Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone

As night fell, a figure darted through the forest.

It only took Uzumaki Naruto a short time to figure out the map, but it was too conspicuous to act during the day, so night was the best time to take action.

Soon, he stopped before a small cabin nestled in the woods.

"This must be where the Scroll of Seals is kept." Naruto compared the map and after confirming that it was correct, he pushed the door and entered the cabin.

There was only a round wooden table in the cabin, on which was a large scroll.

"So, this is the Scroll of Seals."

He picked up the scroll and spread it out, and the first Ninjutsu was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.

But as he unfurled more of it, he was shocked to find the rest of the scroll blank. The entire Scroll of Seals held only one Ninjutsu!

'What the heck? I've been played!'

Naruto simply thought about it and understood the whole story.

The Scroll of Seals was known to contain powerful Forbidden Techniques, so how could it not be kept under strict supervision? Even if it is just placed in a small wooden cabin, it must be covered with a seal, or at least have a bolt.

'An unlocked door, with the scroll in plain sight… this was all too obvious. Sandaime must have already suspected Mizuki was up to something and set up this decoy scroll to bait him.'

'I guess that Sandaime was probably spying on me with his crystal ball right now.'

'What a calculating old fox!'

'Forget it, I came here just to sign-in, so I'll wait here for the reward.'

Naruto simply closed the Scroll of Seals, sat cross-legged on the ground, and waited for the one-hour sign-in timer to grant him his reward.

However, after only half an hour, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

"Hey, Naruto! Finally found you!"

Iruka scolded with sweat on his forehead.

"Iruka-sensei?" Naruto blinked in surprise.

'Wow, he came too fast… Did they put a tracker on me or something?'

Iruka wore a stern expression, "Naruto, why are you trying to steal the Scroll of Seals?"

"Huh? This is the Scroll of Seals?" Naruto feigned innocence.

"Don't play dumb. If you weren't here to steal the Scroll of Seals, why are you here?" Iruka frowned and said, "I don't want you lying to me."

"I'm only here because Mizuki-sensei told me to come." Naruto replied with a confused look on his face.

To add to his act, he opened the scroll again, his face lighting up: "This is the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, which is much better than my Shadow Clone Technique. Huh, but why is everything after that blank?"

"Blank? A fake?" Iruka was momentarily taken aback: "Wait, did you say Mizuki told you to come here?"

"Yeah, I just got here. I hadn't even had the chance to give the scroll to Mizuki-sensei, and then you showed up. By the way, how did you find me so quickly? It took me ages to locate this place." Naruto said.

"You just got here? But an hour ago, Mizuki already told me that you stole the Scroll of Seals." Iruka frowned.

Naruto immediately put on a puzzled look: "That can't be right. What's going on?"

Iruka fell into deep thought, piecing things together before coming to a conclusion.

"Naruto, we've all been fooled. Mizuki informed Hokage-sama that you stole the Scroll of Seals. Now, the whole village's Shinobi is out searching for you. I suspect Mizuki spread false information and planned to ambush you to take the scroll for himself!"

Hearing Iruka's conclusion, Naruto felt a wave of relief.

He had skillfully led the conversation, and thankfully, Iruka was quick-witted enough to figure out the truth. Now, he could avoid the accusation of stealing the scroll and safely sign-in for his reward here.

With that in mind, Naruto put on a look of indignation: "So Mizuki-sensei is that evil? But why would he frame me?"

Iruka explained, " The Scroll of Seals contains Forbidden Techniques, which is why it's locked away. Mizuki must want the power of those Forbidden Techniques. Fortunately, you were only deceived and weren't working with him. Come with me, let's report this to Hokage-sama and capture Mizuki."

Hearing this, Naruto quickly shook his head, after all, he had not yet completed his sign-in.

Thinking fast, he replied indignantly: "Iruka-sensei, Mizuki-sensei tried to frame me, so I'd like to bring him to justice myself. Why don't you catch him together with me? Otherwise, if we alert him, Mizuki-sensei might escape."

"That makes sense, but you are not strong enough. Stay here while I track him down." Iruka replied after some thought.

"Okay." Naruto nodded. This suggestion was exactly what he wanted. He had to sign-in inside the cabin at the moment, and going out was impossible.

However, just as he finished speaking, a voice echoed from outside the cabin.

"I didn't expect you could find this place!"

"He came to us." said, narrowing his eyes. He opened the cabin door to see Mizuki standing on a tree branch.

Without hesitation, Iruka drew his kunai and leapt toward Mizuki.

"Iruka, you…!" Mizuki's expression changed and he quickly jumped down from the branch to avoid Iruka's attack.

"So, you've figured it out. I can't let you leave alive then." Mizuki's expression suddenly became extremely gloomy. He pulled out the Fuma Shuriken behind him and hurled it fiercely at Iruka.

Iruka raised his kunai and tried to deflect it, but he was knocked several meters.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Mizuki dashed into the cabin, heading straight for the scroll.

"Naruto, give me the scroll now."

"Give it to you? Why should I give it to you?" Naruto asked back.

Mizuki was slightly startled and asked in confusion: "Naruto, what do you mean? Are you planning to keep it for yourself?"

"No, I will bring you to justice with Iruka-sensei. Who asked you to frame me?" Naruto said seriously.

"Don't let Iruka fool you. Remember who you are… you're the Nine-Tails demon fox! You destroyed the village years ago and killed Iruka's parents. Do you really think he'll forgive you? With the Ninjutsu in that scroll, you'll have the power to crush anyone who's ever scorned you."

Mizuki roared, reaching out to snatch the scroll from Naruto.

"Stop, Mizuki!"

Iruka charged in from the doorway, throwing a volley of shuriken at Mizuki.

"Naruto, don't believe what Mizuki says. You've grown by working hard and caring for others. You're not the heartless and cruel demon fox… You are the student that I recognize!"

"You stubborn fool. I guess I can't take you with me in the end. Go to hell now!" Mizuki's face was extremely gloomy. He took out another big shuriken and threw it at Iruka with all his might.

Iruka couldn't dodge in time. The shuriken hit him, and blood sprayed.

"Don't you dare touch Iruka-sensei!"

Naruto suddenly leapt up, and in an instant, fiery red aura appeared all over his body.

At that moment, a notification echoed in his mind.

[It is detected that the host has stayed in the Scroll of Seals' hidden location for one hour. The Sign-in is successful. Reward: Power of the Kyubi and the Servant Contract!]

As the system prompt echoed, a rush of energy ignited within Naruto's belly, flooding his entire body with power he'd never felt before.

At this point, whether for Iruka's sake or his own, he couldn't wait to unleash it. And Mizuki was the perfect target.

"Mizuki, you scum who framed me… prepare to die!"