The Hidden Leaf Village looked peaceful that evening. The sun was setting behind the Hokage Monument, painting the sky with red and gold. Children were playing on the streets, merchants were closing their shops, and the smell of roasted dumplings drifted through the air.
But peace was never meant to last long for Naruto Uzumaki.
He had spent the whole day trying to impress Iruka-sensei at the Academy. He wanted to show everyone that he wasn't just the "demon boy" they whispered about. But no matter how hard he tried, people only saw his mistakes. He tripped during training, failed to throw a kunai straight, and fell asleep during history class.
When class finally ended, Naruto sat quietly by the window, watching the other students leave with their parents. Sakura's mother hugged her proudly. Kiba was laughing with his mom, who carried his puppy on her shoulder. Even quiet Hinata was led home by a Hyuga guard.
Naruto sighed. His heart felt heavier every day. He wanted someone to smile at him when he left school — someone to say, "Good job today, Naruto."
He was still sitting there when he overheard a few boys whispering near the door.
"It's tonight," said Kiba in an excited voice.
"Yeah, the test of courage," answered Chōji, munching chips as always. "At the old Senju compound."
Shikamaru yawned. "You guys are troublesome. That place is haunted."
"Scared, pineapple head?" Kiba teased. "Whoever stays inside the longest wins!"
"I'm not scared," Shikamaru said lazily, "I'm just not stupid."
Naruto's ears perked up. The old Senju compound — he'd heard stories about it. A huge, empty mansion at the edge of the forest, once the home of the legendary Senju clan. People said strange lights glowed inside at night, and that ghostly voices could be heard in the halls.
Naruto's curiosity burned like fire. A test of courage… maybe if I go, they'll finally respect me.
He waited until the others left, then whispered to himself, "I'm going too."
That Night
The moon was bright and round, lighting the village rooftops in silver. Crickets sang in the fields, and the wind rustled softly through the trees.
Naruto sat on his small bed, his heart pounding with excitement. He tied his sandals, pulled on his orange jacket, and grabbed a small flashlight.
"This time," he whispered, "I'll show them I'm not afraid of anything."
He left his apartment quietly so the landlady wouldn't yell, and ran across the empty streets. His feet pattered softly against the stone path as he made his way toward the abandoned compound.
When he reached it, a group of academy students was already there. The old mansion stood tall and broken, its windows shattered and walls covered in moss. The Senju symbol — a faded spiral carved into the gate — glimmered faintly in the moonlight.
"Alright," Kiba said, standing proudly with Akamaru barking on his head. "We'll go in one by one. Whoever stays in there the longest wins."
"Why don't you go first?" said Ino, crossing her arms.
"Ha! I'll go after Shikamaru," Kiba replied. "Ladies first, right?"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "If Sasuke were here, he'd win easily."
"Of course he would," Ino said quickly. "He's not scared of anything."
Naruto clenched his fists. Sasuke this, Sasuke that… I'll show them all.
"I'll go," Naruto said loudly.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
"You?" Kiba laughed. "You'll run out crying before one minute."
Sakura frowned. "Why are you even here, Naruto? You'll just ruin it."
Naruto met their eyes with a determined stare. "I'll prove I'm brave. You'll see."
He stepped forward and pushed open the rusty gate. It creaked loudly. Cold wind blew from inside, carrying the smell of dust and decay. The children stepped back as Naruto disappeared through the doorway.
"Guess we'll see how long he lasts," Kiba muttered.
Inside the Senju Compound
The air inside was thick with silence. The floorboards groaned under Naruto's feet. His flashlight flickered, making shadows dance on the cracked walls. Old portraits hung crooked on the walls, their eyes following him as he walked.
Cobwebs covered the ceiling, and dust floated like mist in the beam of his light.
"It's just an old house," Naruto whispered to himself. "Nothing scary. Just wood, walls, and air."
He stepped carefully into what looked like a living room. A broken chair lay overturned, and a torn scroll rested on the floor. He picked it up and squinted at the faded writing.
"Senju Tobirama… defensive seals… forbidden…" he read slowly, but the words made no sense to him.
Suddenly, something creaked behind him.
He spun around, his heart racing. "Who's there?"
Silence. Only a cold draft blew through a cracked window.
He laughed nervously. "Heh… maybe just the wind."
He walked further, down a dark hallway that smelled of old wood and ashes. His flashlight flickered again. He hit it lightly. "Come on, don't die on me now."
The light came back for a moment — just long enough for him to see a faint black stain spreading across the floor. It looked wet and shiny, like oil.
"What's that?" he whispered, kneeling down.
Before he could touch it, the black liquid rippled and began to move.
Naruto gasped and jumped back. The floor around him darkened, and the blackness spread in every direction, swallowing the light. His flashlight went out completely.
"W-what is this?!" he cried, stumbling backward.
The air grew colder. A low whisper filled the hallway.
"...Naruto…"
His eyes widened. "Who said that?!"
No answer — only that same whisper, echoing through the darkness.
"...Why did you come here…?"
"I-I'm not afraid of you!" Naruto shouted, though his voice trembled.
He took one step back, but his foot sank into the black liquid. It clung to his leg like mud. He tried to pull free, but the substance crawled up his body like living shadow.
"No! Get off!" He kicked and struggled, but the darkness swallowed him whole.
The Shadow
Naruto fell into endless darkness. It was cold and silent. He couldn't see his hands, couldn't hear his heartbeat — only that whisper again, closer now.
"...Power sleeps here… power forgotten…"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't want your power! Let me go!"
"...You already carry it…"
A faint red glow appeared in front of him — two glowing eyes staring from the void.
Naruto froze. The figure moved closer, its shape unclear — part human, part smoke, part nightmare.
"Who… who are you?" Naruto asked.
The voice echoed inside his head, deep and strange. "You… are chosen."
"I'm just Naruto!" he yelled. "I don't even know you!"
The shadow reached out a long, black hand and touched his forehead. Naruto felt a sharp pain behind his right eye — like burning fire. He screamed.
Symbols flashed in his vision — ancient letters, circles, and runes spinning like stars. The pain grew stronger until he collapsed, clutching his face.
Then everything went white.
Outside the Compound
Fifteen minutes passed.
"Is he still in there?" Ino asked nervously.
"Yeah," Kiba said, frowning. "That's way longer than anyone else."
"Maybe he fell asleep," Shikamaru muttered, yawning.
Sakura looked at the dark building. "What if something happened to him?"
Before anyone could answer, they heard a strange sound — a deep, muffled roar that came from inside the mansion. The windows rattled. A faint red light flickered through the cracks.
"W-what was that?!" Ino shrieked.
"Run!" yelled one of the boys, and the group scattered in panic.
A few minutes later, Iruka-sensei arrived, looking tired and worried. "What are you all doing here?!"
Sakura pointed at the compound. "Naruto's still inside!"
Iruka's eyes widened. He didn't hesitate. "Stay here!" he ordered and rushed through the gate.
The Rescue
Inside, Iruka's sandals echoed against the floor. "Naruto!" he shouted. "Where are you?!"
The rooms were dark, filled with cold air that made his skin prickle. Then, through a broken door, he saw a faint glow — white and red, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Dear gods," he whispered, running forward.
There, lying on the dusty floor, was Naruto. His small body was motionless, and his right eye was covered in blood. Around him, strange markings glowed faintly on the wooden planks — symbols that Iruka had never seen before.
He rushed to the boy's side. "Naruto! Wake up!"
Naruto groaned weakly. His skin was pale, his hair slightly lighter than before. His right eye was open — or what was left of it. The eye was red, burning faintly like an ember, and strange black lines spread from it down his cheek.
Iruka's heart pounded. He grabbed the boy in his arms and ran out as fast as he could.
Outside, the children gasped as they saw Iruka carrying Naruto.
"W-what happened to him?" Ino whispered.
Iruka didn't answer. "Go home! All of you!"
He sprinted through the dark streets straight to the hospital.
The Hokage's Decision
Hours later, in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage listened carefully as Iruka explained everything.
"I found him unconscious," Iruka said, his voice shaking. "His eye was… gone, Lord Third. Burned out or cut out — I couldn't tell. And there were symbols on the floor. Seals I didn't recognize."
Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, his face grave. "No one else was there?"
"No, sir. Just him."
The old Hokage sighed deeply. "Then this is serious indeed."
He looked out the window toward the Hokage Monument. "First the fox, now this…"
"Will he be alright?" Iruka asked quietly.
"The doctors say he will live," Hiruzen replied, "but his right eye is beyond healing. They've covered it with an eye patch for now."
He took a puff from his pipe. "This must remain secret. No one must know about what you saw — not the seal, not the symbols, not the light. If people hear that something strange happened again, fear will spread."
Iruka nodded. "Yes, Lord Third."
Hiruzen stood and looked down at the village. "That boy's destiny grows darker every day… yet I still believe light waits for him."
Awakening
The next morning, Naruto opened his eyes slowly. He was in a hospital room, bandages wrapped around his head. Everything felt heavy.
"Where… am I?" he whispered.
The door opened, and Iruka stepped in, smiling softly. "You're safe now, Naruto."
Naruto blinked. "Sensei? What happened?"
Iruka sat beside him. "You were very brave, but… something happened at the Senju compound. You were hurt."
Naruto reached for his face. "My eye… it hurts."
Iruka hesitated, then said gently, "You lost your right eye, Naruto. The doctors did everything they could."
Naruto froze. His breath quickened. "L-lost…?"
Iruka put a hand on his shoulder. "But you're alive. That's what matters. You're strong — stronger than anyone I know."
Naruto looked down. "Will the others laugh at me again?"
Iruka smiled faintly. "Let them laugh. You're still you — and you're still the bravest kid I've ever met."
Naruto's lips trembled, but then he gave a small nod. "Thanks, sensei."
Iruka chuckled. "Oh, and the Hokage said you can have ramen once you're out. His treat."
Naruto's face brightened a little. "Really?!"
"Really," Iruka said. "Now get some rest."
As Iruka left, Naruto turned his head toward the window. The morning sun was shining, but for a moment, he saw a faint red glint under his bandage — as if something inside him had awakened and was waiting.
He touched the bandage lightly.
"What are you?" he whispered.
The voice from the night answered softly in his mind, barely a whisper:
"We are only beginning…"
Naruto shivered but didn't speak again. He lay back down, staring at the ceiling.
Somewhere deep inside, something dark — and powerful — had opened its eyes.