Chapter 107: Preparing for Departure
Logically, Mizuki should have discovered these issues much earlier, but due to constant busyness, he had tossed these "minor" matters to the back of his mind. Still, this was a pleasant surprise — uncovering the powerful, cell-level destructive capabilities of the Division Agent. Its effects went beyond simply splitting apart an organism; it could separate it into wholly independent entities. This might seem like a trivial detail, but in truth, it was a potent tool.
Take, for example, capturing a White Zetsu — how could one extract Hashirama Senju's cells without lingering threats? That's when the Division Agent would shine: isolate and reset the material into separate life forms, raise them to maturity, and, using Mizuki's "bootleg jinchūriki" method, control them with no backdoors or risks.
Of course, that was still far off.
Another key discovery now occupying Mizuki's thoughts was what he had just realized: if the relationships between body, soul, and chakra types could be fully understood, the timeline for researching a "low-cost jinchūriki" could be dramatically shortened.
"If only I could find a way like Suigetsu's Hydrification to divide the body and still preserve the soul's will…"
Mizuki had always wanted to achieve full spiritual synchronization with his clone. Only by achieving real-time memory and control sharing could the clone truly be an ideal vessel.
In this regard, Mizuki placed his hopes in natural energy and Sage Chakra. Consider the Reanimation of Inorganic Matter — it brought life to simple stones through natural energy. Surely Sage energy could fulfill Mizuki's needs. But natural energy was dangerously unstable and hard to control. Sage Chakra remained a distant dream. Even the chakra samples collected from Sasuke's curse mark — separated and given to Chie — hadn't yielded results yet.
If Mizuki could crack the mechanism behind the Hydrification Technique, it might temporarily substitute for Sage Chakra in creating his ideal clone.
"But water chakra is too soft for me. What can I use instead? I don't have water affinity… Should I try Yang nature?"
Because of the curse mark, Mizuki's own Yin–Yang chakra balance had shifted, with a noticeable lean toward Yin. The benefit was enhanced medical techniques, but with no talent for medicine, he had only focused on restoring balance to prevent future side effects.
"Yang release? Chōji Akimichi, perhaps? But we're not close, and his Multi-Size Technique doesn't really help me… is there anyone else I can reference?"
Mizuki racked his brain but couldn't think of anyone except Naruto, inheritor of Asura's chakra. But that was a child of destiny's privilege. Medical ninjutsu didn't apply here either.
"Maybe Dead Soul Jutsu?" It was technically a medical technique…
Mizuki quickly shook off the idea. Dealing with Kabuto over Dead Soul Jutsu wouldn't be worth it — not unless it came free with a trade for Curse Seals or the Flying Thunder God technique.
Setting aside the documents, Mizuki eventually dozed off amid his racing thoughts.
By the time he opened his eyes again, morning had arrived, and kitchen sounds came from nearby.
Having slept poorly, Mizuki struggled to rise. After a cold shower and freshening up, he walked out to find breakfast already prepared — Chie was waiting for him.
"This is a feast for breakfast…?"
Sushi (his favorite), simmered meat, curry — four or five dishes laid out in total. Far too lavish for a typical morning.
Chie merely smiled without answering, then took out a large bento box.
"For the road. It's packed with charcoal — your food will stay hot all day."
"…Huh?" Mizuki raised an eyebrow. "How'd you know I was going on a long-distance mission? I haven't mentioned it yet."
"I heard Yūhi Kurenai and Asuma talking about it last night at the hospital," Chie replied with a serene smile.
"Ah." Mizuki laughed. "So much for operational security. Two jōnin letting mission details slip in public? War's barely over, and they're already getting slack."
Chie poured him tea as she replied gently, "You'll be even busier once you're promoted to jōnin. We won't see each other as often."
"Still a long way to go before that." Jōnin promotion required a lot more than just ability. With his performance over the last two months — coordinating, researching, fighting — Mizuki had earned recognition. If he didn't pick the wrong political faction, getting promoted to special jōnin when Tsunade returned should be easy enough. He didn't need to overthink it.
"Better eat up. You're short on time."
'She knows me too well…' Mizuki thought as he looked at all his favorite dishes.
…
After quickly finishing breakfast and changing into his uniform, Mizuki and Chie left home together.
It wasn't too early, but the overcast sky made the streets feel gloomy. Everyone they passed was dressed in dark mourning attire, carrying flowers. Clearly, they were headed to the funeral.
'What a heavy atmosphere. I really don't fit into this kind of setting…'
Mizuki recognized many faces along the road, but no one seemed in the mood to speak. Everyone simply moved silently toward the memorial.
It wasn't that Mizuki felt no grief over the Third Hokage's passing — it was simply that he valued the living more than the dead.
'Though death may not be the end, let's at least wish him peace. Konoha still has a future.'
Without the Third Hokage's mercy, Mizuki might've long since been arrested and soul-scanned. If Danzo had been in charge, he'd be dead by now.
…
Eventually, the oppressive ceremony ended, and the sun peeked through the clouds. The tension lifted.
At the village gate, Mizuki chatted idly with Izumo and Kotetsu. In the distance, two groups approached nearly in sync.
Hyuga Hiashi came with only one attendant — Hyuga Ke. Yūhi Kurenai escorted the two Sand siblings as well.
Seeing everyone arrive, Mizuki stepped forward to greet them.
'Still just a chūnin… guess I'd better be polite around the big names. But wow, these people really cut it close…'
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