"Too careless," Mizuki thought angrily. "The superiority of the traversers clouded my judgment. The difference between having chakra and not having it in the body is staggering. The effects of the omnipotent potion are completely different between individuals. Just look at the strange creatures in the culture medium—I should have noticed this much earlier."
For any creature, no matter the world, the evolutionary path from low to high is generally the same. The various stages of biological embryo development hint at this process.
If the reptile-like traits cultivated from the original Shuimu cell samples can be excused, the current appearance is downright horrifying. The limbs have grown into claws, and the abstract head sports a cracked mouth with fangs. Its grotesque form is unsettling. Now, consider the samples cultivated from the blood of Zabuza, Haku, Sasuke, and Naruto. If you remove the long tail, you'd almost call them humanoid—they have a head, a face, and healthy limbs. However, the other samples... they're clearly aquatic, with features like amphibian gills and a thin scale-like covering. Some also have horns, and there are cracks on their foreheads that suggest the potential for a third eye. Perhaps this will eventually fade, but for now, it's terrifying to witness.
These samples were taken from blood or hair cells that hadn't been active in a long time. They have no mental energy and can only produce weak chakra, or none at all. Thus, the omnipotent potion's effects are evident. If Naruto and Sasuke's genes, which show signs of horns and a third eye, are linked to the Otsutsuki clan, then the situation with Haku and Zabuza is much more troubling. Is it due to the gradual transformation caused by ninja chakra, or perhaps something more—an acquired mutation? Even human genetics, the most intelligent species on Earth, hides mysteries yet to be uncovered.
Looking at the mutant creatures Shuimu has cultivated, he realizes that without intervention, it won't be long before they become humanoid beasts. In the original work, the second-stage transformation of the cursed seal caused the user to transform into a fierce tiger, indicating that the potion and the cursed seal likely played a role in this process.
Consider the second-stage transformations of the Four Heavenly Kings—Yin and Nin with Junma Lu's cursed seal: long horns, tails, claws, and even a spider-like form. The high mortality rate of the cursed seal is understandable—many can't handle its power. Even if it's just a mutated version of Sage Mode, it's not something ordinary ninjas can manage. Without the genetic potential to support such abilities, these forces are beyond reach for most people.
"If that's the case, then the omnipotent potion's use is entirely different," Mizuki mused. "It's a waste to use it as a healing potion." He thought about the possible outcomes. "I shouldn't have let these creatures grow uncontrolled. A little chakra stimulation might produce unexpected results…"
These samples lack a soul or spiritual power. Without chakra manipulation, they're almost incapable of producing bloodline traits. They're alive but can't develop complex abilities like the bloodline limits. It's not a simple task to induce such a transformation. If Danzo had already cloned the Sharknyan army, then Shuimu is still far from matching that level. Even if they possess potential, they're as unreachable as the sky without the right chakra activation.
"More experiments are needed," Mizuki concluded. He separated some of the samples, injecting them with a bit of chakra and culture medium before setting them aside.
"It's too late," he muttered. "Time to sleep. The lab needs to be set up soon."
After finishing his work, Mizuki, in poor health, lay down and quickly fell asleep.
In the morning, Tsubaki brought breakfast. After eating together, she pushed Mizuki in a wheelchair for a stroll. The late spring morning was still pleasant. For someone like Mizuki, who had been bedridden for so long, basking in the sun was a rare comfort.
"Tsubaki, let's visit the ninja school."
"Okay, do you want to see Iruka?"
"It's fine to stop by."
Mizuki and Tsubaki made their way to the ninja school, enjoying the walk. Eventually, they arrived at the gates.
"It's been a while, Tsubaki. How long have you been here?"
"I don't remember. Look, is that Iruka over there?"
Iruka was leading a class in outdoor training.
"Only he can do this kind of thing tirelessly," Mizuki said with a smile.
"Iruka saw you and waved. Would you like to go over?"
"Sure." Mizuki stood up slowly, pushing his wheelchair aside.
"Your health is still fragile, let me help," Tsubaki suggested.
"No need. I can manage such a small walk," Mizuki replied. He didn't want to appear weak in front of Iruka and the students.
Before they got too close, Iruka called out, "Everyone, you see Mizuki-sensei over there? He was seriously injured on his last mission. It's not an easy task to be a ninja. If you're not careful, you'll end up like Mizuki-sensei."
Mizuki raised an eyebrow. "Iruka, using me as a negative example? Have you asked for permission?" he said mockingly. "I'll be charging for that!"
"I'm sorry, Mizuki. I'm just so used to it."
Konoha Maru, overhearing this, asked with great interest, "Sensei, was your mission really dangerous? Tell us about it! Wasn't it cool?"
The students around him burst out laughing.
"It's too early to tell you all about it," Mizuki said. "You need to train first, become ninjas, and then you'll be able to go on missions. Now, practice on your own for a bit, and we'll rest afterward."
The students left reluctantly.
"Why did you come to the ninja school, Mizuki?" Iruka asked.
"Just visiting, it's been a while," Mizuki replied, his face relaxed. "You're still the same, unchanged."
"It hasn't been that long. What could change?" Iruka chuckled.
"I mean, the way you teach."
"Oh, haha. I'm not sure if I'm doing a good job."
Mizuki laughed. "But since Naruto and the others graduated, I haven't seen them. I wonder how they're doing, leading teams now. Did you teach them well?"
"Well…" Iruka paused. "You don't have to worry about them. They're already excellent ninjas, maybe even stronger than you now."
"Haha," Mizuki grinned. "Have you seen them?"
"Well, I heard about them during a mission," Mizuki said, choosing not to mention the recent high-level mission he had barely survived, in which Naruto participated. He wondered if Iruka's heart could handle the news.
"Yeah, Naruto's always causing trouble," Iruka said with an embarrassed laugh.
"Though he's a prankster, he's also a qualified ninja. You'll see them again soon."
"That's great."
"I won't keep you, Iruka. I still have something to do, so I'll be leaving." Mizuki turned to go.
As he left, he glanced at Iruka, enjoying time with the students, and then settled back into his wheelchair. Tsubaki pushed him away.
"Looking at these kids, I can almost see their futures," Mizuki murmured to himself. "Blood determines potential, talent determines how fast they grow, perseverance determines how far they can go, and resources determine their status in the world. Only wisdom can truly change their fate."
Sometimes, Mizuki wished he could be less aware of all this—wishing to be an ordinary person. But as the world's machinations had twisted his path, he had no escape. He wasn't the kind to stay idle, even if ignorance might be bliss.
"Tsubaki, let's grab lunch first, then head home. It's almost noon, and it's starting to get hot."
"Alright, I'll cook lunch. Eating out is a bit expensive."
"Sounds good. We've got plenty of food at home. We can just have something simple."
After lunch, while they rested, Tsubaki hesitated. "Mizuki, about the flower shop we talked about… what do you think?"
"Huh? Why bring that up now?"
"I opened a nursery up at the cabin in the back mountains."
"I know that. It's your place. What's the issue?"
"I planted some flowers, and they're about to bloom. I want to open a shop and sell them."
"That sounds fine. What's the problem?"
"I was afraid you'd object," Tsubaki admitted, relieved. "I've already found a shop, want to see it with me?"
"Okay," Mizuki replied. "But you still have your job, and I don't know much about this. Who's going to run the shop?"
"If you have time, you can help. Otherwise, I'll hire someone."
"Alright then, have you made an appointment with the shop owner?"
"Three days from now."
"Let's go then. I'll go with you." Mizuki agreed, thinking that the ninja world's endless cycle of missions would make it easy for the flower shop to thrive without issue.