Chapter 131: Seeds

As the three Genin from Team 8 entered, Mizuki and Asuma Sarutobi were just about done with their conversation. Of course, it was possible that the three Genin had waited until they saw the two men finishing their talk before knocking and coming in. Either way, these were matters the Genin couldn't possibly be involved in. Even if they overheard something, they probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

"Sorry to interrupt," the three young ninja greeted politely. "We came to see Teacher Kurenai. We heard she was injured during the mission..."

"We already put the flowers in a vase," Hinata Hyuga said—this sort of small chore came most naturally to her.

"We wonder how Teacher Kurenai is doing... It seems like she still hasn't woken up yet..." Kiba Inuzuka, always straightforward, asked directly.

"She's out of danger now. Don't worry," Asuma Sarutobi reassured the three young ninja.

For a Genin team, having their Jonin squad leader seriously injured—and still unconscious—was a devastating blow. Even if another Jonin replaced her temporarily, the emotional bond and teamwork built since graduation could never truly be compensated for. At the very least, Team 8 would no longer have Kurenai Yuhi as their leader for the time being. Most likely, a different Jonin would take over as their team leader instead. How long this temporary arrangement would last, or what would happen if Kurenai never fully recovered, were questions for another day.

Still, upon hearing that Kurenai was no longer in mortal danger, the three students let out a cautious sigh of relief. These past few days were the first time they'd experienced large-scale warfare or ambushes. The number of deaths they had seen eclipsed everything they'd witnessed in all their years before combined. Several badly injured comrades had ultimately died despite efforts to save them. All three came from ninja clans and couldn't possibly remain ignorant about such matters. When they heard of Kurenai's critical condition, they had genuinely worried. Now, things seemed better than expected.

"If that's settled, we'll take our leave then..."

Mizuki prepared to depart once business concluded, treating this visit as nothing more than a formal visit. After all, Kurenai's condition was far better than Hayate Gekko's. Once Tsunade returned, everything should be fine.

Among everyone present, Mizuki alone was an outsider with no real connection to them. If not for having fought side by side once before, he wouldn't even have come—since he had never interacted with Kurenai at all.

"I should go too..." Asuma needed to leave quickly. His mission was urgent. Even a moment's delay could spark a major crisis—or worse, full-scale war.

"Wait," the shy Hinata stopped both men. "This... is entrusted to me by my father—to give to Teacher Mizuki and Teacher Asuma."

"Hmm?" Mizuki accepted the item from her, looking at it carefully. Surprisingly, it was an unusually formal invitation.

"This afternoon?" Asuma, who received the same invitation, hesitated slightly. "I definitely won't be available at that time—I need to leave the village for a mission..."

"That won't be a problem."

Hinata Hyuga hurriedly waved her hands, saying, "My dad said it's fine as long as I pass this to the two of you. He just wants a confirmation from me — everything else isn't important..."

"Is that so? Then I'm sorry, but I can't make it…" Asuma Sarutobi knew it was rude, but he had to turn them down. "We're running out of time, so I'll take my leave first..."

With that, he opened the door and walked out.

Mizuki hesitated for a moment before asking Hinata, "Who else is going?"

"Guy, the Jonin..."

"Fine then. I'll go. Let your father know I'll arrive on time."

Mizuki agreed without hesitation. Talking with the Hyuga clan was actually something he wanted too. With the Hyuga clan's deep roots, there was no way Hiashi Hyuga knew nothing about the Rinnegan — even the young Jiraiya had been able to identify the Rinnegan at a glance. There's no way the head of the Hyuga clan would be completely unaware of it. As for terrifying techniques like [Planetary Devastation], surely there must be some records.

Besides, Hiashi really knew how to handle people. Though both sides clearly understood that Asuma and Guy were merely decoys, they still formally extended the invitation. With rescuers Asuma and Guy, who could act in a timely manner, plus Mizuki himself, who had fought alongside them, nobody would suspect anything. If it were only Mizuki involved, he might have to carefully consider whether he should interact so openly with Hiashi Hyuga. Given the huge difference in their statuses, such a formal invitation practically meant putting Mizuki on the chopping block.

"It couldn't be better then. I wonder exactly what Hiashi Hyuga wants..."

Dealing with the cautious Hyuga clan, which couldn't afford major provocations, felt more reliable than scheming with Danzo Shimura. At least, the Byakugan wasn't suited for Genjutsu, and definitely couldn't perform Kotoamatsukami.

...

After leaving the hospital, Mizuki returned home and carefully reviewed possible situations and countermeasures, even preparing for the worst-case scenario — except for death itself.

Fake my death to escape — Eastern cicada leaves its shell behind [similar to 'slip away unnoticed']. How unfortunate that it's come to this.

Even faking one's death would be difficult under Zetsu's surveillance since his exposure had already begun. Under the threat of Akatsuki, he wouldn't survive long without protection — the only option left was Orochimaru. Given Mizuki's value, he probably had enough mutual interest with Orochimaru to stay alive. Still, living like a rat hiding in dark corners, trembling with fear — how could that ever fulfill what he truly desired?

Konoha... After finally establishing himself here, how could he easily abandon everything, especially Tsubaki?

From the very beginning of his arrival in this world, Mizuki had rarely had real choices — every decision he made felt forced by circumstance. Every action seemingly driven by his own will was, in truth, just a reaction to overwhelming pressure pushing him down this path.

"Almost there... Just a bit longer, and the rewards will come."

The successful separation of Cursed Seal Chakra meant that once he broke through the key threshold of drawing in Natural Energy from nothingness, his chakra manipulation skills would allow him to achieve Sage Mode far more smoothly than Naruto Uzumaki. With the Breath-Sealing Art compensating for his previously biggest weakness—insufficient chakra reserves—nothing could stop him now.

Every plan and preparation he had made so far had only one goal—to buy himself time. Whether it was building connections or this upcoming deal with Hiashi Hyuga, the actual content didn't matter at all. As long as Danzo Shimura could just be convinced not to eliminate someone like him during this risky period before Tsunade's return, everything should work out fine.

...

Approaching noon, Mizuki carefully adjusted his attire before heading out. When dealing formally with noble clans like these, even a minor breach in etiquette might provoke serious consequences—these arrogant, high-and-mighty types always valued reputation above everything else.

Arriving at the entrance of the Hyuga compound, Mizuki was surprised to find his old acquaintance Ko Hyuga waiting there to greet him.

"Why are you waiting outside?" Mizuki said apologetically. "I'm not late, am I?"

Ko Hyuga shook his head. "This way please. Lord of the house is already waiting."

Following Ko through the front courtyard and along a long corridor, they eventually arrived at a garden patio with unmistakable traditional Japanese style, very similar to what Mizuki remembered from his past life.

『To have such an elegant courtyard right here in Konoha—only the top noble family deserves that.』

Regardless of its size alone, this tasteful layout clearly demonstrated a depth of heritage no flashy new money clan could ever hope to match.

Ko led Mizuki to a small room and stopped.

"Lord of the house is inside..."

"Thank you," Mizuki nodded. It felt strange how his former ally suddenly addressed him so formally now.

Mizuki walked up and knocked gently on the door. A voice came out immediately: "Please come in."

"Excuse me," Mizuki responded politely before entering. Sure enough, Hiashi Hyuga sat waiting on the cushioned dais. However, as Mizuki cast his glance across the relatively quiet room—

『Why isn't Might Guy here yet?』

With this question lingering in his mind, Mizuki stepped forward.

"Pardon my intrusion," then he sat properly opposite Hiashi Hyuga. Though it was uncomfortable, Mizuki endured it since Hiashi seemed to be treating him as an equal.

"Mizuki-kun," Hiashi started speaking, "thank you for taking the time to come despite my abrupt invitation..."

As Mizuki listened to Hiashi's overly polite beginning, he couldn't help twitching his lips. Mizuki—with an honorific! He hadn't been called like that since coming into this world. Every time he heard it, it just felt weird.

"You're being too polite..." Mizuki replied courteously anyway. "May I ask where Senior Jonin Might Guy is? Did something prevent him from attending, or has he simply been delayed?"

"Or perhaps...?"

Mizuki let the words hang, but he knew Hiashi Hyuga understood.

"I apologize for the sudden invitation today. Unfortunately, Jonin Asuma is unavailable, and Jonin Guy has arrived though he's currently being entertained elsewhere," Hiashi explained formally. "This gathering is mainly to express gratitude for the rescue favor shown by Jonin Asuma and Jonin Guy, and to acknowledge Mizuki's brave actions."

Alright, Mizuki couldn't help but smirk—these clan guys really knew how to butter someone up. Simple words, yet oddly pleasant to hear. Brave actions? Mizuki inwardly mocked—without that whole Rinnegan business, who'd even bother praising him like this? It made sense now why Ko Hyuga had been waiting at the entrance—to create an opportunity for their private meeting.

"You flatter me," Mizuki replied, choosing not to dance around the words. There was no way Mizuki could keep up with Hiashi's fancy talk. Better to cut straight to the point. "I wonder what business the Lord of the house has with me?"

Such a direct approach seemed to reassure Hiashi. "Originally it was just my suspicion—I used to worry if I might be imagining things. But now it seems Mizuki is also someone who understands, which confirms that what I suspected is actually true."

"Just call me Mizuki, Lord of the house..."

"Hmm," Hiashi nodded, not dwelling on such minor details. After all, no one would dare eavesdrop here.

At this moment, Ko Hyuga entered once again, carrying prepared tea and teaware. After serving both Hiashi and Mizuki, he stepped out quietly, clearly waiting just outside within view of the light.

Without glancing outside, Mizuki already knew what would follow was going to be crucial and highly confidential.

Taking a sip of tea, Hiashi asked, "That blood-and-flesh puppet-like thing you released yesterday—the extremely powerful jutsu you used at the very end—was that the Rinnegan?"

"Yes," Mizuki admitted directly. With Hiashi not being foolish, he would have figured it out eventually anyway.

Hearing Mizuki's confirmation, Hiashi's eyes lit up. "As expected! It seems Mizuki truly is a genius to possess such a legendary Sage's Eye. Most people would be considered incredibly knowledgeable just for knowing about its existence."

"Mizuki it is then—it might sound a little strange, but alright." At least it acknowledged his status, especially considering Hiashi's flattery due to having something to ask of him.

"Since the Lord of the house already knows so much and specifically invited me here, I assume there's something you wish to instruct me on?"

"Mizuki," Hiashi paused briefly before asking, "may I inquire exactly what it is you seek?"

"Security and protection!" Mizuki revealed his hand immediately. It wasn't like it was much of a secret anymore anyway. Everything else was of little importance to Mizuki—time was the only thing he lacked, so he stated his demands directly.

"This request isn't particularly demanding..." Hiashi somewhat understood Mizuki's position. As the saying goes—even an innocent man can invite disaster if he possesses something far too valuable for his status. The principle applied here as well: lacking corresponding strength and status yet holding power far beyond one's control often marked the beginning of tragedy.

"So, Lord of the house, what's your take on all this?"

Mizuki started probing Hiashi Hyuga's thoughts.

"What you want, we can provide," Hiashi Hyuga replied. "You also have something valuable enough for us to take this risk. But what could we possibly gain in return?"

[Testing my usefulness? Isn't the Rinnegan sufficient? Seems they have further demands. The depth of this millennium clan and their intelligence capability cannot be underestimated.]

It looks like Hiashi Hyuga found some information on the Tenseigan. After all, the Rinnegan wasn't originally from the Hyuga clan. The Tenseigan, a relic of equal standing to the Rinnegan across generations, had become their next target.

"The Tenseigan, huh? Worth a try…" With superior intel, Mizuki had several options to show Hiashi Hyuga the Tenseigan up close. Whether the consequences would be acceptable was a secondary issue. The advantage lay firmly with Mizuki—knowledge and information that couldn't be easily seized were his true capital for survival.

...

It was nearly dinner time when Mizuki finally returned home. Now that he had solid backing, Mizuki felt a little more at ease after reaching a preliminary cooperation agreement through the exhausting discussion with Hiashi Hyuga.

Shortly after he got home, his fiancée Chiharu Tsubaki walked in after work.

"Mizuki, what would you like to eat today?"

"Stewed meat plus… hmm?" Pausing briefly, Mizuki continued nonchalantly, "And some curry."

"Okay."

Mizuki watched Chiharu Tsubaki head to the kitchen. The moment she turned away, his smile faded into cold seriousness.

[Chiharu Tsubaki has strong chakra manipulation skills, yet she was caught in genjutsu and didn't even realize it. Scary stuff. However, it doesn't seem to be Kotoamatsukami, or at least not its complete application. But definitely Sharingan. Danzo? Already found an opening this soon...]

Nonetheless, Danzo underestimated Mizuki's strength. Trying to use ordinary illusions against him, or even indirectly employing them—how could such techniques possibly work on him?

[Though understandable, for such actions to target himself, especially Chiharu Tsubaki, indicates this matter won't resolve peacefully...]

Judgments about others generally don't depend on whether they're good or bad, but rather whether they show goodwill or hostility toward oneself. Hatred works like seeds—always taking root and sprouting without you even noticing.

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