An Encounter with Iruka and Mizuki

After seeing that Uzumaki Naruto had successfully caught fish on his own and had not starved to death,

one of the Anbu hiding in the forest and secretly watching Naruto nodded to the other Anbu before vanishing into the distance.

The remaining Anbu stayed behind to continue watching Naruto.

Naruto suddenly felt as though the sensation of being watched had lessened.

Ever since arriving in this world, he had felt as though someone had been secretly watching him. It probably was not the villagers he passed on the road.

After coming to the forest, that feeling of surveillance had not diminished in the slightest. That practically confirmed it—it was the Anbu.

He did not know whether they were Anbu under Hiruzen Sarutobi or Root Anbu under Shimura Danzō.

Or perhaps both sides had sent ninja in order to keep each other in check.

An Anbu instantly appeared in the Hokage's Office.

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was handling the busy political affairs that required the Hokage's approval every day.

The masked Anbu reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hokage-sama, Uzumaki Naruto caught fish in the stream of the Small Forest using his own ability. His life is not currently in danger!"

Without even raising his head, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued processing documents and said, "Understood. Continue watching him. Remember, you must not let his life be in danger. As for everything else, turn a blind eye."

"Yes!" After receiving his orders, the Anbu nodded and vanished again, presumably returning to watch Naruto.

"Minato, forgive me. Naruto's identity is far too special. I cannot allow him to be exposed to the public eye, as that would hinder his healthy growth! Everything I have done is for his own good. I hope you two can understand."

Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered as he handled government affairs.

At that moment, the door to the Hokage's Office was forcefully pushed open. The newcomer was Hiruzen Sarutobi's sworn rival, Shimura Danzō.

"Heh, Hiruzen, you may be able to fool yourself with those words, but do you think I do not know what you are thinking? You can deceive others, but do not deceive yourself as well. You simply want to seize and divide up the Fourth Hokage's legacy."

"Talking about doing it for his own good... You only want to keep the Jinchuriki's power in your hands. In your eyes, he is merely a weapon. Everything you have done is to make him obey you and become the sharp blade in your hand!"

Shimura Danzō mercilessly exposed Hiruzen Sarutobi's lie. The two had grown up together, close as brothers.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi farted, Shimura Danzō could probably guess what it smelled like.

There was no one in the world who understood Hiruzen Sarutobi better than Shimura Danzō.

"Enough, Danzo. This is the Hokage's Office. I hope you will watch your words!" Hiruzen Sarutobi cut him off without any mercy.

Although the Anbu in the Hokage's Office were all Hiruzen Sarutobi's trusted subordinates, appearances still had to be maintained.

Shimura Danzō unceremoniously sat in the chair across from Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Hiruzen, I heard the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki nearly starved to death at home?"

"Heh. With your intelligence network, do you really need to make such a trip just to ask? I imagine the Root Anbu have already reported the situation to you. Naruto is fine now, so there is no need for your concern, Danzo."

"Hiruzen, you should have listened to me and handed the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki over to me. Only in Root can the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki be brainwashed into Konoha's most loyal weapon!"

"Enough, Danzo!" Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, interrupting Danzo.

"Naruto is Minato and Kushina's child, not the weapon you speak of. I will raise him properly into a ninja of Konoha. Wherever the leaves of Konoha dance, fire burns on. The firelight will continue to illuminate the village and bring forth new leaves."

"I will make Naruto understand the meaning of the Will of Fire. Danzo, do not try any little tricks. Remember, I am the Hokage!"

"Hmph, you will regret this, Hiruzen!" Enraged by Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Shimura Danzō stormed out through the door.

With a bang, the door was flung open. After leaving behind that classic line, he vanished from sight.

As for Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, even he himself did not know which parts were true and which were false.

Everything he did was merely to consolidate his own interests in Konoha.

Meanwhile, back to Naruto's side.

With the luck of his first catch, Naruto began to get the hang of it, gradually gaining more experience.

He was even able to spear several fish in succession.

After stringing the fish together, Naruto prepared to head back and rest.

Then he felt the sense of surveillance grow a little stronger again. Naruto guessed that the Anbu who had left earlier had returned.

Those people really were watching him without the slightest restraint.

He was clearly just a child. Other than having the Nine-Tails sealed inside him, he had practically no fighting ability at all.

They really were going to great lengths!

However, all of this was pointless. One day, he would repay you all properly—no, he would repay you all properly!

Along the way, the villagers still pointed at him, the disgust on their faces completely undisguised.

Naruto had already grown used to it and did not argue with them.

When the children by the roadside saw Naruto, they picked up stones under their parents' encouragement and threw them at him.

Naruto could only dodge in embarrassment, but he was still struck by several stones.

One stone hit Naruto squarely on the head.

Blood slowly ran down Naruto's head.

Naruto grew a little angry and glared fiercely at the children and the adults behind them.

"That Demon Fox actually dares to look at us like that! Teach him a lesson!"

The adults were somewhat frightened by Naruto's expression. They all felt as though something bristling was staring at them.

It was as if some unawakened beast were warning them through Naruto's eyes.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?"

Just as the adults were about to urge their children into launching another wave of attacks against Naruto,

the passing Mizuki and Umino Iruka saw what was happening. Umino Iruka immediately rushed in front of Naruto and shielded him behind his body.

Naruto had already recognized Iruka. The person beside him appeared to be Mizuki.

However, Naruto had not yet entered the Ninja Academy, so naturally he could not call out their names. After all, the Anbu were still watching him.

For now, he could only hide himself as much as possible and avoid revealing anything unusual.

"Isn't that Iruka? Iruka, why are you protecting that Demon Fox? Your parents also died in that incident. Do you not hate this Demon Fox?"

One of the men recognized Iruka and asked him in confusion.

Those words struck Iruka deeply. Yes, his parents had died during the Nine-Tails' Rampage. Did he hate it?

He turned to look at Naruto. Of course he hated the Nine-Tails for his parents' deaths, and a trace of resentment appeared in his eyes.

But then he looked at Naruto, whose head had been smashed open and was bleeding profusely, yet who did not make a single sound and could only endure in silence.

It felt as though something had fiercely gripped his heart. Regardless of whether this Naruto was the Demon Fox's incarnation,

at the very least, he was just an innocent child right now!

"Get out of the way! He is already injured. I am taking him to the hospital. If Hokage-sama finds out that you threw stones at Naruto, you will definitely be punished!"

Upon hearing Iruka invoke Hokage-sama, the villagers could only give up.

Ignorant as they were, they naturally could not understand that if Naruto truly were the Demon Fox's incarnation, why would their wise and mighty Lord Third Hokage not kill him and instead keep him in the village?

Mizuki had not wanted to interfere, but after seeing Iruka rush out, he could only help as well.

Supported by Mizuki and Iruka, Naruto was taken to Konoha Hospital.

Even in the hospital, whether they were passing patients or working doctors and nurses, the looks they gave Naruto were strikingly identical.

This was why the Naruto of his previous memories, even when sick, had only silently endured and relied on himself to pull through.

Even doctors meant to save lives and heal the wounded hated him just the same.

One doctor had been resting in his office when an Anbu ninja suddenly appeared and whispered something in his ear.

Only then did he stand up with obvious reluctance, leave his office, and come to the lobby outside to see Naruto.

He brought Naruto inside and treated him properly.

Iruka accompanied Naruto through the entire process. When he even learned that Naruto had no money to pay the medical fees, he took out part of his meager salary and paid them for him.

At the hospital entrance, Iruka said to Naruto, "Well then, perhaps we will meet again someday. Take care of yourself. We are leaving!"

No matter which world he was in, Iruka was always this gentle. No wonder he was the man who could later attend Naruto's wedding as Naruto's father.

"Um, may I ask what your name is?"

Even Naruto, who knew the anime's plot well, was moved by Iruka's gentleness. There really were people this kind in the world.

Tears were already streaming down Naruto's face. Some things might be known beforehand, but experiencing them personally was something else entirely.

"My name is Umino Iruka, and he is Mizuki. We are both teachers at the Ninja Academy. If we get the chance, when you reach school age, you may see us both there. See you!"

The two slowly walked away beneath the setting sun, leaving Naruto with only their backs.

Why only one back? Naruto was only watching Iruka. Who was Mizuki? He did not know him!

"Thank you, Teacher Iruka! You are a good person!" Naruto ignored the astonished looks around him and shouted loudly toward Iruka's retreating figure.

Iruka could not help the corners of his mouth from rising as he thought, Naruto is definitely not the Demon Fox!

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