Chapter 180: The Disgraceful Disciple
Whiz! Whiz!
Tonbo Tobitake leaped across the rooftops of Konoha. With a simple flare of his sensory abilities, he pinpointed Naruto's location and rapidly closed the distance.
He wasn't there to interfere with the Third Hokage's plans, but rather to enjoy the show. He had seen the original story, but he hadn't seen the "live-action" version yet!
Besides, Iruka was now his disciple. He couldn't possibly be as weak as he was in the original story, right? Surely he wouldn't fail to take down someone like Mizuki.
And then there was Naruto. According to Tonbo's intel, the boy actually had friends at school now; Tianyu and Maki even hung out with him occasionally. How did he still get tricked into stealing the scroll? Tonbo wanted to see what was going on in that kid's head.
As for the Third Hokage—it was quite impressive how he'd orchestrated things so Mizuki would act exactly as planned. It was a cold-blooded "killing two birds with one stone" move. Hiruzen didn't have direct evidence of Mizuki killing his teammates in the past, but he suspected it. Now, it seemed the Third had found proof and was simply using Mizuki as a pawn for Naruto's growth.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
Soon, Tonbo sensed several chakra signatures ahead. He cast a Cloaking Genjutsu, appearing right beside them in plain sight without being noticed.
At this moment, Iruka was unaware of the Third's grand plan. After finding Naruto, he had used a Transformation Jutsu to look like Naruto with the scroll to lure Mizuki away.
Whiz! Whiz!
Mizuki launched several shuriken at "Naruto."
"Naruto, just hand over the Scroll of Seals to me, haha."
"In your dreams!"
Iruka dodged the shuriken and attempted to continue his escape.
Whiz!
The kunai he had dodged suddenly crossed paths. Attached to the back of the kunai were thin wire strings. Mizuki yanked them hard, attempting to bind Iruka.
Poof!
Though Iruka hadn't been on active field missions for years, his foundations were still solid. He used a Substitution Jutsu to evade Mizuki's trap, leaving the wires tightly coiled around a wooden log.
"Oh? I didn't think you'd be able to use the Substitution Jutsu, Naruto. It seems your luck during the exams was truly just bad," Mizuki sneered.
In an instant, Mizuki vanished from his spot and reappeared behind "Naruto," sending him flying with a kick. Iruka tumbled across the ground.
Poof!
Iruka could no longer maintain the transformation and reverted to his true form.
Tonbo, watching from the shadows, covered his face with his hand. Crap. As his disciple, Iruka was being completely suppressed by Mizuki. What was going on? Was Mizuki stronger in this reality? This was embarrassing.
Tonbo shifted his gaze to the darkness, where a small figure was observing the scene. When Naruto saw Iruka get kicked, his expression tightened, and he clenched his fists.
"Iruka? Why is it you? Where is Naruto?" Mizuki's face darkened. If he didn't get the scroll, he'd lose everything.
Iruka, suppressed by his injuries, spoke up. "Mizuki-senpai, it's not too late to turn back. Don't do something that betrays the village. I can speak to the Hokage and ask him to be lenient with your sentencing."
His words only drove Mizuki into a frenzy.
"Sentencing? What crime have I committed?! I simply killed two teammates to complete a mission! Why should I be called a criminal? A ninja's primary mission is the success of the task—it's written in the Academy textbooks! And yet, because of that, I've been stuck as a common Academy teacher for all these years!
No matter how much I do, there's no room for advancement! Why?! When Lord White Fang chose his comrades over the mission, the entire village vented their rage on him until he died! But when I completed the mission, I didn't get what I deserved! You tell me, what crime is that? If that is a crime, why was White Fang punished for the opposite? If it isn't a crime, why is my career being suppressed?
And you... you pathetic orphan... how did you get promoted faster than me? Just because you're Tonbo Tobitake's disciple? Laughable! Once I obtain the ninjutsu within the Scroll of Seals, I will surpass you all and follow Lord Orochimaru! Hahaha! Hahahaha!"
Mizuki was hysterical, his face contorted with rage. His killing intent toward Iruka surged.
"Don't even think about counter-attacking. I've been your 'good brother' for years; I know all your tricks. You can't beat me."
He sneered at the blood at the corner of Iruka's mouth, noticing the hand seals Iruka was forming. He flicked a shuriken.
Clang! Clang!
The shuriken flew out, knocking away several kunai that Iruka had secretly planted in the ground earlier.
"The Fire Line Cut, right? Your trump card. You were really trying to kill me, weren't you? As expected of a ninja—even after being away from the front lines so long, you still have the tactical mind. But you're still lacking; you didn't have any guard against your own comrade!"
Mizuki mocked him. Over the years, he had completely seen through Iruka's arsenal.
Good grief, Iruka, Tonbo thought, feeling utterly speechless. Everything I taught you... did you give it all to the dogs?
Actually, looking at the situation, it wasn't given to the dogs—it was given to Mizuki. It was clear Iruka had trusted Mizuki so much that he'd shared his "trump cards." Mizuki had probably scavenged every bit of knowledge Tonbo had passed down to Iruka.
Is this the power of 'World Correction'? Tonbo wondered. Even though he had flapped his butterfly wings, the plot was still converging toward a similar outcome. Iruka wasn't supposed to be this weak for a Chunin, yet Mizuki was handling him with ease. The details were different, but the general flow was the same.
"Die, Iruka! Go see your parents in the Pure Land! I'll take the Scroll of Seals and make a name for myself in the world!"
Mizuki unstrapped the giant shuriken from his back and hurled it with a cruel grin.
Whirrrr!
"Mizuki, turn back! You won't succeed!" Iruka shouted.
Bam!
Just as the giant shuriken was about to reach Iruka, a figure appeared, stomping directly onto the flat side of the blade and pinning it into the ground. The figure then flipped and landed next to Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei, are you okay?"
Naruto looked at Mizuki, his sapphire eyes flashing with a fox-like intensity. A massive scroll was strapped to his back.
"Naruto? Why are you here? Run!" Iruka cried out in shock.
Mizuki looked at Naruto and the scroll, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Naruto, give the scroll to me, quick!"
"Mizuki-sensei..." Naruto clenched his fists.
"Hmm?"
"Why did you attack Iruka-sensei? Were you... were you going to kill him?" Naruto demanded.
"Don't worry about that. Just give me the scroll."
"No! Mizuki-sensei, you lied to me. You did all this just for the scroll, and you were going to kill Iruka-sensei... I won't give it to you!"
Naruto was filled with rage. Iruka-sensei was one of the few people in the village who treated him with genuine kindness. He couldn't understand why Mizuki, who was supposedly Iruka's best friend, would try to kill him. More than that, he couldn't understand why Mizuki had used him.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!