The Naraku Seeing Technique was a sinister genjutsu that forced its target to confront their deepest psychological fears—the things their heart most refused to acknowledge. But "fear" was subjective. To some, it was the death of loved ones. To others, it was monstrous figures from nightmares. And for a select few… it was far stranger and more absurd.
When Fenghuo cast the Naraku Seeing Technique on himself, what did he see?
A solemn courtroom loomed before him. Armed officers stood at attention, their shinobi-standard issue flak jackets and kunai holsters unmistakable. Reporters filled the gallery seats, armed not with weapons, but with long microphones and camera scrolls, all aimed at him. He sat cuffed in the defendant's seat, wearing a drab uniform, his expression blank.
The judge—a stern, elderly man in formal robes—approached the bench, raised a ceremonial gavel, and slammed it directly down on Fenghuo's forehead.
"Fenghuo," he intoned gravely, "you are hereby sentenced to twenty years of imprisonment, stripped of political rights for life, and fined two million ryo!"
Ka-cha!
The flash of sealing-tag cameras lit up the courtroom, recording the historic verdict.
"Wah!"
Fenghuo bolted upright, covered in cold sweat.
"Nani the hell?! What kind of nightmare was that?"
His face twisted in disbelief and horror.
"I didn't even commit any serious crimes in my past life! Why would I get twenty years?!"
Humiliated and outraged, Fenghuo briefly considered using the Naraku Seeing Technique again—just so he could go back into the illusion and punch that smug judge in the face.
"How dare he mar my beautiful forehead with a gavel?!"
Sigh.
After venting for a good while, he finally settled down, his chakra calmed, and he drifted back to sleep.
"So that's what I fear most… jail?"
…
The next morning, Fenghuo packed a simple lunch and, after sharing breakfast with Obito, made his way toward the Ninja Academy.
As always, Obito was being Obito. When he spotted an elderly lady struggling to cross the street, he shouted heroically and ran over to help her.
Fenghuo, this time, chose not to get involved. He simply rolled his eyes and kept walking.
Hmm…?
As he neared the academy, the street grew unusually crowded. Curious voices buzzed all around, punctuated by the excited squeals and laughter of dozens of children.
"What's going on?"
Scanning the crowd, Fenghuo saw children beaming with pride, puffing out their chests like they'd just graduated from preschool and stepped into the world of true shinobi.
Ah… freshman enrollment day.
"Hey, hey! Fenghuo!"
A slightly sycophantic voice called from the side.
Fenghuo turned. A freckle-faced boy from his class waved at him awkwardly. Just yesterday, that same boy had been arrogant and dismissive. Fenghuo had long since blocked him from memory.
Fenghuo gave a curt nod and continued toward the gate without a word.
The boy hesitated, arms half-raised in mid-wave, clearly embarrassed. His face twisted with frustration and wounded pride. But thinking of Fenghuo's newly minted "genius" reputation, he swallowed his indignation and trudged behind him silently.
As Fenghuo suspected, it was the entrance ceremony for new students. Hundreds of young hopefuls, fresh from the entrance exam, stood assembled with their parents. All eyes were fixed reverently on the podium where the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, prepared to speak.
It was Fenghuo's first time seeing the man in person.
The Hokage stood in a crisp white robe with the kanji for "Fire" on the back. Though modest in height and age-lined in the face, his posture was unwavering, his gaze kind yet commanding. His presence alone silenced the crowd.
To Fenghuo, he looked… kind of like the stern captain of a security team at a construction site.
Shrugging, he slipped away before the ceremony could get too sentimental. From the distance, he could still hear the Third's voice preaching about The Will of Fire.
"Start them young, huh?"
Back in class, Fenghuo returned to his seat. The students on either side of him acted markedly different. The one on the left, a younger Uchiha boy, treated him with exaggerated respect. The one on the right looked up to him like a big brother. The clinginess gave Fenghuo goosebumps.
Noticing the discomfort in Fenghuo's eyes, both boys fell silent, eyes downcast.
Just then, Kurenai Yuhi ran up, her chubby cheeks full of youthful collagen and eyes wide with curiosity.
"Fenghuo, where were you yesterday?"
"I got dragged up to Hokage Rock by some insane woman," Fenghuo sighed dramatically. "Promise me you won't become someone like that in the future, Kurenai."
Kurenai blinked, confused, but nodded politely.
After a few more questions, she skipped back to her seat.
Soon after, Rin Nohara approached, bowing deeply.
"Fenghuo, please! Teach me medical ninjutsu!"
Fenghuo scratched his head. If I say yes, Obito's going to throw a fit… he already acts like Rin's under twenty-four-hour lockdown.
Rin noticed his hesitation and lowered her head, disappointed. "So… you won't?"
"It's not that—" Fenghuo began, when suddenly:
"AHAHAHA! Rin! You don't need Fenghuo—ask me!"
Obito appeared out of nowhere, panting, throwing an arm around Rin like some knight in slightly rusty armor. He shot Fenghuo a glare and muttered just loud enough for him to hear:
"Traitor. You left me behind!"
Fenghuo leaned back, hands behind his head, gazing out the window.
Rin turned to Obito, confused. "Wait… you know medical ninjutsu?"
Obito's expression froze. He scratched the back of his head and forced a laugh.
"W-Well, I am going to be Hokage someday! Of course I know medical ninjutsu!"
Fenghuo smirked.
"Look at you go, Obito. Slapping your reputation just to impress Rin."
Rin brightened. "That's amazing! Can you teach me during lunch break?"
Obito turned pale.
"L-Lunch?! I…"
He glanced desperately at Fenghuo and started blinking rapidly.
Fenghuo blinked back, innocently.
"Cramping up, Obito?"
"Bastard…" Obito hissed under his breath.
"Obito?" Rin tilted her head.
"N-No problem!" Obito shouted, forcing a grin. "Let's do it!"
Just then, a commotion stirred outside the classroom. Students rushed out, chattering excitedly.
"What now?" Fenghuo stood and craned his neck, but the crowd blocked his view.
Excited shouts and cheers echoed through the corridor.
Fenghuo gave Obito a pat on the shoulder, ignored his glare, and walked out.
In the hallway, students crowded around a large circle. At its center, two figures faced off.
"Gentle Fist—Eight Trigrams Two Palms!"