Reunion

Mizuki breathed in deeply, desperately trying to calm himself down. He couldn't show fear, he couldn't show weakness in front of this snake.

He knew that the road he chose was a risky one, he knew the troubles that it could lead him down if he wasn't careful.

And yet he had already chosen his path.

He knew that being Orochimaru's assistant was playing with fire, and yet he took the risk anyways, believing the risk was worth the reward. That he was untouchable.

That, just like any other protagonist, he would have the plot kick in and save him.

But it didn't.

And that "fire" he was so arrogantly playing with. It ignited in his face. He got burnt.

________________________________________________________________________________________

(2 hours earlier)

So far the day was going pretty normally for Mizuki, after being woken up by Anko, he also ended up brushing his teeth and making breakfast for the two of them before quickly changing and leaving for the day.

The first thing he did was rush towards the mission office, upon realizing the time.

Orochimaru is not the person you want to be late for.

Mizuki arrived just on time ath their meeting point, a small tree just outside the mission hall. Only to see that, surprisingly, Idate had arrived before him.

Ever since being marked, Idate's attitude changed completely, from happy go lucky twelve year old child, to seemingly emotionless puppet of Orochimaru.

Although behind that seeming emotionlessness lied something that terrified Mizuki. An unbridled and unchecked wrath.

However, the waiting did not last for long as Orochimaru ended up appearing by their side, not a second too early nor a second too late.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Orochimaru turned and walked inside the building, with his three students falling into sync behind him.

The Hokage glanced up at the group, clearly stressed by the duties of being Hokage with a war that was slowly escalating, with no signs of slowing down.

Hokage: "Ah yes, Team Orochimaru. For you, we have an assortment of D Rank Missions.."

The mission they were given was easy enough, with it merely requiring basic life skills, similar to the rest of the D Rank Missions.

Although the changes in the types of missions that had happened over the past few months did not escape Mizuki.

What were once missions involving catching missing cats and babysitting children, have slowly turned into missions of delivering weapons from workshops to garrisons and helping bring supplies to hospitals for the wounded.

For example, their current mission was to transport crates of paper bombs to Konoha Warehouses where they would be carefully guarded.

It was becoming clear more than ever that outside of the perceived safety of the Walls of Konoha was a world at war.

After spending the remainder of the morning completing their mission, Team Orochimaru reported back to the mission office to confirm that they completed their mission.

Upon confirming that they had completed their mission, The Hokage quickly gave each of the genin their paycheque before ushering them out, clearly busy with matters having to do with the war.

As soon as they left, everybody started to split up and go their separate ways for the day. Although things changed when Orochimaru called out.

Orochimaru: "Anko"

Anko: "Yes sensei?"

Orochimaru: "Don't come today. Mizuki is the only one I need"

Although she wanted to protest, she could only nod in acknowledgment to her sensei, as she knew there would be consequences for refusal.

Sacrificing herself for nothing was not something Mizuki or her would want, so with regret she decided to simply agree to her sensei's wishes.

Orochimaru: "Excellent. Mizuki, you are to meet me in the lab in an hour"

Mizuki: "Yes sensei"

Seeing as their conversation was finished, Mizuki and Anko walked together to grab lunch in one direction, whilst Idate and Orochimaru left in another. Although to do what was beyond them.

A/N: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

When Mizuki and Anko sat down at Ichiraku, they were surprised to find that Team Minato was there as well.

On a surface level, their dynamics seemed to be identical to the anime, with Obito and Kakashi bickering whilst Rin and Minato were acting as mediators.

Although, looking past the surface, you could see that the time they had spent at the academy together had affected them both as although they bickered, there was a mutual respect for one another.

One that they shared after seeing the other put so much effort into going to where they are today, the other guy wasn't just a slacker or a genius, but someone who strived to do better.

That, and the fact that Shisui had a way of forcing people together that nobody else quite could. A strange mixture of friendliness and intimidation.

Regardless of this, the bickering they displayed was less like the aggressive arguments that they had in the anime and more like a sort of friendly teasing.

However, all of them stopped upon seeing Anko and Mizuki enter the ramen shop.

Rin had a look of relief on her face as she realized that her two teammates would temporarily pause their jabbing whilst Obito had a look of excitement on his face as he saw his old friend.

Although he was hiding it, Mizuki could ever so slightly see the outlines of a small smile through Kakashi's Mask.

Although Minato did not know him, it was easy enough to tell that Mizuki was the childhood friend of his students judging by their reaction.

Obito: "Hey Mizuki, it feels like we haven't hung out in forever"

As much as Mizuki didn't like to admit it, he was right. He had been so focused on training with Orochimaru, he had forgotten to keep up with his friends.

And whilst training may certainly sound more important, to somebody like Mizuki, who had no relationships like this in his past life, they were incredibly important to him.

He was training to get stronger. Sure. But what the hell did that mean? The main reason why he desired to get strong in the first place was for two reasons.

1. Because he didn't want to fucking die

2. He didn't want those who he cared about to die.

But if he kept himself locked in Orochimaru's lab all day, the second goal would be redundant.

Realizing his hypocrisy, Mizuki thought about what he could do to change it.

Shadow Clones.

From now on, he would create one shadow clone with a limited amount of chakra and devote it to simply being around to chat and keep up his social life.

Although he was also going to be there in person more often, that didn't mean he would give up on training entirely. That would be even more stupid.

Mizuki: "Yah, we should probably get together at some point and hang out. I have got training this afternoon but I am free over the weekend."

Obito: "Sweet, we should try and get everybody together than"

Mizuki still had fifty minutes until he had to reach Orochimaru's Lab, and if he used the body flicker, he could get there in just below ten.

Seeing as they had plenty of time, Mizuki and Anko took a seat as Anko ordered an extra large ramen and Mizuki ordered a medium.

As much as he wanted to stuff his face with ramen, he couldn't be bloated when he was alone with Orochimaru of all people.

Although he gave himself forty minutes for his lunch, Mizuki felt like it hardly lasted five.

After introducing himself to Minato, he caught up with his old friends on how things were going for them.

Apparently, him being there had already began to cause a slight butterfly effect, with both Kakashi and Obito more willing to learn under Minato and even going so far as to ask him to train them in different fields themselves.

Similar to the anime, Kakashi was more focused on learning shape and nature transformation, particularly lightning release.

However, what was truly surprising was Obito.

He had actually approached Minato and asked him to learn Fuinjutsu, as it was something that he was heavily specialized in.

Mizuki: "You're learning fuinjutsu as well?"

Obito: "As well? you're learning it to?"

Mizuki: "These days, my training has been centered around mainly snake jutsu and researching fuinjutsu."

Minato: "Oh, you have been learning Fuinjutsu?"

Mizuki: "I have only just started researching, I am not nearly proficient enough to do nearly anything haha"

Minato: "You know, if you would like I would be more than happy to help you out with that training, I am already helping out Obito with that so what's one more person."

Mizuki quickly realized how valuable this opportunity could be. This was the future Fourth Hokage, and a man who had mastered several Uzumaki style fuinjutsu. He literally couldn't ask for a better teacher.

Mizuki: "Absolutely! Thanks so Much!"

Minato: "No Problem."

Although he would have loved to stay longer, Mizuki realized he would be late if he were to continue at the Ramen Shop any further.

And being the consequences of being late for Orochimaru were not ones that Mizuki would like to find out.

So, he quickly payed off his tab and said goodbye to his friends as he used the body flicker technique to rush towards Orochimaru's hideout.