In the midst of their fierce struggle, Mizuki suddenly broke away. Iruka, who had been temporarily suppressed and was at a disadvantage, didn't dare pursue him. He simply stood some distance away, keeping guard.
Mizuki looked at Iruka and said, "Iruka, what are you so nervous about? Afraid I'll take the Scroll of Sealing? Or go after Naruto Uzumaki?"
"What exactly are you after?" Iruka didn't dare let his guard down.
Mizuki ignored Iruka and turned to Naruto instead. "Naruto, don't you believe me? I haven't lied to you. Look, you've already learned an incredibly 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 uneasily.
"Heh heh, Naruto, do you want to know the truth?"
Naruto hurriedly nodded.
"Naruto, do you know why Iruka has always insisted that you can't become a ninja? It's because he's always resented you. Do you really think he's someone you can trust?"
"Resented me? Why?" Naruto could hardly accept it. Did even Iruka-sensei, who had always looked after him, dislike him?
"I told you before that Iruka was an orphan, didn't I? Do you know what happened to his parents?" Mizuki spoke without mercy, saying the cruelest thing he could. "They were both killed by you."
The shocking words left Naruto speechless. "I killed Iruka-sensei's parents? How could that be possible?"
"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka roared, trying to stop him.
Mizuki ignored him and secretly worked his chakra. A barely perceptible vibration followed, and Naruto felt a slight itch on his head. But he paid no attention, thinking some tiny insect that came out at night had bitten him, and absently scratched his scalp.
Mizuki felt a secret surge of delight. It worked. I only used the drug as a precaution, and I didn't expect it to come in handy after all. It doesn't even really count as a poison. It's just a stimulant with serious side effects: it speeds up the metabolism and temporarily magnifies a person's emotions, making them prone to extremes for a short time.
Seeing that everything was going as planned, Mizuki continued, "You know that more than ten years ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked Konoha and caused countless casualties in the village, right?"
"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "I also know that the great hero of Konoha, the Fourth Hokage, saved everyone and protected the village."
"That's right. Iruka's parents were killed by the Nine-Tailed Fox at the time. And the fox demon sealed by the Fourth Hokage was none other than you, Naruto Uzumaki!"
"Damn you, Mizuki! Don't say it!" Iruka roared, clutching his head in agony.
In the Konoha Hokage Building, the Third Hokage watched through the Telescope Technique and couldn't help sighing. "Mizuki told him after all. This is going to be a real problem."
Meanwhile, struck by the truth and unable to accept it, Naruto murmured, "How could this happen? I'm a murderer? I'm the monster, the Nine-Tailed Fox? So that's why everyone in the village hates me and calls me names. I've always been alone..."
Mizuki glanced at Iruka, who still hadn't reacted. This is my chance. The next step will decide whether I succeed or fail.
Mizuki swiftly formed Hand Seals, taking advantage of Iruka's distraction to cast a genjutsu.
"Hell Viewing Technique!"
His target was Naruto, who stood frozen in place.
Caught in the genjutsu, Naruto's eyes immediately turned vacant. Then, as if he were seeing something unbelievable, his face twisted with pain and terror.
Mizuki watched as things continued to unfold.
The genjutsu combined with the drug should produce the result I want. I didn't want to use a more reliable poison with a stronger effect. Given Naruto Uzumaki's constitution and recovery ability, I can't predict how resistant he'll be to it, so I can only use a stimulant or something similar to avoid provoking a strong reaction. Luckily, Naruto's chakra control is poor, and as far as I can tell, his resistance to genjutsu is practically zero.
Realizing something was wrong, Iruka looked at Naruto's pained expression and demanded, "Mizuki, what exactly did you do?"
"I merely let him see the truth. To be honest, I'm curious what he'll choose to do next."
Just then, Naruto's body began trembling uncontrollably with pain. Suddenly, he jerked his head up and opened his eyes. An unnatural red light shone in them, and his fury and madness were plain to see.
Iruka reached out with both hands to comfort Naruto, but Naruto raised an arm and knocked them aside. Then he surged forward and slammed his head into Iruka's chest, sending him flying more than ten meters.
Iruka stared at Naruto in disbelief. "What are you doing, Naruto? It's not what you think! Don't believe Mizuki!"
But Naruto could no longer hear him. Having lost his reason, he quickly formed Hand Seals, and an enormous amount of chakra surged forth as more than twenty Shadow Clones appeared.
Seeing this, Mizuki hurriedly retreated a long way to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
There are only a little more than twenty clones. It's nothing like the overwhelming number that beat Mizuki in the original story. Is it because his opponent is Iruka? Unlike the Mizuki in the original story, Iruka isn't someone he's already decided is a great villain, so deep down, he doesn't want to hurt anyone. What a kind child. As the reincarnation of Asura's chakra, his devotion to love and justice is already etched into his soul.
Before he knew it, more than ten minutes had passed. Mizuki watched as Naruto kept using his Shadow Clones to gang up on Iruka, and gradually frowned.
This isn't looking good. Without his reason, Naruto Uzumaki doesn't even have the most basic tactical sense. He's just wearing Iruka down to no purpose, though at least his wild punches aren't giving Iruka a chance to fight back. Looks like this is turning into a prolonged battle. Should I step in? He glanced at the Scroll of Sealing on the ground, then toward the distant woods. Not long ago, the warning he'd set up had been triggered. Someone had arrived but hadn't shown themselves. Were they watching the situation? Or...
They've hidden their presence well, but they haven't gone out of their way to avoid being detected, either. Anyone with decent skills could spot them with a quick check. So why are they being so brazen? Do they think they can take control of the whole situation in an instant?
It looked like a formidable expert had arrived. Mizuki couldn't help feeling a knot of anxiety.
I can't act rashly. I've already worn Iruka down quite a bit, and he has plenty of minor injuries. Iruka isn't an especially physically capable ninja, either. Naruto should be able to finish the fight before the drug wears off.
Nearly twenty more minutes passed. After Iruka was knocked down and crashed into a tree, he couldn't get back up. Completely exhausted, he could only watch Naruto helplessly.
Mizuki knew it was about time. Naruto was getting worn out, too. If they kept fighting, the Nine-Tails' seal might be triggered, and then things would really get out of hand. If this continued, even the strong figure hiding in the shadows couldn't keep watching.
Mizuki made up his mind and quickly cast a genjutsu on Naruto. Naruto collapsed without resisting and fell into a deep sleep.
"Iruka, what's it like to be defeated by a student you thought could never become a ninja?" Mizuki strode toward Iruka and Naruto, putting on the full act of a villain.
"What are you trying to do, Mizuki? It's not too late to turn back!" Iruka desperately tried to talk him around.
"I told you, you're too naïve, Iruka." Mizuki didn't answer. He walked over to Naruto and crouched beside him, forming Hand Seals as he worked his chakra. "Release." Then he shook Naruto's head. Naruto slowly came to.
"Mizuki-sensei?" Naruto then noticed something was wrong. "I think I had a huge fight in my dream. My whole body feels so tired. Huh, Iruka-sensei, why are you hurt? What happened?" As he spoke, Naruto seemed to suddenly realize the truth. "Was this all my doing? I really am a monster." His spirit immediately sank.
Mizuki lightly tapped Naruto on the forehead and smiled. "Naruto-kun, you did great." Ignoring Naruto's bewildered expression, he turned to Iruka. "I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going now. If possible, I'll see you tomorrow." He looked up at the sky. "No, I misspoke. It's almost dawn, so I should say I'll see you today. Iruka-sensei, Naruto." With that, he picked up the Scroll of Sealing and headed toward the Konoha Gate.
The most unpredictable part is over, and the outcome isn't bad. The two kindred spirits should be fine together now, right? A good-hearted teacher and a kind-hearted protagonist—those two should have a moving reunion next. As the villain, I really shouldn't stick around.
Still, the scroll on his back made Mizuki's heart stir. The Third Hokage actually sent a powerful ninja as a precaution. Maybe the Scroll of Sealing isn't just a prop after all; there's a chance it's the real thing. Should I take a look? It was hard to resist when he had a treasure in his hands. But he steadied himself. Better not. I shouldn't complicate things. The risk is too high, and it could ruin everything I've accomplished. It's not worth it.
He walked along the forest path until Naruto and Iruka were no longer in sight. Suddenly, a figure blocked Mizuki's way.
"You're Mizuki, I presume. I don't need to explain the situation—you already know what's going on. Don't try to run. You have no chance."
Mizuki studied the newcomer carefully. He wasn't anyone the original Mizuki knew. But that distinctive look...
"Hatake Kakashi." Mizuki's mouth twitched. Why would they send a ninja monster of that caliber to deal with something like this? Doesn't the Third think that's overkill?
Even so, Mizuki had no choice but to accept that he was at their mercy. The gap in their abilities was simply too great. He couldn't fight back.
"I understand. So you're Anbu, here to arrest me?"
"Don't ask about things that don't concern you. Put down the Scroll of Sealing and step back."
Mizuki could only comply. He put down the scroll and retreated about ten paces. Kakashi approached, checked it, and put the Scroll of Sealing away. Then he said to Mizuki, "Good. Since you know when to yield, that means you've decided to submit. My mission is complete. The rest is for the Third to decide. Let's go."
Before you continue