Naruto: I Kizaru Took Over Team 7

Just as everyone was convinced that Kirito was a spy from a rival ninja village, the truth of his intentions remained shrouded in mystery.

Outside Konoha Village, high atop the Hokage Rock with the towering faces of the Four Hokages etched in stone, a figure sat, gazing out into the night sky. This man, nonchalantly reclining under the moonlight, was none other than Kirito—the very person everyone was searching for.

With a slow, deliberate motion, Kirito rose from his prone position and studied the faces of the Hokages carved into the rock. His eyes lingered on each one, contemplating the legacy they left behind.

First, his gaze fell upon the portrait of the Fourth Hokage—Namikaze Minato. The hero who had sacrificed himself to seal the Nine-Tails. Kirito's thoughts drifted briefly to Naruto. If Minato could see his son now, would he be proud? Or would his heart break at the sight of his suffering? Kirito dismissed the thought with a flick of his hand. *What does it matter?*

Next, his eyes moved to the visage of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—the legendary "God of Shinobi." The founder of Konoha, revered by many, but to Kirito, his name only evoked one figure: Madara Uchiha. The man who was once Hashirama's closest ally, and later, his bitter rival. *Do you still wish to dance with me, Madara?* Kirito mused, remembering the words of the Uchiha. The nostalgia of their final battle, where Madara's flair for the dramatic was unmistakable.

As his mind wandered, Kirito recalled the looming threat of the Akatsuki—a group whose members were far beyond the average Kage. Powerful figures with a singular goal: to create a new world. A world torn apart by chaos. *Let them try,* Kirito thought, *the world's fate is not mine to decide.*

However, what truly unsettled Kirito was the thought of the six-path level powers lurking in the shadows: Obito, Madara, Kaguya-hime... These beings were on a different scale entirely. Kirito felt a subtle discomfort at the idea of these gods walking the earth once more.

*The storm is coming,* he thought with a quiet sigh, *but I need more power. The real question is: should I continue to train, or simply lay back and enjoy the ride?*

Just as Kirito settled into his thoughts, his attention was drawn to a figure approaching him—a familiar presence. It was Iruka, dispatched by Sarutobi Hiruzen to track him down. Iruka had searched all over the village, but when he saw the grand Hokage Rock in the distance, a thought struck him. *Perhaps Kirito is there.*

Iruka found Kirito sitting nonchalantly atop the monument, gazing at the sky without a care. His sudden arrival was met with a stern gaze.

"Are you an enemy spy?" Iruka demanded. "Why are you trying to harm Naruto?"

Kirito blinked, momentarily confused. *Harm Naruto? Me?* He couldn't fathom why Iruka would say such a thing. He wasn't interested in getting involved with Naruto's issues. There were far bigger things at play.

"I don't understand what you're talking about," Kirito said with a calm, unreadable expression.

Iruka, still irate, considered continuing his accusation, but the deep, calm look in Kirito's eyes gave him pause. He didn't sense any malice or deceit. His anger began to wane.

Reluctantly, Iruka explained what had transpired in the Hokage office: the theft of the Sealed Book, and how Kirito was implicated.

Kirito listened carefully, his expression darkening as the situation unraveled. It became clear that Mizuki was behind the scheme, manipulating events to frame him. Kirito's patience was wearing thin. He had no desire to get involved in this petty mess, but Mizuki's interference had forced the old monkey—Sarutobi Hiruzen—into action. If things kept going this way, Kirito's carefully laid plans to live a carefree life in Konoha might come to an abrupt halt.

With a resigned sigh, Kirito glanced at Iruka and said, "I never sought out Naruto."

Before Iruka could respond, a flash of light streaked across the dark sky, and Kirito vanished from the spot, leaving Iruka standing in stunned silence.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest outside Konoha, Mizuki—having successfully framed Kirito—smiled to himself as he walked deeper into the woods. With all the village's attention focused on Kirito, Mizuki could now retrieve the Sealed Book without anyone suspecting him. This was his chance to claim the power he craved and eliminate Kirito, whom he now saw as an obstacle.

Mizuki once again took on Kirito's appearance, eager to meet Naruto at the designated spot. Beneath the shade of a large tree, Naruto sat, eagerly perusing the Sealed Book.

*Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!*

Naruto grinned, practicing the hand seals with excitement. This was the moment he had been waiting for. His teacher, Kirito, would surely be impressed.

Suddenly, Mizuki, disguised as Kirito, appeared before him.

"Naruto," he said with a calm tone, "it seems you've completed my test."

Naruto's face lit up with joy. "I've done it, teacher! The Sealed Book is here! I passed, right?"

Mizuki's smile was thin and deceptive. "Very good. Now, hand me the book."

Naruto hesitated, glancing at Mizuki. "But you haven't agreed to accept me as your disciple yet. I can't give you the book unless you do."

Mizuki's patience thinned, but his face remained calm. "Alright. I agree to take you on as my student. From now on, you, Uzumaki Naruto, are my disciple."

"Really? You'll accept Sakura and Sasuke too?" Naruto asked eagerly. "They're talented, even if they aren't as strong as me."

Mizuki cursed inwardly, *Why is this kid so persistent?*

"Fine," Mizuki said through gritted teeth. "I'll take them as well. Now, give me the Sealed Book."

Naruto, still suspicious, tried one last time. "You're not lying to me, right?"

Mizuki's patience snapped. "If you don't hand it over, I'll consider you failed the test."

Reluctantly, Naruto handed over the Sealed Book. As soon as Mizuki grasped it, his expression shifted. His face contorted with an unhinged smile, revealing his true nature. The calm, collected facade of Kirito shattered, and Mizuki's real intentions came into focus.

But Naruto, oblivious to the change, happily skipped off toward the village, unaware of the treachery that had just unfolded.

The night, though peaceful, was far from over. The shadows of Konoha were stirring.