Chapter 3: The Book of SealingYes, the idea that suddenly came to Naruto was the Scroll of Seals—a forbidden scroll containing powerful and dangerous jutsu, from the basic Shadow Clone Technique to high-level techniques like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fūjin). However, stealing the Scroll of Seals was no small matter. In the manga, Naruto had stolen it under Mizuki's manipulation, but now that Naruto knew the plot, he realized the Scroll might hold the key to accelerating his growth.
Naruto reasoned that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, likely turned a blind eye to the theft in the original story because he secretly hoped Naruto would become strong—strong enough to follow in the footsteps of his father, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. After all, as the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, Naruto remaining weak only invited disaster. So perhaps the Third Hokage subtly allowed the events to unfold, knowing the boy needed power. With that thought, the Scroll no longer seemed out of reach.
Of course, one person was essential to recreating this event: Mizuki.
That night, Naruto went to bed early, conserving his energy for the task ahead. The next morning, he walked straight into Mizuki's office without hesitation and said bluntly, "Mizuki-sensei, I heard there are powerful forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals. Do you know where it's kept?"
Sure enough, Mizuki's expression darkened. "Naruto… that's dangerous knowledge. I do know where the scroll is, but you mustn't tell anyone I told you." Naruto smirked inwardly. It was clear that Mizuki had long coveted the Scroll. Outwardly, however, he put on a naive face. "I understand, Mizuki-sensei. I won't tell anyone."
As expected, Mizuki told Naruto the scroll was kept in a restricted storage building near the Hokage's residence. The plan to use Naruto to steal it was already in motion.
That night, Naruto crept through Konoha's dark streets, silently approaching the building housing the Scroll of Seals. He knew the Third Hokage was probably aware of his movements, but it didn't matter. Naruto had already reasoned: at worst, he'd receive a light punishment since he was still a child, and Mizuki would take the fall. There was no real risk.
Guards protected the storage area, but Naruto's luck—or perhaps the Hokage's deliberate leniency—allowed him to steal the scroll without significant difficulty. He was discovered shortly afterward, but carrying the scroll, he fled into the woods. As he ran, he thought, Mizuki will come soon. I have to act fast.
He quickly found a hiding place deep in the forest, unrolled the Scroll of Seals, and the first technique to appear was the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique (Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu). This was crucial—his immediate priority was to master it in order to defend himself from Mizuki. In the manga, this jutsu had been Naruto's first breakthrough, and it had become his signature ever since.
The seal was simple—an advanced form of the standard Clone Technique—but it demanded immense chakra, far beyond what ordinary ninja could sustain. Naruto, however, with his Uzumaki vitality and the Nine-Tails' chakra, found the learning curve much shorter. Within minutes, he managed to form multiple solid clones, though the massive chakra drain was immediately apparent. He knew most people could die attempting this, but his body could bear it.
With time running out, Naruto skimmed the scroll further. He briefly memorized the theories behind more advanced techniques, including the Rasengan—which, in the manga, he would only learn years later—and even glanced at the complex notes for the Flying Thunder God Technique (Hiraishin no Jutsu), his father's legendary jutsu. He wasn't aiming to master these right away, but imprinting the concepts for future study was enough.
Before he could read more, Iruka Umino appeared, calling, "Naruto! Come back with me."
Naruto stood, frustrated. That was too fast. I barely scratched the surface of this scroll.
Suddenly, without warning, Mizuki attacked from the shadows, hurling shuriken that struck Iruka, leaving him bloodied and injured. Naruto could have warned him or intervened earlier but hesitated—he wanted to see if Iruka would truly protect him as in the manga.
Mizuki sneered as Iruka fell. He turned to Naruto, unsheathing a giant shuriken. "Give me the scroll, Naruto, and I'll spare your life."
Naruto said nothing but calmly stepped forward, kunai in hand. Mizuki laughed cruelly. "You're just a failure. Run. You can't beat me."
Iruka, despite his wounds, gasped, "Naruto, get out of here! Mizuki is too dangerous!"
But Naruto's eyes were steady. He attacked first, his taijutsu sharper than in the original timeline. Mizuki's grin faltered as Naruto's blows came fast and fluid, each movement precise. Mizuki blocked, parried, and struck back, but was visibly unnerved. This isn't the same dead-last kid, he thought in panic. What's going on?
Still, Mizuki was an experienced Chūnin, equal to Iruka in strength. The longer the fight dragged on, the more Naruto's stamina dwindled. Mizuki, growing desperate, tried a psychological attack: "Naruto… do you know why everyone hates you? It's because you're the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox that destroyed this village!"
Iruka flinched, too weak to stop the words. In canon, this truth had broken Naruto's heart.
But this time, Naruto barely blinked. He glanced at Iruka, then back at Mizuki and replied calmly, "If Iruka-sensei hated me, he wouldn't have risked his life to save me. It's you, Mizuki. You used me for your own gain. You don't care about this village at all."
Mizuki's eyes widened in shock. "Tch… So you figured it out. Then die!"
As Mizuki lunged, Naruto swiftly formed the hand seals. "Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
In an instant, dozens, then hundreds of Naruto clones materialized, surrounding Mizuki. The Chūnin froze, his face pale with fear as the sea of clones closed in. His hand trembled, his kunai slipping. "Impossible…!"
Naruto smirked coldly. "Weren't you going to kill me? Come on, then."
All at once, the clones attacked, pummeling Mizuki mercilessly. Fists and feet flew in a blur until Mizuki was battered beyond recognition, collapsing into the dirt half-conscious, his will to fight utterly shattered.
Iruka, watching from the ground, smiled through the pain, pride lighting his weary eyes. He's… amazing…
Naruto rushed to Iruka's side, inspecting the wounds. Thankfully, while serious, none were fatal. Supporting Iruka's weight, Naruto dragged the broken Mizuki back towards the Hokage's office.
When they arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi—the Third Hokage—set aside his pipe, his old eyes heavy with disappointment as he saw Mizuki's condition. He exhaled a slow breath and said, "This is all because of Mizuki's treachery. Iruka, go and rest. Leave the rest to us."