Mutant Mizuki

In the dead of night, Hiruzen Sarutobi lay unconscious on the floor of the Hokage office, his face covered in blood, while Naruto Uzumaki leaped out of the office window with the Scroll of Seals, which was as tall as he was.

The moment Naruto Uzumaki departed, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been lying unconscious, stood back up, and the Anbu ninjas hidden in the darkness stepped out of their concealment.

"Protect Naruto well. Do not let Mizuki escape; he likely holds clues regarding Orochimaru, and we must not let him slip away."

After issuing his orders, Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled a cloth from his pocket to wipe the blood from his face, unable to stop himself from recalling Naruto Uzumaki's Sexy Technique from moments ago.

The girl with yellow hair in twin tails, those exaggerated body proportions, and the beauty beneath the holy light, all paired with the seductive movements Naruto had learned from who knows where.

Oh no, his nosebleed began to flow uncontrollably once again.

"Cough, cough. Kakashi really needs to improve his way of educating students. A child as good as Naruto actually learned such a lethal ninjutsu. I must give Kakashi a stern talking-to next time; Naruto is, after all, the child of his teacher, how could he teach him such a technique?"

Despite what he said, Hiruzen Sarutobi's body was very honest, using his crystal ball to record the scene he had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, in the dark forest, Naruto Uzumaki was leaping rapidly through the branches with the massive Scroll of Seals on his back, unaware that he was surrounded by hidden Anbu monitoring his every move.

They were all waiting for Naruto Uzumaki to meet with Mizuki, waiting for the orders of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Heh, quite the turnout. Only five or six people arranged? That makes sense; this matter cannot be blown out of proportion, and it's easier to manage with fewer people."

Mufeng Uchiha stood on a tree branch, watching openly. He made no effort to hide his tracks, and the Anbu saw him clearly.

As competent Anbu, their only concern was completing their mission. As for Mufeng Uchiha, a dangerous individual under heavy surveillance, they chose to pretend they hadn't seen him—the less trouble, the better.

Everything that followed proceeded as it did in the original timeline: Naruto, having stolen the Scroll of Seals and learned the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, was confronted by a desperate Mizuki, who revealed Naruto's identity as the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Iruka arrived to provide backup, but Mizuki's calculations were wrong; having undergone training with Mufeng Uchiha and the others, Naruto Uzumaki was no longer the type to have his heart shattered by such revelations.

He immediately unleashed the Multi Shadow Clone Technique and charged forward without a word, intent on giving Mizuki a sound beating.

"Phew—that's that. What do you think, Sasuke? Do you still believe you can defeat Naruto?"

He turned his head to ask Sasuke Uchiha, who thought he was well-hidden in a cluster of branches. Upon being discovered, Sasuke Uchiha stood up with a flushed face.

"So-so. How could a mere dead-last ever surpass me, the top student?"

Sasuke Uchiha crossed his arms, maintaining his usual "I am the greatest in the world" demeanor.

Sigh, Sunny Pillar was happy too early. With the boost of the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, the Uzumaki clan member possessed a bug-like cultivation speed.

Heh, he hoped Sasuke Uchiha wouldn't come crying to his brother after being defeated.

Feeling the gaze of Mufeng Uchiha, Sasuke felt as though he were being pitied, which was inexplicably infuriating.

"Ah—it hurts! It hurts so much! My body feels like it's being torn apart!"

Naruto Uzumaki suddenly collapsed to the ground, rolling in agony. He felt as if he were being shredded to pieces.

"You brat! Did you think you could beat me just because there were more of you? I possess the power granted by Lord Orochimaru! It's magnificent—this overflowing power! If I capture you, you little fox brat, and offer you to Lord Orochimaru, perhaps I can obtain even greater strength!"

At this moment, the Cursed Seal on Mizuki's neck activated. His entire body transformed into that of a tiger, though with a twist: layers of tree bark grew over his skin, and sharp, branch-like thorns sprouted from his body.

"Damn, Orochimaru is ruthless. He actually added the power of Hashirama Cells into the Cursed Seal? Is this even still a Cursed Seal?"

Mufeng Uchiha jumped down decisively, drawing the blade at his waist the moment Mizuki approached Naruto.

"Thunder Breathing, First Form—Thunderclap and Flash."

Rumble—

Like the wrath of a thunder god, a dazzling bolt of lightning descended from the sky, the blade's edge wreathed in electricity as it severed Mizuki's outstretched arm.

"Seriously? There isn't even any blood. Has this guy's flesh and blood turned entirely into wood? He can hardly be considered human anymore!"

Not a single drop of blood leaked from the charred, severed wound where Mufeng Uchiha had struck.

The next second, under everyone's watchful eyes, the wound on Mizuki's severed arm began to squirm, sprouting a mass of branches that intertwined to form a wooden limb.

"Whoa—Mizuki! His arm grew back, and it's all wood! Big Brother Mufeng, is Teacher Mizuki a tree demon?"

Naruto Uzumaki, terrified by Mizuki's appearance, instinctively hid behind Mufeng Uchiha, clutching his sleeve tightly.

"This is the power of Lord Orochimaru! An immortal, indestructible power! I am invincible now!"

Mizuki laughed maniacally. Mufeng Uchiha watched him with interest; Mizuki hadn't even realized that he was being consumed by this very power.

"If you don't suppress it, I won't even need to make a move; you'll probably turn into a giant tree yourself. I'm a kind-hearted person, so I'll help you end your suffering early."

Mufeng Uchiha held his blade with both hands, adjusting his breathing until his heart and lungs reached their peak state.

"Modified Thunder Breathing, First Form—Chidori Flash!"

Rumble—Crack—

The roar of thunder and the chirping of birds intertwined. Mufeng Uchiha's speed reached its absolute limit; even the Anbu ninjas in the shadows were shocked, unable to track his movements.

Kakashi, who had witnessed this technique before, gave a wry smile. "He developed a move that combines Chidori Current with this unique Breathing Style. Sometimes, even I would fall to such unparalleled speed."

As the white light faded from everyone's vision, Mufeng Uchiha stood behind Mizuki, his blade already sheathed.

Snap—

Mizuki remained in his laughing posture, but a bright point appeared on his neck, followed by the sound of crackling electricity.

Starting from that point on his neck, cracks began to spread in all directions. With a continuous series of snapping sounds, Mizuki, the tree-man, shattered into pieces across the ground, the debris emitting a charred, burnt scent.

"Hah, as long as I'm fast enough, you won't have time to regenerate."

Under the worshipful gaze of Naruto Uzumaki, Mufeng Uchiha took the opportunity to pick up the Scroll of Seals that Naruto Uzumaki had dropped.

He opened it nonchalantly to take a look. Hmm, as expected, it only contained the Multi Shadow Clone Technique; the rest were just some illegible scribbles.

No, he hadn't expected it to also contain the Flying Thunder God. Was it included in this forged Scroll of Seals because Naruto Uzumaki was the child of Minato Namikaze?

"Um, Brother Mufeng, what should I do now?"

"What else can you do? Return the Scroll of Seals, admit your mistake obediently, and I believe Hokage will forgive you. Gather your courage, Naruto Uzumaki. I'm heading back now."

Having just copied the Flying Thunder God with his Sharingan, he couldn't wait to study it.

Mufeng Uchiha was humming a little tune on his way home when he was unexpectedly blocked by Sasuke Uchiha.

"Hey, that move you used just now—it isn't in the Thunder Breathing."

"So what? Does Second Pillar want to learn it? Hey, be honest, call me 'brother' and I'll teach you."

A scholar can be killed, but not humiliated!

Sasuke Uchiha's face darkened, his whole body trembling uncontrollably until, at the very last moment, he made up his mind.

"Brother. There, are you happy? Teach me that move quickly."

After weighing the pros and cons, Sasuke Uchiha compromised. The speed and power he had just witnessed were stronger than the Lightning Blade of Kakashi, making it the most powerful technique he had ever seen.

If he could master it, he would surely be able to unleash even greater power. As long as he could become strong enough to defeat Itachi Uchiha, well, the humiliation of calling this brat Mufeng "brother" was something he could accept.

"Alright, since my little brother has requested it so earnestly, how could I refuse? I'll teach you once we get back."

Mufeng Uchiha reached out to drape an arm over Sasuke Uchiha's shoulder, only to be brushed off in disgust. The two of them bickered all the way back to their home.

After the incident with the Scroll of Seals tonight, the story of Shippuden is about to begin. I truly look forward to seeing how Hiruzen Sarutobi will arrange things for me.