The mysterious rag person mentioned by the Third Hokage didn't leave immediately after returning the scroll of seals to Naruto.
She found a lush, leafy tree, quietly leaped onto a high branch, and perfectly hid herself.
Her pure white eyes looked down with great interest.
Naruto was lying in the clearing, clumsily spreading out the scroll of seals. By the moonlight, he frowned and struggled to make out the writing and patterns on it.
Hinata watched Naruto's clumsy hand signs and the chaotic surging of Chakra in his body, criticizing him in her heart.
[Chakra control is as terrible as ever. Kurama's interference is truly a major factor, but Naruto is exceptionally gifted in the Multiple Shadow Clones Ninjutsu. He's almost mastered it.]
Before long, Naruto had exhausted himself, sitting on the ground panting. Just then...
An anxious figure appeared. Iruka Umino finally found this place, his face covered in sweat and worry.
Iruka ran to Naruto, bent over, and forced a strained smile.
"Hey, Naruto."
Naruto smiled and scratched his head.
"Hehehehehehe, you found me. I've only just learned one Ninjutsu."
Iruka was stunned. Practicing Ninjutsu here? He had actually gone this far.
Naruto stood up and spoke to Iruka with great excitement.
"Look, look! I'm going to show you an even more amazing Ninjutsu. Once I've completely mastered it, you have to let me graduate!"
"If I learn the Ninjutsu on this scroll, I'll definitely be able to graduate, right?"
Iruka was stunned.
"Who... who told you that?"
"Mizuki-sensei, of course! He was the one who told me about the scroll and this place!"
"It was Mizuki..."
Iruka was still processing this news.
Suddenly, several Kunai flew from behind. Iruka reacted instantly and pushed Naruto away forcefully.
"Ugh!"
Naruto fell to the ground. Opening his eyes, he saw Iruka Umino leaning against a wall, a Kunai deeply embedded in his leg.
Mizuki's voice rang out.
"I didn't expect you to find this place."
Iruka panted.
"I see. So that's how it is."
Mizuki appeared on a tree.
"Naruto, hand over the scroll."
His face bore unmasked greed and killing intent, with two giant shuriken strapped to his back.
Before Naruto could figure out what was happening, Iruka gritted his teeth.
"Naruto, don't hand it over even if you die! The scroll contains very dangerous Ninjutsu. Mizuki used you to get it!"
"Hehehe... I did lie to Naruto, but you're no better, Iruka!"
"Haha, I might as well tell you the truth."
Iruka's eyes widened.
"You bastard! Shut up!"
Mizuki sneered and spoke.
"The Village established a certain rule after that incident twelve years ago."
"A certain rule?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka roared.
Mizuki spoke slowly with an evil smile.
"The rule that no one can reveal that Uzumaki Naruto is actually the Nine-Tailed."
Naruto felt like he had been struck by lightning. He froze, the color draining from his face, his eyes filled with unbelievable pain and confusion.
"It's you! You're the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that destroyed the Village and killed Iruka's parents!"
"Don't you find it strange? Why everyone hates you."
At this point, Mizuki's face twisted. He took out the giant shuriken from his back and spun it rapidly.
"No one will ever acknowledge you."
"Die, Naruto!"
The giant shuriken arched through the air toward Naruto. Terrified, Naruto fell to the ground and scrambled away in a panic.
Just then...
"Get down! Naruto!" Iruka roared.
Thwack.
When Naruto opened his eyes, he saw Iruka standing in front of him. The giant shuriken was embedded in Iruka's back, right in the center of the Konoha symbol. Blood stained Iruka's clothes.
Hinata frowned slightly.
Although she knew the outcome, seeing it in person was still a bit uncomfortable.
Both Iruka and Naruto were pitiful people.
"Iruka... sensei?"
Naruto stared blankly at his teacher, who stood before him with blood dripping from his mouth.
Iruka endured the intense pain, tears flowing down his face.
"It must have been painful, Naruto. You must have been so lonely. If only I were more reliable, you wouldn't have had such memories."
Mizuki sneered.
"Hehe... how ridiculous. Iruka has always hated you for killing his parents! He's only saying this to take the scroll from you!"
Naruto bit his lip and suddenly ran out from under Iruka.
"Naruto!"
"Hahaha, Naruto will use that scroll to take revenge on the Village. A demon fox is a demon fox."
Iruka pulled the shuriken from his back and threw it at Mizuki, but Mizuki dodged it.
Looking at Iruka's pathetic state, he spoke disdainfully.
"I'll deal with you after I finish off Naruto."
...Hinata clearly saw Mizuki transform into Iruka's likeness to chase after him, trying to trick Naruto out of the scroll, only to be headbutted away by Naruto.
Mizuki was confused; his disguise should have been perfect.
With a poof, Naruto transformed into Iruka.
That "Naruto" was actually Iruka in disguise.
[Are you two playing Mission: Impossible here?]
"Hmph, why protect that demon fox? He killed your parents."
"I won't let the scroll fall into your hands."
Mizuki snorted coldly.
"Naruto is just like me. He'll learn the Ninjutsu on the scroll and run wild. That demon fox will definitely use it after he learns it."
"That's right," Iruka said, not denying it.
Naruto, hiding behind a tree, heard everything. As expected, Iruka-sensei didn't acknowledge him either.
Naruto clutched the scroll tightly. Then, Iruka continued.
"But Naruto is different. Even though no one acknowledges him, he understands the pain in others' hearts. He is a student I acknowledge! He is not some demon fox; he is Uzumaki Naruto of Konoha Village!"
Boom!
It was as if something had exploded in Naruto's heart! Immense grievance, gratitude, and the overwhelming joy of being acknowledged instantly swept away his previous despair and self-doubt. Naruto was moved to tears.
Mizuki didn't know how to respond to those words.
"Hmph, I've changed my mind about dealing with you later. I'm going to kill you right now!"
He raised his shuriken, which began to spin in his hand, and charged toward Iruka.
Iruka lowered his eyes, calmly accepting death.
Just as Mizuki was about to attack Iruka, a yellow figure suddenly lunged out, kicking Mizuki away and knocking the shuriken from his hand.
He stood with the scroll beside him, his eyes full of determination.
Uzumaki Naruto, making his entrance!
[Dong dong dong dong dong, ha! Dong dong dong dong long, huei! Dulu~]
A powerful piece of music began to play.
Hinata's mind involuntarily started playing the BGM.
Six-six-six, he kicked the speakers.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on Iruka-sensei! I'll kill you!"
"Arrogant! Just try it, demon fox!" Mizuki sneered.
Shadow Clone Jutsu!!
Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof! Poof!!!
Like a chain reaction of explosives, countless clouds of white smoke erupted instantly, filling the entire forest clearing! As the smoke cleared, hundreds, even thousands of Narutos densely packed the forest, completely surrounding a stunned and terrified Mizuki!
Iruka was shocked.
"This... how is this possible?!"
Mizuki was scared to the point of his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, his legs turning to jelly as he slumped to the ground.
A thousand Narutos roared in unison, the sound deafening.
"What's wrong? Didn't you say you wanted to try?"
"If you're not coming, then I am!"
Then, like a tidal wave, the Narutos surged toward Mizuki.
The scene that followed was simply too gruesome to watch.
Mizuki didn't even have a chance to fight back before being submerged by countless punches and kicks. His screams were pitiful.
From the tree, Hinata watched with great interest. There were so many of Naruto's Clones that they almost reached her.
[Such a pure battle. I like it.]
[Ding! Detected that the host has recorded multiple Forbidden Jutsus. Witnessed the debut of "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu."]
[Reward points: 1,500.]
The System's notification sounded in her mind.
1,500 points wasn't much, but every little bit counts.
A few minutes later, the battle below—or rather, the one-sided beating—had ended.
Mizuki lay paralyzed on the ground like a dead dog, unconscious.
Naruto returned to his normal self, dispelling the Clones and smiling as he scratched his head at Iruka.
"Hehehe, I might have gone a bit overboard. Iruka-sensei, are you okay?"
"Uh... yeah."
Iruka also smiled.
Truly remarkable, Naruto. This kid might actually be greater than any Hokage...
Next was the moment of reconciliation between teacher and student, when Iruka awarded the Genin Forehead protector.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Hinata stretched lazily, her movements extremely subtle.
A good harvest. Naruto has grown, and Iruka is truly a good teacher.