(Edited)Chapter 3 Meeting Naruto And Mizuki's Betrayal As He Serves Him...

I don't own Cote, Naruto or Bsd. All right belongs to respectful owner. Also Bsd won't have much influence except for influencing Kiyo into becoming good.

Third Person Pov :-

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the esteemed Third Hokage of Konohagakure, diligently attended to the ceaseless stack of paperwork that burdened his desk. As he immersed himself in the administrative tasks befitting his position, a subtle disturbance in the air alerted him to an approaching presence. Moments later, a polite knock echoed through the room, prompting Hiruzen to grant permission to enter.

"Please, come in," he invited, his weathered features turning towards the doorway.

Stepping inside was Uchiha Fugaku, a man known for his unwavering dedication to duty. Clutching a stack of documents, Fugaku greeted the Third Hokage with respect. "Lord Third, as requested, I have brought the necessary documents."

Acknowledging Fugaku's diligence, Hiruzen nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Fugaku. I couldn't help but notice that you appear rather content. Is there something that has brought you joy?"

Fugaku's gaze met Hiruzen's, and a flicker of excitement shone in his eyes. "Indeed, Lord Third. I wanted to share some news concerning Sasuke," he replied.

Aware that Sasuke, the talented young Uchiha, had recently celebrated his birthday, Hiruzen inquired about the boy's upbringing. "Ah, his birthday was just yesterday, wasn't it? I hope he is receiving proper guidance and care."

"Absolutely, Lord Third," Fugaku assured him. "In fact, we may have another prodigious talent emerging from the Uchiha clan within Konohagakure."

Hiruzen's interest was piqued. "Fascinating. Are you referring to Sasuke, then? What is his potential?"

"Yes, precisely," Fugaku confirmed, a touch of pride resonating in his words. "Shisui himself stated that if he were to spar with Sasuke, it would be a one-sided affair. At Sasuke's young age, he managed to defeat a shadow clone of Shisui with a single chakra-enhanced kick. Shisui believes Sasuke has already reached the level of a Genin, and he is rapidly approaching Chunin status. However, I suspect he has yet to reveal his true capabilities. Despite that, Sasuke consciously chose not to exert unnecessary effort in displaying his near-full strength during these encounters."

Hiruzen couldn't help but be taken aback by Fugaku's revelation, his curiosity now fully awakened.

"I understand. It seems Sasuke's disposition may lean towards non-violence, or perhaps, as you suggested, he intentionally conceals his true strength. Given his defeat of Shisui's clone and his evident intelligence, we need not worry about him hiding his abilities. Now, it is your turn to speak, is it not?" Hiruzen inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, indeed," Fugaku replied. "Ideally, I would prefer to shield Sasuke from the ravages of war and the ways of the shinobi until he reaches an appropriate age, like any other child his age. I want him to complete his academy education first."

Hiruzen nodded, reassured by Fugaku's perspective. "I can certainly manage that. There is no need for him to venture into the perilous world of shinobi at such a tender age, especially when there is no ongoing war. By the way, where do you think Sasuke and his assigned protectors, Iruka and Mizuki, might be at this moment?" he asked, recalling Mikoto's hiring of the two genin for Sasuke's safety.

Fugaku responded, "Lord Third, I spotted them earlier. They were last seen near the northern part of the village."

With a contemplative expression, Hiruzen reached for a spherical glass-like object. Focusing his chakra, he infused the orb, much to Fugaku's expectation of witnessing the Crystal Ball jutsu. However, the scene that unfolded before them deviated greatly from their assumptions. Sasuke's body bore several wounds, his blood staining his clothes, and Iruka seemed similarly injured. They were locked in a fierce battle against a monstrous figure they suspected to be Mizuki.

"Fugaku, I hereby assign you an A-rank mission to rescue your son, Uchiha Sasuke, and Umino Iruka from that monstrous assailant, whom I suspect to be Mizuki. Go swiftly, and I will dispatch additional aid should the situation spiral out of control," Hiruzen declared, his gaze fixed on the dire situation.

Acknowledging the urgency, Fugaku responded with determination, "Understood, Lord Hokage." He swiftly vanished from the room, employing the Shunshin technique to hasten to their location.

The Third Hokage could only hope that their intervention would reach Sasuke and Iruka in time, as he braced himself for the impending danger that awaited them.

Few hours earlier :-

"Goodbye, Mom," the young Uchiha bid farewell, followed by Iruka and Mizuki saying, "See you later, Mikoto-san." As they embarked on their journey, Mizuki inquired, "Sasuke, is there any particular place you'd like to go right now?" "Hmm, I want to practice throwing kunai and shuriken. They were birthday gifts," Sasuke replied.

Concerned, Iruka questioned, "But you're just a child. Are you sure it's safe to play with such dangerous tools?" Sasuke reassured him, "Don't worry, I'm an Uchiha." Accepting his response, Iruka nodded. "Alright."

"Shall we find an available training ground?" Iruka proposed to the others. Agreement reached, they set out, with Sasuke keenly observing his surroundings until they finally arrived at the designated training ground.

Before Sasuke could launch his kunai, Mizuki intervened, suggesting, "Wait, Sasuke. Let's mark a target for you to aim at. Also, do you know the proper technique for throwing them?" Sasuke agreed, "Okay, and any tips you guys have would be appreciated." With preparations made, Iruka and Mizuki couldn't help but think, 'Unlike other Uchihas, he's quite pleasant.'

"All right, Iruka, this will be good practice for your future as an academy instructor, isn't it? It's remarkable that your first student will be a member of the prestigious Uchiha clan, albeit a young one," Mizuki remarked, his smile evident. "Very well. Show me what you can do, Sasuke," Iruka prompted. Sasuke nodded in response, reaching into his shinobi pouch to retrieve his kunai.

Sasuke threw the kunai, slightly veering left of the target. He attempted again, this time swaying to the right. Another throw sailed upwards, and the following one dipped down. 'I understand,' Sasuke thought. Gathering his focus, he mustered more concentration than before and released the kunai. It hit the target, albeit slightly right and above the center.

Curious about his progress, Sasuke inquired, "How was that?" Iruka responded, impressed, "You did remarkably well, Sasuke, especially for your first attempt. However, there is still room for improvement. Let me demonstrate." Iruka took out a kunai and threw it with near-perfect precision. He then proceeded to explain, "First, ensure a proper grip and stance for holding and throwing the kunai. Then focus on developing your throwing technique, paying attention to direction and trajectory. That's all. Now, try it again following my instructions."

Sasuke, undeterred, followed Iruka's guidance and threw the kunai once more. This time, there was improvement, although he still missed the target. Nevertheless, he persisted, relentlessly repeating the process until the clock neared 1:00 PM. "Incredible, Sasuke! On your very first day, you hit the target a staggering 39 times in a row. It took me over a week to achieve that, not to mention you're so young. Truly a prodigy," praised Iruka silently thinking, 'Actually, it took more than a week, but I'll keep that to myself.'

Mizuki chimed in, "By the time you reach our age, Sasuke, you might become as famous as your brother, Uchiha Itachi." Intrigued, Sasuke inquired, "Is Itachi big brother famous?" Mizuki replied, "Fame barely scratches the surface of his reputation. He is a highly skilled shinobi, a genius and prodigy. Moreover, he achieved a remarkable feat." Sasuke, sipping water from his bottle, contemplated his brother's silhouette in his mind and asked, "What feat?"

Mizuki revealed, "Your older brother, Uchiha Itachi, is the second youngest graduate from the Konohagakure Academy. His mastery of shinobi skills surpasses us—Iruka and me—by leaps and bounds." Iruka concurred, "Indeed, he is an exceptional shinobi." Sasuke acknowledged their praise and suggested cheerfully, "Well then, let's enjoy the lunch my mom prepared for us." However, an underlying suspicion lingered in Sasuke's mind regarding Mizuki's intentions. He couldn't shake the feeling that Mizuki was closely observing him, searching for an opportunity, while Iruka remained unaware. Sasuke decided to keep a watchful eye on Mizuki for the time being.

They savored their lunch, content after the training session. With their training concluded, they embarked on a leisurely stroll through the village, eventually arriving at the playground. Sasuke's attention was caught by a young boy with blonde hair. 'Naruto, most likely. If he's the child of that red-haired woman. But why does everyone treat him with such disdain and cast him hostile glares? It's as if he has committed a grave crime,' Sasuke pondered, feeling sympathy and sadness for the boy.

Then realization dawned on him. 'If I recall correctly, the incident occurred on October 10. The Uzumaki clan, known for their sealing techniques or "Fuinjutsu," had red hair. Since Naruto shares their facial features and I overheard my mother mention Minato as his father, it's highly probable that the Nine-Tails is sealed within him. He might be a half-Uzumaki.' Sasuke connected the dots, comprehending the reason behind Naruto's blond hair and blue eyes.

As he observed Naruto, he noticed the loneliness and sorrow etched in the boy's eyes. Suddenly, a ball rolled towards Naruto, and he eagerly attempted to join the other children in play. However, a man interjected, warning his own children, "Hey, don't play with that kid. You never know what might happen." The man's child obediently responded, "Okay."

Naruto was deeply affected by the rejection, and Sasuke initially hesitated to engage with him. He understood that associating with Naruto would come with consequences, as it meant taking an interest in someone who was often disregarded or scorned by others. However, in a moment of insight, Sasuke conceived an idea that would not only mitigate these consequences but also address the other challenges tied to Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails' vessel and his reputation. This plan would enable him to interact with Naruto freely.

Swiftly, Sasuke transformed himself into an ordinary civilian child, intentionally slowing down his jutsu speed by four times. Approaching Naruto, he surprised not only Iruka and Mizuki but also everyone else present, although they remained unaware that the boy before them was Uchiha Sasuke. "Hey there! What's your name, little guy? I'm Uzuhara Sabuto, but you can call me Sabuto," he introduced himself.

Indignantly, Naruto responded, "I'm not a little guy! My name is Uzumaki Naruto." Sasuke silently contemplated Naruto's surname, which differed from the expected Namikaze. Various theories swirled in his mind—ranging from protecting him against his father's enemies to concealing his role as the Nine-Tails' vessel. However, he couldn't help but question the logic of choosing the Uzumaki name if the intention was to conceal Naruto's true identity. Sighing inwardly, Sasuke thought, 'So complicated.'

Mockingly, Sasuke taunted, "Based on the way you speak, you must be quite the idiot. How old are you, by the way?" His words elicited laughter from others, joining in the mockery. Naruto, growing angrier, protested, "I'm not an idiot! I—" What followed next hurt Naruto deeply. "I have no interest in interacting or even talking with an idiot like you. I'm leaving," Sasuke declared before shunshining away. However, not without leaving behind an act of provocation. The bystanders, unaware of the larger context, commented, "That brat deserved it. No one would ever want to be friends with a demon like him." One of them added, "Be careful! You might get punished for saying that."

Naruto felt immense emotional and mental anguish, his tears flowing freely. Once again, someone had attempted to reach out to him, and he had responded with anger, pushing them away and worsening the situation. 'Why is this happening to me? What have I done to deserve such hatred?' Naruto wondered, his heart heavy with pain. However, to his surprise, Sasuke appeared from behind, still disguised as Sabuto. "Hey, Naruto," he called out.

Confused, Naruto questioned, "But how? I saw you go in the other direction..."

"It was a Genjutsu, an illusion technique. Anyway, I don't have much time. I just want you to check your pocket," Sasuke explained before vanishing once again. Intrigued, Naruto complied, reaching into his pocket. What he found inside filled him with a mix of joy and frustration. There were three thousand ryo and a note. The note read, "Yo, Naruto! I might be interested in being your friend. However, due to certain circumstances, I may not be able to talk to you openly. Let's meet at this location exactly one week from now. By the way, we seem to be the same age, but why are you so much shorter? Chibi." The note ended with the location specified.

'So this is Naruto, huh. Although he is loud and an idiot. He holds the key to answer the questions about my past life. Since the feeling of using him unsettles me. I wouldn't mind one or two genuine friends I guess.' Sasuke thought.

Despite the complex emotions stirred within him, Naruto couldn't help but smile. This marked the first meaningful interaction he had experienced, courtesy of Sasuke. Deep down, Sasuke genuinely desired to befriend Naruto, and the negative impression he had left earlier weighed on him. However, the presence of others had hindered his intentions. With a newfound determination, Sasuke made his way back to his temporary guardians, the two Shinobi looking after him.

Mizuki seized the opportunity and approached Sasuke, capitalizing on his ambition to become a Shinobi. "Sasuke, you want to be a Shinobi, right?" Mizuki asked. Sasuke's response was immediate and resolute. "Yes," he replied, his determination evident. Sensing an opening, Mizuki proposed an alternative training location, one far superior to any regular training ground. However, this place was deep within the forest, near the village border, raising some concerns.

"I think I remember that place. It's where Mizuki often trains," Iruka recalled, a flicker of recognition crossing his face. Mizuki confirmed Iruka's assumption, suggesting that either he or Iruka could spar with Sasuke and assess his skills. Both Iruka and Sasuke agreed, unaware that they were about to be thrust into a life-threatening situation. Sasuke couldn't shake off a sense of suspicion, his instincts warning him of potential danger. Mizuki, on the other hand, believed that his long-awaited plan was finally about to come to fruition.

They ventured into the forest, and as they arrived at their destination, Mizuki abruptly revealed his true intentions. "Iruka, leave Sasuke here and run for your life. As a former friend, I'll graciously allow you to see another sunrise," Mizuki declared with chilling bluntness. Iruka was taken aback, unable to comprehend why his close friend would say such a thing.

"I... What are you talking about, Mizuki?" Iruka questioned, his surprise and confusion evident. Mizuki repeated his statement, unyielding. "Exactly as I said, Iruka. I'm going to kidnap this Uchiha kid," he stated with malicious intent. Iruka's initial disbelief gradually transformed into a sober understanding. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he addressed Sasuke urgently. "Sasuke, run away from here as fast as you can. Seek help from Lord Hokage. Don't worry about me."

"As I expected from you, Iruka. So naive," Mizuki taunted, launching an attack against Iruka. In that intense moment, Iruka had a revelation, understanding the depth of his parents' sacrifice and their unwavering determination. 'I finally comprehend your feelings, Mom and Dad. Why you fought alone that night to save me. And now, I'll do the same,' he silently resolved. The battle unfolded with fierce intensity, but Mizuki clearly held the upper hand, his superior combat prowess on full display.

Just as Mizuki was about to land a devastating blow on Iruka, Sasuke intervened. Swiftly, he blocked Mizuki's attempted left jab with his right hand, countering with a rapid jab of his own that found its mark. Enraged, Mizuki retaliated with a low kick, but Sasuke gracefully evaded, responding with a powerful kick to Mizuki's jaw that sent him hurtling through the air.

Sasuke fully grasped the gravity of the situation and realized that if he didn't defeat Mizuki now, both he and Iruka would face certain death. However, he couldn't dismiss the possibility of Iruka being involved in the treachery.

Mizuki let out a furious scream, brandishing a kunai as he launched himself at Sasuke. Sasuke mirrored the action, their weapons clashing as they engaged in a fierce struggle. Despite their seemingly equal footing, Sasuke held a significant advantage in skill and technique. Yet, his young age of four placed him at a disadvantage in terms of sheer power.

As Mizuki attempted another strike with his kunai, Sasuke swiftly blocked the attack. Both combatants were momentarily forced back, only to resume their intense duel. They surged forward once more, and Sasuke finally spotted an opening. When Mizuki aimed to stab him, Sasuke skillfully maneuvered his wrist against Mizuki's, causing the kunai to slip from his grasp. In one fluid motion, Sasuke kicked the kunai into the air, seizing Mizuki's attention.

Mizuki fully expected Sasuke to catch the weapon and use it against him, but Sasuke had a different plan in mind. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunity to finish Mizuki, Sasuke unleashed a lightning-fast jab with his left hand, followed by a powerful cross and an uppercut. His assault continued with a hook and a forceful front kick, effectively dismantling Mizuki. In the realm of a video game, it would have depleted half of Mizuki's health points.

Undeterred, Mizuki made the decision to reveal his full power and activated his curse mark, declaring, "The real battle begins now." He charged toward Sasuke with enhanced speed and strength. Sasuke, anticipating the attack, thought to himself, 'There's a substantial increase in both his power and speed. It appears that chakra usage is unavoidable.'

Mizuki lunged with a jab, but Sasuke narrowly evaded the strike, retaliating with a tremendously powerful punch fueled by his chakra. Although it was not on the level of Tsunade or Sakura, it still posed a significant threat. However, to Sasuke's astonishment, Mizuki managed to connect his fist with Sasuke's, overpowering his current state of full-powered attack. The sheer strength exhibited by Mizuki sent a shiver of terror down Sasuke's spine.

As their intense battle raged on, Sasuke made a daring attempt to strike his opponent with a powerful punch. However, Mizuki swiftly seized Sasuke's arm, countering with a forceful slam. Displaying remarkable agility, Sasuke skillfully flipped his body, evading further damage. Regaining his balance, Sasuke retaliated with a swift right-handed punch, but Mizuki intercepted it by blocking with his left wrist and promptly delivered a forceful blow with his right hand, sending Sasuke flying through the air. Although Sasuke incurred a few superficial scratches, he too had not emerged unscathed.

"You are a disgrace to Konohagakure," Sasuke spat, observing Mizuki's reaction as he gingerly touched the wounds inflicted by Sasuke moments before. Seizing the opportunity, Sasuke had intentionally allowed himself to be struck by Mizuki, embedding a blade into Mizuki's left side with his own left hand, inflicting more damage than he received. Sasuke had meticulously planned his actions, even during the initial exchange of punches.

"Silence," Mizuki retorted venomously. "This village means nothing to me. I shall fulfill my mission and obtain greater power from Lord Orochimaru." His words spilled out, just as Sasuke had anticipated. Unbeknownst to Mizuki, Sasuke had stumbled upon a plant with potent chemical properties akin to scopolamine, capable of impairing judgment. Sasuke had strategically laced his kunai with a substantial amount of this substance, exploiting it as a means to extract the truth from his opponent.

Sasuke pondered the question that had plagued him from the moment he detected Mizuki's abnormal strength. How had Mizuki acquired such power? Although initially unaware of Mizuki's allegiance, Sasuke had grown cautious upon sensing something amiss. Iruka, who overheard their conversation, found himself utterly taken aback to learn that Mizuki served none other than Orochimaru, the legendary Sannin who had recently become a rogue ninja.

"I shall inquire about Orochimaru later," Sasuke resolved silently. 'But for now, I must defeat Mizuki. I have already unleashed my full power, yet my complete repertoire of skills and techniques remains untapped. I still possess the Fire Ball Jutsu and Genjutsu at my disposal.'  With these thoughts racing through his mind, Sasuke continued to deftly evade Mizuki's attacks, preparing himself for the decisive clash that lay ahead.

( AN So I think I rushed a little into making this chapter. But it's here nonetheless. Anyways please do consider voting power stones for this work, which may not be perfect, but I am working hard on it. And I plan to make the next part more emotional for Sasuke. And here Sasuke and Iruka shall have the bond which Naruto and Iruka had in the original. But that doesn't mean Naruto will not be having that bond with Iruka. As that "Will you attend it as my father?" part has really touched me. Also do you think I am displaying Kiyo's intelligence as Sasuke well? Please do answer me in the comments. )