บท 35: Time goes by

It had been a week since Mizuki's last fight with Iruka, Iruka had been flinching around Mizuki for a while, but was back to normal within a few days... Is what Iruka would think, but he had very much changed, under Mizuki's guidance, their dynamic had slowly but surely been altered, Iruka now had enough trust in Mizuki's strenght that frequent questioning of seemingly dangerous decisions had stopped.

Making sure of that, Mizuki had left the issue behind, as he had further issues to think about.

" He's good looking isn't he? "

" Hey don't you feel shame you old woman, but really, he really is pretty good looking..."

And no, it wasn't the two middle aged ladies gossiping about Mizuki that was worrying him, it was the reason of the gossip in the first place.

Mizuki's eye twitched as his sensitive hearing picked up the talks of the two, in fact he could even smell the groceries they had in their bag, all his senses have gone something of a big upgrade over the week and they weren't stopping anytime soon it would seem.

' It had an effect after all.. sage mode actually had an effect on my body, this was within my consideration, but the effects are a bit much, I am having trouble adapting.... Sigh. '

Mizuki was spending more and more time in sage mode daily, he was adapting extremely fast to the power boost, he would have completely mastered the mode by now if it wasn't for one thing.

' My body is getting upgraded, the more time I am spending as a sage, the more my body is changing '

Trying to Ignore the bright eyes of people everywhere he went, Mizuki's eyes twitched again.

' If it was related to just my senses upgrading or my chakra expanding, It shouldn't have been too much of a problem, but my whole body is changing.. My shoulders slightly broadened, my arms got better definition, my muscles are increasing in an overall way, and my skin, it's too flawless!? '

" E-Excuse me! M-Mr ninja, can I please talk to you for a second..!"

Almost gritting his teeth, Mizuki went towards the young woman with a smile on his face either way.. it was the 12th time today.

" S-Sir Ninja! I I "

No, you are not to confess, I forbid, just stop-

" Sir Ninja! Please go out with- "

Tightening his fist inside his pocket, Mizuki's eyes twitched as he had to go through this farce once again.

' I am a scientist..! This is not my forte..! I knew people in this world are into looks and everything but damn, can you leave me alone! "

Stuttering, the young woman made a bow.

" -So please consider me! "

Forcing a smile, Mizuki gave his rehearsed reply

" Miss I am flattered! But I am a Ninja, being with me poses a lot of risks, I can't possibly have a young lady such as you get into such situations! "

Almost glowing in the eyes she broke onto Mizuki

" It's no problem!! No problem at all! I am ready for all- "

Take the goddam hint! Mizuki was this close to destroying the menace.

" Yo! There you are, come with me. "

Mizuki only managed to raise an eyebrow at the sudden appearance besides him, before he was flickered out of there.

" Where did he go..? Must be Ninja work! So coool! "

Standing on top of a house, Mizuki watched the girl squealing happily as she went her way to where he could only assume was the hell she crawled out of.

" So.. Kakashi san, what did I do to have the pleasure? "

Said Mizuki in an inquisitive tone, with a slight doubt showing on his face.

Kakashi was though long since reading his icha icha, and looked up as he replied in a bored way

" Oh nothing, you can go now "

Tilting his head, Mizuki replied

" Is that so..? "

Not looking up from his book Kakashi turned towards the direction the girl went and got ready to lie down on the roof as he said.

" Yeah, your situation reminded me of.. some old memories. "

That was the extent of Kakashi's explanations as he began giggling in a creepy while reading icha icha.

' Old memories he says.. is it Minato, or is it himself.. '

Smiling a warm smile even though Kakashi wasn't looking, Mizuki said as he went the other way preparing to flicker away.

" I see, well, I must thank Kakashi san either way, you really saved my skin there, so long "

" ....Try wearing a mask "

Flashing a smile as a sign of hearing, Mizuki flickered away.

' Mask, so himself in childhood. Now I wonder... How much of today's incidents were orchestrated.. and how many were real.. '

As if all was but an illusion, completely devoid of any panic or emotions just present a while ago on his face, Mizuki thought of his performance this week.

' I had played the part of my frustrations clearly. Micro expressions were done as well, this should have been enough information for Ninja's to ' gleam ' what I was thinking from me. '

Mizuki ofcourse knew, a few days ago anbu had started tailing him everywhere. Naruto's visit was sooner rather than later it seems.

The anbu in question, was Kakashi himself.

' The Hokage isn't incompetent after all, this was a masterful strategy. Kakashi needed to leave the behind the scenes work and start teaching in the light. Instead of dropping him right where he didn't belong, Hokage decided to ease him into the role. '

Thinking of the various considerations that went into this simple decision, Mizuki decided to go through them.

' One Kakashi is not comfortable working in the light, Third decided to let him tail me in the village as a mission for his slow moving into light.

Second, as for why it's Kakashi specifically who is tailing, Hokage should have decided my relationship with Naruto was good enough that Kakashi while tailing me would see Naruto frequently, reminding him of his sensei and happy past, I did feel slight peeking sensations while nobody was around, that should have been the Hokage himself with his crystal ball, making sure my behaviour is truly as sunny as I tend to show..

And lastly, Kakashi met me today to help me out, he should have seen enough to not deem me a threat, as he isn't actually following me anymore... Then his advice was likely his way of thanking me for taking care of Naruto all this while.. '

Mizuki smiled a happy smile as he should finally be considered safe. It was done, Kakashi had seen enough, soon Hokage would know from his mouth as well as his own judgement on the matter, he would deem me worthy of use. Worthy of carrying the will of fire...

" Haah. The things I do to keep living "