[Byakugan: The signature dojutsu of the Hyuga clan, requires 3,000 Blackening Points!]
[Sharingan: The signature dojutsu of the Uchiha clan, requires 4,000 Blackening Points!]
[Shikotsumyaku: The Kaguya clan's kekkei genkai, requires 2,000 Blackening Points!]
[Wood Release: A kekkei genkai formed by combining Earth and Water chakra natures, requires 3,000 Blackening Points!]
[Shukaku Chakra: Grants the host partial access to Shukaku's chakra, requires 3,000 Blackening Points!]
[Sage Chakra: Grants the host Sage chakra tailored to their nature, requires 4,000 Blackening Points!]
Various kekkei genkai and dojutsu were available for purchase.
Even Tailed Beast and Sage chakra could be acquired in the Blackening Shop.
The shop could also eliminate the drawbacks of certain dojutsu or kekkei genkai.
For instance, the Sharingan's overuse could lead to blindness.
In the Blackening Shop, purchasing it and accumulating enough Blackening Points allowed upgrading a standard Sharingan to an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
This upgrade prevented blindness without needing to transplant another's eyes.
[Pity, nothing suitable for now.]
[This Blackening Shop is terrifying. Once I fully control Naruto Uzumaki…]
[These items will become my greatest weapons.]
Chu Ran shook his head regretfully. He couldn't afford anything yet.
Even if he could, the items within his reach didn't interest him.
Chu Ran knew exactly what choices to make and which powers had the greatest potential.
Meanwhile, in the outside world, Naruto Uzumaki awoke.
The moment he opened his eyes, deep fear gripped his pupils.
The terror of that darkness, where time seemed to lose meaning over those two days, overwhelmed him.
He'd tasted the horror of the unknown. Even an adult might not endure such torture, yet he was recovering.
This brought a sigh of relief to Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing nearby.
"Naruto, don't be afraid."
"You're safe now."
Hiruzen's steady voice sounded beside Naruto, whose pupils trembled slightly.
Anger and resentment flashed in his eyes, but only briefly.
Even Hiruzen didn't notice that the boy he'd watched grow up had learned to hide his emotions after this ordeal.
"Third Grandpa…"
"I'm sorry."
Naruto's first words upon waking weren't accusations about his treatment.
He didn't seek to assign blame, believing he'd done wrong.
He attributed his punishment to Hiruzen.
"It's alright. Just don't do anything foolish like this again."
"But I need to know why you stole the Scroll of Seals."
"And who told you about it."
Hiruzen, seeing Naruto's immediate apology, wore a relieved expression.
Recognizing his mistake meant Naruto was still the boy Hiruzen knew.
But the theft of the Scroll of Seals raised too many questions.
First, how did Naruto learn about the Scroll? Why did Mizuki kill Iruka Umino?
Who killed Mizuki and injured Naruto? And who was the mysterious Wind Release ninja?
Naruto's testimony was crucial to piecing it together.
The Anbu's investigation confirmed Mizuki killed Iruka.
Naruto's injuries were likely caused by Mizuki as well.
"It was Mizuki-sensei. He told me about it."
"And he killed Iruka-sensei. He tricked me into stealing the Scroll of Seals, then tried to kill me."
Pain contorted Naruto's face as he recounted all he remembered from that night.
Mizuki's betrayal and deception cut deeply.
He'd trusted the seemingly kind teacher, but Mizuki's true face was a sharp dagger piercing Naruto's young heart.
"I see."
"Rest well, Naruto."
"Don't do this again. Once you're better, someone will take you home."
Hiruzen nodded and left.
He believed Naruto. A child reeling from such trauma wouldn't lie.
Nor could Naruto be a suspect in the killings.
But one question nagged at Hiruzen, unresolved.
Who killed Mizuki? And why didn't they take the Scroll of Seals?
Did they deem it unworthy?
That seemed impossible. Ninjas across the world coveted the Scroll of Seals.
Its forbidden jutsu, if mastered, could make one a top-tier ninja.
Mastering even one technique recorded within could elevate a ninja to elite status.
"Who did this, and what was their goal?"
Leaving the hospital, Hiruzen gazed at the sky, lost in thought.
…
The next day in the hospital, Naruto passed the time in a daze.
His mood hadn't improved with time.
Whenever he closed his eyes or drifted into sleep, he saw Iruka's murderous glare.
Mizuki's true face haunted him too.
These memories clung to him like nightmares, waking him drenched in sweat.
Even when the hospital room's door opened, Naruto didn't look up.
Only ninjas questioning him about the Scroll or medical ninjas entered.
But today was different. A unique, sweet scent wafted into his nose.
"Sticky rice dumplings?"
A spark of life flickered in Naruto's eyes as he looked up.
It wasn't a masked medical ninja or a stern Leaf Jonin.
A smiling face greeted him, with gentle black eyes.
"Izumi-nee?"
Naruto froze. His heart, sealed shut by Mizuki's betrayal, cracked open a small window.
A sliver of light shone through, filled with memories of time spent with Uchiha Izumi.
"Naruto, your big sister's here to see you."
"I heard you were hospitalized—it nearly scared me to death."
"Are you hurt? Or sick?"
(End of Chapter)
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