Mizuki revealed the Konoha Crush Plan, successfully diverting the Third Hokage's attention. The trial against him came to nothing.
On the rooftop of the Hokage building, Hiruzen stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the Hokage Rock. His eyes lingered on the stone carvings of the First and Second Hokage. The guilt in his expression refused to fade.
"Edo Tensei… Orochimaru, I never imagined you would fall so far — disturbing even the peace of the dead. Absolutely unforgivable!" His eyes filled with determination, "Letting you go back then was my weakness. This time, I will kill you with my own hands. Even if it costs me this old life, I won't hesitate."
Just then, familiar footsteps sounded behind him. Hiruzen didn't need to turn around to know it was Danzō.
"What do you want?" Hiruzen asked flatly.
Danzō, "Hiruzen, you can't completely trust Mizuki's words. After all, he…"
"Did you know about Orochimaru's plan?" Hiruzen interrupted, his question sudden.
Danzō was startled, thinking Hiruzen suspected him after all. But he didn't panic. His expression remained calm, his breathing steady.
"I already told you — you can't trust everything Mizuki says. He's obviously trying to sow discord. If you believe him, Konoha will fall into chaos before any external enemy even attacks. Besides, Hiruzen, you know my loyalty to Konoha, don't you?"
Hiruzen looked up and sighed, "Yes, you've always been loyal to Konoha. Everything you've done has been for Konoha." As he spoke, his eyes were cold.
That's right — you are loyal to Konoha, but not so loyal to me as Hokage.
A barely perceptible contempt flashed in Danzō's eyes.
Hiruzen, you're still as indecisive as ever, lacking resolve. Under your leadership, Konoha has become so depleted of talent. If I were Hokage, we wouldn't be in this situation.
"The intelligence Mizuki brought back could be false, could be true, or could be half-true and half-false."
Hiruzen frowned, "Just say what you want to say directly."
Danzō, "If you fail to kill the snake, it will bite you back! After targeting Mizuki like this, he'll surely hold a grudge and take revenge at the first opportunity. If the Konoha Crush Plan is fake, that's fine. But if it's real, he will take advantage of the chaos to sabotage Konoha. Such a ticking time bomb must be dealt with in advance — give him no opportunity."
Hiruzen nodded. He understood this.
"He brought back news of the Konoha Crush Plan, rendering great service. I publicly declared him innocent. If I move against him again, the Jōnin in the village will object, and the two advisors will oppose it."
Danzō frowned, "So you'll just watch as such a dangerous element threatens the village's safety at any moment?"
Hiruzen, "During the Chūnin Exams, I'll send him on a mission outside the village. He won't have a chance to sabotage during the chaos."
Danzō sighed, "I hope your decision is the right one."
With that, he turned and left.
Hiruzen waved his hand, and an ANBU appeared behind him.
"Send word for Jiraiya to return to the village. Also, find Tsunade and tell her to come back to see me one last time."
The ANBU was shocked and couldn't help asking, "Lord Third, what do you mean by this?"
Hiruzen waved his hand, "Just do as I say."
The ANBU could only respond "Yes" and departed.
❊❊❊❊❊
Returning home, Mizuki breathed a sigh of relief.
"That old man knew in advance I could use Body Swap and the Rasengan, yet still planned to kill me. He must have had something up his sleeve. Fortunately, it didn't come to that. Next comes the Chūnin Exams. Once he dies and Tsunade takes over, I won't have to live in constant fear."
Having learned about the Konoha Crush Plan in advance, Hiruzen would make thorough preparations. Orochimaru might not be able to beat him.
But so what? If that snake can't kill him, I will.
"I have just over a month to improve my strength significantly — enough to backstab him when the time comes."
Disciples. I need more disciples. I can't get stronger on my own — I need the system. More disciples means more returns each month, and faster growth.
❊❊❊❊❊
After a brief rest, he went to the orphanage.
"Mizuki, we haven't seen you in a while. You've been busy lately, haven't you?" The director welcomed him warmly.
"Yes, Director. I was on a mission for half a month and only returned today."
After chatting for a while, the director said, "One of the children you taught the chakra extraction technique to succeeded."
"Is it Daisuke?"
The director looked stunned, "How did you know? I kept this secret from everyone — didn't even tell the Hokage."
Mizuki smiled, "That day I could tell Daisuke had ninja talent, though not particularly strong. I didn't expect he'd actually succeed. Director, I'd like to take Daisuke out for a walk. I have some things to say to him."
"No problem, but it's lunchtime. Why don't you eat here first?"
"No need. I'll take him to Ichiraku Ramen."
He pulled out a stack of money.
"I earned merit on this mission, and Lord Hokage rewarded me. This is my donation to the orphanage — 100,000 ryō for nutritious meals for the children."
❊❊❊❊❊
At Ichiraku Ramen, Mizuki and Daisuke sat down.
Daisuke was nervous. As an orphan, he ate all three meals at the orphanage. Eating on the street was impossible. This was his first time.
"Daisuke, order whatever you want."
"Sen… Sensei, I'll just have a bowl of plain noodles."
Mizuki shook his head and sighed inwardly. This damned world.
"That won't do. Your master isn't stingy. If I'm treating you to ramen, you should eat well. I'll order for you." He called out to Teuchi, "Boss, give this kid three bowls — one char siu, one tonkotsu, and one seafood."
{T/N: Char siu ramen features braised pork belly marinated in soy sauce, sake, and mirin, then slow-cooked until tender. Tonkotsu ramen has a rich, creamy broth made from pork bones boiled for hours until milky white. Seafood ramen uses a broth based on fish, shrimp, or shellfish with seaweed — lighter and more delicate than pork-based broths.}
"Coming right up!"
Daisuke panicked, "Master, three bowls is too much. I can't eat that much."
Mizuki smiled, "The director told me you have a big appetite. You usually hold back, afraid your companions won't have enough. Today I'm treating. Eat your fill. If three bowls aren't enough, we'll order more."
Daisuke said hurriedly, "That's enough! Three bowls is plenty."
Soon, his three bowls of ramen arrived.
[ Ding! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Daisuke one bowl of Char Siu Ramen, triggering a 300× Return! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Daisuke one bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen, triggering a 500× Return! ]
[ You have granted your disciple Daisuke one bowl of Seafood Ramen, triggering a 600× Return! ]
[ Due to the same type and return multiplier, the three returns will be stacked, triggering a 3,000× Return! ]
[ Congratulations, you have obtained three bowls of Chakra Ramen (3 Ka Units)! ]
Mizuki smiled.
Stacking again — the return multiplier after stacking was quite impressive. He seemed to have found the pattern.
Chakra was fundamental. The more, the better. His total chakra reserves had now reached 14.5 Kakashi.
Daisuke's aptitude wasn't particularly strong. Each return was only a few hundred times — not very high. Giving him other things might not yield good returns. But using him to grind chakra reserves? That was ideal.
At this moment, Daisuke was already lost in the deliciousness of the ramen, completely unaware he had become Mizuki's tool for grinding chakra limits.
"Mmm, delicious! So delicious!"
❊❊❊❊❊
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!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)