Naruto: Starting with the Granted Strongest Eye

The greatest comfort in life is being cared for by your mother when you're sick. The greatest happiness is having a mother who loves you and dotes on you.

Tō was basking in that warmth now, being spoon‑fed warm porridge by his mother. He smiled gently and said, "Mom, I'm not a kid anymore—I'm a ninja who can handle things on my own now!"

He tapped his forehead protector, still gleaming with a hint of childish pride. Keiko stroked his hair and replied with a fond smile, "My Tō is growing up. But next time, don't push yourself so hard. When I first woke, seeing you collapsed scared me half to death!"

Tō simply smiled, that pure, innocent expression children have.

He threw back the blanket and stood up. "I'm fine now. I just drained too much chakra. That's all," he said, bouncing in reassurance.

Just then, Shisui and Itachi appeared at the door, their expression solemn. Tō brightened. "You two here already?"

Shisui and Itachi were grave. "The clan head wants to speak with you. Your sudden use of medical ninjutsu to bring Auntie back surprised everyone."

Keiko's face showed concern, as though afraid of what came next.

Tō gave Shisui and Itachi a quick look and said, "Don't worry—I'm fine! It was thanks to Lord Fugaku that Mom recovered so quickly."

Once he spoke lightly, he followed Shisui and Itachi out. Keiko leaned on the doorway, worried and watching her son leave.

In Uchiha Fugaku's study, Tō felt a twinge of nervousness. Fugaku sat in quiet thought over files, brow furrowed in concentration as he analyzed the report.

"Tō," Fugaku began, looking straight at him. "Please, sit."

Tō and the two walked in. Just as Shisui was about to speak, Fugaku interrupted. "Father, Tō already knows chakra scalpels and medical ninjutsu," Itachi interjected calmly.

Fugaku nodded to Itachi and Shisui: "You may step out. I wish to speak with Tō privately."

As the two left, Fugaku faced his son. After a long pause, he asked: "Tell me honestly—are you Danzo's spy?"

Tō froze. It was true—sent by Danzo—but no oath-bound ninja seal had been placed on him. He was stunned by Fugaku's insight, remembering how cool-headed Fugaku was during Itachi's massacre of the clan.

Fugaku's expression softened. "You graduated at age seven, just like Itachi. Though you hadn't awakened your eyes then, by eight, your abilities—medical ninjutsu, fire techniques, swordsmanship, taijutsu—and that strange summoning beast—had everyone envious. And you unlocked the Sharingan at seven."

He paused, then continued: "That metal-resistant taijutsu—haven't seen you use it lately. With all those abilities, you could stand toe-to-toe with a Jonin. Today, a regular Jonin would lose if unaware of your strengths. Kakashi would be tough, but you could match him… at only eight years old."

Tō swallowed hard. The hardness in Fugaku's eyes gave him no comfort.

"If I truly were Danzo's spy, what would you do?" Tō asked evenly.

"Recruit you," Fugaku declared, voice firm. "Bring you into the Uchiha and then send you to... take care of those others. Since Madara left, our clan's standing has diminished. And tell me—have you not noticed the Police Force acting like a prison, trapping us?"

Fugaku's hands clenched, veins bulged on his arms. "But if you join us, within time, Itachi will aid you too. Danzo... and our clan... think carefully."

Tō thought of Danzo's extremist faction and Nagato's fate. He also feared Itachi's abilities if it came down to bloodthirst. His mother's safety came first.

Fugaku imposed a firm hand on Tō's shoulder and reassured him: "Do you think your mother would be taken by Danzo for leverage? She's beyond their reach. They don't have the power—and wouldn't dare strike openly. It won't happen for years."

Tō nodded. "He's likely to summon me tonight... to question my mission. I'll say the Uchiha seem restless—I'll suggest increased surveillance of key areas."

Fugaku paused, expression unreadable. Then he smiled and slapped Tō on the shoulder. "Well said, kid."

That night, Tō made his way to Root's underground headquarters, heart pounding. Danzo was no easy man to fool.

When Tō and Mentor Genta arrived before Danzo, Gita—Danzo's bodyguard—scowled. Danzo glared and coldly asked: "What happened during that mission? Will you report your findings on the Uchiha?"

Tō shook his head. "After that mission, I understood how terrifying the Sharingan can be."

Danzo paused, interested.

"If not for the Sharingan's greatest genjutsu—Itachi's—it fooled that old man into thinking he couldn't match me. Then I beat an enemy even a Jinchūriki struggled with."

"Do you think without that blend of abilities, I would have completed the mission?" Tō pressed. "Do you think Fugaku would have told me where the Uchiha gather? No—he does now because I succeeded."

Danzo was momentarily speechless. He merely nodded. "So... Chain Genjutsu, huh? I see your talent is even greater than I expected. Fugaku has approved you."

Tō immediately went down on one knee. "Yes, sir. Today, he checked me again—for seals—and told me the Uchiha meeting location."

Danzo's dark eyes narrowed. "Tell me."

After a two-hour debriefing, Tō left with Genta. His mentor, smiling from start to finish, couldn't contain his pride.

Tō looked at him in mild amusement. "Sensei, you seem very pleased... or maybe have a fever?"

Genta laughed, "The mission was finished with your swordsmanship, not genjutsu or ninja tools. You did brilliantly, kid."

Tō smirked under his breath: "Sword fanatic," he muttered lightly.