Chapter 29: Iruka

"How dare you ask why I'm here? You've made such a huge mess. Now all the available ninjas in Konoha have been sent out to look for you. You'd better think about how to explain this to the Third Hokage!"

"Teacher Iruka, it's not my fault. It's all that traitor Mizuki. He asked me to steal a maki of the Scroll of Seals, and he even tried to kill me after I got it!"

"Naruto, how are you? Are you hurt? Where's Mizuki?"

When Iruka heard that Naruto was in danger, his first reaction was to care about his student. In his heart, Naruto was far more valuable than a maki of the Scroll of Seals.

"Hehe! I accidentally hit a bit too hard. Teacher Mizuki is right behind me."

?_?

Iruka looked at the man lying on the ground behind Naruto, with a face swollen like a pig's head. Could this really be Mizuki? The hairstyle was quite similar.

"What should we do now, Teacher Iruka?"

"Humph! You only come to me when you're in trouble. What were you up to before this mess? I'll settle the score with you later. Now, tie him up and take him back to the Third Hokage for punishment!"

＜(￣3￣)＞

"Okay~"

"Heheh heh heh"

"What are you laughing at? What's so funny?"

"I'm laughing at how hypocritical you are, Iruka. In fact, you hate Naruto to the core, but you still pretend to have a harmonious teacher - student relationship with him!"

"Mizuki, I don't understand why you think so, but I've always regarded Naruto as my most outstanding student!"

"Teacher Iruka, why waste your breath on him? This guy just has an itchy skin and hasn't been beaten enough. Let me punch him a few more times!"

As he said that, he rolled up his sleeves and rushed up, planning to beat Mizuki up again.

"Naruto, aren't you curious?"

"Twelve years ago, the disaster when the demon fox attacked Konoha took most people's lives, including Iruka's parents. Naruto! You're the monster that caused the death of Iruka's parents!"

"Shut up! Mizuki, Naruto, don't listen to his nonsense!"

That bastard Mizuki actually revealed the village's top - secret information. He's just desperate and has ulterior motives.

"Are you feeling guilty?"

"Iruka is just following the Third Hokage's order to stay by your side and monitor you. Do you really think he can let go of the hatred of his parents' deaths and treat you whole - heartedly? It's all just an act! He wishes he could skin you alive and crush your bones to ashes!"

"Mizuki!"

"I... Teacher Iruka, is what he said true?"

Naruto looked at Iruka with expectant eyes. He couldn't believe what Mizuki said. Then how should he face his teacher?

Was Teacher Iruka really hating him? He watched as his teacher's face became blurred and stepped back in disbelief, avoiding those hands that wanted to grab him.

Iruka slightly lowered his gaze, avoiding that intense look. He didn't want to deceive Naruto. Although Naruto wasn't the Nine - Tailed Demon Fox, his own parents had died in that great battle.

"You, this disaster - monster, will never deserve others' recognition. Everyone is using and monitoring you. The Uchiha is, and so is Iruka!"

You deserve to be alone forever! Hahaha!"

Naruto's body trembled as he gasped for more fresh air. Mizuki's words were so shocking that for a moment, he didn't know how to face those who were once the closest and dearest to him.

Taking advantage of Naruto's momentary distraction, Mizuki broke free from the ropes binding him. He took out a Kunai from his sleeve and stabbed the defenseless Naruto.

"Naruto, watch out!"

"Ah!"

When Naruto regained his senses, his clothes were already soaked in blood, and the blood gushing profusely dripped onto the grass, turning a patch of the lawn red. He stared blankly at Iruka, who had blocked the knife for him.

"Why did you save me, Teacher Iruka? Aren't I the one you hate the most?"

"Who... who said that? Like you, I lost my parents when I was young and became all alone. I also wanted to attract everyone's attention when I was a kid. We're both lonely. But seeing you make good friends and being adopted, I'm really happy. You finally have your own home, Naruto. You've always been my proudest student, and you always will be."

"Damn it, Iruka!"

Mizuki pulled out the Kunai stuck in Iruka's back. The blood gushing out splashed all over his face. He wiped it off in disgust. Iruka fainted in Naruto's arms due to excessive blood loss.

"This is filthy blood!"

"Mizuki!"

Naruto roared with all his might. Mizuki instinctively sensed danger and quickly stepped back. Unexpectedly, the orange - yellow figure shadowed him closely.

In the blink of an eye, Naruto was in front of him again. He threw a solid punch at Mizuki's already swollen pig - like face. A dizzy spell made Mizuki's head sink deep into the soil.

Just as he sensed something was amiss and tried to beg for mercy, a flurry of punches rained down on him. Each punch landed solidly, making his face a bloody mess, unrecognizable from its original appearance.

Naruto stared angrily with wide - open eyes. He didn't stop attacking the unconscious Mizuki, as if he wanted to smash him into a pulp.

"Naruto, stop!"

A fair - skinned hand grabbed his wrist. Naruto spun around, his eyes ablaze with murderous intent.

"Sasuke."

Sasuke frowned slightly. Seeing the horrible scene in front of him, he could easily guess what had happened.

"If you keep beating him like this, he'll really die!"

"So what? He hurt Teacher Iruka!"

Looking at the extremely agitated Naruto, Sasuke didn't show any mercy. He slapped Naruto hard across the face. Naruto's face instantly swelled up. He looked at Sasuke in confusion with his sky - blue eyes.

"Calm down?"

"Sasuke, I... I'm not a demon fox."

Tears slowly slid down his high cheekbones. He looked at his friend pleadingly. Sasuke gently said,

"Hmm, I know."

Naruto's tears flowed like a broken dam, wetting Sasuke's collar. It was as if he wanted to shed all the grievances he had suffered over the years.

.......

?_?

"Are you done yet? How much longer are you going to keep crying in my arms? If you don't get up now, Teacher Iruka will really pass out!"

When someone mentioned Teacher Iruka, Naruto suddenly turned his head and looked in the direction where Iruka had fallen. He saw that Iruka had woken up at some point and was leaning against a big tree, looking at him wailing with a playful smile on his face.

"Hey, Naruto, you still remember your teacher's alive!"

(??? д ???)!!!

"Teacher Iruka..."

Naruto rushed over like a medium-sized golden retriever and threw himself into his arms.

"Ouch! You idiot, I'm still injured. Can't you be more careful!"

....................

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