The Real Book of Seals Was Stolen
Inside the Sarutobi clan's mansion, Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the crystal ball with considerable interest.
"Naruto is quite an interesting kid. Not bad at all!"
"After all this commotion, the shop owner won't have a good excuse and probably won't be able to do business in the future."
He actually admired Naruto's actions. Moreover, he knew that this store often sold Naruto expired food, so it wasn't entirely innocent.
Sigh… if Asuma had Naruto's skills, I could save myself so much trouble.
Asuma, who had been thinking of defying his father and becoming one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, came to Hiruzen's mind. Hiruzen sighed. My son doesn't share my values or paths… I've essentially ruined him.
Therefore, he had to pay more attention to his grandson, Konohamaru. It would be good for Konohamaru to get closer to Naruto and learn some of his cunning tricks.
Thinking this, Hiruzen's crystal ball showed Naruto moving again.
This is… my house!?
The Sarutobi mansion wasn't far from the commercial street; it was in a prime location within Konoha. During his years in power, Hiruzen had brought many benefits to the clan. Though the Sarutobis kept a low profile and didn't have the prominence of the Hyuga clan, their hidden strength surpassed many others. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call them the true number one clan in Konoha.
Didn't they say they'd come to steal it tomorrow night?
Good heavens… this kid actually saw through Shuimu's thoughts and outsmarted him!
Using his telescope technique, Hiruzen checked Shuimu. He was lying on his bed, grinning foolishly, seemingly fantasizing about reaching the pinnacle of life after obtaining the ninjutsu from the Book of Seals.
What a piece of trash! No wonder they'd try to take advantage of a genin who hasn't even graduated yet!
With disdain, Hiruzen gave an order to the darkness beside him:
"Remind Mizuki that Naruto has started to take action. He still needs Mizuki to test him—use danger to probe the Nine-Tails seal and see if we can release Naruto safely and make use of him."
"Yes."
A white tengu mask appeared briefly in the darkness and vanished. Hiruzen withdrew his gaze and looked back at the crystal ball. He rolled up a half-copied scroll on the desk.
"This little guy is really a handful. I slacked off a bit, and all that preparation turned out to be unnecessary."
He stood and walked out of the room.
"Fortunately, the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique is the first one in the Book of Seals. After Naruto steals it and learns it, the ANBU can stop him. But I still need to secure the other scrolls, lest Naruto take the wrong one."
The Book of Seals contained forbidden techniques—A-rank, S-rank, and others that could severely harm the user's body. There were many of these ninjutsu; they couldn't fit on a single scroll. Hiruzen wasn't underestimating Naruto—he knew that aside from the Uzumaki Jinchuriki's chakra advantage, even months of training wouldn't allow Naruto to learn the other techniques.
Hiruzen's condescending manner was something only Feng Xu didn't notice. Otherwise, he might have tried to get a reaction out of Naruto. What a shameless old man, squandering his family's wealth and pretending to care for a junior!
---
Meanwhile…
What are you doing at my house in the middle of the night!?
"Seduction!"
Ah~~~
After the exaggerated shouts subsided came the sounds of blood spurting and bodies hitting the ground. Naruto, with an excited smile, arrived at the bookshelf where the books were stored. A large plaque read: "The Book of Seals is here!"
"Found it!"
Naruto didn't suspect a thing. He picked up the large scroll from the top compartment, slung it over his back, and ran out of the mansion.
Shuimu, having just received the reminder, arrived at that moment. He saw Naruto leaving the Sarutobi mansion with a scroll. His eyes widened in fury—he was enraged.
"Damn fox demon brat! How dare you trick me!"
"If Iruka hadn't been unable to find you, I might actually have been fooled!"
The Iruka mentioned by Mizuki was obviously an ANBU member in disguise, sent specifically to warn Mizuki. Mizuki, realizing this, headed straight over. Watching Naruto walk away, he had no time to inform Iruka and the other ninjas. Enraged at being tricked, Shuimu immediately pursued Naruto, planning to vent his hatred the moment he reached a secluded spot.
---
"Feng Xu, Feng Xu, where are we going now? Home?" Naruto asked excitedly, carrying the scroll. Compared to his earlier mischief, this felt like a major adventure.
"How can I practice ninjutsu at home? Go to the Death Forest in the northeast—fewer people there," Feng Xu casually replied, then focused on the system's list:
[Multiple Shadow Clone Technique: 500]
[Flying Thunder God Technique: 3000]
[Impure World Reincarnation (Fragment): 1500]
[Rasengan: 2000]
"There are four techniques! Did they really steal the real ones?!" Feng Xu's voice betrayed his excitement.
Though there were only four techniques, each was incredibly powerful. Because they required chakra matching, the corruption value needed was significantly less—but the Uzumaki clan had abundant chakra. Even if that weren't enough, half of the Nine-Tails' chakra remained! Chakra wasn't the issue; learning these ninjutsu was the real challenge.
If not for the system, Feng Xu wouldn't have intended to take any techniques from the Book of Seals.
Still, I don't have enough corruption points… It's so tempting to see them all. Feng Xu felt like he'd entered a treasure mountain and returned empty-handed—guarding a gold mine without spending any.
Hopefully Shuimu will step up later and give me more 'darkening points.' Even if it's not enough for the Flying Thunder God Technique, it should at least allow me to exchange for One-Tailed Chakra Mode.
Mizuki had been a test for Naruto. Feng Xu was certain the Third Hokage would find a way to bring Mizuki to him.
---
Outside, as Naruto entered the Forest of Death, he couldn't wait to sit down, open the Book of Seals, and examine its contents.
"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, Flying Thunder God Technique, Impure World Reincarnation Technique, Rasengan…"
"This is too difficult! I can't understand the last three. I'll just learn the first one!"
Once learned, Naruto was sure he'd shine in tomorrow's exam and surprise Sasuke. Even mastering the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique felt smooth.
He had only learned half of it when Feng Xu reminded him:
"Hidden weapon attack from behind! Get out of the way!"
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