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Naruto watched Hinata's retreating figure with a quiet smile. The evening light cast long shadows across the schoolyard as Mizuki stepped closer, his voice dripping with false warmth.
"You're lucky to have such a lovely fiancée, Naruto," Mizuki said, his smile not reaching his eyes. "You should cherish her."
"Of course," Naruto replied, his tone deliberately pointed. "I heard your girlfriend is quite beautiful too, sensei. Wouldn't want to disappoint her, would you?"
Mizuki's expression froze momentarily. A flicker of unease passed through him before his features settled back into their usual mask. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Mizuki gestured toward the forest path.
"The make-up exam is special this time," he explained smoothly. "It's being held outside the academy. Follow me, Naruto."
"Whatever you say, Mizuki-sensei," Naruto agreed, playing the part of the oblivious student as they left the school grounds.
They walked in silence until reaching a secluded training ground. The trees formed a natural barrier, muffling all sound from the outside world. Here, Mizuki finally dropped his act.
Leaning in conspiratorially, he whispered, "Listen, Naruto. I know your situation. Passing this exam is simple, but because you missed the original assessment..." He spun an elaborate tale about sneaking into the Hokage building, his words growing more animated as he described the supposed opportunity.
Naruto couldn't help but laugh. "Mizuki-sensei," he interrupted, shaking his head, "do you really think I'd believe any of this?"
The sudden shift in tone made Mizuki stiffen. "What's wrong?" he asked, recovering quickly. "Don't you want to pass? To be on a team with your precious Hinata?"
"Enough pretending," Naruto sighed. "Let me ask you one question, do you honestly think Orochimaru will give you power? That someone like him would ever fulfill your ambitions?"
Mizuki's face went pale. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he whispered, "How... how do you know about that?" His carefully constructed facade crumbled in an instant.
Naruto's voice took on a harder edge. "Orochimaru won't be anyone's stepping stone, sensei. You can't manipulate a man who's spent his whole life manipulating others."
"What do you know?!" Mizuki exploded, years of pent-up frustration bursting forth.
"They all said I killed my teammates! But a ninja's duty is to complete the mission, isn't it? I did nothing wrong! I served Konoha, and this is how they repay me?" His voice cracked with barely contained rage.
Naruto remained calm. "Do you know Hatake Sakumo? Kakashi's father? The White Fang who became a war hero?"
Mizuki blinked, thrown by the sudden change in topic. "What about him?"
"During a critical mission, he chose to save his teammates instead of completing the objective," Naruto explained. "The village turned on him. Even the men he saved condemned him. Eventually, it drove him to take his own life."
Mizuki's breathing slowed as he processed this. "Are you... saying you agree with what I did?"
"I'm saying no matter what choice you make, someone will criticize you," Naruto clarified. "Mission or teammates, you'll always have detractors. But you'll also have supporters. Iruka-sensei believes in you, doesn't he?"
The mention of his only friend gave Mizuki pause. Naruto pressed his advantage.
"Here's the reality, Mizuki-sensei. This village has darkness, yes. But joining Orochimaru, that's not the answer. I'll give you two options."
Naruto held up one finger. "First: Stay in Konoha. Some people already understand your choices. Keep being Iruka's friend, whether it's out of guilt or genuine affection doesn't matter. Just maintain the act for the rest of your life."
A second finger joined the first. "Or second, go to Orochimaru. I won't stop you, and I won't reveal your plans. The choice is yours."
Mizuki stared at the young blond, then suddenly burst into laughter. "You? Threatening me? You're just a failed genin! Without the Nine-Tails, what makes you think you can stop a chūnin?!"
Naruto didn't react to the taunts. "Sensei," he said quietly, "look around you."
Mizuki's laughter died as he finally noticed his surroundings. The fading light revealed detonating tags on every surface, trees, rocks, even the ground beneath his feet. Hundreds of them, arranged in perfect formation.
"When did you...?" Mizuki spun in panic, but Naruto's body dissolved into smoke before his eyes. A clone. The realization hit him like a physical blow.
Naruto's voice echoed from the shadows. "You couldn't even spot a basic clone technique, sensei. And you think Orochimaru would value someone like you?" The words carried no malice, only cold fact. "But I'm not here to hurt you. Choose either path, and you walk away unharmed."
The forest fell silent except for Mizuki's ragged breathing. The detonating tags remained still, their threat implicit. For the first time in years, the traitorous teacher faced the consequences of his choices, and found himself truly afraid of the boy he'd so badly underestimated.