Naruto: One Eye Tenseigan

The newly completed Fūmei Ōhashi (The Great Bridge of Clear Winds) stood tall as a beacon of hope and resilience for the Land of Waves. Its completion marked a significant milestone, symbolizing a fresh start for the villagers who had endured so much.

The teams stood at the bridge's edge, bidding farewell to Tazuna, Tsunami, and Inari. Tsunami's voice trembled with gratitude as she expressed her thanks, her eyes shimmering with emotion. Inari, with newfound determination, promised to protect his home just as the shinobi had done. Their heartfelt goodbyes left an indelible impression on the villagers, who waved until their saviors disappeared from sight.

The return journey was calm but filled with introspection. Naruto, walking with his team, felt the weight of his missing right arm. Despite the quiet, his resolve grew stronger with every step. He was determined to adapt, to train harder, and to ensure that no one else would suffer on his watch. His mind churned with ideas to overcome the challenges ahead.

A few steps behind, Sasuke moved in silence, his thoughts centered on the battles they had fought. Tomaru's remarkable abilities had left a profound impression on him. It wasn't jealousy but a burning desire to grow stronger, to close the gap he felt widening between himself and those around him.

—

Katasuke Tōno, the eccentric researcher with a passion for groundbreaking innovations, had been enlisted to work on a prototype Vision Mask based on Tomaru's earlier specifications. Tomaru's request stemmed from a pressing need to conceal the glow of his Tenseigan, ensuring his movements remained undetectable. However, the mask lacked the proper materials, resulting in a product that was functional but far from perfect.

Tomaru entered Katasuke's workshop, greeted by the familiar sight of scattered tools, half-finished projects, and notes scribbled in haste. The air smelled of solder and fresh ink, a testament to Katasuke's relentless pursuit of innovation.

The prototype mask showcased a streamlined design, featuring a matte black finish adorned with subtle, intricate grooves etched along its surface, where tiny mechanisms interlocked. Its front had a slightly angular shape, complemented by a visor-like panel that was engineered to seamlessly integrate with Tomaru's movements. Despite being lightweight, the mask was sturdy and exuded an air of tactical sophistication, although its rough edges subtly indicated its prototype status.

Tomaru examined the mask carefully, placing it over his face to test its functionality. The prototype worked well, successfully concealing the Tenseigan's glow and allowing him to blend seamlessly among others. However, the mask's lack of durability and comfort was evident. Its material, though serviceable, was insufficient to withstand prolonged use, and the craftsmanship left much to be desired.

"Impressive," Tomaru thought, "a testament to Katasuke's capability even without the proper resources."

Despite its shortcomings, Tomaru expressed his satisfaction with the effort. The mask's ability to completely conceal the Tenseigan's glow impressed him, as it demonstrated a clear understanding of his unique needs. Additionally, the streamlined integration of basic mechanics into a compact design highlighted Katasuke's ingenuity, even when working with limited resources.

Producing a sealed box, Tomaru presented the rare materials he had procured, each carefully selected to enhance the mask's durability, functionality, and comfort.

"Tomaru! You're back!" Katasuke greeted, his enthusiasm bursting through his cluttered workspace. He hurried forward, holding a prototype mask with reverence. "It's not perfect, but this—this is what I've managed so far. Go on, try it."

Tomaru slipping the mask over his face, he tested its fit and functionality.

"It's a promising start," Tomaru said, his voice calm but edged with approval. He removed the mask, meeting Katasuke's gaze. "This prototype shows your skill, but I've brought what you'll need to make it flawless."

From his pouch, Tomaru carefully unpacked the rare materials he'd sourced during his travels. refined alloys, chakra-conductive threads, and advanced fabric. Refined alloys for resilience, chakra-conductive threads for sealing techniques, and advanced fabric for enhanced comfort. Katasuke's eyes lit up as he examined the treasures before him.

Katasuke's eyes lit up as he examined the treasures before him. "These… these are extraordinary," Katasuke stammered, his mind already racing with possibilities. "With these, we can create something better!"

Tomaru nodded, his expression remaining composed. Internally, he marveled at the possibilities the upgraded mask could offer. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his mind as he considered how the enhanced design might integrate perfectly with his stealth strategies.

But even with such potential, he reminded himself not to grow reliant. "Good. Refine the mask. I need it to be durable, efficient, and undetectable. And Katasuke…" Tomaru's gaze sharpened slightly. "Keep its existence between us."

The researcher straightened, sensing the seriousness in Tomaru's tone. "Understood," he said, clutching the materials tightly. "I won't let you down."

As Tomaru left the workshop, he took one last look at the chaotic yet inspiring space, knowing that Katasuke's ingenuity combined with the rare resources would produce exactly what he needed.

—

The trio trudged along the path back to the village, their steps heavy after a long day of training. The golden evening light stretched their shadows across the dirt road, the soft rustling of leaves blending with the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps.

"Ahh, I'm exhausted!" Mai groaned, throwing her arms up dramatically. "Seriously, my legs feel like bricks."

Mina adjusted her bag, her serene expression as steady as ever. "That's what happens when you push yourself so hard."

"Well, yeah! Hard work pays off!" Mai huffed, then grinned, flexing her arm in mock triumph. "I think my punches are getting sharper. Admit it, Tomaru. You saw it."

Tomaru didn't even look her way. "Yeah... yeah." His tone was flat, too lazy to engage.

"Oh, come on!" Mai protested, lightly punching his arm. "I've been working on my form! I'm getting better, right?"

Tomaru sighed, his voice as dry as ever. "You threw one punch so wide—"

"Don't!" Mai cut in with mock horror, already knowing where this was going.

"—I thought you were signaling for help," Tomaru finished without missing a beat.

Mina stifled a quiet laugh. "To be fair, Mai, I did feel the breeze pass by me during that one."

Mai groaned, throwing her hands up. "You two are impossible! Fine, fine. I'll just wait until I land a solid hit on one of you. Then we'll see who's laughing!"

Tomaru's lips twitched slightly, a rare hint of amusement.

Mai narrowed her eyes at him but quickly dropped the mock glare. "Whatever. Let's talk about something that actually matters. Like food. I'm starving. After a day like this, I deserve a feast. Let's stop by that yakitori stall near the market! My treat."

Tomaru shot her a skeptical look. "Your treat?"

"Well... I meant you guys treat me," Mai admitted with a sheepish grin.

Mina shook her head with a small smile. "That's not how treating works, Mai."

"Details!" Mai waved her hand dismissively. "The point is, we all need food after a day like this. Come on, don't tell me you're not hungry."

Tomaru shrugged. "Yakitori sounds fine."

Mina hesitated. "I wouldn't mind something light, like onigiri. We shouldn't eat too heavily after training. It'll just make us sluggish tomorrow."

"Sluggish? Mina, we've been working our butts off all day! We deserve to eat like kings!" Mai pumped her fist into the air.

Mina smiled faintly but didn't respond. The trio walked on for a while before Mai groaned dramatically. "Mina, you're such a buzzkill! We've earned this. Right, Tomaru?"

Tomaru didn't answer right away. Instead, he glanced up at the fading light, his tone more serious. "You know... if you're really serious about improving, you should start thinking about the Chūnin Exams."

Mai blinked, caught off guard. "The Chūnin Exams? What's that got to do with anything?"

Tomaru hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning their surroundings as if checking for eavesdroppers. He lowered his voice slightly. "They're happening soon."

Mina's eyes widened. "Soon? How soon?"

Tomaru glanced around one more time before answering. "Don't tell anyone I said this, but... probably in about two months."

Mai stopped in her tracks, her eyes lighting up. "Wait, two months? Are you serious? How do you know that?"

"I have my ways," Tomaru replied cryptically, his calm demeanor betraying nothing.

Mai leaned closer, her excitement bubbling over. "Okay, now I have to know. Did you spy on someone? Did you overhear Kakashi-sensei? Oh! Did you steal some secret documents?"

Tomaru ignored her barrage of questions. "Don't tell anyone I told you."

Mai pouted. "That's boring. But two months... that's not a lot of time! This is going to be awesome! This is my chance to prove myself! Imagine me—Mai Kisaragi—becoming a Chūnin!"

Mina, however, looked more thoughtful. "Two months isn't a lot of time."

"The Chūnin Exams aren't just about fighting, Mai," she added. "They test everything—strategy, teamwork, decision-making under pressure. It's not something you can just wing."

Tomaru nodded in agreement, his tone steady but firm. "She's right. It's not just about how hard you can punch or how fast you can move. You're expected to lead, to think critically in unpredictable situations. And failing the exams might be the easiest consequence—you could die."

Mai's excitement faltered, her grin fading. "Die? That's a bit dramatic, isn't it?"

"It's not," Tomaru said plainly. "We're not just talking about sparring matches. The Chūnin Exams are designed to push you to your limits, mentally and physically. They separate those who are truly ready from those who aren't."

"Honestly, I don't think I'm ready yet," Mina said, expressing what was on her mind.

Mai turned to her, surprised. "What? You? You're way better at chakra control than me!"

Mina's voice was softer but carried the same weight. "A Chūnin isn't just strong in combat. They have to lead, make strategic decisions, and ensure their team's safety in critical situations. It's about more than strength or speed."

Tomaru crossed his arms, his gaze steady as he looked at Mai. "Mina's right. It's not just about being strong or skilled. It's about being prepared for anything. With where you are now, Mai... you're not ready."

Mai's excitement dimmed, and she frowned. "What do you mean I'm not ready? I've been training every day!"

"And you've improved," Tomaru said evenly. "But improvement doesn't mean you're prepared. You're too impulsive, your chakra control is inconsistent, and you don't think things through under pressure."

Mai looked down, her hands balling into fists. "I just... I don't want to feel like I'm being left behind."

Tomaru glanced at her, his tone less sharp but still grounded. "If you're serious about this, Mai, then it's not about keeping up. It's about preparing yourself so you don't fall apart when it really matters."

The atmosphere grew quiet, the only sounds coming from the rustling trees and their footsteps. Each of them seemed lost in thought, the weight of the conversation sinking in.

Finally, Tomaru broke the silence, his voice steady. "If you two really want to take the exams, I'll help you prepare. But you'll need to work harder than you ever have before."