It was effortless.
It was as simple as going back to one's own home to fetch something. The distinctive building, the easily identifiable sealing scroll—Naruto hadn't spent much time before he found it in the Hokage's study. There was no need for any precautions or barriers. The sealing scroll, one of Konoha's highest secrets, was boldly placed in the most conspicuous location in the room. This was perhaps the most direct and straightforward intrusion into a Kage's residence to steal the highest classified secrets in the history of the village.
However, on the surface, Naruto still maintained an appearance of cautiousness. He acted as if he was following the instructions of his academy teacher, treating this as if it were just another covert mission. Inside the ninja academy, apart from the necessary lessons and combat training among classmates, there were frequent simulations of real ninja missions such as infiltration and theft. These were part of the basic skills taught in the ninja academy.
After locating the sealing scroll, Naruto meticulously inspected it, then secured it behind his back. Following the predetermined route, he quietly exited the Hokage's residence and hurried to the location he had arranged with Mizuki. The first half of this farce had unfolded according to the scripted storyline, and now it was time for the second half to begin.
As Naruto left the Hokage's residence, he continued to follow his plan. He concealed his presence and swiftly moved along the route towards the agreed-upon location. However, Naruto didn't intend to go directly to the designated spot this time. Unlike the original story, Naruto played a little trick and stole the scroll a bit earlier. He also decided to deviate slightly from the planned path. Of course, he would meet with Mizuki later; otherwise, this play would never conclude. But before that, Naruto intended to make the most of this vacuum period to secure the maximum benefit for himself.
Meanwhile, back in the Hokage's office building, with Naruto already carrying the sealing scroll, the Hokage himself was not aware that Naruto had taken it. He hadn't used Crystal Jutsu to monitor Naruto's actions as he did in the original story. Furthermore, he had dispatched Kakashi Hatake to covertly watch over Mizuki. Of course, even if Naruto had known about these precautions, he wouldn't have cared much. After all, this was just a play. The director was ready, preparations were made, and as long as the actors followed the script, everything would be fine.
Unbeknownst to Naruto, when he left carrying the sealing scroll, the Hokage, still staring at Konoha's night view from his office, took a puff from his pipe and exhaled a smoke ring. His eyes glinted with a peculiar light.
"Swoosh!"
Suddenly, a figure appeared behind the Hokage. This person was dressed in standard Anbu attire and was a member of the Anbu directly under the Hokage's command.
Kneeling on one knee, the Anbu lowered their head slightly and spoke with a highly respectful tone, "Hokage-sama, the sealing scroll has been confirmed to be taken by Naruto Uzumaki!"
Concise and straightforward, there was no emotional fluctuation in the Anbu's voice. This was a member of the Anbu directly under the Hokage's command.
"Hmm, I see," replied the Hokage.
The Third Hokage still had his back turned to the Anbu, his gaze fixed on Konoha's night view outside the window. He took a deep breath and exhaled a smoke ring, his voice calm.
Then, he waved his hand gently. "Understood."
The Anbu behind him responded with a single word, "Yes."
In the next moment, with the Hokage's signal, the Anbu's figure disappeared into the night as if it had melded with the darkness.
"After all, the sealing scroll... Fourth, this can be considered compensation for Naruto. Let's see how much he can learn," the Third Hokage muttered, his gaze still on the village's night scenery.
The Third Hokage narrowed his eyes slightly, and in his mind, the image of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, appeared. He sighed softly and whispered to himself.
This had always been the Third Hokage's intended goal.
It should be said that this decision was made after he had foreseen the absurd plan of Mizuki in advance.
Based on the six years of observation and training at the Ninja Academy, Naruto's growth undoubtedly met the Third Hokage's expectations. Naruto had always been progressing and growing towards the goal of gaining recognition and becoming a great ninja. So, when the graduation day arrived, the Third Hokage took advantage of Mizuki's plan to give Naruto some small advantages, a way of showing his belief in Naruto. Of course, as the leader of the village, the Third Hokage had various means of counteraction. The sealing scroll was genuine, not a forgery, but the Third Hokage made some subtle adjustments to it to create obstacles.
This was to prevent the worst-case scenario from occurring.
The most crucial techniques and forbidden jutsu were beyond Naruto's reach.
Moreover, they were still within the confines of Konoha.
This was why the Third Hokage had no worries at all.
Most importantly, the Third Hokage had another precautionary measure.
"Kakashi."
"Swoosh!"
As the Third Hokage uttered those words calmly, a figure suddenly appeared before him, kneeling down with a respectful tone.
"Sandaime-sama!"
"Just in case, you can follow me. You don't have to go looking for Naruto. Just keep an eye on Mizuki. When necessary, you can act on your own."
The Third Hokage gazed directly at Kakashi Hatake, his tone calm.
"Understood, Hokage-sama," Kakashi replied, bowing his head slightly.
In the next moment, following the Third Hokage's signal, Kakashi's figure disappeared with a swoosh.
After Kakashi had left, the Third Hokage took another look at the night view of Konoha and then returned to his desk to continue handling the remaining affairs.
With everything arranged by the Third Hokage. On the other side, Naruto, carrying the sealing scroll, had no idea that in this world, the Third Hokage had not used Crystal Jutsu to monitor him, as in the original story. He was even more unaware that the Third Hokage had chosen to send Kakashi Hatake as a substitute for surveillance.
Of course, even if Naruto had known about these precautions, he wouldn't have been too concerned. After all, this was just a performance. The director was ready, preparations were made, and as long as the actors followed the script, there would be no issues.
After obtaining the sealing scroll, Naruto quickly left the village and arrived at a location near the meeting point with Mizuki.
There was still some time left until the agreed-upon time, so Naruto planned to make the most of it by learning as many forbidden and secret techniques as possible. Even if they were relatively common high-level ninja techniques, Naruto welcomed them. He would seize any opportunity to learn, and he had complete confidence in his memory, whether in his previous life or this one.
Although the number of jutsu couldn't represent a ninja's true strength, mastery and application of jutsu could certainly enhance a ninja's abilities to a corresponding degree. Moreover, by examining these techniques, he could gain a deeper understanding of their essence. This applied especially to secret and forbidden techniques.
Naruto was well aware that mastering jutsu wasn't as simple as memorizing hand seals' sequences.
The most important aspect was understanding the core of the technique.
This was especially true for secret and forbidden techniques.
If they were easy to control, they wouldn't deserve to be called secret or forbidden techniques.
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