Chương 14: The stage is set up

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"What is the Scroll of Seals?" Iruka thought, his heart pounding. "It's a top-secret scroll that contains all of the village's forbidden techniques! Only the Hokage and a few select individuals are allowed to even look at it!"

Iruka clenched his fists tightly, worry etched across his face. "We have to find Menma as soon as possible! This mistake can't be allowed to escalate any further!"

Meanwhile, Menma, the subject of Iruka's concern, was deep within a secluded forest not far from the meeting point with Mizuki. Leisurely, he began to unroll the Scroll of Seals, eager to examine the high-level jutsu, secret techniques, and even forbidden techniques recorded within.

In the original timeline, Naruto had learned the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu from this very scroll.

But Menma in this life had grander ambitions.

However, just as Menma had suspected from the beginning, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't have let him take the Scroll of Seals without some precautions.

The Anbu trailing behind him were one layer of security, but the cunning Third Hokage had also placed a more direct safeguard on the scroll itself.

As Menma tried to pull the scroll open further, it suddenly refused to move. No matter how much force he applied, the scroll wouldn't budge beyond its initial few inches.

Though his expression remained calm, Menma's heart sank, and he inwardly cursed. "So that's how it is... I should have known that old man wouldn't let me take the Scroll of Seals so easily. It's been sealed, and I can't access the rest of the content!"

This precaution was undoubtedly Sarutobi Hiruzen's doing.

In the original story, Naruto had only managed to view the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu, which didn't trigger the seal. But Menma's eyes were set on techniques like the Flying Thunder God Jutsu and the Dead Demon Consuming Seal!

The former was an exceptional technique for both combat and escape, and the latter intrigued Menma because of the "Shinigami" involved—something he was eager to study.

But now, it was all for nothing!

Sarutobi Hiruzen had effectively barred him from accessing anything beyond the Rasengan!

Remote surveillance through the Telescope Technique, elite Anbu trailing him, and the special sealing technique placed on the Scroll of Seals—the Third Hokage had covered all bases. Menma, on the other hand, had hoped for more, even though he'd expected something like this from the start. Human nature often leads to greed, after all.

"Well, it was kind of expected," Menma thought, exhaling lightly to adjust his mindset. "If I can't see it, then I can't see it. At least I didn't walk away empty-handed!"

Despite his initial disappointment, Menma reminded himself of what he had gained. There wasn't just the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. He had also memorized several A-rank jutsu, including the Rasengan, Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, and even a sealing technique—the Five Elements Seal!

These were still valuable techniques, making this venture worthwhile for Menma.

"Time's running short. I need to move quickly," Menma muttered, glancing up at the moon partially obscured by dark clouds.

He buried his head in the scroll, studying the techniques carefully. While it wasn't necessary to master them immediately, as long as he could memorize the core principles, that would suffice. The Rasengan, in particular, intrigued him. He vaguely remembered how Jiraiya had taught Naruto to master it in the original timeline, but his memory wasn't crystal clear. There were likely details he had forgotten.

But now, with the most detailed notes from his father, Minato Namikaze, Menma knew it was only a matter of time before he mastered the Rasengan.

Time ticked away, and Menma worked quickly to imprint the core aspects of the available A-rank and higher techniques into his mind.

The first technique he mastered was, unsurprisingly, the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. At this point, Menma seemed to have inherited the same knack for this jutsu as Naruto from the original timeline. It only took one glance at the instructions for Menma to fully grasp the technique!

Of course, this jutsu wasn't particularly difficult. The hand seal required was simply a "cross" (Ram), and generally, any high-level ninja could learn it. But learning the technique was different from being able to use it effectively.

The regular Shadow Clone Jutsu alone required a significant amount of chakra, and the clones created by the technique had to share the chakra of the original body. Though it was possible to control the amount of chakra distributed to the clones, it was still a technique that few ninja could afford to use frequently.

In other words, the technique was dependent on chakra reserves. For those with an abundance of chakra, it was easy to use. But for those with limited reserves, it was practically useless.

Normally, the regular Shadow Clone Jutsu, though only a B-rank technique, could only be used by jonin-level ninja.

However, this wasn't an issue for Menma. Even without tapping into the Nine-Tails' chakra, Menma's own chakra reserves were vast, far exceeding that of an ordinary ninja.

A simple Shadow Clone Jutsu was nothing for him!

"It's almost time. I should go see that 'kind' teacher Mizuki now," Menma thought with a smirk.

After estimating that enough time had passed, Menma closed the Scroll of Seals and secured it on his back once more. With a swift leap, he dashed toward the rendezvous point where Mizuki awaited.

The distance wasn't far.

When Menma arrived, he saw Mizuki standing in the clearing, eagerly waiting. When Mizuki spotted the giant scroll on Menma's back, his eyes lit up with a greedy, triumphant gleam.

Until now, Mizuki had only been half-sure that his plan would work. The only thing he had counted on was that if the plan failed, he could push all the blame onto Menma. After all, as a Jinchuriki, it was "expected" for Menma to act out against the village.

In Mizuki's eyes, his scheme had been flawless. And now, seeing Menma with the Scroll of Seals, he couldn't contain his joy.

"Mizuki Sensei! This is the mission target—the Scroll of Seals. I've completed the mission, haven't I?" Menma said, his expression neutral as he approached Mizuki.

"Well, of course it counts, of course it counts! Hahaha!" Mizuki laughed, a sinister smile spreading across his face as he held the Forbidden Scroll. He carefully opened it, and as he glimpsed the powerful jutsu within, he couldn't contain his wild laughter.

"Mizuki-sensei? What's wrong? And where's Iruka-sensei? How do I get my mission evaluated?" Menma asked, feigning confusion.

Mizuki's demeanor suddenly changed, his expression turning icy. "Menma, you did a great job, really. As for Iruka... he's not here. Your mission evaluation? Well, for that, you just need to die, and everything will be perfect."

In an instant, Mizuki flipped a kunai into his hand and lunged at Menma with deadly intent. The blade slashed through the air toward Menma's face.

Menma, seemingly caught off guard, stepped back just in time, narrowly avoiding the kunai as it sliced past him.

"Mizuki-sensei! What are you doing?!" Menma shouted, his face a mix of shock and confusion. Despite his outward reaction, Menma was completely in control. He could have ended this fight in an instant, but the timing wasn't right. He needed to play his part, acting on instinct, just like any 12-year-old would. After all, Mizuki was a teacher at the Academy.

Mizuki's face twisted into a sinister grin. "What am I doing? Didn't I just say that you need to die here, Menma? That's the only way this story ends."

"Dying here? But why, Mizuki-sensei? What's going on?" Menma asked, his voice filled with apparent disbelief and anger.

"Why? Because you've been a fool, Menma! Hahaha! Did you really think this was just some last-minute test? How naïve can you be? The truth is, you were nothing more than a pawn in my plan to steal the Forbidden Scroll—the top secret of this village!"

"What!?" Menma exclaimed, his eyes widening in feigned disbelief. He was truly immersed in the role now, much like he had been in drama club activities back in his previous life. His performance was so convincing that it could fool nearly anyone.

Mizuki was no mastermind. He was a small-time villain at best. Even now, under the Third Hokage's surveillance from the Hokage Office, the old man wouldn't notice Menma's act. The angle and distance made it impossible to catch the subtle details.

Mizuki, still relishing Menma's supposed shock, continued with an evil smirk, "Did you really think this scroll was just some advanced ninjutsu as a prize? No, you fool! This scroll contains all the top-secret techniques of the Hidden Leaf Village—A-rank ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, secret jutsu—everything! Only the Hokage is allowed to see it! Stealing this scroll isn't a test—it's treason! And you're the one who's going to take the fall! I'll kill you, the traitor, and then all these forbidden techniques will be mine! Hahahaha!"

Mizuki's laughter echoed through the clearing, his triumph apparent. Meanwhile, Menma, fully immersed in his role, let his expression shift to one of anger. Internally, though, he found it hard not to laugh at how perfectly Mizuki was playing into his hands.

This guy is too easy to manipulate, Menma thought. He's practically giving me everything I need. Typical small-time villain.

"So you're betraying the village, Mizuki-sensei? And you used me?" Menma yelled, his voice filled with fury. His fists clenched, and veins bulged on his forehead—an image of pure rage. Menma was fully committed to the role, leaving no doubt about his performance.

"Heh, betrayal? I'm just pursuing true power, Menma! What does a mere ninja village mean? And deceive you? Who do you think you are? For twelve years, the village has shunned you. Didn't you ever wonder why?"

Mizuki's face twisted with malice as he sneered at Menma.

Back in the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression darkened as he listened to Mizuki's words. This development was unexpected, but there was nothing he could do now except watch.

"Let me tell you the truth, Menma. You're not a human being at all. You're the Nine-Tails! The same demon fox that nearly destroyed the Hidden Leaf Village twelve years ago—the same one that killed so many of our people, including the Fourth Hokage!" Mizuki snarled, his voice dripping with venom.

He seemed to believe that this revelation would shatter Menma, but Mizuki had no idea who he was dealing with. Menma wasn't the boy from the original story—he wasn't fragile or naive.

However, to keep up appearances, Menma widened his eyes, his body trembling slightly as his lips quivered—perfectly portraying someone whose world had just been shattered.

Mizuki, seeing Menma's reaction, grinned with satisfaction. "Including Iruka—his parents died twelve years ago because of you! Do you really think he cares about you? No, Menma! He wants to kill you! You're a monster that the entire village despises! Everyone in the village hates you, Uzumaki Menma!"

Mizuki sneered, believing he had Menma completely under his control. He wanted to destroy Menma mentally before finishing him off physically.

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