"Hiss!"
Chiba sucked in a sharp breath to sell his performance.
He had really paid a steep price this time.
As someone who knew what the future held, Chiba was hardly the type to play by the rules.
Now that he had come to this world, taking control of his own fate was essential.
Naruto Uzumaki was one of his most important starting points for getting a foothold in this world!
Hot blood splattered onto Naruto Uzumaki's face.
His pupils widened as he stood rooted to the spot, his expression blank, and murmured:
"Ch-Chiba!"
Chiba pulled the Giant Shuriken out of his shoulder, pressed down on his wound, and manipulated his chakra to forcibly stop the bleeding.
"Run, Naruto!"
His expression was anguished, and he looked utterly wretched.
"You're no match for this guy. Hurry and find someone to help."
The Anbu hidden nearby watched the scene unfold, struggling to make sense of it.
Where did this kid come from?
What's with this whole life-and-death farewell?
Why do we actually feel a little sad?
With his back to Naruto Uzumaki, Chiba stared straight at Mizuki, the corner of his mouth twitching.
When he had rushed out earlier, he had failed to gauge the force properly.
That shuriken had genuinely injured him internally.
If not for the incredibly precise chakra control afforded by Sage Mode, Chiba would probably have already collapsed from blood loss.
"No, I can't leave you behind, Chiba!"
Chiba's words seemed to stir Naruto Uzumaki's fighting spirit. He stepped forward and stood in front of Chiba.
He fixed Mizuki with a determined stare and said, stressing every word:
"I'll take you down, no matter what!"
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"
The moment he finished speaking, an astonishing amount of chakra surged out of Naruto.
The Multiple Shadow Clone Technique took effect in an instant.
Orange-red figures packed the woods.
"H-how is this possible..."
Mizuki stumbled back several steps, his expression turning ugly.
"You're just a dead last! How could you learn a Forbidden Technique in such a short time?"
Naruto Uzumaki wasted no more words on him.
"Charge!"
Countless overlapping voices rang through the woods.
Mizuki retreated step by step at the sight before him, panic flashing in his eyes.
An A-rank Forbidden Technique-the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!
With his meager strength, Mizuki had no hope of resisting it.
In a single instant, he was pinned to the ground and pummeled.
Iruka finally arrived, looking bewildered at the scene.
"Is that Mizuki?!"
It was unbelievable. A Ninja Academy student had actually defeated Mizuki, a Chunin, in a head-on fight.
Seeing Mizuki's bruised face and grotesquely swollen head, Iruka stepped forward and took him into custody.
"Naruto, do you have any idea how serious a mistake you've made?"
He glared at Naruto Uzumaki.
But Naruto Uzumaki had no time to worry about that. He ran over to support Chiba and said anxiously:
"Iruka-sensei, hurry and take Chiba to the hospital."
"He's badly hurt!"
When Iruka saw this, he could no longer spare any attention for Mizuki.
Chiba's face was pale, and the clothes around his shoulder were already soaked red with blood. He looked utterly miserable.
Iruka took Chiba from him, then turned and instructed:
"I'll take him to the hospital. Stay here and wait for the others to arrive."
Naruto Uzumaki was fairly dependable when it really mattered.
He nodded and hurried Iruka along.
"Hurry, Iruka-sensei! I'll keep an eye on Mizuki!"
Iruka hoisted Chiba onto his back, channeled chakra into his feet, and raced toward Konoha Hospital in the center of the village.
Chiba glanced back at Naruto Uzumaki and gave him a thumbs-up.
"Nice work, Naruto!"
Teach him a technique, take a hit for him, then praise him.
After that whole routine, given Naruto's mindset, he should trust me pretty well now, right?
Chiba pondered this.
At Konoha Hospital, Iruka hurriedly found a medical ninja.
With Medical Ninjutsu, Chiba's injuries healed quickly.
Once the treatment was over, Iruka looked at Chiba seriously and asked:
"How's your injury?"
Chiba tried moving his shoulder and said:
"It feels fine now. Thank you, Iruka-sensei."
Seeing how Chiba was doing, Iruka breathed a sigh of relief.
"Don't ever recklessly throw yourself into danger like that again."
He had never suspected Chiba's motives.
In his eyes, Chiba was merely a child who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy.
Chiba nodded to show that he understood.
"Come on. Come with me to see Lord Third."
With a solemn expression, Iruka said:
"This was a very serious incident. As one of the people involved, you'll need to come along."
"But don't worry. Not only will you avoid punishment, you'll probably get a reward."
Chiba's interest stirred. That was something of a surprise.
Still, he felt a faint sense of anticipation.
A reward from the Third?
Before you continue