In the darkness, beautiful rays of light flicker intermittently, occasionally flashing across the vision. The fluorescent glow, akin to the shimmering aura of Green Lantern's ring, is mesmerizing, exuding an almost infinite sense of mystery that captivates the mind, much like the allure of Gotham's shadowed streets at night. This play of light and dark creates an intoxicating ambiance. Time itself feels unreliable—unpredictable, much like the instability seen in the timeline-altering events within the Marvel Universe. I can't recall how long I've been suspended in this void. Gradually, distant noises begin to emerge, irritating yet strangely lingering.
Suddenly, a starlight-like presence hurtles toward me, expanding rapidly, consuming everything in its path before I can react. A sudden sense of weightlessness overwhelms me, and in the ensuing panic, I struggle to steady myself.
At that moment, a hand stretches out from the side, preventing my fall. A voice—clear and calm—breaks through the tension: "Mr. Mizuki, are you alright? You seem exhausted, do you want to take a break?"
Slowly, I open my eyes, my vision still hazy from the disorientation. "Mr. Mizuki? Are you calling me? That's an unpleasant name," I mutter, rubbing my eyes with my left hand while dragging my chin, pressing my temples to shake off the drowsiness. "It's fine," I respond after a moment, voice steady. "Just some insomnia recently. Huh?" I turn to the figure beside me. "You're Iruka, right?"
Iruka gives a warm smile, chuckling softly. "Mr. Mizuki, you must be really tired if you can't even tell who I am. You almost dozed off just now. If I hadn't caught you, your head would've hit the table." He pauses, his tone shifting to one of concern. "Why don't you take a break? There are only a few students left; it won't take long."
"No need," I reply dismissively. "Let's finish this quickly. Hokage-sama is waiting for the results. Besides, the test is easy; it'll be over soon."
Iruka thinks for a moment, then nods. "Alright, then. Let's get back to the exam." He picks up the form and calls out toward the door: "Next!"
Mizuki grimaces, an inner sigh escaping him. "Must you shout so loudly? It's so noisy," he thinks, feeling the echo of the announcement reverberate in his skull. "Such a loud voice, perfect for being a teacher."
Coming to, I attempt to piece together the disjointed fragments of my memory. I had been napping in a taxi earlier, but somehow, I've ended up as Mizuki—a name I never recognized until now. In a past life, I had been an average office worker, living in a mundane existence. When my career failed, I quit, only to find myself jobless for a long time. It seems I overestimated myself. After some time, I decided to take a walk to clear my head, only to find myself in a situation I didn't expect. A car accident? An incident that left no impression? Was I reborn into this world for some reason? Is this karma? A reckoning for living so recklessly?
It's strange—if not for Iruka's calm demeanor and solid judgment, I might not have recognized the turn of events. But before I could dwell on it, a lively, blonde boy entered the room. With his spiky hair and unmistakable whisker marks on his cheeks, he was none other than Naruto Uzumaki—the destined child of Hokage.
It dawns on me: this is the beginning of the story, the turning point where Mizuki's own tragic end unfolds. The beginning of the arc where even background characters like the ramen shop uncle and Changpu's older sister will outshine me in terms of significance.
Naruto steps forward, anxious, glancing nervously at Iruka. Iruka, noticing his unease, offers a reassuring smile. "Naruto, are you ready? Passing requires at least one perfect clone. The Shadow Clone technique isn't too difficult, so long as you've been practicing." His voice softens as he tries to comfort the boy. "It's a basic technique, one of the three essential ninjutsu. It's not difficult once you focus."
Naruto, however, frowns. "Why is it the Shadow Clone, though? I'm not good at it! I came up with an awesome technique, but it's not this one!" He huffs, still frustrated. Despite his complaints, he forms the seals with determination, pushing chakra into the jutsu. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
But the result is less than ideal. A limp, barely-conscious clone emerges, collapsing into a heap. Naruto looks at Iruka with a mix of regret and hope, waiting for a sign of approval.
Iruka, unimpressed, grimaces. "Failed!" He exclaims, his irritation palpable.
I can't help but smirk, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu. This scene—it's all so familiar. A jolt of annoyance flickers through me as a bit of Iruka's saliva lands on my cheek. "Is it my turn to step in now?" I ponder. "What should I say? Forget it; let's get through this scene first. Then, I'll figure out my next move. I need to make myself relevant; otherwise, I'm going to be forgotten. Just like always."
I turn to Iruka, my voice carrying a hint of suggestion. "Iruka, don't you think Naruto created at least one clone? Couldn't we say that's good enough for passing? Barely."
Iruka looks at me, surprised at the suggestion. "Mr. Mizuki, that's not acceptable. The standard is at least three clones. Naruto only produced one, and it was completely useless. This isn't just about effort; it's about being capable. Ninjas are more than just basic techniques. Naruto's current abilities don't meet the standard."
I sigh, seeing the reality in Iruka's words. I look at Naruto, offering a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, kid," I think, feeling a pang of guilt.
As Naruto leaves the room, dejected, I reflect on my fate. The tragedy of Mizuki's future is laid bare in my mind, but with little to no ability to change it. Even if I wanted to, I can't escape the plot. It's not about whether I can influence Naruto to steal the Sealed Scroll—it's already set in motion. The previous Mizuki had already done his part in betraying Konoha's ideals. A mission once deemed crucial led to his ultimate failure. He abandoned a teammate and caused their death. Konoha eventually discovered his treachery, stripping him of any future prospects.
Mizuki's jealousy of Iruka only worsened matters, but it wasn't as if he could escape the consequences. Worse, the high-ranking officials in Konoha were already suspicious, and Mizuki was under their watchful eyes.
Yet, Mizuki's situation is far from hopeless. He isn't an outright traitor; his actions are far from those of an Akatsuki member like Sasori or Deidara. Mizuki is simply an unfortunate pawn in a system rife with favoritism. The situation may be bad, but there's a chance to survive.
It's not the end yet—there's still time. In the next few months, Orochimaru's plan will unfold during the Chuunin exams, and the chaos will give me time to disappear from the radar. The war and the distractions will allow me to hide for a while, and my fiancée, Chie Tsubaki, is a woman who genuinely cares for me. In this turbulent world, she could be my anchor.
Still, the shadow of Orochimaru looms over me, and Shimura Danzo's hidden eyes are everywhere. With no special abilities of my own and limited chances for success, I can't afford to make a wrong move.
The next few hours are inconsequential, as I finish my duties and head toward Hokage's office, where I submit my report.
The third Hokage is there, looking over the results. "What's the verdict?" he asks, flipping through the papers.
"Except for Naruto Uzumaki, everyone else has passed," I reply.
"Uzumaki Naruto?" The third Hokage's voice falters slightly, betraying his interest.
I continue, testing the waters. "Naruto chose the hardest technique, and his clone was barely formed. Iruka still disqualified him, though."
The third Hokage considers my words, and after a pause, he shakes his head. "Let's leave it as it is. Naruto's journey is his own. You may leave now."
I nod, accepting the situation. "Yes, Hokage-sama."
With that, I retreat into the uncertainty of my role, aware that the path I'm on is irreversible. The story is beginning, and I can only play my part as best as I can. "Let's see where this leads," I think, heading toward Naruto, the child of destiny, ready to make my move. "The story is starting, and it's time for me to play my part."
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