The Battle of Complete Suppression

Before Iruka could react.

Naruto's figure flickered first, a swift sidestep opening up distance as he moved directly to block Iruka's path.

"No! I will absolutely not run away, Iruka-sensei! Leave this to me; I will definitely defeat him!"

Run away?

No!

Even though Mizuki's state was vastly different from the original story, and even though Naruto felt the threat of death in this moment—that unknown green liquid was likely something that could instantly boost one's strength—and even though this was a massive deviation from the original plot, Naruto would never choose to abandon Iruka here.

This village was filled with people Naruto almost entirely despised.

In the twelve years since he had arrived in this world, Naruto had spent almost every day living in hatred.

Yet, even in such a world and such a life.

Deep within Naruto's heart, there remained a few flickers of light.

And within that light, Iruka was undoubtedly one such existence. Over the course of six full years, Naruto could clearly see and feel Iruka's sincerity and care for him. This was a person who treated him like a younger brother, and Naruto would not, nor would he be willing to, abandon him, even if it meant gambling his own life here.

Naruto was prepared to pay any price.

Therefore.

Here and now, he absolutely had to protect Iruka-sensei.

Even though his right hand, clutching the Kunai, trembled slightly, the firm resolve in his heart would not waver in the slightest.

After arriving in this world.

After truly understanding what a cruel world this was.

Naruto had long since prepared himself for the consequences.

If you want to kill others.

You must be prepared to be killed yourself!!!

Mustering all his courage, a brilliant golden glow bloomed in Naruto's eyes at this moment.

"Naruto, you..."

"Iruka-sensei, once I defeat Mizuki, you have to acknowledge my graduation. That forehead protector—you said you would put it on me yourself!!!"

The bright smile he offered as he looked back.

Seemed to be incredibly infectious.

A single sentence stated his determination.

The aura of resolve he poured out.

Caused Iruka's subsequent words to catch in his throat, forcing him to swallow them back down.

At this moment, Iruka stared blankly at the figure that, while not tall, stood firmly to protect him.

"Naruto, you've grown up..."

This was the only thought that flashed through Iruka's mind at that moment.

Mizuki glared at Naruto, who was shielding Iruka, with a look that seemed as if he wanted to devour him. The words he heard from Naruto only made Mizuki's expression grow more terrifying, his face twisted with mockery and cruelty.

"Defeat me? Become a Genin? Brat! There's a limit to how ignorant of the heights of the world you can be! Just wait, and see how I tear you to pieces! You want to become a Ninja!? Try it in your next life!"

To have been caught off guard by a rookie like Naruto, who hadn't even graduated from the Ninja Academy, was an absolutely intolerable humiliation for Mizuki, who prided himself on his strength. This was a disgrace he had to repay a hundredfold to satisfy his hatred.

"Die, brat!"

A bloodthirsty look surfaced on Mizuki's face, red light flashing in his pupils.

The next moment!

A terrifying aura erupted from his body.

He stepped forward!

He lunged!

Moving like thunder.

Swift as the wind.

"Boom!"

The force of his movement exploded outward.

In an instant.

The figure closed in at high speed.

"Multi-Shadow Clone..."

Naruto's pupils constricted sharply; he tried to form the hand seals, but there was clearly no time left.

In less than half a second.

A figure forced its way in.

Mindful of Iruka behind him.

With no other choice.

Naruto had to press forward.

He met Mizuki's fierce assault head-on.

The kunai thrust forward.

Naruto shifted his body, widening the distance as he darted sideways.

"Clang!"

A sharp, piercing sound rang out.

The figures overlapped.

Two kunai collided.

The next second.

Sparks burst forth.

Reflecting the metallic sheen.

"So heavy!"

Naruto, completely outmatched in strength.

Before he could fully react.

Mizuki swung his arm with blinding speed.

"Oh no!"

In an instant.

That sudden change in tactics.

Caused Naruto's expression to shift slightly.

He reacted as best he could.

He swung his arm with all his might.

"Hmph! Little tricks!"

Naruto tried to seize the opportunity to counter-press Mizuki and use the momentum to pull away.

However, this fell entirely within Mizuki's expectations.

With the aid of the green liquid injected into him, the explosive power Mizuki displayed at this moment was far beyond what was seen in the original story, and when combined with the gap in combat experience, it was an unbridgeable chasm.

"Bad!"

Mizuki gave Naruto no chance to press the attack.

With a swift, twisting motion.

"Clang!"

The kunai collided violently once more.

The next moment.

With a backhand motion.

Mizuki utilized the forward pressure, twisting his body in an exaggerated posture to forcibly drag Naruto's kunai to the side. Before Naruto could even react, in that mere fraction of a second.

The kunai, thrusting horizontally, aimed straight for Naruto's chest.

In the blink of an eye.

Facing that chilling aura head-on.

It felt as if, in that moment.

He could even smell the "stench" radiating from Mizuki.

Naruto's eyes widened, his lower lip bitten tight as he forced his body to shift to the right.

"Squelch!"

His reaction was fast, and his evasive maneuver was correct.

Yet, he still missed the optimal timing and was suppressed by Mizuki's speed.

The kunai still pierced into Naruto's left shoulder without resistance.

The sound of metal piercing flesh.

Blood splattered out.

Naruto frowned.

Clenching his teeth, Naruto took a sharp side-step, hoping to evade Mizuki's fierce assault.

Swish.

However, Mizuki clearly had no intention of letting Naruto off so easily. He hunched his body, sprang forward in a flash, and delivered a powerful kick with his left leg, slamming it ruthlessly into Naruto's side.

Thud!

A heavy blow.

"Urgh!"

A sharp, twisting pain erupted in Naruto's abdomen, and a metallic taste flooded his throat as he couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

His body flew backward.

Bang.

He crashed heavily against the ground.

The dust kicked up by the impact had yet to settle.

Boom!

A crimson glint flickered in Mizuki's pupils as he suddenly pivoted, lunging once more toward Naruto's position.

"Naruto!!"

The moment Naruto's body went flying and Mizuki pressed his attack, Iruka's expression changed drastically from not far away.

Just as he tried to scramble to his feet to shield Naruto, his legs suddenly gave way. A piercing, agonizing pain surged through his entire body, making it impossible for Iruka to even stand steady, let alone attempt a rescue.