Chapter 102: The Spirit of Sacrifice
Mizuki's explanation wasn't exactly a defense—after all, no one had forced the Third Hokage to take the serum. The choice had been entirely his. And strictly speaking, the serum wasn't even directly given by Mizuki. Blaming him for it would be unreasonable. However, when politics get involved, things often stop being about reason.
The two advisors didn't react much after Mizuki's words—it seemed they were already aware of the truth.
"Was it just a routine question? Doesn't feel like they actually want to hold me accountable…"
The others present didn't press the issue either. But Danzo Shimura suddenly spoke up.
"That serum… you developed it, didn't you? Quite an impressive creation…"
The advisors frowned slightly, and a few of the jōnin below also looked displeased. While the serum's effects were undeniable, so were its horrifying side effects. It was unlikely to be adopted for regular use by shinobi. The only organization that might consider mass deployment—treating shinobi as disposable tools—was Konoha's dark side: the ROOT division. In other words, Danzo was the one most suited to take possession of such a tool.
"So he's got his eyes on my work now?"
Mizuki wasn't thrilled, but he had foreseen this when he first unveiled the serum. Still…
"If you want more, there is none. It's too difficult to make. And if you want to learn how to make it? Go recharge your IQ first, then practice chakra control until you can master the Rasengan—then come talk to me…"
Gene engineering, transcription, reverse transcription… Mizuki couldn't exactly teach this to just anyone. In the ninja world, with its crude research methods, only people like Orochimaru, Kabuto, and maybe Tsunade might be able to understand. The rest barely scraped by with things like grafting or simple transplant experiments. Real foundational research was almost non-existent. Mizuki handing over the formula would basically mean he'd have to make the serum full-time forever—not what he wanted at all.
More importantly, Mizuki understood the serum's true potential. If Danzo ever discovered the actual meaning behind the word "universal," it would be a catastrophe. Danzo didn't have Mizuki's modern-day ethics. If he got his hands on it, he'd do anything to control it—even by force.
The serum enhanced all cellular potential. Its side effects were terrifying—but Danzo had Hashirama Senju's cells. If the serum and First Hokage cells combined, who knew what might happen? Bioengineered monsters fighting an Edo Tensei army? A thousand cloned Hashirama's against a White Zetsu horde? Mizuki didn't even want to imagine it. With such power, Danzo wouldn't wait for the Akatsuki to end the world—he'd likely start a war himself, thinking Konoha could dominate the entire ninja world.
To Mizuki, such extreme actions were entirely within Danzo's character. For him, "Konoha supremacy" was a guiding principle—unifying the shinobi world under Konoha's banner would be irresistible.
"If they bring up the imitation Jinchūriki, I'll have to be extra careful," Mizuki thought grimly. "Might have to bullshit my way through this again…"
Danzo's question left the room in an awkward silence. Mizuki was still thinking of how to respond when Homura Mitokado spoke up.
"A stimulant with side effects that severe—how is that a good thing? Its creation method shouldn't be passed around. It should be classified as a forbidden jutsu and sealed away."
"So now I'm a lamb on the chopping block? Talking about restrictions and forbidden jutsu as if I ever agreed to give this to the village?"
Apparently, giving up the Soul Gathering Formation so easily last time had made people think he was easy to push around.
"That formation was just a transitional prototype. I only handed it over to earn Konoha's trust and save Hayate Gekkō. It was about fulfilling a personal goal, not a habit of generosity…"
Given that, Mizuki had no choice but to push back now.
"The serum's manufacturing process is extremely complicated. For now, it can only be produced in small quantities under strict lab conditions. Output is minimal, and the costs are astronomical. There are simply too many limitations…"
His words made both advisors and Danzo's expressions darken.
"Looks like the Third Hokage really was easier to deal with…"
Mizuki sighed inwardly and added, "And the biggest problem isn't even the materials. It's the required technical skill."
Danzo cut in, "How high could that requirement possibly be? We have many capable ninjas in the village, not just those you work with regularly. We also have elite specialists. Remember, Konoha's medical ninja are the best."
Mizuki didn't argue. Instead, he held out his right hand and gathered chakra in his palm. The bluish chakra quickly turned red like flames. The flame deepened into a glowing blue-white hue—intense, pure, and dangerous.
The advisors and Danzo's faces grew darker. Fire-nature manipulation was common, but this level of precise control—producing such a vivid and threatening flame—was not.
But Mizuki wasn't done. The flame split in two and transformed into two miniature firebirds, red, blue, and white, flapping their wings and engaging in a lively aerial battle in his palm. The illusion was so lifelike, it looked like they were truly alive—only the lack of sound broke the illusion.
Without reacting to their astonished stares, Mizuki bowed slightly.
"If there are others who can replicate this, I'll gladly teach them how to make the serum. They'd stand a good chance of learning it."
"This level of mastery… and even then, it's only a chance?" Koharu Utatane asked skeptically, clearly not ready to trust someone with Mizuki's history.
"Yes," Mizuki replied without hesitation. "This is just the minimum physical requirement. There's still a vast amount of theory and background knowledge to learn. Without sufficient academic ability, it's simply impossible."
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