In the middle of the intense confrontation, Mizuki abruptly leapt back from the skirmish. Iruka, who had been at a disadvantage, didn't dare pursue. He remained a few meters away, cautiously watching.
Mizuki sneered at Iruka. "Why so tense, Iruka? Afraid I'll steal the Scroll of Seals? Or maybe you're worried I'll do something to Naruto Uzumaki?"
Iruka didn't lower his guard. "What are you planning, Mizuki?"
Mizuki ignored the question and turned to Naruto. "Naruto, you trust me, don't you? I didn't lie. Look—you've already learned an incredible jutsu, haven't you?"
Naruto blinked, confused. "I believe you, Mizuki-sensei... but why are you fighting Iruka-sensei? Aren't you both from the Leaf Village?"
"Heh… Naruto, do you want to know the truth?"
Naruto nodded quickly, his eyes wide.
"Do you know why Iruka doesn't want you to become a ninja? It's because he's always resented you. You think he's been kind to you… but can you really trust him?"
"Resented me? Why? That's not true!" Naruto protested, his voice breaking. "Iruka-sensei's always looked out for me…"
Mizuki's smile grew darker. "You know Iruka is an orphan, right? But do you know how he lost his parents?" He leaned in, his words like venom. "They were killed by the Nine-Tails... the very same Nine-Tails sealed inside you."
Naruto froze, horror creeping across his face. "I… killed Iruka-sensei's parents? No… that can't be true!"
"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka shouted, stepping forward in fury.
But Mizuki was already channeling chakra. Naruto felt a strange itch on his scalp—he absently scratched it, thinking it was just another nighttime bug bite.
Mizuki smirked inwardly. Perfect. The stimulant's working. I didn't expect to use it, but it's ideal for this. Not a poison—just a metabolic enhancer. Amplifies emotions, pushes people to extremes. Short-term madness, long-term regret.
With a calculating tone, Mizuki continued, "Over a decade ago, the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked the Hidden Leaf. Many died that night—including Iruka's parents. The Fourth Hokage stopped it… but how, do you know?"
Naruto nodded solemnly. "He sealed it. Everyone says he was a hero."
"Exactly. And that demon fox—was sealed inside you, Naruto."
"Shut up, Mizuki!" Iruka roared, holding his head, overwhelmed with pain and rage.
Far off in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage, observing via his crystal ball, sighed heavily. "So… Mizuki told him. This will complicate everything."
Back in the clearing, Naruto staggered back. "I… I'm the Nine-Tails? That's why the villagers look at me like that? I'm a monster…"
Mizuki watched with satisfaction. "Now then—time for the final push." He quickly formed hand seals. "Genjutsu: Mirror of Truth."
Naruto's eyes widened, then dulled as the genjutsu took hold. He shuddered, then collapsed to his knees, trembling.
Mizuki's mind raced. The drug and genjutsu together should break him. I avoided stronger poisons because Naruto's Uzumaki bloodline is too unpredictable—he might adapt too quickly. But his chakra control is still poor, so genjutsu should hold.
Iruka rushed forward, panic in his voice. "What did you do to him?!"
"I simply helped him see the truth," Mizuki replied coldly. "Now, let's see what kind of monster the village has raised."
Naruto's body shook violently. Then—his head snapped up. His eyes gleamed crimson. The Nine-Tails' chakra flickered ominously.
Iruka reached toward him. "Naruto—calm down!"
But Naruto shoved him aside with shocking force, sending Iruka flying back over ten meters.
Iruka gasped, winded. "No… Naruto! Don't listen to him! He's lying!"
But Naruto couldn't hear him—lost in emotion, in pain, in rage. He formed a seal, and with a surge of chakra, over twenty Shadow Clones burst into existence.
Mizuki backed away, watching. Only twenty? In the original timeline, there were hundreds. Is it because it's Iruka, not me? Even now, he doesn't want to hurt someone he trusts. Such a kind soul. The reincarnation of Asura…
Time passed. Ten minutes… then fifteen.
Iruka was bruised and bleeding, barely holding his own. Naruto's clones swarmed him relentlessly, but without killing intent. Mizuki, watching, grew concerned.
He's not fighting smart. Just lashing out. He's exhausting Iruka, but not defeating him. It's turning into a stalemate.
He glanced at the Scroll of Seals lying nearby, then toward the forest. He sensed movement.
Someone's watching. Skilled, too. They haven't revealed themselves, but the trap I set earlier triggered. They want me to know they're here. A warning… or bait?
Mizuki hesitated. No—don't risk it. The Scroll might be real. But if I touch it now, it could ruin everything.
Finally, Iruka collapsed, slamming into a tree and sliding down, defeated. Naruto stood over him, panting. The stimulant had clearly worn off—he looked dazed, confused.
Mizuki saw his chance. He cast a sleep-inducing genjutsu. Naruto's body slumped to the ground.
Mizuki approached, smug. "Iruka, how does it feel? Defeated by a boy you never thought could become a ninja."
"You're wrong…" Iruka muttered, clutching his ribs. "He's stronger than you know."
Mizuki ignored him. He knelt beside Naruto, formed a seal, and whispered, "Release."
Naruto's eyes fluttered open. "Mizuki-sensei…? I had a dream… I think I was fighting someone. Why does my whole body hurt?" He looked around. "Iruka-sensei! You're bleeding! Did I…?"
Guilt washed over his face. "No… no, I'm a monster…"
Mizuki patted his forehead mockingly. "You did great, Naruto." Then he stood, turning to Iruka. "I'll leave the rest to you."
He picked up the Scroll of Seals and walked away toward the village gates. "It's almost dawn. I suppose we'll meet again later today. Take care, Iruka-sensei. And you too, Naruto."
As he walked through the thinning forest, Mizuki muttered to himself, "Now that this part is done, I'll leave the drama to the kind teacher and his broken student. I'm not suited to sentimental roles."
But just as he adjusted the scroll on his back—
A shadow appeared in front of him.
"You're Mizuki," the man said coldly. "You know why I'm here. Don't bother running—you won't escape."
Mizuki stared, and his expression twisted with dread. Silver hair… mask… Sharingan?
"…Hatake Kakashi."
He gritted his teeth. "Isn't it overkill to send a monster like you for this?"
But he knew—resisting was useless.
"So, you're here to arrest me for the Third Hokage?"
Kakashi didn't answer. "Put down the Scroll. Step back."
Mizuki obeyed. Slowly, he placed the scroll on the ground and retreated.
Kakashi picked up the scroll, checked it, then said quietly, "Good. Since you've surrendered, I'll take it from here. The Third Hokage will decide your fate."