Iruka listened to Naruto’s words, his brow furrowing.
It was all because of Mizuki that Naruto found out about this. It also destroyed the bond between him and Naruto.
Naruto is a jinchūriki. Trying to make a jinchūriki hate Konoha—that’s a cruel and vicious plan!
After all, jinchūriki are the future war machines.
"Is what Mizuki said true, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto spoke, pretending to be broken, his tone full of sadness, helplessness, even a hint of despair.
His emotions were so vividly expressed that Iruka’s heart ached for him.
"Naruto, it’s not what you think. Although your..." Iruka looked at Naruto hesitantly, unsure how to finish his sentence.
"Naruto... he has nothing more to say. Konoha is not to be trusted. Come with me!" Mizuki didn’t wait for Iruka to finish and spoke directly.
Then he lunged at Naruto with incredible speed!
"I’m here—don’t think you can take Naruto!" Iruka saw Mizuki’s move and rushed forward to fight him!
Both were Chūnin; their fight was average at best.
Inside Naruto’s mind, the Nine-Tails scoffed: "These two are just mediocre ninja. They might not even be a match for you now, yet they’re supposed to be teachers!"
The Nine-Tails mocked Iruka and Mizuki’s fight mercilessly. If it were outside, it could drown them both with its saliva alone!
"If they were Jōnin, they wouldn’t be teaching basic ninjutsu at the academy!" Naruto thought in reply.
And so, Naruto watched the fight from behind.
Their battle grew fiercer, but in the end, it was a stalemate. Neither could claim victory anytime soon.
Mizuki grew increasingly anxious. He couldn’t afford to keep stalling the battle with Iruka.
Those ninja who had been tracking and watching Naruto could arrive at any moment!
If that happened, there would be no chance to escape.
So, while fighting, he shouted to Naruto, "Naruto, quickly give me the Scroll of Seals! I’ll take it and leave first!"
"No, Teacher Mizuki," Naruto stepped back, his voice sincere. "I’ve realized my mistake. I’ve decided to return the Scroll of Seals to the Hokage-sama! Both of you, please stop fighting~~~"
Iruka was moved. Naruto was a good person!
Looking at Naruto Uzumaki, Iruka spoke excitedly, "Naruto, don’t trust Mizuki. He’s trying to trick you. Your decision now is the right one!"
"If the Scroll of Seals leaves here, it will cause great chaos in the ninja world!"
Iruka shouted to Naruto, then added, "There are things I’ll explain to you later!"
Mizuki watched as Naruto and Iruka grew closer in conversation. His anxious eyes turned cold and ruthless. "Naruto, if you won’t give me the Scroll of Seals, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"
Murderous intent was unleashed!
Since Naruto refused, Mizuki decided to severely injure him and then grab the Scroll of Seals and leave!
He couldn’t waste time fooling around with Iruka here!
"Kid, that white-haired man is dangerous!" The Nine-Tails warned inside Naruto’s mind, its tone serious.
Naruto nodded and carefully watched Mizuki’s every move. It seemed Mizuki realized he couldn’t get the Scroll of Seals by trickery, so he would try force instead!
At that moment, Mizuki struck, pushing Iruka back with a palm infused with a cold gleam.
Three kunai shot toward Naruto at lightning speed, flashing with deadly cold light.
"Looks like he really can’t keep pretending anymore!" Naruto muttered under his breath, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes.
But his face showed disbelief.
It was as if he never expected Mizuki to actually make a move against him.
His expression was stunned.
Anyone who saw this scene would think Naruto was a person whose heart had been completely broken. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥
But only Naruto knew he was seizing the opportunity.
He could easily dodge the upcoming shuriken, but he had to act it out convincingly.
After all, he wasn’t the only one watching—there were several others behind him.
Iruka didn’t know what Naruto was thinking. Seeing Naruto in danger, he instinctively stepped in front of him.
Three shurikens simultaneously pierced Iruka’s back, blood instantly soaking through his clothes.
Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth as he said, "Naruto, get away! He wants to kill you!"
"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto finally reacted, supporting Iruka with a shocked expression. "Iruka-sensei, are you okay? Are you alright?"
Naruto was momentarily stunned—he hadn’t expected Iruka to take the attack for him.
But then he quickly returned to his act.
"I’m fine," Iruka said, struggling to stay upright.
He looked at Naruto and spoke, "Naruto... I know you doubt me and hate me. To be honest, when I first met you, I did feel some resentment. But after spending time with you and hearing your conversation with Mizuki just now, I realized my thoughts were wrong. The Nine-Tails is the Nine-Tails, but you are you. The fox demon’s fault isn’t yours. You’ve been an innocent child all along."
In truth, his words were both an act and sincere.
At first, he truly wanted to carry out Hiruzen Sarutobi’s mission.
But after hearing Naruto and Mizuki’s conversation tonight, his conscience began to change.
Naruto was just an innocent child. He was too young to bear such schemes.
From the start, his life was full of plots and no freedom.
Iruka felt pity for Naruto. Even the Third Hokage shouldn’t have schemed against a child .
If he returns this time, he must carefully nurture and take good care of Naruto.
"Teacher Iruka, please don’t say any more. I know... I know!" Naruto hugged Iruka tightly, his eyes full of gratitude. But then he looked toward Mizuki. "Teacher Mizuki, why do you want to kill me?"
"Why kill you?" Mizuki sneered coldly. "Because you’re too naive. From the start, I told you the truth only to get the Scroll of Seals. But why didn’t you give it to me?"
As he spoke, he slowly stepped closer to Naruto. "Give me the Scroll of Seals, and I won’t kill you!"
Not far away, the others watching the scene were tense.
"Should we go out and help?" an Anbu ninja who was secretly watching asked anxiously. The situation was clearly critical.
But another shook his head. "No, now is the time for Iruka and the Jinchuriki to strengthen their bond. Wait a little longer. Iruka still hasn’t finished the mission given by the Hokage."
"Then let’s wait a bit more..." The others nodded. After all, with them here, Naruto wouldn’t be in real danger.
At the Hokage’s office...
"Is the mission still not complete?" Sarutobi Hiruzen stared anxiously at the empty crystal ball.
Actually, anyone he needed to monitor within a ten-kilometer radius would appear inside the crystal ball.
But right now, those people were clearly beyond ten kilometers.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had never felt the situation so out of control. His right eye even twitched from the tension.
Could it be that Naruto’s side was in trouble?
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