Naruto:Dark Return

"He actually took the initiative to clean up to make up for his mistakes!"

"Naruto, you've really grown up! The teacher is so proud!"

Iruka sat on a rock near the Hokage Rock, wiping tears from his eyes.

He'd been delayed by Mizuki asking questions about Naruto's situation and had assumed Naruto would sneak off to cause more trouble. Instead, here was Naruto, scrubbing the graffiti off the Hokage Rock voluntarily.

Even the prankster Naruto was showing signs of change.

"This must be proof of my teaching skills improving," Iruka thought, his heart swelling with pride. "Maybe I'm ready to be promoted to headmaster of the Ninja Academy! If I ask for a promotion next year, surely Lord Third Hokage would agree!"

Lost in his fantasies, Iruka began laughing to himself.

Naruto, however, ignored Iruka's odd behavior. He wanted to finish cleaning as quickly as possible so he could track down Mizuki to ask about the Scroll of Seals.

Iruka, still riding the high of his daydreams, found Naruto unusually likable at the moment.

"Naruto," Iruka called out, "to reward you for behaving so well today, I'll treat you to ramen after you finish cleaning! Eat as much as you want until you're ready to burst!"

"Ramen!" Naruto's eyes lit up with joy.

For someone who lived on relief rations, ramen wasn't an everyday treat.

But his excitement quickly faded, and his expression turned conflicted. After hesitating for a moment, Naruto reluctantly replied, "No, I can't. I have to meet Grandpa Third Hokage after this."

This was, of course, part of the script Ichiro had prepared for him. Naruto couldn't afford to waste time eating ramen. He needed to find Mizuki while the teachers were still at school. Approaching Mizuki later, when he was at home, might draw too much attention.

Iruka, aware of Naruto's close relationship with the Third Hokage, didn't press further. But seeing Naruto's reluctant expression, he chuckled and added, "If not today, then tomorrow. Or the day after that. I'll definitely treat you to ramen, Naruto. That's a promise!"

Naruto's eyes sparkled with excitement again. He cheered, "Long live Iruka-sensei!"

Within the Subconscious Space

Ichiro watched silently as Iruka and Naruto talked. He didn't intervene—it wasn't necessary. He had already set things in motion.

In the grand scheme of things, Iruka was just a stepping stone in Naruto's life. While he was a better teacher than most, Ichiro knew Iruka wouldn't hold the same importance to Naruto as someone like Jiraiya or Kakashi.

For now, Ichiro's focus was elsewhere—on the blackening value and its exchange options.

[Exchange Options]

Asura Chakra

Blackening Value: 3,000,000

Nine-Tails Chakra

Blackening Value: 100,000

Iruka's Chakra

Blackening Value: 100

The list wasn't long, with only a few options available. These abilities were tied to people Naruto had interacted with closely.

Unlocking them would require Ichiro to spend blackening value. The system wouldn't just analyze the chakra—it would also grant the accompanying techniques and skills.

Ichiro frowned at the list. "It seems like the only realistic option right now is Iruka's abilities."

With just 120 blackening points available, Ichiro couldn't afford anything grand. Even the cheapest option, Iruka's chakra, was barely within reach.

To Ichiro, the idea of spending points on Iruka's abilities was a bitter pill to swallow. After all, Naruto would soon surpass Iruka's level once he mastered the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.

But Ichiro wasn't at that level yet. His strength was no better than Naruto's current state—barely that of an average Genin.

The upcoming plot event—stealing the Scroll of Seals—had already been altered. Ichiro couldn't rely entirely on the Third Hokage's Anbu or his surveillance jutsu. It was better to prepare for contingencies.

"System," Ichiro asked, "can I exchange for individual techniques under a chakra type instead of the entire chakra?"

The system responded by expanding the list of options.

[Asura Chakra]

Truth-Seeking Ball: 2,000,000

Wood-Style Ninjutsu: 600,000

Super Shadow-Level Taijutsu: 180,000

Immortal Body: 200,000

Wind Release: 2,000

[Nine-Tails Chakra]

Yin Nine-Tails: 50,000

Yang Nine-Tails: 50,000

One-Tails Chakra Mode: 2,000

Eight-Tails Chakra Mode: 44,000

[Iruka's Chakra]

Chūnin Taijutsu: 50

Basic Three Academy Techniques: 10

Various Basic Ninjutsu: 40

Ichiro's lips twitched.

Most of these options were far out of reach. The powerful techniques cost thousands to tens of thousands of blackening points—something Ichiro could only dream of affording right now.

However, one option caught his eye: Iruka's Chūnin-level Taijutsu for just 50 blackening points.

"System," Ichiro asked, "if I exchange for Chūnin-level Taijutsu from multiple sources, will their power stack?"

The system responded:

Host may exchange for identical techniques from different sources. Their effects will stack, potentially upgrading them to higher levels (e.g., Jōnin-level Taijutsu). However, the cumulative cost may exceed the direct purchase of higher-level techniques. Proceed carefully.

Ichiro's eyes lit up.

Taijutsu was a universal skill that every ninja relied on. Unlike specialized Ninjutsu, it was practical in nearly all situations.

If he could accumulate and stack Taijutsu from various sources, he might eventually reach a level rivaling Might Guy's Eight Gates Formation. Combined with physical skills, he could potentially defeat even someone like Kaguya Otsutsuki.

"I'll prioritize Taijutsu exchanges for now," Ichiro decided, "and save up blackening points for high-level Ninjutsu later."

Though tempted to exchange immediately, Ichiro held off. He wanted to save his points a bit longer to see if a better opportunity arose.

Back in the Real World

Naruto finished scrubbing the Hokage Rock as quickly as possible.

After saying goodbye to Iruka, he headed straight back to the Ninja Academy.

Luck was on his side. As he arrived, he spotted Mizuki near the school, chatting with other teachers.

Naruto ran up to Mizuki, blocking his path.

"Oh, it's Naruto," Mizuki said, smiling. "The little troublemaker from Iruka's class. What brings you here?"

Though his smile seemed friendly, Mizuki's eyes gleamed with calculation.

"Teacher Mizuki," Naruto began hesitantly, "can you tell me about the Scroll of Seals?"

Mizuki's smile froze, and a shadow passed over his face.

The sudden mention of the Scroll of Seals made him tense, and his expression turned sinister. For a brief moment, panic flickered in his eyes.

"Did he figure out my plan?" Mizuki thought, his mind racing.

Naruto, noticing Mizuki's shift in expression, felt a twinge of fear. But he remembered Ichiro's instructions and pressed on.

"Don't be mad, teacher," Naruto said quickly. "I just overheard you talking about it earlier. You said it had lots of powerful Ninjutsu. I was just thinking... if I learned one of them, maybe I could finally pass the graduation exam!"

Mizuki's expression softened as he forced a smile back onto his face.

His initial suspicion faded. Naruto was just a clueless kid who had failed the exam twice.

Mizuki's calculating mind quickly devised a plan.

"Sorry, Naruto," Mizuki said, laughing awkwardly. "The Scroll of Seals is a village treasure, so I got a little defensive. But you're right—learning a jutsu from it could definitely help you graduate."

As he spoke, Mizuki's smile deepened, but behind it was the glint of malice.

"This might actually work to my advantage..."

End of Chapter