Chapter 93: Life and Death
When strength and technique reach a certain level, the results they produce are displayed to perfection—as Kimimaro is demonstrating right now. Even if it's just one of the two pushed to the extreme, it can be terrifying. In this chakra-filled world, the power of ultimate technique might not stand out much, but overwhelming strength certainly does—such as the Eight Gates technique. Might Guy's father, Might Duy, with the power of an Eight Gates user, defeated the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist even as a Genin. Rock Lee held his own against a Tailed Beast's jinchūriki, and Might Guy, upon opening all Eight Gates, nearly saved the entire world.
Kimimaro may not have reached the pinnacle of either strength or technique, but the fusion of both was enough to crush the majority of ninjas. His kekkei genkai, Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse), pushed the advantage of taijutsu to horrifying extremes. With every bone in his body a potential weapon, no one could get close to him. Numerical superiority meant nothing. Long-range weapons like kunai and shuriken couldn't even scratch him under his masterful movements. As for high-level jutsu with long wind-ups? Against a taijutsu expert like Kimimaro, they were no better than slow-motion attacks.
While Kimimaro was slaughtering his enemies, the chaos of the Chūnin Exams had finally begun to settle. Manda's summoning time had run out, and he was returned to the Ryūchi Cave. The other giant snakes, lacking command, became nothing more than wild beasts—difficult but not impossible to kill. Most had already been eliminated, with only a few stragglers left.
As Mizuki's clone continued treating the wounded at the exam arena, he suddenly sensed someone approaching from behind.
Though this side was mostly secure now, Mizuki remained vigilant and turned his head cautiously.
"Oh, it's you, Kakashi. Everything settled on your end?"
Defending powerless civilians wasn't something just any shinobi could do. Without sufficient strength, it was impossible to protect them while being so restrained.
"Yeah. How are you holding up?"
"Not great," Mizuki replied, shaking his head. "I'm almost out of chakra. After all, this is only a clone. And we're really short on medical ninja…"
With so many injured, there was no way the current number of medics could tend to everyone. The frontlines hadn't calmed either, and the situation there was likely no better.
"Just do what you can. I don't know how things are going elsewhere. Asuma and Kurenai went to reinforce the front, and Guy took off—he's the fastest—to pursue Orochimaru."
"Smart arrangements," Mizuki nodded. "You've seen the Third, haven't you?"
"Yeah," Kakashi's expression was hidden behind his mask, but it wasn't hard to imagine his mood. "Just like always…"
"You mean he died at his strongest?"
The effects of the drug hadn't even worn off yet. The Third Hokage had died before the side effects hit, slain by Orochimaru and Kabuto. As a legendary shinobi, dying while still in his prime was far better than living long enough to grow decrepit… but still…
"Staying alive is the most important thing, Kakashi…" From Mizuki's perspective, the idea of dying a 'glorious' death always felt like an insult to the dead. No one is truly meant to die.
"Mm…" Kakashi responded noncommittally. "I wonder how Naruto and the others are doing."
"Have a little more faith in your students, Kakashi. Besides, my main body is over there—they'll be fine," Mizuki said, then gestured subtly toward where Danzō stood. "You should be more worried about that side."
"What about him? Just follow orders for now?"
With Jiraiya not yet present, and the two elder advisors absent, the death of the Third left Danzō—his student, teammate, and long-time comrade—the most senior and authoritative figure. He was, by default, the temporary acting commander. If Jiraiya hadn't conveniently returned to the village, Danzō might very well have become the Fifth Hokage.
"Now's not the time to worry about politics," Kakashi replied. "Let's deal with the enemy first."
Indeed, drawing lines during a crisis was counterproductive.
Mizuki nodded in agreement. "You're right. Jiraiya-sama is here anyway…"
"I'm heading to the front. Most of the heavy hitters are here—our forces are thin over there."
"Got it. Go ahead. See you later."
As Kakashi departed, Mizuki flexed his stiffened arms and glanced around the battlefield.
"This mess… it's way worse than in the original timeline. Originally, far fewer should've died."
In this real world, lives weren't just numbers or faceless background NPCs. Without Mizuki's butterfly effect, many of these people might still be alive.
Mizuki felt sadness—but not guilt. Not because he excused himself with notions like "it wasn't intentional." He genuinely believed it wasn't his fault—it was the world's.
"The meaning of life isn't determined by numbers. That's not a human's job to weigh—it's the role of a god."
Mizuki believed he was right in trying to save the Third Hokage.
He raised his hand, examining the chakra pulsing beneath his fingers.
"Humanity needs gods—but not gods who walk among them. Where exactly is chakra going to take humanity?"
He shook off the thought, turning to look at Danzō—who had just finished settling the Third's remains and was now making his way toward the VIP stands.
"So eager to cozy up to the elite already? To use politics to secure the Hokage seat? Danzō's been in the shadows so long he's forgotten how to act with dignity. He probably doesn't know Jiraiya is back in the village yet… but I bet he'll find out soon enough."
In a forest not far from Konoha, Mizuki's main body sat inside a simple genjutsu barrier, treating Uzumaki Naruto's injuries. Suddenly, he sensed a ripple in the barrier.
"That chakra pattern… it's Haruno Sakura."
As expected, waves of distortion rippled through the illusion, revealing Sakura and Uchiha Sasuke.
"You two came here? Didn't I tell you to fall back?"
"I saw the battle over here had calmed down, so I came to check," Sakura explained, then looked toward the three unconscious figures on the ground. "How's Naruto?"
"He's fine," Mizuki replied. "Gaara's more seriously hurt—Sakura, go treat him. Just keep him alive."
"Understood, Mizuki-sensei," Sakura said as she walked over to administer first aid to Gaara.
Then Mizuki turned to Sasuke. "Your injuries? Nothing major, right?"
"They're manageable, but I still can't use chakra."
"You're good now." Mizuki nodded. "The seal on your neck has stabilized. Rest up and you'll be fine."
"Mizuki-sensei… you understand sealing too?" Sasuke asked.
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