Chapter 128: Everyone is Different
With the universal potion continuously delivering miraculous results in mission after mission, even without considering its hidden function of activating cellular omnipotency, it had already become a precious and powerful combat recovery agent. If not for the widely known and nearly visible side effect of reducing one's lifespan through cellular degradation, countless people would have tried to seize it by now. Given Mizuki's current standing, he wasn't exactly in a position to monopolize such a strategically valuable asset.
Still, as Mizuki had said before, "If it can be hidden, great. If not, so what?" Even if he revealed a little, who else could replicate it? Most couldn't even pass the hurdle of basic chakra control, let alone operate on a cellular level. At this point, only Tsunade might be qualified to discuss the matter with him. Even someone like Sakura was still a bit lacking.
That's why, even if he lost everything now, Mizuki was confident he could claw it all back. As long as he and Tsubaki were safe, everything else could be sacrificed if needed. Once his research began feeding back into his power, things would become much easier.
…
Though most of his memories from his past life were fading, Mizuki still remembered that in his adulthood, moments where someone cooked for him were rare. Tsubaki's cooking was excellent—more accurately, she had long since mastered Mizuki's tastes. Sushi, especially assorted sushi, was his favorite. Dishes like stews and curries, which he had been indifferent to before, had now become favorites—though that probably had more to do with his preferences from his past life.
Having lived two lives, Mizuki had often wondered why it was him who transmigrated, and not someone else. If he had to guess, it probably came down to spiritual and psychological compatibility. One Mizuki had grown up in peace, his rough edges smoothed by the world. The other grew up in chaos, lost in the thirst for power—twisted by jealousy, inferiority, arrogance, and pride, neglecting those around him.
But in a world this insane, even somewhere as "peaceful" as Konoha couldn't guarantee everyone would grow into mentally sound adults. Mizuki knew that if he didn't have the benefit of a godlike perspective or the comfort of being a transmigrator, he might not be doing any better than his original counterpart.
In the months since arriving, Mizuki had long abandoned the naive thought that others were mere NPCs with low IQ. This world was full of geniuses. The more he learned, the more he respected those towering figures. They were the real movers of history, while he was still not there yet.
Still, one advantage he did have was his outlook, shaped by the sheer information overload of his past life. It gave him clarity about what really mattered. He glanced toward his fiancée, who was tidying up in the kitchen, and felt his heart settle.
"Humans really are social creatures. To live, we need connection, support, and understanding."
Everyone born into this world carried their own chains.
"If you're the shackle that keeps my life from derailing... then I suppose I'm lucky."
Ever since his transmigration, waking up each day came with the crushing weight of impending apocalypse. It wasn't a fantasy game—this was a real world with real people he cared about, and a disaster was coming that they had to face together. Relying on Naruto and Sasuke? In this butterfly-effect-laden timeline, who knew what would change. His knowledge of the future was becoming increasingly unreliable, except for a few broad strokes.
Between the Chūnin Exams and Orochimaru's Konoha Crush, and the recent encounter with Deidara and Sasori—which left him barely clinging to life—it was all too real. Sometimes, Mizuki even fantasized about creating disposable Rinnegan, blowing up the world, or releasing a deadly virus to end everything. But most of the time, those were just bitter, hopeless thoughts.
"Still, with Tsubaki in this world... I guess it's worth giving it my all."
Not to mention, he'd built real bonds here—bonds that couldn't be easily erased.
"What are you thinking about?" Tsubaki asked, glancing up from tidying the kitchen.
"Nothing much. You done?"
"Mmhmm. It's still early—what do you want to do?"
"Let's go for a walk. Feels like we haven't strolled together in a while."
"You've forgotten, haven't you?" Tsubaki smirked. "There's a curfew in place. It's nearly closing time. Where would we go?"
"Ah—right…" Mizuki smacked his forehead in embarrassment. "Guess we're staying in."
"That's fine too," she replied. "You don't like reading or watching TV anyway. Lately, you've barely even glanced at them."
"Probably just tired of it," Mizuki shrugged. Having consumed so much information in his past life, from thousands of works, he found the fiction and media of this world lacking. He only watched for potential intel.
"This is a good chance to talk," she said, picking up a random book from the table. "Our wedding is in a little over a month. How do you want to handle it?"
"Yeah... not a great time right now," Mizuki sighed. With the village still licking its wounds and grieving, throwing a big celebration would feel wrong.
"Let's postpone it then," Tsubaki said, a little disappointed.
"Let's wait and see," Mizuki said, shaking his head. "Once the Fifth Hokage is confirmed, we'll reassess."
"Alright," she agreed. There was little choice. With so many unresolved issues—especially the need for Tsunade to return—everything else had to wait.
…
While Mizuki and Tsubaki enjoyed a rare peaceful evening, in a secret room within Konoha, the two village advisors were staring at the unconscious, chakra-sealed Deidara, lying restrained on a hospital bed.
"So there's no risk to his life?" Koharu Utatane asked.
"Yes," replied a medical-nin. "His injuries are stable. He's only unconscious due to trauma. He'll wake up in three days at most."
Homura Mitokado turned to the man leaning casually against the wall. "So, Jiraiya, what do you make of this?"
Jiraiya replied, "His clothes give it away... Black cloak with red clouds—it's definitely them. Looks like that organization is officially on the move."
Though the robe was scorched and tattered from battle and explosions, the red cloud motif was still barely visible.
"Jiraiya, you know this person has a complicated status. We can't use... certain methods to extract information," Koharu said.
As a disciple of the Third Tsuchikage, even as a rogue ninja, probing his mind risked serious diplomatic backlash. Open organizations didn't casually mind-read individuals of this status—unless they were ready for war.
Physical interrogation was slower but less inflammatory.
"We need your intel to judge the threat accurately," Homura said. "Especially if it's true this group includes people like Orochimaru. Our village is also at risk—after all, we have the strongest jinchūriki."
"This organization's very mysterious. I've never gotten much concrete intel," Jiraiya admitted. "But one thing's for sure: their core members are few, but nearly all S-class rogue ninjas. Orochimaru was just one of them. And... rumor has it there's a former Konoha shinobi among them."
"Uchiha Itachi?" Koharu guessed.
"It can only be him," Homura said.
Jiraiya nodded. "I don't know him well, but Orochimaru supposedly fought him—and lost. That's why he left the group. Whether it's true or not... who knows."
He chuckled bitterly. "A new generation, huh? Kids these days are terrifying. Guess we're getting old."
"Itachi's grown that powerful?" Koharu marveled. "What a waste of talent."
"Jiraiya, you really won't take the Hokage position?" Homura asked, clearly displeased. "You say you're old, but others refuse to admit it…"
A clear jab at Danzo.
"I'm not Hokage material," Jiraiya waved it off. "Leave it to Tsunade. She's more suited for it."
Homura sighed. "When are you going to find her? Any leads?"
"I have a rough idea. I'll go in a few days—just waiting for the right moment."
"That's fine. With the village still vulnerable, even the team sent to Suna had to retreat. We can't afford to lose you right now."
Interestingly, no one questioned how Konoha's squad survived such overwhelming odds. Hiashi's vague report led them to believe it wasn't the time to probe further. Better to wait for Tsunade's return and let the Fifth Hokage handle things properly.
…
Late at night, Hiashi Hyūga was still in his study, poring over ancient texts and obscure mythological records. Some books were centuries old—dusty, half-forgotten relics. But with specific intent, he began noticing patterns.
"The Rabbit Goddess… a mysterious identity… The Rinnegan, the Eye of the Sage? The ancestor of chakra?"
"Then where did the Byakugan come from? And what exactly is the Tenseigan?"
He had found many clues—but even more questions. Most records were incomplete, lost to the chaos of war throughout history.
As he rubbed his aching temples, a knock sounded on the door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me," came Hanabi's voice, followed by the door creaking open. "Father, it's late. You should rest."
"Where's your sister?"
"I'm here…" came a timid voice as Hinata stepped inside.
"Good," Hiashi said, closing the book. "I have a task for you."
The clan head was about to assign Hinata a mission.
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