8: Chapter 8 Water and Wood! The White Snake's Venom"To protect Konoha's treasure!I, Naruto Uzumaki, genius-level unleashed my hidden potential and engaged in a breathtaking battle with him!"
Ultimately, through sheer willpower and a bit of luck, they successfully subdued the villain and retrieved the Book of Seals!
Naruto thought it was perfect!Not only could he clear his name of the suspicion of stealing the book, but he could also transform himself into a hero who protected the village!
With this incredible achievement, becoming a ninja after graduation is practically a certainty.
At that time, I will have both the powerful forbidden techniques and the ninja identity I've always dreamed of!
Killing two birds with one stone!
"Hehehe." Naruto couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he imagined the scene of victory.
But as soon as the laughter left his mouth, he immediately covered it tightly with both hands, looking around furtively.Only after confirming that no one had noticed him did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Without further hesitation, he tightened his grip on the huge scroll in his arms, determined the direction, and sped off like a golden meteor towards the giant forest of the third training ground on the outskirts of the village!
Only the ANBU ninja hidden in the shadows, his face almost as black as the bottom of a pot, was left, mentally ranting:
'Okay, I overestimated him.This plan is absolutely.uniquely stupid!'
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Hiruzen Sarutobi's residence, a quiet little courtyard.
The Third Hokage, unusually, wasn't buried in piles of documents.Instead, he sat leisurely on the veranda, wisps of smoke rising from his pipe, gazing absently at the bright moon.
"Lake Biwa.Shinnosuke."
He murmured the names of his deceased wife and eldest son, his voice sounding aged and lonely in the quiet night, "A rare night of peace, but this old man can't sleep."
Asuma's been doing alright lately, but he's still as stubborn as ever.Don't worry, I'll hold out for Konoha for a few more years, take care of everything that needs to be arranged, and then I'll come and reunite with you all."
The rambling whispers resembled the silhouette of an old man who, having relinquished his burden as Hokage, was now purely a husband and father.The unintentional air of loneliness he exuded almost blended into the moonlight.
Just then—
"Lord Hokage!"
A figure, like a bat blending into the night, silently knelt on one knee in the shadows of the courtyard; it was the secret agent who had been monitoring the farce.
The somber, lonely aura emanating from Hiruzen Sarutobi vanished instantly!His straight back, sharp, hawk-like eyes, and the composed aura of a "Shinobi Hero" once again enveloped his entire being.
He took a deep drag on his pipe, the embers flickering in the darkness.
"speak."
"Naruto Uzumaki has arrived at the Giant Tree Forest, the third training ground, carrying the target scroll!Mizuki is still pacing anxiously at home; the two have not yet made contact!"
"Um..."
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a smoke ring, his eyes deep and thoughtful."Proceed according to plan.Immediately gather the manpower, and have a few smooth-talking special Jonin and Chunin come to assemble.Tell them."
He paused, his tone carrying an undeniable air of authority, "Naruto Uzumaki stole the Scroll of Seals!"
The secret agents understood immediately: "Yes!"
"Wait," the Third Hokage called out to the departing Anbu, "Make sure to wake Iruka and get him involved in the search.Then…"
A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes."Secretly guide him, make him the 'first' to find Naruto.Understand?"
"Understood!" The secret service officer bowed and accepted the order.
"And…" Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his pipe and added, "Call Kakashi over too."
"Yes, sir!" The ANBU member's figure flickered and completely disappeared into the darkness.
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The secret service faithfully carried out orders, and their first target was the shrewd and cunning Mizuki family.
Meanwhile, Shuimu was pacing back and forth at home like an ant on a hot pan, feeling both excited and anxious.
He perked up when he noticed several figures rushing past the window!
As expected!Naruto succeeded!Given his special status…
Ha!The Konoha higher-ups actually condone the demon fox's antics!I've truly had enough of this corrupt place!
A resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he quickly walked to an inconspicuous earthenware pot in the corner and gently lifted the lid.
A small, pure white snake, its scales gleaming coldly in the moonlight, slithered out and affectionately nuzzled against Shui Mu's fingers.
"Go," Mizuki whispered, "tell Lord Orochimaru that the plan is going well and the Book of Seals is almost in our hands!Please meet me outside the Giant Tree Forest as agreed!"
The white snake seemed to understand his words, nodded, and silently swam out of the window, instantly blending into the night, disappearing without a trace like a wisp of white smoke under the moonlight.
Just as Shuimu finished doing all this, there was a knock on the door.
Mizuki was startled, but quickly took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing her excitement, and pretended to be bewildered as if she had been startled awake, opening the door: "Who is it?So late."
"Mr.Mizuki," the ANBU member outside the door said in a businesslike tone, "The Hokage has issued an urgent summons!Naruto Uzumaki has stolen the Scroll of Seals!Please proceed immediately to the Hokage Building to participate in the search!"
Mizuki was overjoyed, but his face immediately filled with shock and anger: "What?Naruto.he actually dared to steal the Scroll of Seals?This is.this is unbelievable!"
As he spoke, he quickly put on his coat and followed the secret service out the door.
However, not long after stepping out of his house, Mizuki noticed something was wrong—the ANBU member hadn't left to notify the others; instead, he was like a silent ghost, slowly following behind him!
Mizuki's alarm bells rang loudly.He stopped and, forcing himself to remain calm, turned around and asked:
"This Anbu lord?Aren't you going to inform the others?Why are you following me."
The eyes beneath the mask of the ANBU ninja remained impassive as he calmly retorted:
"Mitsuki-sensei, why aren't you going to the Hokage Building to gather?Where are you going?"
Mizuki's heart tightened, and a sudden thought struck him: "Oh!I suddenly realized that Naruto's mentor, Iruka, might know his whereabouts!I."I wanted to inform Iruka to help with the search!
"Oh?" The Anbu's voice was emotionless."That's quite a coincidence.The Hokage also thought of this and specifically instructed me."
"Go and inform Iruka-sensei personally.Mizuki-sensei, please come with me." His tone left no room for argument.
Mizuki: "."
Seeing the speechless look in the eyes of the Anbu members that seemed to say, "Please begin your performance," Mizuki had no choice but to bite the bullet and, under the "escort" of the Anbu, knock on Iruka's door.
Inside the door, Iruka lay flat on the narrow single bed, his eyes wide open, staring blankly at the patterns on the ceiling.
My thoughts drifted uncontrollably back to the Hokage's office that evening.
The golden rays of the setting sun streamed in, and a faint scent of tobacco lingered in the air.
The Third Hokage did not sit behind his large desk, but stood by the window, gazing at Konoha Village bathed in golden light.
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