At that very moment, Naruto's fingers were just about to form the hand signs for a Shadow Clone when an unexpected voice echoed inside his mind."Detection: It is now time to return home after school. Host is requested to return immediately and prepare for tonight's training. Failure to comply will result in punishment!"Naruto froze mid-motion, his hands frozen in the air. His eyes widened, his cheeks tingling with shock as the voice continued relentlessly."Warning! Lightning Release baptism countdown: 5…""Wh-what's going on?!" Naruto exclaimed, his hands slapping his face in disbelief."System big brother, I thought we agreed that I could go to Lord Third Hokage's house!" he protested."The host's detour from the Ninja Academy to the Hokage's house and back is allowed, but no further delay is permitted," the system replied coldly. "Additionally, any attempt by the host to steal items is strictly forbidden.""Warning! Countdown: 4…""Ahhh—!" Naruto groaned, panic rising in his chest. "Then what about my sealing scroll?! What about the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu?! Didn't I come here for nothing?!""Warning! Countdown: 3…""I'm not reconciled!" he muttered, gritting his teeth as desperation welled up inside him."2…""Can't you make an exception, system big brother?!" Naruto pleaded."1…""All right! All right! I get it!" Naruto yelled, resigning to the system's rules.With a heavy sigh, he took one last longing glance at the warm glow of the Hokage's window and reluctantly turned back toward his own home, crouching low to sprint along the familiar streets."The host need not be discouraged," the system advised. "You are capable of understanding the Shadow Clone Technique on your own. Deducing the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu is not impossible.""…System big brother, what you just said… makes so much sense!" Naruto's eyes lit up. "Of course! Why would a genius like me need to steal from anyone? I can research and master the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu myself!" His laughter bubbled up, bright and triumphant, as he sprinted home with renewed determination.Meanwhile, Mizuki's smug expression, which had stretched into a triumphant grin moments ago, vanished entirely. His jaw dropped, and his body froze in disbelief."Wh-what's going on?!" he stammered, clutching his head. "It was right there… I was so close! Why did that Nine-Tailed Demon Fox brat suddenly go back?!"Mizuki's mind raced. Instead of focusing on Naruto, his attention shifted sharply to the shadows around him. Something—or rather, someone—was watching. A chill ran down his spine as a familiar figure stepped from the darkness."I…Iruka?!" Mizuki gasped.It was Iruka Umino. Silent, determined, and resolute.The night air was heavy with tension. Mizuki's pulse quickened. He hadn't expected to encounter Iruka here, not now, not while plotting against Naruto and the Hokage. The shadows seemed to tighten around him, the weight of his betrayal pressing heavily against his conscience."Iruka… why are you here?!" Mizuki's voice trembled slightly, a mixture of fear and defiance."I should be asking you that question," Iruka said firmly, stepping closer. "Mizuki, what have you done to Naruto? Why did you lead him this way?"Mizuki's carefully constructed façade began to crack. The closer Iruka got, the more the pretense of friendship between them seemed like a distant memory."I… I just saw Naruto acting strangely," Mizuki stammered, attempting to fabricate a story. "I followed him because I… I thought something might happen to him. He wasn't following his usual route home…"Iruka's gaze was unwavering, filled with a mix of anger, confusion, and hurt. "Don't lie to me, Mizuki. I saw you guiding his training all day, whispering instructions in secret. Then he suddenly changed his routine, clearly intending something risky… something potentially harmful. Do you expect me to believe that none of this is your doing?"Mizuki's face darkened, his bravado faltering. "Iruka… what exactly do you want from me?""I want the truth," Iruka replied firmly. "We grew up together, Mizuki. We are not just colleagues—we are supposed to be friends. Why would you risk Naruto, and even Lord Third Hokage, for your selfish schemes?"A cruel sneer flickered across Mizuki's face. "You want the truth? Fine. Since we grew up together… I'll tell you…"Before Mizuki could continue, he suddenly flung several shuriken toward Iruka with deadly precision. The sharp metal whistled through the night, each one aimed to strike quickly and decisively.Iruka reacted instantly, dodging most of the shuriken, but one pierced deep into his right arm, sending a jolt of searing pain through his body. He gasped, gritting his teeth against the agony, but did not falter.Mizuki used the chaos to his advantage, sprinting into the shadows. Iruka's eyes narrowed, fury burning bright as he drew his own kunai and threw it after Mizuki. Sparks flew as the metal clashed against the shuriken Mizuki held in his hand, the sound ringing sharply in the night air.But neither noticed that they were being observed. From the shadows, the ANBU Ninja silently followed, tracking every movement. They were responsible for protecting Naruto, and though Mizuki's behavior initially seemed normal—after all, he was Naruto's former teacher—the ANBU sensed the deviation from the usual pattern.Naruto's sudden detour toward the Hokage's residence had been enough to alert them. Two ANBU had split from the main group: one to report to the Hokage, and another to follow Mizuki and Iruka. Their presence was silent, invisible, yet crucial.Meanwhile, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was still in his office when the ANBU reported the situation. He inhaled deeply, puffed smoke through his pipe, and let the tendrils curl thoughtfully around him."It seems Mizuki tried to incite Naruto for some scheme," he murmured. "But… my house? Was anything actually taken?"The ANBU's eyes widened slightly, and Hiruzen's mind raced. "Could it be…" he whispered, realization dawning."The sealing scroll…" one ANBU suggested hesitantly.Hiruzen nodded grimly. "Very possible. Mizuki likely used Naruto as a pawn to try to steal the sealing scroll from the Hokage's residence. But… why did Naruto give up so easily?"He rubbed his chin. "Naruto's actions are unpredictable. We can never fully anticipate them. Nevertheless, Mizuki's malicious intent is clear.""Iruka is following him alone," he added with concern. "That could be dangerous. Deploy more ANBU to support him immediately!""Yes, Hokage-sama!" the ANBU responded sharply.Hiruzen's thoughts lingered on Naruto. "I'll have to ask him directly to understand everything."Back in the night, Mizuki's plan had completely collapsed. His schemes, if exposed, would end in disaster unless he managed to eliminate Iruka entirely. Despite their past friendship, Mizuki had always felt overshadowed by Iruka's popularity and recognition. His jealousy had festered silently for years, and his moral compass had long been corrupted by envy and ambition.Before entering the Ninja Academy, he had even killed a severely wounded comrade on a mission, a secret that had remained hidden until now. That dark streak of malice had never truly left him, and it had finally surfaced, threatening everyone around him.Yet even now, Mizuki's expression was a mixture of fear, anger, and desperate calculation. One wrong move could expose him completely—and he knew it.Meanwhile, Iruka clutched the wound in his arm, his face pale but resolute. He had a duty to protect Naruto, no matter the cost. He clenched his teeth, gripping his kunai tighter, ready to chase down Mizuki through the shadows. He would not allow a single step of Mizuki's plan to succeed.The night air was heavy with tension, every rustle of leaves or distant footstep amplified. Naruto, unaware of the confrontation unfolding behind him, ran home with a mixture of determination and excitement, completely trusting the system and his own abilities.For once, his cleverness had outwitted danger before it even fully appeared. But danger never truly sleeps, and Mizuki's shadowy presence lingered like a storm ready to strike.The stage was set, and the clash between jealousy, loyalty, and the unyielding determination of a young ninja was about to unfold in the darkest hours of the night.Iruka's voice, firm and unwavering, echoed in the shadows, "I will not let you harm him, Mizuki. Not tonight. Not ever."
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