Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 28: The Growing Pains of Strength

Lately, Haruno Sakura had been feeling troubled.

It wasn't just her lack of progress with Sasuke, nor Naruto's constant antics. No—for the first time, she truly realized that she was lagging behind.

Sasuke being the top student was expected. But even Naruto, the so-called dead last, was catching up rapidly. Where did that leave her?

In Sasuke's eyes, she wasn't even as important as Naruto anymore.

That was the most painful realization of all.

"Even Naruto has gotten stronger," she muttered bitterly, staring out from her balcony. "Sasuke is amazing as always… but me? I haven't helped them at all!"

With the Chunin Exams approaching, Sakura found herself doubting whether she should even participate.

"Maybe I should just withdraw," she sighed. "I don't want to be a burden…"

Her self-doubt was abruptly interrupted by a voice calling her name.

---

Meanwhile, in a secluded training field, Kakashi watched Mizuki with a growing sense of unease.

"You're setting up barriers, genjutsu arrays, traps, and sealing formations? Are you testing her or preparing for war?"

"Better safe than sorry." Mizuki smirked. "This is for your student's own good. You should be thanking me."

"…It's just a preliminary test. Is all this really necessary?"

"As mentors, we must ensure the next generation is prepared for anything," Mizuki replied matter-of-factly. "Where's your sense of responsibility, Kakashi?"

Kakashi sighed, rubbing his temple. "I do care… but I'm worried because you're the one testing her."

Mizuki finished his final touches. "What were you saying?"

"Nothing," Kakashi muttered. "Just that Sakura's almost here."

Mizuki looked into the distance. "You've got sharp eyes. I don't see anything yet."

"I'm standing higher up."

Far off, two figures approached—Sasuke and Sakura.

---

"Sasuke-kun, you said you wanted to talk?" Sakura asked nervously. "But… why bring me to such a remote place?"

"Because it's quiet here. No distractions."

Then, without hesitation, he dropped the bombshell.

"You should withdraw from the Chunin Exams."

Sakura froze.

Watching from a distance, Kakashi frowned.

"…Did he really just say that? Damn brat. That's way too harsh."

Before Sakura could process what was happening, Mizuki activated the genjutsu formation.

The surroundings morphed and twisted—turning the area into a trap-laden battlefield.

"Sasuke-kun, why…?" she whispered. "Do you not want to be in a team with me?"

"It's not that," "Sasuke" replied coldly. "You're just too weak. If you withdraw, Naruto and I can find a better teammate."

"…But Kakashi-sensei—"

"It's a voluntary exam. If you quit, he can't stop you."

Outside the illusion, Mizuki smirked. "That's my cue."

He turned to Kakashi. "Want to play the villain?"

"No thanks," Kakashi deadpanned.

"Too bad." Mizuki formed a hand seal, creating a shadow clone, which transformed into a masked Grass Ninja.

The attack began.

Kunai rained down from all directions, and the forest erupted with hidden traps. The ambush was so sudden and overwhelming that escape was impossible.

"Get down!" "Sasuke" shoved Sakura aside, shielding her with his body.

In an instant, he was impaled—kunai piercing through his body like a pincushion.

"Pathetic," the Grass Ninja sneered. "If you weaklings insist on taking the exam, you'll end up just like him."

Hidden in the shadows, Mizuki nudged Kakashi. "How's my acting?"

"…You're enjoying this way too much."

Back in the illusion, Sakura's expression darkened.

She stood up.

She wasn't fooled.

"A shadow clone mixed with genjutsu," she murmured, her hands forming seals. "You thought that could trick a Konoha ninja?"

Mizuki's eyes narrowed.

"…She saw through it already?"

Kakashi crossed his arms. "She was the top academy student for a reason. Her chakra control is the best of the three."

The illusion shattered.

The kunai barrage had never touched her. The three puppet samurai emerging from the mist were nothing but tricks.

Yet…

When the third puppet actually attacked, she barely dodged in time—a lock of her hair was sliced clean off.

Kakashi frowned. "Mizuki, this level of deception is too advanced for a genin."

"For an ordinary genin? Maybe," Mizuki shrugged. "But for one taking the Chunin Exams? This is just barely acceptable."

"…Fine."

Mizuki's shadow clone pressed the attack.

Sakura was forced into a relentless battle against an onslaught of illusions, traps, and unpredictable physical strikes.

"Come on, girl," the masked ninja sneered. "Your little genjutsu tricks won't help you forever."

The ground itself shifted—illusions mixing seamlessly with reality.

Sakura destroyed one of the puppets with a kick, but she was already exhausted.

Kakashi sighed. "She's reaching her limit."

Mizuki nodded. "Good. Just a little longer."

The fight dragged on, pushing Sakura's endurance to the brink.

And then—

The shadow clone dispersed.

Kakashi exhaled in relief. "Finally over."

Or so he thought.

Suddenly—

The "destroyed" puppet moved.

"…What?"

The discarded puppet suddenly reformed itself, rising from the broken pieces. It lunged at Sakura again, blade gleaming.

"Wait, the illusion should've collapsed—"

Kakashi pulled up his forehead protector, revealing his Sharingan.

What he saw made him tense.

"…Mizuki. That thing isn't an illusion."

Mizuki smirked. "Of course not."

"Then what is it?"

"The real experiment."

Sakura, too exhausted to react in time, could only brace for impact.

The blade descended—

A single lock of her other side's hair fell.

She had barely escaped.

Panting, she collapsed onto the ground.

The puppet halted.

"…Balanced now," it muttered. "Left side cut, right side cut. Perfect symmetry."

It then tossed her a scroll.

"For your effort, a gift."

Then it added, "But think carefully… Without strength, you'll only hold others back."

Kakashi's gaze turned sharp. "That was too much, Mizuki."

"I compensated her, didn't I?" Mizuki said nonchalantly.

With a hand seal, the puppet disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Along with it, the entire battlefield illusion finally faded.

Kakashi crossed his arms. "What did you give her?"

"Oh, just some sealing techniques, medical formulas, and genjutsu insights." Mizuki yawned. "She's a bright girl. Perfect for that kind of knowledge."

"…You're pushing her too fast."

Mizuki tilted his head. "Aren't you the one underestimating her?"

Kakashi hesitated.

"She's not Sasuke," Mizuki continued. "She's not Naruto. But that doesn't mean she has no potential."

"…You might be right."

"Well, whatever," Mizuki stretched. "She's your student, not mine. Your problem now."

Kakashi sighed. "I had a bad feeling about this… and I was right."

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*