Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 27: Returning a Favor

In a modest flower shop in Konoha, Mizuki sat behind a counter nearly hidden by an assortment of flowers. His focus was entirely on the documents in front of him, occasionally scribbling notes with a pen. His intense concentration deterred many potential customers from entering.

Originally, he had only planned to help out temporarily while Kochou got things in order. However, the hiring process for a shop assistant was progressing painfully slow, and before he realized it, Mizuki had become a well-known shopkeeper in the area.

"…Did I just get tricked?" Mizuki suddenly realized. "Kochou probably set me up. There's been too much chaos lately, and she's still worried I'll chase after Orochimaru. This was her way of keeping me close—finding something for us to do together, strengthening our bond."

Understanding her reasoning, Mizuki sighed. Women's thoughts were too complicated. But at least this arrangement gave him more time to observe, learn, and possibly gain unexpected insights.

Just as he was stretching from his long period of sitting, he noticed someone examining the shop.

"Mizuki-sensei? Is this your flower shop?" The voice belonged to a lively blonde girl—Yamanaka Ino.

"Oh, Ino. Yeah, technically, this is my family's shop." Mizuki replied casually. "Though if I'm being honest, my fiancée owns it. I'm just helping out."

"Your fiancée?" Ino blinked. "Wait… Mizuki-sensei, you're getting married?"

"Is that so strange? I'm an adult, after all," he said, amused. "Shouldn't you be worrying about Sasuke instead? I hear Sakura's been spending lots of time with him lately. You sure you still have a chance?"

"Hah! As if! There's no way I'd lose to that big-forehead Sakura!" Ino huffed.

Mizuki smirked. "If you say so."

After a moment, he asked, "Shouldn't a genin like you be on missions? How are you so free?"

"Just finished one. I'm on break," she explained. "You don't look busy, either."

"I'm a special case," Mizuki shrugged. "But not for much longer."

With genin teams returning to the village, the Chunin Exams were approaching.

"Ino, thanks for tidying up. I really had no clue what I was doing." Mizuki looked around at the newly arranged displays. Flowers really were a woman's thing. "Here, take this as a thank-you gift."

Ino glanced at the flowers he offered… and deadpanned.

"Mizuki-sensei… this bouquet is for funerals."

"Ah." He awkwardly put it back and grabbed another.

"…This one is for weddings and proposals."

After an embarrassing back-and-forth, Ino finally picked one herself and left, laughing.

Mizuki watched her go, then mused to himself, "The Yamanaka Clan's jutsu… I really wouldn't mind getting my hands on those."

Of course, stealing a clan's secret technique was nearly impossible. But how had Aoba Yamashiro learned some of their skills?

As Mizuki pondered this, he suddenly dispersed into a puff of chakra smoke—revealing that he had been a shadow clone all along.

A moment later, the real Mizuki stepped out from the back of the shop.

"…Time's up again," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "Still not enough. I need a better solution."

The biggest advantage of the Shadow Clone Jutsu was that memories and experience were transferred back to the user. Mizuki had been experimenting with ways to extend a clone's lifespan, combining it with sealing techniques. He had managed to enhance his clones—making them more resilient and efficient with chakra.

But no matter what, they still dispersed when chakra ran out.

"If only I could improve this further…"

For the next few days, Mizuki immersed himself in studying cloning, sealing techniques, and summoning jutsu. Progress was slow, but the village was steadily filling with foreign shinobi—a clear sign that the Chunin Exams were near.

One morning, a formal summons arrived.

Mizuki sighed as he stood outside the Hokage's Office.

"…I really don't feel like going," he muttered.

But duty was duty. He went inside, keeping to the back, blending into the crowd of shinobi.

The meeting was exactly what he expected—Hiruzen Sarutobi droning on, followed by Jonin senseis nominating their teams, and then Iruka arguing against it.

Mizuki yawned. "This is so boring."

Suddenly, Kotetsu nudged him.

"What?" Mizuki frowned. Then he noticed…

Everyone was looking at him.

"…Did I miss something?"

Hiruzen cleared his throat. "Mizuki, is your body fully recovered?"

What kind of script deviation is this?! Mizuki immediately straightened up. "Yes, sir. I'm in perfect health."

"Good," the Hokage nodded. "Do you have any objections to assisting with the preliminary exam?"

"…No objections at all, Lord Third."

Wait. What preliminary exam?

Hiruzen seemed satisfied. "Then that settles it. Everyone, prepare accordingly."

The meeting ended, and Mizuki was still confused.

Before he could escape, Iruka appeared at his side.

"Mizuki, thanks for helping out."

"…Helping with what?" Mizuki asked warily.

Iruka blinked. "Didn't I tell you? You'll be testing one of the genin in the preliminary exam."

…Excuse me?

"Iruka," Mizuki sighed. "Did you just volunteer me for something without asking?"

"I figured it was a good way for you to repay a favor."

"…Which favor?"

"The one from last time, obviously."

Mizuki narrowed his eyes. "Iruka, my favors are not cheap. You really wanna waste it on something like this?"

"Why not? It's just a simple exam."

Mizuki groaned. "Fine. Who am I testing?"

"Your choice—Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura."

Mizuki immediately ruled out Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto would require either a quick Genjutsu knockout or a full-on brawl. Sasuke was a pain in the ass with the Sharingan.

"…I'll take Sakura."

"That's fair." Iruka nodded. "She's the least troublesome."

Then, out of nowhere, Kakashi appeared.

"…Mizuki, you're in charge of Sakura's test?" Kakashi asked.

"That's right," Mizuki said, watching Kakashi's visible unease.

"…I suddenly feel concerned for my student's future," the Jonin murmured.

"Relax, Kakashi. Have a little faith in them," Mizuki chuckled. "Besides, why nominate them if you don't believe in them?"

"Oh, I believe in them," Kakashi deadpanned. "I'm worried about you."

Mizuki grinned.

"Come on, Iruka. You trust me, don't you?"

"…Just don't go too far," Iruka warned.

Kakashi narrowed his eye at Mizuki's expression.

"…You're going to mess with her, aren't you?"

"I would never." Mizuki absolutely would.

Testing his newest techniques on Sakura was too good an opportunity to pass up.

"Alright," Mizuki thought to himself as he bit his thumb, forming a quick summoning seal.

A shadowed figure emerged from the smoke.

"Time for the first test run."

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