Kagura Mind's Eye

On the morning of the second day of the Chunin Exams, Mizuki rose early and headed out. It wasn't out of diligence, but because a mission had arrived.

Technically, his primary role was that of a mobile reserve. It was best when there was nothing to do, but if something went wrong, he was essentially a brick in the revolution—moved wherever he was needed. In layman's terms, he was a glorified errand boy, pulled in by whoever felt short-handed.

Despite knowing this, Mizuki had mentally prepared himself, but carrying stretchers? What the hell was that? Did this really require a Chunin? Shouldn't they just grab a few interns, or perhaps some random strong men off the street?

"Isn't Anko Mitarashi the proctor for the second stage? Why are you the one making the arrangements?" Mizuki complained to the man in front of him, clearly dissatisfied.

"Because Special Jonin Anko had an accident, and I am temporarily assisting with the second stage of the exams," Hatake Kakashi replied, ignoring the other man's attitude and explaining matter-of-factly.

"An accident?" Mizuki asked, feigning ignorance. "You mean that massive scene in the Forest of Death yesterday? I have to say, the strength of this year's examinees is terrifying. That spectacle made even us veterans feel ashamed."

"Examinees?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, not for a second believing that Mizuki thought such a massive disturbance—something even he would struggle to create—could be the work of mere Chunin-level candidates.

"Let's just call them examinees. But it is true that Anko was injured, and it's hard to say how much that scene has to do with current events."

"It has nothing to do with me anyway." It really didn't; it was Orochimaru's doing. "With such a major incident, shouldn't you be more concerned about your students? There seem to be quite a few dangerous individuals in there."

"As ninjas, we always encounter such things. Besides, I believe they will pass the exam safely."

"I also think they'll pass, but whether they'll be 'safe' is another matter."

"Enough talk," Kakashi said, beginning to detail the mission. "The village's Jonin are all out on missions, and I need to assist the Anbu in searching for dangerous individuals. The Forest of Death is no place for ordinary people; only a Chunin with your strength can go in to rescue them. There are more and more disqualified examinees, and the village needs extra hands to bring them out, dead or alive."

"How many are still missing?"

"Including those still taking the exam, only half remain."

"Why is the progress so fast this year?"

"Powerful guys are always impatient."

Indeed, the strength of this year's examinees was too high, the standard too great.

"Fine. So, 'carrying stretchers' means rescuing the living and collecting the dead?"

"Of course. But your main task is to protect the medical staff, who aren't strong in combat. If it's convenient, lend a hand with the rest. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going."

"What do you mean? You aren't dumping this whole mess on me, are you?" Mizuki complained about the trouble being thrust upon him. "I'm a severely wounded patient, you know!"

"Huh?" While grumbling, Mizuki suddenly spotted a familiar face.

Kakashi, who was just about to leave, also noticed Karin dozing off on a hospital bench.

"What, you know her?"

"No, how could I?" Mizuki shook his head. "I saw her during the first stage. Don't you think that hair is quite eye-catching?"

"Indeed." Kakashi nodded in agreement. A vibrant red, the exact same shade as Kushina Uzumaki's—it was hard not to notice. "Could it be that you're interested in a little girl like that?"

"How is that possible?" Mizuki hurriedly denied it. Three years to life, death penalty at the worst; he wasn't taking that heat. "Even if you're stronger than me and I can't beat you, I'm older than you. You can't just slander a senior like that. I have a fiancée, unlike you, who is all alone."

"I am a Jonin," Kakashi said indifferently.

"I have a fiancée."

"I'm more famous than you, better looking, and wealthier."

"I have a fiancée."

"Fine, let's stop talking about your fiancée," Kakashi surrendered. "That Grass Village ninja was rescued last night; she was relatively close at the time. But she and her teammates were too weak; they were taken down before they even saw the enemy. Two were severely injured and barely clung to life—they probably won't be able to serve as ninjas anymore. But this weakest little girl was completely unharmed. She opened the scroll alone and was brought out. She's quite lucky, really."

She was, after all, a girl with the "great luck" attribute, always able to escape crises and be rescued even when facing fatal danger.

"Kakashi, do we really need to go all out to save ninjas from other villages? If we go in before the exam is over, won't that interfere with it?"

"There's no other way. Originally, whether those inside lived or died had nothing to do with the village, but the commotion is too big to hide now. If others use our lack of security as an excuse to cause trouble, it will be a headache. The Chunin Exams must continue, but we'll try to rescue them without affecting the proceedings. If they were just attacked or killed by other examinees, we'll preserve the evidence," Kakashi explained.

Mizuki nodded to show he understood.

"I'm off then. If there are any issues, head to the Central Tower; there are ninjas on duty there." With that, he left.

Looking at the drowsy Karin, Mizuki thought for a moment and walked over. Before he even reached her, Karin woke up and immediately spotted him.

"Looks like she's already quite proficient with Kagura Mind's Eye."

"We meet again," Mizuki greeted. "I didn't expect you to make it out unscathed. You've got some decent skills."

"You are... Proctor Mizuki?" Karin hesitated, still using the title. Even though Mizuki had shown kindness, she didn't know his true intentions.

"No need to call me proctor; I'm not monitoring anymore," Mizuki replied. "Glad you're okay. Get some rest."

"But, Senior Mizuki..." Karin hesitated. "My teammates are all severely injured, and I'm the only one who's fine. If I go back to the Grass Village..." She trailed off. Complaining to a ninja from another village wouldn't help anyway.

"Remember what I said and what I gave you," Mizuki said without elaborating. "Try your best to protect yourself."

"Yes, Senior," Karin said, her eyes reddening. For someone who had always been used as a human medicine jar, covered in bite marks and scars, a little concern from someone else was a rare and precious thing after years of loneliness.

"I have a mission. I'll check on the wounded in the hospital in a bit, then I have to go. Don't overthink things; just act according to your own heart."

While Mizuki was acting as a bodyguard and part-time stretcher-bearer in the Forest of Death, the Chunin Exams, which had seen a minor deviation, began to shift back toward the path certain people desired, all thanks to the appearance of Kabuto Yakushi.