Tightrope Walking Performance

In the midst of their fierce entanglement, Mizuki suddenly leaped out of the fray. Iruka, who had been suppressed and on the back foot, dared not pursue, standing instead at a distance to remain on guard.

Mizuki looked at Iruka and said, "Iruka, what are you so nervous about? Are you afraid I'll snatch the Scroll of Sealing? Or are you worried about dealing with Naruto Uzumaki?"

"What exactly is your goal?" Iruka did not dare to relax.

Ignoring Iruka, Mizuki turned to Naruto instead. "Naruto, don't you trust me? I didn't lie to you, you know. Look, you've already learned a very powerful ninjutsu, haven't you?"

"I know Mizuki-sensei isn't lying, but why are you fighting Iruka-sensei? Aren't you both Konoha ninja?" Naruto asked, feeling uneasy.

"Heh, Naruto, do you want to know the truth?"

Naruto nodded hurriedly.

"Naruto, do you know why Iruka insists on keeping you from becoming a ninja? It's because Iruka has always resented you. Do you really think he's that trustworthy?"

"Resentment? Why?" Naruto could hardly accept this fact. Did Iruka-sensei, who had always taken care of him, actually dislike him too?

"I told you before that Iruka is an orphan, right? Well, do you know where his parents went?" Mizuki said, delivering the hurtful words without mercy. "It's because his parents were both killed by you."

The shocking words left Naruto incoherent. "I killed Iruka-sensei's parents? How is that possible?"

"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka shouted, trying to silence him.

Mizuki ignored him, secretly circulating his chakra. With a faint vibration, Naruto felt a slight itch on his head. Naruto didn't pay it any mind, assuming it was just a bite from one of the many insects out at night, and scratched his head casually.

Mizuki felt a secret thrill; it had worked. He had only used the poison as a precaution, never expecting it to come in handy. It wasn't even a true poison, but a stimulant with severe side effects—it accelerated metabolism and temporarily amplified one's emotions, making it easy for a person to go to extremes in a short time.

Seeing that everything was normal, Mizuki continued to Naruto, "Over a decade ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked Konoha, and you know the village suffered countless casualties, right?"

"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "I also know that Konoha's great hero, the Fourth Hokage, saved everyone and protected the village."

"Exactly. And Iruka's parents were killed by the Nine-Tailed Fox at that very time. And the fox sealed away by the Fourth Hokage is none other than you, Naruto Uzumaki!"

"Damn you, Mizuki, stop talking!" Iruka roared, clutching his head in agony.

In the Hokage's office in Konoha, the Third Hokage, who was observing through the Telescope Technique, couldn't help but sigh. "Mizuki actually said it. This is going to be troublesome."

Meanwhile, Naruto, unable to accept the truth, muttered to himself, "How could this be? I'm a murderer? I'm the monster Nine-Tailed Fox? So that's it. No wonder everyone in the village hates me and curses me. It's always just me alone..."

Mizuki looked at Iruka, who had yet to recover. A perfect opportunity. The next step is the key to success or failure.

Mizuki quickly formed hand seals, taking advantage of Iruka's distraction to cast a genjutsu.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique."

The target was the stunned Naruto.

Caught in the genjutsu, Naruto Uzumaki's eyes immediately turned vacant, and he soon seemed to see an unimaginable scene, his face twisted in pain and terror.

Mizuki watched as things developed further.

The combination of the genjutsu and the drug should yield the desired result. It's not that I didn't want to use a safer, more potent poison, but given Naruto Uzumaki's constitution and recovery rate, it was impossible to estimate his drug resistance. I had to use a stimulant to avoid triggering a violent reaction. Fortunately, Naruto's chakra control is poor, and his resistance to genjutsu currently seems to be near zero.

Realizing something was wrong, Iruka looked at the suffering Naruto and demanded sharply, "Mizuki, what have you done?"

"I'm just letting him see the truth of the matter. Actually, I'm quite curious to see what he chooses next."

At that moment, Naruto's body trembled uncontrollably with pain. Suddenly, he jerked his head up and opened his eyes. A strange red light radiated from them, and the fury and madness within were clearly visible.

Iruka reached out to comfort Naruto, but Naruto shoved his hand away, then lunged forward, slamming his head into Iruka's chest and sending him flying back over ten meters.

Iruka looked at Naruto in disbelief. "What are you doing, Naruto? It's not like that! Don't believe Mizuki!"

Unfortunately, Naruto could no longer hear him. Having lost his reason, he quickly formed hand seals, and a massive surge of chakra erupted as over twenty Shadow Clones appeared.

Seeing this, Mizuki hurriedly retreated to a safe distance to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Only twenty-some clones. It can't compare to the overwhelming numbers that took down Mizuki in the original story. Is it because his opponent is Iruka? Since he isn't the big villain he believes himself to be, his subconscious doesn't want to hurt anyone. What a kind child. As a reincarnation of Asura's chakra, his persistence in love and justice is deep in his soul.

Fifteen minutes passed without him noticing. Mizuki watched from the sidelines as Naruto continued to pummel Iruka with his Shadow Clones, and he gradually began to frown.

The situation isn't looking good. A mindless Naruto Uzumaki doesn't even have basic tactical ability; he's just pointlessly exhausting Iruka's stamina. Thankfully, the flurry of random punches isn't giving Iruka a chance to counterattack. It looks like this is turning into a war of attrition. Should I intervene? He glanced calmly at the Scroll of Sealing on the ground, then cast a look toward the distant forest. Not long ago, his perimeter alarm had been triggered. Someone had arrived but hadn't revealed themselves. Were they observing the situation? Or...

Although they are hiding well, they aren't making a deliberate effort to remain undetected. Anyone with decent strength could find them with a quick check. To be so arrogant—do they think they can seize control of the entire scene in an instant?

It seemed a formidable expert had arrived, and Mizuki couldn't help but feel a tightening in his chest.

I can't act rashly. I've already drained a lot of Iruka's stamina, and he has several minor injuries. Iruka isn't a ninja with exceptional physical prowess; Naruto should be able to end the fight before the drug wears off.

Nearly twenty minutes later, Iruka was knocked back against a tree and could no longer stand. Exhausted, he could only watch Naruto helplessly.

Seeing this, Mizuki knew it was about time. Naruto had also expended a great deal of energy; if this continued, he might trigger the Nine-Tails' seal, and things would truly spiral out of control. If this went on, the powerhouse hiding in the shadows wouldn't be able to just watch anymore.

Mizuki made up his mind and quickly cast a genjutsu on Naruto, who collapsed without resistance and fell into a deep sleep.

"Iruka, how does it feel to be defeated by a student you thought couldn't become a ninja?" Mizuki struck a villainous pose as he walked toward Iruka and Naruto.

"What are you trying to do, Mizuki? It's not too late to turn back!" Iruka desperately tried to persuade him.

"I told you, you're too naive, Iruka." Mizuki didn't answer. He walked over to Naruto, crouched down, formed hand seals, and channeled his chakra. "Release," he whispered, then shook Naruto's head. Naruto slowly stirred awake.

"Mizuki-sensei?" Naruto then sensed something was wrong. "I feel like I had a dream where I fought a huge battle. My whole body feels so tired. Huh? Iruka-sensei, why are you hurt? What happened?" Naruto seemed to suddenly realize something. "Did I do this? I really am a monster." Naruto felt a wave of despair wash over him.

Mizuki flicked Naruto's forehead lightly and laughed, "Good job, Naruto-kun." Ignoring the bewildered boy, he turned to Iruka and said, "I'll leave the rest to you. I'm off. If possible, let's meet again tomorrow." He looked up at the sky. "My mistake, it's almost dawn. I suppose I mean today. Iruka-sensei, and Naruto." With that, he picked up the Scroll of Sealing and walked toward the gates of Konoha.

"The most uncontrollable part is over, and the results aren't bad. Leaving the rest to those two kindred spirits should be fine; one is a pushover teacher, the other a kind-hearted protagonist. This pair of master and student will likely put on a sentimental drama now, and as the villain, it really wouldn't be appropriate for me to stick around any longer."

However, as he weighed the scroll on his back, Mizuki couldn't help but feel a surge of temptation. "The Third Hokage actually sent a powerful ninja as insurance; it seems there's a real possibility that this Scroll of Sealing isn't just a prop. Should I take it out and have a look?" It was truly difficult to hold a treasure and not be moved. Calming his nerves, Mizuki thought, "Better not. I can't invite unnecessary trouble. The risk is too high, and the possibility of throwing away all my hard work isn't worth it."

Walking along the forest path, he continued until Naruto and Iruka were no longer in sight. Suddenly, a figure blocked Mizuki's path.

"You must be Mizuki. I'm sure I don't need to explain the situation to you; you already know. Don't try to run; you don't stand a chance."

After hearing this, Mizuki carefully sized up the newcomer. It wasn't anyone the original Mizuki knew, but those features...

"It's Hatake Kakashi." Mizuki's mouth couldn't help but twitch. "Why would they send a monster-level ninja like this to handle such a matter? Doesn't the Third think it's overkill?"

Even so, Mizuki had to accept the reality of being at someone else's mercy; after all, they were not in the same league of strength, and resistance was impossible.

"I understand. So, you're the Anbu sent to bring me to justice?"

"Do not ask about matters that don't concern you. Put down the Scroll of Sealing and step back."

Mizuki had no choice but to comply, setting the scroll down and stepping back ten paces. Hatake Kakashi stepped forward, verified the item, and tucked the Scroll of Sealing away. He then said to Mizuki, "Very good. Since you know when to be sensible, it shows you've decided to submit. My mission is complete, and the rest will be left for Lord Third to decide. Let's go."