As the ninjas dispersed, Iruka could only wonder what could have led Naruto, the same day after all his efforts to finally become a Genin, to commit a treasonous act against the Hokage. Something wasn't adding up. He could only hope to find and bring back Naruto himself before anyone else found and got to him before he did.
(Three Hours Later; Outside The Village Walls)
During the hours Naruto was alone in the forest, he looked through the scroll he stole from the tower and opened it to see what useful jutsus he could learn and master. He found Kage Bushin No Jutsu among them but he disregarded that since he already learned that jutsu. He found a few useful ones and memorized the seal sequences for them though like Kage Bushin, some of the other jutsus looked rather familiar to him. One in particular he practiced with his kage bushins until his got the sequence and usage mastered.
When he was done, he closed the scroll and tied it close in time to see a figure appear behind him.
"Naruto," Iruka asked standing behind the blonde Genin, "So this is where you've been hiding? What were you planning to do with the Forbidden Scroll of Seal?"
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto greeted, "You made it! I thought I would have to wait longer than I was told to."
"What do you mean longer than you were told to," Iruka asked.
"Mizuki-sensei told me of a rare secret test that only a few selected Genin graduates are given," Naruto explained, "He said that this kind of test was giving in order to expose new ninjas to the true life of shinobis and the dangers that comes with it. He said that if I make it this far without getting caught for three hours until he arrives, I pass the test."
Iruka now understood what was going on and how Naruto was being used and deceived.
"Naruto," Iruka said urgently, "Listen to me. We can clear things up with the Hokage if we hurry back and-"
Several kunais came flying at them. Iruka managed to leap away as the kunais were aimed at him. Naruto and Iruka looked to see Mizuki approaching them.
"Well done Naruto," Mizuki said with a smile on his face, "You actually did it. You pass the test. Now please, hand over the scroll to me."
"Don't do it Naruto," Iruka warned, "Don't give him the scroll! That test he told you about was a ruse! He deceived you into stealing the scroll for him!"
"Naruto," Mizuki said, "Give me the scroll and in exchange, I'll tell you the truth behind why everyone in Konoha despises and mistreated you so much throughout your life. It's a secret that even the Hokage never told you about though even Iruka knew the truth."
"Mizuki," Iruka yelled, "That information is classified as an S-class secret. Naruto don't listen to-"
More kunais was thrown at Iruka. The Chuunin managed to evade them, as Mizuki continued…
"Do you remember the story about how Yondaime killed Kyuubi," Mizuki said while fighting with Iruka, "Well, it was all a lie. Yondaime never killed it because there is no way to actually kill a bijuu. So before his death, he did the next best thing."
"Mizuki don't!," Iruka yelled.
"He turned the Kyuubi into you," Mizuki yelled, "You are the Kyuubi that attacked Konoha and killed all those people years ago; from friends to family members to loved ones, even Iruka's parents! That's why Iruka and everyone hates you so much!"
"That's a lie Naruto," Iruka pleaded as he jumped and backed away from Mizuki to face Naruto, "I don't ha-"
Iruka never got to finish when a Naruto kage bushin appeared from behind and knocked him unconscious. The Chuunin fell to the ground, leaving Naruto alone with Mizuki.
"Well done Naruto," Mizuki said, "Now you know the truth, as I promised to tell you. Now please, hand me that scroll."
"What reason is that that I should trust you after I give you this scroll," Naruto asked, "You're no better than the villagers of whom you speak!"
Mizuki saw that Naruto was debating whether or not to listen to him.
"Look Naruto," Mizuki said, "You don't owe this village any favors, considering how they treated you. The Sandaime failed to have you protected from the people when it was within his power to do justice against them for how they abused you. You can have them and the Hokage lose that scroll as payback for all that they put you through. Consider it your greatest prank against them."
There seem to be an eternal moment of silence between them. After another minute, Naruto grabbed the large scroll and looked at Mizuki
"If I give you the Forbidden Scroll," Naruto asked, "What's in it for me?"
"I'll let you learned a jutsu or two from it in return," Mizuki offered, "Powerful ones. That would be a fair trade off."
"But how I can stay in this village knowing that Iruka-sensei and others knows that I stole the scroll," Naruto stated, "How will I explain what happened when I return to jiisan?"
"Just tell him that Iruka tricked you into stealing the scroll for him so he could sale it to an unknown buyer," Mizuki suggested, "You can add that the deal went wrong and Iruka was double-crossed by his buyer who attacked and left both you and him unconscious before escaping with the scroll. The Sandaime is too kind and soft of an old man to let severe punishment befall you if you can convince him that Iruka used and deceived you."
Naruto thought about what Mizuki's words. After another minute he made his decision and tossed the scroll towards Mizuki's direction. The traitorous Chuunin ran to catch his prize.
"The scroll," Mizuki said hungrily, "It'll finally be in my possession."
Two few seconds before Mizuki caught his prize, the scroll exploded in a large explosion, catching Mizuki in its range. Mizuki was now unconscious and heavily injured and bleeding with a series of burns around his body and ninja clothes and gear with smoke coming off him.
"Ninpo," Naruto said coldly, "Henge Bakuhatsu No Bushin No Jutsu."
Naruto walked over to Mizuki and stood over him.
"For the record," Naruto said, "I already learned a few jutsus from the scroll, one of them I used on you just now."
(Ten Minutes Later)
Iruka woke up to see that he was leaned up against a tree with Naruto and Mizuki no longer in sight. Panicking, he got up to hurry after them when…
"I'm happy that I didn't hurt you too bad," Naruto said as Iruka turned to see him sitting next to a nearby tree, "I can't say the same for Mizuki-sensei after I was through with him."
"Naruto," Iruka asked, "Wha-"
"My kage bushins are on their way to return the scroll and have Mizuki brought in to jiisan. I did all this after I knocked you unconscious and not by using Oiroke No Jutsu," Naruto interjected. Despite the serious of the situation, Naruto chose to be just a little humorous..
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