Naruto: I Kizaru Took Over Team 7

A soft cough from an old man broke the tense atmosphere. Everyone in the corridor turned to look at the figure standing in the office—Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage.

"Okay, it's all a misunderstanding!" Sarutobi's commanding voice rang out. "Kirito is not a spy, and Naruto has been manipulated!"

The Hokage's words echoed in everyone's minds. Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

Kirito was not a spy? But then how did Mizuki die? And how did the Book of Seals go missing?

Everyone waited for Sarutobi Hiruzen to clear up their confusion.

Sarutobi Asuma, who had been at the front of the group, looked baffled. He turned to his father with a questioning gaze.

"How can Kirito not be a spy?" Asuma's voice was filled with disbelief. "This can't be a misunderstanding! Mizuki died protecting the Book of Seals! Hokage-sama!"

In that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's son was the only one daring enough to challenge him.

Yuhi Kurenai, who had been collapsed in the corner, slowly rose to her feet. Hope flickered in her eyes as she heard the Hokage's defense of Kirito. The realization that Kirito was not a spy, and that this was all a misunderstanding, made her heart lighten.

Her lips curled into a smile as she looked at Kirito, who stood there like a god of war, unshaken by the chaos around him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, though the Hokage, knew that just stating that Kirito was not a spy wouldn't be enough to convince everyone. He placed a crystal ball onto the table, and his wrinkled hand stroked it gently. A flash of light erupted from the sphere.

The image within the crystal ball shifted. In the dark corner of the picture, a man with silver hair looked at Naruto from the eaves with a smirk. This man was Mizuki.

Mizuki made a hand seal and transformed into Kirito, sneaking toward Naruto.

The image shifted again, this time showing Mizuki, in the form of Kirito, lying lifeless on the ground, with a forceful wound in his chest.

The image continued to play, revealing the truth—Mizuki had disguised himself as Kirito and manipulated Naruto. Kirito, however, had been the one to rid the village of Mizuki, the traitor.

The ninjas in the room slowly relaxed, their expressions softening as they realized they had wronged Kirito.

Might Guy and Kakashi exchanged glances, and an apologetic look appeared in their eyes as they nodded toward Kirito. Kirito merely nodded in return, his face calm and indifferent.

Yuhi Kurenai, now relieved, ran to Kirito's side, her eyes shining with affection. "I knew it, I knew you weren't that kind of person," she whispered softly.

Naruto, still trying to process everything, understood the truth now. It wasn't Kirito who had wanted to take him as a disciple—it had been Mizuki, disguised as Kirito.

Confusion and shock filled Naruto's eyes as he turned to Kirito. "Why, if it wasn't you, did you say you did it?"

Kirito, smiling faintly, simply looked at Naruto but didn't speak.

The others, including Kurenai, Might Guy, and Kakashi, were equally puzzled. If it wasn't Kirito's fault, then why had he admitted to it?

The truth was, Kirito didn't want Naruto to face this burden alone. He didn't want to disappoint Naruto either. Even though Kirito had refused to accept Naruto as his disciple, Mizuki, posing as him, had agreed to it, which meant Kirito still felt responsible.

At that moment, the way everyone looked at Kirito changed. Especially Sarutobi Asuma, who had just been shouting at him for being a spy. His face flushed with embarrassment.

He slowly lit a cigarette and offered one to Kirito. "Want one?" Asuma asked, trying to ease the awkwardness between them.

Kirito smiled and shook his head. "No thanks."

The controversy about Kirito being a spy was finally put to rest.

Kirito, now looking at his new disciple, Naruto, felt a twinge of helplessness in his heart. He had never intended to become involved in Konoha's troubles, but by chance, he had become Naruto's master.

Yet, Kirito wasn't bothered by it. After all, what did it matter? Whether he was a ninja in Konoha or Naruto's teacher, none of it changed his laid-back attitude. A "salted fish" like him wasn't concerned about such things.

With that, Kirito walked out of the Hokage office, Naruto trailing behind him. Sarutobi Hiruzen, observing the scene from the window, said nothing. His sharp eyes followed them as the ninjas around the door dispersed, each returning to their duties. The truth had been revealed, and there was no need to stay any longer.

Naruto, eager to spend time with his new teacher, took Kirito to his home. The small room was sparse—a single bed, a refrigerator, and little else. It was far from comfortable, much like the conditions Kirito had been assigned to when he first arrived.

Kirito opened the refrigerator, finding only a variety of instant noodles.

Naruto, looking embarrassed, turned to Kirito. "Teacher, do you want some instant noodles? That's all I have to offer... but you can choose the flavor!"

Kirito, his hand on Naruto's head, took out 200 yen from his pocket and handed it to him. "Take this and use it. Don't ask me for anything else."

His words were simple, but each one warmed Naruto's heart. Tears welled up in Naruto's eyes, but he quickly wiped them away.

Kirito looked at him seriously. "Naruto, do you want to become stronger? Do you want to eat Ichiraku Ramen every day?"

Naruto, startled, nodded eagerly. "Yes! Of course I do!"

"Alright then," Kirito said with a smile. "Today, I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen."

As the two made their way to the ramen shop, the villagers, ever hostile, pointed at Naruto.

"What's that fox demon doing out in the daytime?"

"Don't you know how much trouble he's caused?"

A woman held her son's hand and pointed at Naruto. "That's him, the evil fox demon. Stay away from him, and tell your friends not to get involved with him!"

Naruto heard the taunts but said nothing. However, Kirito could see the pain in his eyes. Along the way, such scenes were frequent, and Kirito couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.

Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had wanted his son to live as a hero in Konoha. Yet Sarutobi Hiruzen had kept Naruto's true identity a secret, allowing him to suffer the disdain of the villagers. If Naruto didn't turn bitter and vengeful, it would be a miracle.

Kirito's anger flared on behalf of his student. It was unjust, and he couldn't stand to see Naruto suffer like this.