Chapter 7 (Patreon)

Ten minutes later, Iruka came rushing into the clearing, gasping for breath. He bent over in front of Naruto, his teeth clenched.

“Naruto!”

Naruto looked up as though he had only just noticed him. Scratching the back of his head, he gave an embarrassed grin.

“Oh! You found me already, Iruka-sensei? I just learned the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. If I show you, will you let me graduate?”

Iruka froze.

“Who told you that you could graduate by doing this?”

“Mizuki-sensei. He told me to take the scroll and wait for him here.”

Naruto gazed up at him with wide, innocent eyes. Meanwhile, he sensed that Mizuki had just arrived.

“What?!”

Realizing something was wrong, Iruka immediately turned and scanned the surrounding trees.

Several dozen kunai came flying out of the branches nearby.

Iruka shoved Naruto out of the way, taking the attack himself. Within moments, several blades had struck him.

Mizuki’s aim was almost impressive in its incompetence. From such a short distance, only a handful of his kunai had hit Iruka, and every one had missed a vital spot.

The rest outlined Iruka’s body, embedding themselves in the wooden wall behind him.

Naruto fought back a smile as he looked at Mizuki standing on a branch.

‘All those kunai, and you managed to miss every vital point. I, Naruto Uzumaki, declare you the worst shot in the village.’

“Naruto! Give me the Scroll of Seals!” Mizuki ordered, wearing a triumphant smile.

“Huh? What’s going on?” Naruto asked, looking bewildered.

“Don’t give it to him, Naruto!” Iruka said between labored breaths. “That scroll contains dangerous forbidden jutsu. Mizuki used you to steal it!”

“What?!”

Naruto let confusion and anger cross his face at just the right moment.

“Iruka’s only saying that because he doesn’t want you to have the scroll!” Mizuki said, continuing his attempt to turn Naruto against him.

He laughed.

“Let me tell you the truth, Naruto. After what happened twelve years ago, the Third Hokage made a rule.”

“What rule?” Naruto asked warily.

“A rule that keeps a certain secret from you. Everyone else knows it.”

“Everyone except me? Why?”

Naruto widened his eyes, pretending he could hardly believe what he was hearing.

“Stop it, Mizuki!” Iruka shouted.

“The rule forbids anyone from telling you that you’re the demon fox!” Mizuki continued, staring straight at Naruto. “You’re the Nine-Tailed Fox that destroyed the village and killed Iruka’s parents!”

“What?!”

Naruto’s eyes went wide, shock spreading across his face.

This time, it wasn’t entirely an act. What truly shocked him was the Third Hokage’s underhanded handling of the secret.

In his previous life, he had overlooked this detail. He had suspected that the Third was responsible for the villagers’ treatment of Naruto, but he had never been certain.

Now, as far as he was concerned, he had his proof.

The Third had made sure everyone in the village knew Naruto was the demon fox, while keeping Naruto himself in the dark.

‘You scheming old bastard. Damn you.’

‘Always smiling at me like some kindly grandfather... You’re the slyest fox of them all.’

Naruto put on a convincing display of hurt, disbelief, and resentment. Looking utterly betrayed, he turned and fled.

Behind him, Mizuki moved to give chase while Iruka struggled to find something to say.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage’s office, the Third watched everything unfold through his crystal ball.

He frowned.

“Damn that Mizuki. He told Naruto everything. I hope the boy doesn’t dwell on it too much.”

He continued following Naruto through the crystal ball, paying particular attention to every change in his expression.

By then, Naruto’s face was beginning to feel stiff. Keeping so many emotions on display for that long was exhausting.

He finally stopped near the village’s outer wall and slipped behind a tree. There, he waited for Iruka and Mizuki to catch up.

Before long, Iruka staggered into view. With wounds in several places, he could go no farther and sank to the ground.

Mizuki arrived shortly afterward, panting. He searched the area but found no sign of Naruto. Frustrated, he turned on Iruka.

“You fool! What do you get out of being so nice to Naruto?”

Iruka gave a cold snort.

“Whatever happens, I won’t let that scroll fall into your hands.”

“You’re the fool!” Mizuki snapped. “That demon fox wants the same thing I do. Once he learns the forbidden jutsu in that scroll, he’ll be able to do whatever he wants!”

“Maybe that’s what the demon fox would want,” Iruka replied, his voice edged with contempt.

Then his expression softened into a smile.

“But Naruto is my student. I know how hard he works, and I know what he’s capable of. Other people just haven’t noticed yet.”

For a moment, he recalled the Sexy Jutsu Naruto had used on him.

“To me, he isn’t the demon fox. He’s Naruto Uzumaki. My student!”

Mizuki’s face twisted with anger.

Behind the nearby tree, Naruto felt something tighten in his chest.

There was no need to pretend this time. Iruka’s words had truly reached him. Even back on Earth, a teacher like this would have moved anyone to tears.

He had come into this world alone. Yet, just like the Naruto he remembered from the original story, he had found someone who acknowledged him and cared about him.

Warmth spread through his chest, and before he realized it, tears had gathered in his eyes.

In the Hokage’s office, the Third watched with satisfaction and nodded.

“Iruka truly is a fine teacher. He carries on the Will of Fire well.”

“There’s no need to hand Naruto over to Root and keep him locked away. Give him more people to care about here, and he’ll be easier to control. That’s what I’ve been working toward for the past twelve years.”

…

Back in the forest, Mizuki had no patience for Iruka’s words. He drew the enormous Fūma Shuriken from his back and hurled it at him.

Too weak to move, Iruka could only give a bitter smile. He closed his eyes and braced himself for death.

At that moment, Naruto sprang out from nearby and sent Mizuki flying with a kick.

Iruka and Mizuki both stared at him in disbelief.

“You idiot! Don’t you dare touch Iruka-sensei!”

Naruto glared at Mizuki, making sure his anger showed.

He had no intention of letting the man waste any more time talking. Now he needed to show how much Iruka meant to him—and what he could do.

He formed a hand sign.

“Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

Clouds of smoke burst into existence all around them. Hundreds of shadow clones appeared, completely surrounding Mizuki.

Mizuki panicked. Everywhere he looked, another Naruto stood waiting.

Iruka watched in astonishment, then smiled with relief.

The clones rushed Mizuki one after another. Each delivered a kick, aiming straight for his head or neck.

It was over quickly.

Mizuki died there in the forest.

With him gone, no one would ever know that Naruto had been the one to approach him first.

Somehow, sunlight always seemed to break through after a villain’s defeat.

This time was no exception. Then again, perhaps that was simply because dawn had arrived.

…

“Iruka-sensei, can I open my eyes now?”

“Go ahead,” Iruka said with a smile. “Take a look.”

Naruto reached up and touched the object resting against his forehead, pretending to be curious even though he understood at once.

It was Iruka’s forehead protector.

“Congratulations, Naruto. You’ve graduated!”

Iruka’s smile was bright and warm.

At the same moment, a notification appeared in Naruto’s mind. The system had marked his mission complete.

He breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Then he threw his arms around Iruka and cheered, the affection in his embrace half genuine and half an act.

…

In the Hokage’s office, the Third nodded, pleased with the scene reflected in his crystal ball.

After considering it for a moment, he spoke to himself.

“We’ll proceed as planned and assign Naruto to a team now that he’s graduated.”

“And the search for that Uzumaki descendant must continue. Judging by what she’s done so far, she seems to be standing up for Naruto. She, too, wants him to graduate and receive fair treatment in the village.”