"Stealing" the Sealing Scroll

If the plot really changes, then Naruto himself must find another way to make up for it. Either go and persuade Iruka again, Or go directly to the Third Hokage. In any case, at this stage of the original plot, he must graduate smoothly. 

First, it's convenient for his actions, and second, staying at the ninja academy is meaningless. In fact, three years ago, the help provided by the ninja academy to Naruto was minimal. 

Over these three years, all Naruto has been doing is strengthening his physical abilities. If he wants to get even stronger, he needs a higher level of training, which basically means opportunities for real combat. This is one of the most important ways for most ninjas to get stronger, and it's something the ninja academy can't provide. Even the most ordinary missions can accumulate relevant experience, let alone those genuinely high-difficulty tasks. If it weren't for not wanting to draw attention or knowing it's simply impossible, Naruto would have applied for graduation two or three years ago. So, this year's graduation is a must for Naruto to become a ninja, and this period of time cannot be wasted.

However, it's quite clear that Naruto's worries are unnecessary. Just as he was considering whether he had any backup plans or remedies, he saw Mizuki's figure not far away. It was at that moment of seeing Mizuki that Naruto put all his worries aside.

  As long as Mizuki appeared in front of him at this time, Naruto could be 100% sure that there would be no changes to the original plot. This relieved Naruto, and he felt inwardly happy.

  Of course, he had to maintain a disappointed and desolate expression on his face. After all, at this moment, he was supposed to be sad because he couldn't pass the exam. He couldn't let Mizuki see through his act. 

With a fake smile, Naruto waved to Mizuki, who was approaching him slowly. "Let me make the most of this opportunity!" The two of them made eye contact and, at the same moment, had the same thought.

Mizuki-sensei, thank you for coming all this way to provide me with my first experience package. I'll gladly accept it!

As Naruto looked at Mizuki, who pretended to be gentle and concerned while sitting beside him, Naruto had an innocent and happy look on his face. In reality, he was thinking coldly in his heart.

Night.

A bright crescent moon hung in the sky, slightly obscured by dark clouds. At this moment, the entire Konoha village seemed to be shrouded in darkness, making it a perfect time for "thieves" to be active.

More than half the time had passed. Apart from the necessary security personnel and certain entertainment venues, almost all the residents of Konoha Village were in deep sleep.

In this peaceful and quiet Konoha Village, a figure was moving rapidly towards a certain location in the center of the village, taking advantage of the cover of dark clouds. This figure was none other than Naruto Uzumaki, who had been "deceived" and "instigated" by Mizuki to complete a "special graduation task."

Of course, Naruto was well aware of the hidden agenda behind this so-called "special graduation task," which was to steal one of Konoha Village's highest secrets: the Sealing Book. The location to be infiltrated was not the place mentioned by Mizuki for the graduation exam but the residence of the Third Hokage.

Although the task at hand was to breach Konoha's highest secrecy, in 99% of cases, it would be treated as an act of treason. However, at this moment, Naruto didn't feel the slightest bit of nervousness. That's because he knew for sure that this trip would go smoothly, and he would easily steal the Sealing Book, even under the surveillance of numerous ANBU and under the noses of the other ninja.

There was only one reason for this: The tacit approval of the Third Hokage!

In the original series, Naruto had always been puzzled as to why he could easily steal such a high-level secret as the Sealing Book. It was either a serious plot hole or there was a big secret behind it. However, in this world, after some analysis, Naruto came to a clear conclusion: the Third Hokage allowed him to take the Sealing Book. The purpose was simple: it was a form of compensation for Naruto. Of course, these were just Naruto's speculations, but he had more than an 80-90% certainty about this.

Otherwise, even the original Naruto, let alone Naruto in this world with his current abilities, would not be able to steal the Sealing Book. Let's not even talk about dismantling the protective barriers around it; whether he could even understand those barriers was a big question mark.

"Hmm? Is this the place where the Third Hokage lives? It's really spacious..."

Naruto was hidden in a big tree outside the Third Hokage's residence. He peered out with great interest, using the tree's trunk and leaves for cover. According to Mizuki-sensei, this was the so-called secret task location. As long as Naruto could obtain the mission scroll from this location, he could complete the special graduation exam and become a true Genin.

Thinking about the insincere smile on Mizuki's face from this afternoon,

A faint, mocking smile appeared on Naruto's lips.

Although he was an arrogant fool who thought highly of himself,

For the sake of being used by him,

Naruto still planned to give Mizuki-sensei a good "send-off"!

"Well, let's go in. After all, there's no one stopping me."

After a brief observation,

Naruto nodded, lightly stepped on his right foot, and leaped over the wall in front of him. He landed in the courtyard silently, deliberately slowing down his pace to eliminate all sound. Even though Naruto was well aware that this "theft" was just a joke and there would be no ANBU or barriers blocking him, he still needed to play his part. He couldn't just walk in through the main gate all conspicuously. Some acting skills and thief-like instincts were still necessary.

The only thing Naruto needed to consider right now was how to learn other ninja techniques apart from the Shadow Clone Jutsu after stealing the Sealing Book and before meeting Mizuki. And, most importantly, he had to do all this without the Third Hokage finding out. If the Third Hokage did find out, who knows what that cunning old politician would do.

In tonight's plan, this was the only thing Naruto needed to consider!

What? How to deal with Mizuki? Come on, even the original Naruto could easily defeat Mizuki.

There's no way Naruto in this world can't overpower Mizuki.

(End of this chapter)