Naruto: The Medical God

As they wove through the outskirts of the village, Mitsuki's steady footsteps seemed to echo louder in Naruto's ears. The silver-haired man glanced back at Naruto, his serene smile masking the weight of his words.

"You know, Naruto," Mitsuki began, his tone smooth and calm, "there's a reason why people like Shin and Sasuke seem untouchable. It's not just talent—it's knowledge. They have access to techniques, secrets passed down through their families. Things you've never been given the chance to learn."

Naruto frowned, his steps faltering. "But… I don't have any family. There's no one to teach me."

Mitsuki stopped and turned, his amber eyes narrowing slightly. "Exactly. You've been denied the tools you need to succeed. It's not your fault you're behind, Naruto—it's theirs."

"Theirs?" Naruto asked, confusion clouding his voice.

"The village. The people who look down on you, who laugh at your failures. They've kept you weak because they fear what you could become," Mitsuki said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "But it doesn't have to stay that way."

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides. "What do you mean?"

Mitsuki smiled faintly, stepping closer. "There's a way for you to level the playing field. To gain the strength and knowledge you need to stand on equal ground with Shin and Sasuke. Maybe even surpass them."

Naruto's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of Mitsuki's words pressing against him. "How?"

Mitsuki leaned in, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "There's a scroll—an ancient artifact hidden in the Hokage's possession. Inside, it contains forbidden jutsu, techniques that could change your life forever. If you were to study it… well, no one could call you weak ever again."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Forbidden jutsu? You mean… the Scroll of Seals?"

Mitsuki straightened, his smile soft but unwavering. "That's right. It's not something just anyone can access, of course. But you… you've always been resourceful. I believe you can do it."

Naruto hesitated, doubt gnawing at his resolve. "But stealing from the Hokage… that's… that's wrong, isn't it?"

Mitsuki's gaze softened, his voice taking on a reassuring tone. "Wrong? Naruto, you've been ignored and overlooked your whole life. This isn't stealing—it's taking what you rightfully deserve."

The words hit Naruto like a punch to the gut, stirring the resentment and frustration that had been building inside him for years. All the times he'd been mocked, excluded, and dismissed flashed through his mind, feeding the flicker of determination Mitsuki had ignited.

"I… I don't know," Naruto said, his voice shaky.

Mitsuki placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, his grip firm. "This is your chance, Naruto. A chance to prove to everyone who's doubted you that you're not a failure. That you're not weak. You want to protect your friends, don't you? To stand beside them as equals?"

Naruto swallowed hard, his throat dry. "I do… I want that more than anything."

"Then do this," Mitsuki said, his tone gentle yet insistent. "Take the first step toward becoming the person you've always wanted to be."

Naruto looked down at his hands, trembling as he wrestled with the decision. He thought of Shin's unwavering confidence, Sasuke's smirk of superiority, and the ache in his chest every time he fell short. The fire of determination in his gut roared to life, fueled by Mitsuki's words.

"I'll do it," Naruto said, his voice firm despite the lingering uncertainty. "I'll get the scroll."

Mitsuki's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Good. You won't regret this, Naruto. I promise."

As Naruto turned and sprinted toward the Hokage's tower, his mind raced with the possibilities. For the first time, he felt as though he was taking control of his destiny, seizing the power that had always been out of reach.

Mitsuki watched him go, the faint smile on his lips hiding the darker satisfaction curling in his chest. "Yes, Naruto," he murmured to himself. "Take your first step… and make my job much easier."

...

Night had fallen over the village, casting long shadows across the rooftops. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Naruto moved with a nervous energy, his footsteps light as he darted from one shadow to another.

His heart pounded in his chest as he approached the Hokage's residence, the scroll's rumored location. It loomed before him, the walls formidable and the air heavy with the presence of the village's history. Naruto hesitated, his earlier determination wavering under the weight of what he was about to do.

What if I get caught? What if Mitsuki-sensei was wrong?

But then he remembered the way people looked at him—the sneers, the dismissive glances, the whispers behind his back. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. No, this was his chance to prove them all wrong. To become someone they couldn't ignore.

Naruto steeled himself and crept closer.

Mitsuki had provided surprisingly detailed instructions, outlining the guards' patrol routes and the weak points in the building's security. It felt almost too easy as Naruto slipped past the sentries, his small frame and quick reflexes allowing him to avoid detection.

Finally, he reached the inner chamber where the Scroll of Seals was kept. The large, ornate door stood before him, its surface carved with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with an unseen energy.

Naruto swallowed hard. He reached out and placed his hand on the door, his fingers trembling. To his surprise, it swung open with ease, revealing the massive scroll resting on a pedestal in the center of the room.

The Scroll of Seals.

Naruto stepped inside, his breath catching in his throat. The scroll was enormous, far larger than he'd imagined. It seemed to hum faintly, as if aware of his presence.

He hesitated for only a moment before he reached out, his hands gripping the scroll tightly. It was heavier than he expected, its weight symbolic of the power and responsibility it contained.

As he turned to leave, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. Was this really the right thing to do? But Mitsuki's words echoed in his head: This isn't stealing—it's taking what you rightfully deserve.

Naruto hoisted the scroll onto his back and darted out of the chamber, retracing his steps through the Hokage's residence. The adrenaline coursing through his veins dulled the fear of being caught. All he could think about was getting to the forest clearing Mitsuki had instructed him to reach.

The village remained eerily silent as Naruto slipped into the shadows and vanished into the night.

...

Naruto sat cross-legged in the clearing, the Scroll of Seals sprawled open before him. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting an eerie glow over the massive parchment. His fingers traced the characters on the scroll, his heart pounding with excitement and fear.

Mitsuki's words echoed in his mind.

"Learn just one jutsu, Naruto. That's all it takes to prove your worth. This is your chance to show them all how wrong they were about you."

Naruto clenched his fists. "This is it. This is my shot!"

He focused on the scroll, but before he could delve deeper, the sound of rustling leaves snapped his attention toward the shadows.

"Ah, Naruto, I see you've already begun," Mitsuki's voice emerged from the darkness, calm and reassuring. His silver hair glinted under the moonlight as he stepped into the clearing.

Naruto blinked in surprise. "Mitsuki-sensei? What are you doing here?"

Mitsuki offered a soft smile, his amber eyes unreadable. "I wanted to check on you. To see how far you've gotten." His gaze flickered toward the scroll, lingering for a moment before returning to Naruto.

Naruto's chest swelled with pride. "I haven't mastered anything yet, but I'm gonna! I'll prove to everyone that I'm not just some screw-up."

Mitsuki nodded, his expression unreadable. "I'm sure you will, Naruto. But…" He stepped closer, his tone taking on a slight edge. "The scroll is dangerous. You've done well to bring it here, but I think it's best if I take it now."

Naruto froze, confusion flashing across his face. "What? But you said—"

"I know what I said," Mitsuki interrupted, his voice still calm but firm. "And you've done an incredible job. But this scroll is far too powerful to be left in your hands. You could hurt yourself—or worse, someone else."

Naruto took a step back, clutching the scroll tightly. "No way! This is my chance! You said I could prove myself with this!"

Mitsuki sighed, his smile fading. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be, Naruto. Hand over the scroll."

Naruto's heart raced. Something about Mitsuki's tone, his posture—it felt off. He took another step back, his eyes narrowing. "Why do you want it so bad?"

Mitsuki's amber eyes gleamed in the moonlight, a flicker of annoyance breaking through his composed facade. "Naruto, this isn't up for debate. Give me the scroll."

Naruto's grip tightened, his instincts screaming at him to run. "No!"

Mitsuki's smile returned, but this time, it was sharp and predatory. "I was hoping we could do this the easy way, Naruto. But if you insist…"

Before Naruto could react, Mitsuki's hands blurred into motion, forming a series of seals. A gust of wind surged toward Naruto, forcing him to dive out of the way. He rolled across the ground, clutching the scroll to his chest.

"What the hell, Mitsuki-sensei?!" Naruto shouted, scrambling to his feet.

Mitsuki's voice was calm, almost amused. "You've proven your potential, Naruto. But you're not ready for what's in that scroll. Now, hand it over, or I'll have to take it by force."

Naruto gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He wasn't a match for Mitsuki—not by a long shot. But he couldn't give up the scroll. Not after everything.

"I won't let you take it!" Naruto yelled, bolting into the trees.

Mitsuki sighed, his amber eyes narrowing as he watched Naruto disappear into the shadows. "Stubborn as always. Let's see how far you can run, Naruto."

With a flick of his wrist, Mitsuki vanished into the forest, his pursuit silent and relentless.

To be continued...

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