15: Chapter 15: Bullet Release! The Hero of Konoha"ah?"
Upon hearing this, Naruto's face immediately fell, and he pouted, looking unwilling."What?My original plan was much better!"
"Your original plan?" Iruka was taken aback.
"yes!"
Naruto instantly perked up, gesturing excitedly, "My plan is perfect!I went for a walk tonight and just happened to bump into the evil rogue ninja Mizuki-sensei stealing the Scroll of Seals!"
Then I—Naruto Uzumaki, the future hero of Konoha—with my genius potential and a bit of luck, engaged in a thrilling battle with him!In the end, I successfully subdued him and reclaimed the village's most precious treasure!
That way, I'll not only clear my name, but I'll also become a hero!Becoming a ninja after graduation will be a natural progression, right?The Hokage would definitely give me a headband on the spot!Hehehe…"
He smiled smugly, as if he could already see himself receiving the award.
Iruka: "."
His lips twitched, and three distinct black lines appeared on his forehead as he mentally screamed, 'Full of loopholes!This plan.is certainly very Naruto-esque!'
"Naruto," Iruka said seriously, pressing his throbbing temple, "lying is wrong… A true hero relies on strength and responsibility, not fabricated stories."
Naruto glanced at Iruka's serious expression, pursed his lips, and muttered under his breath, "Oh.I see."
Seeing Naruto's head droop down instantly, like a lost puppy, Iruka's heart was touched in the softest spot.
He paused for a moment, watching the sky gradually lighten with the first hint of dawn.
"A ninja identity…" Iruka murmured softly, his eyes softening yet resolute.
He suddenly gave Naruto a gentle smile."Naruto, close your eyes."
"Huh?Close your eyes?"
Although Naruto was puzzled, he obediently closed his eyes, his long golden eyelashes trembling slightly.
A few seconds later.
"Alright, open your eyes now."
Naruto opened his eyes.
As dawn broke, the first golden rays of morning light pierced through the gaps in the giant trees, gently bathing Iruka in their warmth.
His face was pale from blood loss, but his forehead was smooth and bright—his Konoha headband, which originally belonged to him and symbolized his identity as a ninja, was now quietly tied to Iruka's outstretched hand.
Sunlight danced on the leaf-shaped emblem on the metal headband, reflecting a soft and sacred halo that illuminated Iruka's gentle and dignified smile.
At that moment, in Naruto's eyes, Iruka-sensei seemed to be shining.
"Congratulations," Iruka's voice, filled with utmost seriousness and satisfaction, clearly reached Naruto's ears.
"Naruto Uzumaki, the hero of Konoha."
He solemnly placed the headband he was holding onto Naruto's golden, slightly messy hair.
"—You've graduated."
Buzz—!
It felt like something exploded in Naruto's mind!
Overwhelming, indescribable emotions instantly broke down all the barriers!
Looking at Iruka's gentle smile, feeling the cold touch and heavy weight of the metal on his forehead, tears welled up again, more violently than ever before!
"Iruka-sensei—!"
Overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, Naruto lost himself in the moment.Like a golden cannonball, he lunged at Iruka with a sob in his voice, opening his arms to give him the tightest bear hug!
"Wait!Naruto!No—*sss*!"
Iruka's terrified scream rang out at the same time as a clear sound of flesh being torn apart!
Naruto stopped abruptly halfway through his lunge.
He stared blankly at his hands, which were covered in fresh blood—his sudden lunge had landed right on Iruka's back wound, which had just stopped bleeding!
Iruka's face instantly turned from white to green, then from green to white again.Large beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.He swayed, and weakly looked at Naruto, his eyes filled with accusation and… a will to survive.
"Naruto.quick.take me to.the hospital."
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Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly closed the image on the crystal ball, finally freezing on the "heartwarming" scene of Naruto lunging at Iruka, causing blood to splatter everywhere.
He turned around, picked up the pipe he had prepared in advance from the drawer, took a deep drag, and looked at Kakashi through the rising smoke.
"Kakashi," the Third Hokage's voice was devoid of much emotion, "is there a bloodline limit that allows the body to stretch and contract freely?"
Kakashi leaned against the wall, his right eye, which was exposed, was unusually focused as he quickly searched his memory for all known bloodline information.
After a moment, he shook his head, his voice low and firm: "No, Hokage.Neither the existing nor the recorded bloodline limits have ever had a similar 'body stretching' property."
This ability.is unprecedented.
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, his aged yet sharp eyes narrowing slightly amidst the swirling smoke: "Is that so."
He stroked his pipe and pondered, "Judging from its current characteristics.tough, flexible, and freely stretchable." He paused, then made a decision, "Let's name it 'Bullet Escape' for now."
Naruto Uzumaki is the original form of this bloodline limit.
The wisps of smoke obscured the complex light deep within his eyes.
He suddenly changed the subject, his tone carrying a mischievous smile: "Speaking of which, Kakashi, it's been a long time since you've taught any students, hasn't it?Would you like to.experience what it's like to be a teacher?"
Kakashi: "."
His right eye, which had just become sharp from thinking about the bloodstains, instantly reverted to its signature lazy, dead-fish-like look, filled with an air of utter despair.
He asked slowly, "Lord Hokage.do I have a choice?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer, he just chuckled, everything was understood without saying a word.
The firelight of the pipe shone brightly in the smoke.Uncertainty regarding its demise.
————————
The outer edge of the giant forest.
"Haaaaaah~~~~~" Moonlight Gale couldn't help but let out a huge, earth-shattering yawn, tears welling up in his eyes."How long are we going to search.It's already broad daylight."
His complaints spread like a plague to his exhausted companions.
"Haa~~~"
"Haa.that's right."
"Ha.um.let's keep searching until the Hokage gives the order."
Genma Shiranui responded weakly, his eyelids drooping.
In a corner unnoticed by anyone, a small, pure white snake was silently flicking its scarlet tongue.
Its cold, vertical pupils clearly reflected Naruto's flustered figure, then glanced into the depths of the giant forest, as if receiving some unseen message.
Then, it turned silently, like a wisp of cold air merging into the morning mist, and quickly disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.
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