Chapter 45. A Leaf Shinobi

Iruka went through the woods. He somewhat hated himself for ignoring Naruto. He checked his surroundings for any clues on where Naruto might be. After awhile he found Naruto near an abandoned shack on the outskirts of the village. He was on the ground exhausted.

Iruka: It's all over Naruto.

Naruto scratched his head and said with a cheeky smile : Caught me already huh.You are not bad sensei. I only had time to learn one technique.

Iruka saw Naruto's body was dirty he thought ' He has been out here practising'

Naruto's face showed excitement as he said : Listen iruka sensei, I am gonna do this amazing technique and you are gonna let me graduate then everything would be over. That's how it works right?

Iruka was confused: Where did you get that idea?

Naruto jumped around: Mizuki sensei told me about it. Dattebayo! He told me where to find the scroll and this place.

Iruka had a bad feeling when Naruto told him about what Mizuki did. His expression suddenly changed

Iruka: Look out!!

He pushed Naruto away. Kunais came from beside them and Iruka was hurt badly.

Mizuki: I see you found our little hideaway.

Iruka: So that's how it is. I should have known.

Mizuki: Give me the scroll Naruto ! Now!!

Naruto was confused when he saw this, he asked

' Wait a minute. Whats going on? '

Iruka was bleeding, he heard Mizuki

' Naruto..Don't let Mizuki have the scroll. It contains many forbidden Jutsus that may put the village in danger. Mizuki used you to get the scroll for his own purpose '

Naruto looked towards Mizuki. He saw the confusion in Naruto's eyes and said

' Naruto, Iruka is trying to fool you so you don't get the scroll '

Naruto looked at both of them. He didn't know what to think.

Iruka: Stop lying Mizuki!! Don't let him trick you Naruto!

Mizuki laughed : oh i will tell you who's really lying.

Iruka: Mizuki don't..

Mizuki: He has been lying to you for years Naruto. well..Since the decree years ago.

Naruto : Wha..what decree?

Mizuki: Everyone knows about it except you. Even now iruka will do anything to Shut me from saying it.

Naruto: What is this decree? What is it about?

Iruka yelled: Don't tell him. It's forbidden.

Mizuki: The decree is..No one can tell you that the nine tailed fox is inside you.

Naruto's was startled hearing that. Mizuki continued

' The fox that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed the village reside inside you.You ARE the Nine Tailed fox.

Iruka: STOP IT!!

Mizuki: Iruka has been sneaking around lying to you your whole life. Didn't you find it strange how the village treated you? Like dirt, they hated you for just being alive.

Naruto stood there dumbly. He yelled

' NoNoNoNo '

His body started producing chakra. Seeing him like this iruka was guilty.

Mizuki: You will never be accepted by this village. Even your beloved sensei hates your guts.

Hearing Mizuki say this iruka remembered sarutobi's words

' Iruka..Naruto never had parents. The only love he has known is from the Uzumakis. Apart from them, everywhere he went people turned their backs on him. He is a kid Iruka.. How would you feel if everyone in a village hated you? That's why he gets into so much trouble. So that even if it's for scolding, he will be treated as a person '

Naruto blanked out. Mizuki saw this and attacked

' Die '

Naruto was scared and tried to turn back. Even though he trained with Ryu, he was still a kid. Knowing about why everyone in the village hated him and the fox inside him, he was sad and distracted.

Iruka: Dodge Naruto!!

Saying this iruka got Infront of the attack and blocked it. His back was pierced with the demon shuriken. Naruto's asked stuttering

' W..Wh..Why?'

Iruka: Because we are the same. When my parents died no one care for me. My grades dropped and I became the clown in my class. I just want everyone to know me..know my name. I did crazy things just to get attention and I paid for it. I know you feel the same Naruto. Apart from your family everyone hated you and you feel hurt....I am sorry Naruto...As your sensei I couldn't be there for you. No one should go through that.

Mizuki sneered : Don't me laugh. Iruka hates you. His parents were killed by the nine Tails and it's inside you. He would say anything to get the scroll back.

Naruto had a fierce look on his face. He jumped back and escaped. Iruka called back Naruto but he didn't listen and left. Mizuki got down from the tree

Mizuki: Don't bother. He won't come back. He is gonna use the scroll to take revenge on the village. You saw the look in his eyes, those were the eyes of a beast.

Iruka pulled out the shuriken from his back and threw it towards Mizuki. Mizuki dodged it and said

' You are a joke. It seems I need to eliminate Naruto to get the scroll. I will be back for you later '.

Iruka kept panting on the ground. His wounds were bleeding. Without any of them knowing Sarutobi was seeing all this. He had a serious face

' Mizuki has a loud mouth. He made Naruto feel worse, worse than he ever felt. If Naruto keeps tempering with the seal it may unleash the nine Tails. Moreover if Ryu knew someone hurted his brother, I fear for what's to come. '

Naruto was escaping through the woods. Mizuki transformed as iruka and said

' Naruto, everything Mizuki said was a lie. Give me the scroll he is right behind us'

Naruto suddenly turned back and headbutted iruka. Mizuki undid his transformation

' How did you know it was me, not iruka?'

Naruto's figure suddenly transformed to iruka.

Mizuki: You are a fool. Why are you protecting that monster? He is the one that wiped out your family.

Iruka: I don't care what you say, you are not getting your hands on the scroll.

Mizuki: You can't stop me. Naruto is just like me. He wants the scroll for his own power and vengeance.

Iruka: Right..

Hearing iruka say this Naruto was devastated.

Iruka: Yea beasts are like that but that's not who Naruto is. He is unique, he works hard and puts his whole heart into it. Sure he messed up sometime and everyone ridicules him for that. That's why he is not a beast. He is Naruto Uzumaki...of the Village Hidden In The Leaf.

Naruto heard what iruka said. He cried. To him his family was the only place where he was cared for in this village, to hear his sensei say that he belonged made him cry.

Mizuki chuckled hearing that and took the demon shuriken from his back.

' Do you really believe that? I was gonna kill you later but you are finished '

Mizuki ran towards iruka with the shuriken. Before he could reach him, Naruto attacked him.

Mizuki got up from the ground: Well well not bad for a punk.

Naruto had a fierce look on his face: If you ever touch my sensei...I will Kill You!

Mizuki growled: I can kill you in a single move.

Naruto: Don't think I am weak. I was confused before but not anymore. Anything you throw at me return it a thousand fold.

Mizuki: Big words for a brat. Let's see you try!!

Naruto made a single hand sign : You tricked me to steal the scroll to learn the Jutsus inside. Shadow clone Jutsu !!

Over a thousand clones were created in an instant. Mizuki was scared. He fell and stared at the countless Naruto's surrounding him.

Naruto: If you are not coming then we will.

Mizuki:Nooooo

After a while Mizuki could be seen lying on the ground beated like crap. Naruto scratched his head and laughed foolishly

' Sorry sensei I got carried away '

Iruka just smiled : Naruto come here. I got something for you.

The village ninjas were still trying to find Naruto. Sarutobi came in and said

' There is no need to look for him. The scroll is safe. He will be back soon '.

Naruto had his eyes closed : Sensei what is it?

Iruka: Ok you can open your eyes.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes only to see iruka smiling at him.

' Congratulations Naruto. You graduated. You are officially A Leaf Shinobi '

Naruto was overwhelmed. He touched his forehead protector

Iruka: To celebrate, let's go out for Ramen.

Naruto stood there for a second before hugging iruka

Iruka: That hurts!

Iruka thought' This is only the beginning Naruto. You road up ahead will be tougher but if I say that now it will ruin the moment '.