Chapter 50
"I've roughly understood what happened."
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down his pipe, the dark cloud in his eyes caused by Orochimaru's appearance fading away. He showed the two boys before him a warm, grandfatherly smile.
"Mizuki was tempted and betrayed the village. You two did very well—not only protecting yourselves, but successfully capturing him."
Hearing the praise, Naruto scratched the back of his head. Suddenly, as though remembering something, he asked curiously:
"Oh right, Hokage-jiji—today he tried to make us eat some kind of 'Energy Boost Pills,' saying they could speed up training."
"Then Fox Sage told me there was something wrong with them. What exactly was in there?"
"Energy Boost Pills?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused for a moment, then picked up the medical team's urgent analysis report from the table again.
He flipped to the page analyzing the drug components and effects found at the scene.
Among them was the substance discovered in the small bottle.
"It's fortunate you didn't take them."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up, his tone carrying relief: "It is indeed a secret medicine that can briefly stimulate the body's potential and accelerate stamina recovery."
"It makes the body and chakra highly active for a short time."
"But… a special hallucinogenic component was mixed into the drug."
"The effect gradually causes the user to become mentally unstable, violently aggressive, and potentially dangerous."
This drug was provided by Orochimaru.
He didn't dare imagine what would have happened if Naruto and Sasuke had actually started taking it…
"As for Mizuki attacking you and the mention of Orochimaru…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused, his tone growing more serious: "Do not spread these matters around the academy to avoid causing panic."
"If news of a ninja academy teacher attacking students leaks out, it will definitely damage other students' trust in their teachers."
"As for Iruka—I'll have someone explain things to him."
"Though he had a deep friendship with Mizuki, I believe he is not someone who would have contact with Orochimaru."
After all, Iruka came from a clean background, and his personality had always been gentle and innocent. He was a Konoha ninja who had grown up under Hiruzen's watch.
As for who Mizuki was? Sorry—he really wasn't familiar.
On the contrary, Mizuki had abnormal reports of teammate deaths in previous missions.
There just hadn't been evidence proving Mizuki was responsible.
"At the Ninja Academy, I'll spread the word that Mizuki secretly practiced forbidden techniques with intent to harm the village and has already been arrested by Anbu."
"And you two—in the future, if you discover anything abnormal again, do not handle it on your own."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at these two children whose courage far exceeded their age.
He spoke earnestly: "You can go straight to the Military Police to report it. Professional ninja will investigate. No matter what, children sneaking around is still too dangerous."
These two little guys.
A few days ago they saved their homeroom teacher. Today they nearly beat their substitute teacher to death.
But the key was—they handled everything beautifully.
For children their age, this level of combat ability and judgment was truly exceptional.
"Yes! We understand!" the two replied in unison.
"Alright, it's very late. Go home and rest quickly."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
After the door closed and their footsteps faded away,
the Anbu who had been standing silently in the corner stepped forward to continue reporting the follow-up investigation results.
"Hokage-sama, the surrounding forest has been searched carpet-style. No trace of Orochimaru was found."
"As expected."
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and turned to look out into the darkness beyond the window: "That snake—if he dared show his face, he must have already prepared an escape route."
"Mizuki was nothing more than an abandoned pawn…"
…
Leaving the Hokage Tower, since their homes were in different directions, Naruto and Sasuke said a simple goodbye at the intersection and parted ways.
Naruto walked home alone. The night breeze was cool, blowing away the lingering heat from battle.
"That curse seal on Mizuki was quite interesting."
Xuanming's voice sounded beside him.
"Fox Sage, did you discover something?" Naruto turned to ask.
"Mm. The 'curse seal' we saw on Mizuki today was a crude, defective experimental product."
"But I've roughly understood the principle behind the technique."
Xuanming explained: "The method forcibly absorbs natural energy through the curse seal. As long as the body pays a sufficient price, it can offset the energy's harm and grant explosive enhancement."
"Natural energy?" Naruto had heard Xuanming mention the concept before.
"Correct. All things in heaven and earth possess qi—that is natural energy."
"The curse seal method is far too crude. Not only does it overdraw life force, it turns the user's mind as dull and beast-like as an animal."
Xuanming paused: "However, seeing it in action this time gave me some inspiration."
"After I research it further, I'll be able to teach you a more orthodox and safer way to use it."
"Is natural energy really that dangerous?" Naruto asked curiously.
"Indeed. In the shinobi world, what they call—senjutsu."
"If you absorb natural energy directly without knowing how to control and harmonize it, your body will turn directly into stone."
Naruto shrank his neck: "Turn into stone? Then never mind…"
Xuanming flicked his tail: "What are you afraid of? This is a power higher than chakra. But right now you're still too young."
"Your physical foundation and chakra control aren't sufficient yet. Train for a few more years—raise your basics first before starting."
"Of course, there's another reason…"
Xuanming gave a slightly awkward cough: "That is—I haven't developed it yet."
"I need to research more related knowledge to improve a suitable 'guiding technique'."
"Until then…"
Xuanming gave Naruto an assignment: "In your free time after school, go to the library more often. Flip through materials and classics—look for any information about 'natural energy'."
"Though Konoha's records may be incomplete, building a theoretical foundation first is always correct."
Naruto's eyes lit up: "If I learn it, can I become as strong as Fox Sage?"
Xuanming smiled: "If you learn it deeply enough, you might become a hundred times stronger than I am now."
Hearing this answer, Uzumaki Naruto's heart instantly burned with excitement.
On the other side, on the street leading to the Uchiha compound.
Sasuke declined Uchiha Tekka—who had met him halfway and offered to escort him home.
He walked alone down the wide, empty street.
His mind kept replaying tonight's battle.
"I'm still a little unwilling!"
Sasuke clenched his fist. His nails dug deeply into his palm.
He had thought that awakening the Sharingan would let him catch up to that guy's pace.
Indeed, under normal circumstances, Naruto wouldn't be a match for the Sharingan.
But when the other used that materialized chakra cloak enhancement…
It felt like he had surpassed him—and yet somehow not.
Sasuke raised his head. Looking at the cold, clear moon in the night sky, his eyes burned with unprecedented fighting spirit.
He would never stoop to jealousy like Mizuki—that was the behavior of the weak.
The strong only choose to chase and surpass when they are behind.
"In the future—whether you use taijutsu, ninjutsu, or your Fox Sage's power."
"Naruto…"
"Someday, I will surpass you in every state…"
This was the pride of the Uchiha!
Sasuke's figure accelerated and disappeared into the end of the street.
That heart yearning to become stronger burned even hotter.
--------------------------
Support us on Patreon and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
patreon.com/inkshield
Special Offer: Badass Tier – 20% OFF
Use code: STAR20