Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

The moon hung high in the night sky as Team 2 and Team 7 gathered for dinner in Tazuna's modest home. The long wooden table was filled with simple but hearty dishes: steaming bowls of miso soup, rice, and grilled fish. Laughter and chatter filled the air as the teams relaxed after a grueling day of training.

"This is impossible!" Mai groaned, stabbing at her rice with her chopsticks. Her eyes blazed with frustration. "I've been trying all day, and I still can't get it right. Stupid chakra control. Stupid tree. Stupid shoes!"

Across from her, Mina adjusted her glasses with a calm expression, sipping her tea before speaking. "It's not your shoes, Mai. You're using too much chakra. If you focused on a steady output rather than overloading the surface, you'd see more progress."

Mai scowled. "Thanks, Sensei Mina. You make it sound so easy."

Mina's lips twitched into the faintest smile. "It's not easy, but it is straightforward."

Mai rolled her eyes. "Straightforward for you. Meanwhile, here I am, falling flat on my face while you and Sakura climb like it's second nature."

Sasuke, sitting nearby, glanced at her briefly but remained silent, focusing on his food. His silence felt heavier than any comment, and Mai let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing up her hands.

"See? Even Mr. Silent over there is making progress! Meanwhile, I'm having full conversations with the ground."

Naruto, who had been unusually quiet, finally chimed in, his grin spreading across his face. "Hey, don't feel too bad, Mai. At least you've started the training. I haven't even gotten to the tree-walking part yet."

Mai turned to him, her eyebrows raised. "What do you mean you haven't started? What have you been doing all day?"

Naruto gestured to his left hand with a sheepish grin. "One-handed seals. Trust me, it's harder than it looks."

Mai blinked, her frustration softening. "Oh… yeah, that would be tough. Are you managing okay?"

Mina interjected, her tone steady. "For context, one-handed seals are among the most advanced skills in ninja techniques, requiring immense precision and control. Not many jonin can perform them effectively."

Naruto's grin grew determined despite his struggles. "Barely. I keep messing up halfway, and Kakashi-sensei won't let me off the hook. Honestly, I'm starting to think he's enjoying this."

Naruto waved off the thought, his grin softening. "If I can't even handle this, how am I supposed to get stronger? Besides, you're not doing so bad, Mai. Falling off a tree a few times isn't the end of the world."

Mai gave a weak laugh, her shoulders loosening. "You make it sound like face-planting is a badge of honor."

"Hey," Naruto said, his grin widening, "if it means we're both trying, why not? At least we're not giving up."

Tazuna, seated at the head of the table, let out a hearty laugh. "You kids are something else. It's been a long time since we've had this much noise at dinner."

Tsunami smiled as she refilled everyone's bowls. "It's good noise. You're all working hard, and this is the least we can do to thank you."

"Thank you, Tsunami-san," Tomaru said, his tone calm yet sincere.

Mina, observing the exchange, spoke up. "Naruto's right. Progress isn't always obvious at first, but every attempt gets you closer. It's just a matter of time."

Mai shot her a mock glare but couldn't help the grin that followed. "Okay, okay. No more excuses. Tomorrow, it's me versus that tree."

Naruto opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, Sakura reached over with a piece of grilled fish between her chopsticks. She gently held it in front of him.

"Here, Naruto," she said matter-of-factly.

Sakura, who had been watching the exchange, reached over with a piece of grilled fish held delicately in her chopsticks. Without a word, she offered it to Naruto, who leaned forward and took the bite.

"You'll figure it out," she said simply, already turning back to her own plate.

Naruto blinked, his expression caught between embarrassment and gratitude. He leaned forward and took the bite. "Thanks, Sakura," he mumbled around the food, his cheeks slightly pink.

Mai watched the exchange, her irritation melting into a wry grin. "You've got it pretty good"

Mai, sitting next to Mina, leaned over the table. "Naruto, you're living the dream over here. First-class treatment and everything. If I were you, I'd enjoy it."

Naruto laughed. "Don't get any ideas! Knowing you, you'd make me feed you in return."

"Deal!" Mai shot back, her playful tone returning. "But only after you master those seals. No sloppy left-hand service for me."

Sakura sighed, shaking her head but unable to hide a small smile. Mina watched quietly, her tea in hand, and finally chimed in.

"Mai, maybe if you spent less time joking and more time practicing, you wouldn't have to think about backup plans like that," Mina said calmly, though there was a subtle teasing edge in her tone.

"Hey, I'm plenty focused!" Mai retorted, puffing out her cheeks. "It's just, you know, the trees are rotten, and my shoes don't have enough grip, and—"

Naruto chuckled, his spirits visibly lifted. "Hey, don't worry, Mai. You're not alone. We're both gonna get there eventually. You'll be sticking to trees, and I'll be flashing those one-handed seals like nobody's business."

"Yeah," Mai said, her smile returning. "And when we do, I'll race you to the top of that tree."

Amid the conversation, Tomaru and Sasuke ate in silence. Sasuke occasionally glanced at Tomaru, mulling over the chakra control exercise. He had struggled earlier in the day, frustrated at his own inefficiencies. While he was still trying to master walking on trees, Tomaru had moved far beyond, having already learned advanced chakra control techniques that put him on another level. Despite the challenge, Sasuke's usual competitive fire had dulled, replaced by a sense of admiration.

Sitting near Tomaru now, Sasuke's earlier irritation faded, replaced by a steady calm. Deep down, he acknowledged the unsettling effect Tomaru had on him. Sasuke knew that Tomaru possessed an ability—likely unrelated to chakra or jutsu—to make people feel at ease, to clear away distractions and focus their minds. It reminded him of the silent strength of the Uchiha Sharingan but with a softer, almost inviting edge.

Back in the Academy, Sasuke had once avoided Tomaru for this very reason. Fear had lingered in his heart—fear that Tomaru's unique presence might dull his burning need for revenge. Now, however, Sasuke found himself accepting the influence, seeing it not as a threat but as a curious calm before the storm. He resolved to use that clarity to fuel his determination, knowing he couldn't afford to lose sight of his goals, even as peaceful moments like this one settled over him.

The table buzzed with life as the group found small reprieves in laughter and shared struggles. Outside, the cool night air swept through the trees, whispering of challenges yet to come.

—

The morning air was cool and crisp as Sakura, Mina, and Tomaru made their way down the dirt path toward the bridge. The trees lining the path swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves whispering secrets to one another. Above, the sky was a pale blue, streaked with soft clouds that seemed to drift lazily toward the horizon. Nearby, Naruto remained behind at Tazuna's house, practicing one-handed seals under Kakashi's watchful eye. Sasuke and Mai, on the other hand, continued their chakra control training, each determined to master the art of walking on trees.

Sakura walked slightly ahead, her gaze fixed on the path, though her thoughts wandered. Mina followed close behind, her calm and measured pace matching her contemplative demeanor. Tomaru brought up the rear, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as his sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. The Land of Waves was still recovering from Gato's tyranny, and signs of hardship lingered everywhere. Dilapidated houses dotted the roadside, their walls patched with makeshift repairs. Villagers worked in silence, their wary eyes darting toward any strangers who passed by.

The shinobi trio's journey was quiet until Mina's voice broke the stillness. "It's peaceful here," she observed, her tone even but reflective.

Sakura nodded, glancing at a group of children playing with a worn ball. "Yeah, but it feels… fragile. Like it could shatter at any moment."

Tomaru's gaze flicked to the distant horizon. "That's because it is. This place has been through a lot. Peace doesn't come easy, and it doesn't last without effort."

The weight of his words hung over them as they approached the bridge, now bustling with activity. Workers moved with urgency, their hands steady but their faces lined with fatigue. The skeletal framework of the bridge stretched across the water, a symbol of hope and resilience for the people of the Land of Waves.

As the day progressed, Sakura and Mina took charge of supervising the construction. Their presence brought a sense of order, and they reassured the workers with their calm professionalism. Tomaru—or rather, his Kage Bunshin—stood among them, his demeanor steady and composed. The workers, though initially apprehensive, found solace in the watchful eyes of the shinobi.

Meanwhile, high above, the real Tomaru perched in a concealed spot within the forest canopy. His Tenseigan glowed faintly as he scanned the surroundings, each ripple of chakra in the area painted vividly in his enhanced vision.

The bridge's construction site unfolded below him like a living map. Workers toiled in rhythmic unison, their movements synchronized to the sounds of hammering and sawing. Despite the surface calm, Tomaru's focus was fixed elsewhere. He had been tracking a faint but distinct chakra signature for hours, and now it had moved closer.

At the edge of the forest, where shadows grew long and the air felt heavier, the source of the disturbance revealed itself. The movement was subtle, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable to someone attuned to the fluctuations of chakra.

"Zetsu," Tomaru murmured, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. His Tenseigan's vision sharpened, piercing through layers of foliage to reveal the enigmatic figure lurking in the undergrowth.

Zetsu, the Akatsuki's elusive informant, was unlike any other foe. His dual nature—the white, humanoid half and the black, amorphous half—made him a creature of contradictions. He was a being of both substance and shadow, capable of merging seamlessly with the environment and vanishing without a trace. Unlike the more flamboyant Akatsuki members, Zetsu's subtlety was his greatest weapon.

Tomaru's thoughts raced as he observed Zetsu's movements. The Akatsuki had always been a looming threat, their ambitions tied to the capture of the tailed beasts and the Jinchūriki who housed them. Naruto Uzumaki, the host of the Nine-Tails, was undoubtedly the reason for Zetsu's presence in the Land of Waves. Away from Konoha's protective walls, Naruto's vulnerability made him a prime target.

The forest's natural sounds seemed muted as Tomaru's focus intensified. Zetsu's chakra ripples were faint but distinct, each movement calculated and deliberate. His black and white halves shifted fluidly, their contrasts blending into the undergrowth like a predator stalking its prey.

Tomaru's position in the canopy afforded him a clear view of the unfolding scene. His Kage Bunshin below maintained the illusion of his presence at the bridge, offering guidance to the workers and keeping Sakura and Mina unaware of his true location. This deception allowed Tomaru the freedom to act independently.

He considered his options carefully. Confronting Zetsu directly would risk alerting the Akatsuki, potentially escalating their operations in the Land of Waves. Yet allowing Zetsu to move unchecked could jeopardize the fragile peace the villagers had fought so hard to reclaim.

Tomaru's gaze remained steady as he continued observing Zetsu from his concealed perch. The enigmatic figure moved with calculated precision, his presence faint but persistent. Tomaru knew little of Zetsu's intentions, but the Akatsuki's reputation left no room for complacency.

Rather than act rashly, Tomaru chose to wait. His Tenseigan glowed faintly as he monitored every subtle movement, taking mental notes of Zetsu's patterns. The black-and-white entity seemed more interested in observing the area than initiating any direct confrontation. For now, Zetsu's actions were limited to gathering information, his role as a spy clear in the way he melded seamlessly with the undergrowth.

Tomaru's fingers tightened slightly against the branch he crouched on. "What are you looking for?" he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible above the rustling leaves.

Though he felt the urge to act, Tomaru recognized the importance of caution. Attacking without understanding Zetsu's purpose could draw unnecessary attention to the Land of Waves and complicate the mission further. For now, observation was the wisest course of action.

As the sun began to dip lower, casting long shadows across the forest, Tomaru withdrew slightly into the canopy. He would remain vigilant, ensuring that Zetsu's presence did not disrupt the fragile progress being made at the bridge. The Akatsuki's movements were always deliberate, and Tomaru would need to be equally so to counter them.