That night, Naruto's rented apartment was piled high with gifts of every kind, all from villagers who usually treated him with cold indifference.
The gifts took a little of the edge off his hatred. But whenever he remembered Shimura Danzō's sinister smile on the Canopy Screen, a sharp pain went through his heart.
Naruto didn't hold much resentment toward Grandpa Third. After all, Grandpa Third had treated him fairly well.
Naruto knew he'd spent the money Grandpa Third gave him over the years on paint, then used it to redecorate Kage Rock.
Anyone else would probably have been arrested long ago, but Grandpa Third had always let it slide.
Although Grandpa Third had hidden the fact that Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, Naruto believed he must have had his reasons.
Shimura Danzō, though, was someone Naruto would never forgive.
It wasn't just that Danzō had caused his parents' deaths. Everything Danzō did went against the ideals Naruto believed in.
Naruto lay on his bed and looked at his hands. "I'm still too weak. I can't even pass the academy's graduation exam. How am I supposed to defeat that evil Shimura Danzō?"
"Dad! Mom!" Naruto struggled to recall his parents' faces from the Canopy Screen, and tears spilled from his eyes.
As he thought of them, Naruto drifted into a sweet dream in which he was reunited with his parents.
Tap, tap, tap.
After some time, a faint but persistent knock at the window dragged him out of his dream.
Naruto opened his eyes groggily and muttered, "Who is it? Can't a guy sleep at this hour?"
He rubbed his eyes and sat up. In the dim light from outside, he saw a shadowy figure beyond the window.
He approached warily. Once he recognized the visitor, he gasped, "Teacher Mizuki?"
Outside, the Chunin Mizuki crouched on the windowsill, his long white hair conspicuous in the darkness. His expression held an urgency and secrecy that didn't quite fit his usual gentle manner.
He put a finger to his lips. "Shh. Naruto, open the window. I have something very important to tell you," he whispered.
Naruto was puzzled, but he opened it anyway. The cool night air rushed in, making him shiver and waking him up.
"Teacher Mizuki, what is it? Did something happen?" Naruto asked as Mizuki nimbly climbed inside.
Mizuki didn't turn on the light. He simply stared at Naruto through the gloom.
His voice turned unusually grave, with a faintly coaxing edge. "Naruto, I heard you failed the graduation exam again today. It was the Clone Technique, wasn't it?"
At the mention of it, Naruto wilted and lowered his head. "Yeah. Teacher Iruka, he..."
"I know. I know it wasn't entirely your fault." Mizuki cut him off, his tone turning "sympathetic." "He's too hard on you."
"With that thing sealed inside you, it's only natural that you have trouble controlling your chakra."
The words struck a chord. Naruto looked up, hurt in his eyes, along with a flicker of gratitude at finding someone who seemed to understand.
Seeing his chance, Mizuki put a hand on Naruto's shoulder and leaned closer. His voice dropped lower, thick with temptation:
"But Naruto, don't you want to graduate and become a Genin? Don't you want Teacher Iruka to see you in a new light? More than that, don't you want to avenge your parents?"
"Of course I do!" Naruto blurted out. Realizing he'd spoken too loudly, he clapped a hand over his mouth and nodded hard, longing blazing in his eyes.
A faint smile touched Mizuki's lips. He knew Naruto had taken the bait. Leaning close to Naruto's ear, he said, "I know a way for you to graduate immediately and learn powerful ninjutsu!"
"Really? What do I have to do?" Naruto pressed, his breathing quickening.
"Steal something." Mizuki's eyes glinted in the dark. "Go to the secure room in the Hokage Building and take the Scroll of Seals!"
"The... Scroll of Seals?" Naruto flinched. That was one of the village's most closely guarded secrets, something no one was allowed to touch!
"Don't be afraid!" Mizuki gripped his shoulder tighter, his voice growing more persuasive. "Listen, Naruto! That scroll contains countless powerful forbidden techniques!"
"Get your hands on it and learn the techniques inside, and you can become a real ninja at once, without taking another exam!"
"Then no one will dare bully you again. You'll be able to avenge your parents with your own hands, too."
The future Mizuki painted was irresistible. It struck at Naruto's deepest desires: to be acknowledged, to avenge his parents, and to become a hero.
"But stealing... and the Scroll of Seals, of all things." Naruto wrestled with himself. What remained of his better judgment left him frightened.
"This is the only way I can help you!" Mizuki said, sounding deeply pained.
"Because of Lord Danzo's orders, no one in the village dares to teach you properly! You're only taking back the chance that should have been yours. Think of everything you'll gain when you succeed!"
Mizuki's words steadily wore down Naruto's hesitation. In the end, his desperate desire for revenge overwhelmed his fear and his respect for the rules.
Determination replaced the uncertainty in Naruto's eyes. He jerked his head up, his bright blue eyes shining in the dark. "I... I understand! Teacher Mizuki, I'll do it!"
A satisfied smile spread across Mizuki's face. His plan had worked. He patted Naruto's back. "Good! Remember, this is your only shortcut to revenge! Move quickly. Get the scroll before dawn, then meet me in the forest behind the village. I'll teach you the techniques written in it!"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded firmly. His heart was full of hope for the future and the courage to risk everything.
He had no idea Mizuki was leading him into a vast conspiracy and grave danger.
Mizuki gave him one last "encouraging" look, then slipped soundlessly back into the night beyond the window.
Naruto was left alone in the room, his heart pounding with nerves and excitement.
He took a deep breath and set out for the building that symbolized the Hokage's authority.
But something strange had happened. For reasons unknown, every ANBU Ninja who normally guarded the Hokage Building had vanished that night.
And so little Naruto, who wasn't even a Genin, slipped with ease into the room where the Hokage Building's secret materials were kept.
Before you continue