Chapter 88: Mizuki's Conspiracy [Part 2]

"Next, Uzumaki Naruto..."

Iruka's voice came through, and Naruto rubbed his cheeks, putting on a bitter face as he walked out. He really wanted to use Shadow Clones to show off his strength, but thinking about the plan afterwards, Naruto ultimately gave up on the idea.

"Naruto, don't be nervous, just do your best!"

Iruka saw Naruto's nervous appearance and quickly comforted him.

"Yeah, I know, Iruka Sensei!" Naruto smiled, forming the hand seals for Clones and chakra surging through his body.

"Clone..."

"Boom..."

Two clouds of smoke appeared around Naruto, and after the smoke dissipated, two strange-looking clones appeared in front of Iruka. One clone was soft and limp like boiled noodles, while the other was a disabled person with one side of their body larger than the other.

"Uzumaki Naruto, not qualified..."

Iruka sighed and judged Naruto as unqualified.

"Iruka Sensei, I think we should let Naruto pass!" Mizuki put on a sympathetic look. "He's worked so hard, and even though the clones don't look normal, at least he was able to create them. Let him pass this time!"

"No, once you become a ninja, you have to go on missions. I can't let Naruto be in danger just because of a moment of pity!" Iruka was unwavering. Although he felt sorry for Naruto's disappointed look, when it came to Naruto's future safety, he had to be firm in his decision.

"Okay then..." Mizuki pretended to sigh, but inside he was laughing. He knew Iruka wouldn't change his mind. The words he said earlier were just to gain favor with Naruto and make the plan go smoothly.

Naruto walked out of the classroom with his head down, feeling disappointed. Iruka saw this and sighed helplessly. He also wanted Naruto to pass, but the rules were the rules, and for Naruto's safety, he had to be tough and not look at Naruto's disappointed face.

As Naruto left, his expression of disappointment disappeared in an instant. Fortunately, he had experienced this feeling of disappointment when he was ridiculed by the villagers before, otherwise it would have been difficult to act this way.

"Naruto, you're a good actor!" Sakura and the others were waiting outside for Naruto. They all gave him a thumbs up for his sudden change in expression.

"Haha, I knew I was great!" Naruto laughed proudly. "Even Iruka Sensei was fooled."

"Next, let's each hide somewhere. Naruto, you sit on the swing alone and keep acting. Wait for Mizuki to come find you!" Sakura and the others whispered to each other before pretending to leave, making it look like they had abandoned Naruto.

Sitting on the swing, Naruto watched the crowd of parents and children leaving, feeling envious. He wished he had parents to hold his hand and take him away.

"Naruto, why haven't you gone home yet?" Mizuki walked up behind Naruto with a strange smile on his face.

"I don't want to go back. There's only me at home anyway..." Naruto lowered his head, emitting a lonely aura. Although he was living with Sakura and the others now, only a few people knew about it. Others still thought he was living alone in his old small house.

"Is it because you didn't pass the exam today and feel sad?" Mizuki walked up to Naruto, squatting down and showing a caring smile.

"Hey, Naruto, don't blame Iruka Sensei too much. He's doing it for your own good!" Mizuki comforted Naruto. "Once you become a ninja, you'll have to take on missions. It's dangerous if you don't succeed in ninjutsu training. Iruka Sensei cares about you too much to let you graduate easily!"

"But Mizuki Sensei, I really want to graduate and become a real ninja. My goal is to become the strongest Hokage in Konoha!" Naruto clenched his fists, looking dissatisfied. "And I already used Clones, why won't he let me graduate?"

"Because Iruka cares about you too much!" Mizuki saw Naruto's frustrated expression and laughed silently in his heart. "But Naruto, do you really want to graduate and become a ninja?"

"Uh-huh..." Naruto nodded heavily.

"Then let me tell you a secret!" Mizuki hesitated for a moment before pretending to be reluctant to see Naruto disappointed. "In Konoha, there's something called the Sealing Book, a huge scroll hidden by the Third Hokage in a very secret place. If you can get that scroll, it proves your strength. At that time, the Third Hokage will definitely agree to let you graduate!"

Mizuki smiled gently on the surface, but inside he was sneering.

"Sealing Book? If I get the Sealing Book, will Iruka Sensei agree to let me graduate?" Naruto's face showed a hint of expectation.

"That's right. As long as you can successfully get the Sealing Book and bring it to the forest, you can become a qualified ninja!"

Mizuki's expression remained unchanged, but he was secretly happy. This fool had finally taken the bait.

"Mizuki Sensei, do you know where the Sealing Book is? I will definitely go and get it!" Naruto asked eagerly, with a look of determination.

"Of course I know..." Mizuki quietly told Naruto the location he had found out, and then said, "However, Naruto, only you and I can know this information. You can't tell anyone else. If other people find out, the method of graduating with the Sealing Book won't work!"

__________

Become a patron today and read extra chaps!

Patréon.com/bokuboku

P.S Gotta feed my kat!