Kaguya?

"Iruka!" a familiar voice called, causing Iruka to turn back in confusion. It was Mizuki, rushing toward him with an anxious expression plastered across his face.

"Mizuki? What's going on?" Iruka asked, sensing the urgency in his friend's demeanor.

"I just heard something shocking," Mizuki said, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "It's about Naruto. He was seen stealing the Forbidden Scroll from the Hokage's office!"

Iruka's stomach dropped. "What? No, that can't be true! Naruto wouldn't do something like that!"

Mizuki shook his head, feigning distress. "I wish I could say you're right. There were witnesses who saw him sneaking around right after class. You know how desperate he is for attention. This could ruin his life!"

Iruka felt his heart race, disbelief turning into a storm of anger and concern. "But why would he want that scroll? It's forbidden! He knows the consequences!"

"He probably thinks that mastering a jutsu from the scroll will finally earn him the respect he craves," Mizuki replied, his tone dripping with false sympathy. "But if he's caught, the Hokage will have no choice but to punish him severely. You have to stop this, Iruka!"

Iruka's mind raced as he processed Mizuki's words, uncertainty gnawing at him. "I need to find him before it's too late," he declared, resolute.

"Let me help you," Mizuki offered, eyes wide with feigned sincerity. "We have to act fast!"

…

"Hmm, let's see here," Naruto muttered, clutching the scroll in front of him as if it were his dearest treasure. His eyes gleamed with anticipation as he unfurled it, the ancient parchment crackling softly in the still air. "There's gotta be something awesome in here!"

He scanned the intricate symbols and diagrams, his heart racing, still remembering how easy it was to trick the old man into letting him have this "Come on, come on... Show me something I can actually use!" Naruto flipped through the scroll with eager fingers, searching for a jutsu that would prove his worth.

As he perused the scroll, the memories of failures from his graduation tests echoed in his mind. The memories of his classmates performing their techniques flawlessly while he floundered surfaced like ghosts. The way they looked and gloated at him. "If only I could get the Clone Technique right," he murmured, a frown creeping onto his face. "That's what always held me back…"

But then, a glimmer of hope caught his eye. There it was—the Shadow Clone Technique! This is it! He could just feel it.

…

The sound of wind rushed past Iruka's ears as he leaped from tree to tree, his mind racing. He couldn't believe that Naruto—of all people—would do something like this. No, it couldn't have been Naruto; if he had done it, he was likely coerced. But by whom? The worry for the boy clawed at him, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. After grading the tests, Iruka had realized that Naruto could have graduated despite failing the ninjutsu exam, and guilt gnawed at him for not catching that sooner. The most important thing now was finding Naruto.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted as he spotted a familiar blond figure panting below him. However, the moment of realization caused him to lose focus, and he smacked his face directly into an incoming tree branch.

Bang!

The impact sent Iruka sprawling, flipping him upside down before he managed to regain his balance and land on his chakra-enforced knees. Dizziness swirled in his head, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

"Huh? Is that you, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto blurted out, surprise flickering across his face. It seemed he hadn't expected to be found so easily; after all, it had only been an hour since he'd taken off, and it usually took four for anyone to track him down. But then again, this was Iruka-sensei.

Rubbing his face to shake off the impact, Iruka pushed himself up, frustration boiling inside him. "You idiot! Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you've caused?"

"Eh, of course I do! This is all part of the special graduation test, right? Isn't it natural for people to cause trouble trying to stop me from succeeding?" Naruto replied, a grin spreading across his face.

Iruka's eyes widened at Naruto's words. It hit him like a freight train: someone had put Naruto up to this, and he suspected it was about stealing the Forbidden Scroll.

"Naruto! Quickly, tell me who told you about this special exam!"

"Uh, Mizuki-sensei said it was a special test just for me!"

Iruka's heart raced as he processed this new information. This wasn't just some misguided graduation test; it was a trap designed to exploit Naruto's desperation to prove himself."Give me the scroll now, Naruto!" Iruka urged, his voice laced with urgency.

"No way! I know what you're trying to do! Mizuki-sensei said I mustn't give it to anyone but him, or else I'll fail!"

Frustration boiled inside Iruka. "Naruto, listen to me! Mizuki is trying to trick you! He wants to use the scroll for himself, and he'll leave you to take the blame!"

Naruto's eyes widened, doubt creeping into his expression as he glanced back at the scroll. "But… he said it was a special test! That I could finally prove myself!"

"Prove yourself? By stealing a forbidden scroll?" Iruka pressed, desperation lacing his words. "You're better than this! You don't need to stoop to Mizuki's level to gain respect!"

Naruto hesitated, his grip on the scroll wavering. The conflict within him was evident, torn between his desire to prove himself and the trust he had in Iruka. "But… what if he's right? What if I don't pass without it?"

"I promise you, Naruto, you can pass without that scroll. You're capable of so much more than you realize!" Iruka's voice softened, hoping to reach the boy buried under layers of self-doubt. "Please, just trust me."

 Just then, a sudden flurry of kunai and shuriken rained down toward them, slicing through the air with deadly precision. Iruka instinctively pushed Naruto aside, taking a stance to shield him.

"Get down!" he shouted, deflecting the projectiles with a swift movement, the weapons clattering harmlessly to the ground.

"What the hell is going on?!" Naruto exclaimed, eyes wide with shock.

"There's no time to explain! Mizuki is using you to steal the Forbidden Scroll! We need to get out of here before he sends more after us!"

Pushing the confused blond out of the way, Iruka barely had time to react before he was met with an onslaught of kunai and shuriken. The sharp metal whizzed through the air, and he instinctively dove to the side.

Clang! The weapons embedded themselves into the worn-out shed behind him, puncturing the wood with a series of loud thuds.

"So you figured it out so soon, have you, Iruka?" a young, raspy voice taunted from the shadows. Iruka's heart sank; there was no mistaking it—Mizuki had betrayed the Leaf Village.

With no time to think, he pushed himself away from the shed, where he had been pinned, and grasped a shuriken stained with his own blood, ready to use it as a weapon.

"So it was you, Mizuki! To think you of all people would become a traitor of the Hidden Leaf Village!" Iruka shouted, his voice laced with anger and disappointment.

Naruto, caught in the crossfire of confusion, blinked rapidly as he stared at his two sensei's. "Wait a minute… What's going on here? What do you mean Mizuki-sensei is a traitor?"

…

Naruto's voice cracked with uncertainty, his wide blue eyes searching Iruka's face for answers. He could see the worry and urgency etched into Iruka's features, but it didn't make sense. Mizuki? A traitor?

Naruto turned to Mizuki, and his heart sank as he caught the twisted sneer on his face, a cruel and mocking expression that sent a shiver down his spine.

"That's right, Naruto," Mizuki sneered, his voice full of venom. "Iruka's been keeping things from you. They all have."

Naruto's breath hitched. "What… what are you talking about? Why would Mizuki-sensei betray the village?" His voice was laced with confusion and a rising sense of panic.

Mizuki took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with dark intent. "Haven't you ever wondered why the entire village looks at you the way they do? Why you've always been alone? It's because they hate you, Naruto. They've always hated you."

"Stop it, Mizuki!" Iruka's voice broke through the tension, filled with a desperate plea. "This isn't the time for your lies!"

Naruto's head was spinning. "Lies? What lies?" His voice cracked, eyes darting between Mizuki and Iruka, searching for something—anything—that made sense. His heart raced in his chest, pounding with confusion and fear.

Mizuki's grin stretched wider, sensing the doubt and turmoil growing inside Naruto. "They've all been lying to you, Naruto," Mizuki said with a sneer. "About who you are. You're not just some orphan kid—you're a weapon. A monster sealed away by the village. A tool they've kept in the shadows."

As Mizuki's words sank in, a flash of that woman—her face, her voice—appeared in Naruto's mind. 'So… she's real?' The thought struck him like lightning, unsettling him further.

Naruto's stomach twisted, his mind racing with confusion and anger. Could Mizuki be telling the truth? Was that why everyone in the village treated him the way they did? His heart sank, as if being torn apart from the inside. "Is… is that true, Iruka-sensei?" Naruto's voice was small, desperate, his eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.

Iruka's gaze softened, filled with regret, but before he could speak, Mizuki cut in again, his laughter cold and harsh. "Of course it's true! You're the reason this village lives in fear! You're the Nine-Tails, Naruto! The demon fox that destroyed everything!"

Naruto's world seemed to stop. Mizuki's words echoed in his mind, turning everything he thought he knew upside down. The Nine-Tails? The monster? He could hardly breathe. If he was the monster, then what did that make him? And what about that woman he had seen in fleeting memories—was she somehow connected to this nightmare? Was he worse than a monster?

Iruka, despite the pain from his injuries, stumbled forward, the kunai still clutched in his hand. His voice was shaking, but it was strong, filled with determination. "Naruto! Don't listen to him! You're not the Nine-Tails. You're not that monster."

But Naruto couldn't move. His legs felt like they were glued to the ground. His mind was spinning, torn between disbelief and the overwhelming flood of emotions crashing down on him. He wanted to shout, to deny everything Mizuki had said, but the words wouldn't come out. He stood frozen, overwhelmed by the weight of it all.

Mizuki's cruel laughter echoed again, filling the silence. "Face it, Naruto. You're cursed. The village will never accept you. You're nothing but the fox to them!"

"Don't listen to him anymore, Naruto!" Iruka's voice rang out, louder now, full of urgency. "Run! Get the scroll out of here and wait for help to arrive!" His eyes locked onto Naruto's, filled with a fierce resolve to protect him.

Naruto's fists clenched. He didn't know what to believe, but Iruka's voice was like a lifeline pulling him out of the confusion. He had to move. He had to get away. But the uncertainty still gnawed at him. The image of that woman, the words Mizuki had thrown at him, lingered in his mind.

With one last glance at Iruka, Naruto made his decision. He spun around and bolted into the forest, the forbidden scroll clutched tightly in his arms, heart pounding with confusion, hurt, and a glimmer of hope that somehow, Iruka's words were the truth.

…

Mizuki's eyes flared with anger, his grin twisting into a snarl as he watched Naruto disappear into the trees. "How dare that brat try to get away!" he spat, his voice filled with venom. The sight of Naruto defying him, fleeing with the scroll, sent a wave of rage coursing through his veins. Everything he had planned, everything he was so close to achieving, now at risk because of a "worthless" child.

Without hesitation, Mizuki leapt forward, his fingers curling around the kunai strapped to his side. "You're not going anywhere, Naruto!" His voice cracked through the night like a whip.

But Iruka, despite his injuries, staggered into Mizuki's path. His breath was ragged, blood dripping from his wounds, but his kunai was raised in a desperate defensive stance. "I won't let you touch him!" Iruka shouted, his voice laced with determination, even as his body trembled with the effort of standing.

Mizuki's frustration reached its boiling point. "Out of my way, Iruka!" he bellowed, his voice dark and seething. "You think you can stop me? Look at yourself! You're barely standing!" He sneered, pointing his kunai at Iruka's chest, knowing his former comrade was on the verge of collapse.

Iruka gritted his teeth, the metallic taste of blood filling his mouth, but his gaze remained steady, burning with fierce resolve. "I don't care… if I can barely stand," Iruka rasped, his knuckles white as he tightened his grip on the kunai. "I swore to protect him, and I will… no matter what." His legs quivered, threatening to give out, but he planted himself firmly, standing as a shield between Mizuki and Naruto.

Mizuki's sneer deepened into something uglier, darker. "Protect that monster?" he mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. "After all these years, you're still blind, Iruka. You should be thanking me for telling him the truth!" His eyes gleamed with twisted satisfaction. 

Iruka's heart clenched at those words, but he shook his head, refusing to let Mizuki's poison cloud his judgment. "He's not the monster you're making him out to be!" Iruka shouted back, his voice filled with raw emotion. "Naruto is a child—a student of mine! And I won't let you twist him into something he's not!"

Mizuki's face contorted with disgust, his sneer growing even more malicious. "A child? Don't be ridiculous, Iruka! He's the Nine-Tails! He's the reason your parents are dead—don't you get it?" Mizuki spat, his eyes flashing with cruel satisfaction. 

Iruka's chest tightened as Mizuki's words sank in, stirring memories of the night the Nine-Tails attacked, the destruction it wrought, the loved ones lost. But looking at Naruto, fleeing desperately through the woods, he saw only the lonely, misunderstood child—the one who craved acceptance, not fear. "No," Iruka breathed, his voice filled with defiance. "You're wrong, Mizuki. He's not the Nine-Tails. He's Naruto Uzumaki, and I won't let you take that away from him!"

Mizuki's grin twisted into a snarl of pure rage. "Then you're a fool, Iruka. A fool who's about to die for a monster that will never be accepted!" He lunged forward, kunai raised, aiming for Iruka's heart.

But Iruka wasn't finished. Summoning every last ounce of his strength, he blocked Mizuki's attack with his own kunai, the sound of metal clashing ringing out in the quiet night. His body screamed in protest, every muscle aching, but Iruka held firm. "Naruto—run!" Iruka shouted through gritted teeth, his eyes locking onto the fleeing boy's back.

Mizuki's sneer grew even darker as he pushed harder against Iruka's weakening defense. "It's pointless, Iruka," Mizuki taunted, his voice low and deadly. "The village will always see him as the monster he is. You can't protect him from that!" With a swift motion, Mizuki knocked Iruka's kunai aside, sending the injured teacher stumbling back, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"You… you won't… win," Iruka wheezed, barely able to keep his footing. His vision blurred, but he refused to fall. "I won't let you hurt him."

Mizuki scoffed, preparing for the final blow. "Fool. You'll die for nothing."

…

Naruto crouched behind a tree, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. The words Mizuki had said moments earlier echoed through his mind—monster, demon fox, Nine-Tails. His heart pounded furiously against his ribs, his emotions swirling into a chaotic storm. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the turmoil inside.

From his hiding spot, Naruto could hear Iruka and Mizuki still locked in battle, their voices ringing out through the forest. Mizuki's cruel taunts sent a fresh wave of anger through him.

"You're nothing but a cursed child. The village will never accept you."

Naruto's stomach twisted at the memory of those words. The villagers, the glares, the whispers behind his back—it all made sense now. The looks they gave him, the hatred he never understood… it was all because of the Nine-Tails. Because of me. The thought made his throat tighten, his vision blurring slightly as he blinked back the tears forming in his eyes.

But then, Iruka's voice broke through the suffocating darkness, strong and unwavering despite his wounds. "Naruto is not a monster! He's Naruto Uzumaki—he's my student, and I'll protect him with my life!"

Naruto froze, his breath catching in his throat. Iruka… was still defending him? Even after knowing the truth? His chest tightened again, but this time with something different. He squeezed his eyes shut, gripping the bark of the tree to steady himself.

So what if I'm a monster? Naruto thought, his teeth grinding together. His eyes burned, a fiery heat simmering beneath his eyelids, as if his anger and frustration were manifesting physically. So what if I'm the Nine-Tails? At least… at least I have Iruka-sensei.

A sudden surge of energy pulsed through him, the burning sensation in his eyes intensifying. He could feel it—his body trembling, his senses sharpening. Something deep within him stirred, a powerful force that had been lying dormant, waiting to be unleashed. His breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to control it.

Naruto clenched his fists, his nails biting into his skin once more, but this time it didn't matter. No one's taking Iruka-sensei away from me. The words echoed in his mind, over and over again, fueling the growing fire inside him.

His vision blurred again, but this time it wasn't from tears. Everything around him seemed sharper, clearer, and his body buzzed with an unfamiliar, raw power. He was ready to fight, to protect the one person who believed in him. The one person who saw him as more than the demon fox.

Naruto's hand tightened on the trunk of the tree as he took a steadying breath. He couldn't stay hidden any longer. This wasn't the time to run. He had to face Mizuki—no, he wanted to face Mizuki.

Pushing himself to his feet, Naruto stepped out from behind the tree, his eyes glowing with determination. His heart still pounded, but the fear that had gripped him earlier was gone, replaced by a fierce resolve.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto called out, his voice carrying across the clearing, surprising both Mizuki and Iruka. The two paused in their clash, both turning toward him in shock.

Mizuki's sneer returned, but Naruto didn't flinch this time. His blood was boiling, the heat in his eyes intensifying. So what if I'm the Nine-Tails? He thought again, stepping forward. I'll prove I'm more than that.

"I don't care what you or anyone else thinks!" Naruto shouted, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "I'm not a failure, and I'm not a monster. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm going to become the Hokage, you better believe that!"

Mizuki laughed, the sound cold and filled with malice. "Big talk for a brat who's about to die!" With a sharp twist of his wrist, Mizuki flung the giant shuriken toward Naruto with deadly precision.

Naruto's body reacted before his mind had even caught up. With a burst of speed, he dodged to the side, the shuriken whistling past his ear and embedding itself into a tree behind him with a heavy thunk. He could feel the rush of wind as it passed, his heart hammering in his chest.

But Naruto didn't stop. He leaped forward, closing the distance between him and Mizuki in a flash. His eyes were burning now, a red tinge creeping into his vision, but he welcomed it. He needed that power.

"Take this!" Naruto roared, his fist flying toward Mizuki's face.

Mizuki, surprised by Naruto's sudden speed, barely managed to block the punch with his forearm, but the impact sent a shockwave through his body. His grin faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, swinging a leg up to kick Naruto away.

Naruto struggled to his feet, gasping for breath as his hands trembled from the impact of Mizuki's relentless assault. His mind raced, but his body was beginning to betray him, the exhaustion settling in. Mizuki's cruel eyes bore into him, a twisted grin spreading across his face as he raised his kunai, ready to strike the final blow.

Naruto saw the kick coming and ducked under it, rolling to the side and coming up with a kunai in his hand, which Iruka had dropped earlier. He held it in front of him, his grip tight, his stance low. 

"You're fast for a runt," Mizuki admitted, wiping a smear of blood from his lip where Naruto's punch had grazed him. "But speed won't be enough." Naruto's eyes narrowed, his body still buzzing with the energy coursing through him. "I'm not done yet." 

Mizuki's sneer returned, and he lunged forward, brandishing a kunai of his own. Their weapons clashed in the air, sparks flying as metal met metal. 

Naruto gritted his teeth, putting all his strength into pushing back, but Mizuki was stronger, and with a powerful shove, Naruto was sent stumbling backward. Before Naruto could regain his footing, Mizuki was on him again, his kunai slashing through the air in a deadly arc. 

Naruto barely managed to block the first strike, but the force of the blow sent him sprawling to the ground. His breath left his lungs in a harsh gasp as he hit the dirt. Mizuki loomed over him, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "This is the end for you, demon fox."

"Say goodbye, Naruto," Mizuki sneered, his voice dripping with malice. He lunged forward, aiming straight for Naruto's heart.

Naruto's eyes widened in panic, his body frozen. Time seemed to slow down, the fear tightening in his chest. He couldn't move fast enough. The kunai glinted in the moonlight, inching closer, and all Naruto could see was Mizuki's sneering face.

But at the last second, a blur of movement flashed before him. Iruka.

Iruka's body collided with Mizuki's, blocking the fatal blow with his own. The sharp edge of the kunai plunged deep into Iruka's side, blood spilling from the wound. Naruto's heart stopped as he watched in horror, his mind unable to comprehend what had just happened.

"Iruka-sensei!" Naruto screamed, his voice cracking with desperation.

Iruka's face twisted in pain, but his eyes were locked on Naruto, filled not with fear, but with determination and something warmer—protectiveness. "You… you're not a monster, Naruto," Iruka gasped, his breath shaky as he struggled to stay upright, standing between Naruto and Mizuki. "You're not the Nine-Tails. You're one of us. A shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village."

Mizuki snarled, ripping the kunai out of Iruka's side and stepping back. "Pathetic!" he spat. "You'd really sacrifice yourself for that demon?"

Iruka, though pale and trembling from the blood loss, didn't waver. "Naruto… deserves better than what you've told him." He gritted his teeth, summoning every last ounce of strength to stay standing. "He's my student. He's my friend."

Naruto's whole body trembled, his vision blurring as tears welled up in his eyes. The chaos of the fight, Mizuki's cruel words, and the sight of Iruka bleeding out before him sent a surge of emotions spiraling inside. He could barely think straight, his mind a storm of fear, rage, and desperation.

As he watched Iruka standing tall despite his injuries, something inside Naruto snapped.

Suddenly, the world around him changed. His blurred vision sharpened to an unnatural clarity. Everything was more vivid, more defined—he could see every breath Iruka struggled to take, every movement of Mizuki as he pulled himself from the ground, readying another attack. His eyes… they felt different. It was as if the world had opened itself up to him in a way he had never experienced before.

Naruto blinked, confusion sweeping over him as veins bulged around his eyes. "What… what is this?" he whispered, his heart pounding as he stared at Mizuki, who appeared clearer than ever—his chakra swirling like an open map of weak points. He didn't know what was happening, but instinct took over, pushing him into action.

Mizuki noticed the change, his eyes narrowing at the strange transformation. "What the hell…? What's with your eyes, brat?"

Naruto's gaze locked onto Mizuki, something primal igniting in him. He didn't understand this new power, but he knew one thing: he would not let Mizuki harm Iruka again. Without a word, he dashed forward, moving faster than he ever had before.

Mizuki swung his kunai, but Naruto could see the attack coming even before it happened, as though every movement was predicted in his mind. He dodged effortlessly, slipping past Mizuki's defenses. In a blur of motion, Naruto struck with precision, his fists finding Mizuki's weak points—his ribs, his arms, his legs. Every hit landed with perfect accuracy, sending shockwaves through Mizuki's body.

"How are you doing this?!" Mizuki shouted in frustration, trying to strike Naruto again, but his movements were sluggish, predictable.

Naruto, feeling a surge of confidence in his newfound ability, spun around and delivered a powerful kick to Mizuki's chest, sending him flying across the clearing. Mizuki crashed into the ground, gasping for breath, his eyes wide with shock and fear. He tried to stand, but his body refused to move—Naruto had hit every nerve and joint, paralyzing him temporarily.

Naruto stared at his own hands, his breathing heavy as he tried to comprehend what had just happened. "What… what did I do?" he whispered, glancing around as the veins around his eyes pulsed once more before fading. The clarity began to dim, leaving him both confused and exhilarated.

But the fight wasn't over. He remembered why he was here. Iruka.

Naruto rushed to Iruka's side, his heart pounding in his chest as he saw his sensei lying limp and pale. Blood stained the ground around him, his breaths shallow and weak. "Iruka-sensei!" Naruto dropped to his knees, his voice thick with fear. "Please, hang on! I'll get help, I'll—"

Iruka's hand trembled as it reached out, brushing against Naruto's cheek. His voice was barely a whisper. "Naruto… you're not a monster… you saved me…"

Naruto clenched his fists, tears spilling down his face as he shook his head. "You're going to be okay, Iruka-sensei. You'll be fine, just hang on!"

Iruka's eyes softened, a faint smile on his lips despite the pain. "You… awakened something special, Naruto…" His hand slipped down, too weak to hold on, but his eyes remained full of pride. "You're more than just the Nine-Tails… you're one of us…"

Naruto's chest tightened as he felt the overwhelming surge of emotions once more. He wasn't sure what power he had just used or what Iruka meant by it, but in that moment, none of it mattered. Iruka was hurt because of him, and he needed help.

Just as he was about to get up, he felt a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping him. "It's too late for me, Naruto," Iruka said, his voice shaky but steady, carrying a weight of finality.

"No!" Naruto's eyes widened in panic. "Don't say that! We can get you to the hospital and Jiji. he can fix you!"

Iruka's grip tightened slightly, and he used what little strength he had left to pull Naruto closer. "Listen to me. You've proven yourself today, more than you ever knew you could. You have the heart of a true ninja."

Tears streamed down Naruto's face, the desperation clawing at his throat. "But… but I can't lose you! You're my sensei! You taught me everything! I can't just leave you here!"

Iruka smiled softly, his gaze steady, filled with warmth and sincerity despite the pain etched across his features. "You've already learned so much, Naruto. You're stronger than you realize. Just promise me… promise me you won't give up on yourself. You're not just the Nine-Tails. You're Naruto Uzumaki, and you'll find your own path."

Naruto's heart ached as he shook his head, unable to accept the reality of Iruka's words. "I don't want to be alone! I need you!"

"You're not alone," Iruka insisted, his voice growing weaker. "You have friends… you have people who care about you. They will help you carry on. Remember, it's the bonds you create that make you strong."

Naruto felt the weight of Iruka's words settle deep in his chest, a mix of sorrow and resolve surging through him. He opened his mouth to speak, to say something—anything—but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he just nodded, trying to commit every moment, every word, to memory.

Iruka's breath hitched, a hint of pain crossing his face. "And Naruto… never forget to smile. That's what makes you special. You have a light in you that can shine brighter than any darkness."

In that moment, something inside Naruto once more snapped. With a final, lingering look, Iruka's hand fell away, his eyes fluttering closed as he took one last, shuddering breath.

"No! Iruka-sensei!" Naruto shouted, panic rising in his chest. He felt the world around him dim as despair threatened to consume him.

As Naruto knelt on the forest floor, the air around him thickened with an oppressive energy, the very essence of his grief manifesting as raw, uncontained chakra. It surged through him, powerful and unyielding, ripping through the pain and despair that had anchored him down.

His hair, once spiky and wild, began to lengthen and flow, the strands turning a shimmering white at the roots. The color spread like a wave, cascading down his back until it reached his feet, creating a stark contrast against the dark forest floor. The transformation was mesmerizing yet unnerving, as if he were becoming something otherworldly.

With each inch that his hair grew, the chakra surrounding him intensified, swirling in vibrant hues of purple and blue, reflecting the turmoil in his heart. The light glimmered off the strands, giving them an almost ethereal quality, as if they were woven from pure energy. The roots glowed like stars against the darkness, illuminating the area with an unearthly brilliance.

Naruto's features began to shift subtly, his skin taking on a porcelain-like hue, smooth and radiant, as if touched by the hands of fate itself. His eyes, once filled with confusion and fear, transformed into a striking white, glowing with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of the night. Veins sprouted around them, tracing intricate patterns across his face, marking the birth of a power he couldn't comprehend.

The forest continued to tremble in response, branches snapping and debris swirling in a chaotic dance. The ground quaked beneath him, echoing the crescendo of his transformation. With each pulse of chakra, the landscape morphed, revealing the raw potential locked within Naruto's heart.

But as the transformation reached its peak, Naruto's consciousness began to fade, the overwhelming force of energy consuming him. The last remnants of his awareness slipped away, replaced by a void that echoed with Iruka's words. 

"Never forget that Smile Naruto."

The world around him spiraled into chaos as he succumbed to an unexplainable drowsiness awakening within, leaving behind only a brilliant silhouette amidst the devastation.