After leaving the orphanage, an ANBU member blocked his path.
"Chūnin Mizuki, come with me. The Third Hokage wishes to see you!"
With that, he turned and headed toward the nearby forest.
Mizuki's expression froze. Not meeting at the Hokage building, but in the forest instead — could Hiruzen be planning to kill him?
But that didn't fit the old man's style. How could someone so concerned about his reputation, so indecisive, so calculating — possibly make a move to kill a village ninja without solid evidence?
Doesn't he care about his reputation anymore? Isn't he afraid of losing his position as Hokage?
"I'll play it by ear. If the Third Hokage really does attack me, don't blame me for using my explosive tags."
Five hundred explosive tags — even if they couldn't kill Hiruzen, they would create an opportunity to escape.
He followed the ANBU member, and soon entered deep into the forest. Mizuki stayed alert, eyes and ears sharp.
Suddenly, the ANBU member launched an attack. A kunai appeared in his hand and slashed toward Mizuki's face. His speed was incredible — swift as the wind.
The moment he saw him turn, the attack was already upon him. Mizuki had been on guard. His feet suddenly pushed off, and at the critical moment, his body retreated half a step. The tip of the kunai passed before his eyes, only half a finger's width from both.
If he had been even a bit slower, he would have been blinded and helpless.
"You're asking for death!" Mizuki's eyes turned cold.
So they really were here to kill him.
He pulled out three explosive tags and activated them. A hissing sound rang out as they began to detonate.
Seeing this, the opponent immediately retreated, not wanting to be caught in the blast.
Mizuki let out a cold laugh and released his hand. The explosive tags floated down. The next moment, Body Swap activated. His position and the ANBU member's instantly switched.
Then came a boom as all three explosive tags detonated simultaneously. The ANBU member had no time to react before being blown beyond recognition.
The Body Swap Technique could also be used offensively. The effect was surprisingly good.
"Body Swap combined with explosive tags — this tactic is worth using." Mizuki smiled.
But when he looked at the corpse on the ground, he frowned.
No blood!
"The Dead Soul Technique again?" Mizuki narrowed his eyes, annoyed.
He and Kabuto had no grievances — so why would that guy want to kill him?
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause sounded from the nearby forest, and another masked ANBU member emerged.
"Who are you? Why do you want to kill me?" Mizuki demanded.
"Who I am doesn't matter. You only need to know that I serve one of the Legendary Sannin, Lord Orochimaru. I attacked you to test your worth — to see if you're qualified to become Lord Orochimaru's subordinate. You survived and demonstrated that highly practical position-swapping jutsu. That proves your value is sufficient for Lord Orochimaru's purposes."
Mizuki said nothing, only staring coldly at his opponent.
He didn't attack. From the opponent's build and voice, he determined this person was not Kabuto. This must be another corpse controlled by him. Using the same trick to kill it would just waste chakra.
He focused on the surrounding movements, searching for Kabuto's true location.
"The Third Hokage wants you dead as soon as possible. You know he sent you out of the village on this mission to die. In Konoha, you have no place left. Only one path lies before you — defection. Lord Orochimaru appreciates talented individuals like you and will accept you without reservation. He will give you everything you want, even immortality. Pledge loyalty to Lord Orochimaru, and when you defect, there will be people to support you, to intercept Konoha's pursuers, ensuring your successful escape. What do you think?"
Mizuki, "Sounds tempting, but I like to bask in the sun. I don't like staying in damp, dark underground caves all day… Oh, found you!"
The next moment, three explosive tags ignited simultaneously. Mizuki's eyes locked onto a tree 70 meters away.
In the tree, Kabuto turned pale and raised his hands to form seals. He was going to use the Substitution Jutsu.
But Mizuki wouldn't let him. Before Kabuto could complete even one seal, Body Swap activated and switched their positions.
Mizuki reached the safety of the foliage. Kabuto had to face three explosive tags about to detonate.
'Damn it! What kind of cursed jutsu is this? It works from this far away? And there's no warning — I didn't even have time to react before switching positions with him.' Kabuto's face under his hood looked grim, 'No time for the Substitution Jutsu. I can only use this move.'
In'yu Shōmetsu ▻ Yin Healing Wound Destruction
{T/N: Kabuto reads his opponent's expressions, movements, and jutsu to predict incoming attacks. He preemptively channels chakra to the target area and begins healing before impact, minimizing damage. Greater damage requires more chakra. This technique demands precise prediction, fast reaction, and exceptional resilience — traits unique to Kabuto.}
As the jutsu activated, the explosive tags detonated. Bright light and a violent explosion sent Kabuto's body flying like a rag.
"Hmph, you bastard. Even if you don't die, you'll be seriously injured." Mizuki sneered.
But the next moment, he saw Kabuto get up immediately after landing, then flee deeper into the forest. Within a few leaps, he disappeared from view — as if he hadn't been injured at all.
Mizuki didn't even get a clear look at his face.
"He didn't die. What a shame!"
Kabuto possessed medical ninjutsu second only to Tsunade's. His A-Rank jutsu, Yin Healing Wound Destruction, could heal injuries before they occurred and had exceptional recovery capabilities.
When the Three Sannin reunited, he took a direct hit from Naruto's Rasengan to the abdomen — yet wasn't seriously hurt. All thanks to this jutsu.
"It's not surprising that Orochimaru's subordinates have strong survival abilities. Too bad the distance was too far — I don't have enough chakra to use Body Swap one more time. Otherwise, another round would definitely kill him."
After repelling Kabuto, Mizuki immediately fled the scene.
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The two explosive tag detonations made quite a commotion. Shortly after he left, nearby ninja arrived, followed by ANBU.
Only the corpses of two ANBU members remained at the scene. Investigation revealed that both had died some time ago and were controlled after death by the Dead Soul Technique.
After learning the news, Hiruzen didn't think of Mizuki.
He stood by the window, smoking pipe in his mouth, gazing at the prosperous Konoha streets below. His brows furrowed deeply.
"Orochimaru, what exactly are you trying to do?"
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By this time, Mizuki had already returned home.
The sun had set, and the light was dimming. He didn't turn on the lights. He even pulled the curtains closed. Immediately, the room was pitch black.
He opened the wardrobe and looked at three black suitcases filled with money.
"This time leaving the village, who knows when I'll return. Keeping this money at home isn't safe. If the Third Hokage discovers it, he'll definitely use it as an excuse to make trouble. When that happens, I'll lose both life and wealth."
He couldn't explain the origin of this money. A Chūnin whose salary was barely enough for subsistence, yet hiding a fortune at home — there was obviously a problem. Hiruzen could label him with a charge of treason and espionage, and the villagers would believe it.
Then that old man could openly kill Mizuki.
"This money must be carried with me."
Carrying three large suitcases wasn't realistic. He needed storage scrolls. He took some money and headed straight to the ninja tool shop.
Inside, he found Tenten dozing at the counter. Mizuki approached and shook the bell.
Ding-a-ling!
Tenten jolted awake, eyes still drowsy, "Sorry, I fell asleep. What would Mizuki-senpai like to purchase?"
She hadn't known Mizuki before, but after following Might Guy and meeting him that day, she'd come to know him.
"I need storage scrolls."
Tenten explained the options, "Storage scrolls vary in price by capacity. A 1-liter capacity costs 10,000 ryō. An 8-liter costs 100,000 ryō. A 27-liter costs 1 million ryō, and a 64-liter costs 10 million ryō…"
Storage scrolls had space-time sealing techniques inscribed on them, creating a small pocket dimension for storing objects.
Tenten's scrolls, for example, contained everything — not just ninja tools but also food and drink. Team 3 never lacked supplies on missions.
Mizuki's mouth twitched. So expensive!
The problem was that those three suitcases at home definitely exceeded 27 liters in total volume. To take all the money with him, he'd need at least a 64-liter scroll.
But that required 10 million ryō. He hadn't brought that much money — and he didn't dare bring that much money.
If he pulled out 10 million ryō to buy a storage scroll, Hiruzen would show up within three minutes and search his home for the rest. Large amounts of unexplained wealth — Hiruzen would announce to the villagers that Mizuki had committed treason and espionage, profiting 100 million ryō.
A capital offense!
"I'll… I'll buy the 1-liter ones. Three of them."
No choice. He couldn't buy the expensive ones, only the cheap ones. Small capacity it was — he'd rely on Sakura later. Taking out 30,000 ryō wouldn't make Hiruzen suspicious.
It was almost 7 o'clock when Mizuki arrived at Ichiraku Ramen. Naruto had already arrived early.
"Master Mizuki, let's go in! I'm starving!" Naruto urged.
Mizuki smiled, "What's the rush? Let's wait for Sasuke and Sakura. Look, here they come."
With all four gathered, he took out three storage scrolls.
"Here, one for each of you. They're all 1-liter capacity. They can't hold much, but still…"
Though Naruto was usually carefree, he'd gained enough knowledge recently to know how valuable these scrolls were, so he hesitated.
Sasuke showed no reaction. He didn't lack such scrolls, so it didn't matter to him — it mainly depended on Naruto and Sakura.
Sakura said directly, "Master, this is too valuable. I can't accept it."
Mizuki waved her off, "The money's already spent. If you don't take them, I can't return them anyway. Take them. I can still afford this much."
The three could only accept.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Sakura Haruno one 1L Capacity Storage Scroll, triggering a 1,000× Return! ]
[ Congratulations, you have obtained one 1M² Capacity Storage Ring! ]
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T/N: Comment, give me Power Stones, like and favorite, it all supports me and makes me go foward with this. Appreciate my other stories as well, I guarantee the good work!
If you want to enjoy a large catalog of good novels with excellent translations: MrBlackWing (on that website with P)
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)