ALL NOVEL Chapter 19: Chapter 19
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"Ah!"
Naruto and Sasuke yelled at the same time, spitting in disgust.
"Sasuke's first kiss!"
The girls, led by little Sakura, burst into tears.
Naruto, of course, ended up getting a beating…
However, Ino wasn't fazed by the drama. Instead, she stared at Ikeno with adoration in her eyes.
"Ikeno, you're so naughty."
What!? I've been found out by Ino…
The last day of their school life came to an end.
At dusk, the setting sun hung in the sky like blood, as if foreshadowing the bloody future awaiting them as shinobi…
After leaving the school and arriving home, Ikeno opened the mission panel and checked in.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the plot check-in. Your reward is Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall.]
A solid fifty-fifty earth-style defense wall!
Though Ikeno had passive bone armor, that only activated under "potentially fatal" circumstances. While Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall was only a B-rank jutsu, its effects were undeniably impressive.
That night, Ikeno went into his special space and upgraded the Earth Flow Wall to a god-tier jutsu.
The next day, the official graduation exams were held.
Unsurprisingly, Toshi passed with ease.
After receiving his headband, he thought for a while and finally decided to tie it around his left arm, just like Shikamaru.
The other members of the Zhatian gang who passed the exam were overjoyed.
Only Naruto…
Right at that moment, the system gave another task.
[Ding! New plot check-in task: Severely injure Mizuki and boost Naruto's morale. Deadline: Two days.]
Earlier during Naruto's exam, Ikeno had activated his super-perception technique, capturing everything in the examination room clearly in his mind.
Mizuki had pretended to plead on Naruto's behalf, but Iruka had still refused.
At the moment of rejection, Ikeno caught the fleeting look of satisfaction in Mizuki's eyes.
At that moment, he thought:
I've been keeping my eye on you for a while now!
And now, with the system task prompting him to give Mizuki a proper beating, and even rewarding him for it, Ikeno was ecstatic.
Outside the academy gates, students and parents celebrated with joy.
Not far from the swing set, Naruto sat all alone, sadness and loneliness in his eyes.
He had no family, no parents, only the harsh glares and whispers of the villagers.
Two women with sharp tongues were gossiping:
"Looks like he was the only one who failed."
"Heh, serves him right!"
"Right? It'd be awful if someone like that became a ninja. After all, that kid is…"
"Hey, don't say that!"
Ikeno, overhearing their conversation, grew irritated.
He hated gossipy women with sharp tongues!
Suddenly, an evil smile crept across his face as he summoned Ritoru, the little creature only he could see.
A few minutes later…
Ritoru, now bigger, returned with two baskets in its mouth, both filled with yellowish slime mixed with toads, maggots, earthworms, and stink bugs.
Then, it flew up and dumped the baskets right onto the two gossipy women…
Seeing the mess, Naruto couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Ikeno approached Naruto and wrapped his arm around his shoulder.
"Cheer up! You'll become a genin soon enough!"
Naruto's gloomy expression quickly brightened.
"Really!? Then can we celebrate with ramen? Oh no, I want the braised chicken and rice you made!"
"Not today. I've got something to handle, but I promise to treat you next time!"
With that, Ikeno ran off.
He knew Mizuki would show up near the swing soon…
As for the Forbidden Jutsu in the Sealed Scroll, Jun was definitely interested but was careful not to act recklessly. Following Naruto to steal it or learning from it without a plan was out of the question.
The Sealed Scroll was Konoha's most important document—a state secret!
How could Naruto, who struggled with the Clone Technique, steal something that crucial so easily?
And with Nine Tails sealed inside him, wasn't Anbu always monitoring Naruto? Just as Kakashi kept an eye on Jun?
If the scroll was stolen, wouldn't Anbu immediately report it to the Third Hokage?
Plus, was the Third Hokage's crystal ball just for decoration? Were all the shinobi on guard just playing around?
So, Ikeno speculated that this was all part of the Third Hokage's plan. On one hand, it would help Naruto grow stronger, and on the other, it would allow them to get rid of Mizuki—two birds with one stone!
Of course, that was just his guess.
"There are so many plot holes in early Naruto that weren't clearly explained. A lot of the details were left for readers to speculate about, so there's no need to argue over them…"
Jun chuckled at the thought, mumbling to himself:
"The Third Hokage had good intentions, trusting Naruto every step of the way, but Naruto himself had no clue."
Even though Ikeno had become the Third Hokage's apprentice, he was well aware that this was just a method of control.
The old man didn't fully trust him, knowing that Ikeno was a bundle of unknowns and variables.
If he were to recklessly steal the scroll or attempt to learn any forbidden techniques, it would be far more serious than Naruto's case!
It would raise suspicion about his intentions, not only with the Hokage but also with the Konoha Elders.
And if Danzo wanted to make a move against him, he would have the perfect excuse.
"I already know how to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu. As for other powerful techniques like the Impure World Reincarnation, just glancing at the scroll won't cut it."
Naruto, after all, had practiced extensively before mastering the Shadow Clone Jutsu.
If Ikeno tried learning any forbidden techniques, it wouldn't be long before the Third Hokage himself came knocking…
"Don't worry, there'll be more opportunities. The system won't let me down!"
Thus, Ikeno wisely refrained from any reckless actions. He simply waited for Mizuki to make his move.
A short while later, Mizuki appeared, his face full of fake concern.
Naruto, too, soon looked hopeful.
But as Naruto ran off, the fake kindness on Mizuki's face twisted into a sinister grin.
Jun saw everything.
"He really is a despicable opportunist hiding behind a mask of goodwill!"
"You're going to pay dearly today!"
As for how he would step in and get involved, Ikeno already had a plan.
Night fell.
Jun left his home and wandered aimlessly through the village streets.
Soon, a familiar figure came running toward him.
It was Iruka!
"Toshi Ikeno! Why are you out so late?" Iruka asked, stopping in his tracks.
"Sensei, I was just too excited after becoming a genin. I couldn't sleep and thought I'd visit my mother's grave…"
Ikeno's eyes seemed to glisten with emotion as he spoke.
Man, what an actor.
Although Ikeno had been a doctor in his previous life, his real dream had been to pass the drama school entrance exam and become an actor…
"Oh, I see… Well, try to get some rest!" Iruka replied before turning to leave.
Suddenly, something clicked in Iruka's mind!
"Wait! Ikeno-kun, you're close to Naruto, right? If he were to… do something bad, where would he hide?"
"Something bad? What do you mean, Sensei?"
Iruka hesitated before saying, "He stole the village's forbidden scroll."
Feigning ignorance, Ikeno asked, "What's that? Is it like that 'Icha Icha Paradise' book?"
Iruka shook his head with a chuckle. "You don't need to know the details. Just tell me where Naruto might be hiding."
After a moment of thought, Ikeno answered, "Based on what I know, he's probably in the forest."
"Got it!"
"Sensei, let me come with you! Maybe I can help find him."
After a brief hesitation, Iruka nodded. "Alright, let's go quickly!"
The two hurried toward the forest...
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