In Naruto's subconscious, Chu Ran saw the perfect opportunity.
Without hesitation, he began his psychological assault, sowing seeds of manipulation.
[Ding! Naruto Uzumaki's emotions are in extreme turmoil!]
[Ding! Blackening Progress increased by 7%!]
[Ding! Blackening Progress reached 10%, unlocking the Blackening Shop!]
[Ding! Blackening Progress reached 10%, obtained Blackening Treasure Chest!]
[Ding! Blackening Progress reached 10%, obtained 200 Blackening Points!]
Betrayed by one of the people closest to him, someone he trusted deeply, Naruto's emotions teetered on the edge of collapse. His body trembled uncontrollably.
If Chu Ran hadn't used the Adamantine Sealing Chains to suppress the Nine-Tails' leaking chakra beforehand, Naruto would likely have been overwhelmed by its power, spiraling into a berserk state.
[I didn't expect Mizuki alone would have such an impact.]
[System, open the Blackening Treasure Chest.]
Watching the scene unfold in Naruto's subconscious, Chu Ran couldn't suppress a smile.
In this moment, Mizuki was like a kind, mentor-like figure to Naruto.
Betrayal by such a person dealt a crushing blow to Naruto's young heart.
It would make trusting others far harder in the future. While exposing Mizuki as a pawn this early had both benefits and drawbacks, Chu Ran chose to orchestrate their rift now.
He aimed to accelerate and intensify Naruto's blackening before the Uchiha Clan Massacre.
[Ding! Blackening Treasure Chest opened!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining Wind Release Chakra and Ninjutsu!]
Wind Release chakra and ninjutsu meant that, upon opening the chest, Chu Ran gained the ability to wield all Wind Release techniques, including Naruto's future self-created Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.
However, Naruto's current physical body and chakra reserves were insufficient to fully utilize these abilities.
For now, though, they were more than adequate for Chu Ran's purposes.
"Mizuki! Naruto!"
As Naruto teetered on the brink of losing control, a shout came from the distance.
Iruka Umino, panting heavily, rushed between them.
Seeing his friend Mizuki, Iruka's face showed confusion.
"Naruto, return the Scroll of Seals now!"
"Do you realize what you're doing?"
"Stealing like this will disgrace the entire Ninja Academy!"
Iruka unleashed a torrent of scolding at Naruto.
His words darkened Naruto's expression further, tears streaming from his eyes.
"Iruka-sensei, are you here to kill me too?"
Naruto glared at Iruka, a flicker of hatred in his eyes.
He knew this man had always been prejudiced against him.
And Mizuki and Iruka were close friends, having grown up together.
"What are you talking about? I'm your teacher."
"I'm trying to help you. Hand over the Scroll of Seals and come back with me to apologize."
Iruka froze, puzzled by the hatred in Naruto's eyes.
His words, meant as a teacher's guidance, only fueled Naruto's anger.
Whoosh!
A flurry of kunai rained down on Naruto and Iruka like a storm.
Iruka reacted instantly, deflecting them with his own kunai.
Naruto dodged, but several kunai struck him, and he collapsed.
"Iruka, why keep up this hypocritical act?"
"Don't you hate Naruto?"
"Here's your chance—a chance to avenge your parents."
"How about it? Shall I let you have it?"
"As friends for over a decade, I'd do that for you."
Mizuki tossed a kunai playfully, smiling at Iruka.
Their friendship had only formed because Mizuki once pitied Iruka.
His true nature was cruel, willing to do anything to achieve his goals.
With the village's ninjas scouring the outskirts, no one would suspect Naruto, who stole the Scroll of Seals, was hiding in the hills behind the academy.
Mizuki, who had always resented Iruka, didn't want to kill him yet.
Instead, he wanted to toy with him, exposing his so-called hypocrisy.
"What are you doing, Mizuki? Why are you acting like this?"
Iruka stared at Mizuki in shock, unable to comprehend his sudden change.
But Mizuki's words stirred something in Iruka.
Memories of his parents surfaced, and as he looked at Naruto, a fleeting hatred flashed in his eyes.
That single flicker of hatred plunged Naruto into despair.
Complete despair toward both men.
Mizuki's betrayal and Iruka's hatred drove Naruto to struggle to his feet.
The hatred in his eyes intensified. With one glance at them, he turned to flee.
"Trying to run?"
Mizuki, done talking, gripped a kunai and charged at Iruka first.
In just two or three exchanges, he plunged the kunai into Iruka's chest.
Blood sprayed, and Iruka's pupils trembled, his consciousness fading from pain as he collapsed.
Mizuki pursued Naruto.
He soon found him at the edge of the hills.
Because Naruto was carrying the Scroll of Seals, Mizuki didn't attack with ninja tools immediately.
Instead, he used two quick Body Flicker Techniques to close the distance.
A kick landed squarely on Naruto's wounded waist.
The searing pain nearly knocked Naruto out, sending him crashing into the distance.
He slammed into a tree and lacked the strength to rise.
"Stinky brat."
Mizuki's gaze was ice-cold. Seeing Naruto, unable to stand yet still clutching the Scroll of Seals, glaring at him with hatred, Mizuki's expression soured.
Ignoring Naruto's injuries, he rained punches and kicks on him.
Yet Naruto clung to the Scroll of Seals, refusing to let go.
"Die, you little pest!"
"Let go!"
Mizuki roared impatiently, his blows growing heavier.
Finally, Naruto's grip faltered, and the Scroll of Seals rolled away.
Blood from Naruto's wounds stained the scroll.
(End of the Chapter)