Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 135: It’s Time for You to Know Who Your Parents Are

The Ninja Academy.

The graduation ceremony had finally come to an end.

As the teacher of this graduating class, Iruka Umino had finished his duties for the day and could finally relax.

When he returned to the now-empty classroom to tidy up, he felt a deep sense of loss. From this moment on, he would no longer be able to spend time with this group of kids every day.

"It's easy..."

"Tricking Naruto will be simple..."

"As long as I use him to get the Uzumaki Clan's treasure, I can leave the village and pledge my loyalty to Lord Orochimaru!"

"Of course."

"Lord Orochimaru has always welcomed talent."

"I just didn't expect you to discover my identity..."

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"Hehehe..."

"This was just a coincidence."

"After all, an ordinary ninja wouldn't act the same way as us—the ones who admire Lord Orochimaru. I secretly saw that you wanted to use a snake to abduct Naruto in secret. That was too risky, so I stepped in to stop you..."

"But I never thought..."

"That you were actually carrying out Lord Orochimaru's orders..."

"I was originally planning to steal the Scroll of Seals to gain favor with Lord Orochimaru... but this is an even better opportunity. That Uzumaki Clan treasure—is it more valuable to Lord Orochimaru than the Scroll of Seals?"

"..."

The conversation reached Iruka's ears.

One of the voices was all too familiar—it was his colleague, Mizuki, who had assisted in the graduation exams. The other voice was unfamiliar, making it impossible for Iruka to identify.

However...

What they were discussing was terrifying!

These two were working for Orochimaru, an S-rank rogue ninja, and they were planning to use Naruto to steal the Uzumaki Clan's treasure left in Konoha!

This...

This was serious!

But Iruka was alone. He might not be able to handle the two of them, especially since Mizuki was also a Chunin like him...

As for the other person...

Their strength was unknown.

Iruka instinctively crouched down, listening in on their conversation from the hallway, his eyes widening in shock at what he overheard.

"That brat Naruto..."

"Does he really have the blood of the Uzumaki Clan?"

"I thought Uzumaki Clan members always had red hair. That kid is blond—he doesn't look like one at all..."

"This is a secret known only to Konoha's higher-ups."

"Naruto's mother was the previous Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina. His father was Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato..."

"When Uchiha Obito attacked Konoha with the Nine-Tails, those two sacrificed their lives to seal the beast within their newborn child. Even the Fourth Hokage's soul had no chance to rest in peace..."

"..."

The revelation was shocking beyond words!

Iruka had never once considered that Naruto's parents had died that night, just like his own parents in the Nine-Tails' attack.

But even more shocking...

Naruto's father was the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato! The very man who had ended the attack at the cost of his life!

Iruka's heart trembled.

His emotions stirred so violently that his body involuntarily reacted—his leg bumped into the table beside him, causing a loud noise!

"Who's there?!"

Mizuki's face was instantly filled with panic. He instinctively grabbed a kunai and lunged toward the classroom!

Iruka had no time to hesitate. He leaped out of the window, escaping as fast as possible. He needed to get this information to the village!

That child...

The child of Konoha's greatest hero...

The child whom everyone had misunderstood and shunned as a disaster...

Iruka had never regretted anything more than failing to properly care for Naruto. He had to warn the village, no matter what.

Naruto couldn't be allowed to be harmed or used!

However...

Finding someone to report to was difficult.

Because today was graduation day, the school was completely deserted. The only ones still around were himself and Mizuki, the two teachers overseeing the school's final affairs.

Whoosh!

Mizuki's figure moved rapidly in pursuit!

A kunai flew toward Iruka's leg!

His body lost balance, and he fell to the ground—but he immediately crawled back up, struggling to flee!

"I'll handle him."

The unknown figure stopped Mizuki from advancing, watching Iruka's retreating form with calm eyes. "You're a teacher at the academy, so Naruto will trust you easily. Go lure him to the Uzumaki Clan's storage in Konoha and retrieve the treasure. We need to leave as soon as possible."

"Understood!"

Mizuki gritted his teeth, glancing at the escaping Iruka in frustration.

This...

Was an unexpected obstacle!

But it wouldn't change the overall plan.

As long as they could get rid of Iruka quickly and leave before the village caught on, their mission would still be a success!

Mizuki leaped away, heading for Naruto's home, while the unknown figure turned his attention back to Iruka.

"I should have fought them head-on..."

Iruka ran in circles through the forest behind the school, reflecting on his choices. Perhaps he shouldn't have fled—perhaps he should have fought his way toward the village instead.

After all...

It was only two enemies.

But...

The other person's strength was completely unknown...

And he had no way to ensure he could deliver the information safely.

"I hope..."

"I still have time..."

As Iruka looked back, he realized the enemy had vanished from sight, making him even more anxious.

He couldn't afford to relax!

The enemy wasn't pursuing him...

That might mean they weren't confident in killing him quickly. Or it could mean... they had already gone after Naruto!

But—

The enemy hadn't given up on killing him.

If you couldn't see your enemy...

It didn't mean they had stopped hunting you—it meant they had already found the perfect position to strike!

Bang!

An elbow struck the back of Iruka's neck, knocking him unconscious instantly. As a Chunin, his strength wasn't enough to resist the surprise attack.

"I can't believe it..."

The mysterious figure removed his hood, revealing gray hair. He adjusted his glasses with mild curiosity as he examined the unconscious Iruka. "This level of ability... how did he catch the attention of that man?"

It was Kabuto Yakushi.

He was far stronger than Iruka.

"But..."

"It doesn't really matter."

Kabuto reached down, checking Iruka's pulse before nodding in satisfaction. "He should wake up at just the right time. I'm not entirely sure... but according to that man's judgment, he's the right choice."

Elsewhere.

Night had fallen.

Naruto had returned home.

After today's graduation ceremony, Naruto had felt an unprecedented sense of accomplishment. For the first time, he had been the center of attention, and even those who had looked down on him before had started to acknowledge him!

Even...

The girl he liked, Sakura Haruno, had spoken to him!

Although she had asked about Jiraiya first... and then immediately asked about Sasuke, it still made Naruto happy!

"Today was amazing!"

Naruto couldn't contain his excitement.

"Yes, it was..."

A sinister voice echoed in his room.

"Yes, it was—who's there?!"

Naruto's expression changed instantly. His body tensed with alertness as he turned toward the shadowy figure sitting by his window!

"Mizuki-sensei?"

Naruto blinked in surprise at the sight of his instructor. His guard lowered as he asked, "Mizuki-sensei, what are you doing here?"

When it came to his teachers...

Naruto had absolute trust.

At twelve years old, having spent half his life in the academy, it was natural for him to believe in the people who had guided him.

Especially this teacher...

Who had praised him so much today!

"You've graduated now..."

"I came here to tell you something important."

Mizuki's mouth curved into a smile, revealing a set of teeth in the dim light. "Now that you're a ninja, it's time for you to know the truth about your parents."

"..."

Naruto's face filled with confusion.

Because...

This was something he had never even thought about before.

"And also..."

"You should be curious..."

Mizuki spread his hands, his voice dripping with malice. "Why have the people of this village always shunned you?"

"..."

Naruto's excitement faded instantly.

Because...

That was something he had always wanted to know.

"Come with me."

Mizuki extended a hand, his smile widening. "I'll reveal the truth. And... I'll give you the treasure your mother left behind."

"The Uzumaki Clan's treasure..."

"As a descendant of the legendary Uzumaki Clan..."

"Naruto, you are its rightful heir."

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