The Most Important Thing

In the Konoha Hokage's office, the Third Hokage listened to Kakashi's report while smoking. Advisor Koharu Utatane was also present. Homura Mitokado hadn't arrived yet, and strangely, even Danzo Shimura had shown up. It seemed the matter of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki and the Scroll of Sealing had alarmed even the "Darkness of Konoha."

Mizuki stood opposite them, head bowed and body hunched, awaiting judgment from the important figures.

After hearing Kakashi's report, the Third Hokage tapped his pipe, exhaled a puff of smoke, and turned his gaze to Mizuki.

"Mizuki, do you have any objections to Kakashi's statement?"

"No, Lord Third Hokage, it's all the truth."

"So, you admit to the crime of instigating Naruto Uzumaki to steal the Scroll of Sealing?"

"Yes, I did it all."

"Then what was your objective? To obtain the Scroll of Sealing?" the Third Hokage suddenly intensified his tone, asking sternly, "Or did you collude with others and prepare to betray the village?"

Hearing this, Mizuki thought, Here it comes.

"I have no need for the Scroll of Sealing; it's not something I can control. I also didn't collude with anyone; I did all this by myself. Furthermore, I have no dissatisfaction with the village and no intention of betraying it."

Koharu Utatane couldn't hold back. "Nonsense! If you didn't intend to become a rogue ninja, why would you do such a thing? Don't think you can hide it; Konoha has plenty of ways to make you tell the truth."

"My target was Iruka," Mizuki said, surprisingly to everyone, in response to the questioning.

That's right, from the very beginning, Mizuki understood that with his own unclear suspicions, he had missed the chance to clear his name. There wasn't enough time to change the situation, so there was only one way to solve the problem—to put it in a single sentence: one crime, not two punishments; hide a major crime with a minor one, then switch the beam and the pillar to divert attention. As long as his connection with Orochimaru and his attempted defection weren't known to the Third Hokage, there was still room for maneuver.

Mizuki glanced at Kakashi. It's good you're here; it'll be more convincing and save a lot of trouble, he thought.

The Third Hokage was clearly unsatisfied with Mizuki's answer.

"Do you have a conflict with Iruka? If I recall correctly, you and Iruka have been friends for many years. Do you resent Iruka for taking the teacher position at the Ninja Academy before you?"

"I used to."

"Used to? So, you're saying you don't anymore? That's an interesting statement." Danzo, ever the schemer, mercilessly pointed out the implication in Mizuki's words. "Don't try to use rhetoric to erase your guilt. If you don't reveal your true objective and motives, we will take further action to obtain the truth."

A naked threat, applied to Mizuki without any pretense.

It's precisely to avoid this situation that I had to do so many things I didn't want to do, Mizuki thought helplessly.

Actually, when he first transmigrated, Mizuki had considered confessing his problems directly. But what should he say, and what shouldn't he? If he only admitted to the deception in retrieving the secret documents, what would be his motive for surrendering? Since he had already committed a crime and submitted a false report to Konoha, why would he surrender? Was he threatened into confessing to Konoha to cover up more issues?

If he also confessed his connection with Orochimaru, it would be a much more serious matter. Colluding with an S-rank rogue ninja would definitely lead to a trip to the interrogation department. With his willpower as a white-collar worker, the chance of enduring it was slim, let alone with the Yamanaka Clan's mind-reading techniques. If his identity as a transmigrator were exposed, it wouldn't just be a matter of detention and interrogation. The thought sent a shiver down his spine; in this world where supernatural powers ran rampant, it was difficult to keep secrets without power.

Therefore, Mizuki staged this play, finding an excuse that fit his identity and status, committing a mistake, and using the opportunity to confess some things to avoid further investigation. The key was to guide their perception of him. He absolutely couldn't let Konoha see him as a rogue ninja or even an enemy, but merely an ordinary ninja who had committed some harmful acts and made mistakes. Moreover, he couldn't give them any leverage. From the perspective of Konoha's entire high-level power structure, it was very possible to exploit the conflict between the conservative faction and the radical faction. If handled well, the conflict between enemies could be reduced to a conflict of internal ideologies. This was the method that only a transmigrator's intelligence advantage could employ.

"Lord Danzo, Lord Third Hokage, I was once dissatisfied because Iruka, who was inferior to me in all aspects, took my teaching position. However, over time, I have realized that Iruka is indeed more suitable as a teacher at the Ninja Academy than I am. His patience and sense of responsibility towards a group of brats are far beyond my reach. And what I want to prove is not these things~"

"What exactly do you want?" the Third Hokage pressed further.

"I want Iruka to understand that he is an excellent teacher at the Ninja Academy, but definitely not an excellent ninja teacher. Lord Hokage, I firmly believe this."

"You instigated the Nine-Tails jinchuriki to steal the Scroll of Sealing for such a trivial reason? It's simply preposterous," Koharu Utatane scolded.

Mizuki didn't reply. Neither the Third Hokage nor Danzo spoke. A silence fell.

After a while, Danzo asked, "So, you had Naruto Uzumaki steal the forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Sealing, and then defeat Iruka. To make him admit his misjudgment and be surpassed by someone he thought lacked ninja talent—that's the most convincing reason, right?"

"Yes," Mizuki admitted.

"Why do you disagree with Iruka? Is it merely because your opinions differ? I remember when you reported for the graduation exam, I had already given instructions, yet you still did something unnecessary," the Third Hokage continued.

"I am very sorry, Lord Third Hokage. I have always believed that for the children at the Ninja Academy, once they graduate, they should be treated according to ninja ways. The charade of the ninja game should stop. Unwarranted naivety will only ruin these children's futures. Rejecting a child from the ninja gates simply because of excessive concern for a few weaknesses is too much indulgence and too arrogant. Only strength is the greatest reliance on the ninja path; those who can withstand various mission tests are qualified ninjas."

"Strength above all? Mizuki, your view is very dangerous. However, this reason is too far-fetched," the Third Hokage said with regret, shaking his head.

"It's not strength above all, but missions above all. Strength is a very important part, but not the entirety."

"Your statement is largely the same; it's just a matter of degree. After all this talk, you're still envious and jealous of Iruka."

At this point in the conversation, Mizuki felt things were a bit out of control, but his objective hadn't been fully achieved. However, the current situation was still acceptable.

"Although I don't believe that's the case, I cannot completely deny it, Lord Hokage."

"Is that so!"

Another period of silence followed.

We're at a stalemate, what should I do? Should I confess proactively? Or wait for another opportunity?

The only sound in the room was the crackling of the cigarette. No one spoke. Just as Mizuki was about to break under the tension, the Third Hokage's voice came again.

"Mizuki, about your previous mission to retrieve the secret documents, do you have anything to say?"

Finally, he asked, Mizuki thought, suppressing his inner joy. He feigned a look of shock, glanced at the Third Hokage, then hesitantly lowered his head, and finally, as if making a firm decision, said, "I lied, Lord Hokage."

"Explain the specific situation again."

"Our strength was insufficient to complete the mission while escorting someone with a severely injured leg who was unable to move properly. I apologize, sir."

"So, you killed your teammate?" the Third Hokage asked in shock.

"Yes," Mizuki replied.

Although they had long suspected Mizuki and had been investigating him for some time, hearing it directly was still difficult to accept.

Koharu Utatane beside him pointed at Mizuki with a trembling finger, her voice filled with indignation. "I can't believe Konoha has a ninja who would kill his own comrade! This is outrageous! Such a person is unfit to be a ninja."

Hearing this, Mizuki was speechless. Where did this leave Hatake Kakashi's reputation? He really wanted to see what Kakashi's face looked like right now.

In truth, Mizuki was far from the only one in Konoha to have killed a comrade during a mission; the Copy Ninja Hatake Kakashi standing nearby was far more famous than he was. Furthermore, Kakashi's act of killing his teammate Nohara Rin had directly caused Uchiha Obito to turn to darkness. The Hatake family was truly interesting. Kakashi had killed his teammate for the sake of a mission, while his father had abandoned a mission for the sake of his teammates, only to be misunderstood by everyone and driven to suicide.

It seemed the severity of this matter was nowhere near as grave as imagined. While killing a teammate was rare, it was certainly not unheard of. Abandoning teammates when a mission went south, or even killing them to prevent them from being captured alive and leaking intelligence, was not entirely unacceptable; it was just that in the current Konoha, it invited criticism. It was the subsequent act of deception—filing a false report to avoid potential blame and punishment—that made the higher-ups wary. Such behavior would undoubtedly be branded as unscrupulous and untrustworthy. After all, a ninja village was, at its core, a semi-militarized mercenary organization. No one would trust someone who deceived their superiors.

With matters having reached this point, there was no need for further questioning. The Third Hokage ordered, "Kakashi, escort Mizuki out." After sending away the awkward Kakashi, he said to Mizuki, "You may return for now, but you are not permitted to leave the village. Until the disciplinary measures are decided, it would be best not to do anything that might cause misunderstandings."

Kakashi and Mizuki acknowledged the order and withdrew.

"Should we investigate further, Third?" Koharu Utatane asked.

"No need," the Third replied. "The incident is already clear. The investigation into the mission to retrieve the classified documents has already uncovered much of the truth; Mizuki's answers were merely a confirmation. Regarding the Scroll of Sealing incident, it is indeed impossible to find Mizuki's purpose or motive for wanting to seize it, as many of the ninjutsu within are forbidden techniques that even I cannot use. Moreover, Mizuki's actions showed no suspicion of attempting to steal the Scroll of Sealing. Observations via the Telescope Technique also revealed no signs of an attempt to defect. Iruka's testimony should be credible. Although Mizuki is still being evasive about the specific reasons, that is of little consequence and does not require further investigation."

"Even so, he must be severely punished. The impact is truly terrible."

"Mm, I will handle it."

"I believe we should expel such a delinquent ninja. This kind of reckless behavior damages Konoha's reputation," Koharu Utatane insisted relentlessly.

Danzo, standing to the side, interjected, "A ninja who has made a mistake is still a Konoha ninja, and besides, he completed the mission."

"But Mizuki lied and deceived Konoha," Koharu Utatane retorted.

Danzo did not argue, merely looking at the Third.

Caught in the middle, the Third took a deep drag of his pipe and sighed...

Stepping out of the Hokage building, the sky was already bright, and the streets were crowded. Although exhausted, Mizuki could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Since he hadn't been dragged off to the Torture and Interrogation Force on the spot, he had likely escaped the fate of the rack, chili water, flaying, and mind-reading. Orochimaru's involvement hadn't been exposed, and his secret as a transmigrator remained safe. The debts of his predecessor had also been settled with this incident. Although he would be criticized by many, as long as he accepted the punishment this time, no one would have an excuse to use these matters against him again. As time passed, the Hokage would die in battle in a few months, and with Konoha's manpower in short supply, it was unlikely anyone would care about these past events. Moreover, going from a suspect to someone with a criminal record might actually be a good thing; restricted movement and surveillance were, in a way, a form of protection. Important matters and missions wouldn't be assigned to him in the near future. He would likely be given dirty or menial work, which might actually allow him to avoid some dangers.

Thinking of this, Mizuki couldn't help but quicken his pace toward home. He could finally get a good night's sleep; in less than a day, he had burned through more brain cells than he had in an entire year. He would prepare well for what was to come, and surely, there wouldn't be anything as thorny as this again.