Chapter 145: Hints and Clear Signs
The fleeting nature of human life inevitably breeds both a fear of death and a yearning for immortality—desires that no one can resist. Considering Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's unparalleled abilities and resources, it was chilling to imagine what he might have created had he lived longer. Looking at how Orochimaru, merely perfecting Edo Tensei and later inventing Living Corpse Reincarnation, caused such chaos in the shinobi world, one could only wonder what horrors Tobirama could have unleashed, standing atop a much higher foundation.
Many secrets wouldn't have been noticed until someone held tailed beast chakra in their hands and intentionally pursued such forbidden research. But once one truly dug into it, countless suspicious traces became clear.
"Some knowledge really shouldn't be recorded on paper. Looks like it's time to exchange memories directly."
After thoroughly reviewing the information Tsubaki had brought, Mizuki burned it to ashes and carefully erased all traces. Turning to her, he said, "Arrange the meeting as soon as possible. Make sure we're not followed—someone's been watching us lately."
The feeling of being under surveillance had hardly ceased these days. Mizuki couldn't be sure whether it was all Danzo's doing or if someone else, such as Zetsu with his unmatched scouting abilities, was involved.
"I know," Tsubaki nodded, "but Mizuki, if we keep communicating like this, we're bound to be exposed sooner or later."
"It's fine. It won't be much longer." Mizuki was confident. The breakthroughs in tailed beast chakra research, combined with his analysis of natural energy and Sage Mode, would soon fundamentally transform both him and his clone techniques. It wouldn't take long before he had real, tangible results.
…
As Mizuki's knowledge, strength, and research accumulated, his outlook changed as well. He began to see the world in a different light. Take Edo Tensei, for example—without extensive human experimentation, such a jutsu could never have been perfected. Beneath Konoha's shining surface, darkness festered. Danzo was the most vivid representation of that hidden side.
Mizuki couldn't deny Danzo's talents, though he lamented how the man had squandered his gifts on schemes and conspiracies, letting greed and arrogance consume him over time.
Even recognizing the complexity of people like Danzo, Mizuki had no intention of siding with such figures. He wasn't nearly powerful enough to gamble with such dangerous alliances. Similarly, while he didn't particularly like Sasuke's personality, he might still lend him a hand if the situation called for it.
Now, as Mizuki sat awkwardly among the older generation—the original Ino-Shika-Cho trio—he felt out of place. They were nearly a decade older, and he was the only chūnin among a group of jōnin. If not for Kakashi and Might Guy, Mizuki would have felt even more alienated. Still, getting familiar with these veterans might come in handy someday.
"It's been a while since Asuma came back. Is the situation in the Land of Earth that bad?" Kakashi mused aloud.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio, given their clan status, naturally knew a bit more about high-level village politics than most. Kakashi, Mizuki, and Guy were also involved as key players, so sharing some hidden truths wasn't a big deal among them.
"Iwagakure seems to be pressing hard with strange demands," Nara Shikaku explained. "The village isn't fully prepared to respond."
"And without a Hokage, it's even harder to unify opinions."
"This afternoon, Jiraiya-sama took Naruto and left the village," Kakashi added. "Hopefully, it won't take too long."
A prolonged vacancy at the top of Konoha was bad news for everyone.
"Tsunade-sama, huh… It's been years." Many wounded shinobi—including Mizuki himself—might need Tsunade's medical expertise to fully heal.
"Oh, by the way, Mizuki." Kakashi turned to him suddenly, "Your body holding up okay? After fighting that masked guy for so long, I was worried."
"I'm fine," Mizuki replied. "I shouldn't push too hard, but I'm far from a cripple."
"You handled yourself better than expected," Nara Shikaku said with a chuckle. "We three barely managed, yet you fought while protecting two genin."
"Well, those two weren't exactly dead weight. They helped more than you might think. Besides, seeing how strong genin are nowadays makes a weak chūnin like me feel a lot of pressure…"
Mizuki deflected the compliments modestly.
"You're being too humble. Honestly, with your ability, you should be promoted soon."
"If we had another capable jōnin, it'd ease the burden a lot," Kakashi added.
"If that happens, Yamaoka Aoba owes me a big feast. We'll make him treat everyone."
"You lost one of your precious clones too, didn't you?" Kakashi remembered. "Those must be hard to create."
"Yeah, making them isn't cheap," Mizuki admitted. "But the real cost is in the time it takes."
"If it were easy, you'd be in serious trouble," Yamanaka Inoichi laughed, raising his cup.
"True enough," Mizuki smiled, drinking with them.
Kakashi glanced out the window. "It's getting late. We should wrap up."
"Yeah. Once Tsunade-sama is back as the Fifth Hokage, let's gather again for a proper celebration," Shikaku suggested.
Akimichi Chōza agreed, patting his full belly.
Mizuki silently mourned for Aoba's wallet.
…
As the group broke up, Kakashi pulled Mizuki aside.
"You didn't think I invited you here just to chat, did you?"
"Figured there was more to it." Mizuki smiled thinly.
Kakashi grew serious. "When Tsunade-sama becomes Hokage, she'll need trusted people she can rely on. You've earned a lot of attention lately. People are recommending you for promotion."
So that was it: a combination of recruitment and offering him a chance to stand with the new regime. Kakashi's role behind the scenes was obvious.
"Thanks, Kakashi."
"No need to thank me. Konoha's in turbulent times. We need more capable hands. But…" Kakashi's tone shifted slightly, "promotion to jōnin isn't just a formality. You'll still have to pass a test."
"I understand," Mizuki nodded. "It wouldn't mean anything otherwise."
"Good. Take a few days to recover. Once Tsunade-sama returns, things will move quickly."
"Got it."
Jōnin rank wouldn't directly increase his strength, but it would open many doors. As a chūnin, his authority was limited; as a jōnin, he'd have more freedom and influence—especially in emergency situations like the one involving Tobi.
"Today's gathering revealed more than expected…"
Mizuki now realized the unspoken hints: Iwagakure's suspicious behavior, potential clashes with Akatsuki…
"If I'm right, I might be facing real Akatsuki members soon. Maybe even Hidan? I'd love to see how his so-called immortality holds up..."
He didn't think he could take them head-on yet, but at least now he could prepare.
…
The next morning, Mizuki sat perched on a tree branch with Kakashi, overlooking the training field where Sasuke relentlessly practiced Chidori under Sakura's worried gaze.
"Aren't you going to stop him?" Mizuki asked. "Look at poor Sakura. She can barely heal him fast enough."
"Without Naruto here, Sasuke finally has a chance to focus on himself," Kakashi said. "I'd like to intervene… but he wouldn't listen anyway."
"You're too hard on yourself." Mizuki smirked. "Few could claim to be stronger than Itachi, after all. Besides, haven't you heard of the student surpassing the master?"
Orochimaru couldn't defeat Itachi, but the Sasuke he trained eventually did—and killed Orochimaru too.
"You're right." Kakashi smiled faintly. "Anyway, I have a mission in the Land of Water. Watch over them for a while, will you?"
"Leave it to me. Be careful—Kirigakure's no joke, even after the Bloody Mist era."
"I know."
"The Third Mizukage's about to die… and Terumi Mei will soon rise to power..." Mizuki thought, watching the young Sakura and Sasuke below.
They still seemed so small and fragile—hard to imagine them someday sealing Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and saving the world.
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*