"I didn't lose. I'm still alive..."
Mizuki managed to choke out those final words before life faded from his eyes. His gaze, fixed on the distant forest, still held a lingering desire for survival.
[Corruption Points +100]
[Current Corruption Points: 3300]
The revenge against Mizuki netted Menma an additional 290 Corruption Points. However, every gain came with a price.
At this moment, Naruto regained control. He felt a flicker of relief at Mizuki's death, but the goodness in his heart quickly overwhelmed it.
"Menma, you killed someone!"
"You killed Mizuki!"
"You promised you wouldn't use my body to kill indiscriminately!"
Naruto was agitated and terrified. The agitation stemmed from the sheer power Menma had displayed—if even a chunin couldn't match him, did that mean Naruto actually possessed that power but simply hadn't unleashed it? The fear came from the gruesome, horrific scene of Mizuki's death. He didn't want Menma to become a deranged serial killer and lose his only friend. He wanted Menma to be like him: kind and gentle to everyone.
[Trust Level: 20%]
Menma had anticipated a drop in trust, but he hadn't expected it to be this small—still sitting at 20%. It seemed he had already established a solid foothold in Naruto's heart.
"I didn't kill anyone indiscriminately," Menma replied, his voice casual. "Even if I hadn't lifted a finger, the village would have dealt with that traitor eventually."
He reached out and grabbed the Scroll of Seals from Mizuki's back. Naruto reluctantly accepted the explanation.
"Fine. Since you saved us, I'll forgive you this time."
Forgive me?
Menma's smile faltered, his brow furrowing slightly. He didn't say anything more; after all, he harbored no ill intentions toward Naruto. The blond boy didn't notice Menma's unusual mood.
Only when he saw the Scroll of Sealing in Menma's hand did Naruto remember he hadn't finished learning his jutsu.
"Menma, give me back my body!" he shouted.
He gave Menma no chance to refuse. A sudden, tremendous suction force dragged his consciousness downward. The next second, their identities switched.
Naruto reappeared outside, taking control of his body. Menma returned to the void of his mindscape.
"Wow! That's amazing! I just shouted and came out immediately!"
This was the first time Naruto had actively performed a personality switch, and he was filled with excitement. But he immediately remembered that Menma had been forced to hand over the body.
"Sorry, Menma," he apologized quickly. "I'll let you out for some fresh air when we get home. Now I need to hurry up and learn the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, then return this thing."
Thinking that he could regain control of his body at any time, Naruto wasn't afraid to temporarily hand it over.
[Trust Level: 30%]
"Alright, I'll remember that," Menma murmured.
Being able to get outside more often was something he wouldn't refuse. If he could get out more frequently, he might be able to make some arrangements. He didn't intend to remain a secondary personality, confined to that small mental realm, for long.
[Successfully Acquired Jutsu: Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu]
Just as Menma was contemplating his next move, Naruto outside had successfully mastered the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. Naturally, he wanted to test it out. After a few hand seals, countless Narutos filled the forest.
"What an amazing jutsu! I feel like I could beat two Mizuki-senseis now!"
Looking at his masterpiece, Naruto couldn't help but use Mizuki as a benchmark. Just as he was basking in his pride, thinking about how to show off tomorrow, Iruka's surprised voice rang out from the branches behind them.
"Naruto! There are so many Narutos! Could this be the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu?"
"Ah! It's Iruka-sensei!"
The Narutos all turned to see Iruka's astonished face.
"You were sent by the Third Hokage, weren't you? But I've already learned a jutsu. Here, take this back and report to him!"
After tossing the Scroll of Sealing to Iruka, Naruto's main body immediately fled, leaving a group of clones blocking the path. As he ran, he shouted, "And Mizuki! He betrayed me and tried to kill me to steal it! But I'm stronger, so I killed him instead! Sensei, remember to explain this to the Third Hokage!"
Hearing Naruto's shouts, Iruka's pupils contracted. He even forgot to stop the fleeing Naruto in the first place.
"Mizuki betrayed you and tried to kill you... and you killed him instead? Naruto, wait! Explain this to me!"
Realizing himself, Iruka immediately tried to chase after Naruto, but the clones blocked his way. They cleared a path, revealing Mizuki's corpse lying on the ground.
"It really is Mizuki... He was killed by Naruto?"
Iruka froze on the spot, horrified by the gruesome death. His eyes, looking at the Narutos around him, filled with fear and unease. It was as if he were looking at some kind of monster—or worse, at the Nine-Tails from twelve years ago.
When the Narutos saw Iruka's eyes, their expressions darkened. Just as Mizuki had said, Iruka felt the same fear and hatred toward him. The clones' expressions made Iruka realize something was wrong. He quickly suppressed his emotions, wanting to say something, but a series of thuds rang out. The Naruto who had run away dispelled the shadow clones on this side.
"No, I have to find Naruto and explain myself."
Thinking of the task the Third Hokage had entrusted to him—taking care of Naruto—Iruka mustered his courage and prepared to chase after him. But before he could take a step, a masked ANBU emerged from the shadows.
"No need to go. The mission the Hokage gave you has failed. Return the Scroll of Seals, and the Hokage will tell you whether to continue."
The way Iruka had looked at Naruto, and Naruto's distant expression in return, both indicated that Iruka's mission to take care of Naruto had failed. It wasn't appropriate to force his way back.
"I was just startled! I didn't mean to!" Iruka protested, but the ANBU didn't bother to listen. He grabbed Mizuki's corpse and vanished.
"Naruto..."
Iruka looked in the direction Naruto had disappeared. After hesitating for a long time, he sighed deeply, turned, and ran in the other direction. In the end, he didn't choose to go to Naruto to explain or offer comfort. The gruesome image of Mizuki, mutilated beyond recognition, kept flashing through his mind. His sympathy for Naruto's orphanhood was ultimately extinguished by fear.
Iruka understood that he could no longer treat Naruto the same way he used to.