo also has a Sharingan," he thought to himself. "And Nine-Tails said that the Sharingan could suppress its power..."
"Naruto-senpai, are you alright?" Sai noticed that Naruto had been frozen in place ever since Maki made her suggestion. He walked over and gently patted Naruto's shoulder.
Snapping out of his trance, Naruto looked at Sai, then down at the Sealing Scroll in his hand. Eventually, he put it away into his pocket.
"It's getting late. Everyone should rest early. We have a lot to do tomorrow." With that, he turned and walked into the safehouse, then created several Shadow Clones to keep watch.
Sai and Maki exchanged worried glances.
"Did I say the wrong thing? Is Naruto-senpai angry?" Maki asked anxiously. "I just thought this would help him. If he gained the Sharingan, he'd definitely become much stronger."
"You're right. He knows exactly what the Sharingan means, but he also has his own concerns," Sai replied as he entered the safehouse. "He needs time to think it through carefully. This is a huge decision. Give him some space. Right now, he needs to calm down."
Inside the safehouse, Naruto leaned against the wall, staring blankly ahead, lost in thought.
Sai went to prepare bedding for sleep while Maki quietly sat down beside Naruto, offering silent companionship.
"You know," she suddenly spoke up, "when I first joined Root, you were already my role model. Just like you, I'm an orphan too, yet you were so strong and outstanding... I could never measure up. You always stood out among your peers, even earning respect from many adults. At first, I didn't understand why Danzo-sama chose me to be your partner. I was actually a bit resentful. Every time you tried to talk to me, I thought you were pitying me, so I rarely responded."
Hearing Maki's words, Naruto couldn't help but smile slightly at Maki's words, though he stayed silent, still lost in thought.
"But slowly, I started caring about you more," Maki continued, her voice softening. "How could I not care? You got injured so many times protecting me... Do you remember all the missions we did together? You almost died saving me once."
As she spoke, she gently traced the scar on Naruto's arm.
"I watched you bandage your wounds with my own eyes. Most of those injuries happened because you protected me. It was because I was so weak. Still, you never blamed me. Instead, you patiently guided me, showing me right from wrong."
Naruto turned his head toward Maki, his gaze filled with tenderness.
"This time is different, Maki," he said softly. "This time, I'd be hurting myself. Just for power, I'm considering gouging out my own eyes to implant someone else's—Is that really worth it?"
"I believe in you," Maki said, looking directly into Naruto's eyes, her voice firm with conviction. "No matter what choice you make, it will always be for the good of everyone—for Konoha!"
"Why do you trust me so much?"
"Naruto asked with a smile."
Maki smiled, but gave no reply. Instead, she leaned her head gently against Naruto's shoulder.
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