Competing Ancestors

"I was too careless," Mizuki thought with annoyance. "The superiority complex of a transmigrator has clouded my eyes. The difference between a body with chakra and one without is simply too vast. The way the panacea manifests in both is completely different. Looking at these bizarre, misshapen creatures in the culture fluid, I should have realized this long ago."

For any living being, regardless of the world, the path from primitive evolution to advanced development is generally much the same. The various stages of embryonic growth largely reveal this process.

If the reptilian traits cultivated from Mizuki's original cell samples were somewhat understandable, then their current appearance was truly inconceivable. Their limbs had clearly sprouted claw-like appendages, and the abstract, snarling, fang-filled maws on their heads were just too strange. Then, looking at the things cultivated from the blood of Zabuza, Haku, Sasuke, and Naruto—if one ignored the long tails, they could be considered humanoid with heads, faces, and sound limbs. But what was with these two samples clearly showing gill-like tissues typical of aquatic or amphibian life? And over there, one had actually grown fine scales! Then there were these few: having two horns on their heads was one thing, but the clear fissures on their foreheads were surely precursors to a third eye. Perhaps these features would fade and be covered up as time passed, but their current appearance was enough to make one's hair stand on end.

These samples all originated from blood or hair cells that had long since lost their vitality. Lacking any spiritual energy, they could only produce extremely weak chakra, or none at all, which allowed the effects of the panacea to be displayed to the fullest. If the horns and third eye in Naruto and Sasuke's genetic expressions were merely due to the Otsutsuki Clan's heritage, then the issues with Zabuza and Haku were far more serious. Was it a gradual change caused by the use of ninja chakra, or the result of postnatal modification? Could it be that the genetic history of humanity—the representative intelligent species of this world—held some significant, hidden truth? That was truly impossible to say.

Looking at the monster cultivated from his own hair, it was ten-to-one that it would become a humanoid beast if left unchecked. In the original story, the second stage of Mizuki's Cursed Seal transformation was a tiger-like form; this was likely more than just the effect of the seal and the potion.

Thinking of the Sound Four and Kimimaro's second-stage Cursed Seal transformations—the horns, tails, claws, and even spider-like forms—it was no wonder the mortality rate of the Cursed Seal was so high. If the body didn't have enough potential for the seal to draw upon, few could withstand it. Even an inferior, mutated Sage Mode was not something an average ninja could endure. Without a good ancestor to pass down a gene pool with immense potential, this kind of high-end power was simply not something an ordinary person could covet.

"If that's the case, then the usage of the panacea is completely different. Using it merely as a healing agent is a massive waste," Mizuki couldn't help but think. "I shouldn't just let them grow wildly. If I add appropriate chakra induction, who knows? I might just create some unexpected surprises."

These lumps of flesh, lacking souls and spiritual energy, were fundamentally incapable of refining their own chakra. While they were alive, it was almost impossible for them to develop anything like a Kekkei Genkai. Such a good thing wouldn't be that simple; if it were, Danzo would have long since cloned an army of Sharingan users—how would it ever be Mizuki's turn? Even if they had the potential, without sufficient chakra to stimulate it, it remained as unreachable as clouds in the sky.

"Further experiments are needed to obtain data. All of this requires time to perfect a practical method." Separating a portion of the samples, Mizuki injected a small amount of chakra and culture fluid before putting them away.

"It's too late, I should get some sleep. It seems I need to establish a laboratory as soon as possible." After finishing his preparations, the physically frail Mizuki went to bed and soon drifted into a dream.

Early the next morning, Tsubaki Chie brought over breakfast. After they finished eating, she pushed his wheelchair and took Mizuki out for a stroll. The late spring morning was quite comfortable, and for someone like Mizuki who had been bedridden for so long, going out to soak up the sun on a clear day was the most pleasant thing imaginable.

"Tsubaki, let's head toward the Ninja Academy."

"Alright. Are we going to see Iruka?"

"It wouldn't hurt to pay him a visit."

Mizuki and Tsubaki strolled along at a leisurely pace, and after a long while, they finally arrived at the Ninja Academy.

"I haven't been here in a long time. Tsubaki, how long has it been for you?"

"I don't remember. Look, is that Iruka over there?"

Iruka was currently leading his students in an outdoor training session.

"Only he could be so tireless in doing this kind of thing," Mizuki said to Tsubaki with a smile.

"Iruka saw you and is waving. Should we go over?"

"Hmm." Mizuki pushed himself off the wheelchair and slowly stood up.

"Mizuki, your body hasn't recovered yet. Let me help you over."

"No need, I can manage this much activity." Appearing weak in front of Iruka and his students would be too pathetic.

Before they even got close, they heard Iruka say in his annoying way, "Everyone, look at Mizuki-sensei over there, looking so pale. He was severely injured during his last mission, so you see, becoming a ninja isn't a simple matter. Otherwise, you'll end up just like Mizuki-sensei."

"Iruka, did you ask me before using me as a cautionary tale?" Mizuki said, displeased. "I'm going to charge you for ruining my image."

"Sorry, Mizuki. I just slipped up... I'm just used to it."

Konohamaru, standing nearby, asked with great interest, "Mizuki-sensei, are missions very dangerous? Tell us about it, is it cool?"

Konohamaru's question caused a stir among the surrounding students.

"It's too early for you all to hear about that. You must practice hard first so that you'll have the strength to become ninjas and complete various missions for the village. Alright, everyone, practice on your own for now, then take a break."

"Yes!" The students dispersed with expressions of regret.

"Mizuki, is there something you needed at the academy at this hour?"

"Nothing, just dropping by to take a look. It's been a while," Mizuki said with a relaxed expression. "You're still the same, haven't changed a bit."

"It hasn't been that long, what could have changed? Didn't we see each other yesterday?"

"I meant the way you teach your students."

"Is that so? Haha, I don't even know if I'm doing a good job," Iruka laughed. "But ever since Naruto and the others graduated, I haven't seen them in a long time. I wonder if they're doing well and if their team leader is teaching them properly?"

"Sigh," Mizuki let out a sigh. "You don't need to worry about that. They are already excellent ninjas. They might even be stronger than you, Iruka."

"How could that be? Haha." Iruka thought Mizuki was joking. "Have you seen them?"

"Mm, I heard about them during a mission." Mizuki didn't mention that he had seen them during that very mission. If Iruka knew that a low-level ninja like Naruto was involved in a high-level mission where even Mizuki nearly died, he wondered if Iruka's fragile heart could take it.

"I see. I wonder if that guy Naruto has been causing trouble for others," Iruka said, feeling embarrassed.

"Although he's a mischievous kid, he's a qualified ninja. You should be able to see them before long."

"That would be great."

"Iruka, I won't disturb your teaching any longer. I have things to do, so I'll be going." Having seen enough, Mizuki prepared to take his leave.

As he turned and walked out of the academy gates, Mizuki glanced back at Iruka, who was having a great time with his students, before getting back into his wheelchair and leaving with Tsubaki Chie.

"Looking at these brats is almost like seeing their future." Mizuki saw the cruelty of this strictly hierarchical world with the clarity of a sage. "Bloodline determines potential, talent determines the speed of growth, perseverance determines the height of growth, and resources determine order and class. Only wisdom can fundamentally change one's fate." Sometimes, Mizuki wished he knew less and could just be an ordinary person living out his days. But as an anomaly in the world's operation, the karma he was entangled in made it impossible to hide, and besides, he wasn't the type to be content with mediocrity. Since he already knew, he might as well do what he wanted to do.

"Tsubaki, let's find a place for lunch, then head back early. It's almost noon and it's getting a bit hot."

"If it's hot, let's head back early. I'll make lunch; eating out is a bit expensive."

"That works too. We have plenty of ingredients at home, just whip something up."

After returning home and finishing lunch, as they were resting, Tsubaki suddenly asked with a shy expression, "Um, Mizuki, about that flower shop we talked about last time... what do you think?"

"Hmm? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

"A while back, I started a nursery by the small cabin behind the mountain."

"I know about that, it's your place anyway. What about it?"

"I planted some flowers, and they're about to bloom. I was thinking of opening a shop so I can sell them to people who need them when the time comes."

"That sounds great, so what's the problem?"

"I was afraid you'd object," Tsubaki said with a long sigh. "I've already scouted a few locations. Why don't we go take a look together?"

"Alright," Mizuki agreed. "But you still have your work, and I don't know much about this either. Who's going to manage the flower shop?"

"I'll look after it when I have time. If I'm busy, I'll just hire a shop assistant."

"Fair enough. Have you made an appointment with the owners? When are we going?"

"In three days."

"Then we'll go together then." Mizuki agreed. With ninja conflicts becoming frequent and injury and death becoming a daily occurrence, a flower shop shouldn't have any trouble making sales.