The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight obscured by heavy layers of clouds, with only scattered spots of light sprinkling through the forest.
"Huff... huff..."
Inuzuka Kiba, carrying a scroll nearly half his size on his back, darted rapidly through the branches. The heavy scroll made his shoulders ache, but his eyes were filled with fanatical excitement.
I got it! I really got it!
Even he hadn't expected today's plan to go so smoothly. No Hokage, no Anbu, even the guards just happened to have stomachaches. Although it was all part of the plan, everything was still so smooth it felt unrealistic. But at this point, there was no turning back; Inuzuka Kiba couldn't afford to worry about that much.
As long as I give this to Mizuki-sensei and learn the Ninjutsu inside... I can win! I can finally gain everyone's recognition!
In a clearing within the dense forest, a figure that had been waiting for a long time turned around.
"Well done, Kiba-kun."
Mizuki-sensei looked at the panting Inuzuka Kiba, his eyes showing undisguisable greed as they landed on the massive scroll on the boy's back.
"Quick, give me the scroll." Mizuki-sensei reached out, his tone urgent, "Together, we will learn the Ninjutsu that can change our fates!"
Inuzuka Kiba untied the scroll and was about to hand it over, but his movements suddenly faltered. For some reason, Naruto's calm gaze suddenly flashed through his mind. Inuzuka Kiba's hand froze in mid-air, and he subconsciously asked:
"Sensei, after learning this, can I really defeat Naruto fair and square? And... after this, won't everyone find out that we stole the scroll?"
A hint of impatience flashed in Mizuki-sensei's eyes, but since the scroll was still on Inuzuka Kiba, he explained with forced patience:
"Of course you can defeat Naruto, and no one will find out. Just give it to me; time is running out."
Watching Mizuki-sensei's reaching hand, the unease in Inuzuka Kiba's heart grew stronger. As a shinobi who grew up with a ninken, his intuition was screaming a warning at him. The Mizuki-sensei before him seemed to be radiating a terrifying malice.
"No..." Inuzuka Kiba took a step back, clutching the scroll tightly again. "Sensei, let's put the scroll back before anyone notices."
"Tsk, what a troublesome brat."
The fake smile on Mizuki-sensei's face vanished instantly. Replacing it was a sinister, twisted face full of killing intent.
"I originally planned to let you live a bit longer to take the fall for me." Mizuki-sensei drew the massive Fuma Shuriken from his back. "But since you're in such a hurry to die, don't blame me."
"S-Sensei?" Inuzuka Kiba's eyes widened, seemingly unable to process what was happening for a moment. He looked at Mizuki-sensei, who was now a completely different person, his body trembling with fear. "You're going to kill me? Why? You said we were doing this for fairness..."
"Fairness?" Mizuki-sensei sneered, as if he had heard a joke. "Comparing a piece of trash like you to a genius is what's truly unfair. Remember to be smarter in your next life, and don't just believe whatever lies adults tell you!"
Whoosh—!
As soon as Mizuki-sensei finished speaking, a shrill sound of breaking air rang out. The massive Fuma Shuriken traced a deadly arc, slicing straight toward Inuzuka Kiba's body. It was too fast! This was the first time Inuzuka Kiba had faced the threat of death directly. Enveloped by Mizuki-sensei's killing intent, his mind went blank, and his body froze, unable to move. Akamaru also let out a whimpering cry. In despair, he could only close his eyes and wait for death.
Clang—!
The massive Fuma Shuriken was pinned firmly to the ground by a foot, sinking deep into the soil. And standing in front of Inuzuka Kiba was a blonde figure. He had one hand in his pocket and used the other to adjust his glasses.
"Though it was expected... to try and kill your own student is truly ugly, Mizuki-sensei. No, or should I say... Nukenin Mizuki."
"N-Naruto?" Inuzuka Kiba slumped on the ground, looking at the figure before him—not tall, yet appearing incredibly grand at this moment—as tears uncontrollably rolled down his face. "Naruto... I'm sorry... H-How did you..."
Naruto said calmly, "Hokage-sama has ordered the elimination of the Nukenin and the return of the stray classmate. Now, step back."
Shame, regret, gratitude... all sorts of emotions flooded his heart. "Naruto... I'm sorry... I..." Inuzuka Kiba was suddenly overwhelmed with tears and snot, unable to control himself.
"Stand up, Kiba-kun." Naruto didn't look back, but he spoke with an unquestionable authority. "What is the fairness you seek? Stealing things that don't belong to you through despicable means?"
Inuzuka Kiba bit his lip, clutching the dirt on the ground tightly.
"True fairness is recognizing your own limits and doing your best so you can have a clear conscience." Naruto looked at the ashen-faced Mizuki-sensei, "Being enticed by the words of trash like this—that is your most pathetic defeat today."
These words were like a heavy hammer, shattering the last of the luck and darkness in Inuzuka Kiba's heart.
"I understand..." Inuzuka Kiba wiped away his tears and stood up unsteadily, the fire returning to his eyes. "Thank you, Naruto."
Watching the deep bond between the classmates, the veins on Mizuki-sensei's temples throbbed.
"Uzumaki Naruto..." Mizuki-sensei ground his teeth. He hadn't expected this dead last, who had always been right under his nose, to possess the monstrous strength to pin a Fuma Shuriken under his foot. "It seems everyone misjudged you; you've hidden yourself quite well, you fox. However..."
Mizuki-sensei suddenly grinned hideously, reaching into his ninja tool pouch and pulling out a glass bottle filled with a crimson liquid. This was the power he had obtained from Orochimaru-sama.
"You think you've won? Brat!" Mizuki-sensei popped the cap, a crazed light flashing in his eyes: "This is the... true power bestowed upon me by that lord!"
Mizuki-sensei tilted his head back and downed the potion in one gulp.
"That is..." Naruto's brow furrowed slightly; he keenly sensed the Chakra inside Mizuki-sensei instantly going haywire.
A cold, violent, and ominous Chakra erupted from within Mizuki-sensei.
"Roar—!!"
Along with a cry of agony, Mizuki-sensei's body underwent a terrifying transformation. His muscles swelled rapidly until they tore through his Chunin vest, his pupils became vertical slits, and black tiger-stripe Juuinjutsu marks appeared on his skin. In just a few seconds, Mizuki-sensei transformed from an ordinary Chunin into a half-human, half-tiger muscular monster.
A terrifying killing intent spread wildly like a physical force, making the surrounding leaves rustle. Shaken by this aura, Inuzuka Kiba retreated repeatedly, his face pale: "What... what kind of monster is this..."
Naruto stood his ground, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Forced Cell Activation? What kind of power is he using to stimulate physical mutation? Did he also incorporate genetic fragments from other creatures?"
Like a cannonball, Mizuki-sensei arrived in front of Naruto in an instant.