Five minutes later, Yamanaka Inoichi, Nara Shikaku, and Akimichi Choza also entered the cave.
By this time, Ino and the others had already tightly bound Mizuki.
His ten fingers were tied up like a game of cat's cradle, wrapped around several times.
In this era before overpowered characters were everywhere, 99.99% of ninjas needed to perform hand seals to use ninja techniques. Those who could use techniques without seals were extremely rare, and Mizuki certainly wasn't one of them.
With his fingers tied up, he couldn't even use a basic Substitution Technique.
After discovering that natural energy had a high resistance to toxins, Ino also forced Mizuki to drink two pounds of anesthetic. If he could still stand up after that, it would be nothing short of a miracle.
The adults from the three families had naturally been called by Ino and the others earlier. Tonight's series of events had been closely monitored by the Third Hokage. Mizuki thought he had everything under control, but in reality, his every move was being watched by Anbu ninjas. In such a situation, it was difficult to cause trouble. Sneaking a peek at the Cursed Seal was one thing, but the idea of letting Mizuki go and then pinning the blame on him wasn't an option for Ino—it was too dangerous.
Since they couldn't cause trouble, they naturally needed to take precautions. If Ino and the others were no match for Mizuki, there was no question—they would summon their parents! The result turned out quite well.
Inoichi was very satisfied with his daughter's performance tonight. He first praised Shikamaru: "Your Shadow Imitation Technique was well executed."
Shikaku returned the favor, complimenting Ino: "Ino was able to spot that something was wrong with this guy through some subtle clues. She'll definitely become an outstanding kunoichi in the future. Perhaps Konoha will even have a second Lady Tsunade. Choji was also very brave—your Human Bullet Tank was crucial."
The big, cheerful Choza pulled his son up and also praised Ino and Shikamaru for their excellent performance.
On their way back to the village, they ran into Iruka, Naruto, and a guilt-ridden Teacher Tsubaki.
"Huh? You've already defeated Mizuki-sensei?" Naruto examined Mizuki, who was covered in tiger-like patterns, and it took him a while to recognize who it was.
He had finally mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, but he didn't even get a chance to use it. It was incredibly frustrating.
He eagerly asked how the three of them had defeated Mizuki.
Shikamaru, as if suffering from early-onset dementia, answered one question out of ten, while Ino started spinning wild tales, saying things like Choji had taken Mizuki down with a single slide tackle, leaving Naruto utterly confused.
Seeing her fiancé pale and breathing weakly, Teacher Tsubaki was heartbroken. She already knew the general details of what had happened, and for such a grave crime as betraying the village, she didn't dare plead for leniency.
Shikaku, as a Hokage advisor and a high-ranking figure in the village, spoke in an official tone: "Mizuki is suspected of betraying the village. We suspect he has connections with rogue ninjas outside the village. Tsubaki, you need to be mentally prepared."
Tsubaki, just an ordinary Chunin, was overwhelmed by such a sudden and massive change. Her mind was in chaos, and she could only nod mechanically: "I understand."
After entering the village, Shikaku gave the kids their orders: "Tsubaki will come with us. You kids should all go home now. Remember, don't leak anything about today's events."
Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji nodded in unison. What happened next had nothing to do with them.
Naruto had only met Shikaku a couple of times through Shikamaru and didn't actually know who this uncle was.
He held his head with both hands, tilting it to the side, seemingly wanting to continue participating.
At the critical moment, Iruka once again used "ramen" as a pretext to forcibly drag him away.
The fifteenth generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation brought the unconscious Mizuki and Tsubaki to the Hokage Building. The three advisors and the Hokage were all here.
Tsubaki was sternly questioned by Koharu Utatane. After a preliminary judgment that she was not directly involved in Mizuki's defection from the village, the Anbu Ninja beside her took her away. She would have to disclose who Mizuki had met and what he had been in contact with during this period. She would undoubtedly be punished afterward, and returning to the Ninja Academy was out of the question. Being stationed as a hidden sentry on the border would be her only outcome.
The Third Hokage and the advisors looked at the cursed seal on Mizuki's arm. Mizuki's defection from the village had been anticipated, but this cursed seal was an unexpected discovery. After exchanging glances, they all nodded in unison.
They had seen something similar on Anko Mitarashi's neck, but this one was far too crude.
Inoichi stepped forward to seek merit for his daughter. He presented the residue from Mizuki's potion concoction and the scroll that recorded the medicinal ingredients at the time.
"Third Hokage, Ino found this list of medicinal ingredients and some residue from Mizuki's potion concoction."
If no one had spoken up, this matter might have been swept under the rug. A mere Genin—who would care about their opinion? But now that Inoichi had explicitly brought it up, with Shikaku and Choza watching intently, the Third Hokage couldn't feign ignorance.
He smiled and said, "I understand. The children have performed well. Once the village has thoroughly investigated, rewards will be given."
Inoichi was satisfied, and Shikaku and Choza also wore smiles, embodying the image of doting fathers.
Thus, the chaotic night came to an end.
Naruto had learned the Shadow Clone Technique and the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique.
Ino had her first encounter with a cursed seal, gaining a preliminary understanding of it.
Many things had happened, and many things had not.
The scene of Iruka, the fragile one, taking a blow for Naruto, the tank, did not occur. Nor did the scene of Naruto creating 617 shadow clones to beat up Mizuki.
At the Ninja Academy, graduation had already taken place, and there were still a few days before team assignments. Ino created two shadow clones and used the last of her vacation to intensely practice Earth Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
After two days of relentless practice, she successfully developed Earth Release Chakra. The character for "Earth" on her panel became more solid, and the notation "lv1" appeared beside it.
Water Release lv2, Earth Release lv1. On the panel, small arrows extended from the sides of the characters for "Water" and "Earth," converging to form a new patch of white mist. Within the mist, a character seemed to be faintly visible, but it was completely unclear at the moment.
Water Release plus Earth Release—this should be the renowned Wood Release. Ino tried to use the one Pot Point she had been saving to enhance it, but she found that it couldn't be applied. The feedback from the panel wasn't that she lacked Pot Points, but that the conditions weren't met!
Ino felt somewhat at a loss. What should she do? Was she lacking in basic attributes, or was it the levels of Water Release and Earth Release? Or perhaps she simply lacked Yang Release? Or Asura's Chakra?
While the Shadow Clone practiced Water Release and Earth Release at home, Ino's main body wandered aimlessly through the streets. She observed her surroundings, trying to figure out where she could get some Pot Points, while also pondering over Wood Release.
As she walked down a narrow alley, she unexpectedly spotted Naruto and his three new followers in the distance. They were none other than the famous Konohamaru Corps in the village.
Ino's gaze lingered on the girl among them, the eight-year-old Moegi Kazamatsuri, for a few seconds. Distant memories surfaced in her mind. Could it be that this girl might, perhaps, use Wood Release in the future?