My Name Is Namikaze Naruto - Chapter 24

Currently, considering the circumstances, Mizuki, as a Chunin, is definitely stronger than Naruto.

Naruto is very clear about this.

Despite the original version seeming to have resolved Mizuki quickly, it was due to the power of the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu, overwhelming Mizuki with sheer numbers. Naruto also felt that Mizuki underestimated him, giving Naruto the opportunity to form hand signs. Otherwise, without using Multiple Shadow Clones, Naruto didn’t think he would have any advantage. Moreover, the current situation was significantly different from the original. Mizuki was too close to Iruka. If Naruto used Multiple Shadow Clones now, he could form the hand signs, but he couldn’t ensure Iruka’s safety. In those brief two to three seconds, Iruka’s life could be decided. Naruto didn’t want to take the risk. He approached closer, aiming for a fatal strike from the optimal position!

Naruto’s azure eyes sparkled with a brilliant light.

A kunai appeared in his palm with a slight twist of his right hand. Naruto felt its cold texture, trying to suppress or eliminate any trace of his presence, and moved towards Mizuki’s back.

At this moment, neither of the two figures in the field seemed to notice Naruto’s approach.

Both were entirely focused on each other.

Mizuki casually wiped the kunai in his hand, a faint, chilling smile playing on his lips.

“Iruka, you’re not suited for the world of ninjas…”

“Since we were once friends, let me send you off!”

Filled with killing intent, Mizuki’s words radiated a chilling aura.

Mizuki’s figure blurred in a flash, leaving an afterimage as he swiftly advanced towards Iruka.

In that fraction of a second, Iruka’s pupils contracted sharply. He tried to dodge, but the pain throughout his body caused him to stiffen, unable to change his stance in time.

“Goodbye, Iruka!”

In his view, the cold, grim face approached.

The kunai thrust forward relentlessly towards Iruka’s left chest.

Facing the attack head-on, it felt as if time had frozen.

At that moment, a cold sensation washed over Iruka, spreading through his entire body.

The bone-chilling cold seemed to imprint on Iruka’s soul.

In that instant, Iruka felt the fear of death.

It was the second time Iruka had felt death this close, other than that fateful night. At this moment, countless memories of the past twenty years flashed through Iruka’s mind, familiar faces surfacing.

“Father… Mother… I’m coming to join you…”

“Naruto, I’m sorry…”

There was no time to react.

Or rather, it was impossible to react.

The kunai plunged in.

“Thunk.”

The sound of metal piercing skin was heard. The coldness of the metal seeped into Iruka’s bones, and the sharp pain was felt immediately.

Is this the end?

“Iruka-sensei!”

“Bastard!”

Just as Iruka was about to close his eyes, awaiting death, he heard Mizuki’s angry roar and another familiar voice from the nearby trees.

The next moment, a familiar golden figure appeared in Iruka’s vision.

Immediately, the kunai that was supposed to kill him did not strike as expected but instead slashed past his chest.

“Clang.”

A sharp, piercing sound of metal clashing followed.

“Boom.”

Then a dull thud resounded.

“Ha!”

With a familiar shout, Iruka saw Mizuki being kicked away, landing heavily on the ground, and raising a cloud of dust.

“Are you alright, Iruka-sensei?”

It felt like a brief moment, yet also like an eternity. Hovering on the edge of death, Iruka felt the intense pain in his left chest.

The pain made Iruka frown and gasp, but at least it proved he was still alive.

Looking up, he saw the familiar golden figure of Uzumaki Naruto, his most cherished student, whom he treated like a younger brother.

Yes, Naruto saved me…

That was Iruka’s first thought. The next instant, Iruka snapped back to reality.

“Naruto!? What are you doing here? Quickly! Escape! Mizuki has deceived you, he has defected from the village! The scroll he asked you to steal contains the village’s highest secrets, only the Hokage can read it! Go back now, I’ll hold off Mizuki!”

Iruka struggled to stand, enduring his injuries, glancing at Mizuki trying to rise from the dust. His expression changed, urgently speaking to Naruto.

Before Naruto could respond.

“Escape!? Today, none of you will escape! You’ll all die here! I’ll personally send you off!”

On the other side, the dust settled, revealing Mizuki’s somewhat disheveled figure. His face turned more ferocious, blood streaks from his recent fall adding to his vicious expression.

“The game ends here!”

Standing straight, Mizuki quickly pulled out a syringe from his pocket. Before Iruka and Naruto could react, Mizuki injected the green liquid into his left arm. Mizuki’s body swelled within seconds, his aura becoming even more terrifying and ferocious.

Mizuki’s cold words made Iruka’s expression change. He quickly moved to shield Naruto.

However, this movement pulled at his injuries, the excruciating pain making Iruka wince. The earlier minor wounds were numerous. Although the recent attack didn’t pierce his heart due to Naruto’s interference, the ripped wound added to Iruka’s suffering.

Fight?

In his current state, Iruka struggled even to move.

Realizing this, Iruka’s heart sank, his expression turning grim.

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