Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 26: Boundaries of the Self

"This potion… what exactly is it? Is it dangerous?" Kochou looked at the vial in her hands with clear apprehension.

"Of course it's dangerous," Mizuki admitted, "but only to ordinary people. For a ninja, as long as you don't overdose, the risks are minimal. Used properly, it's actually quite safe."

After much persuasion, Kochou finally agreed to help.

"Thank you, Kochou," Mizuki said sincerely. Having a reliable assistant made everything much easier.

"But Mizuki… will the village be upset if they find out about these experiments?" she asked hesitantly.

"Probably," he replied with a shrug. "Labs aren't exactly places of harmony and friendship. There's always a bit of blood and discomfort involved. That's why I'm doing all of this in a hidden underground base—so no one in the village has to see it."

He paused before adding, "Besides, it's not like I'm committing atrocities or experimenting on live humans. What I'm doing is far more civilized than the stuff Danzo and his Root operatives get up to."

Reassured but still wary, Kochou nodded. Mizuki then went over some key points for maintaining the experiments, adjusted a few setups in the lab, and activated illusionary barriers to conceal the entrance before they left.

As they returned to the secluded wooden house in the mountains, Kochou looked like she had something on her mind.

"Something bothering you?" Mizuki asked.

"Those… strange creatures in the lab. Where did they come from? What exactly are they?"

Mizuki chuckled. "I was wondering when you'd ask. Only one of them comes from my own hair. The rest? They're from the blood of other ninjas that I collected during missions."

Kochou's expression tightened. "But… they're alive. Doesn't this cross a line?"

"They were just pools of blood, Kochou. Nothing more. How could they be alive?" Mizuki replied calmly. "I just found a way to repurpose discarded material—nothing unethical."

She still looked uneasy, but eventually nodded.

Mizuki, however, knew the truth wasn't that simple.

Technically, those masses of flesh weren't alive. They had no thoughts, no awareness, no souls—just biological matter sustained by his potion. If removed from the nutrient solution, they would die instantly.

But one day, that might change.

His oldest experiment—the one grown from his own hair—was almost a fully formed organism. It had a brain, organs, and limbs, and it was only a matter of time before it started thinking and learning.

What happens then?

Would he still be able to treat it like a disposable tool?

The answer made Mizuki uneasy. No, he wouldn't.

Toying with sentient life was a line he refused to cross.

In a world dominated by war, most ninja lived in gray morality, making compromises to survive. But even in darkness, some things had to be absolute—a boundary that, once crossed, erased all humanity.

Uchiha Itachi had his love for his brother, a final anchor that kept him from losing himself.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, had no such limits, consumed by his own endless curiosity.

Mizuki had decided long ago: he would never become like Orochimaru.

Not killing innocent people was his bottom line.

But defining "innocence" wasn't always easy.

Right now, those test subjects were mindless flesh—they weren't people.

But what if, one day, they became aware?

Could he still justify using them?

Even if he was their creator, would it not be the ultimate sin to treat them as mere tools?

Mizuki exhaled. This needed careful thought.

"Kochou, try using this green potion in your flower garden," he said, changing the topic. "It works on plant growth just as well as it does on living creatures. Try different methods—breeding, grafting, hybridization. See what works best and keep a record of it for me."

"Really? That's amazing!" she said, her worries momentarily forgotten. "If it works, we could grow even more flowers… maybe even breed unique ones to sell!"

"Just be careful. This formula is valuable and dangerous. If it falls into the wrong hands, it could be a disaster."

"I'll take good care of it," she promised.

As they walked back toward the village, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Well, well, look who's still alive."

Mizuki turned to see Kakashi, hands in his pockets, his usual lazy expression in place.

"You really don't die easy, huh? I saw what kind of shape you were in after that mission. Honestly, I was expecting a funeral."

A loud voice immediately followed.

"Serves him right! He's always up to no good—about time he got beaten up!"

There was no mistaking Naruto Uzumaki's obnoxious tone.

Behind him, Sakura Haruno greeted them politely, while Sasuke Uchiha simply gave a curt nod.

Mizuki smirked.

"Ah, Sakura. Always polite and well-mannered. Sasuke—still brooding, I see."

Then, turning to Naruto, he added, "And you, I heard you completed an incredibly difficult mission. That's impressive."

Naruto puffed out his chest.

"That's right! I kicked butt and took names!"

Mizuki squinted at him.

"Oh? Sorry, Naruto-kun. I didn't see you there. You're just so short."

"WHAT?!"

Naruto nearly exploded. "You bastard! You did that on purpose!"

"Come on, Naruto," Kakashi sighed. "Mizuki's still recovering. Don't go picking fights."

"Wait, this guy actually got injured on a mission? Since when does he do anything useful?"

"Ignorant little brat," Mizuki muttered. "No respect for the veteran ninja who risk their lives for the village. Clearly, Konoha's moral education is failing. I should suggest remedial training at the Academy."

Naruto froze in horror.

"Wait, wait, wait! You're not serious, are you?! I just got out of there!"

Mizuki ignored him and turned to Kakashi.

"You're back later than expected. Something happen?"

"We had some loose ends to tie up in the Land of Waves," Kakashi replied. "And honestly? A bit of extra training time never hurts."

Mizuki chuckled.

"Must be exhausting, dealing with three problem children all day."

Kakashi sighed theatrically.

"Oh, you have no idea."

Their conversation drifted to other topics as they walked back into the village.

Before parting, Kakashi suddenly asked, "By the way, Mizuki, you're recovering well enough. You planning to participate?"

Mizuki nodded toward the three rookie genin walking ahead of them.

"Do you even have to ask?"

Kakashi's eye crinkled in amusement.

"Yeah… figured as much."

After they separated, Kochou asked, "Who was that?"

"Kakashi Hatake. One of Konoha's strongest Jonin."

"Really?" Kochou frowned. "He didn't look that impressive. Just another gloomy, quiet guy."

Mizuki sighed.

"Never judge a book by its cover, Kochou. That 'gloomy guy' might become Hokage one day."

Back at home, they prepared a proper dinner for the first time in ages.

As they cleaned up afterward, Mizuki suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, by the way, Kochou… have you decided who to hire as a shop assistant yet?"

Kochou blinked.

"Uh… what?"

Mizuki stared at her in disbelief.

"…You completely forgot, didn't you?"

Kochou looked away guiltily.

Mizuki sighed.

Guess her moment of decisiveness earlier was just a fluke.

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