Naruto a Silent Change.

The battlefield was filled with the stench of blood and burning earth. The last of the enemy Shinobi fell to the ground, lifeless, while the cries of the bandits echoed in despair. The Leaf Shinobi, led by Kurenai, had successfully crushed the enemy forces, yet the atmosphere was strangely heavy. Something far beyond this simple mission had taken place.

In the midst of the chaos, everyone's attention unconsciously shifted toward the blonde figure standing in the front. Naruto Uzumaki, who had just moved with inhuman speed, delivering precise and deadly strikes, was now breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead. His eyes, which should have held their usual ocean-blue colour, had momentarily displayed a strange ring-like pattern that no one in the group could comprehend.

Kurenai, who had been silently observing Naruto's strange change throughout the mission, couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. Even with her years of experience as a Jonin, she had never seen anything like this before.

On the other hand, Sasuke, who had been watching from the side, felt something deeply unsettling within his heart. His pride as an Uchiha was already wounded after seeing Naruto move at a speed even his Sharingan couldn't fully capture. And now, this strange power... It was something far beyond anything Sasuke could comprehend.

Kakashi, who had been observing from the shadows all along, finally stepped forward with his usual nonchalant expression, yet his heart was filled with confusion and doubt. He had clearly seen those mysterious ripples within Naruto's eyes, something that only existed in the deep records of Konoha's forbidden library, something that was believed to be part of the legendary Sage of Six Paths.

'The Rinnegan...' Kakashi's single eye narrowed in disbelief as he looked at Naruto. 'But... how? This kind of power should have vanished from this world long ago.'

However, before anyone could question Naruto, the boy's body suddenly trembled as if the overwhelming chakra had drained his entire strength. He staggered for a moment before collapsing onto his knees, gasping for air.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata, who had been silently watching from behind, rushed forward in panic, catching Naruto before he hit the ground.

Naruto's face was pale, his body burning with exhaustion, yet his mind was blank. For some reason, he felt a strange connection with the world itself, as if he could feel every movement of chakra around him, the trembling of the earth, and even the faint heartbeat of every living being nearby.

Kiba stood there in shock, unable to understand what just happened. "H-Hey... What the hell was that just now?! How did Naruto... move like that?!"

Shino, who had been analyzing the entire situation from the beginning, frowned as he adjusted his sunglasses. "That... was not normal. His movements, his chakra flow... it's as if Naruto awakened something far beyond what a shinobi should possess."

Kurenai remained silent, her sharp eyes locked onto Naruto, who was still breathing heavily in Hinata's arms. 'No... this isn't normal at all. This boy... he's changing. And... those eyes I saw for a moment... they can't be... the legendary Dojutsu... Rinnegan...'

Meanwhile, Sasuke clenched his fists tightly. He couldn't accept it. The dead-last Naruto, who had always been behind him, was now showing a power that even an Uchiha couldn't comprehend. That frustration burned deep within him.

But before anyone could approach Naruto, Kakashi stepped in. His calm gaze scanned the surroundings, ensuring there were no more threats before kneeling beside Naruto.

"You overused your chakra... and something else is reacting within you," Kakashi said in a low voice, his tone unusually serious. "Naruto... what exactly happened to you?"

Naruto, who was barely conscious, tried to speak but felt his vision slowly turning dark.

"I... I don't know... Sensei... I just... moved... and everything felt natural..." Naruto muttered weakly before completely losing consciousness.

Hinata, who was still holding him, felt her heart ache seeing Naruto like this. Without hesitation, she gently laid his head on her lap, her soft hands brushing against his sweaty hair. She could feel his pulse stabilizing, yet his body seemed to be burning from the inside.

Kurenai silently observed the scene, her sharp senses catching something unusual. 'This boy... something ancient has awakened within him. If... if this truly is the Rinnegan... then... what exactly is Naruto's origin?'

Kakashi stood up, his gaze falling on the now unconscious boy. "...We need to return to the village as soon as possible."

However, just as the team was about to leave, Shino, who had been scouting ahead, returned with a grim expression.

"Kakashi-sensei... It's not over yet. There are three hidden shinobi within the remaining bandits' rank. They were hiding their chakra until now... but I sensed them moving toward us."

Everyone's expression hardened instantly.

"Hidden shinobi?" Kurenai narrowed her eyes.

Kiba growled in frustration, "Tch... So those bastards were hiding all along?"

Sasuke, despite being disturbed by Naruto's strange power, felt a burning desire to fight. "Let them come. I want to test myself."

Kakashi sighed but nodded. "Fine... but this time, we move with caution. Shino, you lead. Naruto will stay here under Hinata's protection."

"Yes, Sensei." Shino adjusted his sunglasses as he swiftly moved ahead.

As the rest of the team prepared for battle, Hinata remained beside Naruto, her soft gaze never leaving the boy who had once been the most unpredictable idiot in the village. But now...

"...You're not the same Naruto anymore, are you?" she whispered softly, her fingers brushing against his cheek as he peacefully slept.

Unbeknownst to everyone, deep within Naruto's subconscious, he found himself standing in an endless void, facing a mysterious figure whose face was obscured by darkness.

"...So, you've finally awakened... my successor..."

Naruto's eyes widened in confusion as he saw the faint silhouette of a man who resembled a shinobi from ancient times, with long hair and strange patterns on his robes.

"Who... are you?" Naruto asked, his voice trembling.

"I... am the one who passed down this power to you... from a world beyond this reality... From this moment forward, your fate has already begun to change."

Hinata, who was quietly standing beside Naruto, tightened her grip on her kunai as Kurenai-sensei's words echoed in her ears.

"Protect Naruto at all costs," Kurenai had said, sensing something far beyond their understanding in those strange ripples within Naruto's eyes.

The battlefield was eerily silent after the hidden shinobi were taken down. The rest of the bandits had long fled in fear after witnessing the terrifying power that erupted from the blond boy.

Kakashi, who had remained calm throughout, finally stepped forward. His gaze lingered on Naruto's eyes, which still faintly glowed with the skin-colored Rinnegan — hidden from the world but clear to those who paid attention.

"...Naruto," Kakashi spoke, his voice unusually heavy. "You're coming with me. We need to report everything to the Hokage."

Naruto blinked, his body still trembling slightly from the overwhelming surge of chakra he had experienced during the battle.

"But... sensei, I..." Naruto hesitated, his mind struggling to comprehend the changes within him.

Kakashi, seeing Naruto's confusion, simply turned to Kurenai. "I'll leave the rest to you. Shino, Kiba, and Hinata, escort the villagers back safely."

Kurenai nodded, but her eyes couldn't help but drift toward Naruto, whose very presence seemed... different now.

As Kakashi placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, he glanced at Hinata. "Hinata, keep an eye on him. If anything unusual happens... protect him."

Hinata's heart skipped a beat at those words. She clenched her fists and nodded firmly.

"Y-Yes... I will protect Naruto-kun."

Naruto turned to look at Hinata, feeling a strange warmth from her words. He didn't know why... but her quiet determination somehow calmed the storm raging within him.

In the next moment, Kakashi and Naruto disappeared with a flash of lightning, leaving the rest of the team behind.

The Hidden Leaf Village – Hokage Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe while scanning through mission reports. The door to his office suddenly creaked open, and Kakashi appeared with Naruto, who looked both exhausted and confused.

"Hokage-sama," Kakashi greeted, his tone unusually serious.

Hiruzen raised his eyes, sensing the heavy atmosphere.

"...What happened?" the old Hokage asked, narrowing his gaze.

Kakashi stepped aside, revealing Naruto, whose eyes slowly shifted from their usual bright blue to that terrifying ripple pattern — the Rinnegan.

The pipe fell from the Hokage's mouth. His eyes widened in shock, as if he had seen a ghost from the past.

"...This... This is...!"

Naruto looked at the old man with confusion, while Kakashi calmly spoke, "It's exactly what you think, Hokage-sama. During the mission, Naruto awakened... the legendary Rinnegan."

Silence filled the room.

Even Kakashi, who had witnessed countless horrors during the war, couldn't suppress the chill running down his spine.

Hiruzen's eyes trembled as memories of the Sage of Six Paths, and the terrifying legend of the God of Shinobi, resurfaced in his mind.

"How... How is this possible...?"

Naruto clenched his fists. "...I don't know either, Jiji... but... I saw things. I could read their attacks... I felt like I could control everything around me..."

Kakashi observed the Hokage's pale expression and calmly added, "For now... I suggest keeping this a secret from the village. Even from the higher-ups."

Hiruzen slowly nodded.

"...If the world learns that Naruto possesses the Rinnegan, not only Konoha... but the entire shinobi world will be thrown into chaos."

Naruto's eyes dimmed, and the Rinnegan slowly faded back to his usual blue.

"I'm... not some monster, am I...?" Naruto muttered softly.

Hiruzen's heart ached as he looked at the boy who had suffered all his life, carrying the burden of the Nine-Tails... and now, awakening the eyes that only the Sage of Six Paths once possessed.

"No Naruto, It is all fine..."