*Chapter 49: Sasuke Is Scared!*

Sasuke stood motionless, staring at Mizuki with cool indifference.

Threatening me?  

He hadn’t expected Mizuki to confront him. The same Mizuki who tricked a young and naive Naruto in the original story now thought he could manipulate him?

Naive.  

Sasuke shook his head slightly, his gaze unwavering.

+1

“What’s with the head shake?” Mizuki frowned. For a moment, he thought he saw disdain in Sasuke’s eyes—a boldness unusual for a child of his age.

“I don’t know.”

Sasuke shook his head again, his face unreadable.

+1

The system acknowledged his unbothered demeanor with another point, though Sasuke noted the score wasn’t very high.

“You’re telling me you don’t know?” Mizuki’s patience began to wane. The boy didn’t seem intimidated in the slightest.

“You asked if I knew the consequences, and my answer is: I don’t know,” Sasuke replied evenly.

+3

His words, delivered with a machine-like monotone, only further irritated Mizuki.

“...”

Mizuki was momentarily at a loss for words. Was this kid serious? He’d come all this way expecting to intimidate a supposed prodigy, yet Sasuke was acting like a complete fool.

“Sasuke, stop playing dumb. What you need to do is tell me the truth,” Mizuki said coldly, his tone laced with menace.

“I am telling the truth,” Sasuke replied, his expression as stoic as ever. The bold, metaphorical words “*acting cool*” might as well have been stamped on his forehead.

+2

“Good. Good! GOOD!” Mizuki clapped his hands mockingly, his gaze darkening. “Fine, then. I’ll go straight to the Third Hokage!”

With that, Mizuki turned sharply and began to walk away.

But Sasuke didn’t flinch. He made no move to stop him, simply watching in silence as Mizuki walked down the hallway.

Five or six meters later, Sasuke still hadn’t reacted.

The silence was...awkward.

Mizuki slowed his pace, waiting for Sasuke to call him back. But the boy didn’t.

Then, the system chimed in.

+5

The system deemed Sasuke’s silence a subtle but powerful act of coolness.

Mizuki stopped in his tracks, his frustration mounting. He couldn’t report this to the Third Hokage—it was an empty threat meant to scare Sasuke. Yet, the boy wasn’t playing along.

Letting out an audible sigh, Mizuki turned back, his face stern.

“You don’t know the consequences? Fine. Let me explain. If I report this to the Third Hokage, do you know what will happen to you?”

Sasuke raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

“You’ll be thrown in Konoha’s prison!” Mizuki’s voice rose as he pointed an accusatory finger. “Do you understand what that means? It’s where they keep monsters—criminals so vile they’d eat someone like you alive on your first day!”

At this, Sasuke’s expression shifted. His lips quivered, and his eyes widened.

“Mon...monsters?” he stammered, his voice trembling.

Mizuki’s confidence swelled. Victory was within reach.

“Sasuke, this is far worse than you think. Konoha’s prison isn’t a place for children,” Mizuki pressed, his voice dripping with false concern. “But there’s a way out of this... If you give me the Scroll of Seals, I can return it for you. No one will ever know.”

“I... I’ll secretly return it tonight!” Sasuke blurted, his tone panicked.

“No!” Mizuki interjected, waving his hand dramatically. “If you return it, the Third Hokage might still find out, and you’ll be punished regardless. Trust me. Hand the scroll to me, and I’ll make sure it’s handled properly.”

“Mizuki-sensei, you’re so kind to me,” Sasuke said, his voice quivering with feigned gratitude. “I don’t want to go to prison!”

“Of course. I’m your teacher. I only want the best for you,” Mizuki said, his tone softening as he extended a hand. “Now, where is the scroll?”

“I... I didn’t bring it. It’s at my house,” Sasuke replied hesitantly.

“Ah, of course.” Mizuki nodded, suppressing his impatience. “No one would carry something so dangerous around. After school, I’ll come with you to retrieve it.”

“Okay,” Sasuke agreed immediately, his face still pale with fear.

Mizuki patted Sasuke on the shoulder, his voice dropping into a menacing whisper. “Remember, don’t tell anyone about this—not even Iruka. If you do, the Hokage will hear about it, and you’ll face consequences you can’t imagine.”

“I... I won’t tell,” Sasuke stammered, his face a picture of terror.

“Good. Go back to class,” Mizuki said with a satisfied smirk.

“Yes, Sensei.” Sasuke turned and walked away, his back straight but his pace measured, as if still recovering from the “shock.”

Mizuki watched him leave, his grin widening.

“Arrogant Uchiha brat. You thought you could fool me? You’re lucky Lord Orochimaru sees potential in you. Otherwise, I’d have killed you and taken the scroll already.”

Mizuki hummed to himself as he ascended the stairs, already planning his evening and how he would present his prize to Orochimaru.

Meanwhile, Sasuke smirked to himself as he reentered the classroom.

Easy points. And Mizuki? You’re in for a surprise.  

(End of Chapter)