Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 231: Equivalent Exchange

"Strange?" Mizuki asked casually with a chuckle.

"How should I put it?" Kakashi looked slightly awkward. "That female Mizukage seems quite interested in what I look like beneath my mask."

"Isn't that normal?" Mizuki replied nonchalantly.

"Is it though? Shouldn't she be more focused on the important matters? I mean, she's the Mizukage..."

"Female Mizukage," Mizuki emphasized with a smirk.

"Ahem." Kakashi looked uneasy. "How about... you come with me later?"

"No thanks. I still want to check out the Mist Village's barrier systems," Mizuki declined. "Besides, I wouldn't be much help if I went—I'd probably just get in the way."

"Why's that?" Kakashi asked, puzzled.

Mizuki said lightly, "Because I'm a married man."

That excuse was more than enough to shut Kakashi up.

"So, Kakashi," Mizuki added teasingly, "maybe it's time you made good use of your assets. Who knows, we might get a little extra out of this negotiation."

"Highly unlikely," Kakashi said with a sheepish smile. "Not many people are curious about what I look like under this mask."

"Or maybe you've just been around me for too long and forgot," Mizuki quipped. "You do realize I already know what you look like, right?"

"Really? You've seen me?" Kakashi was unsure. Despite hiding his face well over the years, there were a few close colleagues who knew.

"Of course," Mizuki confirmed, thinking back to his previous life where Kakashi's face had been revealed more than once.

Turning around, Mizuki called out to the genin nearby. "Hey, Naruto, Sakura—have you ever seen what Kakashi-sensei really looks like under that mask?"

His words immediately ignited the genin's curiosity.

"Wait, should you really be bringing this up?" Kakashi said awkwardly, his single visible eye darting about as the kids stared at him. "A ninja's real face is classified information!"

"But Mizuki-sensei just said he's seen it!"

"You misunderstood," Kakashi said quickly. "He meant what I used to look like. It's been years! I look completely different now..."

...

After finally distracting the curious genin and escaping their relentless questions, Kakashi sighed and approached Mizuki again.

"Now that the noisy ones are gone, let's talk business."

He paused before continuing. "There are two major things we need to address. First—Chūnin Exams. The next round will probably be hosted in Konoha again."

"Us again? Shouldn't the host cycle through allied villages?"

"Under normal circumstances, yes. But the other major villages are all in bad shape. Kirigakure and Sunagakure are still recovering and worse off than we are. Taki and Amegakure aren't on good terms with us, so their participation is uncertain. And the smaller villages lack the capability to host. As for Kumogakure and Iwagakure, they've got the strength, but they're not our allies."

"So it comes back to us," Mizuki concluded.

Kakashi nodded. "Tsunade-sama believes this is a good thing. We were attacked by Orochimaru during the last exam. If we can successfully host the next one, it'll help us reclaim our lost prestige."

"That makes sense," Mizuki agreed. "It just means more work for us."

Security would have to be airtight this time, and Mizuki and Kakashi couldn't dodge those responsibilities. Moreover, the performance of the genin during the exams would directly impact Konoha's reputation, especially now that an alliance with Kirigakure was on the table.

"As long as you're aware," Kakashi said seriously. "The second issue is about the ninja academy. Tsunade-sama approved limited assistance to Kirigakure, but we won't be sending personnel. Instead, Mist will dispatch envoys to Konoha for long-term study."

"That sounds more like a matter for the academy and the bigwigs. What do we have to do?"

"You're still officially a teacher," Kakashi reminded him. "So some things will fall to you—guidance, observations, and more importantly, assessing their reserve forces."

"That last one is the real reason, isn't it?" Mizuki groaned. "Sounds like a pain."

"It won't conflict with your current tasks—just a shift in focus," Kakashi explained.

"Fine, I get it," Mizuki said. "But why did Tsunade agree to this so easily? Doesn't seem like something she'd do without reason."

"They gave us intel," Kakashi replied. "Highly classified information about the Akatsuki—Kisame Hoshigaki, Fuguki Suikazan, Uchiha Itachi... even secrets about the previous Mizukage."

"Classified intel?" Mizuki raised an eyebrow. Even though he already knew most of it, he had to admit—Terumi Mei was bold. Not everyone would lay bare their village's darkest secrets.

"You'll have to ask Tsunade-sama for the exact details."

"All this effort, just for some educational aid? Is it really worth it?"

Giving up vital secrets for uncertain gains sounded like a bad deal. Such a seemingly weak Mizukage didn't match Terumi Mei's reputation.

"Think about it," Kakashi said. "They gave us secrets that would've otherwise died with the previous generation. In return, they get knowledge and practical frameworks. It's fair—an exchange of what each side doesn't need for what they do."

That logic made sense. As long as both leaders felt the exchange was worth it, Mizuki had no objections. They were, after all, just sharing things that would become common knowledge sooner or later.

"Will all this affect our previous mission? With so many added responsibilities, will the village assign new personnel?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No. You'll handle the initial phase. You don't need to do much—just answer their questions. For anything substantial, they'll have to go to Konoha."

"Got it. So you handle the paperwork and negotiations, and I observe, analyze, and give vague answers to keep things pleasant."

"You're always so blunt," Kakashi sighed.

"But not wrong," Mizuki shrugged.

"One last time—sure you don't want to come meet the Mizukage with me?"

Mizuki shook his head firmly. Then, lowering his voice dramatically, he said, "I just found this out today. A hot tip! Word is, the Mizukage is of marrying age, but she's had countless failed matchmaking attempts. She's desperate to find a husband. So whatever you do—don't mention marriage or anything remotely related to it! Could lead to... misunderstandings."

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