Chapter 380: Chapter 378 : Provoking a Fight!!
"Quick! Hand over the Scroll of Seals to me!"
Mizuki couldn’t hold back the rage inside him any longer; his face twisted into a grimace.
At first, he had hoped to get the Scroll of Seals peacefully, but Naruto was stubborn and unyielding—completely ignoring his words, leaving Mizuki speechless.
Since that was the case, he had no choice but to use force. For the Scroll of Seals, he was willing to do anything.
With this thought, he stepped forward again, his expression growing fierce and violent.
"Give me the book, Naruto. You have to understand, I’m doing this for your own good. If you return the Scroll of Seals, you might be rejected by even more people!"
With those words, Mizuki’s figure surged forward, trying to grab Naruto and snatch the Scroll of Seals.
But Naruto had already anticipated Mizuki’s move. When Mizuki lunged, Naruto quickly stepped back several meters, looking at Mizuki sincerely.
"Sensei, I know you want to help me because you see me suffering and helpless. But I’ve suffered enough. I don’t want to drag others into this anymore. I’ll go apologize to the Hokage and beg for his forgiveness."
At these words, Iruka and the others hiding nearby were deeply moved. Naruto was such a good kid.
But Mizuki was a despicable person, tricking such an innocent and kind child.
What a bad guy!
Just as Iruka and the others were touched, Mizuki—already frustrated and nearly at his breaking point—pounced at Naruto again, faster and even more dangerous.
"Iruka, it’s your turn!" An Anbu ninja saw the situation and patted Iruka’s shoulder.
"If this keeps up, Mizuki will snatch the Scroll of Seals. That scroll is precious, and even if it gets damaged, it would be a huge loss for Konoha!"
Iruka nodded and flew in from behind.
Naruto, dodging Mizuki’s attack, noticed Iruka’s move. He was about to dodge, but he was a bit slow.
It looked like Mizuki was about to catch him!
A triumphant look appeared on Mizuki’s face.
Finally, he could get the Scroll of Seals he had been longing for.
Just as he was about to touch the Scroll of Seals, a sharp sound pierced the air, making his scalp tingle.
He couldn’t help but glance sideways.
Right then, a shuriken flew straight toward him, shimmering coldly.
If it hit his throat, he would surely die.
Because of this, he had no choice but to abandon the Scroll of Seals he was about to grab and start retreating.
The shuriken grazed past his forehead, slicing off a few strands of his white hair.
Seeing this, Mizuki felt a chill run down his spine.
That was close—he had almost died right there!
Then, he looked toward the direction from which the shuriken was thrown, and saw a familiar figure.
"Iruka? I didn’t expect you to be here. Seems like the Hokage has really prepared well."
It looked like he had arrived a bit too late.
Thinking this, Mizuki couldn’t help but feel annoyed.
He shouldn’t have wasted time arguing with Naruto earlier.
If he had just snatched the Scroll of Seals from the start, he probably would have escaped by now.
Damn it, damn it!
But luckily, it was only Iruka.
He thought with a smirk, if Iruka tried to stop him, then he would just kill him.
"Iruka-sensei?"
Naruto’s bright blue eyes first showed a hint of joy when he saw Iruka.
Then, clutching the Scroll of Seals, he looked a bit lost and awkward.
He looked exactly like a child who had made a mistake and was too afraid to face the adults at home.
Seeing this, all resentment in Iruka’s heart vanished completely.
"Don’t worry, Naruto. Everything will be fine. The Hokage won’t punish you for this," Iruka gently reassured him.
Then, his gaze shifted to Mizuki standing nearby.
"Mizuki, you tricked Naruto into stealing the Scroll of Seals. Now you want to snatch it from me. Return together with me to see the Hokage."
As soon as he said this, the tension between both sides immediately rose to a breaking point.
"Iruka-sensei, you must be mistaken. I was the one who took the Scroll of Seals on my own. Mizuki-sensei was just guiding me. I’m actually planning to go apologize to the Hokage-sama now!"
Naruto blinked innocently, looking exactly like a naive and foolish child who had been easily fooled.
Iruka didn’t expect Naruto to be so gullible.
He added firmly, "Naruto, don’t be deceived by Mizuki. He was the one who tricked you into stealing the Scroll of Seals. The Hokage has already investigated everything, and it’s even possible that Mizuki is secretly collaborating with the rogue ninja Orochimaru!"
"You’re coming back with me!"
"Is it true, Mizuki, the Konoha traitor?" Naruto Uzumaki blinked, curiosity and confusion shining in his eyes.
"Naruto, don’t believe him!" Mizuki grew anxious. He glared angrily at Iruka and said, "Naruto, you don’t know yet, but the one who wants to punish you is Iruka!"
"Huh?" Naruto blinked again, curious and a little incredulous. "No way. Both Iruka and Mizuki have been nice to me. Why would Iruka-sensei want to punish me?"
Though Naruto said this, his eyes kept flickering nervously as he looked at Iruka.
Was what Mizuki said true?
But Iruka did seem a little strange.
Naruto always felt Iruka was distant from him, yet sometimes he would treat him to a bowl of beef ramen.
So Naruto actually liked Iruka.
But now, thinking back, there was definitely something suspicious.
Mizuki was warned off when he tried to talk to Naruto closely, but Iruka was allowed to approach him freely.
Obviously, the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was involved in all this.
At the thought of that, Naruto’s eyes narrowed.
Heh.
Looks like even Iruka was part of the scheme. No place was left untouched.
Naruto had lost all trust in Iruka.
Sure enough... none of it was real. None of it!
"Naruto, you don’t know this yet, but Iruka’s parents were killed in the Nine-Tails incident years ago. So, tell me — why would he like or care about you?" Mizuki stared at Naruto’s changing expression and continued, "No one in Konoha likes you. You should leave with me. That way, you won’t be punished. Honestly, he wishes you were dead!"
Naruto was stunned.
The Nine-Tails... killed Iruka’s parents!
No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi let Iruka get close to him. He had learned Iruka’s background and knew Iruka would never betray him. That made him feel secure.
No wonder the Hokage’s plans were so thorough.
Even those close to him were enemies — or rather, enemies of the Nine-Tails — which was no different from being enemies of Naruto himself.
Though his mind was racing, Naruto’s expression grew heavier.
A bitter smile crept across his face, full of sadness and pain.
"Iruka-sensei... is what Mizuki said true? That the monster inside me killed your parents?"
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