Noah had never taken Mizuki seriously.
Tonight, he planned to perform properly-for once.
His mediocre grades had always been intentional. His practical ability, however, had never been bad. Just how good it was, no one really knew.
Over the years, something subtle had changed.
Classmates dropped out one by one. Students from ordinary backgrounds became fewer and fewer. And without trying, Noah began to stand out.
Teachers from non-clan backgrounds encouraged him openly. Neighbors offered quiet support. Some instructors even hinted that if he didn't understand something, he could always ask-no need to be polite.
Noah accepted their kindness with proper gratitude.
He asked questions occasionally. Not too simple. Not too sharp. Just enough.
He learned some ninjutsu along the way. Enough to explain his growth. Enough to hide the rest.
Including the Body Flicker Technique.
Mizuki was not among those kind teachers.
So Noah felt absolutely no pressure attacking him.
At this point, it wasn't personal. It was alignment.
"You didn't run?" Mizuki stared at him, then burst into laughter.
"Perfect. Saves me the trouble. I'll deal with you too."
"Oh."
Noah nodded calmly.
He placed Iruka beside the tree where Naruto was hiding, ignored Iruka's attempt to speak, and formed seals without hesitation.
Earth Style: Swamp of the Underworld.
The ground beneath Mizuki instantly turned soft.
Noah didn't know many Earth Style techniques.
Just three.
Swamp of the Underworld.
Earth Spear.
Earth Wall.
That was enough.
The swamp spread only ten meters wide.
Modest, by Noah's standards.
But to Iruka-and to the ANBU watching in secret-it was absurd.
Mizuki froze.
Then he began to sink.
"You-!" Panic overtook his face as the earth swallowed his legs.
Noah didn't waste time.
Another sequence of hand signs.
Five earth spears erupted from the swamp.
Four pinned Mizuki in place.
One pierced cleanly through his chest.
Not fatal.
But decisive.
Mizuki went limp.
"It's done, Teacher Iruka," Noah said, turning calmly.
Then he looked up into the trees.
"You two... are you finished watching?"
"Does this count as a Genin evaluation?"
Silence broke.
Two masked figures dropped down.
"You knew we were here?" one of them asked.
"I noticed a while ago," Noah replied casually.
"As for my jutsu, some seniors at school taught me."
The explanation was clean. Believable.
"This was an emergency incident," the ANBU said.
"Forget what happened tonight. We'll report it truthfully to the Hokage."
"Understood," Noah replied. "Anything else I need to cooperate with?"
"No."
They had him release the jutsu.
Then they dragged Mizuki away like trash.
Watching them leave, Noah tilted his head.
ANBU instead of Kakashi.
That made sense.
Root was gone.
Danzo was dead.
Which meant full control rested with the Hokage now.
Yamato... Tenzou... probably nearby.
If Naruto lost control, he'd appear.
But Mizuki was too incompetent.
Iruka wasn't dead.
Naruto wouldn't break.
No trigger.
No Wood Style.
No opportunity.
"...What a waste," Noah thought.
Then he turned back.
Iruka was pale, but stable.
Naruto clung to him, eyes blazing with relief.
Their bond was already solidifying.
Noah walked over.
"Teacher Iruka. Naruto," he said calmly.
"Need help getting to the hospital?"
Naruto snapped to attention.
"Yes! Teacher Iruka-!"
Iruka smiled and shook his head.
"I'm fine. I'm a Chunin, after all."
Then he looked at Noah.
"I didn't expect you to be this strong."
Noah nodded.
"The teachers helped a lot."
After a pause, he added, "I'm heading back. Naruto, mission for you-take care of Teacher Iruka."
"Yes!" Naruto answered without hesitation.
Noah turned away.
The moon hung high and full.
He waved once without looking back.
"...Such a round moon," he murmured.
"I wonder if they'll stay up until morning."
And just like that, he disappeared into the night.