With the arrival of Sarutobi Asuma and Might Guy, the details of the mission were quickly determined. There was no time for extensive preparation, and the two promptly departed to rescue Hiashi Hyuga and Iroha, who were on the brink of desperation.
With their departure, attention shifted to Shimura Danzo.
"Danzo, I think you understand that there are lines that must not be crossed," Mitokado Homura warned sternly. "The Hokage is the cornerstone of Konoha's stability. Even though much of the current Anbu were trained under your guidance, that does not mean they answer to you. Do not make excuses to deflect responsibility."
Beside him, Koharu Utatane added sharply, "We acknowledge your influence, but your actions have gone too far. We won't stand by idly. Until the Fifth Hokage is officially appointed, you'd best stay your hand. The Hokage must lead the entire village, not be overshadowed by a subordinate. If you continue, you risk destroying the very foundation of Konoha. Is this the patriotism you've always boasted about?"
The three had been comrades since the era of the Second Hokage. Their understanding of one another ran deep.
"Fine," Danzo replied with surprising clarity. He didn't argue further, nor haggle like a merchant. "I will leave the Fifth Hokage a clean Konoha. That much, I can guarantee."
Having taken that concession, Homura and Koharu didn't press further. Danzo's step back, rare as it was, signified the limits of their power. If not for questioning his deepest intentions, it was unlikely he would have backed down at all.
"A clean Konoha..."
Mizuki, quietly observing, repeated Danzo's words under his breath, a metallic tang of blood rising in his mind.
Ninjas were originally assassins and spies. In any shinobi village, infiltrators and double agents were common. When someone talks about a "clean sweep," those are usually the first to go.
"If I hadn't cleared the field ahead of time, even without direct evidence, I might have disappeared quietly myself."
Thankfully, the Mizuki clone who had taken the risks remained unaware of the larger trap still hanging over the original.
"Kakashi, your student Naruto Uzumaki needs supervision," Homura directed.
"Isn't Lord Jiraiya training him personally now?" Kakashi asked. "Wouldn't I just be redundant?"
"Jiraiya may soon be named the Fifth Hokage. Even if he isn't, his duties will prevent constant oversight. Naruto is the jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. If he's ever alone in Konoha, you will protect him from the shadows."
Homura paused, then added, "And you have one more duty. Watch Uchiha Sasuke."
Kakashi and Mizuki both stiffened.
"Sasuke? Is the situation that serious?"
Indeed, it was. Even among Konoha's elites, none were as feared as Orochimaru. Sasuke, who had directly interacted with him, required close observation.
"Ordinarily, he wouldn't pose a problem," Danzo interjected. "But we can't assume he won't defect. If Orochimaru acquires the Sharingan, it will be too late."
Danzo had seen Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami and understood the true terror of a Mangekyou Sharingan.
"I understand," Kakashi said. "But I still believe Sasuke can be saved."
Mizuki couldn't help but sigh at Kakashi's optimism. Not everyone overcame the darkness like Kakashi after Rin and Obito. Sasuke was still too young, and emotionally unstable.
"Let the village judge. Focus on your assignments."
Kakashi nodded without protest.
"Now, your turn, Mizuki," Homura said, turning to him. "I didn't fully address your situation two days ago, but your clone... it's quite something."
A clone that could move, think independently, and relay intel with no time limit—far beyond the average shadow clone.
"I had a feeling this day would come," Mizuki thought.
"It's just an enhanced application of the Shadow Clone Technique," he replied modestly.
"You're being too humble," Koharu noted. "That clone is flesh and blood, isn't it?"
"Yes," Mizuki admitted.
"Where did the body come from?" she asked.
This was dangerous. If they suspected human experimentation, his fate might mirror Orochimaru's.
"It's not from experiments," Mizuki answered, maintaining composure. "The clone is made using cells from my own body."
Many shinobi modify their bodies for strength. Orochimaru, Dosu, and the Red Sand Scorpion all exemplified this. Mizuki's approach was mild in comparison.
"So how did you accomplish it?" Danzo asked, intrigued by this advancement in body replication.
It was the same question Danzo asked when he requested the recipe for Mizuki's omnipotent potion.
"I'd rather take some suspicion than give up the method," Mizuki thought.
"I can share a bit," he said aloud.
"It's a specialized avatar technique derived from sealing arts, combined with the principles behind stealth clones."
Only someone like Mizuki, with deep theoretical knowledge and an experimental streak, could conceive something resembling a jinchuriki clone.
"Stealth clone and sealing-based?" Danzo murmured thoughtfully.
...
Later, Mizuki and Kakashi walked home side by side. The pre-dawn hours were quiet, save for the occasional Anbu patrol.
"You really had them sweating," Kakashi chuckled. "That clone technique of yours... ever thought of sharing it?"
"Possible," Mizuki shrugged. "But the requirements are steep. Maybe you, or someone like Shikamaru, could manage. Not many others."
"Figures. All your stuff is like that: complex, chakra-intensive, and brilliant. Can't you ever make something easy to use?"
Kakashi didn't covet Mizuki's techniques. As the Copy Ninja, he had over a thousand jutsu. What he needed was something sustainable with his limited chakra and Sharingan.
"Simple stuff exists," Mizuki said. "Like that breath-holding technique. You barely managed that, didn't you?"
It was true. He only handed that to Sakura as part of a major trade. If Kakashi had something worth offering, Mizuki might consider another deal.
"Later, maybe. I'm not worried about Naruto. The kid may be rough around the edges, but he's not dumb. And now that Jiraiya's involved, I can breathe a bit easier."
Mizuki agreed. "With the Fourth Hokage's bloodline and Uzumaki vitality, he's bound to rise."
"But Sasuke... that's another story."
"Exactly," Mizuki exhaled. "Give me one or two years, I could solve the curse mark issue. But the real challenge is his heart."
"Hatred. That's the hardest enemy," Kakashi nodded.
He knew better than most.
"It won't be you who decides the outcome," Mizuki said quietly. "It's Naruto."
"I know. But can I trust them to succeed?"
"If they fail... it could drive Sasuke even further into darkness."
And history might repeat itself once again.
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