Later that evening, Naruto, feeling dejected after the graduation ceremony, found himself alone in the academy courtyard. Driven by a desperate desire to prove himself, he remembered the rumors of a hidden scroll containing powerful jutsu. He decided to steal it, convinced that it would impress the Hokage and earn him recognition.
Naruto, with a mix of fear and excitement, slipped into the Hokage's tower and retrieved the Scroll of Seals. He fled into the nearby forest, seeking a secluded spot to study its contents.
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Shumukh, who had been practicing his fuinjutsu nearby, sensed a disturbance in the flow of chakra. Using his enhanced perception, he discovered Naruto's presence and, intrigued, followed him discreetly, maintaining an invisible seal for concealment.
As Naruto began to decipher the scroll, a truth was unveiled: he was the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Before he could fully comprehend the revelation, Mizuki appeared.
"Give me the scroll, Naruto," Mizuki demanded, revealing his true intentions.
Naruto, startled, tried to defend himself, but Mizuki easily overpowered him. Iruka, arriving on the scene, attempted to intervene, but Mizuki attacked, severely injuring him.
"Naruto, run!" Iruka gasped, collapsing to the ground.
Shumukh, witnessing the attack, dropped his invisibility and intervened. He unleashed a barrage of swift kenjutsu strikes, his Oda-style techniques a blur of motion. Mizuki, caught off guard, was forced to defend himself.
However, Mizuki was a formidable opponent. Sensing his advantage, he focused his attacks on Shumukh, pushing him back. Seeing his friend and sensei in danger, Naruto, fueled by a surge of adrenaline and desperation, remembered the scroll.
He quickly performed the hand seals for the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. Dozens of Naruto clones erupted, overwhelming Mizuki with a relentless barrage of attacks.
Hiruzen, alerted by the commotion, arrived at the scene, his eyes widening in surprise as he witnessed the chaotic scene. He saw Iruka lying wounded, Shumukh battling Mizuki with his unique blend of kenjutsu and fuinjutsu, and Naruto's clones overwhelming Mizuki.
He's hiding his true strength, Hiruzen thought to himself, observing Shumukh's precise movements and calculated attacks. Using only kenjutsu and fuinjutsu, yet he holds his own. A prodigy, indeed.
With Mizuki incapacitated by Naruto's clones, Hiruzen turned his attention to Iruka, his concern evident. He quickly administered medical aid, stabilizing Iruka's condition.
"Naruto, Shumukh," Hiruzen said, his voice carrying a mix of surprise and pride, "you both did well. You protected your friend, and you defended the village."
The next day, the graduates gathered once more, this time to receive their team assignments. The anticipation was palpable as Iruka-sensei began to read the names.
"Team 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno."
A collective gasp arose from the assembled students.
"Team 8: Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuga, and Shino Aburame."
The Inuzuka, Hyuga, and Aburame clans were all known for their unique abilities and tracking skills, making this a formidable team indeed.
"Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi."
The Ino-Shika-Cho formation, a time-honored tradition among these three clans, promised a powerful combination of mind, strategy, and strength.
"Team 9: Shumukh Oda, Hiro Senju, and Mirai."
A murmur went through the crowd. Mirai Hatake? There was a few Hatake children in the village, but none known to be related to Kakashi.
As Iruka-sensei finished the team assignments, a sudden commotion erupted near the back of the hall. Naruto, seized by a surge of playful mischief, darted forward and planted a quick, unexpected kiss on Sasuke's cheek.
The hall erupted in a cacophony of gasps, giggles, and shouts. Sasuke, his face flushing a brilliant crimson, stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"Naruto!" he sputtered, his voice cracking with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "What do you think you're doing?!"
Naruto, his cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and nervousness, simply grinned. "Just wanted to see what all the fuss was about, teme!" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
The other students erupted in laughter, the tension of the day momentarily broken by the unexpected display. Shumukh, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but chuckle, a rare smile gracing his lips.
"Team 8, this way," Kurenai Yuhi said, her red eyes gleaming with a gentle warmth.
"Team 10, let's go," Asuma Sarutobi said, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
The teams began to file out of the hall, following their new sensei. Team 9 waited, and waited.
Just as the last of the other teams disappeared, a calm, clear voice echoed through the hall. "Shumukh Oda, Hiro Senju, and Mirai Hatake? Are you there?"
The students turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows at the back of the hall. He moved with a quiet grace, his presence radiating an aura of calm confidence. It was Shisui Uchiha.
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock. Shisui Uchiha? The legendary prodigy, the master of the Body Flicker Technique, the wielder of the Mangekyo Sharingan? He was their sensei?
"Team 9," Shisui said, his voice carrying a gentle strength, "please follow me."
Shumukh, Hiro, and Mirai exchanged surprised glances, their hearts pounding with a mix of excitement and awe. They followed Shisui out of the hall, their minds filled with questions and anticipation.
As they walked, Sasuke, still reeling from the shock of seeing Shisui, couldn't help but stare. He had heard stories of Shisui's legendary skills, his unwavering loyalty to the village, his gentle nature. To have him as a sensei was an honor beyond his wildest dreams.