Naruto: Starting with the Granted Strongest Eye

Inside the study of the Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Fugaku was listening intently to the report from Itachi and Shisui, a look of astonishment on his face.

He hadn't expected that the old man who wielded curse techniques could be that powerful. He hadn't expected that even a Jinchūriki, against such a foe, could only be completely overwhelmed. And he certainly hadn't expected that the one who ended up saving everyone was none other than Tō.

Even Kakashi's report to the Third Hokage had confirmed Tō's talent without hesitation. And yet, the boy seemed unwilling to acknowledge himself as a member of the Uchiha clan.

"So you're saying that kid defeated that old man using nothing but swordsmanship and that strange summoning beast of his? That old man couldn't have been that weak."

Fugaku still had his doubts. After all, in terms of pure taijutsu, that old man had shown the strength to take on even a Cloud Jinchūriki.

Shisui gave a faint smile and replied, "Like I said, that old man... whatever power he was using, it wasn't chakra. And the physical toll it took was immense. By the end, even Tō's swordsmanship wasn't nearly enough. The other villages' ninja can confirm that. But... as for what happened to the boy who inherited the so-called 'immortality technique,' we still don't know."

"But there's a logical explanation," Itachi added. "That boy had all four limbs severed, and even his head had been cut off. If he still didn't die from that… heh."

Itachi nodded as he continued. "Even though those 'immortality techniques' could reattach heads and limbs using chakra threads, that boy had no chakra left in his body. The Hyūga who was present and using the Byakugan didn't sense anything abnormal either."

That underground chamber had been sealed and buried.

"And besides," Shisui added with conviction, "Tō's swordsmanship is top-tier. He's trained under Genta, and his talent in kenjutsu is exceptional."

Fugaku fell silent in contemplation, then nodded slightly. "You two go rest. You've earned it."

Only after Shisui and Itachi had left did Fugaku murmur to himself:

"It seems... we may need to officially brand that boy with the Uchiha name. Otherwise, if he ever sides with Danzo... that could be a disaster."

At Konoha Hospital, Tō stood beside the bed where Uzumaki Keiko lay unconscious, visibly emotional. During their return, he had studied the old man's scroll in the quiet moments while others slept, and he kept watch. And to his surprise, he had discovered a healing technique.

Although it was different from traditional medical ninjutsu, Tō believed it could help his mother recover. He had already tested it on a few animals. While it wasn't quite on the level of someone like Tsunade, it was still far superior to ordinary healing techniques.

Like the rest of Fujirinka's jutsu, once studied closely, one would realize that the man had been a genius, perhaps even beyond Orochimaru in terms of scientific insight.

Of course, Tō himself was no weakling. With his demon beast partner and the skills he had acquired from his "lottery draws" after completing missions, his strength was already on par with Kakashi's. What's more, Tō possessed the heart of a true warrior. With each completed mission, the system allowed him to draw a new ability, and those drawn abilities were almost always of Kage-level caliber.

Still, against someone like Shisui, the outcome would be uncertain. Shisui's genjutsu was among the most formidable. And unlike Fujirinka, Tō couldn't perform Earth Fusion techniques, which required an enormous amount of chakra, particularly yin-type chakra.

According to the scroll, Fujirinka's genius lay in his deep understanding of yin chakra, focusing entirely on it due to his physical limitations. He believed spiritual energy was a form of yin chakra. As long as one's spirit remained, they could remain undefeated—so long as the yin chakra was present.

The reason the Guardians could keep fighting even after decapitation was that their entire bodies were bound together by the yin chakra. As long as parts of them remained intact, they could reassemble.

His enhancement curses increased strength by stimulating individual muscles and systems. Unlike Orochimaru, Fujirinka focused on the chakra properties within the body and how to manipulate them.

Fujirinka's Earth Fusion Techniques were even more bizarre—he could use his chakra to imprint formation patterns onto the ground and become one with it, binding his body to the terrain itself.

Although he couldn't use the chakra he absorbed from others, he could convert it into yin chakra. Had Tō been even a second slower in defeating him, Fujirinka would've turned all that stolen chakra into raw spiritual power—and Tō might not have walked away.

As for his medical curse technique, it was similar in principle to Tsunade's medical seals, but more biological. It enhanced the body's natural regeneration. While it came at a cost—sacrificing many cells and risking internal damage—it was a way to cling to life.

And with enough chakra, the harm could be minimized.

Now, Tō was ready.

Furrowing his brows, he began painting the curse formations around the room. These seals required chakra, and their center was none other than Uzumaki Keiko.

Once the entire room was covered in runes, Tō took a moment to rest and recover his chakra, just as Neji had done when tracking the Sound Five years ago.

When his chakra reached its peak, Tō created a shadow clone to stand guard. Then, he placed his hand over the center seal and began channeling his chakra into the formation.

A bright green glow filled the room—chakra pulses radiating outward like waves of light.

Tō was surprised. Using normal chakra consumed far more than expected. The scroll had mentioned that using the yin chakra would be more efficient. It seemed his chakra wasn't pure enough yet.

Sweat beaded down his face and drenched his back. The shadow clone began rapidly refining chakra and, once ready, canceled itself, transferring its reserves back to Tō.

That had been the plan all along.

"Heh... I'm not giving up. Even if it kills me to drain all my chakra, I won't stop. This was the promise I made to my mother."

As if encouraging himself, Tō muttered those words, his eyes barely staying open. Just then, he saw Keiko's fingers twitch.

His chakra surged with renewed strength.

All of Keiko's body began to resonate, like ripples in a lake. The curse formation glowed stronger, cleansing and healing from within.

"This curse accelerates the body's self-repair... and, with enough chakra, strengthens the body itself. But the cost…"

He was exhausted—one eye already closed, his soaked clothes clinging to his trembling body. And then...

Uzumaki Keiko sat up.

Seeing this, Tō collapsed to the floor in pure fatigue.

"Heh... Mom... you slept a long time, huh?" he murmured.

Despite the exhaustion, the joy on his face couldn't be hidden. The glowing seal slowly faded, its energy returning into Tō's body, giving him just enough strength to stagger to his feet.

"Tō!"

Keiko, stunned at first, rushed forward and embraced her sweat-soaked son tightly.

"I'm so sorry... Mom is so sorry..."

Her overwhelming motherly love enveloped him completely. And for the orphaned child Tō once was, it was a moment he had never known before.

His tired body relaxed in her arms...

And he drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep.