5: Chapter 5 Deception! In the Name of Partners"Naruto, do you know what?I actually think Iruka-sensei is too strict with you."
As Mizuki spoke, he reached out his hand, intending to pat Naruto's head or shoulder to comfort him.
But facing the fox demon staring straight at him, he suppressed his deep-seated disgust, his raised hand trembling slightly, and finally chose to loosely grasp the cold iron chains of the swing.
"Actually, there's another special.'make-up exam' opportunity."
Mizuki lowered his voice, creating an atmosphere of sharing a huge secret, "As long as you pass this test, you can immediately become a genin!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto instantly forgot all about his Third Hokage!
His ambition to become Hokage has never wavered, and his promise to Ichigo and Luffy gives this ambition a special meaning!
Naruto's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked eagerly, "Really?What kind of test is it?"
Mizuki lowered his voice even further, with an air of seduction: "This special test.requires you to sneak into the Hokage's office and bring out the 'Sealing Scroll'."
"That record contains all the incredibly powerful forbidden techniques that Konoha has used since its founding!"
"Once you get your hands on it and learn even one or two tricks, passing the retake will be a piece of cake!Then, Teacher Iruka and everyone else will look at you with new respect!"
Upon hearing this, Naruto instinctively frowned.
Now that he is confident that he can pass the exam with his own abilities, why would he resort to theft?
Mizuki keenly noticed Naruto's hesitation and immediately increased the "dosage":
"Naruto, I knew you would hesitate over such a prank!You are such a kind and good-hearted boy."
He abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming serious and earnest: "But Naruto!Think about it!"
Mizuki spread his arms, as if depicting a grand blueprint: "When you hold the Scroll of Seals, and master the immense power within that will leave everyone speechless!"
"strength..."
Naruto's heart stirred.The thought of hesitation resurfaced, but this time it wasn't for his own sake.
He suddenly thought of his two new friends and the mysterious space's ability to share memories and abilities.
That idiot Ichigo has to go to school while also fighting dangerous Hollows;
Luffy fared even worse; his small boat capsized at sea, and he was surrounded by seawater that could render even a Devil Fruit user powerless.His only refuge was a broken wooden barrel!
This guy can actually sleep.Naruto found it both funny and heartbreaking.
They all need help with power more than he does!Naruto desperately hopes to bring them more useful things at their next meeting.
"Yes!Power!Tomorrow, no, after tonight!"
Mizuki's voice was full of seduction, "You will become a true hero, Naruto!What you desire most—everyone's recognition and respect—will be within your grasp!"
"Okay, I agree!"
"When you stand in front of everyone.huh?"
Naruto took a deep breath and made up his mind: "I've decided, I'm going to steal the Scroll of Seals."
Caring for friends makes the word "stealing" less shameful to utter.
"Great!Naruto!I knew I could trust you!"
A "gratified" smile spread across Mizuki's face, but inwardly he sneered: 'Hmph, what a born evil fox spirit!No need to waste any more words.'
The initial reluctance to confront Naruto was also put aside.
"Remember, Naruto," Mizuki slammed his hands on Naruto's shoulders, staring at him with "sincere" eyes, "This is a top-secret mission!It must be kept strictly confidential.Absolutely no one can know about it, not even Iruka-sensei!"
"Don't worry about being discovered, and don't worry about the consequences!"
He patted his chest, adopting the demeanor of a reliable elder, "Teacher, I will wait for you in the forest outside the village; it's very safe there."
All you need to do is bring the scroll to me and your mission will be complete!
"I will handle everything else, Hokage-sama and Sensei!"
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"Squeak.squeak."
The complex memories of Orochimaru in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes had not yet faded when his gaze refocused on the swing swaying in the wind, and his heart sank suddenly.
It's empty!
Naruto, who was just talking to Mizuki on the swing, has now vanished without a trace, along with Mizuki, as if completely swallowed up by the last rays of the setting sun.
Hiruzen Sarutobi silently made a hand gesture, and a figure as dark as ink blending into the shadows appeared silently behind him, kneeling on one knee with its head bowed, awaiting instructions.
"Follow Mizuki and find out what he wants to do to Naruto."
The Third Hokage's tone was as cold as a winter spring: "Remember, never let them find out.I need to know every word he says and every action he takes."
"Yes!" the ANBU ninja responded in a low voice, his figure disappearing silently into the deepening twilight like a melting wax figure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over the noisy training ground and landing on the towering Hokage Rock.
The golden glow of the setting sun cast a poignant warmth on the portraits of the Hokage, especially on the cold and solemn statue of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
In a daze, the scene from that day reappeared:
"Monkey, the future of Konoha.is in your hands!"
Determined to protect Konoha's future, the Second Hokage, Tobirama, pressed his burning hand firmly against his shoulder.
With piercing eyes that seemed to see through life and death, he slammed the heavy burden of being the "Hokage" and the will to protect Konoha, along with that profound trust, into his young soul.
The force seemed to still linger on his shoulder.
Hiruzen stood silently for a long time, the setting sun casting a long, hunched shadow of him.
Finally, he turned around and, with steps several times heavier than when he came, walked alone toward the Hokage Building, a symbol of power and responsibility.
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Hokage RockAbove, the last rays of the setting sun sparingly painted the rock face.
Mizuki brought Naruto here, making sure that no one was around and that the view was clear.
He pointed down at the village of Konoha, its lights just beginning to twinkle, his voice low yet filled with a seductive urgency:
"Listen up, Naruto, you only have one chance!The Scroll of Seals is hidden in the innermost secret compartment of the Hokage's office!"
The hidden compartment is behind the Hokage's desk, directly below the portrait of the Third Hokage!Remember what it looks like—"
He gestured with his hands, trying to be precise: "The scroll is very large and very ancient, with a dark brown cover and huge runes with the character 'seal' on it!"
It's sealed with a special lock bearing the Konoha mark!Remember, it's dark brown!Huge runes!A special lock!
He repeatedly emphasized the details, as if he were assigning a top-secret mission concerning the survival of the ninja world.
"Once you get it, immediately!Right now!Don't look back, head straight for the giant forest next to the third training ground on the outskirts of the village!I'll be waiting for you there!"
Remember, safety first!Don't hesitate, don't linger!
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