Chapter 130: There's Always Someone Wanting to Join the Chaos
Water Release specialist Mizuki wasn't particularly fond of hospitals. Having spent quite a bit of time confined there before, he felt neither nostalgia nor comfort—only a lingering aversion. Most people didn't come here for good reasons. As a profession rooted in combat, ninja often ended up here due to injuries, and it wasn't rare for those injuries to prove fatal. During his stay, Mizuki had witnessed several such deaths. Being in this place never brought happiness.
After breakfast with Tsubaki and a brief walk, Mizuki came to the hospital alone. Though there wasn't anyone he particularly needed to visit, it felt wrong not to check in. But first, there were more urgent matters.
He ascended the hospital stairs and, without hindrance, reached the rooftop. Just as he was about to open the door, a voice called out from outside.
"Who's there?"
"Relax, Kakashi. It's me..." Mizuki pushed open the door and stepped outside. "I just knew I'd find you here reading. You really don't change."
Hatake Kakashi, ever fond of finding secluded spots to read Icha Icha Paradise, preferred rooftops, balconies, and other quiet corners. These places were perfect for both leisure and keeping an eye on Naruto and Sasuke.
Seeing it was Mizuki, Kakashi didn't hide anything. He kept reading as he asked, "So, what brings you here so early?"
"I've been thinking about what we talked about yesterday," Mizuki said bluntly. "It's not really my place, but the issue might affect the village—and maybe me too—so I had to ask your thoughts."
Surprised by the seriousness of the tone, Kakashi closed his book and looked at Mizuki. "No need to be so formal. In terms of teaching experience, you probably have me beat. If something's bothering you, let's talk about it."
Mizuki leaned against the railing beside him, staring down at the flow of people below. After a sigh, he asked, "Kakashi, how much do you really know about the Sharingan?"
"The Sharingan?" Kakashi looked puzzled. "I think I understand it decently well. After all, I've used it for years."
"That's exactly why you're overlooking things," Mizuki said, turning to face him. "The Uchiha and Hyuga clans are always touted as the strongest in terms of dojutsu. But have you ever stopped to wonder why?"
"Because they're powerful... hard to counter…" Kakashi trailed off.
"And a huge chakra drain, right? Without that Sharingan, wouldn't your battles be easier?"
Kakashi couldn't refute that. The chakra burden of using Obito's Sharingan was infamous. Back in the Land of Waves arc, one duel with Zabuza had completely drained him, leaving him unconscious. That wasn't ideal for a high-ranking jōnin.
"So," Mizuki continued, "what makes the Sharingan deserve the title of the strongest kekkei genkai?"
"Hmm. You seem to know something others don't," Kakashi replied with interest.
"Information is what ninja thrive on, right?" Mizuki said, then added, "Anyway, just be wary of the Sharingan—yours and others'."
"You mean Sasuke's? Or Itachi's?" Kakashi asked, brows furrowed. "Sasuke's still not a threat, so... Itachi?"
Kakashi was clearly concerned. A single glance at how Team Hiashi had been forced to retreat against Sasori and Deidara was enough to put him on edge. Facing elite enemies without full intel was risky.
"You're not just guessing, are you?" Kakashi asked.
"Just consider the possibility," Mizuki said. "Sharingan can only fight Sharingan if the two are of equal level…"
"I've noticed something strange, too..." Kakashi muttered.
Mizuki raised an eyebrow. "You have?"
It didn't look like a lie. Mizuki had always thought Kakashi awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan three years from now, but maybe it had already begun awakening much earlier.
"Is it just building up after all these years, or... did Obito awaken it before you received the eye?" Mizuki pondered.
Regardless, the fact that Kakashi—without Uchiha blood or Hashirama cells—could control a Mangekyō Sharingan meant his talent was truly exceptional.
"Just keep it in mind," Mizuki warned. "Things might get messy soon. If Jiraiya leaves, it'll be up to you jōnin to protect the village."
"You really seem to have some insider info," Kakashi mused. "Is Itachi really coming back?"
"If the Akatsuki move, sending someone familiar with Konoha makes perfect sense."
Before Kakashi could reply, a voice chimed in from behind.
"He's right, Kakashi."
Jiraiya's unmistakable white-haired figure stepped onto the roof.
"Jiraiya-sensei..." both greeted in unison.
Waving it off, Jiraiya said, "Don't know where you got your intel, kid, but you're not wrong. I'll likely be leaving soon to find Tsunade. We can't afford to go without a Fifth Hokage for too long."
"So it's decided? Tsunade, not you?" Kakashi asked, a little disappointed.
"She's better suited for it," Jiraiya replied. "Naruto might come with me. If that happens, protecting the village falls to you."
"I understand."
Downstairs, Naruto's voice suddenly rang out in another of his loud outbursts.
"Is he always like that?" Mizuki asked.
"Pretty much," Kakashi said, resigned. "Team morale's still a bit fractured after the Gaara incident."
"I'll leave the rest to you," Jiraiya said, leaping from the rooftop.
"Back to reading?" Mizuki chuckled, watching Kakashi pull out his book again.
"Can't let a good morning go to waste."
"I'm going to visit Kurenai and Hayate now. Let's catch up again soon. We need to talk more about Sasuke... this can't keep going the way it is."
Kakashi said nothing, but nodded solemnly.
As Mizuki entered Hayate's room, he found only a medic and the patient inside. Pale-faced and silver-haired, Hayate's condition hadn't worsened, but he also wasn't improving. For now, surviving was the best they could hope for—reviving him would have to wait for Tsunade's return.
Next, Mizuki moved on to Kurenai's room.
Hearing voices inside, he knocked.
"Come in," said a familiar voice.
Inside, he found Asuma alone, seated beside Kurenai's unconscious body.
There was no one else in the room.
'Don't tell me... he's been talking to her all this time?' Mizuki mused.
Caught in the act, Asuma looked embarrassed.
"Here so early?" Mizuki asked, breaking the tension.
"Heading out on a mission soon. Thought I'd drop by while I could."
"Out of the village? Now?"
Asuma sighed and lit a cigarette, then remembered where he was and tucked it away. "Yeah... I guess you're involved too, so it's okay to say. Iwagakure has already sent a diplomatic notice…"
"About Deidara? That fast?"
"Looks like they were keeping an eye on him. Once word spread that we captured him, they jumped on it."
Watered down or not, the diplomatic implications were serious. While Iwa and Konoha weren't sworn enemies, the situation was precarious. Suna and Iwa didn't get along either, which made things even messier.
"Things serious?" Mizuki asked.
"Hard to say. Nothing's happened yet, but we can't take chances."
Before they could continue, a knock came at the door. The students of Team 8—Hinata, Kiba, and Shino—entered the room quietly.
Mizuki turned to greet them.
'This is probably the only peaceful moment we'll get in a while,' he thought.
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*