Starting as a working person from Naruto

Chapter 180 The Mastermind and the Mastermind

Ninja Academy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Kagura Akihara stood on a high place.

The Third Hokage and the young Hokage's assistant observed a group of graduating genin, and also noticed the disappearance of Mizuki, Iruka Umino, and Naruto Uzumaki.

"Are you all ready?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly inquired about Kagura Akihara.

"Um."

Kagura Akihara nodded and continued, "If nothing unexpected happens, they should be on their way to steal the Scroll of Seals. This time, I followed the Hokage's instructions strictly, so there will definitely be no mistakes in either the process or the result..."

"???"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned.

What do you mean by "there will definitely be no mistakes"?

It seems like something unexpected has already happened!

According to his own guidance, wasn't it Mizuki who lured Naruto Uzumaki to steal the Book of Seals, and Iruka Umino who went to stop Mizuki and Naruto?

Why did Umino Iruka go along to steal the Book of Seals?

of course.

To be serious...

In fact, Iruka Umino, Mizuki, and Naruto Uzumaki did not go to steal the Scroll of Seals, because they neither needed to sneak in to steal it nor snatch it from people.

Perhaps this behavior should be called taking.

The group headed to the home of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Iruka Umino was still hesitant about whether he should go along, but Mizuki's words forced him to obey.

"This is an order from higher up."

Mizuki looked at Iruka Umino with a smile: "The village's higher-ups ordered us to take Naruto to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique from the Scroll of Seals, and then assess Naruto's progress to determine if he can become a ninja..."

"..."

Umino Iruka's mind was in complete turmoil.

He did receive orders for this matter, but the technique was forbidden and could potentially endanger Naruto's life.

however…

Iruka Unno couldn't refuse.

Along the way, the two of them brought Naruto Uzumaki to Hiruzen Sarutobi's house almost without any obstacles. A Root ninja was there keeping the Book of Sealing. When he saw Iruka Umino and Mizuki arrive together, he took the initiative to hand over the Book of Sealing to them.

"Iruka Chunin, are you here to retrieve the Scroll of Seals? Lady Kagura instructed me that you are here to retrieve the Scroll of Seals and hand it over to me."

"Yes."

Umino Iruka, bewildered, accepted the Book of Seals.

"Then we'll be going now."

Mizuki greeted them with a smile and left with Iruka Umino and Naruto Uzumaki: "First, let's find Naruto a place to learn the techniques recorded in the Scroll of Sealing..."

Inside a training ground in Konoha Village.

Holding the Scroll of Seals, Umino Iruka still felt uneasy: "Should we wait? Isn't it unsafe to let Naruto, a child, learn forbidden techniques? After all, the techniques recorded in the Scroll of Seals are all very dangerous. Should we...?"

"It's okay, Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto Uzumaki adjusted his goggles, eager to learn the techniques in the Book of Sealing, and replaced his goggles with a ninja headband.

"Hurry up."

Mizuki took the Book of Sealing from Iruka Umino, spread it out on the ground, and said softly, "The Book of Sealing is a village secret. It's already quite an achievement that we were able to obtain it. I went to great lengths to get it..."

"..."

Umino Iruka suddenly felt that something was not right.

However, Naruto Uzumaki still seemed oblivious, his head bowed as he studied the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique recorded in the Scroll of Seals, muttering with some melancholy, "I've never been good at clone techniques, how could I possibly learn such a difficult technique..."

"It's okay."

Mizuki patted Naruto's head and said with a smile, "If you can't learn it, we won't learn it anymore. You've already tried your best..."

"ha?"

Naruto looked at Mizuki and asked curiously, "But if we don't learn this technique, won't we be unable to graduate...?"

"What an innocent and adorable little one!"

Mizuki smiled gently and said softly, "After today, you'll become a sinner in the village. Why worry about graduating then?"

"sinner?"

Naruto's face scrunched up: "What do you mean?"

"Naruto!"

Iruka Umino grabbed Naruto Uzumaki by the arm.

At this moment, Iruka Umino still didn't know what was going on with Mizuki, but there was definitely something wrong with Mizuki, and Naruto couldn't be put in danger!

However, Iruka Umino's movements were blocked by Mizuki, who grabbed Iruka Umino's wrist. Iruka Umino, not to be outdone, tried to fight him!

Mizuki's physical skills had become exceptionally good at some point, and he easily overwhelmed Umino Iruka's resistance, kicking Umino Iruka away with a single kick!

"A sinner... is just a sinner..."

Mizuki then looked at the shocked Naruto Uzumaki, his smile gradually turning sinister: "Twelve years ago, you committed the same crime, Naruto Uzumaki..."

"shut up!"

Umino Iruka suddenly charged towards Mizuki!

However, Mizuki flipped his hand and threw several shuriken, severely injuring Iruka!

"Let's continue our previous topic..."

"Twelve years ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox within you caused the Nine-Tailed Chaos in Konoha, resulting in heavy losses for the entire village and the deaths of Iruka's parents..."

Mizuki crouched down beside Naruto Uzumaki, smiling as he spoke cruelly: "I've always been curious about Iruka's motives for treating you. I don't understand why he takes such good care of you. Does he think the Nine-Tails inside you won't go berserk?"

"so…"

Naruto Uzumaki stared at the person in front of him in disbelief.

Is this why he has been ostracized by the villagers all this time?

Mizuki gently stroked Naruto's face, which was filled with shock, disbelief, and fear, and continued, "So I plan to try using the technique recorded in the Book of Seals to unseal the Nine-Tails within you, and then unleash another Nine-Tails attack to show Iruka..."

"Mizuki!"

Umino Iruka was suddenly filled with panic!

"Actually, this was quite difficult..."

Mizuki looked at Iruka Umino and said with a smile, "Because only the Hokage can keep the Scroll of Seals, it cannot be obtained through any other means... Fortunately, I received some information."

"What news?"

Iruka Umino stared intently at Mizuki.

"Speaking of which, you should know the source of this information."

Mizuki glanced at Iruka Umino, then at Naruto Uzumaki: "Remember when you guys attended the birthday party for Akihara Kagura, the Hokage's assistant? There was a spy sent by Orochimaru-sama at that party, and I got some information from there..."

"It seems the village's higher-ups intend for you to teach Naruto the forbidden technique, Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, recorded in the Scroll of Seals, after Naruto fails the test. This is an opportunity to obtain the Scroll of Seals..."

"We grew up together, and I know your grades are terrible. There's no way you could learn the forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals. You definitely need to bring the Scroll of Seals out to teach Naruto, so I tentatively took you and Naruto with me to try and take the Scroll of Seals. I didn't expect the person in charge of guarding it to give it to you..."

"..."

Umino Iruka felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Even Iruka never expected that Mizuki would hear this news, and that Mizuki would even deceive him into thinking that Mizuki had also received the same order!

result…

Mizuki used him to obtain the Book of Seals!

This childhood friend has such a deep mind!

Iruka Umino never imagined that Mizuki would be this kind of person!

"Now I have the Book of Seals."

Mizuki spread his palms, looking at the Scroll of Seals at his feet, then at Naruto Uzumaki beside him, and grinned, revealing a sinister smile: "As long as I learn the seals from the Scroll of Seals and use them to release the Nine-Tails seal from Naruto, I can make Konoha relive the fear of the Nine-Tails' rampage twelve years ago!"

"Why do this?!"

Iruka Umino stared at Mizuki, gritting his teeth and ignoring his own pain, struggling to lunge at him: "Why did you do this! You should know how terrifying the Nine-Tails is..."

"Of course I know."

Mizuki nodded, then nudged Naruto, who was still terrified, and retorted, "Then why do you care about this brat? You know he's the Nine-Tailed Fox, you know how terrifying the Nine-Tailed Fox is, and you even witnessed your parents die in the Nine-Tailed Fox's rampage twelve years ago. Why don't you try to kill him?"

"..."

Iruka Umino fell silent.

The Chunin instructor saw the astonishment and panic in Naruto's eyes and suddenly smiled: "Naruto is not the Demon Fox. Naruto is different. He is an outstanding student whom I acknowledge. The disaster twelve years ago was not his fault..."

"Naruto has always been an innocent child. That little guy isn't particularly smart or clever, but he can focus intently on one thing. He's an excellent student, and many people recognize that, not just me..."

"Teacher Iruka..."

Naruto Uzumaki stared blankly at his teacher.

"That's what I hate most about you."

Mizuki coldly interrupted the exchange between the teacher and student, making no attempt to hide his disgust: "Always acting like a good teacher, as if you're the only suitable teacher in the entire Hidden Leaf Village. Back then, the village revoked my teaching qualification, but you got into the Ninja Academy..."

"I…"

Iruka Umino looked at his friend, speechless, and stammered, "Mizuki, we're friends, I..."

"Shut up!"

Mizuki interrupted him, her face full of disgust, "I only befriended you because you're a weakling who can be exploited. I never expected you to steal my path. Every time I see that innocent look on your face, I feel nauseous..."

Mizuki spread his hands, clenching and unclenching them like claws: "So I want to deal with you in the most painful way possible... I want you to understand your mistakes, I want everyone in Konoha to know the mistakes they've made!"

"I'll make you regret it..."

"I regret the humiliation you've caused me!"

"I will let everyone know that I am the most talented ninja in Konoha, and I will let Lord Orochimaru know that I will help him destroy Konoha!"

"I won't agree!"

Naruto leaped into the air and punched Mizuki: "Iruka-sensei treated you like a friend, how could you treat him like this! I won't let you use me to destroy the village!"

"Just a little brat!"

Mizuki moved with incredible speed, almost instantly swatting away Naruto's arm and grabbing his neck: "If I didn't need the Nine-Tails inside you, I could have easily twisted your head off with the slightest movement..."

After saying that, Mizuki flung Naruto away and nonchalantly sat down next to the Book of Sealing, flipping through the book to find the techniques he wanted.

Mizuki wasn't worried at all about Naruto trying to escape. He even coldly said, "Kid, don't even think about running away. No one in the village will notice this place. We're still a long way from the village. This time, you won't escape my grasp no matter what..."

"..."

Umino Iruka's heart sank to the bottom.

Especially Iruka Umino, a Chunin, understood just how strong Mizuki was; neither he nor Naruto Uzumaki were a match for him!

Iruka Umino never imagined that Mizuki would be so terrifying. Not only was his strength far superior to his peers, but he also possessed a level of cunning that was far beyond that of ordinary people. He had considered almost everything before carrying out this conspiracy!

Barring unforeseen circumstances...

Once Mizuki masters the techniques of the Book of Sealing, he will surely unleash the Nine-Tails' chaos!

At this time...

We absolutely cannot give up!

We absolutely cannot allow the Nine-Tails to wreak havoc on Konoha again!

Even at the cost of my life!

However, Iruka Umino was riddled with shuriken and couldn't stand up. He was in danger of dying at any moment. Fortunately, Naruto Uzumaki, the clueless little guy, still cared about him and rushed over to ask his teacher for help.

"Iruka-sensei, how are you?"

"Naruto..."

Iruka Umino looked at Naruto Uzumaki, then glanced at Mizuki not far away, finally realizing he had no choice but to place his hopes on the student before him: "Do you still remember your dream?"

"certainly!"

"I'm going to become Hokage!"

"I will become the strongest Hokage!"

Naruto Uzumaki never forgot his ideal: "To become a Hokage who surpasses all previous Hokage! To gain everyone's recognition!"

"So..."

Iruka Umino looked at Naruto Uzumaki and said in a low voice, "Are you prepared to sacrifice your life for this? Like the Fourth Hokage, who gave his life to save the village twelve years ago during the Nine-Tails' attack. Do you have that kind of resolve?"

"have!"

Naruto Uzumaki gritted his teeth with a determined look on his face.

"Well... it's time..."

Iruka Umino looked at Naruto Uzumaki with an unprecedentedly serious expression: "We must stop Mizuki from learning the technique to break the seal. Did you just see the technique for the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique? That technique is very powerful; it can create many clones..."

"As long as you can use that spell..."

"That would stop Mizuki from using you to create the Nine-Tails' chaos..."

"But…"

Naruto Uzumaki hesitated, unable to believe his own talent.

Iruka Umino looked at the student before him and said in a deep voice, "If you want to do something with unwavering determination, you must be prepared to risk your life and believe in your ability to do it... Naruto, do you have the resolve to risk your life to protect Konoha?!"

Besides learning that technique…

They really had no other choice!

Naruto's other techniques were all subpar; only his physical fitness and endurance were good. However, facing Mizuki, the opponent only needed a few shuriken to cut off his escape route!

"yes!"

Naruto gritted his teeth, raised his finger, and struggled to recall the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique he had witnessed.

"Ninja Art: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

Perhaps it was because this technique was inherently compatible with him, or perhaps it was his determination at this moment, but when Naruto raised his finger and let the chakra flow in his body, countless shadow clones appeared around him!

"Naruto!"

A look of joy flashed across the face of the heavily injured Umino Iruka!

Naruto succeeded…

This means that Shuimu's conspiracy has taken an unexpected turn!

"Um?"

As if only then did Mizuki realize what was happening, he turned around and saw countless shadow clones of Naruto Uzumaki standing around him, causing his body to tremble involuntarily!

These countless shadow clones gave Naruto Uzumaki immense confidence; he believed that so many people were enough to defeat Mizuki and resolve the crisis caused by the Nine-Tails!

"Little brat..."

"You...you think this will solve my problem?"

"Then let's give it a try!"

Countless shadow clones rushed towards Mizuki!

As Mizuki was knocked to the ground by a group of shadow clones, the crisis that could have triggered the Nine-Tails' rampage was doomed, or rather, the ending was already predetermined before it even began.

Outside this training ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been quietly hiding nearby, watched this scene with a pipe dangling from his mouth. He nodded with rare satisfaction to Kagura Akihara beside him: "This time, you did a good job. But how did you get Mizuki to agree?"

"It's very simple."

Akihara Kagura made no mention of having Tendo Shisui manipulate Mizuki using his shadow. Instead, she reached out and pulled out Mizuki's confession: "If he agrees to act well, I might consider leaving him a whole corpse. After all, the mistakes he made are enough to send him to the torture chamber..."

"This is…"

As Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the charges Mizuki had written down, he had already anticipated something: "So, when Mizuki reported that a teammate who died from injury was killed by him, I thought that disregarding the life and death of teammates was already unfit to be a teacher. I never expected him to be so ruthless as to kill his own teammate..."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi continued reading, he saw the last entry about colluding with Orochimaru and sighed softly, "Orochimaru really has become Konoha's greatest danger..."

"yes…"

Akihara Kagura nodded, then suddenly said, "However, Jiraiya-sensei believes that Danzo-sama is the most dangerous..."

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, unable to speak.

Both Orochimaru and Danzo Shimura are dangerous to Konoha.

"Let's go."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and said, "Go back and rest early. Tomorrow we still need to discuss the team assignments for these graduates and the selection of Jonin to mentor them..."

"Where is the Book of Seals?"

Akihara Kagura looked at the Book of Sealing and asked curiously, "What techniques are written in the Book of Sealing? Are there any more powerful techniques?"

"no."

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately dissuaded Kagura Akihara from her idea, and said in a deep voice, "The Scroll of Sealing Techniques is nothing more than some forbidden techniques left behind by the Second Hokage. Its power is far inferior to the Wood Release of the First Hokage. It has no value for you to learn..."

The forbidden techniques mentioned above are not only worthless to learn, but may even lead Akihara Kagura astray. The techniques involve sacrificing living people, and Akihara Kagura is not someone who particularly cares about life.

Hiruzen Sarutobi planned to send his ANBU to retrieve the Book of Seals as soon as he returned, as he didn't want Kagura Akihara to see its contents.

but…

Akihara Kagura wouldn't care either.

Because when the Book of Seals was being arranged, his subordinates were shown its contents. All they needed to do was have them repeat the names and basic information of the spells in the Book of Seals; there was no need for the numerous numbers and even pictures that were part of the learning process.

Third update!

Suddenly I realized that Naruto is doing pretty well...

Once you graduate, you'll know everyone; your teacher will be Kakashi, and your examiner will be Anko…

(End of this chapter)