Mizuki found himself in a bind. Truth be told, his repertoire of ninjutsu was limited.
He only knew a handful of C-rank Fire Release techniques.
The Great Fireball Technique, a signature Uchiha clan Fire Release, was stronger than anything he could muster.
As for other elemental ninjutsu, Mizuki was clueless.
A Chunin's strength was only marginally above a Genin's, and compared to Genin from noble clans, he often fell short.
If not for his lack of talent, connections, and fear of death, Mizuki wouldn't have settled for being a Ninja Academy teacher.
"Naruto, learning a ninjutsu isn't that simple."
"And I don't know any techniques stronger than the Great Fireball Technique."
Mizuki spoke calmly to Naruto Uzumaki.
Inwardly, he simmered with resentment. He believed he'd worked tirelessly, never slacking in his training.
Yet, as a grassroots ninja, he could never match those born into noble clans.
"Oh… so even you don't know, Sensei…"
Naruto's face fell, his only hope dashed.
"Don't lose heart, Naruto. Strength doesn't always come from powerful ninjutsu."
"And it's not like us commoner ninjas have no future."
"Take the Fourth Hokage, for example—a grassroots ninja."
"Through sheer effort, he became Hokage and earned the title 'Yellow Flash,' renowned across the ninja world."
"He's my idol, you know."
Mizuki shook his head, speaking with reverence.
Unbeknownst to him, Naruto's father was Minato Namikaze, the very Fourth Hokage he admired.
Back then, nearly every commoner ninja idolized Minato.
A hero of the Ninja World War, cloaked in the moniker "Yellow Flash," his fame echoed throughout the ninja world.
"Why was the Fourth Hokage called the Yellow Flash?"
"Was it because of his yellow hair?"
Naruto's face lit up with a smile, his eyes sparkling as he touched his own hair, puzzled.
He was eager to learn more about the Fourth Hokage.
"It's because of his signature ninjutsu, of course."
"The Flying Thunder God Technique. He was called the Yellow Flash because his speed was unmatched in the ninja world."
"He once single-handedly repelled an ambush from the Hidden Rock Village, completing his mission."
"He was a hero of the Ninja World War. I'd just graduated from the Ninja Academy back then."
Mizuki stood with hands on hips, envy in his eyes.
If only he had the Fourth Hokage's talent and opportunities.
Blessed with genius, mentored by Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin, and master of the S-rank Flying Thunder God Technique.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique? Is it that powerful?"
"Who in the Hidden Leaf knows it? Can you tell me, Sensei?"
Naruto's eyes widened, excitement surging as he grabbed Mizuki's arm.
"I think only the Fourth Hokage knew the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"It's a space-time ninjutsu—incredibly powerful and notoriously hard to learn."
"But you could—"
Mizuki paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
He glanced at Naruto, then at the distant Hokage Rock.
A wild idea took root in his mind.
"Could what? Don't leave me hanging, Mizuki-sensei!"
Naruto tugged at Mizuki, shaking him impatiently.
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Mizuki was crafting a plan in his head.
A plan that, in the original *Naruto* story, Mizuki wouldn't conceive until years later.
But constant exposure to Naruto and the stark contrast between commoners and noble clans had sparked this notion.
Looking at Naruto now, a preliminary scheme formed.
"The Scroll of Seals. Only the Scroll of Seals, guarded by the Hokages, contains the method to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"It's classified as a forbidden jutsu."
Mizuki's expression turned grave. In his view, few could master such a technique.
But his heart coveted the other forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals.
"If I got my hands on the Scroll of Seals…"
"I could become a powerhouse rivaling the Hokage."
Mizuki's eyes gleamed. Looking at Naruto again, his plan solidified.
"The Scroll of Seals? Forbidden jutsu?"
"So there's no way to learn it?"
Naruto's expression sank. He desperately wanted to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But now, it seemed impossible.
Forbidden jutsu were off-limits to ninjas, violating the Hidden Leaf's rules.
Even as a child, Naruto knew such acts carried severe consequences.
"Naruto, don't you want to be as strong as Sasuke?"
"I have a way, but you can't tell anyone."
"It's a secret between you and me."
Mizuki crouched down, his voice coaxing as he looked at the dejected Naruto.
Naruto lifted his head, a spark of yearning in his eyes.
"In a few days, the Hokage will be away."
"He's meeting the Daimyo, so the Hokage's office will likely be unguarded."
"That's your chance to get close to the Scroll of Seals."
"If you take it and bring it to the forest in the hills, I'll help you copy the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Then we'll return the scroll, and no one will know."
Mizuki's words, like luring a child, instantly stirred Naruto's heart.
At this age, much younger than the twelve-year-old Naruto in the original story, he knew this was wrong.
He felt a twinge of fear, but the allure of the Flying Thunder God Technique was overwhelming.
[*This is the Fourth Hokage's signature ninjutsu.*]
[*It might be my father's greatest technique…*]
[*If I return the scroll afterward, there shouldn't be any trouble, right?*]
Chu Ran's voice echoed in Naruto's subconscious.
Indeed, at this stage, Naruto was unaware of the Hidden Leaf's strict regulations.
He didn't grasp the true danger of forbidden jutsu.
All he knew was his desire to master the Flying Thunder God Technique, to become the standout in his class.
To earn everyone's acknowledgment—and perhaps, the Flying Thunder God Technique was the key.
(End of the Chapter)