Dawn painted the eastern training grounds in hues of gold and amber.
Dew still clung to the grass as Indra and Jiraiya faced each other, both seated cross-legged within an intricate array of sealing formulas that spiraled outward from their position.
The past three days had followed a similar pattern - arrive at dawn, activate privacy seals, train with the Rinnegan until exhaustion, rest, then repeat.
Jiraiya had proven to be a demanding but effective teacher, pushing Indra to explore the capabilities of his legendary dōjutsu.
"Again," Jiraiya instructed, his usual jovial manner replaced by the stern demeanor of a master instructing his disciple.
"Focus on the water. Feel its nature, its essence. The Rinnegan grants dominion over all elements - it's supposed to even without hands seals - you need only reach out and command them."
Indra, his right eye displaying the concentric purple rings of the Rinnegan, stared at the small pool before him.
Water trembled and rose in an unsteady column, hovering for several seconds before collapsing back into shapeless liquid.
"Better," Jiraiya nodded. "You're grasping the fundamentals of the Deva Path. Attraction and repulsion are the foundational powers upon which the world can be reshaped."
Indra has explained some of the Rinnegan's abilities - stating that it instinctively came to him upon awakening, names and all.
Indra released a slow breath, deactivating his Rinnegan. The strain of maintaining it for extended periods still taxed him considerably.
"That's enough for today," Jiraiya said, noting Indra's fatigue. "Tomorrow we'll-"
"No," Indra interrupted, his voice quiet but firm. "This isn't working."
Jiraiya's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What do you mean? You're making remarkable progress for someone so young."
"I'm not denying that," Indra replied, rising to his feet and dusting off his clothes. "But this isn't what I need right now."
The Sannin studied him curiously. "Care to elaborate?"
Indra paced the small clearing, gathering his thoughts. "Training my Rinnegan is important, I understand that. But what I need most urgently isn't greater power with my eyes - it's the ability to fight effectively without them."
"Without them?" Jiraiya repeated, confusion evident in his tone. "Why would you want to handicap yourself?"
"Because reliance on a single weapon, no matter how powerful, is a fatal weakness," Indra explained.
"Orochimaru himself mentioned it during our encounter - Uchiha are notoriously dependent on their eyes. If something were to happen to them..."
He trailed off, letting the implication hang in the air.
"I see," Jiraiya nodded slowly. "You're thinking strategically."
"I need to be able to fight multiple enemies using various tactics, completely without my eyes - be it Sharingan or Rinnegan," Indra continued, his voice gaining intensity. "I want to learn jutsu that don't rely on visual prowess."
Jiraiya rose to his feet, towering over the young Uchiha. "That's quite the tall order, kid."
"Maybe," Indra acknowledged. "But it needs to be done. I can't be helpless in situations where I can't rely on my eyes."
The Sannin studied Indra thoughtfully, stroking his chin. "You know, most people would be ecstatic to possess the legendary Eye of God. They'd focus solely on mastering its power, believing it makes them invincible."
A smile tugged at his lips. "But you see it as just another tool, don't you?"
"A powerful tool," Indra corrected, "but a tool nonetheless. One that can be countered or neutralized by a clever enough opponent."
"You're wiser than your years suggest," Jiraiya remarked. "Alright, I'm curious now - what exactly do you have in mind?"
A small smile played across Indra's face. "I know a guy who might be perfect for this kind of training."
------------------------
"This is so unfair!" Naruto complained, glaring at the hot spring water beneath his feet.
His sandals were soaked, his orange jumpsuit splattered with water, and his patience thoroughly exhausted. "First Kakashi-sensei pawns me off on that closet pervert, and now even he's disappeared!"
He attempted another step onto the water's surface, focusing his chakra as Ebisu had instructed. For a brief moment, he stood - then promptly plunged knee-deep into the steaming pool.
"Gah!" he shouted, leaping back onto dry land. "What am I doing wrong?!"
"Having trouble?" a familiar voice called from behind.
Naruto whirled around to find Indra approaching, hands casually tucked into his pockets. "Indra! What are you doing here?"
"Just passing by," Indra replied with a casual shrug. "Thought I heard someone shouting. Sounds like your training isn't going well?"
"That's putting it mildly," Naruto grumbled, wringing water from his pant leg. "Closet-pervert-sensei taught me the basics of this water walking technique, then just disappeared! Said something about 'research' and ran off."
Indra nodded sympathetically. "Training alone can be frustrating."
"Tell me about it," Naruto sighed, sitting heavily on a nearby rock. "I've been at this for hours and I'm getting nowhere."
"You know what might help?" Indra suggested, a hint of warmth entering his typically reserved demeanor. "A break. I hear you like ramen? At Ichiraku's? My treat."
Naruto's head snapped up, his eyes wide with disbelief. "You'd... buy me ramen?"
"Sure," Indra shrugged. "I've never tried it myself, actually. Heard it's good."
"WHAT?!" Naruto launched himself at Indra, wrapping him in an enthusiastic hug as mock tears streamed down his face.
"You're the best! Besides Iruka-sensei, you're the absolute best! No one ever wants to buy me ramen!"
Indra chuckled, gently disengaging from the unexpected embrace. "It's fine. I'm curious to try it myself after seeing your reaction to it all this time."
"You've NEVER had Ichiraku ramen?" Naruto gasped, looking genuinely horrified. "That's... that's BLASPHEMY! How have you lived this long without tasting the food of the gods?!"
Throughout his childhood, Indra had been meticulous about his diet.
He purchased and prepared his own meals, focusing on lean proteins, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates that would support his training regimen.
The thought of greasy ramen had never appealed to him before his memory return - though he'd never share that particular opinion with Naruto.
"I guess I've been missing out," Indra replied diplomatically.
"Missing out? That's the understatement of the century!" Naruto grabbed Indra's wrist, pulling him toward the village with surprising strength. "Come on! We're fixing this tragedy right now!"
-------------------------
Ichiraku Ramen was a small, unassuming stall with a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Delicious aromas wafted from behind the counter where Teuchi worked his culinary magic while his daughter Ayame greeted customers with a bright smile.
"Welcome to- Oh! Naruto!" Ayame's greeting turned into delighted recognition as the blond burst through the entrance flaps, dragging Indra behind him.
"Ayame-neechan! Old man! This is an emergency!" Naruto announced dramatically, pushing Indra onto a stool. "My friend Indra has NEVER tasted ramen before! We need to fix this immediately!"
Teuchi laughed heartily, already reaching for ingredients. "Well, we can't have that, can we? First bowl's on the house for a ramen virgin!"
"No need," Indra interjected politely. "I'll pay for both of us."
Ayame raised an eyebrow, glancing between Indra and Naruto. "Are you sure? Naruto eats... a lot."
"I'm sure," Indra confirmed with a small smile. "I have quite a bit saved up from mission funds. That C-rank that turned A-rank paid well, and I haven't had many expenses since moving to the Uchiha compound."
As Ayame turned to help her father, Indra found himself momentarily struck by her appearance.
At nineteen, she possessed a natural beauty that her simple work clothes couldn't diminish - warm black eyes, a gentle smile, beautiful brown hair and face and an easy grace to her movements.
"One miso ramen with extra pork for Naruto," Teuchi announced, already working on the order. "And for our first-timer?"
"I'll have the same, but without pork, please," Indra requested.
"Coming right up!" Teuchi's hands moved with practiced efficiency, chopping vegetables and stirring broth.
"So, Indra," Ayame began conversationally, "Naruto mentions you're an Uchiha? I thought Sasuke was the last one."
"It's a recent discovery," Indra explained. "I was raised as an orphan, but during a mission, my Sharingan awakened. Turns out I had Uchiha blood all along."
"That must have been quite the shock," she commented, genuine interest in her eyes.
"Life-changing," Indra agreed. "But positive, overall."
Their conversation was interrupted by Teuchi placing steaming bowls before them. "Enjoy!"
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto exclaimed, immediately diving in with his chopsticks.
Indra took a more measured approach, inhaling the aromatic steam before taking his first bite.
The flavors were surprisingly complex - rich broth, perfectly cooked noodles, fresh vegetables, and a harmony of spices that danced across his palate.
"This is... actually really good," he admitted, genuinely impressed.
"See? SEE?" Naruto gestured wildly with his chopsticks, noodles dangling. "I TOLD you it was awesome!"
"You did," Indra acknowledged with a small smile. "I should have listened sooner."
As they ate, the conversation flowed naturally.
Naruto regaled them with tales of his training struggles, while Teuchi shared stories of the shop's early days.
Ayame occasionally interjected with gentle teasing directed at both Naruto and her father.
Watching them interact, Indra was struck by the genuine warmth between them.
This wasn't just a restaurant to Naruto - it was probably the first place in the village where he'd been treated with kindness rather than contempt.
"So how's your training for the finals going?" Teuchi asked, refilling Naruto's bowl for the third time.
Naruto's expression soured. "Terrible! Kakashi-sensei is only training Sasuke, and the replacement teacher he found for me keeps disappearing!"
Indra saw his opening. "Actually, that's part of why I sought you out today, Naruto."
"Huh?" Naruto paused mid-slurp, looking up with noodles hanging from his mouth.
"I've arranged for some special training," Indra explained, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "But you have to keep it a secret."
Naruto swallowed his mouthful, leaning in eagerly. "What kind of training?"
"I'm being taught by Jiraiya of the Sannin, the Toad Sage." Indra revealed, satisfaction washing over him as Naruto's eyes widened to comical proportions.
"A SANNIN?" Naruto practically shouted before Indra hushed him. "Like that freaky Orochimaru guy?" he continued in a stage whisper that was barely quieter.
"Yes, but this one's loyal to Konoha," Indra assured him. "And he's agreed to let you join our training sessions."
"REALLY?!" Naruto's excitement was palpable. "But wait..." His expression suddenly turned suspicious. "We're probably gonna face each other in the finals. Why would you help me get stronger?"
Indra reached out and ruffled Naruto's spiky blond hair. "Because you won't be able to beat me in a million years anyway."
"Hey!" Naruto protested, swatting at Indra's hand. "Don't do that! I'm not a little kid!"
Despite his complaints, Indra didn't miss the way Naruto leaned slightly into the touch before pulling away.
Such simple gestures of affection were clearly rare in his life - something Indra had observed in his past memories but was now witnessing firsthand.
"Be careful around Lord Jiraiya," Ayame interjected, her expression serious. "I've heard... rumors about his habits."
"Ayame!" Teuchi scolded. "Show some respect for one of the Legendary Sannin!"
"I'm just saying what everyone knows," she defended herself. "He's a self-proclaimed super-pervert! These boys shouldn't pick up those habits."
Indra couldn't help but chuckle at the father-daughter exchange. "We'll be careful," he promised, finishing his ramen and placing payment on the counter - enough to cover both their meals plus a generous tip.
"Ready to meet your new sensei?" he asked Naruto, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Believe it!"
----------------------
Finding Jiraiya proved easier than expected. The white-haired Sannin was exactly where Indra had left him - at the hot springs, though he'd relocated to a better vantage point for "research."
"There he is," Indra said quietly, pointing to the crouching figure giggling to himself as he peered through a small hole in the fence.
"That's the legendary Sannin?" Naruto asked incredulously. "He just looks like a regular pervert to me!"
"Why don't you tell him that?" Indra suggested with a small smirk.
Naruto didn't need to be told twice. Marching forward with righteous indignation, he pointed an accusing finger at Jiraiya's back. "HEY! PERVY SAGE! What do you think you're doing?!"
Jiraiya stiffened, slowly turning around with an expression of affronted dignity - though for a moment, almost imperceptible to everyone, his eyes widened when he saw Naruto. "Excuse me? Who are you calling 'Pervy Sage,' you little brat?"
"I'm calling YOU that!" Naruto retorted. "What kind of example are you setting as a legendary ninja, peeping at women like some creepy old man?"
"Creepy old-" Jiraiya sputtered. "I'll have you know I am conducting vital research for my literary masterpieces! I am the great Jiraiya, author of the acclaimed 'Icha Icha' series!"
"Yeah, yeah," Naruto waved dismissively. "Indra says you're supposed to train us, but all I see is a pervert with white hair."
Jiraiya's gaze shifted to Indra, who approached with an apologetic shrug. "This is the guy I mentioned - Naruto Uzumaki. He needs training for the finals too."
Understanding dawned in Jiraiya's eyes as he recognized the name. The jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Minato's son.
"Hmm," Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully. "And why should I train this disrespectful brat?"
"Because I'm gonna be Hokage someday!" Naruto declared. "And I need to get stronger to beat everyone in the Chunin Exams!"
"Hokage, eh?" Jiraiya's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Big dreams for a small fry."
"I'm not small!" Naruto protested. "And I will be Hokage! Believe it!"
Jiraiya exchanged a glance with Indra, who gave a subtle nod.
This had been part of their plan - Indra had explained that training Naruto would provide the perfect cover for his own training, while also giving him a sparring partner who could create hundreds of shadow clones.
Perfect for practicing against multiple opponents.
Though Indra of course, wanted Naruto to get as strong as possible since he will need him in the coming future.
Plus, he didn't want to have Naruto never meet his Godfather - Jiraiya being too much of a coward to seek him out himself.
"Alright, kid," Jiraiya sighed dramatically. "Show me what you've got. What were you working on before I so graciously agreed to take you on?"
"Water walking," Naruto grumbled. "But I can't get it to work right."
"Show me," Jiraiya instructed, following Naruto to the edge of the hot spring.
Naruto concentrated, channeling chakra to his feet as he'd been taught. He managed two steps onto the water's surface before sinking like a stone.
"GAAAH!" he shouted, scrambling back onto dry land. "See? It's impossible!"
Jiraiya frowned. "Lift your shirt, kid."
"Huh?" Naruto looked confused. "Why?"
"Just do it," Jiraiya insisted. "I need to check something."
Reluctantly, Naruto pulled up his shirt, revealing his stomach. "What are you looking for?"
"Channel your chakra again," Jiraiya instructed.
As Naruto complied, a complex seal pattern appeared on his abdomen - the Eight Trigrams Seal that contained the Nine-Tails. But surrounding it was another, cruder seal that Jiraiya immediately recognized.
"A Five Elements Seal," he muttered. "Orochimaru's work..."
Indra had known this was coming - in his past life's memories, Jiraiya had removed the interfering seal, allowing Naruto to access his chakra properly again.
"Hold still," Jiraiya instructed, his fingers glowing with chakra. "This might hurt a bit."
"What are you - OOF!" Naruto's question turned into a grunt of pain as Jiraiya slammed his fingers into the boy's stomach. "WHAT THE HELL, PERVY SAGE?!"
"Five Elements Unsealing," Jiraiya explained, stepping back. "Someone placed an odd-numbered seal over your even-numbered one. It was disrupting your chakra flow."
But something was wrong. Instead of the expected result, Naruto's body began to glow with an ominous red chakra. His features contorted in pain as he clutched his stomach.
"What's happening?" he gasped, dropping to his knees.
Jiraiya's expression turned grave. "The Nine-Tails is reacting to the unsealing. The interference must have been suppressing more than just your normal chakra flow."
Indra's instincts flared at the sudden surge of malevolent energy - a bloodlust that dwarfed even Orochimaru's killing intent.
Without conscious thought, his Sharingan activated in his left eye, while his right eye transformed into the Rinnegan. Both activating instinctively reacting defensively against the malevolent chakra.
As Naruto and Indra locked eyes - the world distorted for them.
The bright daylight of the training ground faded, replaced by darkness, damp stone, and the sound of dripping water.
As his vision adjusted, Indra found himself standing in a vast, dimly lit sewer.
Pipes ran along the ceiling, some glowing with blue light, others pulsing with an ominous red energy. The floor was covered in ankle-deep water that reflected no light.
A deep, rumbling growl echoed through the chamber, raising the hairs on the back of Indra's neck.
Following the sound, he turned to face an enormous cage that stretched from floor to ceiling. A paper seal marked with the kanji for "seal" held the massive gates closed.
"Shit," Indra muttered as he realised where he was.
For before him stood the Mountain-sized demon that can burn the entire world to ash -
The Kyuubi no Yoko.
-------------------
(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter!
Yeah, we're finally having the Son of Heaven meet The Mightiest Son of the Sage and the most violent and evil of the tailed beasts - the sons of the Juubi.
Also, the Rinnegan reacted defensively that's why this meeting has happened, and do understand, Kurama is powerful enough to literally turn the world to ash.
Just saying.
Do tell me what if you are excited or not. I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)