Chapter 123: Scheme Within a Scheme
"Well then, Grandpa Third, I'll be heading out now! We made a deal, remember—once I catch that guy red-handed, you'll let me borrow this thing to study for a good while!"
At the entrance to the Hokage's office, Naruto was carrying a massive, incredibly heavy-looking scroll on his back, grinning as he waved to the Third Hokage seated behind his office desk.
Sarutobi Hiruzen watched this scene with a complex expression and nodded.
He never could have imagined that his carefully orchestrated script would be completely disrupted by this little brat less than ten minutes after it began!
Just moments ago, through his crystal ball using the Telescope Technique, he had watched everything unfold initially according to plan. The ninja guarding the classified scroll storage room had "conveniently" dozed off, and Naruto had "sneakily" yet unusually smoothly slipped inside and successfully obtained that massive Scroll of Sealing...
According to the original script, Naruto should have found somewhere to hide, attempted to learn the jutsu recorded within, then been found by Mizuki who had tracked him down, ultimately leading to Mizuki's exposure and capture under Iruka's intervention.
However, the next scene the Third witnessed was—Naruto shouldering that massive scroll, not running to the training grounds or the Forest of Death, but... jogging straight toward the Hokage's office?!
When Naruto huffed and puffed as he dropped that heavy scroll with a "thud" onto the Hokage office floor, the Third's brain nearly crashed.
Before the Third could figure out what Naruto's completely off-script operation was meant to accomplish, Naruto cut straight to the chase with a proposal that left him dumbfounded.
"Grandpa Third, Mizuki-sensei... oh no, I already pretty much know Mizuki's true nature. How about this—if I help you draw him out completely, make him jump out and say everything he should and shouldn't say... could you lend me this Scroll of Sealing to study for a while as payment?"
"..."
The Third was silent for a full ten seconds, looking into Naruto's clear blue eyes before finally sighing helplessly.
Fine... it seems this kid saw through Mizuki's true nature long ago. He probably even guessed part of the setup I arranged... Minato... truly worthy of being your child.
Thus, what was originally a "test and cleanup" operation led by the Third instantly became a "transaction" with Naruto's active participation.
Considering that this was originally intended to let Naruto access the Scroll of Sealing to see if he could learn the techniques within—especially the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and Flying Thunder God Technique—the Third ultimately nodded and agreed to this "arrangement."
Watching Naruto leave the office with that massive scroll on his back, the Third immediately suppressed the complex expression on his face, restored his Hokage dignity, and waved at an empty corner.
An Anbu ninja wearing an animal mask instantly appeared, kneeling silently on one knee.
"Go bring Iruka here immediately... Once he arrives, tell him about Mizuki, the Scroll of Sealing, and Naruto's situation."
---
In the forest on Konoha's outskirts, Naruto sat alone on the ground with the massive "Scroll of Sealing" spread out before him. He put on a show of pointing at the text with his finger, deliberately speaking in a volume that hidden observers could just barely hear as he talked to himself.
"Hmm... Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu... I see, it requires massive chakra reserves as support... If someone with insufficient chakra forcibly uses it, their chakra will be instantly drained, potentially causing irreversible damage or even death? Indeed... it's quite a dangerous forbidden technique..."
Not far away, crouched in the shadow of a large tree, Mizuki heard every word of Naruto's "self-talk" clearly. Upon hearing Naruto recite that technique's name and risks, the fake gentleness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by an uncontrolled greedy and sinister smile.
But he immediately realized his slip, quickly suppressed his expression, and put back on that habitual gentle mask.
He jumped down from the tree branch, then emerged from the shadows not far behind Naruto. "Hey, Naruto, looks like you succeeded in getting it! How is it? The jutsu recorded in there are all pretty amazing, right?"
Naruto whipped his head around, quickly putting on an appropriately surprised and excited expression. "Eh?! Mi-Mizuki-sensei? How did you get here... Ah, yes, yes!"
He nodded vigorously. "The jutsu in here are incredible! I never imagined you'd know such secrets, sensei—you're amazing!"
Mizuki maintained his "gentle" smile while his heart filled with contempt and satisfaction.
Just a kid after all, so easy to deceive. He naturally stepped forward a few paces, extending his hand toward Naruto with a tone full of "concern."
"I see, seeing you so motivated puts me at ease. However, Naruto, some of the jutsu in there are still a bit too advanced for you right now."
"If you don't pay attention to proper training methods, it could be very dangerous. Come on, give the scroll to sensei first. Let me point out which ones require special attention so you don't accidentally hurt yourself."
...This guy's acting skills are wasted on being a ninja—he really should have been on stage as an actor. Such "talent" is completely squandered in the ninja profession.
Naruto internally complained like crazy while showing an incredibly grateful and trusting smile on his face. "Really? That's wonderful! Thank you, Mizuki-sensei!"
As he spoke, he "efficiently" re-rolled the massive scroll, then unhesitatingly handed it to Mizuki's eagerly outstretched hands.
Finally... finally got it!!
Mizuki gripped the heavy scroll tightly, his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement, his inner ecstatic shouts nearly bursting from his chest!
The plan succeeded! He no longer had to disguise himself as a kind teacher, playing disgusting teacher-student house games with this "monster" child he despised!
"Heh heh heh... HAHAHAHAHA!!!"
His long-suppressed falseness and malice could no longer be contained. Mizuki suddenly raised his head, letting out twisted, delighted maniacal laughter. The carefully maintained gentle mask on his face completely shattered, leaving only naked greed and contempt. "What a complete and utter fool!!"
He eagerly yanked the Scroll of Sealing behind him while pushing off with his feet, quickly leaping back several meters to distance himself from Naruto. His other hand swiftly drew the giant shuriken from his back, its sharp point aimed directly at Naruto.
"Thank you so much, demon fox!"
Mizuki's voice was full of mockery and triumph. "For obediently delivering this 'great gift' right into my hands!"
Naruto stood in place, appropriately showing just the right amount of confusion and disbelief on his face, asking softly, "Huh? Mizuki-sensei... why are you saying this? Could it be... you've been lying to me all along?"
"Shut up!"
Mizuki harshly interrupted him. "You nine-tailed demon fox who killed Iruka's parents and destroyed the village! These past few years of playing teacher-student games with you have been absolutely nauseating! How could I possibly want to help you? You're nothing but a pawn I used to get the scroll!"
He stared intently at Naruto's eyes, trying to find collapse and despair within them, viciously delivering the final blow. "Listen! In this village, absolutely no one will ever accept you! Even that guy Iruka definitely hates you deep down!"
After saying this, Mizuki looked forward to seeing Naruto's mental breakdown and tears, so he could throw his shuriken and finish Naruto off.
However...
The expected breakdown never came. Not only did Naruto show no trace of pain, but he looked like he'd heard something interesting, his face showing an "I see," "of course" expression of understanding.
"I see... the classic 'villain dies from talking too much' segment? But..."
A relaxed smile curved Naruto's lips. "This means my mission should be considered complete, right?"
This completely unexpected reaction stunned Mizuki, and an inexplicable unease instantly gripped him.
"Bastard! What are you muttering about over there?! What's so funny?!" he demanded loudly, his voice betraying inner weakness.
Only then did Naruto refocus his gaze on Mizuki. "Ah, about that, Mizuki-sensei. I suggest you... should probably open that 'Scroll of Sealing' in your hands right now and personally verify its contents."
"What...?!"
Cold sweat instantly beaded on Mizuki's forehead.
But Naruto's overly calm attitude filled his heart with fear. He yanked the heavy scroll from behind him to the front, frantically untying the binding cord and unrolling it with a rustling sound—
However, what met his eyes wasn't any scroll recording countless forbidden techniques...
Inside that massive, blank scroll, written in huge, densely packed characters that filled the entire scroll, were two incredibly glaring words repeated over and over—
IDIOT
IDIOT
IDIOT
IDIOT