Chapter 28
Activating the Curse Seal
The night was as dark as ink, and the moonlight was obscured by thick clouds, with only scattered spots of light falling on the trees.
"Huff... huff..."
Kiba Inuzuka, carrying a scroll almost half the size of himself, darted swiftly through the tree branches.
The heavy reel pressed down on his shoulders, causing them to ache, but his eyes were filled with fervent excitement.
I got it! I really got it!
Even he himself did not expect that today's plan would go so smoothly.
There was no Hokage, no Anbu, and even the security detail happened to have a stomachache.
Although everything was in the plan, things were going so smoothly that it was almost unrealistic.
However, there was no turning back now that the arrow had been released, and Kiba Inuzuka couldn't care less about anything else.
If I hand this over to Teacher Shuimu and learn the techniques within... I can win! I can also gain recognition from others!
In a clearing in the dense forest, a figure who had been waiting for a long time turned around.
"Well done, Teeth."
Mizuki looked at Kiba Inuzuka, who was panting heavily, and especially at the huge scroll on his back, his eyes revealing an undisguised greed.
"Quick, give me the reel."
Mizuki stretched out his hand, his tone urgent, "Let's learn those ninjutsu that can change our destiny together!"
Kiba Inuzuka unrolled the scroll and was about to hand it over when he suddenly paused.
For some reason, Naruto's calm gaze suddenly flashed through his mind.
Kiba Inuzuka's hand froze in mid-air, and he subconsciously asked:
"Teacher, if I learn this, will I really be able to defeat Naruto fair and square?"
"And... after this incident, will everyone find out that we stole the scroll?"
A hint of impatience flashed in Mizuki's eyes, but the scroll was still on Kiba Inuzuka, so he patiently explained:
"Of course I can beat Naruto, and no one will notice."
"Give it to me quickly, time is running out."
Kiba Inuzuka looked at Mizuki's outstretched hand, and his unease grew stronger.
As a ninja who grew up with ninja dogs, his intuition was giving him a frantic warning.
The teacher in front of me, Mizuki, seemed to be radiating a startling malice.
"No……"
Kiba Inuzuka took a step back and hugged the scroll tightly again.
"Teacher, let's put the scroll back before anyone notices."
"Tch, what a troublesome brat."
The fake smile on Mizuki's face vanished instantly.
Instead, there was a sinister, twisted face filled with murderous intent.
"I originally wanted you to live a little longer so I could take the blame for you."
Mizuki drew the enormous Fuma Shuriken from behind his back.
"But since you're so eager to die, don't blame me."
"Teacher?"
Kiba Inuzuka's eyes widened, seemingly not quite understanding what was happening yet.
She stared in disbelief at Mizuki, who was completely different from before, her body trembling with fear.
"You want to kill me? Why? You said we were doing this for fairness..."
"fair?"
Shui Mu chuckled, as if he had heard a joke.
"It's unfair to compare a piece of trash like you with a genius."
"Remember to be smarter in your next life, and don't believe the nonsense adults tell!"
call--!
As Shui Mu finished speaking, a sharp, piercing sound rang out.
The massive Fuma Shuriken traced a deadly arc as it slashed straight toward Kiba Inuzuka's body.
too fast!
This was Kiba Inuzuka's first direct confrontation with the threat of death.
Under the shadow of Shui Mu's murderous intent, his mind went blank, and his body stiffened, unable to move.
Akamaru also let out a pitiful cry.
In despair, he could only close his eyes and wait for death.
clang--!
The enormous Wind Demon's shuriken was firmly stomped under a foot and deeply embedded in the soil.
In front of Kiba Inuzuka stood a blond figure.
He put one hand in his pocket and used the other to push up his glasses.
"Although it was expected... it's really despicable to kill your own students, Mizuki-sensei."
"No, or rather... he's a Mizuki traitor."
"Naruto?"
Kiba Inuzuka slumped to the ground, looking at the figure in front of him who, though not tall, now appeared incredibly imposing, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
"Naruto... I'm sorry... How could you...?"
Naruto calmly said, "The Hokage has ordered us to eliminate the rogue ninja and bring back our lost classmates."
"Now, step back."
Shame, regret, gratitude... a mix of emotions welled up inside me.
"Naruto... I'm sorry... I..."
Kiba Inuzuka burst into tears, unable to control himself.
"Stand up, Teeth."
Naruto didn't turn around, but he exuded an undeniable authority.
"What kind of fairness do you seek? To steal what doesn't belong to you through despicable means?"
Inuzuka bit his lip, gripping the soil tightly.
"True fairness is recognizing your own limits, doing your best, and having a clear conscience."
Naruto looked at Mizuki, whose face was ashen, and said, "Being misled by this kind of trash is the worst part of your defeat today."
These words struck like a heavy hammer, shattering Kiba Inuzuka's last glimmer of hope and darkness.
"I understand..."
Kiba Inuzuka wiped away his tears, staggered to his feet, and the fire in his eyes reignited.
"Thank you, Naruto."
Seeing the deep affection between his classmates, Shui Mu's temples throbbed with emotion.
"Naruto Uzumaki..."
Shuimu gritted his teeth.
He never expected that this loser, who had always been right under his nose, would possess the superhuman strength to stomp the Wind Demon Sword under his foot.
"It seems everyone misjudged you; you're quite the fox spirit who's been hiding your true nature."
"but……"
Mizuki suddenly grinned maliciously, reached into his ninja tool pouch, and pulled out a glass bottle containing a scarlet liquid.
This is the power he received from Lord Orochimaru.
"You think you've got this in the bag, kid!"
Mizuki uncapped the bottle, his eyes gleaming with a crazed light:
"This is the true power bestowed upon me by that great one!"
Shuimu tilted his head back and drank the medicine in one gulp.
"That is..."
Naruto frowned slightly, as he keenly sensed that Mizuki's chakra was suddenly going berserk.
A cold, violent, and ominous chakra surged forth from Mizuki's body.
"roar--!!"
Accompanied by painful screams, Mizuki's body underwent a terrifying transformation.
His muscles swelled rapidly, bursting through his Chunin vest, his pupils stood upright, and black tiger-striped curse marks appeared on his skin.
In just a few seconds, Mizuki transformed from an ordinary Chunin into a muscular monster, half-human and half-tiger.
The terrifying killing intent spread wildly, almost tangible, causing the surrounding leaves to rustle.
Kiba Inuzuka was so intimidated by this aura that he staggered backward, his face turning pale.
"What...what kind of monster is this...?"
Naruto stood there, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Forced cell activation? What force did he use to stimulate the physical mutation? Did he also add genetic fragments from other organisms?"
Mizuki arrived in front of Naruto in an instant, like a cannonball.