The morning sun filtered softly through the trees as Izuna finished training Shisui on a new jutsu, carefully guiding him through the hand signs. Shisui struggled but stayed determined, and Izuna smiled with quiet pride.
After training, Izuna decided to visit Minato's team. It had been a while since he last saw Kakashi, and the old bet about who would become Jonin first was still fresh in his mind. He was ready to tease his rival a little.
When Izuna arrived, Minato, Kakashi, Obito, and Rin were gathered near the training grounds. Izuna walked in confidently, a proud grin on his face. "Hey Kakashi, looks like I got promoted first. What's it like being stuck behind?"
Kakashi looked up calmly, one eye hidden beneath his headband. "Don't get too comfortable. I'm still working on it."
Izuna smirked and leaned casually against a nearby tree. "Working on it, huh? Maybe you should train a bit harder, or maybe I should start calling you 'Eternal Chunin.'"
Minato chuckled softly, shaking his head. Obito and Rin exchanged amused glances, trying to hide their smiles but failing.
Kushina, nearby, smiled warmly at Izuna and said, "You've worked hard, Izuna. Keep pushing yourself — you have great potential."
Izuna nodded respectfully but then grinned again and said teasingly, "Don't worry Kakashi, I'll save some of the glory for you… maybe."
Kakashi just smirked behind his mask. "Keep dreaming, Izuna."
The group shared a light moment, the friendly rivalry between Izuna and Kakashi was alive and well
—————
Later..
Izuna sat quietly on an old stump deep within the forest. Golden rays of sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting soft light on his skin. His right eye glowed faintly with that unique star-shaped Mangekyou pattern, while his left eye carried a deeper, darker red—an ocean of untapped power hidden beneath its surface.
It had been a year since he began working on the fūinjutsu seal that would slow the damage to his eyes. The seal wasn't perfect—far from it—but it gave him precious time to wield his Mangekyou Sharingan powers without fearing the inevitable loss of his vision.
He took a slow, steady breath, feeling the weight of everything resting on his shoulders. Every time he activated Chrono Lock, a technique that could freeze space around him for up to twenty seconds in a thirty-meter radius, he felt the strain deep in his eyes and bones. Controlling such power wasn't just exhausting—it was dangerous.
"How much longer can I keep this up?" he wondered silently. "Will this power eventually consume me from the inside out?"
But stopping was not an option. He couldn't allow weakness to claim him—not when his village, his friends, and those he cared about depended on him.
Closing his eyes briefly, he whispered the words, "Chrono Lock."
The world around him stilled. Leaves hung frozen in midair, the breeze died away, and even the birds halted mid-flight. In this eerie silence, Izuna moved with purpose and clarity, analyzing, planning his next moves in the suspended moment.
When time resumed, twenty seconds later, he felt the familiar sting behind his eyes, a painful reminder of the price he paid. Yet, he showed no sign of weakness.
Shisui stood nearby, watching with a mix of awe and amusement. "You're stubborn to a fault," he said with a grin.
Izuna returned a small smile, though the seriousness in his gaze didn't waver. "I have to be. I can't afford to fall."
Shisui nodded. "Just don't break yourself."
Taking a deep breath, Izuna shifted his focus to his left eye and activated Graviton Vortex. The air began to swirl violently, twisting around him in a powerful spiral of gravitational force. Branches cracked and leaves trembled under the invisible pressure.
Shisui felt the weight of the vortex pressing down on him, but he didn't flinch.
"How do you keep control of that?" Shisui asked, breathing hard.
"Years of training," Izuna answered quietly. "The seal still isn't perfect, but I won't stop now."
After their intense training session, Izuna collapsed onto the soft forest floor, exhausted but satisfied. He stared up at the patchy sky, memories of Kushina's words echoing in his mind: "Don't forget why you fight, Izuna. You're not alone."
Those words gave him strength when doubts crept in. The path was hard, no doubt about it, but he wasn't walking it alone.
As the wind whispered through the leaves around him, Izuna made a silent vow to himself. The seal might need fixing from time to time, but his will would never falter.
He was the one who would carve his destiny
——————
The next morning, Izuna stood by the training field, the cool air fresh against his skin. His eyes still glowed softly, a little tired but filled with a quiet pride he didn't try to hide.
He spotted Minato nearby, watching Obito and Rin spar with focused intensity.
"Hey, Minato," Izuna called out, trying to keep his voice calm but feeling a spark of excitement.
Minato turned with a warm smile. "Izuna! How are you feeling? Did the training go okay?"
Izuna nodded, a small grin forming. "Yeah. I managed to stabilize the seal on my eyes. It's not perfect yet, but it's holding. I was able to use Chrono Lock and Graviton Vortex without feeling like I'm about to burn out."
Minato's eyes lit up with genuine surprise. "That's amazing progress. Your control is improving."
Just then, Kushina walked over, wiping sweat off her face after her training. She smiled softly at Izuna.
"I heard about it," she said warmly. "You're getting stronger every day. We all are."
Izuna gave her a grateful smile. "I'm going to keep pushing. This power is heavy… but I won't let it break me."
Kushina reached out, resting a hand on his shoulder gently. "You don't have to carry it all alone, you know."
For a moment, the three of them stood there, the morning sun warming their backs, sharing a quiet understanding: strength wasn't just about power—it was about the people who stood with you