"Alright, but Naruto, given your current Ninjutsu level, passing the exam will be very difficult."
Mizuki looked at Naruto, adopting an expression of concern, his voice carrying just the right amount of worry.
Damn it, this Fox Demon is truly a Fox Demon. What normal child grows this tall?
A twelve-year-old kid is almost as tall as me.
Mizuki carefully observed Naruto's reaction and continued to coax him: "A Ninja cannot focus only on Taijutsu; Ninjutsu is the foundation of a Ninja's existence.
Think about it, if your teammates encounter danger during a mission, but you can't help them because you don't know Ninjutsu..."
"But... I'm not good at Ninjutsu..."
Naruto lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. He looked distraught, but in reality, he was desperately trying to keep his lips sealed.
Inside the Sealing Space, Kurama lay on the ground, propping up his chin with one paw: holding back laughter.
That guy Naruto is acting again.
"It doesn't matter."
A sharp glint flashed in Mizuki's eyes, believing Naruto had taken the bait.
"A sensible child like Naruto surely wouldn't want to drag his teammates down during missions, even if he manages to scrape by and graduate!"
He lowered his voice mysteriously: "Your teacher has a way to help you."
Hearing this, Naruto suddenly looked up, his face breaking into a perfectly timed expression of surprise: "Really, Teacher Mizuki!"
"Of course. How could your teacher bear to lie to you!"
Mizuki forcefully held back the laughter that was about to spill out.
He screamed wildly in his heart.
I mustn't!
I can't laugh yet... I must hold it in!
Once I trick this Fox Demon brat into stealing the scroll of seals, I can obtain the scroll of seals myself.
A Fox Demon brat who only knows Taijutsu, having studied under that watermelon-head with thick eyebrows—how could he possibly be my opponent?
No, I still can't laugh... Naruto's trembling lips look like excitement, but he's actually about to burst out laughing.
A great opportunity is right in front of me. This time, I need to use Mizuki to get the scroll of seals.
The Multiple Shadow Clone technique in the scroll of seals is my legitimate cheat code. For years, I've only been able to use five Shadow Clones simultaneously; any more was impossible.
But the Multiple Shadow Clone technique allows me to create many more Clones, and who knows, the scroll of seals might contain other Ninjutsu as well.
If Kurama sees a Ninjutsu, I gain one.
"The thing that can give you the talent of a Ninja is—the scroll of seals."
Mizuki lowered his voice and said mysteriously: "That is a scroll guarded by successive Hokage. It records powerful Ninjutsu, and legend says that obtaining the scroll of seals grants you everything the deceased Hokage left behind in life.
If you obtain it, Naruto, maybe you can even become Hokage!"
Of course, all of this was fabricated by Mizuki.
He stared intently at Naruto's expression, afraid of missing even the slightest sign of wavering.
Naruto predictably "believed it," his eyes shining, but in a flash, he showed hesitation: "But, Teacher Mizuki, isn't that a very important item for the Village?"
"Things belonging to the Village are naturally meant to be used by the people of the Village."
Mizuki suppressed the disgust in his heart and continued to persuade him with a gentle tone.
"If someone like Naruto, who wants to become Hokage and is wholeheartedly devoted to the Village, can't use the scroll of seals, then I truly can't imagine who is worthy of using it."
Every word of insincere flattery made Mizuki feel nauseous, but he had to endure it.
A Ninja must endure what ordinary people cannot endure. Endurance means holding fast!
As long as this Fox Demon brat takes the bait, he can get the scroll of seals he has always dreamed of, and then push all the blame onto Naruto.
Unexpectedly, Naruto's next sentence froze Mizuki in place: "In that case, can I apply to Lord Third Hokage to check it out?"
"How can you do that!"
Mizuki shouted out in his panic. Seeing Naruto frown in confusion, he quickly forced a smile to cover up.
"I mean... Sandaime is extremely busy, so it's better not to bother him."
He leaned closer to Naruto and lowered his voice, "If you can borrow it first and prove your strength, Hokage-sama will surely look at you with new respect."
Mizuki cursed internally: Why isn't this kid following the script? It seems I need to step up my efforts.
"I see. Teacher Mizuki, you're right, but where is the scroll of seals?"
He finally fell for it!
A Fox Demon is just a Fox Demon, merely a beast with no brain.
——————————
Inside the Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly put down the pipe in his hand, his gaze falling upon the blond youth before him through the swirling smoke.
At the desk, Naruto had just finished recounting how Mizuki instigated him to steal the scroll of seals.
"You're saying Mizuki instigated you to steal the scroll of seals?"
The Sandaime's voice was steady as usual, but the fingers gripping the pipe tightened slightly.
He had already learned of this matter through the Anbu.
When the Anbu came to report, this old man who had weathered many storms did hesitate.
But after careful consideration, he decided to use this as Naruto's final test.
Twelve years.
Since that bloody night, he had been quietly watching the child grow, witnessing how he maintained his true self amidst prejudice and loneliness.
In the Ninja Academy's will of fire curriculum, Naruto consistently took first place.
And now, it was time to confirm whether this young seedling had truly grown into the form he had hoped for.
"I understand."
The Sandaime nodded gently, waves of satisfaction stirring in his eyes.
As expected of the child he favored, he not only saw through the conspiracy but also chose the most honest way, coming forward to expose it.
This loyalty to the Village was already a perfect answer sheet.
He stood up and walked to the window, looking down at Konoha Village in the twilight.
Next, it was their turn to finish acting out this play.
"I will entrust the real scroll of seals to you, Naruto. I hope you won't disappoint me!"
Naruto's expression was solemn.
"Konoha is my home. I will absolutely not tolerate anyone doing anything detrimental to Konoha. Please rest assured, Sandaime-sama!"
Hearing Naruto rarely call him Sandaime-sama, the Sandaime understood his resolve.
"Good! Grandpa believes in you."
As night fell, a nimble figure carrying a massive scroll silently leaped out of the Hokage Building window, disappearing among the residential rooftops after a few bounds, speeding toward the forest outside the Village.
By the window of the Hokage Office, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a smoke ring, watching the distant golden streak, lines of satisfied laughter crinkling around his eyes.
He muttered internally: Minato, are you watching from the Pure Land?
Your son is just as outstanding as you are... "Notify Inoichi Yamanaka and Hiashi Hyuga."
The Sandaime turned and gave instructions to the shadows, his voice carrying an imperceptible hint of amusement.
"Tell them Naruto ran off with the scroll of seals."
After the Anbu accepted the order and departed, the old Hokage looked back at the deep night outside the window, the pipe between his fingers flickering with light.
This carefully orchestrated "accident" was both a test of Naruto's ability to respond on the spot and a perfect opportunity to observe the attitudes of the various clans.
More importantly—
"Naruto!"
He murmured softly to himself, the cunning of an elder flashing in his eyes.
"Let Grandpa Sandaime help you see which daughter from these two families is your best match."
Far away in the forest, Naruto suddenly shivered, subconsciously glancing back at the brightly lit Hokage Building.
He had a feeling that the script for tonight's play seemed a little more complicated than he had imagined.