Right at that moment, just as Naruto was about to create a Shadow Clone, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
[Host detected approaching a restricted area after school hours. Please return home immediately and prepare to complete tonight's training. Failure to comply will result in system-enforced punishment!]
[Warning! Countdown to Lightning Release baptism initiated: 5…]
Naruto was stunned for a moment, his hands slapping against his cheeks in sheer shock. "What?! Why is this happening now! System, didn't you agree that I could come to the Third Hokage's home?!"
[The host's route from the Ninja Academy to the Hokage's residence and then back to his own home is an acceptable training distance. This is permitted. However, any further delay or deviation is absolutely forbidden! Furthermore, the host's intended act of theft is a direct violation!]
[Warning! Countdown: 4…]
"But what about my Book of Seals?! And the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?! Did I come all this way for nothing?!"
[Warning! Countdown: 3…]
"I won't accept this!"
[2…]
"System-bro, aren't you at my side?!"
[1…]
"Okay, okay! I get it!"
Naruto had no choice but to grit his teeth. He turned and took one last, longing look at the warm light glowing from the Hokage's window, then squatted down again with great reluctance and started his journey back home.
[Host, do not be discouraged. You were able to comprehend the Shadow Clone Technique on your own. It may not be impossible for you to deduce the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique as well!]
Naruto's eyes widened. "…System, what you said makes sense! Indeed, a genius like me doesn't need to resort to stealing! I can just develop the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique myself?! Hahahahahaha!"
Having figured this out, Naruto headed back to his home, feeling even happier than before.
Mizuki's triumphant smile, which had been stretched as wide as it could go, suddenly vanished. "What… what's going on?! He wasso close! Why did that little demon brat suddenly turn back?!" Mizuki felt as if he had been struck by lightning, completely stunned!
"Instead of asking Naruto what's going on, you should be the one answering questions, shouldn't you, Mizuki?" A sharp voice cut through the night. "What are you doing here? And what were you planning to do to Naruto, and to the Third Hokage?!"
Mizuki was shocked and whipped his head around. In the dim darkness, a very familiar face was right in front of him!
"I-Iruka?!"
The hunter becomes the hunted. Mizuki's attention had been so completely focused on Naruto that he hadn't noticed he himself was being secretly followed. And of all people, it was his oldest friend, Umino Iruka. In the dark of night, facing Iruka who was now far too close, Mizuki was shocked and broke out in a cold sweat.
"Iruka… w-why are you here?!"
Iruka didn't know the full extent of Mizuki's plan, but he could guess it was nothing good. What's more, the matter involved Naruto, which filled Iruka with a cold anger. "I should be the one asking you that question! Mizuki, what did you say to Naruto?!"
Mizuki wouldn't dare cause trouble so close to the Hokage's home. He looked around hurriedly, and after confirming that there was no one else nearby, he hissed and defended himself in a low voice. "Keep it down, Iruka! I… I just noticed Naruto was acting strangely, and I was afraid something might happen to him, so I followed him here. After all, he wasn't taking his usual route home. Iruka, you're not the only one who cares about him!"
Of course, Iruka didn't believe such flimsy nonsense. "Don't lie to me, Mizuki. I saw you guiding Naruto's training all day, and I saw you whispering something to him. Then, he completely changed his unwavering training routine and headed towards the Hokage's house , obviously intending to do something reckless. Do you really expect me to believe this has nothing to do with you?!"
Mizuki looked at Iruka's solemn and stern expression, and his own face couldn't help but become gloomy and hard. "Iruka, what are you trying to say?!"
"I want to know the truth! We are not only colleagues, but we're also supposed to friends! I don't understand why on earth you would do something like this!"
Mizuki let out a cruel, chilling sneer. "Okay, you want to know the truth, right? Since we grew up together, I'll make an exception and tell you. Listen carefully…"
*Clang!*
Caught completely off guard, Mizuki suddenly threw several shuriken at Iruka! In the thick of the night, they shot out in an instant! The distance was terrifyingly close, and their speed was incredibly fast! Although Iruka was on guard and dodged violently, he still couldn't avoid them completely. A shuriken instantly pierced his right arm and shoulder! Iruka couldn't help but scream in pain, but Mizuki took the opportunity to escape, his figure instantly blending into the night!
"Stop! Mizuki! Tell me what's going on! Don't you even think about escaping!" Iruka suddenly pulled the shuriken from his own shoulder and, with a grunt of pain, hurled it back towards Mizuki. As Mizuki fled at high speed, he swung the kunai in his hand and knocked the shuriken away. With a crisp sound, sparks flew, and it soon faded into the darkness.
…
But in fact, there was another group of people hidden behind them.. They were the Anbu ninja who usually monitored and protected Naruto. However, the initial communication between Mizuki and Naruto had not aroused any suspicion from the Anbu. Because Mizuki was a teacher at the Ninja Academy, his actions seemed completely reasonable. It was not until Naruto deviated from his usual route and headed towards the Hokage's residence, with Mizuki quietly following him, that the Anbu realized something was wrong. Of course, they had also noticed Iruka, but they did not make a move to alarm him. Their mission was to look after Naruto. When Naruto gave up on going to the Hokage's house and returned home, they had to send most of their men to continue following him. Only two Anbu remained behind; one of them went to the Hokage's house to report, and the last one followed Mizuki and Iruka.
…
"Mizuki?"
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was not actually at home. Instead, he was still busy in the Hokage's office. After listening to the report from the Anbu ninja, he couldn't help but feel a deep shock. He took a long drag from his pipe and then blew out a slow, thick ring of smoke.
"It seems that Mizuki has instigated Naruto to do something on his behalf. But… in my home?…"
The Anbu ninja suddenly realized. "Hokage-sama, could it be… the Book of Seals?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded silently. "Very likely. Are you saying that Mizuki is using Naruto as a pawn to steal the Book of Seals from my house? But why did Naruto give up?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "That part is not clear. Naruto always does things unexpectedly; it's hard to explain. However, there is no doubt that Mizuki has ulterior motives. He actually harbors such evil intentions and hides such a sinister side. I was wrong about him. Iruka would be in great danger if he went after him alone. Bring a few more Anbu and go to support them immediately!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and then added, "I'll go find Naruto and ask him in person!"
…
Mizuki knew that his plan had failed. Unless he completely killed Iruka and destroyed his body, he would not have a good end once his ambition was exposed. He and Iruka were indeed friends, but his emotional ties to Iruka were all just a pretense. In fact, he had always been very jealous and resentful that everyone seemed to recognize Iruka more. Before he had even entered the Ninja Academy, he had secretly killed a seriously injured companion in order to complete a mission.