Forbidden Scroll

Just as Naruto had expected, Iruka did not let him graduate. To draw Mizuki out, Naruto went to the swing by the school gates and sat there quietly, watching everything.

He knew Mizuki would definitely appear, and through this man, Naruto would test what happened after Experience Orbs disappeared.

However, the parents of those children in front of the school kept looking at him coldly.

"Is that the only brat who failed the exam?"

"Hmph, how is someone like him qualified to become a ninja?"

"Exactly, he's a—"

"Shh, stop talking. You can't say the rest."

The parents stared coldly at Naruto and exchanged hateful remarks, leaving the graduating children full of confusion and ready to go home and ask what was going on.

Yet Naruto merely sat quietly beside the swing, without the slightest anger, waiting instead for someone to appear.

"Naruto, come on. Let's go talk over there."

Mizuki, his teacher, finally appeared. He smiled at Naruto, looking exceptionally kind.

"Okay."

Naruto stood up and returned the smile, though it was completely different from the smile he wore around Hinata.

[Experience Points +1]

[Experience Points +1]

The two walked away.

Along the way, Naruto chatted with Mizuki to earn Experience Points while watching the Experience Orbs around Mizuki grow smaller and smaller.

They arrived at the place where they were going to talk.

Naruto looked around and felt that Mizuki was quite capable. Their location was relatively high up, making it difficult for anyone to approach them silently.

If anyone tried to get close, Mizuki would definitely notice immediately. It could be said that Mizuki's counter-surveillance skills as a ninja were quite solid, and he must have put in considerable effort.

But.

For a ninja like Mizuki, who had no bloodline, no clan, and only ordinary talent, his strength had long since reached its limit. It was simply difficult for him to make any further progress.

If he wanted to grow stronger, he could only seek other methods. That was also why he so desperately wanted the Forbidden Scroll.

"Naruto, don't blame Iruka. He actually has his reasons. He really wants to let you graduate too." Mizuki spoke with a gentle smile, trying hard to make himself seem approachable and play the emotional card with Naruto.

Naturally, Naruto would not expose him. There were Experience Points to be gained, and he would not give that up. Thus, the two people with ulterior motives had a very friendly chat.

In the end, Mizuki persuaded Naruto to steal the Forbidden Scroll, and Naruto finally reached a conclusion about the Experience Orbs.

The Experience Orbs around Mizuki had vanished, yet Mizuki was completely fine and had not been affected in the slightest.

This made Naruto vaguely feel that Experience Orbs did not affect people. Perhaps they were merely byproducts of plot characters. Of course, this still needed to be tested many more times, and Naruto was not one hundred percent certain.

With a trace of doubt.

Naruto left and went to steal the Forbidden Scroll.

However, halfway there, he felt someone watching him from the direction of the Hokage's Office.

Naruto continued onward without giving anything away. Soon, he reached the place where the Forbidden Scroll was kept and easily stole it. The whole process was unbelievably simple.

After quickly reaching the woods outside, Naruto sensed at least eight pairs of watchful eyes fixed on him. Clearly, Konoha had prepared everything long ago.

Naruto made no reaction. Instead, he silently opened the Forbidden Scroll and looked at the first ninjutsu: the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

However, when he flipped through it, his movements were slightly too broad, allowing him to see some of the information after the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique. Yet everything after that was blank. Clearly, the Forbidden Scroll contained only this one ninjutsu.

Naruto said nothing. He pretended not to notice and continued studying the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

The Multi-Shadow Clone Technique could be said to be an exceptionally useful ninjutsu. Its boost to learning, especially, was simply terrifying.

Think about it: other people had to learn bit by bit, but with this ninjutsu, a whole crowd of you could study at once. It was practically a cheating method of learning.

More importantly, with his Uzumaki Clan traits combined with Saiyan Blood, he did not care about the side effects at all. He could use it however he wished. Naruto would never pass up such an excellent ability.

Of course, Naruto actually had another idea.

That was to use Shadow Clones to interact with plot characters and see whether they could earn Experience Points. It was something he had considered long ago.

If they could earn Experience Points, then this ability would be incredible. The entire Ninja World would become his playground for harvesting Experience Points.

"Don't disappoint me."

Naruto took a deep breath and continued learning the ninjutsu.

Not long after.

Naruto wrapped up the scroll and carried it on his back, then leisurely wandered through the woods, waiting for Iruka to appear so he could earn Iruka's Experience Points.

"Naruto!!"

An angry voice came from afar. Naruto did not need to guess who it was. Iruka had clearly arrived.

"Naruto, what are you doing?!" Iruka rushed in front of Naruto and shouted angrily.

"Of course I'm learning the Clone Technique. That way, I can graduate." Naruto raised his brows, an amused smile curling at his lips.

"What? Graduate?"

Iruka froze, sensing that something was wrong. But at that moment, more than ten Kunai shot toward Naruto from behind, carrying a chilling aura as they flew straight at him.

"Watch out!"

Iruka moved like lightning and rushed toward Naruto, trying to shove him aside.

After all, even for Iruka, dodging such Kunai would be dangerous. If it were Naruto, he might very well lose his life.

So Iruka moved, placing both hands on Naruto's shoulders and shoving him hard.

But something frustrating happened. His powerful shove did not move Naruto at all. Instead, Iruka nearly fell over himself.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

A series of sparks burst forth. Naruto's right hand flashed like a dancing butterfly, effortlessly knocking away every Kunai. He was completely unharmed, and even his expression did not change.

The sight left Iruka dumbfounded, rooted to the spot.

He was not the only one stunned. Mizuki, standing over there, was also bewildered. His Kunai attack had been a sneak attack; under normal circumstances, even Chunin of the same rank might not have been able to block it.

Yet this ninja academy student, who was supposedly not qualified to graduate, had blocked every one of his attacks. It truly took him by surprise.

"Brat, I didn't expect you to have some skill. But if you know what's good for you, hand over the Forbidden Scroll right now, or I'll kill you."

Mizuki roared irritably, removing the massive shuriken from his back and assuming a stance as if ready to attack.

"Naruto, don't give him the Forbidden Scroll! Mizuki is up to no good," Iruka said urgently.

"Hahaha! You pathetic brat, do you know? You are the Nine-Tails Demon Fox, and Iruka's parents were killed by you. Do you think Iruka would help you? How ridiculous."

Mizuki began explaining with a cold sneer, revealing the full story. During this process, the surrounding ninja who were monitoring the scene visibly grew tense.

Even the Third Hokage, using the Telescope Technique, stared intently at the scene and did not dare let his attention wander for even a moment.

A moment later.

After explaining everything, Mizuki looked at Naruto with a sneer and continued shouting.

"See that? This is the Konoha you live in. Everyone rejects you. Everyone hates you. You shouldn't even be alive in this world. Wouldn't it be better if you died?"

"No."

Naruto shook his head and smiled faintly. "Actually, I have a secret—a secret buried deep in my heart."