Three poles into the sun—the early afternoon heat shimmered off the rooftops as Mizuki made his way toward the Hokage's office. As he passed the Ninja Academy, he noticed students filing into the school gates, buzzing with excitement. Iruka stood at the entrance, guiding the graduates with his usual stern calm. The scar on his face had faded slightly—it looked like he was recovering well from the injury sustained during a recent mission.
"I wonder... will that ridiculous 'kiss of fate' between Sasuke and Naruto still happen? If the butterfly effect changed it, it'd be a real shame," Mizuki mused with a smirk.
He slowed his pace deliberately.
"Maybe I should take my time. If Hokage-sama is still pairing Genin squads with their Jōnin leaders, it might be awkward to walk in too early. Then again, better to show my face and look diligent."
When Mizuki arrived at the Hokage's office, it was already quiet. The team assignments had been concluded, and most of the senior shinobi had left. As luck would have it, he ran into Hatake Kakashi just stepping out.
"Yo, Mizuki. Changed your hairstyle, huh? Almost makes you look like a decent guy," Kakashi said nonchalantly, hands deep in his pockets.
"What do you mean 'almost'? I just picked something stylish and memorable. No one's going to mistake me now."
"True, but it's too late for that kind of change. You've already got a fiancée, don't you?"
Mizuki frowned. "What are you even talking about? Going to meet your cute new students?"
Kakashi shrugged. "Eh, they can wait. I need breakfast and a nap first. Haven't slept in two days, thanks to some idiot."
"Must be rough being your student."
With a short laugh, Kakashi vanished down the corridor. Mizuki entered the Hokage's office where only a few Chūnin and Tokubetsu Jōnin remained. He recognized Ibiki Morino and Mitarai Anko—figures often associated with the Chūnin Exams.
"The exam already? Isn't it months away? Efficiency is overrated..."
Mizuki slid silently to the side of the room, staying unobtrusive. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, cleared his throat.
"Everyone's here. Let's begin."
"This year's Chūnin Exams will be held here in Konoha, three months from now. Allied villages—including Sunagakure—will participate. The Kazekage himself and daimyō from various lands are expected to attend. We must begin preparations immediately. I'll distribute the operation plans—review them and bring forward any concerns."
Mizuki took the scroll handed to him, frowning slightly.
"So I'm being pulled in for cleanup and patrol? Anko is listed as the lead examiner... is this a test? Or just coincidence?"
His thoughts wandered, barely registering the details of the briefing. Hiruzen's voice snapped him back.
"If there are no objections, begin your preparations. Mizuki and Anko, stay behind."
The others filed out, leaving just the two of them and the aging Hokage.
"For the second stage of the exam, Anko will be the chief examiner. The Forest of Death must be carefully secured—casualties must be minimized. Allies are watching closely. Anko, I expect a comprehensive report and full control over the area."
He turned to Mizuki.
"You'll lead a ten-day sweep to eliminate rogue threats within the forest. Anko will inspect and verify the perimeter. You begin tomorrow. The barrier will be unlocked."
"Understood," they said in unison.
"Mizuki," Hiruzen added, voice colder now, "do not give me a reason to regret this. I expect no repeat of... past incidents."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Your punishment stands: three months' pay docked. You are forbidden from leaving the village unless I authorize it. And you will stay away from Naruto Uzumaki for one month. After the exams, those restrictions may be lifted."
"I understand."
"Mizuki," Hiruzen said gravely, "you shouldn't even be standing here. But Konoha needs every capable shinobi right now. Consider this a final chance."
"Yes, sir."
"Now go. Anko, keep me informed."
As Mizuki left, Anko lingered. Hiruzen lit his pipe, exhaling slowly.
"Watch him closely. If he does anything suspicious... eliminate him."
Anko's eyes narrowed. "You're serious?"
"I wish I wasn't. There's no evidence, but something about him... feels wrong."
"...Understood."
Once outside, Mizuki moved quickly, ignoring greetings, skipping lunch. At home, he locked every door, sealed the windows, and drew the curtains. Darkness fell over the room.
He peeled off his shirt and pressed a hand to the curse mark on his right arm. It pulsed red-hot.
"It's acting up already. Dammit. I knew this thing was unstable... but not this unstable."
He recalled how the seal had flared near Anko—it reacted to her. The closer he got, the worse it felt.
"It's not just a curse mark... it's reacting to her chakra. Could it be the same type?"
The curse seal he bore never appeared in the original manga—it was an anime-only development. But Mizuki remembered the lore. Orochimaru's curse seals were based on Jūgo's unique ability to absorb and convert natural energy—an offshoot of senjutsu, or Sage techniques.
"This seal... a degenerated version of Sage Mode. A twisted form of natural chakra... it warps the body like a grotesque imitation. Additional limbs, claws—like Sasuke's transformation during the Chūnin Exams."
He grimaced.
"Orochimaru always pushed boundaries. This seal is likely just one of many experiments—no spiritual imprint, just raw power. But if I lose control during the mission..."
He considered Kakashi's Evil Sealing Method—the same one used to suppress Sasuke's seal.
"No. I can't trust Kakashi. Too risky. And if the seal activates in public, everyone will know my connection to Orochimaru."
Mizuki's options were running thin.
"Maybe... Chie. She's with the sealing corps. Maybe she could help suppress it, just enough to hold on."
As he buttoned up, the door burst open.
Anko.
"You really like sitting in the dark. Got something to hide?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not hiding anyone. I have a fiancée, remember?"
"Fiancée? Who would fall for you?"
"Her name's Chie Tsubaki."
"Oh, the ponytail girl from the sealing division who can't hold her liquor? Makes sense."
"She may not be Mitarai Anko, but she has her charm."
"Tch. Anyway, tomorrow you'll scout the forest alone. I have planning sessions with Ibiki and need to finalize reports for the Hokage."
"Got it."
"And Mizuki..." She leaned against the doorway. "You really think you can fool me? If you're hiding something, I'll find out."
She vanished as suddenly as she came.
Mizuki sat in silence, clutching his arm.
"Chie might be my only shot at suppressing this. Not solving it... just staying alive. Better go see her before it's too late."