Chapter 20: False Power

Chapter 20: False Power

"What the hell was that? That scream was terrifying." The horrific cries sent shivers down the spines of Hayate Gekko and Yamashiro Aoba.

"It's similar to what I gave you guys. When used in combination, the effects are even better. Wanna give it a try?" Mizuki spoke in a casual tone, as if discussing the weather.

"No thanks," Aoba quickly refused. "The effects are impressive, but I bet the side effects are nasty. My wounds still itch like crazy."

"I don't feel that at all. Other than fatigue, I seem fine," Hayate remarked.

"Oh, valuable experimental data. Thanks for your contributions." Mizuki remained indifferent, despite their reactions.

"You really are an unlikable guy," Aoba muttered.

"Doesn't matter. I don't need men to like me," Mizuki shrugged. "Should we pursue him? If the three of us go together, we might capture him alive."

Aoba, the temporary squad leader, thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Forget it. This was an unplanned encounter. If we chase him after he's already retreated, it'll be a diplomatic mess. We're not at war. Even if we capture him, handling him would be tricky."

The distant screams gradually faded, replaced only by the occasional bubbling of disturbed water.

"Should we regroup with Ibiki first or head straight to support Kakashi?" Hayate asked.

"We should check the bridge first," Mizuki suggested. "I felt a surge of ominous chakra earlier. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Good point. If the Nine-Tails acts up, we're screwed," Aoba agreed, making the final decision.

With their course set, the three rushed toward Kakashi's position.

"By the way," Mizuki added casually, still in his usual infuriatingly relaxed tone, "Hayate, the effects of your dose have worn off. Just get some rest when we get back, and you'll be fine. Aoba, your situation is more complicated. I can't explain it properly, but until the itching stops, stay active and burn as much chakra as you can."

He paused before continuing, "You should both do a full-body check when we return. There haven't been any visible issues so far, but it's best to be prepared for the worst."

"...That bad?" Aoba asked warily. "You used way more of that stuff than we did, and you were the most injured. Aren't you worried?"

"That's exactly why I took more. I knew I'd get messed up," Mizuki replied. "But this stuff is still experimental—anything could happen."

"Well, we all chose to use it," Hayate reasoned. "Whatever happens, the medical nin in Konoha are the best. They'll fix us up."

Mizuki was about to respond when he suddenly felt something.

"Who's there?"

"It's me. No need to panic," came a familiar voice—Morino Ibiki, followed by Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki.

"Good, you guys are still in one piece," Ibiki noted.

"Captain, you took your time. We got the crap beaten out of us," Mizuki grumbled.

"Looking at your sorry state, I can tell." Ibiki eyed Mizuki's blood-soaked, tattered appearance. The others were injured, but Mizuki's entire body was caked in dried blood.

"What's the situation with Kakashi?"

"The mist is clearing. The battle is over," Ibiki said. "We should get there quickly."

"Alright."

When the six of them arrived, everything had already ended.

"Too late," Ibiki sighed, scanning the aftermath. "But at least it looks like everything turned out okay. Let's start clearing up the mess."

"Kakashi's Lightning Blade looked badass," Mizuki remarked. "The combination of Lightning Release chakra transformation and cellular activation… I bet that technique is super effective at impressing women."

"You look impressive too," Kotetsu commented. "As a ninja, walking around covered in your own blood is quite the statement."

"This is all my own blood," Mizuki corrected. "And looking 'badass' really isn't worth it when it means losing liters of blood."

"I thought you already had a fiancée," Kotetsu smirked. "Still trying to impress women?"

"Kotetsu, don't expose me like that. Next time you peep at the women's bathhouse, I'll keep watch for you."

"Thanks, but—wait, I don't do that!"

"Cut the chatter," Ibiki ordered. "Aoba, you and I will grab a few prisoners and see where they hid their money. You four clean up the battlefield."

Poor Gato. He spent his life amassing wealth, only to be betrayed and murdered. Now, even in death, his fortune was about to be looted.

Mizuki picked up a bloodstained cloth.

"This is Zabuza's. And this… Haku's?" He spotted some blood-streaked senbon needles. "Are these Naruto's or Sasuke's? Meh, whatever. Might as well collect them—maybe the cells inside are still viable."

After finishing his grim scavenging, Mizuki turned to Kakashi.

"Shouldn't you be checking on your adorable students? They looked pretty beat up."

"The opponent held back. Otherwise, both Sasuke and Naruto would be dead."

"The masked kid, right?" Mizuki asked.

Kakashi nodded.

"Such a shame. Good people never live long."

"You're saying that while covered in blood?" Kakashi gave him a pointed look.

"For the last time," Mizuki said, exasperated, "this is my own blood."

Kakashi's visible eye widened. "You lost this much and you're still alive? Your luck is insane."

Mizuki scoffed. "I barely survived, and my summons and tools are completely spent. I got nothing from this mission—Aoba and Ibiki are the ones making bank. These rogue ninjas were broke as hell. Only valuable thing was Zabuza's sword, and I don't even get a piece of that. I'm stuck picking up senbon like a damn scavenger."

"The Hokage will compensate you," Kakashi assured him.

"You don't get it. I've been working for free these past months. My pay was docked, so I'm still broke."

Kakashi chuckled awkwardly. "I'm sure the Hokage won't shortchange you. Anyway, I need to check on my students. Later." He disappeared with a Body Flicker Technique.

"Ugh, bunch of selfish bastards. Looks like I'll be broke for a while. Maybe I should let Kochou support me for a bit… Being a kept man doesn't sound too bad…" Mizuki seriously considered the financial benefits of freeloading.

Then—he froze.

"Why… can't I move?"

His body wasn't responding.

"Shit. Something's wrong."

A burning pain erupted from his right arm, spreading rapidly. Dark symbols surfaced on his skin.

"The Cursed Seal… It's activating?! But the mental and sealing barriers are intact… This shouldn't be happening…"

Then, realization dawned on him.

"My body is too weak."

The Sealing Jutsu relied on his willpower, but his flesh was the vessel that contained it. If his body became too frail, even the best sealing techniques couldn't hold the Cursed Seal in check.

The corrupted natural energy rampaged through his cells, draining his life force. At the same time, it filled him with power.

"This is false strength. A trick. If I didn't know better, I'd be tempted by this power… but I know the truth—this is a death sentence."

Mizuki struggled to fight back, but the Cursed Seal refused to subside. Just when despair crept in—

A new energy emerged.

It felt like pure life energy, spreading through his body like springtime after winter.

"What is this power…?"

Senjutsu chakra.

For the first time, Mizuki truly understood what it meant to wield Sage Mode.