Being a Villain Can Be Addictive

While the second stage of the Chunin Exams was in full swing within the Forest of Death, Mizuki was taking a rare stroll through the streets alone. He specifically lingered near taverns and women's bathhouses. As a winner in this life, Mizuki certainly didn't need to waste time loitering in such places, but he did need to confirm one thing.

"That white-haired man? That must be Jiraiya, right?" Mizuki finally felt relieved after spotting the perverted sage peeping outside an outdoor women's bathhouse. "If he hadn't returned on schedule, it would be hard to say whether Konoha could withstand the joint assault from Orochimaru and the Sand Shinobi. If things really changed and Konoha suffered heavy losses, that would be a real headache."

With the matter confirmed, Mizuki didn't waste any more time and prepared to head home. However, a sudden inspiration struck, and he turned toward the Hokage Building instead.

Mizuki arrived at the office door and knocked.

"Come in." With the village so busy these days, the Third Hokage surely couldn't get away.

Mizuki pushed the door open and closed it behind him.

"Mizuki? I recall you don't have any missions right now. Is there something you need?" the Third asked.

"Lord Third, I have important intelligence to report."

"Oh?" Hearing the solemnity in Mizuki's tone, the Third stopped his work, looked up, and asked, "What is this intelligence about?"

"It's about Lord Jiraiya," Mizuki replied. "I just spotted someone in the village with features matching Lord Jiraiya. Although I haven't seen him in years, I don't think I'm mistaken."

"Jiraiya?" Mizuki's report seemed to catch the Third off guard. "Where did you see him?"

"Near the women's section of the outdoor bathhouse."

"Uh?" The unexpected answer left the Third quite embarrassed. "Then it must be him. That sounds exactly like Jiraiya."

Peeping behavior was apparently a very convincing piece of evidence.

"Were you spotted? You didn't tell anyone else, did you?"

"No, I just happened to see him by chance and came straight here to report it. I don't think I was noticed, and I haven't told anyone else."

"That's good," the Third said, instructing him, "Let this matter end here. Do not tell anyone else."

"I understand."

"You may go."

"Yes."

Watching Mizuki leave, the Third pondered for a moment, then pulled open a drawer and took out a report from a month ago regarding the unusual movements of the Sound Village and the Sand Shinobi. "Jiraiya, did you also discover something ominous, which is why you returned? I hope it's all just a false alarm."

In the Forest of Death, many examinees were struggling to survive, while a few who considered themselves powerful and impatient had already begun hunting and killing.

Just as the fighting was heating up, a few translucent, white, jellyfish-like creatures drifted toward the bank of a small river. If not for the fact that they were moving in a group, refracting an unnatural light, no one would have noticed anything strange. Once they drifted to the shore and confirmed there was no movement, a thin figure emerged from the water—it was the bootleg Jinchuriki created by Mizuki. Relying on the Jellyfish Concealment Illusion Array and his own familiarity with the Forest of Death, he had snuck in without anyone being the wiser. The mission to clear out the monsters in the forest two months ago hadn't been for nothing; Mizuki had already investigated every blade of grass and tree, making it incredibly simple for him to get in.

"It's this way. Thankfully it's not too far. It's normal for weaklings not to travel far, so my judgment was correct." He identified the direction with ease. "I left marks beforehand, so tracking is indeed convenient."

Along the way, Mizuki avoided potential battles as much as possible. For a non-examinee sneaking into the exam, staying under the radar was the top priority. Not everyone had the reckless strength of Orochimaru.

"Found it, just ahead." Mizuki quickly located his target. Hiding among the branches of a giant tree, he looked down at the three Grass Ninja—a standard team of two men and one woman. They weren't the fakes disguised by Orochimaru, but the actual team Karin was in. Thanks to the mark he had secretly placed, Mizuki had found them with ease.

Mizuki had carefully calculated his options. Currently, there were only a few people he could afford to provoke who didn't have massive backing—let alone big shots like Orochimaru or Kabuto Yakushi. He didn't dare touch the Sand Shinobi, and Jinchuriki were not to be trifled with, as they invited too much trouble. The Konoha 12 were the treasures of the village, watched by too many eyes; the fact that he had gotten away with stealing blood for experiments in the Land of Waves last time was already lucky. As for the others, to be honest, Mizuki didn't care for them. Only Karin, with her special Uzumaki lineage and secret techniques, might have some value. More importantly, he might find clues regarding the Dead Demon Consuming Seal; if he could get his hands on the Shinigami mask through Karin, that would be ideal.

Finding Karin put Mizuki at ease. Sasuke hadn't beaten him to it yet, and Orochimaru had only just been defeated by Itachi Uchiha. Still brooding over that, Orochimaru was currently chasing Sasuke's Sharingan and had no interest in a weakling like Karin. Thus, the wild Karin was his last chance for abduction.

Mizuki spent the better part of the day setting up a series of traps and warning lines around Karin's team, waiting for her to be alone so he could try to persuade her.

Watching the two male Grass Ninja being beaten to a pulp below, Mizuki couldn't help but sigh that they were born at the wrong time. Their strength was decent, and with Karin acting as a blood bag, they weren't without a chance to pass the Chunin Exams. However, they could only blame their bad luck; there were simply too many monsters in this year's exam. With their level of strength, they weren't even good enough to be background characters. Seeing them lose all confidence and take it out on Karin, Mizuki felt they had no future. If you lack strength, you can make up for it with intelligence; if you lack intelligence, you can at least be a hard worker. But they lacked the mental fortitude, which was a pity.

Just as Mizuki was waiting quietly, a warning line not far away suddenly triggered.

"Sasuke? He came faster than I thought." Mizuki was surprised, having expected them to meet only by nightfall. "But that's fine. We didn't cross paths during the preliminary exams, and this time I have the advantage of time and terrain. I can barely afford to play with you." Thinking this, Mizuki created a Shadow Clone and transformed it into the appearance of a Grass Ninja. Since everyone would be blaming the Sound Village or the Grass Ninja anyway, one more wouldn't hurt.

On the other side, while Sasuke was out getting water, he suddenly discovered the traps. Having just awakened his Sharingan, he was arrogant and had just suffered a loss to Rock Lee. He was looking for an opponent to vent his frustration on, and since someone had walked right into his trap, Sasuke pursued without hesitation.

As Sasuke moved cautiously, he suddenly paused and jumped into the air to dodge. Several kunai whistled through the air, striking the spot where he had just been standing. Before he could speak, a burning sound erupted from behind the tree trunk his feet had just touched.

"Damn it, I was careless." Sasuke scrambled to dodge, but a series of explosions kicked up a cloud of smoke, quickly engulfing him. The violent shockwave threw him to the ground.

"Are all Konoha ninja this arrogant? Daring to chase after me alone—you really don't hold ninja from other villages in high regard." With his rich experience as a villain, Mizuki was perfectly suited for this scene. He gave Sasuke a harsh lesson right from the start. As chakra fluctuations spread, an illusion barrier rose, and countless masked Grass Ninja emerged from all directions, hurling kunai into the smoke-covered ground where Sasuke lay. Mizuki didn't mind letting Sasuke experience the predicament his team would face in two days a little early.

Before the kunai could land, Sasuke had already escaped, his agile form dodging the traps. But before he could break free, he was surrounded by figures created by the illusion array.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Seeing he couldn't break the encirclement, Sasuke performed rapid hand seals and spat a massive fireball from his mouth, scorching a large area in front of him.

"How could that possibly work?" Mizuki used the Phantom Sound Technique to hide his true location, mocking him, "Is that all the Uchiha clan has to offer?"

Though he said this, Mizuki didn't want to face Sasuke directly. If his main body were here, he might be able to suppress the currently inexperienced Sasuke, but a weakened version of his Jinchuriki form was another matter. Using the element of surprise to test his abilities was enough; in a head-to-head duel, he couldn't take this guy down in his current state.

"What about the Uchiha? It seems you know me quite well. Who the hell are you, you cowardly rat hiding in the shadows?"

"You certainly talk big. I don't even consider an Uchiha who doesn't use his Sharingan worth my time. Find me first, then we'll talk."

"Oh? You know quite a bit about the Uchiha. Then let me show you the true power of the Uchiha." Sasuke realized that if he didn't go all out, he might really be in trouble.

Next, the Sasuke who activated his Sharingan was indeed much fiercer, but what good would it do? To lose one's head in an unfavorable situation for the sake of pride would only waste stamina.

After nearly getting his eyes pierced by a kunai hidden within the illusions at the start, Sasuke fully understood his disadvantage, dodging the real and fake traps and attacks without pause.

"The Uchiha are truly disappointing."

My chakra is running low, and the Shadow Clone won't last much longer. I must break the stalemate.

"It is said that the Uchiha clan was slaughtered to the last, and only one incompetent piece of trash was spared. That pathetic coward who clung to life—that's you, isn't it?" The more experience one has as a villain, the more poisonous their tongue becomes; it was a natural progression, and there weren't many opportunities to say such hurtful things without restraint.