Naruto The Red Spiral Rebirth

"Listen, Naruto. Passing the school exam is only one way to become a ninja," Mizuki said, his expression warm and comforting—like the smile of a trusted teacher. "There's another method… mastering a particularly powerful ninjutsu. If you can do that, it proves you're qualified to be a ninja."

Naruto's eyes widened, filled with excitement. "Really? You mean there's still a chance? Mr. Mizuki, please teach me! Please, I'll do anything!"

As passionate as ever, Naruto grabbed Mizuki's hand, begging like a child asking for a toy.

Tom, hidden nearby and watching from a tree branch, sighed to himself. "Naruto, you're such a single-celled idiot. How can you fall for such an obvious trap?"

He knew Naruto well enough by now—always full of emotion, never pausing to question motives. "Mizuki's not even that strong," Tom muttered. "What makes you think he knows some secret high-level ninjutsu? He's not your dad, Naruto. Why would he help you suddenly master some forbidden technique?"

Back when Tom read the original timeline, he'd always wondered what exactly Mizuki had said to Naruto to lead him to steal the Scroll of Seals. Now, seeing it in person, he understood. Mizuki chose Naruto not just because the boy was lonely and shunned by the village—but because he was impulsive, eager for recognition, and easy to manipulate.

Mizuki continued with his act. "The Scroll of Seals is a secret legacy left behind by the First and Second Hokage. It contains powerful techniques—jutsu so advanced even the current Hokage acknowledges them as formidable."

When Naruto heard "Hokage-level techniques," his eyes lit up like stars. "Really?! Where is this Scroll of Seals? Please, Mr. Mizuki, I beg you, tell me where I can find it!"

Mizuki chuckled, adding the finishing touch to his manipulation. "Calm down, Naruto. You'll need to be discreet. Go at night—make it a surprise for Iruka-sensei. He cares about you, so let's not tell him just yet."

Naruto nodded eagerly. "Yes! I won't say a word to Iruka-sensei. Just show me where to go!"

Tom facepalmed silently. Naruto was completely blinded by the opportunity. He was like a bull charging toward a red flag—no awareness, no suspicion, just excitement.

Mizuki leaned in and whispered the final instructions. "The Scroll of Seals is kept in the Hokage's residence. Be careful—don't let Lord Third catch you. That scroll contains jutsu meant only for Hokage-level shinobi."

If Naruto had paid close attention, he might have noticed the way Mizuki's eyes lost their sunny warmth. In their place was a faint but unmistakable glint of cold malice.

---

That Night

As the moon climbed into the sky, Naruto crept toward the Hokage's residence, using every stealth trick he had learned in the Academy. Of course, his skills were far from refined. But somehow, he managed to reach the scroll without being stopped.

Tom, still watching from a distance, murmured to himself, "The Third definitely knows. He just didn't stop Naruto on purpose. Probably wants to see what he'll do once he has the scroll."

Tom himself hadn't dared step into the perimeter of the Hokage's residence. He was sure his presence would be noticed by the old man's vast surveillance network.

Then he heard it—the echo of Naruto's voice inside the residence. "Sexy Jutsu!"

Even though he was mentally prepared, Tom nearly lost his balance and fell from the tree. "Seriously?! Lord Third, how can you be so shameless… Pretending to faint from that technique?!"

Shaking his head in disbelief, Tom turned toward the forest. "He's got the scroll. Time to follow."

---

In the Forest

Naruto had picked a random clearing and was already eagerly flipping through the scroll. "Okay! Let's see what's inside…"

He blinked. "Multi-Shadow Clone Technique? That's the first jutsu? But I already suck at the basic Clone Technique!"

Still, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. "No matter! This is a Hokage-level technique! I'll master it—I'll become Hokage, dattebayo!"

---

Meanwhile, Outside the Hokage's Residence

A group of Chunin and Tokubetsu Jonin gathered under the Hokage's command. They were tense and confused—Mizuki had informed them that Naruto had stolen the Scroll of Seals.

"Hokage-sama, we can't take this lightly. That scroll contains dangerous jutsu—if it gets outside the village…"

"We should've sent trackers! Why haven't we deployed a sensory squad?!"

"This kind of prank—if it is a prank—shouldn't be overlooked!"

The Third Hokage raised a hand, calming the voices. "It's already been a while. Begin the search. Bring Naruto back—alive and unharmed."

"Find him before anyone else does!" someone shouted. "Where could that brat have gone?!"

---

Iruka's Worry

Iruka sprinted through the village, his thoughts a tangled mess. He didn't understand why Naruto would steal the scroll. "Was he just acting out? Trying to get attention? Or… was he tricked?"

He only had one goal: to find Naruto before the others. To bring him back safely and explain everything before the boy got into serious trouble.

---

Mizuki's Plan

Meanwhile, Mizuki was calmly making his way toward the forest, a cruel smirk spreading across his face.

"When word spreads that Naruto stole the scroll, I'll take him out quietly. The scroll will be mine, and no one will suspect a thing."

But Mizuki didn't know that all the traces Naruto left behind had been removed—or rewritten—by Tom. The path Mizuki followed would lead him in a perfect half-circle around the forest.

Tom had covered every step.

---

Back in the Forest

Iruka finally found Naruto.

"THERE you are!" he shouted, panting.

Naruto looked up, surprised and delighted. "Iruka-sensei! I just learned a new ninjutsu! It's really strong!"

Iruka raised an eyebrow. "Why are you covered in dirt? And what's that scroll doing with you?"

"I—I was training! Look, sensei! If I can pull this off, I can graduate, right?"

Naruto's eyes were glowing with hope as he formed the hand seals for the Multi-Shadow Clone Technique.

"Wait!" Iruka shouted, alarmed. "Who told you about this? Who told you you'd graduate by learning jutsu from that scroll?"

Naruto paused, confused. "Uh… Mizuki-sensei. He told me where to find it. He said if I learned one of the techniques, I could become a ninja."

Iruka froze.

"Mizuki…?"

A chill ran down his spine. Everything clicked at once—Mizuki's strange behavior earlier that day, the sudden report about the scroll's theft, and now this.

That trusted teacher… had betrayed them all.