"Lin Guang, run! We're no match for him."
Although Naruto was furious at what Mizuki had said, he couldn't help fearing that Mizuki would attack him, Iruka, and Lin Guang.
"Naruto! What are you afraid of? You're someone I acknowledge! Defeating Mizuki together is what we should be doing!"
Lin Guang wanted to snap Naruto out of it. He couldn't let Naruto dwell on those things.
"That's right, Naruto. We're the same. No one praised me or asked how I was doing, either. Always doing foolish things hurts, doesn't it?"
Iruka spoke sincerely.
"Lin Guang, Iruka-sensei... you're both so kind!"
Hearing Lin Guang and Iruka acknowledge him, Naruto was so moved that tears and snot streamed down his face.
Iruka patted Naruto and Lin Guang on the shoulders and said, "I'll block Mizuki's Shuriken in a moment. You two just need to hold him off until the patrolling ninja arrive!"
"Right!"
Naruto and Lin Guang nodded together.
"Hey, you lot! Aren't you taking me a little too lightly?"
Mizuki snapped angrily.
Then he hurled the giant Shuriken strapped to his back straight at Iruka, Naruto, and Lin Guang!
Seeing the Shuriken hurtling toward them, Lin Guang coughed twice as though he felt a little unwell, while Naruto turned and ran!
"Hahaha! See that, Iruka? That demon fox brat is still unreliable!"
Mizuki roared with laughter. He had never believed Naruto could amount to anything.
"Lin Guang, watch out!"
Iruka ignored Mizuki. Instead, he picked up the Kunai Mizuki had thrown at him earlier and used all his strength to block the incoming Shuriken.
Clang!
The Shuriken nearly sliced through the Kunai in Iruka's hand, but it was finally deflected.
"That was close!"
Iruka had just breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Lin Guang heading toward Mizuki alone.
"Iruka-sensei,