The sudden news left Sasuke so shocked he couldn't even find the words to respond.
Patting the uneasy Sasuke Uchiha on the shoulder, Mizuki said,
"If you're counting on help from others, I suggest you give up sooner rather than later. Guidance helps, but it's not what really matters. You're the only one who determines how far you go…"
"Me alone? But what should I do?" Sasuke muttered dejectedly. He was completely lost, without even a direction to follow.
"Isn't this the perfect time to make use of your aptitude? What about your Chidori and its shape transformation? Have you completed them?"
The potential of [Chidori Current] was indeed remarkable. Before Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha were forcibly enhanced by Yin-Yang Release, Chidori was actually more practical than Rasengan.
"No," Sasuke muttered with regret. "I've made some progress, but my body can't keep up anymore."
As he spoke, Sasuke unwrapped the bandages from his hands and arms, revealing countless scars.
"It was only with Sakura's help that I managed to reach this point. But I've probably reached my breaking point already."
"I'm glad you understand," Mizuki nodded. "You haven't been foolish enough to drain your long-term potential for a bit of short-term gain."
Ultimately, it came down to physical differences. Sasuke Uchiha's physique was far inferior to Naruto Uzumaki's in terms of natural constitution. Moreover, Medical Ninjutsu also had its limits. Overuse or excessive stimulation could lead to severe consequences. Like Mizuki's own condition, draining chakra was the most problematic consequence—other issues would also arise in various forms.
"Is there absolutely no solution then? Do I just have to wait around, moving forward step by step like usual?"
Even though Itachi Uchiha hadn't yet cast another Genjutsu to intensify Sasuke's mental drive for revenge, for someone as determined about vengeance as Sasuke, slow progress was already unbearable—let alone waiting passively for years until his body matured naturally?
This problem was actually very difficult to resolve. In the end, only true experts in medicine and ninjutsu working together could possibly overcome these physical limits. Even then, it would take both master-level pill makers and elite medical ninja. Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi could achieve this. In Konoha, if Tsunade and Danzo Shimura's Root division collaborated, they might also accomplish the same thing. However, such possibilities existed only in dreams. Aside from whether Tsunade had the time or willingness to help, handing Uchiha Sasuke over to Danzo Shimura's Root organization was essentially like sending lambs to the tiger's mouth. Therefore, there was no way that plan was doable.
"You're asking me, but I don't know either." Mizuki wasn't merely shifting responsibility; he truly didn't know. The style of Uchiha Sasuke belonged to a type that comprehensively developed Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Genjutsu. An undeveloped aspect of his aptitude would constitute tremendous waste.
From what Mizuki knew, Sasuke barely knew any ninjutsu — and his chakra reserves were seriously lacking. He was actually using basic Fire Release techniques in battle. The highest-level technique he possessed was merely the [Great Dragon Fire Jutsu].
As for taijutsu, maybe it'd be better to leave that to Kakashi. Mizuki decided not to say much about it himself.
As for genjutsu, maybe he could offer some guidance without interfering with Sasuke's natural talent. However, the Uchiha clan's Genjutsu heavily relied on the Sharingan, so ultimately, Sasuke would have to figure things out for himself.
Without the protection of the Uchiha clan and having lost its orthodox inheritance, lacking formal clan education, it wasn't surprising that Sasuke Uchiha had become lost on his path seeking power. Remaining in Konoha (the Hidden Leaf Village), those who wanted to help him lacked the capability, while those who could help were unwilling and had ulterior motives. How could a proud member of the Uchiha clan endure pitiful glances like someone already doomed to fall beneath the blade? What real value did all those praises about being a genius even have — just fleeting recognition for a promising genin? Konoha was never short of geniuses. Those compliments were really just nostalgic echoes of how strong the Uchiha used to be. As for Sasuke Uchiha, he still had a long way to go before he could reestablish the Uchiha's former glory.
"Still, as I said before, everything depends on you. If you encounter any difficulties, your teacher Kakashi can certainly assist you, or you can come find me. If I'm able to help, I won't hold anything back."
Regardless, instructing compatriots and younger generations was also part of his responsibility.
"Thank you, Teacher Mizuki," Sasuke said as their conversation neared its end, expressing gratitude toward Mizuki for taking time out to listen to his complaints. "I always thought you disliked me..."
"Hehe," Mizuki chuckled. "You're right. To be honest, I indeed don't particularly like you."
"Eh?" Sasuke, who had just shown unusual politeness, was caught off guard by Mizuki's blunt words.
"You're wondering why if I dislike you, I'm still talking to you like this?"
"Mm." Sasuke nodded.
"The main reason is, Sasuke... well, you're simply too arrogant."
"Arrogant?" Sasuke didn't quite grasp how this adjective applied to himself, or how a jonin sensei might regard him as arrogant.
"I don't mean you've disrespected anyone specifically, but rather there's pride deeply ingrained in your very bones."
It didn't hurt to say a few words before parting ways.
"Pride? Isn't that a good thing?"
"Why would it be bad? Pride and humility are both descriptors — neither inherently good nor bad. Those with solitary pride won't stoop to mingle with those chasing petty gains, and brave, determined souls will look down upon cowardly approaches that seek safety at all costs. My impression of you isn't much different from this perspective. If I had to use one word to describe it, it'd be mismatched compatibility."
"Incompatible affinity?"
"Don't worry about it if you don't understand." Mizuki waved his hand dismissively. "Just remember, as your senior and teacher, I'm far more reliable than you imagine."
"Understood." Accurately assessing situations was also an essential ability for a ninja.
Sasuke seemed to understand what Mizuki meant. "So this is how a Jonin behaves?"
"No, not quite, Sasuke," Mizuki replied with a light chuckle. "This is called an adult's composure."
"Composure?" Sasuke couldn't help but recall the way Itachi Uchiha had said the word, prompting him to fall into thought.
"Alright then, anything else you'd like to ask?"
"No, nothing more. Thanks for your time today, Teacher Mizuki."
"It's fine." Teaching ethics to a stubborn kid wasn't tiring—just needed to be careful what you said.
"Oh, by the way, Teacher Mizuki, I heard you're getting married soon. Congratulations."
"Thanks, Sasuke. Work hard. Your talent isn't inferior to Itachi's. At the very least, I can say that much for sure..."
"Yes. Then I'll take my leave now." Bowing slightly, Sasuke turned and left.
Watching Sasuke walk away, Mizuki couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.
[It looks like even I judge people with prejudice...]
The more time Mizuki spent with Sasuke, the more he realized how biased his earlier judgment of the boy had been.
This child who grew up in a world of betrayal and deception wasn't as cold-hearted and ungrateful as he once imagined. Even in the original storyline, despite Sasuke abandoning the village and defeating Naruto Uzumaki at the Valley of the End, he didn't kill his good friend and comrade, claiming he refused to follow the path arranged by Itachi Uchiha. From Mizuki's perspective, though, it had more to do with his inability to bring himself to do it. Moreover, even during his training under Orochimaru, he rarely killed innocent people, always insisting that his murderous intent should be reserved only for those he wanted dead. Such convenient justifications clearly showed that Uchiha Sasuke still held onto compassion deep inside. After all, he was far more resolute than Naruto, yet he definitely wasn't the cold-blooded killer Mizuki originally believed him to be. If Sasuke truly were merciless, delighting in mass slaughter without remorse, he probably wouldn't have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan—the ultimate Sharingan—at all.
All in all, this kid was just fighting against his own fate.
Eventually, the large training ground belonged solely to Mizuki. Suddenly addressing a seemingly empty corner, Mizuki said, "They've gone far enough—why don't you come out already?"
Sure enough, from what had appeared to be an unoccupied spot, Kakashi Hatake's silhouette gradually emerged.
"I suppose everything went alright. Thanks for the trouble."
"How did you manage it exactly?" Mizuki asked curiously. "You know perfectly well what could be said—and what shouldn't be said around Sasuke yet..."
"Sigh—I admit I made an assumption this time," Kakashi admitted with slight embarrassment. "Originally, I thought telling him certain things might make him realize revenge is practically hopeless, making it easier for him to give up altogether."
"How could you even think that?" Hearing Kakashi's explanation, Mizuki could barely believe his ears, unable to decide whether to laugh or cry.
"Sasuke is a genius—and back in your day, you yourself were an even more outstanding prodigy. At his age, weren't you already a Jonin? Tell me—would you have given up just because you weren't strong enough back then? Especially considering you hailed from the proud Uchiha clan?"
"I originally wanted Sasuke to give up that heartrending notion of revenge, so I ended up speaking more than I meant to—but the moment those words left my mouth, I regretted them."
"Kakashi, not just anyone can do the things you're capable of."
Kakashi Hatake had the "death" of Obito Uchiha to deeply shock his soul, allowing him to understand his true heart and ultimately move past darkness. But Sasuke was nowhere near that point yet.
"So… I'm imposing on you once again." At least calming Sasuke's restless heart for now and guiding him step by step afterward wasn't a bad move.
"You actually fabricated on the fly that Orochimaru was defeated by Itachi Uchiha too? I can't believe you actually said that?"
"Dubbed?" Kakashi muttered, surprised by the response. "Wait—you're telling me Orochimaru actually lost?"
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