Chapter 3: Secrets in the Scroll
Night had settled over the Hidden Leaf Village, casting long shadows between the rooftops and down the narrow alleys. Naruto's footsteps echoed faintly as he made his way through the quiet training ground. His clothes were torn, and his hands were wrapped in makeshift bandages.
He'd spent the entire afternoon tree climbing—falling, climbing again, cursing, and laughing.
'Still not all the way up yet, but I'll get there…'
{"You've made progress most academy students wouldn't touch in weeks. You should be proud."}
Naruto smiled faintly. "Thanks. It's weird… having someone in my head cheering me on."
{"You'll get used to it. Besides, I'm not just here to cheer—I'm here to change your life."}
Before Naruto could reply, the bushes nearby rustled.
Out stepped Mizuki.
"Yo, Naruto."
"Huh? Mizuki-sensei?"
Mizuki smiled, eyes sharp under the moonlight. "I've been looking for you. You busy?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Not really…"
{"…Be careful. Something's off."}
"I've got something important," Mizuki said, stepping closer. "A secret test. For students like you who deserve another shot."
Naruto perked up. "A secret test?!"
"Yeah. Pass this, and you'll graduate early. Become a real ninja."
{"…This is not standard. Naruto, ask what the test is."}
"What's the test?"
Mizuki leaned in. "You just have to sneak into the Hokage's office and take a scroll. Just for a few minutes. Learn one technique from it. That's all."
{"…Naruto. That's the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing. Don't do this."}
Naruto froze. 'Forbidden scroll?'
{"Yes. It's sealed away because it holds jutsu too dangerous for public use. This is a setup."}
Naruto hesitated. "Why me?"
Mizuki gave a charming smile. "Because I believe in you. I see potential in you—more than the others do."
{"He's manipulating you. He wants that scroll for himself."}
Naruto looked down. His heart beat faster. 'But… if I pass this… if I graduate… people might finally acknowledge me.'
{"I'll help you learn from the scroll safely. But only because it might contain techniques you can handle with my guidance. You must return it afterward."}
"…Okay," Naruto muttered.
"Great," Mizuki grinned. "I'll meet you after you get it. Behind the old training shed."
A few hours later, Naruto was deep in the woods, panting. The scroll lay open before him, its long parchment filled with strange writing and seals.
'Whoa… this thing is massive.'
{"Let me scan through this… okay. Shadow Clone Jutsu. Much better than the basic Clone Jutsu. You're actually well-suited for it."}
"Seriously?"
{"Yes. It splits your chakra evenly among all clones. Most people wouldn't have enough chakra to make even two. You? You can make dozens."}
He grinned. "Alright! Teach me!"
{"Follow my instructions exactly."}
Naruto began forming the hand signs over and over. His body glowed faintly as chakra surged around him. Sweat dripped from his brow, but he pushed forward.
Suddenly, Iruka appeared, crashing through the trees.
"Naruto! What are you doing?!"
Naruto jumped back. "Iruka-sensei?! I… I passed a secret test! Mizuki-sensei said—"
Iruka's eyes widened. "Mizuki told you to do this?! That scroll is forbidden!"
Before Naruto could answer, a massive shuriken flew between them—slamming into a tree.
Mizuki stood atop a branch, smirking. "Guess the jig is up."
Iruka growled, stepping in front of Naruto. "You used him!"
Mizuki sneered. "You don't get it, do you? This brat is the Nine-Tails itself! He's not even human!"
Naruto's breath hitched. "What…?"
{"…It begins."}
Iruka turned. "Don't listen to him!"
"What's he talking about?! What Nine-Tails?!"
Mizuki laughed. "Didn't they tell you? The fox that nearly destroyed the village? They sealed it inside a baby. That baby was you, Naruto."
Naruto stumbled back, the scroll slipping from his hands. His heart raced.
'That can't be true… right?'
{"…I'm sorry. It's true. You've had it inside you your whole life. That's why they all looked at you with hate."}
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes. "Then… I really am a monster?"
{"No. You are not the Nine-Tails. You are Naruto Uzumaki. That thing inside you? It doesn't define who you are."}
"Enough lies!" Mizuki roared, leaping forward with another shuriken.
But Naruto stood tall.
"I'm not a monster."
He formed a hand seal, chakra surging.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Dozens of clones exploded around him in a flash of smoke. Mizuki's eyes widened before the first punch knocked him off the branch—and into unconsciousness.
Naruto panted, staring down at his hands. "I… did it."
Iruka looked at him in stunned silence—then smiled.
"Congratulations… Naruto. You graduate."
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