Chapter 223 - 1

Chapter 1: Konoha Ninja, Uzumaki Naruto, has arrived!"Uzumaki Naruto!"A furious shout rang out.Naruto snapped his eyes open and found himself in a forest clearing, sitting on the ground with his back against a large tree, clutching a massive scroll in his arms.The shadows of the trees swayed as the bright moon overhead cast dappled spots of light upon him."I finally found you, you big idiot!"The voice that had awakened Naruto came again, and a young man with a scar across the bridge of his nose stood before him, panting for breath."I-Iruka-sensei?"Memories surfaced in his mind, causing Naruto to subconsciously call out the other's name as a sense of familiarity welled up from within."Naruto, how could you steal the scroll of seals? Everyone is looking for you!"Iruka said, suppressing his anger.The scroll of seals?Naruto looked down at the scroll in his arms as memories that had been sealed away for years gradually awakened.In his memory, after failing to graduate from the Ninja Academy once again, he had stolen the legendary scroll of seals from the Third Hokage's home under the guidance of the proctor, Mizuki.After coming to the training ground and learning the Ninjutsu recorded within, an exhausted Narutohad fallen into a deep sleep against a large tree, only to transmigrate to a world called 'Earth'.In the decades that followed, he had studied under Lisa Lisa, learning Hamon and awakening his Stand, experiencing countless life-and-death battles.Even just yesterday, Naruto was on the streets of Egypt, fighting for his life against that blonde vampire.Until the sun rose, shattering the century-long destiny of the Joestar family along with Dio's physical body.On the plane home, Naruto, having finally fulfilled his destiny, drifted off to sleep.When he opened his eyes again, he had returned to his own Ninja World.And from Iruka's words, not much time had passed since he fell asleep."I'm back? Or was it all just a long dream?"Naruto lowered his head, looking at his hands in confusion.These hands were youthful and fair, with neither the calluses from years of cultivation nor the furrows etched by time.They belonged to a twelve-year-old boy!"Naruto, what are you still dazed for? Come back with me quickly and apologize to Hokage-samaand everyone else!"Seeing Naruto's blank expression, Iruka couldn't help but feel a bit anxious and stepped forward to grab his arm.Zzap—A spark of golden light flashed.Iruka felt his hand pushed away by an inexplicable force, making him subconsciously take half a step back."Hmm?"Naruto and Iruka frowned at the same time."Was it static electricity?"Iruka looked at his hand, haphazardly finding an excuse for what had just happened.Naruto, on the other hand, clenched his fist and smiled after a brief moment of surprise.Deep within his body, that sun-hot energy that did not belong to the Ninja World was slowly flowing through his limbs with every breath—Hamon!This was the proof of everything!Joseph, Caesar, Jotaro Kujo, Avdol, Kakyoin, Polnareff, Iggy...Those familiar faces were still clearly etched in Naruto's mind; they weren't imaginary phantoms, but companions he had once fought alongside!"I'm really back..."Naruto said softly, his tone carrying a hint of world-weariness that didn't belong to his age.He felt no confusion or discomfort.The long years had already tempered his mind to be incredibly resilient, allowing him to quickly accept his current situation.Then, he looked at the person before him, his heart filled with a burning warmth."It's so good to see you again, Iruka-sensei."Naruto smiled.That smile was clean and warm, making Iruka start slightly.He could sense that the boy in front of him seemed a bit different from a few hours ago."W-what's this? Why are you acting like it's a final farewell?" Meeting Naruto's bright blue eyes, Irukascratched his head awkwardly. "Don't worry, as long as you go back and apologize properly, Hokage-sama and everyone will forgive you."With that, he moved to pull Naruto away.This time, although there was no automatic counterattack from the Hamon, Naruto actively broke free from the other's grip. "Wait!""What is it?"Iruka looked over curiously."It was Mizuki-sensei. He said if I could steal the scroll of seals and learn a Ninjutsu from it, he would let me graduate."Naruto began to analyze the situation calmly.Past memories replayed in his mind, and with decades of experience, he was no longer that simple, green kid, so he immediately smelled a conspiracy."What?! Mizuki?! It was him?!"Iruka shuddered, also realizing something was wrong.However, just as he was dazed, a loud whistling sound came from behind.An oversized shuriken tore through the air, seizing the opportunity when Iruka was vulnerable and unable to react, aiming to take his life."It really is Mizuki!"In the instant he glanced back, Iruka saw Mizuki standing on a distant tree branch with a hideous grin, confirming who the mastermind was.But realizing it now was clearly too late; the enemy's attack was already impossible to dodge."Am I going to die here? But Naruto can't..."As the thought flashed through his mind, Irukamoved to push Naruto away.But Naruto's movements were a step faster, and Iruka felt a great force at his waist.Thump!Iruka was pushed to the ground.Then came a squelch as the blade entered flesh.Warm blood flowed slowly, dripping onto his face."Naruto? You... you... why?"Iruka's eyes widened as he looked up in disbelief.Naruto was on all fours, his small body acting as a solid shield, firmly blocking his teacher.The giant shuriken had pierced into his back, and blood gushed freely from the wound."You idiot! Why did you do that!"Iruka scolded him loudly, but tears welled up in his eyes."Because... because you're Iruka-sensei... I finally got to see you again, I can't lose you now!"Naruto exhaled a breath of turbid air, smiling as he endured the sharp pain in his back.As he spoke, his breathing was becoming rhythmic, just as it had been for the past few decades."Hahaha! What a touching scene of teacher-student bond!"On a nearby tree, Mizuki laughed maniacally, his once gentle face now twisted like a snake's."But Naruto, you still don't know the truth, do you?""What truth?"As he asked, Naruto turned around and knelt on the ground, a faint golden light radiating from his body."No! Don't say it!"Iruka realized something was wrong and roared, trying to stop Mizuki.But his efforts naturally had no effect, and the cold, cruel truth was revealed by the other."Uzumaki Naruto, you are the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that destroyed Konoha twelve years ago, and Iruka's parents were also killed by you!""After being sealed by the Hokage you admire so much, you've been kept in the dark by the villagers!""That's why the villagers hate you so much, and Iruka hates you to his very core!"Mizuki's words grew louder and more shrill with each sentence.In contrast, Iruka's struggling cries of "stop it" seemed extremely feeble.He looked toward Naruto tremblingly, prepared to see the twelve-year-old boy's world collapse.However, in the next second, he was stunned.Because what appeared before him was not the broken boy he had imagined, but Naruto, who had stood up at some point, his gaze as calm as still water."Are you finished?"Naruto looked up, gazing at Mizuki indifferently.Mizuki was slightly stunned, clearly not expecting such a reaction.He thought he hadn't been harsh enough, so he decided to double down: "Don't give me that look! The only value a pest like you has is helping me steal the scroll of seals! Other than that, nobody cares about you, and nobody will ever accept you!""Tch."Naruto's response to Mizuki was a cold snort.He curled his lip and, as he stepped forward, reached back to pull out the large shuriken embedded in his back.At the wound where blood should have been gushing, the muscles rippled slightly under the effect of the Hamon, and only a small amount of warm liquid trickled down."Naruto, fall back! You're no match for him, let me..."Realizing Naruto's intention, Iruka hurriedly jumped up, trying to protect him from behind.However, Naruto's movements were unusually exquisite, easily circling in front of Iruka."Shut up, Iruka-sensei, this is my fight. If you dare interfere, tomorrow I'll use paint to draw your face on the Hokage Rock for everyone to see!""..."Iruka stopped his attempt to continue blocking Naruto.It wasn't because of the boy's prank-like threat, but because he could feel that the boy he had watched grow up had truly grown."And you, Mizuki!"Naruto casually tossed away the giant shuriken still stained with his blood and pointed at the figure on the tree."Being hated, being alienated—my past was indeed painful, but Iruka-sensei lost his parents because of me, and he has pain no less than mine. Even so, Iruka-sensei never once showed his suffering in front of me, because he can understand me, just as I understand him now.""To me, Iruka-sensei is not just a teacher, but my family, my most cherished companion!""And you, not only are you bringing up Iruka-sensei's painful memories now, but you're also trying to insult him with third-rate provocation, so I will never forgive you!""Ha! A lowly fox brat like you dares to say such things? Stop pretending to be human!"Mizuki continued his verbal abuse as he dove down like a large bird.Even though his opponent was a student who hadn't graduated, he still employed despicable combat tactics.If Naruto wavered for even a split second because of his words, Mizuki would take that chance to end his life.But facing the charging bastard, Naruto smiled. "Your next line is—""'Die, fox brat!'""Die, fox brat!"Mizuki laughed fiercely mid-air, but then froze after hearing the other's words.Immediately after, Naruto's clenched fist burst with golden sparks, and as he punched out ruthlessly, a phantom figure appeared over him.Stand: Sun Echo (Solar Echoes)!The two massive forces collided, kicking up a large cloud of dust.Iruka stared tensely into the mist, hoping for Naruto's victory.However, as footsteps approached, a tall figure emerged from the smoke."Oh no, did Naruto fail after all?"Iruka's expression changed as he pulled a weapon from his tool pouch.Even if it cost him his life, he couldn't let Mizuki take the scroll of seals.But before he could act, Mizuki collapsed with a thud, revealing Naruto standing behind him."I should be able to graduate now, shouldn't I, Iruka-sensei?"The boy, shrouded in a faint golden light, leaned down slightly and took the forehead protector from Mizuki's head, showing it to his teacher.His jacket had come open during the fight, his blonde hair and clothes fluttering in the evening breeze, his gaze filled with an unprecedented seriousness."Konoha Ninja, Uzumaki Naruto, has arrived!"