"Elder Shimura Danzo?" Mizuki asked suspiciously. Honestly, the arrival of Sarutobi Asuma and Might Guy had already surprised him. But the absence of Hatake Kakashi? That made things even more confusing.
With Mizuki's current standing, Kakashi was the only person of weight he could truly rely on to vouch for him. Others either didn't know him well, or—even if they did—might not trust a word from a mere Chūnin. Without the Hokage and with Kakashi absent, who else could he turn to for help?
"A shadow clone's personality and memories should align with the original," Mizuki thought, frustrated. "So why is this rescue mission so full of contradictions? What went wrong?"
...
Earlier, Mizuki's shadow clone—left behind in Konoha—had been lying low. Since the real Mizuki departed for the mission, the clone stayed out of sight. The ninja world might tolerate strange occurrences thanks to chakra, but anything blatantly odd still drew suspicion.
Why was a young Hinata Hyūga once bullied? Because her pale eyes marked her as different. Why was Naruto ostracized as a child? Sure, the adults warned others, but his whisker marks alone made him an object of fear.
So, the clone avoided unnecessary appearances, spending time reading, experimenting, training—essentially passing time in solitude. It was a quiet midnight, the war-torn Konoha dim under curfew.
Suddenly, a jolt from the original's psychic link snapped the clone awake. Mizuki sat up straight and analyzed the incoming message.
"Strong enemy encountered. Urgent reinforcement required."
Mizuki's alert levels had four categories:
Overwhelming danger, zero survival odds – activate contingency or self-destruction (still theoretical).
Superior enemy, high risk, but survival possible – send backup.
Mission secrecy compromised – prepare countermeasures.
Total erasure protocol – destroy all data, self-terminate if needed.
This one clearly fit Category 2: Request reinforcements.
The clone quickly dressed and moved out, heading for someone with weight—someone who could get him an audience with Konoha's leadership.
"Deidara and Sasori of the Red Sand? Seriously? If Kakashi's still in the village, I need him."
In full stealth mode, the clone sped through darkened Konoha, skillfully avoiding detection—even evading patrol dogs.
Finally, he reached Kakashi's window.
"Who is it?" Kakashi's voice was calm but alert, kunai in hand.
"It's me. Mizuki."
Kakashi opened the window, recognizing the familiar voice. "It's late. What's the emergency?"
"It's critical. We've been attacked. We need backup."
"You're a clone. So this is about your original. Understood," Kakashi said, immediately serious. He didn't even question the transmission method.
"Yes. The main body's in danger."
"Wait, you're with Hyūga Hiashi, Yūhi Kurenai… and even you. And you still need backup?"
"We've encountered elite opponents."
"How many?" Kakashi asked, keeping pace beside Mizuki.
"Two. Just two."
"Two?! That's all?" Kakashi was genuinely shocked. "Your squad isn't weak, Mizuki. That must mean these enemies are on a completely different level."
"Exactly. Sasori of the Red Sand. Deidara."
Kakashi's face darkened. "That is a problem. We need to alert the elders."
...
At the Hokage's office, Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane arrived first, followed by Danzo.
"Are you certain?" Homura asked. "Hiashi is among Konoha's top-tier fighters. That squad isn't light."
Danzo cut in. "You're confident they're after the Jinchūriki?"
"Yes," Mizuki replied. "They directly mentioned Gaara's tailed beast."
Danzo turned to the others. "Send reinforcements. Whether or not they're after Gaara, anyone testing Konoha must be stopped swiftly—especially if they aim at our alliance with Sunagakure."
Homura and Koharu agreed. Losing Gaara—or Hiashi—would be disastrous.
"The problem is," Homura said, "most jōnin are tied up. Kakashi, you'll have to go. Try to capture, but if not—eliminate."
Just as Kakashi was about to accept—
"No," Danzo interrupted. "Kakashi has other priorities."
Homura raised an eyebrow. "He's ideal for this mission."
"He should stay close to Naruto Uzumaki," Danzo said. "That's Konoha's Jinchūriki."
"Come on, Danzo," Koharu said. "Nobody's foolish enough to target Naruto in Konoha."
Danzo's gaze didn't waver. "Orochimaru killed the Third Hokage right in the middle of the Chūnin Exams. Never assume we're safe."
The room fell silent.
"Fine," Koharu conceded. "Then Might Guy will go."
"Send Asuma too," Homura added. "He's been wasted on protocol duties. Let's put him back in the field."
Danzo gave a faint smile.
"Also, Danzo," Homura said sharply. "You're not the Hokage. Your interference with ANBU and attempts to revive Root are overstepping."
"So you think I still have a shot at becoming Hokage?" Danzo chuckled.
No one replied.
Just then, the door opened. Guy and Asuma walked in, already suited up.
"We heard there's trouble," Asuma said.
"Ready when you are," Guy added.
"Good," Homura nodded. "You're our reinforcements. Move out immediately."
The meeting ended, but Mizuki could still feel the storm brewing behind the political tension. Reinforcements were finally on their way—but whether they would arrive in time was a different question entirely...
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