When strength and skill are honed to their limits, the resulting power becomes terrifying—just like with Kimimaro. Even excelling in just one of these areas would make someone formidable, but Kimimaro's lingering performance in battle showed what happens when both are nearly mastered. In a world shaped by chakra, raw power may not always be immediately visible, but the pinnacle of physical might is clearly exemplified by the Eight Gates technique.
Might Guy's father, Might Duy, despite being a mere Genin, once used the Eight Gates Released Formation to take down several members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Rock Lee, Guy's student, once fought on par with Gaara of the Sand, the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, even during the Chūnin Exams. And when Might Guy himself opened all Eight Gates during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he was powerful enough to nearly kill Madara Uchiha in his Ten-Tails Jinchūriki form. That is the kind of overwhelming strength chakra-enhanced physical prowess can produce.
Though Kimimaro did not reach the absolute peak in either taijutsu or raw strength, his combined level of skill and power was enough to defeat most ninja with ease. His kekkei genkai, the Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse), allowed him to weaponize his entire skeleton, turning his body into a living arsenal. Close-quarters combat became suicidal for opponents, and numerical advantage meant nothing against his deadly precision. Kunai and shuriken were ineffective; Kimimaro's reflexes and durability rendered them useless. And against slower high-level ninjutsu, with long hand seal chains or charging times, a swift taijutsu user like Kimimaro could counter them before they activated.
While Kimimaro was cutting down enemies on the battlefield, the situation at the Chūnin Exams was beginning to stabilize. The summoning time of the giant snake Manda had expired, forcing him to return to Ryūchi Cave. The remaining snakes, now without Orochimaru's command, began to scatter. Though still dangerous, most had been neutralized, leaving only a few stragglers for cleanup.
In the medical station, a copy of Mizuki, tending to the wounded, suddenly felt a presence behind him. He turned cautiously, although he doubted an enemy would appear here.
"…It's you, Kakashi. You alright?"
Kakashi gave a nod. "You're protecting civilians without combat strength. That's not something every ninja is willing to do."
"I'm not feeling great," Mizuki replied, shaking his head. "I'm running low on chakra—after all, this is just a clone. And we don't have enough medical-nin. The front lines must be in even worse shape than here."
"It's the best we can do," Kakashi responded. "Asuma and Kurenai went to reinforce the front. Kai went ahead to chase Orochimaru—he was the fastest."
"That's a solid arrangement," Mizuki nodded. "Have you seen the Third Hokage?"
"…Yeah." Kakashi's mask hid his face, but his tone gave away the sorrow. "Just like last time…"
"You mean, death comes at the height of one's strength?" Mizuki said quietly.
The potion's effects hadn't even worn off, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi had already fallen—killed through Orochimaru's and Kabuto's combined efforts. The potential side effects never had the chance to emerge. Compared to how things might have gone, this outcome was more graceful—but it was still a loss.
"Living matters most, Kakashi," Mizuki added. "Dying a 'proper death' is a luxury, not a goal. No one deserves to die."
"…Maybe," Kakashi said without agreeing fully. "I'm more concerned about Naruto and the others."
"Have a little faith in your students. Besides, I have a clone stationed near them. They'll be fine," Mizuki assured him. "What you should be worried about… is that one."
He gestured subtly toward Danzō.
"How are we handling him? Obeying his orders for now?"
With Jiraiya absent, both advisors missing, and the Third Hokage dead, Danzō—once Hiruzen's teammate and a former candidate for the Hokage position—was a likely contender for the Fifth Hokage. He had just returned to the village, and the power vacuum gave him a real chance to seize leadership.
"Now's not the time to split into factions," Kakashi said. "We deal with the enemies first."
"Agreed," Mizuki said. "Jiraiya should arrive soon anyway…"
"I'm heading to the front," Kakashi said. "The pressure there is intense."
"Alright. See you later."
As Kakashi left, Mizuki flexed his stiff arms and surveyed the destruction around him.
"This is far worse than the original timeline. So many casualties… it didn't have to be like this."
In this world, human lives aren't numbers or sprites on a game screen. If Mizuki hadn't interfered, perhaps some of these people would still be alive.
Mizuki felt grief—but not guilt. It wasn't denial, nor an excuse. It was a simple conviction: the fault lay with the world itself.
"The value of life isn't something that should be measured in numbers. That's a god's job, not a human's."
Still, Mizuki felt justified in trying to save the Third Hokage.
He raised a hand, watching the chakra pulsing in his palm.
"Humans need gods—but gods shouldn't walk among them. Where will chakra take humanity?"
Shaking off the thought, Mizuki glanced toward the Hokage's resting place and began walking toward the VIP platform.
"Can't wait to show your face now that the seat's vacant? Is that how you gain presence, Danzō? Hokage isn't a title won by crawling in the dark. But I suppose he's been lurking too long in the shadows to act with dignity anymore. He probably doesn't know Jiraiya is back yet… but he will soon."
In the forest outside Konoha, Mizuki tended to Naruto within a concealed illusion barrier when he sensed a fluctuation.
"Someone familiar… They're bypassing the illusion layer so smoothly. That must be Haruno Sakura."
As expected, the barrier rippled. Sakura and Sasuke stepped through.
"You two? Didn't I tell you to retreat?"
"We sensed the battle had quieted down and came to check," Sakura said, eyes flicking to the bodies on the ground. "Is Naruto okay?"
"He'll live," Mizuki replied. "Gaara's over there. His injuries are more serious—treat him quickly, but he's stable for now."
"Understood, Mizuki-sensei." Sakura knelt beside Gaara and began treatment.
Mizuki turned to Sasuke. "And you? Still injured?"
"I can't mold chakra yet, but I'm alright for now."
"You'll be fine. The Curse Mark's seal has stabilized. Rest, and avoid chakra use for now."
"…You understand sealing techniques too, Mizuki-sensei?"
Mizuki gave a faint smile. "Let's just say I've picked up a few things."
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