Chapter 149: A Changing World
There were endless matters awaiting Tsunade's attention. At least for now, Mizuki knew he didn't have the kind of influence that could make the new Hokage regard him differently. But when it came time to be used, Tsunade was certainly not shy about giving orders.
Currently, Mizuki stood quietly before Tsunade, waiting as she flipped through a thick stack of documents. After a while, she looked up and asked,
"Moonlight Hayate and Yūhi Kurenai's injuries—you were on the same mission as them. Do you have anything you want to add?"
"No," Mizuki replied calmly. The situation was already clear; there was nothing more he could add.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, a half-smile on her face as she studied Mizuki.
"I really didn't expect it. While I was away, the village produced a genius potion master like you. Hm? Not just that—you're proficient in sealing techniques and skilled in barrier and field warfare. Quite an impressive talent. So, tell me, this so-called 'Universal Elixir' of yours, what exactly is it? It can't be as simple as it looks, right?"
"It's a potion with severe side effects," Mizuki answered. He had already anticipated that Tsunade, an expert in human biology, would notice something was off. He just hadn't expected it to be so soon.
"Severe side effects? It's not just that, is it?" Tsunade pressed, her tone sharp.
"Neither Moonlight Hayate's nor Yūhi Kurenai's conditions can be explained away with a few 'side effects.' Hayate's body can't even tolerate basic healing jutsu anymore. His life is hanging by a thread. 'Severe side effects'—only a bunch of clueless idiots would buy that. You should know very well who you're talking to. I'm not someone you can brush off with a few empty words."
Tsunade was indeed not easy to fool. Still, Mizuki knew that unless someone had witnessed the Universal Elixir's true effects, they would find it nearly impossible to deduce everything with Konoha's current medical knowledge.
"What do you want to know?" Mizuki asked, straightforward. Since Tsunade had picked up on it, he didn't bother pretending. He would admit to what she guessed correctly and deny what she couldn't.
Seeing that Mizuki wasn't entirely evasive, Tsunade massaged her temples, her tone softening slightly.
"You veterans are harder to deal with than the fresh genin. Since you won't say much, I won't force you. Kurenai's condition is manageable, but Hayate… his body's at the brink of collapse. Even I can only barely maintain him for now. His spirit might recover, but his life force is draining away—like aging, sickness, and death itself. There's nothing I can do."
"I don't have a way either," Mizuki said honestly. If he had a solution for this kind of life force depletion, he wouldn't be so desperate to strengthen himself despite the risks.
"Wait a minute…" Tsunade narrowed her eyes at Mizuki, scrutinizing him carefully. "You too… your condition isn't much better."
Mizuki just smiled bitterly. His body had long been deteriorating—he simply had ways to prolong the inevitable for now.
"…It's unfortunate," Tsunade sighed.
"If I had the means, I'd help. But right now, not even transplanting Hashirama's cells would guarantee survival without side effects—and Hayate isn't exactly equipped to handle that."
---
Their conversation ended without any real breakthrough, but Mizuki gained some valuable insights into Tsunade's personality.
She might have her flaws, but she possessed the right kind of leadership aura. She wasn't like Danzo, who only knew how to manipulate and scheme, nor like Koharu and Homura, who appeared steady but faltered when decisive judgment was needed. The lingering issue with the Land of Earth was proof enough—it had dragged on unresolved until Tsunade's return.
As Mizuki left the Hokage's office, he bumped into Nara Shikamaru, now proudly wearing his new chūnin vest.
"Chūnin now, huh? Congratulations," Mizuki greeted him.
"Thanks, Mizuki-sensei," Shikamaru lazily replied. "But now, it's going to be a lot busier."
"The village needs people like you right now," Mizuki said.
"With everything going on, good luck—you'll need it."
Walking past Shikamaru, Mizuki thought about his own pending promotion. Despite Tsunade being back for several days, he hadn't received any formal notice. For a while, he wondered if they had forgotten him.
However, today, seeing the visiting delegation from Iwagakure, Mizuki knew his time was coming.
Interestingly, the delegation was small, and their strength not as impressive as expected. Considering Iwagakure's size and power, this was odd.
"Something unexpected must have happened behind the scenes... whether it's good or bad, hard to say."
Clearly, Mizuki would be involved, but in what role and capacity remained to be seen—and the dangers could vary drastically depending on the outcome.
---
Later that evening, Mizuki entered a small, quiet tavern where a familiar voice called out,
"Over here, Mizuki!"
It was Sarutobi Asuma, already looking a bit drunk. Sitting across from him were Kakashi and Jiraiya. Kakashi was flipping through the latest Icha Icha novel, while Asuma and Jiraiya were deep into their drinks.
Mizuki smiled and sat down.
"Haven't seen you in a while. Was the Land of Earth that troublesome?" he asked.
"Well, it's messy, but not deadly dangerous," Asuma shrugged.
"You'll find out soon enough."
"That's reassuring." Mizuki trusted Asuma wouldn't lie about such things.
Lighting a cigarette, Asuma muttered,
"So much happened while I was gone. That organization... 'Akatsuki,' they're really something. Just a handful of guys and they dared assault Konoha head-on."
"Hard to believe, right?" Kakashi added grimly.
"And they almost succeeded. If Jiraiya-sama hadn't been here, who knows how many more would have died?"
"We didn't win either, Kakashi." Jiraiya refilled his sake cup.
"They withdrew simply because it wasn't worth the effort. If they had fought seriously… even I can't guarantee victory."
"Who would've thought the Wood Release would show up again—and with such power?" Kakashi sighed.
"First during the Chūnin Exams with the First Hokage's resurrection, and now this. Reality feels more and more like a dream."
Mizuki chuckled.
"Feels like the world's changing too fast to recognize, huh?"
"Exactly," Kakashi nodded.
"In just two months, everything we thought we knew got flipped upside down."
Asuma gazed into his sake gloomily.
"The Fifth Hokage already… Never thought the Old Man would die on the battlefield after all."
The mood grew heavy.
After a pause, Jiraiya broke the silence.
"Mizuki, you just saw Tsunade, right? Did she say anything?"
"Nothing major," Mizuki said lightly.
"Just asked about Hayate and Kurenai's recovery."
"I see…" Jiraiya mused for a moment, then said,
"Give me some of that 'Universal Elixir' of yours."
"…Eh?" Mizuki blinked, then quickly recovered.
"Sure. I don't have much left, but I'll spare some."
Even Kakashi was surprised.
"Jiraiya-sama, you need it? There aren't many who could push you to that point…"
"You're too optimistic, Kakashi," Jiraiya said darkly.
"There are threats out there that you can't even imagine."
Mizuki immediately thought of the boy with the Rinnegan.
"Besides," Jiraiya continued, "I've been feeling uneasy lately. Like something terrible is approaching. Better to be prepared."
Mizuki didn't hesitate. He handed over three vials of the elixir.
"Topical for minor injuries, half a vial for major wounds. Larger doses… well, that's a last resort."
Jiraiya accepted the vials and handed Mizuki a small scroll in return.
"Consider this a thank-you gift. Something I picked up during my travels."
"Thanks, I'll gladly accept it," Mizuki said, curious about the contents.
---
A week later, Mizuki finally received his mission for the promotion test.
Standing before Tsunade again, he carefully read the mission briefing. After a long silence, he looked up.
"I understand the general situation. What's the village's official stance? What am I expected to accomplish?"
Tsunade smiled faintly.
"Our goals align closely with Iwagakure's, but Sunagakure's position is… ambiguous. Still, for now, focus on doing our part."
"In other words, we're cooperating in name only?"
"You could say that. But remember—we're not enemies either. Keep up appearances."
"What about Deidara? How should we handle him?"
"If necessary, eliminate him quietly. But your top priority is to delay and observe. If you can't finish the job, don't force it. Once we're ready, you'll be free to act based on the situation."
"…Understood. Bait and reconnaissance, is it?"
Tsunade smiled approvingly.
"You're quick on the uptake. I like that."
---
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