Chapter 379: Chapter 377 : Cunning Naruto!!
"Are you here yet? You really kept me waiting~"
Uzumaki Naruto heard the Nine-Tails’ words. With his head lowered, a faint smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
"Looks like the real show is about to begin!"
Actually, from the very start, he never intended to hand over the Scroll of Seals to Mizuki. Nor did he plan to leave Konoha!
During that time just now, he had already flipped through the Scroll of Seals and imprinted several ninjutsu he wanted to learn deep into his mind.
The reason he was wasting time talking with Mizuki was just to delay!
When those watching him arrived, he figured that as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, even if he did something extreme, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn’t punish him too harshly.
After all, he had planned everything carefully for so long, and if it all failed, he’d be unwilling to accept it.
Not far away, in the trees...
"Mizuki... is it really him? Is he the one manipulating Naruto?" Iruka and several other Anbu ninja arrived late, but they stayed cautious, afraid of alerting Naruto and causing him to run away.
However, when Iruka saw Mizuki, he was unsettled.
As a ninja academy teacher, shouldn’t Mizuki care about the school and Konoha?
But instead, he was using Naruto.
Thinking this, Iruka couldn’t help but want to confront Mizuki and capture him.
"Wait," one of the nearby Anbu stopped Iruka, his eyes fixed on the scene ahead.
Iruka was confused. Weren’t they here to persuade Naruto? Why tell him to wait now? He didn’t understand.
"Watch what Mizuki intends to do to Naruto first. After observing the situation, you’ll be able to persuade Naruto better!" The Anbu, who had been watching Naruto for so long, immediately saw what mattered.
Only by clearly understanding the situation could they control the outcome.
"I understand!" Iruka nodded, a light shining in his eyes as he focused again on Mizuki and Uzumaki Naruto below.
They quietly observed.
The others also concealed themselves and watched from the shadows.
Below, there was Naruto Uzumaki and Mizuki.
Naruto pretended not to notice that Iruka and the others had already arrived.
But Mizuki’s attention stayed fixed on Naruto’s Scroll of Seals, and he didn’t notice the faint movement nearby.
Mizuki kept watching Naruto. Suddenly, it seemed like he heard Naruto speaking, but the distance made it hard to catch the words clearly.
He grew a bit impatient.
Taking a step forward, he looked at Naruto and said slowly, "Naruto, what were you just saying? Actually, this plan is already perfect. As long as you give me the Scroll of Seals, you can free yourself, and you can even return to Konoha!"
Mizuki talked more now. He really didn’t have time to keep persuading Naruto gently.
"But... if that happens, wouldn’t you become a Konoha rogue ninja, teacher? How could I let you bear the blame for me?" Naruto hesitated but still spoke up.
His expression was like he truly cared for his teacher, afraid that the teacher would feel guilty or be punished because of him.
The acting was flawless.
Inside Naruto’s mind, the Nine-Tails started to complain silently: "When did this kid get so good at acting? Almost on par with Genya... No, no, just like the book said, ’You’re influenced by those you’re close to.’ That’s true!"
"Looks like... Naruto Uzumaki has really learned bad habits from Genya!"
The Nine-Tails secretly complained. Soon, Konoha would have another schemer.
Actually, there already was one.
Naruto had the potential to surpass that brat Genya.
While the Nine-Tails grumbled about Naruto’s slyness, Mizuki grew anxious and even agitated as he said, "No, you won’t drag me down. Hurry and give me the Scroll of Seals. That way, you’ll be safe. Hurry!"
Mizuki was really anxious.
He originally thought it would be easy to trick Naruto Uzumaki.
After all, he had already easily fooled Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals before.
So he believed it would be just as simple to get the scroll from Naruto again.
But unexpectedly, Naruto was so stubborn!
He was very kind-hearted and didn’t want to involve Mizuki.
But what Mizuki wanted was exactly that—he wanted to get involved. He wanted the Scroll of Seals.
Seeing Mizuki’s anxious expression, Naruto pretended to be scared and hugged the Scroll of Seals tightly, stepping back several times.
"Mizuki-sensei, this mistake is mine. I won’t let you get involved!"
At that moment, Mizuki’s face darkened.
Not let him get involved?
"I’m your teacher. I can take responsibility for your mistake!" Mizuki stepped forward again, his eyes reddening.
Why was Naruto so stubborn? Could it be that he had been too kind in front of him?
"Mizuki-sensei, you don’t have to do this for me. I already realize my mistake!"
Naruto clenched the Scroll of Seals tighter and stepped back two more steps, putting more distance between them.
"Mizuki-sensei, you’re too kind. I know stealing the Scroll of Seals was wrong. I’ve decided to go back and apologize to the Hokage, admit my mistake, and tell him about you. It was you who persuaded me to turn back—I’m very grateful to you!"
Naruto’s words touched Iruka’s emotions deeply, as if they had struck a chord.
"Naruto is a good kid!" Iruka, who always disliked Naruto because of the Nine-Tails, couldn’t help wiping tears from the corner of his eyes, looking touched.
Despite being treated differently since childhood, Naruto still cared so much about Konoha.
It was truly moving!
It seemed the Anbu’s advice was right—The Nine-Tails is the Nine-Tails, and Naruto is Naruto.
Iruka couldn’t involve Naruto because of his parents’ death. Naruto was too kind!
Even in such a situation, he always thought about Konoha and maintained his principles!
Others watching Naruto also nodded quietly. Not bad.
Naruto was a good kid. They shouldn’t treat him differently just because of the Nine-Tails.
After this mission, they would definitely tell the Hokage everything Mizuki said to Naruto, so the Hokage wouldn’t be so harsh with Naruto anymore.
Naruto was so lonely without any friends!
"Wow, when did Naruto become so cunning?"
Not far away, a figure stood perched on a tree branch, watching the scene below with a Dual Pipil eye.
That was Uchiha Genya.
Normally, he was training, but through his Sharingan, he had noticed Naruto sneaking out of Konoha.
A few people were following him, which sparked his curiosity, so he decided to take a closer look.
Because Naruto had the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, Genya could easily distinguish him using his Sharingan.
Unexpectedly, he just happened to witness the famous scene of Naruto stealing the Scroll of Seals!
But...
When exactly did Naruto become this cunning and sly?
These sneaky moves made Genya feel completely outmatched!
Meanwhile, Mizuki was furious, glaring at Naruto with eyes full of rage.
"Who said you would drag me down? Give me the Scroll of Seals quickly, and let’s get out of here!"
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