Two days ago, on the day of the ninja exam.
Mizuki, the instructor who, along with Iruka, was in charge of assessing the graduating ninjas, looked at the group of children before him with his usual smile.
Of course, his main focus was on Naruto Uzumaki, who was at the end of the assessment team.
Because the major ninja clans within Konoha Village monopolized information channels, commoner ninjas like Mizuki were completely unaware of Naruto's identity.
Therefore, to Mizuki, Naruto was a special child.
As the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails...
This matter was known to almost every ninja, and even merchants who frequently traveled the Four Blues were very familiar with it.
Tailed Beast are no secret in the Shinobi World. When it comes to the Nine-Tails, even someone like Mizuki, whose information channels were blocked, knows that Naruto is the Nine-Tails- Tails' jinchūriki.
But Mizuki still didn't understand why Naruto, as a Jinchūriki, was so popular.
Admittedly, almost none of the commoner kids at the ninja academy liked Naruto.
But Mizuki isn't blind. Teachers in the Shinobi World also have ambitions; they too can be as driven as Konohamaru's tutor.
As an ordinary teacher and a regular Chunin, Mizuki certainly knew which students in his class had backgrounds he couldn't afford to offend.
Needless to say, the Ino–Shika–Chō is another story, as is the Hyuga, and the Inuzuka Clan's monopoly on Konoha's ninja dog market goes without saying.
Despite being disliked by the children of commoner ninja families, the Jinchūriki always played happily with the heirs of famous ninja clans.
What exactly is Naruto's identity?
Mizuki didn't want to delve into Naruto's identity; he only wanted to exploit Naruto!
Right now, he has an amazing plan he's about to implement!
He wants to join Orochimaru's side!
That's right, it's none other than Orochimaru, the cold- Orochimaru who was a disciple of the Third Hokage and had long since left Konoha Village!
Mizuki knew all too well that it would be difficult for a commoner ninja like him to ever have a chance to rise in the Konoha Village in its current state!
Mizuki believed he possessed talent far exceeding his current level, but he had never had a way to acquire various ninjutsu and secret techniques.
Whether it's a mission-based system or a contribution-based system, in this era without war, even if Mizuki tries his best, he won't be able to accumulate enough merit to exchange for enough ninjutsu!
What's more, after becoming a Chunin, he was even assigned to be a teacher at the Ninja Academy!
In this way, he is getting further and further away from accumulating enough merits!
The ninja clans hold onto all sorts of secret techniques, with the Ino–Shika–Chō being the most prominent example. Even if they were to release just a small portion of their secret techniques, it would significantly enhance the teamwork and coordination of each ninja squad!
But that's their secret technique; they would never give it to ordinary people...
Although the Second Hokage did not have the intention of keeping his skills to himself and created hundreds of ninjutsu, most of those ninjutsu were forbidden techniques and could not be spread at all.
As for the Third Hokage, he was respectfully called the Professor of Ninjutsu by the villagers because he compiled most of the commonly used ninjutsu from the Five Elements and made them available to all Chunin and Jonin.
Looking at the major nations, very few have mastered ninjutsu as comprehensively as Konoha. Only the Lightning and Earth nations have opened up ninjutsu channels to a certain extent.
As for water and wind.
One of them is implementing Blood Mist Policy, making the environment look like it's cannibalistic, and they don't even bother to hide it anymore.
The other took a different path, focusing on developing puppetry techniques to bypass the barriers created by various clan secret ninjutsu for ordinary ninjas.
Even so, the Third Hokage could only ever use ordinary ninjutsu, which was the strongest ninjutsu in terms of chakra.
In his daily life, Mizuki couldn't help but feel that although he didn't have enough chakra, if he also knew various secret techniques, such as the Shadow Imitation Technique, which was simple and practical, his strength and ninja ranking would definitely be higher than they are now!
In general, Mizuki is just an ordinary, frustrated, and unfulfilled Chunin from Konoha who sees the various ninja clans as obstacles in his way.
However, compared to other frustrated Chunin cannon fodder like him, Mizuki was bolder, more ambitious, and didn't mind falling into depravity!
Now, looking at Naruto Uzumaki, he planned to use the child as a tool for his next move.
He intends to exploit this poorly performing Jinchūriki to cause enough trouble for Konoha, allowing him to steal the Scroll of Seals amidst the chaos, thereby acquiring more secret techniques and gaining a pledge of allegiance to Orochimaru!
Orochimaru is a legend in the hearts of many commoner ninjas, especially in this era where ninja clans monopolize upper-level power. In this era where almost all Jonin, except for Guy, belong to large ninja clans, commoner powerhouses like Orochimaru and Jiraiya are naturally looked up to.
Mizuki felt the same way; he desperately wanted to improve, and in the current Konoha Village and even the Shinobi World, perhaps the only one who could help him take another step forward was Lord Orochimaru!
Thinking this, Mizuki smiled and looked forward to Naruto's exam.
In his eyes, Naruto was an excellent tool whose identity was shrouded in mystery, but who was extremely threatening and had an exceptionally straightforward and gullible personality!
All I need to do is wait for Naruto to fail the exam, then act like a good guy and subtly guide him. That way, I can trick this mysterious kid into stealing the Scroll of Seals.
If the child succeeds by chance, he will escape with the Scroll of Seals.
Of course, the child has almost no chance of succeeding, so when Naruto is arrested for stealing the Scroll of Seals, he only needs to give him a little provocation to break the seal on the Nine-Tails Fox and bring enough pain to Konoha that has lost all hope!
That kind of chaos was enough to serve as Orochimaru's testimonial for accepting him as a disciple!
Thinking this, Mizuki eagerly awaited Naruto's test, only to find that Naruto 'Naruto Three Bodies Technique were at their maximum level...
Without saying a word, Naruto not only achieved a respectable fourth place this time, but he also received a Konoha headband personally handed to him by Iruka!
This scene left Mizuki completely dumbfounded. My plan was over before it even began?
You're supposed to be the worst student, right? What happened to your title? You can just throw it away like that?
Are you playing me?!
Filled with resentment, Mizuki continued to observe Naruto with a smile.
Just as Naruto rushed into their small circle, he was patted on the shoulder by the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
"My God, Naruto, how did you cheat, you bottom-of-the-barrel student?" Choji Akimichi was completely dumbfounded.
"Naruto, did you hire a tutor? Who is it?"
Tell me, and I'll have my clansmen invite him too. His tutoring skills are just too good!
Shikamaru Nara feigned surprise, but secretly focused his attention on the person his father, Shikaku Nara, had mentioned the previous night.
As for Ino Yamanaka, the Ino–Shika–Chō...
She spoke to Naruto, her eyes sparkling.
"Did that handsome guy from yesterday teach you that?"
Naruto, who exactly is Gawain to you? Was he the teacher the Third Hokage hired for you?
Anyway, it can't be your grandfather's. Uncle is so young and handsome~~~."
Seeing Ino Yamanaka's eyes filled with hearts, Naruto shook his head unhappily.
"No, that's not true. The uncle is my grandfather. He's said it many times himself!"
Even though Sasuke is his Sun Tzu, I don't acknowledge that arrogant Sasuke as my son!
That bastard dares to try and steal my grandpa! Not only is he trying to steal my grandpa, he's also trying to steal Sakura Haruno from me!
In this way, Mizuki vaguely understood that Naruto had recently been receiving instruction from a man who claimed to be his grandfather.
Considering Naruto's status as a Jinchūriki, Mizuki felt that the grandfather's identity was quite plausible, since the Hokage wouldn't allow just anyone to approach the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
So, Mizuki, having failed with his first attempt, devised another!
I've never even heard of Gawain before. He's not some big shot at all, and he doesn't sound very powerful!
If I were to visit Naruto's home with him, I would then ambush Naruto's grandfather in front of him.
Would the Nine-Tails- Tails Jinchuriki, who witnessed his teacher kill his grandfather, then go berserk?
Two days ago, Mizuki found an excuse and took Naruto back to the Gawain Family.
When Gawain saw Mizuki, he was clearly a little confused.
Similarly, Mizuki was also a bit confused when she saw Gawain's post?
This young man calls me grandpa?
Who are you trying to fool?
The person I wanted to ambush was an old man, not a young man with all his limbs intact. Even if he wasn't very strong, he wouldn't be able to be ambushed and killed by some random Chunin!
Therefore, Mizuki had to change his plans once again!
Gawain didn't want to launch a sneak attack, but the location of the Gawain Family was a place in Konoha Village used to receive important figures!
Mizuki clearly remembered that when he participated in the Chūnin Exams, the Land of Fire Daimyo stayed in Gawain's courtyard when he arrived in Konoha!
Therefore, Mizuki thought he had figured out Gawain and Naruto's identities.
He speculated that Gawain must be a big shot in the Land of Fire, either a potential daimyo or an important minister in charge of Land of Fire.
Naruto must be a junior member of that minister's family.
In short, after abandoning the plan of a sneak attack, Mizuki decided to attack the courtyard where Gawain was located.
If a riot were to be stirred up in this courtyard, the relationship between Konoha Village and the Land of Fire could immediately fall into a stalemate.
At the same time, the stimulation of this courtyard will inevitably attract the attention of the Hokage Tower, which is located nearby.
He could also take advantage of that time to sneak into the sealing Hokage Tower and try to steal the Scroll of Seals.
Even if they can't steal it, sowing discord between Konoha and the Land of Fire can at least serve as a token of their loyalty!
Mizuki was immediately stunned by his own wisdom. Then, for the next two days, he relied entirely on his handsome face and gentle smile to sneak into Gawain's yard for home visits.
Gawain knew exactly what kind of person Mizuki was, but he didn't care at all.
Now, he's even more curious about how Mizuki's fate will continue after he confirms he's changed the original Naruto storyline.
And so, today.
After arriving at Gawain's yard today, Mizuki Mu threw at least eighty explosive tags all over the yard.
Although this number is far, far less than the number of explosive tags that Konan has mastered.
But this number of detonators is equivalent to the scale of eighty hand grenades exploding in the yard!
After finishing all that, Mizuki took his leave, and the illness quietly went to the nearby forest.
After the mechanism was activated, the explosive tag indeed detonated, and the Hokage, as expected, led most of the Anbu from the Hokage Tower to the courtyard where Gawain was.
So, Mizuki decisively rushed into the Hokage Tower, intending to steal the Scroll of Seals.
But...
Before he could even make a move, Mizuki was captured by the Root ninjas.
After all, Naruto had always been followed by someone, and in the few days since the expert appeared, Danzo, who was focused on investigating Gawain, had already replaced those ninjas who were following him with members of Root.
This is also why Root didn't Shisui Uchiha throwing explosive tags in Gawain's yard; their mission objective wasn't to protect Gawain, but rather to gather Gawain as possible.
Although I don't know why this guy threw the explosive tags, wasn't that something he could use to test Gawain's strength?
In fact, if Mizuki hadn't stolen the Scroll of Seals, the Root ninjas near Gawain would almost have considered him Danzo plan for Mizuki...
After all, even the Root ninjas... thought Mizuki was just a tool for the leader to test Gawain...
In Gawain's yard, Gawain lay on a recliner, silently observing Mizuki; the Root ninja silently observed Gawain; Sasuke silently observed the Root ninja; Sakura Haruno silently observed Sasuke; Naruto silently observed Sakura Haruno...
Within this excellent opportunity to observe matryoshka dolls...
Bang!
Hoo hoo hoo hoo!!!
A series of explosions suddenly rang out in Gawain's yard!
The instant the smoke from the explosion appeared...
Whoosh whoosh!!!
The Third Hokage took the lead and instantly teleported to Gawain's courtyard.
Hiruzen looked worriedly at Gawain, whose face remained expressionless in the smoke, and nodded heavily.
I will give you an explanation!
As soon as he finished speaking, Hiruzen waved his hand fiercely.
"Bring Danzo to me!"
Tell him to come see me here!!!
As soon as he finished speaking, the Anbu ninjas following closely behind Hiruzen sprang into action.
At the same time, Kakashi Hatake also rushed towards Gawain's yard.
In the last couple of days, he's been given a break by the Third Hokage and has started serving as a ninja team leader and mentor.
However, the third generation's idea was that since Gawain was willing to teach, then let the children learn from Gawain first.
Not only Naruto and his two friends, Hiruzen also wanted to send more children to Gawain to strengthen the bond between Gawain and Konoha.
He had already made a plan: after Asuma and Kurenai led the children on a few missions, he would send over all the children who were close to Naruto.
Those children are all heirs of the ninja clans, and the future backbone of Konoha. They will all be high-ranking members.
As long as they acknowledged Gawain, Gawain also somewhat acknowledged their words.
Then Gawain can smoothly take over the position of Hokage!
At this time, Hiruzen had no idea that he only had a few months left to live. He thought he could at least be Hokage for a few more years and fight against the ninja clans until the next commoner Hokage successor was found.
He thought he could hold out for another two or three years, until Gawain truly recognized Konoha's worth.
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words, Gawain was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh.
Yes, how could a political animal like the Third Generation possibly have imagined that Mizuki actually wanted to do that?
Given the current situation, the Third Hokage will naturally see everything as some kind of test by Danzo!
So, is Danzo blamed again?
Ha ha!
Meanwhile, underground at the Root the Konoha...
The Anbu ninjas arrived quickly and read the Hokage's orders to Danzo.
Danzo, was completely dumbfounded!
What? I tested Gawain?
Didn't I just agree with Orochimaru to test this mysterious Gawain in our plan to kill Hiruzen?
Wait, who the Gawain attacked Gawain?
Holy crap!
I've truly been wronged this time!!!