Exploration

Once a decision had been made, ninja were remarkably efficient in action. Just over a day later, Utakata, Kirigakure's Six-Tails Jinchuriki, and his escort team arrived in Konoha. After a brief rest, they set out for Kumogakure.

Before leaving, Mizuki gave his disciple, Sakura Haruno, one final round of instruction.

Whether it was ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, or even senjutsu, Mizuki had little left to say. He had already taught her everything he could.

What he had not taught her were all excessively dangerous forbidden techniques, which Sakura was not yet suited to learn.

The only thing that could still bring Sakura a breakthrough in strength within a short time was space-time ninjutsu.

Unfortunately, although Mizuki had already given Sakura his improved version of the Flying Raijin Jutsu, such a space-time technique—one capable of changing the course of a battle single-handedly—was not so easily mastered.

Though she could not use space-time ninjutsu as freely as Mizuki, after training diligently for so long, she could at least barely use the Space-Time Warehouse.

For a versatile ninja, having a Space-Time Warehouse that could carry vast quantities of materials at all times was tremendously helpful. Mizuki's careful instruction had not been wasted.

Watching Sakura place piles of ninja tools and supplies into the Space-Time Warehouse, Mizuki nodded in satisfaction.

"That's enough. There isn't much time before you leave, so you'd better go back and prepare first..."

"Understood. Thank you for your hard work, Sensei!"

"Go on!"

Mizuki waved his hand. Sakura turned and left as instructed, while Mizuki paid little mind to the final polite words.

This might have been the last time Mizuki would directly interact with one of Konoha's next-generation pillars.

Ever since Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Hinata Hyuga had successively been promoted to chunin, Mizuki's position as Team 8's instructor