Chapter 370: Chapter 368 : Seeds Planted!!
Close to the Strength of the First Hokage?
Naruto repeated what Mizuki had said, his eyes shifting constantly, filled with a faint sense of longing.
The First Hokage!
Naruto had long heard the legend — the God of Shinobi.
If his strength could reach that of the First Hokage, then he wouldn’t fear any threat!
No one could deceive him anymore!
No one would dare to mock him, and he would earn respect!
Yes. He had to become stronger!
"Teacher Mizuki, is there any way to become stronger?" After coming to this realization, Naruto looked at Mizuki seriously, his eyes full of determination.
Mizuki’s words gave him hope.
"Do you know about the Scroll of Seals?" Mizuki blinked slowly. His eyes were serious, even a little hopeful, as he began to guide Naruto.
"Scroll of Seals?" Naruto scratched his head, looking a bit confused. Then he glanced back at Mizuki. "What is that?"
The Scroll of Seals... what could that be?
Mizuki looked at Naruto with surprise in his eyes. Sure enough... Sarutobi Hiruzen had never told Naruto about the Scroll of Seals!
But that made it even easier to trick him.
"Don’t you know about the Scroll of Seals?" Mizuki looked at Uzumaki Naruto with a calm and gentle tone, slowly tempting him.
"The Scroll of Seals contains some of the top-level ninja techniques. These jutsu can only be learned by special people. And you... you are that kind of special person!"
Having a large chakra reserve is also a special ability!
"Really?" Naruto’s eyes blinked, shining with excitement.
"Are you serious? So, the Scroll of Seals has jutsu that I can train with—techniques that can make me stronger?"
Listening to Mizuki’s temptation, little stars sparkled in Naruto’s eyes.
"That’s right..." Mizuki nodded seriously.
"But... you’ll need to ask the Third Hokage for the Scroll of Seals, or else you won’t be able to get it!"
"No need to find the Hokage. Do you know where the Scroll of Seals is?" Naruto looked at Mizuki, asking seriously.
"It’s in the village’s center. That’s where Konoha stores some of its top-level ninja techniques. The Scroll of Seals containing those jutsu is kept there," Mizuki said.
Then, almost quietly, he added, "If I had the Scroll of Seals, maybe I could explain it to you. But unfortunately, that’s impossible right now."
"In the center of the village?" Naruto Uzumaki murmured, his voice low, lost in thought.
But his expression grew more determined by the moment.
"This is bad... those people are coming!"
Just as Mizuki and Naruto were talking, Mizuki’s gaze suddenly shifted to a spot not far away, his face changing with a mix of frustration and secrecy.
"What people are coming?" Naruto asked, confused, unsure what Mizuki meant.
But seeing Mizuki’s serious and tense expression, Naruto guessed it couldn’t be good.
"Naruto, I can’t tell you much. We have to leave now!" Mizuki said as he stood up, ready to go.
But no sooner had he risen than two masked figures appeared in front of them.
Only their eyes were visible, and they looked at Mizuki with a warning glare — clearly displeased and suspicious.
"Mizuki... what are you doing?" one of the masked men asked in a low voice.
He was assigned to watch Naruto, and had stepped away briefly for some reason.
But in that short time, Mizuki had gotten dangerously close to Naruto.
And alone, no less.
That made them very alert.
The Hokage’s orders were clear: no one was allowed near Naruto Uzumaki.
But,
They had only just left for a short while, and someone took advantage of the opportunity to sneak in!
Mizuki looked at the two Anbu members and gave a bitter smile. He shrugged and said, "I was passing by and saw Naruto sitting here, looking sad. As his teacher, I wanted to talk to him."
"Talk to him?" The Anbu ninja frowned.
"...I’ll leave now!" Mizuki forced a bitter smile, glanced once at Naruto, then prepared to leave.
That look he gave Naruto was clearly filled with sorrow and pity.
"You have your own matters to attend to. Some things are better not to get involved in," one Anbu ninja warned as they passed Mizuki.
Mizuki nodded and left.
But what they didn’t notice was the smile curling at the corner of Mizuki’s mouth as he walked away.
A warning, huh?
The more you warn, the deeper Naruto’s impression of you grows—and the more he resents you.
The seed has already been planted.
Sure enough,
After the Anbu ninja’s warning to Mizuki, Naruto’s expression completely changed.
What was once sadness and helplessness now had a trace of anger.
Yes. Anger.
But those two Anbu ninjas kept their eyes on Mizuki and paid no attention to Naruto’s expression.
After driving Mizuki away, they gave Naruto a cold glance, then leapt to the eaves and disappeared.
"Is that so? You’re the ones always interfering in my life, making it full of suffering. You drive away everyone who comes close to me!" Naruto muttered, his tone growing darker.
Third Hokage—
Was it your request?
At this moment, Naruto firmly believed Mizuki’s words.
Everything I have experienced was someone else’s scheme!
Why?
Is it because I am a Jinchūriki?
Jinchūriki!
This was the first time Naruto heard this word, but deep inside, he felt a strong connection to these three characters — a connection that marked the beginning of his life’s tragedy.
Heh.
How laughable.
The family bonds he believed in were nothing but a calculation!
"Konoha’s core... the Scroll of Seals that stores ninja techniques," Naruto muttered softly, then slowly stood up and walked toward his home.
He was hungry. There was a pack of instant noodles at home about to expire.
But Naruto didn’t notice that as he left, a faint red chakra slowly began to leak from him.
Not long after he left, Mizuki appeared from somewhere, watching Naruto’s departing figure with a deepening smile at the corner of his mouth.
The seed of hatred had been planted. Now it was only a matter of time before it bore fruit.
Maybe he couldn’t get the Scroll of Seals himself, but Naruto — he definitely could.
Ignoring Naruto’s special status for a moment, even if someone found out, Third Hokage and Anbu ninja wouldn’t dare intervene too much.
They feared that any mistake could cause Naruto to lose control.
How to handle this would need the Third Hokage’s personal attention.
This was a perfect opportunity. Perhaps the Third Hokage could only use family feelings to influence Naruto — and Mizuki could take advantage of this to seize the Scroll of Seals.
He wanted to see just how powerful the techniques in the Scroll of Seals were.
He had heard that the Fourth Hokage became Hokage thanks to a technique called Flying Thunder God from the Scroll of Seals.
The Third Hokage seemed to know a fearful technique from it as well.
Heh. Now, just wait for the result.
The sky slowly darkened.
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