Naruto: Mizuki The Savior

Chapter 239: The Future of Team 7

"So you're telling me… to lie to him?"

Mizuki's proposal had a certain manipulative sharpness that left even Hatake Kakashi hesitating.

"Mizuki," Kakashi said, voice heavy, "you were one of the top talents produced by Konoha's formal education system. You never entered the ANBU, rarely had dealings with Root either. Among ninja with your background, I've seen many who were cunning—but using such underhanded wisdom so brazenly? You're the first."

"That… doesn't sound like a compliment," Mizuki replied, clearly catching the mocking undertone—but not bothered in the slightest.

"It isn't," Kakashi said bluntly. "If I go through with this, then I'm no different from what you said the other night—from Itachi or Orochimaru. Same methods, just different goals."

"So what then? You have a better plan?" Mizuki countered. "Are you going to train nonstop, try to 'awaken' some long-lost secret jutsu, and pass that on to Sasuke so he can dominate the world?"

"Don't joke. There's no time for that," Kakashi sighed. A ninja in his prime nearing middle age had very few shortcuts left—unless it was through forbidden jutsu or Kekkei Genkai, breakthroughs were nearly impossible.

"Then what's your move? You're the 'Copy Ninja,' right? They say you've mastered over a thousand jutsu. Should be enough to keep Sasuke busy for a while."

"A thousand jutsu?" Kakashi grimaced. "You believe those exaggerated rumors too? Even the Third Hokage, who was known as the 'Professor,' didn't have a thousand. Most of it's just talk!"

"Still, Sasuke might believe it."

If you count every variation—including things like One Thousand Years of Death—maybe the claim wasn't that far off.

"Let's save the jokes for later," Kakashi said. "I'll think seriously about what you said. Maybe your method will end up being the last resort. But if I really do that… Sasuke may resent me forever."

"Resent you? You're overthinking it. No one can predict the future."

Mizuki privately thought: Just look at what Sasuke learned in three years under Orochimaru. Did he become unbelievably powerful? Not really.

Yes, Sasuke defeated Yamato's squad rather handily—but they had just fought Orochimaru and were exhausted. Facing Sasuke and Kabuto while already weakened, it wasn't surprising they struggled. Later, Sasuke managed to turn on a weakened Orochimaru and absorbed his power. But even then, when facing Uchiha Itachi, he still couldn't win. If Itachi hadn't held back, Sasuke might've died then and there.

Even after gaining Amaterasu and awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, Sasuke and his "Team Taka" were nearly annihilated by Killer Bee, only barely escaping with a tentacle decoy. At the Five Kage Summit, if not for Obito and White Zetsu, Sasuke would have died again.

So, in Mizuki's eyes, the version of Sasuke who trained under Orochimaru for three years wasn't so invincible. Without the turning point where he devoured Orochimaru's strength, his growth wasn't even that much better than someone like Neji—who steadily rose to elite jonin.

Guy's guidance wasn't necessarily superior to Kakashi's. And the Hyuga clan might've offered strong Gentle Fist teachings, but the Uchiha didn't leave Sasuke without any heritage or guidance.

Thus, Mizuki concluded: Yes, if Sasuke stayed in Konoha, he'd be a bit weaker than the "canon" version—but not to an unbridgeable extent. Without the Orochimaru devouring event, that "big leap" in strength may never happen at all. And flashy swords or cool hair didn't change that.

Moreover, in this altered timeline, Orochimaru's and Sasuke's paths had diverged heavily from canon. Whether Sasuke could even pull off a successful rebellion against Orochimaru was up in the air.

If Kakashi mentored Sasuke now, perhaps he wouldn't become as strong as Indra's reincarnation should have been. But maybe some other force—like the Sage of Six Paths himself—could smooth that gap… or other unknown variables could still intervene.

While Mizuki and Kakashi discussed Sasuke's future, the Mizukage's speech was wrapping up. Judging by the crowd's expressions, it went over quite well. A beautiful and commanding woman like Terumi Mei was, understandably, more popular than a gray-haired old man like Hiruzen.

"Mizuki," Kakashi finally said, voice more resolute, "we've gone over this so many times. I think this time, we're settled, right?"

"Yeah." Mizuki nodded.

"Then I'll give it everything I have."

Kakashi had made up his mind.

"One more thing," Mizuki added with a serious look. "Whether you plan to reason with Sasuke, appeal emotionally, or simply overpower him—there's something you need to remember. Naruto is destined to leave with Jiraiya for training. Which means… your Team 7 is about to break apart."

"Without Naruto, the core 'bonds between teammates'—your biggest ace—is effectively gone for at least three years. That will absolutely weaken your control over Sasuke, limit Team 7's performance, and slow Sasuke's growth."

"Have you considered a countermeasure?"

Kakashi looked visibly shaken by the barrage of facts.

"I've thought about it," he said after a pause. "But I've been so preoccupied with Sasuke's core issue that I haven't settled on any solid plan…"

"Well then, I'll throw out two ideas," Mizuki said casually. "Once Naruto leaves, Team 7 will go one of two ways. Option one: the team splits. In that case, I suggest you recommend Sasuke for promotion to chūnin. That'll give him more freedom and access to missions, accelerating his growth."

"Option two: fill the empty seat. Bring in a replacement member to stabilize Team 7 and maintain your influence over Sasuke's training."

Mizuki's tone was light, but his advice was razor-sharp. Kakashi had no choice but to listen.

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