Chapter 192: Beyond the Master
When it came to Uchiha Sasuke's future, Mizuki never intended to interfere too much. The more he understood this world, the more he felt a kind of awe. Just the concept of "chakra reincarnation" alone concealed a staggering number of secrets. After all, people had always talked about soul reincarnation—but now, even chakra was said to reincarnate. Didn't that hint at some deeper, hidden truth?
Mizuki had speculated about it many times. Unfortunately, his current power level hadn't reached the point where he could see through the veil. He simply didn't have enough insight to make sense of it all.
So when Sasuke came to him voluntarily this time, Mizuki was genuinely surprised. What kind of question would prompt Sasuke to seek him out instead of Kakashi? Was it something Kakashi couldn't answer—or wouldn't?
The two of them arrived at a relatively quiet training ground. It was still early, and no one else was around.
"I've been training here the past few days…"
Sasuke ran his hand across the scarred bark of a tree—its trunk was pockmarked with marks from kunai and shuriken. He seemed a little contemplative.
"Alone?"
"Sometimes Sakura joins me to help," Sasuke answered honestly.
"Of course she does." Mizuki could easily imagine Sakura jumping at any chance to spend time alone with Sasuke. Naruto wasn't around right now—if he were, things might've turned into a brawl.
"So, what do you want to know?"
Mizuki didn't have time to waste—his schedule was tight, and there was much to do before the wedding.
After a pause, Sasuke lifted his head, eyes serious. "You fought Uchiha Itachi. Kakashi-sensei also crossed swords with him. You were both there… So, Mizuki-sensei, I want to know: between Kakashi-sensei and Itachi, who is stronger?"
"Huh? What exactly have you heard?"
The answer was obvious: at present, Kakashi was no match for Uchiha Itachi. The difference in their mastery of the Mangekyō Sharingan alone was enough to separate their power levels.
Sasuke continued, "A few months ago, during our mission in the Land of Waves, Kakashi-sensei told me something. He said that in this world, there are people younger than me who are already stronger than him."
"That's not wrong," Mizuki replied. "While most shinobi eventually reach similar destinations, the paths they take to get there differ vastly. Talent plays a huge role in early growth. You, for instance, are more gifted than Naruto—but that doesn't mean you'll always be stronger. So many factors affect the future, and ultimately, it's up to you to decide your path."
"That's exactly what I'm talking about," Sasuke said, his tone dark and troubled. "Naruto's improving so fast… he's almost caught up to me. As a friend and comrade, I respect him. I do. But…"
He hesitated for a moment, then pressed on.
"But if I don't even know whether I can surpass that man, if I don't even have the hope of catching up—then what's the point?"
That was the real reason he came.
He wasn't saying Kakashi was a bad teacher—he was implying that under Kakashi's guidance, he couldn't surpass Itachi.
"What did Kakashi say to you?" Mizuki asked.
"He once admitted to me—accidentally, I think—that he can't beat that man."
That made Mizuki grimace.
Dammit, Kakashi… too careless.
Kakashi was an excellent ninja—no one could deny that. He was responsible, committed, and willing to swallow his pride to ask Ebisu and Mizuki to help train Naruto and Sakura during the Chūnin Exams. He never forgot his duties as a teacher.
But when it came to judging people's hearts, Kakashi could be too idealistic.
He had personally grown through pain and loss. He'd emerged stronger after Obito's death. He believed others could do the same. But not everyone had the same journey—or the same resilience.
And now Sasuke knew that even Kakashi couldn't beat Itachi.
"You should've kept that to yourself, Kakashi…" Mizuki thought.
As he was preparing how to respond, Sasuke spoke again.
"Naruto has Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin—as a mentor. Sakura has her talents, and with guidance, she'll grow steadily. But me? Is this all I've got?"
Mizuki got straight to the point. "So what exactly are you asking? Whether what Kakashi said is true? Whether Itachi really is that strong?"
Sasuke nodded.
"In that case, let me be clear," Mizuki said. "Yes—right now, Itachi is stronger than Kakashi."
"…I see," Sasuke murmured, his voice hollow.
He had seen the power of Susano'o. The only ones who had clashed with Itachi in front of Sasuke were Jiraiya, Might Guy, Kakashi, and Mizuki himself. Jiraiya was out of reach, Guy was hard to approach, and Mizuki seemed the only reasonable person to ask.
"So, what will you do now?" Mizuki asked.
"I don't know…" Sasuke admitted.
"In that case, let me give you some advice. It might sting a little, but it might help."
Sasuke immediately nodded. "Please."
"Your worries are valid. But maybe you've been thinking about this the wrong way. Let me ask you: how many people in this world can confidently defeat Uchiha Itachi?"
Sasuke blinked. He hadn't thought about it like that.
"Let me answer it for you," Mizuki said. "Among the people you know, only Jiraiya stands a good chance. Lady Tsunade—the Fifth Hokage—might, too. But that's it. Not even other Sannin can guarantee victory."
"…Really?" Sasuke asked in disbelief. "Even the Hokage can't beat him?"
Mizuki nodded. "In raw power, Tsunade might not be weaker—but victory isn't about numbers alone. She specializes in medical ninjutsu. In a head-to-head battle with Itachi, it's hard to say."
"All three Sannin aren't equal?"
"Of course not," Mizuki said. "And even when power levels are close, matchups matter. Sometimes style makes all the difference."
In truth, Itachi's power was near its peak. If he ever unlocked the complete Susano'o and gained full control over its divine tools, few could stand against him. Even among the Sannin, the outcome would be uncertain. Orochimaru had already lost decisively.
"Then what am I supposed to do? Am I destined to always be weaker than Itachi? Is revenge forever out of reach?"
Sasuke was slipping back into despair. Mizuki knew this was the critical moment.
"You know what makes Itachi terrifying? It's not because someone taught him powerful jutsu or gave him secret techniques. It's because he was born a genius—and he worked harder than anyone else."
Sasuke clenched his fists but didn't deny it.
"Now tell me—who do you think can train you to surpass Itachi?"
Sasuke opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. Then again. And again.
Mizuki smiled. "I know who you're thinking of. Orochimaru, right?"
"…How did you know?"
"Come on, Sasuke. It's obvious. The Sannin's reputation is legendary—of course you'd consider him."
Mizuki paused and leaned in slightly.
"Let me give you a little-known secret. Very few people know this—not even Kakashi might know."
He dropped his voice to a whisper.
"Orochimaru—your great hope for power—was also defeated by Itachi."
The impact of that sentence hit like a thunderclap. Mizuki knew it would.
That fact alone might be enough to alter the future of the entire ninja world.
Of course, Mizuki didn't mention that Orochimaru was caught in a genjutsu while his mental state was unstable due to the effects of the Living Corpse Reincarnation jutsu.
"Orochimaru lost? But he's one of the Sannin! How could this happen?"
"Ninja battles are complicated," Mizuki said. "Matchups matter. Strength alone doesn't decide everything."
Mizuki had fulfilled his role. He had honored his promise to Kakashi and acted as a proper teacher and comrade. What Sasuke would choose to do next—only time would tell.
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