Chapter 224 - 2

Chapter 2: Lie Down, and I Shall Look Down Upon You"I seem to have overdone it a bit."Naruto kicked Mizuki's limp body as it lay on the ground, rubbing his nose sheepishly.Because he was too excited, that last strike hadn't just used Hamon, but he had even unconsciously utilized his Stand.The result was obvious; Mizuki, a Chunin, had already lost consciousness."He got what he deserved."Iruka naturally felt no goodwill toward a traitor, especially one who had tried to drive a wedge between him and Naruto; he merely cast a cold glance at Mizuki.Immediately after, a smile blossomed on his face. He walked over to Naruto and crouched down, bringing himself to the boy's eye level.Seeing this, Naruto realized Iruka-sensei's intention and handed over the forehead protector he had just plucked from Mizuki's head."I originally wanted to give you my own forehead protector as a graduation gift, but it seems this one is more appropriate."Iruka took the forehead protector and carefully tied it around Naruto's forehead, his gaze filled with pride and care."This is your trophy, proof that you can Stand on your own and have become a Ninja. But remember, the arduous life of a Ninja has only just begun...""Huh? Iruka-sensei, you're totally killing the mood."Naruto clicked his tongue, interrupting Iruka's lecturing."Is that so? Haha, I guess you're right." Iruka was startled, then scratched his head awkwardly.In truth, in such a happy moment, he didn't want to say such heavy things either.Moreover, Naruto had just defeated a powerful enemy and finally obtained his graduation permit.It was just that since a moment ago, Naruto had been acting as mature as an adult. Iruka had unconsciously wanted to reclaim his status as the elder, which was why he couldn't help lecturing.However, after being teased by Naruto, he wasn't angry: "In that case, as an apology, I'll treat you to Ichiraku Ramen. Consider it a congratulations on graduating and becoming a Ninja.""Ichiraku Ramen? All right!"Naruto's eyes lit up.Even after living on Earth for decades and tasting all sorts of delicacies, he still couldn't forget the deliciousness of Ichiraku Ramen from his memories....Through a crystal ball, the Third Hokage took in everything that had just happened. Naruto's performance was exceptionally outstanding.He even felt a bit of doubt—could the Naruto who just spoke words that made even his own heart swell with emotion really be that brat who usually loved playing pranks?"It seems my educational policy is quite successful. And of course, there's Iruka; I must thank him for his dedication as well."The Third Hokage's wrinkled old face crinkled like a blooming chrysanthemum as he puffed on his pipe and walked out of the room with a smile.At this moment, many Ninjas from the Village had gathered outside, discussing animatedly."Did you find Naruto?""No!""This is terrible!""Maybe he's already fled the Village.""Ahem," the Third Hokage cleared his throat, "there's nothing to worry about. Naruto will be back shortly."Once the crowd dispersed, the Third Hokagelooked toward an old friend silently retreating into the shadows in the distance, the smile on his face deepening....Ultimately, Naruto didn't get to eat his long-awaited Ichiraku Ramen.Because on the way, Iruka suddenly remembered the injury Naruto had sustained while protecting him.Although thanks to Hamon, Naruto's wound wasn't bleeding much and even showed signs of healing.But the injury caused by an oversized Shurikenlooked terrifying no matter how one viewed it.Therefore, regardless of Naruto's protests, a worried Iruka sent him to Konoha Hospital.After a simple bandaging, Naruto was forced to stay in the hospital for a day of observation.Iruka, only after ensuring Naruto's injury was not serious, took the scroll of seals to report back to the Third Hokage.Smelling the heavy scent of disinfectant in the private room, Naruto felt bored. He simply sat cross-legged on the bed, adjusted his breathing, and sank his mind into his body, quickly entering a state of empty clarity, free of all thoughts.Using meditation as a substitute for sleep was a habit Naruto had developed in the JOJO world.After all, on Earth, he was the orthodox successor of the four-thousand-year-old Hamon technique, unlike that lazy dog Joseph.Having cultivated Hamon diligently, he had not only broken through the Microcosmic Orbit to reach the legendary Immortal Realm, but had later reached the pinnacle. Based on his Hamoncultivated to the limit, he awakened his Stand, 'Sun Echo'.However, what Naruto didn't expect was that the meditation he was so accustomed to would bring him into another world this time.Drip, drip...Naruto frowned, finding himself standing within a dark and gloomy corridor at some unknown time.Water droplets fell from above from time to time, creating ripples in the ankle-deep water beneath his feet.By the reflection on the water's surface, Narutosaw his young and tender face, finally confirming that he hadn't transmigrated again."What is this place? How did I get here?"He frowned in thought while walking toward the dimly glowing exit.Splash, splash...Amidst the sound of splashing water, Narutoreached the end of the corridor, and the previously deep and narrow space suddenly widened.A massive gate constructed of vermilion bars stood proudly, with a sealing tag bearing the character for'Seal' pasted right in the center.As if sensing Naruto's arrival, two massive, crimson lights like lanterns lit up within the suffocating darkness behind the iron gate."To think you've actually come here, brat."A coarse voice accompanied by a fiery breath reached him, blowing right into Naruto's face.Just feeling this aura would be enough to make an ordinary person tremble with fear.However, the power of Hamon was a product of courage, so Naruto showed no panic. Instead, he strolled up to the iron gate and looked up at the gargantuan beast crouching behind it.It was a fiery red fox, its nine tails slowly swaying behind it in rhythm with its breathing.In an instant, Naruto confirmed its identity: "You are the legendary Nine-Tailed Demon Fox?""Impudent brat," the Nine-Tailed lazily opened its mouth, revealing sharp teeth that glinted with a chilling light, "get lost if you don't want to die."The fox's vertical pupils, full of killing intent, stared intently at the tiny figure before it, an oppressive force like a collapsing mountain crashing down.A brat who didn't know the heights of the heavens like this only needed a simple scare, and he would surely run away crying and wetting himself.The Nine-Tailed foresaw what was about to happen and wanted to laugh with delight.In its long and boring life under seal, this was already a rare bit of fun.Unfortunately, Naruto did not behave as it expected. Instead, he met its gaze without flinching, while resting his chin in his hand as he reasoned: "It seems this should be my mental world. I didn't expect you to be sealed here."From the scene before him, what Mizuki had said about 'Uzumaki Naruto being the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox' indeed seemed to have a basis.And Naruto's calm-as-water performance also made the Nine-Tailed quite irritated.It wasn't just because things were developing beyond its expectations, but also because the brat's attitude and appearance reminded it of that bastard who had sealed it in the first place.Thus, the Nine-Tailed stood up, looking down at Naruto from its height, and the temperature of the entire space rose rapidly: "Who allowed you to look up at this Great One, brat?"Naruto responded with an excited smile, clenching his fists as golden ripples emanated from him into the water at his feet: "Then you lie down, and I shall look down upon you!""Hah! To dare look down on this Gre—"The Nine-Tailed exhaled a breath of scorching air in dissatisfaction, but before it could finish its sentence, it was stunned by what was happening before it, its angry voice turning into unconcealable astonishment."You... what on earth are you, brat... no, what kind of thing are you?""I'll say it one more time..."Under the Nine-Tailed's gaze, Naruto's body was enveloped in golden light, expanding and growing at a visible rate like a balloon being blown up, until his size was almost equal to that of the Nine-Tailed."If you're not convinced, then lie down, and I shall look down upon you!"