Reincarnated As Mizuki - Volume 3

Orochimaru: “Tell me Mizuki, what do you know about cloning?”

Mizuki: “It is a type of jutsu with several variations that allows the user to replicate themselves by using their chakra, it can also be elemental or non corprial but that is besides the point.”

Mizuki: “Although as basically every academy student knows that, I am pretty sure that is not what you are referring to here”

Orochimaru: “As perceptive as ever Mizuki”

Orochimaru: “Naturally I am not referring to the cloning jutsu or any of its varients but rather on biological cloning ”

Mizuki: “So I am assuming that is why you have such an abundance of kekkei genkai DNA”

Orochimaru: “That’s right, all I need is a single cell of the correct DNA and I can then replicate it until I have enough”

Orochimaru: “That is the concept at least, so far the field needs much more research as so far success rates are low and results falling short”

Mizuki nodded in understanding, it made sense that Orochimaru’s research was so underdeveloped compared to the start of Naruto Canon after all.

Orochimaru: “This is also the direction that your research will continue for the foreseeable future as my assistant”

Mizuki: “Yes Sensei”

This decision was an easy one for Mizuki, after all, although this field was underdeveloped like his sensei said, they were still able to successfully transplant a kekkei genkai, even if for only a few seconds.

The road to the future in this field looked incredibly promising to Mizuki.

In a future where the only deciding factor of strength would be a magical beast sealed inside you or a bloodline, it was best to try to take advantage of one of the two.

Orochimaru: “You are too come here once a week at the same time for the foreseeable future”

Orochimaru: “Also. I would like you to conduct research of your own in regards to learning about biological cloning.”

Orochimaru: “Please do me a favour and only use ethical sources for now, the last thing I need is to receive news about you failing to cover up your tracks after kidnapping somebody”

Mizuki: “Yes Sensei, Although you never struck me as the type to assign homework”

Orochimaru looked at Mizuki with an amused smile before gesturing to a doorway opposite to where the duo was standing.

Orochimaru: “Walk down that path and hang a right in two hundred and fifty meters, than go through the first doorway on your left and you will have reached the training room.”

Mizuki: “Yes Sensei”

Mizuki: {What the f.u.c.k? What the hell is the layout of this lab? Why the f.u.c.k is it so big and confusing?}

Although, all of Mizuki’s internal questioning always converged at one answer.

Mizuki: {Because it was made by Orochimaru.}

Mizuki thanked his sensei before walking through the doorway that his sensei had instructed.

Contrary to what one may think, rather than sprinting away first opportunity he got, Mizuki continued onwards at the same pace he left at.

His slow, methodical walk did not speed up the entire time he was in the hideout, After spending what felt like an eternity in this lab he had no energy to run.

Mizuki’s footsteps continued to create their rhythmic echo as they hit the stone floor of the hideout as he followed the instructions given to him.

After what could only be described as the hardest day of his life, Mizuki was rewarded with what he wanted to see most.

Something he recognized. Something that he could cling onto to try to gain some sense of normalcy in his life.

And if that happened to be a dark stone room, than so be it.

Despite seeing this though, Mizuki couldn’t bring himself to smile even the slightest bit even after escaping from that hellhole.

‘If you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you’

Mizuki chuckled slightly as he remembered that quote that was said by some famous philosopher back on earth.

(A/N: Friedrich Nietzsche)

Never did Mizuki think that he could agree with a quote that was randomly spouted by middle school edgelords back on earth, and yet there he was.

And, with a slight nihilistic chuckle at his situation, Mizuki left the laboratory behind him as he climbed the stares that lead back to konoha.

…..

A click could be heard, indicating the locking of a door as Mizuki closed it behind him, leaving the house that sat on top of the laboratory behind as he walked down the street.

Looking around, Mizuki realized that he was in that laboratory for close to twelve hours, as although it was dark out, Konoha still had some of it’s night life active as restaurants and bars could be seen dotting the streets, with people walking about along the sidewalks.

Although Mizuki was hungry, and he could easily use the transformation jutsu to go to one of those establishments if he so desired, Mizuki just wanted to be left alone.

And so, Mizuki continued to walk onwards, seeing crowds of people in those establishments.

Mizuki could only chuckle to himself as he saw what was happening.

Konoha was gearing up for war.

Some conflicts had already started and the only direction that could be seen on the horizon was that of a world war.

And yet people still came out to these restaurants and nightclubs like they would any other day.

Mizuki faintly wondered to himself if they were just blind to it or were willingly averting their eyes.

Before he knew it, Mizuki had arrived at his apartment.

He reached into his pockets and fumbled around to find his keys, only to find them after around thirty seconds.

Mizuki: {Damn I’m slipping, I need to get some shut eye.}

Mizuki unlocked the door to his apartment as he walked in and took off his shoes.

He then walked towards the kitchen, planning to grab a cup of instant noodles and then hit the shower.

Although, he was surprised to see that inside the kitchen was somebody waiting for him.

Mizuki took a deep breath before focusing on acting fine, after all, he didn’t want to worry her with what had happened.

Mizuki: “Hey Anko”

Anko: “Hey Mizuki”

Mizuki: “Out of Curiosity…”

Anko: “..Yes?”

Mizuki: “Why are you In my house?”

Anko had a light smirk on her face as she replied to Mizuki.

Anko: “To make you dinner of course, after all, you spent the last ten hours in Orochimaru’s Lab, god knows you need it.”

Mizuki couldn’t help but smile slightly at her comment, after all, who wouldn’t be happy to see somebody they trusted after what he had went through.

Mizuki: “Thanks, Sorry if I kept you waiting”

Anko: “No Problem.”

Mizuki: “By the way?”

Anko: “Yes?”

Mizuki: “How Long have you been in here for?”

Anko: “Yes.”

Mizuki let loose a small yet genuine laugh as Anko looked in his fridge for some ingredients.

Mizuki’s fridge had an incredibly small array of ingredients as he was only planning on shopping for groceries the next day.

Eventually, they were able to work something out with what they had and began to cook.

Whilst Anko wanted to cook alone, Mizuki felt that it would be rude and so decided to assist her with some of the prep work.

However, when they were in the middle of preparing the meal, Anko said something that surprised him.

Anko: “So It was that bad, huh?”

Mizuki: “What?”

Anko: “Don’t lie to me Mizuki, you might be a great actor, but knowing you for years comes with it’s perks”

Mizuki looked at her with a small flash of surprise before resuming his act, desperately hoping that she was just taking a shot in the dark.

Mizuki: “It wasn’t even that bad, it was boring and tiring sure, but it was just a bunch of paperwork after all.”

Anko stared at him like an interrogator does their prisoner before sighing.

Anko: “Look, Mizuki, I’m not the brightest bulb in the box but that is the shitiest excuse I think I have ever heard”

Anko: “No way in hell Orochimaru calls you ALONE and you only do paper work.”

Mizuki: “Nothing. Happened.”

Anko looked at Mizuki with a complicated look before finishing the meal; some miso soup, and pouring it into a couple of bowls before sitting down at the countertop next to him.

Anko: “Mizuki, I understand that what happened in that lab is probably the toughest thing you ever faced, but that’s why I’m here, after all, what good are teammates for if not to offer our support sometimes.”

Mizuki looked at Anko with a complicated gaze before making up his mind.

Mizuki: “I am telling you Anko, nothing happened, it was just some boring as paperwork.”

Anko glared at him slightly with a pained expression, as if she was hurting watching her friend go through so much pain whilst she could only watch helplessly.

Mizuki finished off his soup before taking his bowl and placing it in the sink with no intention of washing it until the next day.

Mizuki: “Look, Anko, It’s been a long day and I’m getting tired so I am gonna go to bed.”

However, As Mizuki was about to walk down the hallway to the shower, he was stopped by the feeling of Anko grabbing onto his sleeve.

It wasn’t a hard grab by any means, and one that would be easy for Mizuki to pull away from, although he decided against it.

Mizuki: “What is wron-”

Mizuki cut himself off as he noticed it.

On the back of his sleeve was the dried blood from the surgery.

Mizuki looked back at Anko, this time with fear evident in his eyes. After all, she had probably gathered a general idea of what had happened.

What did she think of him now? Did she hate him?

The mere thought caused Mizuki to shiver.

Is it possible that he would see his life fall apart in front of his very eyes as his friends treated him with hate and disgust with what he had done?

Although, the reaction that Mizuki would never have expected, was that Anko pulled him in closer and embraced him in a warm hug.

Anko: “I would never.”

Mizuki: “Huh?”

Anko: “I told you that knowing you for a whilst comes with its perks. I can basically read you like a book now. I know exactly what you were think just now.”

As she said that, a faint smile came to her face.

Anko: “I would never be disgusted with you.”

Anko: “I’m here for you Mizuki, weather you like it or not. After all, if I wasn’t that would make me a pretty crappy best friend wouldn’t it.”

As Anko said that, Mizuki couldn’t help but look at her with a look of gratefulness.

Anko: “If you ever want to say what happened down there, I’m all ears”

Mizuki sighed to himself as he realized that he couldn’t keep secrets from Anko no matter how hard he tried.

Mizuki: “Alright, although the story is pretty long so we should probably sit down if I’m going to tell it.”

Anko: “Ok.”

Mizuki and Anko than moved to the little sitting room that was In Mizuki’s apartment and sat down.

Mizuki: “By the way Anko..”

Anko: “Yes?”

Mizuki: “Why are you still hugging me? I’m pretty much fine now.”

Anko looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eye before turning to face him.

Anko: “Because it is comfortable.”

And although he would never say it out loud, Mizuki internally couldn’t help but be happy.

Mizuki: {This is one damn comfortable hug.}