My Name Is Namikaze Naruto

“Shhh”

In the midst of the dense jungle, Naruto and Mizuki had arranged to meet at a specific location.

At this moment, two figures had already arrived ahead of time. Upon seeing them, Naruto’s eyes narrowed, and he quietly hid in the shade of a tree.

Using the cover of night to conceal his presence.

The two individuals before him were not particularly strong, nor were they sensor-type ninjas. Even with Naruto’s mediocre skills, he could manage to remain undetected.

However, Naruto was slightly surprised.

One of the figures had arrived earlier than Naruto had anticipated.

The night was dark.

Under the moonlight, the full moon emerged from behind the clouds, casting its light upon the ground and slightly dispelling the darkness.

The two figures that came into Naruto’s view were none other than the two instructors from the ninja academy: Mizuki and Iruka!

Naruto’s surprise was due to Iruka’s presence. Mizuki’s arriving early was within Naruto’s expectations since he planned to deal with Naruto and then present the Scroll of Seals as a token to Orochimaru. However, Iruka’s arrival was unexpected. Originally, Naruto planned to deal with Mizuki before Iruka arrived, and then use his prepared argument to let Iruka clean up. Unexpectedly, both Mizuki and Iruka arrived early.

This caught Naruto off guard.

But observing the current situation, especially the expressions of the two individuals, Naruto decided to remain hidden in the night and the shadows of the trees. Although Mizuki’s strength seemed insignificant in the original story, he was still a Chunin of Konoha. With Iruka distracting Mizuki, Naruto saw no need to expose himself prematurely. He should approach as close as possible and find the best opportunity for a decisive strike!

This was the essence of being a ninja.

Engaging in direct combat was contrary to the true nature of a ninja.

A true ninja’s battle should be conducted from the shadows, striking with lethal precision.

Focusing his mind.

Lightening his steps.

Naruto slowly moved his body, gradually approaching the scene.

As Naruto anticipated, neither Iruka nor Mizuki noticed his arrival.

The two stared at each other, their expressions vivid.

Mizuki stood in a combat stance on a tree trunk, looking down on Iruka with a disdainful smirk. Gone was the familiar gentle look Iruka knew, replaced with a predatory gaze.

Iruka’s face was filled with anger and disappointment, his eyes reflecting sorrow.

Not for any other reason but because Mizuki’s actions represented treason.

Especially with his bloodthirsty demeanor.

Where was the usual gentle and sunny disposition?
Iruka had always seen Mizuki as a friend, and now this friend was betraying their village and had even attempted to kill him.

The sudden change was something Iruka couldn’t easily comprehend.

“Why!? Why are you doing this!? Mizuki!? Why did you choose to betray the village!?”

Though knowing it was futile.

Though knowing the question was foolish.

Iruka couldn’t help but ask, looking at Mizuki above, unable to believe, unwilling to believe, his voice echoing in the once silent forest.

“Why? Haha, Iruka, you are still as naive and foolish as ever. No wonder you can only be a teacher at the ninja academy. A Chunin? Iruka, you’ve always been nothing more than a pathetic and pitiful person.”

Iruka’s heartfelt words left Mizuki unmoved. His gaze toward Iruka was filled with obvious mockery, his words dripping with disdain.

Friends?

Village?

Peace?

Don’t make me laugh!
In Mizuki’s view, in the world of ninjas, power was everything. Everything else was worthless.

And the so-called friends were just a joke.

To pursue supreme power.

Mizuki could kill without hesitation. He never saw Iruka as a friend, and Konoha meant nothing to him!
Iruka’s words had no effect on Mizuki.

Power!

Only power!

In Mizuki’s eyes, killing Iruka, finding Naruto, taking the Scroll of Seals, and going to Orochimaru to gain the power he dreamed of were the only priority!

“Naive and foolish, huh? Is that so? I see…”

Iruka stared at Mizuki, the former friend’s face no longer holding the familiar gentle and peaceful smile.

Only endless cruelty and twisted sarcasm.

All radiating a hellish malice.

At this moment, feeling Mizuki’s aura, Iruka finally understood what kind of person his former friend truly was.

Everything now was Mizuki’s true nature.

The past was just a facade.

“If that’s the case! I’ll defeat you here! Traitor Mizuki!”

People have to make choices at certain times.

Especially in such a bloody and cruel world.

Sunshine?

Peace?

No!
This was a world where darkness prevailed.

A world where killing never ceased.

Even unwillingly, one must make certain decisions at certain times.

Just like now.

As a Konoha ninja.

Iruka’s duty was to defeat the Konoha traitor Mizuki.

Looking at Mizuki above.

Iruka’s eyes flashed with determination, his right hand flicked, a sharp kunai appeared in his palm, his body lowering into a combat stance. At this moment, Iruka exuded a fierce killing intent.

After all, Iruka was a recognized Chunin of Konoha!
“Hahaha? Defeat me? What a joke, Iruka. We still have time, so I’ll play with you for a bit. After killing you, I’ll find that idiot Naruto and take the Scroll of Seals. Can’t let the cute student miss his graduation exam!!”

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