CHAPTER 51

Looking at the memory orb radiating colorful, dreamlike scenery, Mizuki, drifting in a dreamscape, quietly observed the many fragments of memory he had previously overlooked.

"I haven't dreamed of this place since the Curse Seal was stabilized… Maybe I was too weak before, or perhaps something triggered this return."

It appeared the same as before, except the ominous red light was notably weaker—an indication that the Curse Seal was currently stable. At least, for now, no immediate danger loomed.

Yet something had changed.

The Four-Symbol Seal within this spiritual domain remained intact. Ever since the last major flare-up of the Curse Seal—suppressed after the mission in the Land of Waves—there had been no further incidents. The seal had isolated it well. Mizuki's original spiritual form had been obliterated during that previous clash, consumed by the natural energy channeled through the Curse Seal. What remained was a dense cluster of residual life force—raw, compressed energy shaped and mutated under the pressure of Orochimaru's Cursed Seal of Heaven, only partially suppressed by Mizuki's own counter-sealing techniques.

"Strange… Why does it appear like this?"

This energy did not resemble chakra. It was far more stable, and barely reacted to mental fluctuations. What caught Mizuki's eye most was its shape—half of a Taijitu, the classic yin-yang symbol.

It couldn't be Yin-Yang Release—not in the proper sense. Mizuki had seen the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique firsthand. While it utilized Yin Release chakra, this was something entirely different—something that felt like a byproduct of raw life force compressed and reshaped by the Curse Seal.

Then it struck him.

"If you shrink it down… it looks like a tomoe."

He remembered—after the Curse Seal's flare-up in the Land of Waves, its tiger-head motif had transformed. When sealed, it no longer resembled a stylized beast, but instead took the form of a pitch-black tomoe—the comma-like design seen in various ninja symbols.

"Is this… related?"

Tomoe were a common motif across the shinobi world. The most iconic, of course, were the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan. As its tomoe increased—one to two, then three—the Sharingan's power grew. Tomoe symbolized the manifestation of soul and perception.

The Cursed Seal of Heaven too, once stabilized, took on a pattern of three tomoe arranged in a circle.

Few noticed it, but tomoe motifs appeared elsewhere as well. Jiraiya's summoning toads, for example, often had comma-like markings on their bodies—more prominent as they matured. Gamakichi and Gamatatsu had them, even during their early stages.

Connecting two tomoe end-to-end resembled the yin-yang fish. It was a compelling coincidence.

Though Yin and Yang are traditionally dual concepts, the shinobi world seems to favor threes—three tomoe in the Sharingan, three tomoe in the Curse Seal, and even the standard three-man cell in ninja teams.

This echoed a familiar philosophy from Mizuki's past life: "The Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all things. All things carry Yin and embrace Yang, blending their energies into harmony."

Mizuki thought of the Uchiha again. Their Sharingan evolved from one tomoe to three, then advanced into the Mangekyō Sharingan, a state named for its kaleidoscopic uniqueness. No two Mangekyō looked the same—the tomoe transformed into entirely new patterns, shaped by each user's trauma and will.

This evolution—from simple repetition to unique transformation—reflected a shift from quantity to quality.

It made Mizuki chuckle softly.

Even elemental chakra followed similar logic: Yin Release, Yang Release, and the superior union—Yin-Yang Release. The Sage of Six Paths himself wielded both, passing on Yin Release to Indra, and Yang Release to Asura, whose spiritual successors, like Naruto and Sasuke, mirrored this dichotomy.

From his understanding, the energy before him leaned heavily toward the Yang aspect. It felt vital and organic, yet for all its apparent harmlessness, Mizuki still didn't know its purpose. And now, it had already fused with his soul.

What would it become?

---

The next morning, Mizuki woke as usual. The dream had left little mental strain. Perhaps it was triggered by yesterday's experiment—or his unease following the confrontation. His sensitivity to danger had been pricked, and this dream offered insight into his mental state, at least.

But more pressing now was fulfilling his current role as a mentor.

Mizuki arrived early at the flower shop, opening for business. Not long after, Haruno Sakura came by for her usual part-time study and work. A quiet day began.

Or so he thought—until just before noon, when Hatake Kakashi dropped by unannounced.

"Why are you here?" Mizuki blinked. "Checking up on my mentorship? Relax—I've kept my promise. Everything's on track." He reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll. "Anyway, I've finished with this. Returning your summoning contract."

"Perfect timing," Kakashi replied. "I came for that too."

Mizuki narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"

Kakashi sighed. "You won't believe this… Kabuto Yakushi tried to attack the hospital ward. He was after Sasuke. Fortunately, he failed."

"So… the timeline still shifted. Events change, but unless hearts change, history finds its way. Such is the power of inertia."

Hearing this, Sakura stood up abruptly.

"Sasuke?! Is he okay, Kakashi-sensei?!"

"He's fine," Kakashi reassured her. "You stay here and keep studying under Mizuki. You'll see him again soon—likely in a month."

Then he turned to Mizuki.

"You met Kabuto recently, didn't you? Any insights from that ambush?"

Mizuki shook his head. "Not much. His skill was obvious—not someone to underestimate. I'm certain he's working with Orochimaru, and his intentions toward Sasuke are clearly malicious. Beyond that, I know little."

"Same here," Kakashi agreed. "Still, his strength is… remarkable. Even with several Anbu tailing him, he broke through. Not many could pull that off."

"Didn't a Special Jonin get assigned to investigate him? Why are you still on the case?"

"I'm not. Officially, I'm just overseeing Sasuke's protection. Kabuto's being tracked by someone else."

"Who?"

"I heard… it's Moonlight Gai."