Naruto:Dark Return

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Inside the Sarutobi clan mansion, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat watching the events unfold through his crystal ball, his expression dark and troubled.

"Mizuki," he muttered, puffing on his pipe. "That idiot really doesn't value his life, sowing discord between Naruto and me like this."

He sighed heavily, shaking his head. "I should've sent an Anbu disguised as an enemy instead of using Mizuki for this test. What a mess."

Sarutobi leaned back in his chair, tapping ash from his pipe. Regret lingered in his mind, but there was little he could do now.

"At least Naruto is isolated enough," he murmured. "With everyone's hatred focused on him, I can mend this with a little manipulation. As his only light in the darkness, he'll cling to me again."

Sarutobi turned his focus back to the crystal ball.

"Let's see if Naruto can handle himself—or if he loses control. If he does, maybe he'll show signs of mastering the Nine-Tails' power. Don't disappoint me, Naruto."

---

At the Forest of Death

In the forest, Naruto—or rather Ichiro—stood motionless, his expression cold and murderous.

The temperature around him seemed to plummet, and Mizuki, for the first time, felt a chill of true fear.

The words Mizuki had spewed moments ago had affected not just Naruto, but Ichiro as well. Every painful memory, every ounce of fear and self-loathing Naruto had suppressed, flooded Ichiro's mind like a raging tide.

It was no wonder the blackening value had surged by over 3,200 in mere minutes.

Ichiro's eyes glinted with malice as he looked at Mizuki. His grip on Mizuki's wrist tightened, sending waves of pain up the Chūnin's arm.

"You were laughing a moment ago," Ichiro said, his voice icy.

Mizuki tried to pull away, but the pressure on his wrist only increased. Still, he forced himself to sneer.

"You think you're strong?" Mizuki spat. "You're just a Genin—a brat! A last burst of energy before you collapse. That's all this is!"

Despite his bravado, Mizuki's heart raced. He knew the seal on Naruto was designed to prevent the Nine-Tails from breaking free. But this… this wasn't something he'd expected.

---

Ichiro ignored Mizuki's words, breathing deeply. The scent of trees and earth filled his lungs.

"So, this is the real world," Ichiro murmured, a dark smile curling his lips. "I missed it."

Ichiro's grip on Mizuki's wrist suddenly tightened further, making the Chūnin's knees buckle in pain.

[System Exchange Initiated]

Exchange: Chūnin Taijutsu (Iruka) – 50 Points

Exchange: Chūnin Taijutsu (Mizuki) – 60 Points

Exchange: Elite Jōnin Taijutsu (Sarutobi Hiruzen) – 800 Points

[Remaining Blackening Value: 3010]

Ichiro considered exchanging for One-Tail Chakra Mode but dismissed the idea. The time wasn't right to attract the attention of the Akatsuki or other villages. He'd follow the original timeline, waiting for the right moment—perhaps in the Land of Waves—before tapping into the Nine-Tails' power.

For now, physical strength would suffice.

---

Breaking Mizuki

Mizuki's confidence wavered as he felt the strength behind Ichiro's grip increase exponentially.

"What… what are you?!" Mizuki gasped, his eyes wide with terror.

Ichiro smirked. "What do you think I am?"

With a sickening crack, Ichiro snapped Mizuki's arm at the elbow. The limb hung limp, bent at an unnatural angle.

"AAAAH!" Mizuki screamed, his voice echoing through the forest.

Desperation fueled his next move. Mizuki used his uninjured arm to lunge at Ichiro, aiming to grab his neck and choke him.

But Ichiro moved faster. A kunai flashed in his hand, and with another sharp crack, Mizuki's second arm was severed at the wrist.

Blood sprayed across the forest floor as Mizuki staggered back, clutching his mutilated arm.

[Blackening Value +2]

[Blackening Value +3...]

Ichiro's expression remained calm as he stepped forward, his kunai dripping with blood.

"Teacher Mizuki," he said mockingly, "you're weaker than I expected. Fighting you isn't even fun."

Mizuki scrambled back, his once-confident demeanor replaced by sheer terror. This wasn't Naruto—it couldn't be. The boy standing before him exuded pure malice, like a demon risen from hell.

"You're not Naruto!" Mizuki cried, his voice trembling. "You're a fox demon! You've broken the seal!"

Ichiro's lips curled into a sinister grin.

"Fox demon?" he repeated, chuckling darkly. "Don't flatter yourself. If I were the Nine-Tails, you'd already be dead."

---

The "Game"

Ichiro tapped a tree trunk with his kunai, the sound sharp and deliberate.

"Let's play a game," he said, his tone deceptively cheerful. "We'll call it ghost hunting. I'll count to 100. If you manage to get away, you win."

"And if I lose?" Mizuki asked hesitantly, though he already knew the answer.

Ichiro's smile widened, his eyes gleaming. "Then you die."

The words sent Mizuki into a panic. Ignoring the pain in his broken arm, he scrambled to his feet and ran into the forest.

Ichiro began his count, his voice calm and steady.

"100... 99... 98..."

The sound of his voice spurred Mizuki on, but the Chūnin's strength was failing. Blood dripped from his wounds, leaving a trail behind him.

---

Mizuki's desperation reached its peak as Ichiro's voice echoed closer.

"75... 74... 73..."

The kunai struck suddenly, grazing Mizuki's back and leaving a shallow but burning cut.

"AAAAH!" Mizuki screamed, stumbling but forcing himself to keep moving.

"40... 39... 38..."

Another kunai struck, this time slicing deep into Mizuki's leg. He collapsed, his right leg rendered useless.

"20... 19... 18..."

Mizuki's tears mixed with dirt as he crawled forward, dragging himself with his remaining strength.

"There's still time," he whispered hoarsely. "I can make it... I can survive..."

"3... 2..."

Ichiro's voice was right behind him now, but Mizuki could see the edge of the forest. Hope flared in his chest.

"I'm going to win!" Mizuki thought. "I'll make it out alive!"

But the final number never came.

Instead, a kunai pierced Mizuki's chest from behind, its tip emerging just above his heart.

"Hehe," Ichiro whispered, leaning close to Mizuki's ear. "Teacher Mizuki, you lose."

End of Chapter.

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