In the forest.
Mizuki moved swiftly between the trees, his expression gradually turning ferocious.
He had already reported Naruto's theft of the Scroll of Seals.
'Now the entire village was hunting for Naruto.'
'Even that Iruka was involved.'
'As long as I killed Naruto and took the Scroll of Seals before anyone else, all the blame would die with the boy, leaving no evidence.'
"Hmph, you demon fox, blame your own bad luck. You're destined to be a stepping stone on my path to success."
"But by killing you, I'm actually doing the village a favor in a way. After all, no one wants to see you alive anyway, hahahaha."
Mizuki laughed darkly.
His gaze suddenly caught a small figure ahead.
'Got you!'
A large shuriken flew from Mizuki's hand, shooting straight towards Naruto.
Swish-
The moonlight was bright, just so happen to reflect a glint off the shuriken.
Naruto's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively dodged to the right.
"Tch, dodged it, did you?"
Mizuki spat disdainfully.
Although the first strike missed, the distance between him and Naruto had closed considerably, close enough to attack.
"Mizuki-sensei? Why... why is it you?!"
Seeing the face of the newcomer,
Naruto was shocked speechless, his heart feeling as if gripped by a large hand.
'Even Mizuki-sensei... wanted to kill me?'
"Heh, you're so easy to fool. Don't even know your own worth. If it weren't for luring you into stealing the Scroll of Seals, why would I ever say those disgusting things?"
Mizuki's face was full of contempt, his ugly nature completely revealed.
"Mizuki-sensei... Could it be... everything you said before was..."
Naruto's shoulders trembled violently.
Intense fear, inferiority, and self-doubt swirled in his heart.
"That's right, it was all a lie."
Mizuki laughed wildly.
"Really, those words were so nauseating I almost vomited. Only a dead-last good-for-nothing like you would believe them. When the whole village despises you, where do you get the confidence to think you can become a Shinobi? It's utterly ridiculous."
"Mizuki-sensei... You..."
A dark shadow fell over Naruto's eyes.
'It was all deception.'
'It was all lies.'
'No one in the village liked me. No one truly cared about him.'
'I thought Mizuki-sensei, who had finally appeared, was the village's only light.'
'But in the end…'
'It was just manipulation.'
"You don't actually think anyone likes you, do you? Since you're about to die, I'll tell you the truth straight out… the reason why the village fears and hates you!"
Mizuki looked down on Naruto from his superior position.
His dark side erupting, he mocked loudly.
"You are the demon fox that destroyed the village back then! Countless families were destroyed because of you. Even that Iruka is one of them. Do you really think the village wouldn't hate you?!"
"If it weren't for Sandaime Hokage's orders, everyone would probably be fighting to kill you already. It wouldn't even be my turn to do it."
The truth was finally out.
Naruto's face was calm.
For some reason, after hearing this shocking news, he actually found it normal.
Perhaps it was because of his contact with the Group Owner Mister, or perhaps he had already suspected it himself.
But none of that mattered anymore.
"I thought that as long as I was in the village, I would never need to use what the Group Owner Mister prepared for me."
"The Group Owner Mister told me to be careful, and I even laughed at him, thinking how could anything life-threatening happen in the village?"
"I thought... people didn't like me just because I wasn't good enough. That if I just tried a little harder, I could definitely..."
Naruto's voice grew softer.
And colder.
Last time in the group chat, Hattori had privately messaged him once.
[Dark Group Owner: It's a Newcomer Gift Pack for you, Naruto. Accept it.]
[The Dead-Last Jinchuriki: Group Owner Mister, what does this mean?]
[Dark Group Owner: Take it. While you're stealing the Scroll of Seals this time, your life might be in danger. This gift pack can save you.]
[The Dead-Last Jinchuriki: Haha, Group Owner Mister, you're joking. Konoha is the strongest Shinobi Village. With Grandpa Sandaime and the Jonin Uncles here, I'll definitely be fine.]
[Dark Group Owner: Take it. When the time comes, you'll understand why.]
Naruto finally understood why Hattori insisted he take the Newcomer Gift Pack.
The Konoha he was so proud of.
The Konoha he thought would protect him.
The Konoha he treated as home.
In reality, they saw him as a terrifying monster!
Thinking back now, what he said back then was truly laughable.
Konoha was strong, but that strength was for its citizens.
For the Demon Fox that invaded the village, the enemy that brought disaster, Konoha's strength would instead bring him deadly threats!
"Mizuki-sensei, thank you. Thank you for letting me know the truth, for not leaving me in the dark anymore."
Naruto's expression was calm.
But it gave off a terrifying sense of pressure.
"To repay you,"
"Please, die."
[Ding! You have used the Newcomer Gift Pack. You have learned the Rasengan and the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu in advance.]
Naruto's face was expressionless.
Countless copies of him appeared, covering the mountains and fields.
…
At this moment, Hattori, far away in the parallel world, heard a system prompt in his mind.
[Ding! Naruto's darkening progress has reached 30%. Rewarding Hashirama's cells and basic Wood Release Ninjutsu.]