"So..."
Naruto Uzumaki looked incredulously at the person in front of him.
Is this the reason he's been ostracized by the villagers all this time?
Mizuki gently stroked Naruto Uzumaki's face full of shock, disbelief, and fear, and continued, "So I plan to try using the jutsu recorded in the Sealing Book to unseal the Nine-Tails within you, and then let Iruka witness another Nine-Tails rampage..."
"Mizuki!"
Umino Iruka's heart suddenly filled with panic!
"Actually, this isn't that easy to do..."
Mizuki looked at Umino Iruka and smiled as he began to speak, "Because the Sealing Book can only be safeguarded by the Hokage, and it cannot be obtained through any other means... Fortunately, I received a piece of information."
"What information?"
Umino Iruka stared at Mizuki intently.
"Speaking of it, you should know the source of the information."
Mizuki glanced at Umino Iruka and then at Naruto Uzumaki, "Do you remember attending the birthday party of the Hokage Assistant Akihara Kagura? At that party, there was a spy sent by Lord Orochimaru, and I got some information from there..."
"The village higher-ups seem to plan to have you teach Naruto Uzumaki a Kinjutsu recorded in the Sealing Book, the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, after he fails his examination. This is an opportunity to get the Sealing Book..."
"We grew up together, and I know your grades are poor, so you couldn't possibly learn the Kinjutsu in the Sealing Book by yourself. You'd have to take out the Sealing Book to teach Naruto, so I tentatively brought you and Naruto to try to retrieve the Sealing Book. Surprisingly, the person guarding it actually handed it over to you..."
"..."
Umino Iruka's heart felt like it was plunged into an ice pit.
Even Iruka never imagined that Mizuki overheard this information and even deceived him into thinking Mizuki had received the same order!
As a result...
Mizuki used him to obtain the Sealing Book!
This childhood friend had such deep schemes!
Umino Iruka never thought Mizuki would be such a person!
"Now I have the Sealing Book."
Mizuki spread out his palm, staring at the Sealing Book at his feet, then looked at Naruto Uzumaki beside him and grinned a menacing smile, "Once I learn the jutsu from the Sealing Book and use it to release the Nine-Tails Seal on Naruto, Konoha will relive the terror of the Nine-Tails rampage twelve years ago!"
"Why are you doing this!"
Umino Iruka glared at Mizuki, gritting his teeth and disregarding his own pain, struggling to rush over, "Why do this! You should know the terror of the Nine-Tails..."
"Of course, I know."
Mizuki nodded but kicked the terrified Naruto Uzumaki beside him, retorting, "Then why do you care about this brat? You know he's the Nine-Tails Fox; you witnessed your parents die in the Nine-Tails rampage twelve years ago. Why not find a way to kill him?"
"..."
Umino Iruka fell silent.
The Chunin Teacher saw the shock and panic in Naruto Uzumaki's eyes and suddenly smiled, "Naruto isn't a demon fox; he's different. He's a brilliant student I've accepted. The disaster twelve years ago wasn't his fault..."
"Naruto has always been an innocent child, neither smart nor cunning, but he can focus on one thing. He's an excellent student, recognized by many, not just me..."
"Iruka-sensei..."
Naruto Uzumaki gazed at his teacher in a daze.
"That's what I hate about you the most."
Mizuki interrupted the teacher and student with a cold voice, not hiding his disgust, "Always acting like a good teacher, as if you're the only one fit to teach in all of Konoha. Back when the village revoked my teacher's license, they let you into the Ninja Academy instead..."
"I..."
Umino Iruka looked at his friend, unable to speak, trembling as he began, "Mizuki, we are friends, I..."
"Shut up!"
Mizuki cut him off, full of disdain, "I'm friends with you only because you're a weakling that can be used. I never thought you would take the path I wanted. Every time I see your innocent face, it makes me sick..."
Mizuki spread out his hands, opening and closing them like claws, "So I decided to deal with you in the most painful way... I want you to realize your mistakes, I want everyone in Konoha to know the mistakes they've made!"
"I want you all to regret..."
"Regret the humiliation you caused me!"
"I'll show everyone that I'm the true genius ninja of Konoha, and I'll let Lord Orochimaru know that I'll help him destroy Konoha!"
"I refuse!"
Naruto Uzumaki leapt into the air, slamming his fist towards Mizuki, "Iruka-sensei treated you as a friend; how could you do this to him! I won't let you use me to destroy the village!"
"Just a mere brat!"
Mizuki moved with incredible speed, easily deflecting Naruto Uzumaki's arm and grabbing his throat, "If it weren't for needing the Nine-Tails inside you, I'd twist your head off with a flick..."
After speaking, Mizuki flung Naruto Uzumaki away without care, sitting beside the Sealing Book, leafing through it for the jutsu he wanted.