The two little ones stood beside Moyu, trying desperately to defend him with every word they could muster. Yet in Iruka's eyes, Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke looked like captives—two students being forced to speak under threat.
He still couldn't believe them.
"Don't be afraid," Iruka said firmly, voice sharp with conviction. "As your teacher, I will protect you."
In that moment, his pupils reflected cold, sharp light, his gaze locked on Moyu with unyielding focus. Every breath he took carried a single thought—protect the children, no matter what.
Moyu could only sigh inwardly. Even if he jumped into the Yellow River now, the stain of misunderstanding wouldn't wash off. How had something so small turned into this mess?
"Things aren't what you think," Moyu said seriously, tone steady. "I've never once tried to hurt them."
He spoke with the earnestness of someone hoping that Iruka's heart—dense with loyalty—might finally bend. But Iruka's stubbornness was legendary. The man didn't even register Moyu's words; his belief was absolute.
"You think I'll trust you?" Iruka snapped. "Impossible!"
His voice cut through the air like steel.
At that point, there was no reason for Moyu to keep dodging or reasoning. Words had lost their weight. It was time to end this pointless dance.
"Since you refuse to believe me," Moyu said, his gaze narrowing like a drawn blade, "then there's no need for me to keep avoiding you."
Reiatsu flared faintly around him—sharp, cold, and disciplined. Not to harm, but to warn. Even now, he had no intent to hurt Iruka; this was simply the seriousness of one who wished to be heard.
Naruto and Sasuke, watching from the side, felt their stomachs twist. They knew exactly how this would end. Iruka's heart was righteous, but his power… it wasn't on the same level.
"Teacher Iruka, please!" Naruto's voice cracked as he shouted. "Moyu didn't threaten us! Everything we said is true—there's no lie!"
He turned toward Sasuke in desperation. "If you won't believe me, then believe Sasuke! Please, teacher!"
Fear crept into his voice. He wasn't afraid for himself—but for Iruka, who was about to face someone far beyond his level.
Iruka clenched his jaw, still unwilling to lower his guard. He kept thinking Moyu had coerced them, that every word from their mouths was forced. Yet as Naruto and Sasuke persisted, their eyes unwavering, the doubt began to crack the wall of his certainty.
"Really?" Iruka muttered at last, his voice unsteady.
Naruto and Sasuke both stepped forward without hesitation. "It's true!" they declared in unison.
Iruka looked between them, confusion flickering across his face. "You mean… this man never intended to hurt you from the start?"
Their answer came without pause—sharp, firm, and pure.
"We swear it! Every word we said is true!"
Their hands were clenched tight, and their Reiatsu trembled faintly in the air, carrying the raw conviction of youth.
For a long moment, Iruka could only stand there, torn between instinct and trust, as the heavy silence stretched beneath the weight of belief.
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