Amid the laughter of his classmates, Naruto left the exam room with a dark look. The son of the Fourth Hokage, unable to graduate from the Academy, was a joke too good for people to resist.
"Na-ru to-kun, y-you… don't lose heart. You just didn't perform your best this time. Next time you'll pass for sure."
"It's fine, Hinata. Don't worry."
He gave her a reassuring smile, then slumped over his desk, tuning out the mockery around him.
After school, Naruto sat alone on the swing by the gate, watching other students point and whisper. It almost looked like the "original" Naruto's loner prince routine.
But you guys don't get it, I'm fishing.
Logically, with Orochimaru as Hokage, Mizuki shouldn't be interested in the Forbidden Scroll anymore.
Yet just a few days ago, Naruto overheard Mizuki casually probing him about whether Minato had ever mentioned the scroll.
He still wants to steal it?
That's why Naruto staged today's little failure; he wanted to see if Mizuki would try to use him, just like in the original timeline.
He sat there looking dejected, quietly humming under his breath:
"So many loved you for your youthful face… but who'd bear the ravages of time with you…"
"Come on, Mizuki. Take the bait already."
Fishing takes patience.
He waited until sunset, but Mizuki never showed.
"Tch. Guess Mizuki's not making a move today… I wasted a perfect, strategically timed fart."
He hopped off the swing. This time, he had truly failed the exam, so it was time to head home and face Mom's hurricane of a temper.
Yesterday's bruises hadn't healed yet. Soon he'd have fresh ones.
Life was tough.
Just before leaving, he glanced back toward the Academy, right in time to see Mizuki walk out, head down, looking troubled.
That was… suspicious.
If the fish wouldn't bite, maybe it was time to cast a net.
Naruto jogged forward.
"Mizuki-sensei!"
Mizuki froze, then forced a smile.
"Naruto… school's long over. Why aren't you home yet?"
"I failed the exam today. Mom's gonna kill me… Can't you help me pass somehow?"
Naruto batted his eyes in fake innocence, which gave him goosebumps even as he did it.
Ugh… this is disgusting.
Mizuki patted his shoulder warmly.
"Naruto, you just need to relax. Don't be nervous. With parents like yours, you must be a genius too."
Genius? Did he just insult me?
Naruto bristled. In Konoha, every so-called genius met a bad end: Original Naruto, Sasuke, his future brother-in-law, the guy who fought seven-on-one, Orochimaru, Kakashi…
Every one of them had multiple deaths in the family register.
Mizuki didn't seem interested in exploiting him and left in a hurry.
Looks like I can't rely on the old script. This world's already changed too much.
So what now? Go home and take my "reward"?
Still unwilling to give up, Naruto decided to tail Mizuki.
Dinner. Idle chatter. Evening stroll. Home again.
Nothing suspicious.
Under the rising moon, Naruto's stomach growled.
"Damn it. Waste of time. I'm done waiting."
From a tree near the school gate, he admitted defeat, dropped down, and headed for Ichiraku Ramen.
Mom's temper had probably leveled up by now; better to fill his stomach before the beating.
Naruto's real goal in all this was, of course, the Forbidden Scroll.
The Crown Prince's trademark move, the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique, came from it.
Rumor had it that it also contained Edo sensei, Flying Thunder God, and other powerful jutsu.
Tobirama Senju was a creative type; most of Konoha's deadliest forbidden techniques were his.
Another "genius" of Konoha… who didn't last long as Hokage.
"Teuchi-ossan, one big bowl of ramen!"
"Sure thing! Naruto, why so late?"
Failed the exam. If I go home now, I'm dead."
"Haha, poor kid. Hang on, I'll cook it up quick."
Eat… or don't eat? That is the question.
Soon, Ayame brought over a steaming bowl. Naruto nodded with satisfaction. For Ayame-neesan, I'll eat.
He'd just taken two bites when he heard rapid footsteps outside.
Stepping out, he saw figures darting over rooftops toward the Hokage's office.
Mizuki finally moved?
He wolfed down the rest, tossed money on the counter, and dashed off.
If everyone's headed for the Hokage building, Mizuki's a dead man if he's still there. I won't be any help.
Better… to gamble again.
He spun around and ran toward the village outskirts.
In the dark forest, Mizuki was speeding through the trees with the Forbidden Scroll strapped to his back.
Damn it! They found me this fast. I've got to get out before they seal the village.
He picked up speed until a familiar figure appeared on a branch ahead, smiled at him, and vanished.
Was that… Naruto? Am I seeing things?
Moments later, the same thing happened again.
Mizuki stopped where Naruto had been, but found nothing.
"Naruto? Is that you?"
No answer. He hesitated, then moved on, only for Naruto to appear a third time.
Before Mizuki could assume he'd vanish again, Naruto spoke:
"Mizuki-sensei, I've been waiting for you all night. What took you so long?"
???
Mizuki's mind filled with question marks.
What does that mean? Did he know my plan ahead of time? No way! And with those creepy appearances and vanishings… he can't be the real Naruto. The brat can't even do a clone technique!
"Show yourself! Naruto couldn't do this. Who are you?"
Naruto tilted his head innocently.
"Dear Mizuki-sensei, I am Naruto! We just saw each other earlier, remember?"
"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you!"
Mizuki's pupils narrowed. His whole body went tense.
He knows. He knows.
But how? It didn't matter. He'd just kill the brat now and deal with Minato's revenge later.
"Naruto… why don't I walk you home? It's late."
Mizuki landed beside him, smiling, and reached out his hand.