Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 18: Hard Battle

The three remained on high alert as the thick mist closed in. Even before they could see the enemy, they felt a massive surge of chakra erupt from the distant bridge.

"Kakashi is in a tough fight as well? Looks like the enemy has timed this perfectly. We lack intelligence and have already been exposed first." Mizuki felt a growing sense of unease. Kakashi couldn't be relied upon now, and Ibiki's situation was uncertain. A surprise attack was unlikely in this dense mist, meaning they were in for a head-on battle.

The three of them slowly disappeared into the fog, forming a triangular formation with their backs against each other.

"Careful. There are four of them," Mizuki whispered. "They're from Kirigakure's Assassination Squad. This just got complicated."

"Should we strike first?" Gekkō Hayate asked Yamashiro Aoba, the strongest among them.

"Let's see if we can negotiate first. Engaging Kirigakure's forces directly could spark a conflict. Let's find out their objective."

Gradually, four vague silhouettes emerged from the mist. Their leader appeared young, with white hair, while the others had red, green, and blue hair.

"The three primary colors? What is it with this world and wild hair colors?" Mizuki internally scoffed at their dramatic appearances.

Aoba stepped forward. "You're from Kirigakure's Assassination Squad, aren't you? What business do you have interfering in Konoha's mission?"

A raspy voice came from the white-haired leader. "Our target is the rogue ninja Zabuza and the Executioner's Blade." He emphasized the latter.

"We have no intention of being your enemies. Leave now, and we will not pursue you."

"We can't do that," Aoba replied firmly. "We have a mission to complete."

"Oh? So you intend to interfere with Kirigakure's internal affairs?"

"Tch, an S-rank rogue ninja is no longer part of Kirigakure," Mizuki retorted.

"Then there's nothing to discuss. It's a shame, really. We could have had a mutually beneficial arrangement." The white-haired leader's voice turned cold. "Now, we'll kill you all and take over the Land of Waves."

With negotiations failing, the battle erupted immediately.

Among the Konoha trio, Aoba was the strongest, but his illusion-based techniques were ineffective in this misty environment. Hayate was a skilled swordsman, but his poor health made a prolonged fight dangerous. **Mizuki, despite his lack of standout abilities, was physically the most durable, had the fewest weaknesses, and could utilize his experimental water-based summons for reconnaissance. Ironically, he was the best suited for this fight.

"The leader is a swordsman. Hayate, take him," Aoba ordered.

"Understood." Hayate lunged forward.

Mizuki and Aoba faced the other three opponents. Surprisingly, their enemies weren't as strong as expected, relying on coordinated attacks to hold their ground.

The battle quickly became a stalemate.

Mizuki glanced toward Hayate's fight. The white-haired swordsman was skilled, matching Hayate evenly. However, given his youth, his stamina should be weaker. That said, Hayate's health issues were an equal concern.

Thinking fast, Mizuki turned to Aoba. "Cover me for a bit."

Without waiting for an answer, he bit his thumb, unsealed a scroll, and began summoning.

Aoba quickly stepped in front of him. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

A massive fireball erupted through the mist, forcing the three enemies back.

"Summoning Jutsu."

A wave of glowing creatures surfaced from the water, nearly invisible due to their transparent bodies.

"Follow me. Time to break through." With no proper tank, Mizuki had to take that role himself. Their opponents weren't top-tier ninja, so a frontal assault had a decent chance of success.

Mizuki hurled three kunai toward the enemy before charging straight in. As his opponents dodged, they screamed in pain.

One took a kunai to the arm, rendering it useless.

Another was struck in the chest with a poisoned kunai.

The third was stabbed through the stomach by Aoba.

"These venomous jellyfish summons aren't just for show," Mizuki smirked.

"Well done," Aoba praised.

"This side is clear. I'm going to help Hayate. Be careful."

Mizuki sprinted toward the other fight.

"Time to end this quickly."

---

Hayate and the white-haired swordsman had been dueling intensely.

Hayate, a skilled assassin, was suffering in a prolonged engagement. Though technically superior, his low stamina and the misty conditions were putting him at a disadvantage.

"Hm? There's something in the water… Mizuki's summons?" Hayate noticed.

"That means their side won. Help is coming."

Subtly, Hayate adjusted his footwork, leading his opponent toward a specific spot.

"Sealing Jutsu: Binding Formation!"

Suddenly, glowing seals erupted from the water, wrapping around the white-haired swordsman's body.

He was completely immobilized.

Hayate wasted no time.

Three Moonlight Dance!

— A slice across the throat.

— A stab through the chest.

— A final slash, severing his sword arm.

"It's over…" Hayate thought, relaxing for a brief moment.

"Watch out!" Mizuki shouted. "It's a Water Clone!"

The "corpse" suddenly melted into water, while a water spear shot toward Hayate's stomach.

Despite trying to dodge, he was hit.

"Damn it! That's Hozuki Suigetsu!" Mizuki cursed. "Why hasn't Orochimaru abducted him yet?!"

Suigetsu reappeared, unharmed, his sword raised again.

In an instant, he slaughtered Mizuki's remaining jellyfish summons.

"Damn it! Those took forever to raise…"

Mizuki grabbed Hayate and retreated. He couldn't fight Suigetsu while protecting an injured ally.

However, when he reached Aoba, his situation was just as bad.

"What happened?" Mizuki demanded.

Aoba, bleeding heavily, was kneeling in the water. His leg had a gaping wound.

"…Poison," Aoba muttered. "Their blood is toxic. It spreads through water."

"Unexpected variables keep piling up..." Mizuki thought grimly.

Suigetsu approached leisurely. "It's over. You should run. I only want the Executioner's Blade."

Mizuki let out a bitter laugh. "Aoba, Hayate… If I abandon you and run, do you think the Third Hokage will let me live?"

With that, he unsealed a batch of glowing green vials.

"Inject this into your wounds. It might save your life. Or kill you faster. Your choice."

"…The hell is this?" Aoba frowned.

"Experimental medicine. A byproduct of my poison research. No guarantees."

Before they could protest, Mizuki stabbed a vial into his own arm.

A searing pain surged through his body, making him scream.

Seeing Mizuki endure it, the other two hesitated, then followed suit.

"Damn it! This hurts like hell!" Aoba gritted his teeth.

"Yeah, well… if we live, I'll explain later." Mizuki gasped.

Hayate slowly forced himself to stand.

"…Let's finish this."

"But their poison…"

"I'll handle that," Mizuki interrupted.

He unsealed another vial, pouring blue liquid into the water.

A pungent smell filled the air.

"This neutralizes organic toxins." Mizuki smirked. "It's based on something called algae bloom."

Suigetsu blinked. "…What the hell kind of ninja are you?"

"A very prepared one."

Mizuki stepped forward.

"You two recover. I'll buy us time."