*Chapter 53: Why Are You So Stupid?*

Mizuki stared at Sasuke, his brow furrowed in confusion. The boy’s explanation seemed logical on the surface, but something about the situation felt deeply unsettling.

"What do you mean by this?" Mizuki finally asked, his voice laced with irritation as he glanced at the two envelopes before him.

Sasuke’s dark eyes glinted with amusement.

"Mizuki-sensei, let me spell it out for you," Sasuke said, leaning forward. He tapped the first envelope lightly.

"With this letter, you become a Root member under Danzo—at least in Orochimaru’s eyes. Deliver it to him, and you gain his trust. Whether you stay with him or return to Konoha after that is up to you."

Then Sasuke gestured to the second letter.

"This one? It’s your safety net. If Orochimaru ever falls from power, you can present this to the Hokage and clear your name. A backup plan, if you will."

Sasuke’s calm voice carried an air of authority that felt utterly out of place for his age.

"You’re giving me options," Mizuki muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"Exactly," Sasuke replied with a slight smirk. "Two guarantees. Take them or leave them."

+17

The numbers flickered before Sasuke’s eyes, the system rewarding his cunning performance.

Mizuki clenched his jaw. The logic was sound, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of being cornered.

"What makes you think I’ll listen to you?" Mizuki asked, his voice sharp.

Sasuke shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair.

"You don’t have to," he said, his tone casual. "You’re free to leave with the Scroll of Seals right now if that’s what you prefer."

The boy’s calm demeanor only added to Mizuki’s unease. Sasuke sipped from his cup before adding with a smirk, "But these letters? They’re your best shot at survival. I don’t see why you’d refuse."

+18

Mizuki’s face darkened, his thoughts a chaotic storm. He hated this—being outmaneuvered by a child. After a long pause, he finally picked up the two envelopes and slipped them into his pouch.

"So, you want me to be a spy," Mizuki muttered bitterly.

"Not a spy," Sasuke corrected, wagging a finger. "More like a messenger pigeon."

+19

Mizuki snorted, glaring at Sasuke. "Even if you are one of Danzo’s men, aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you right here and now?"

"Not in the slightest," Sasuke replied without hesitation.

"Why not?" Mizuki demanded, narrowing his eyes.

"Because you can’t," Sasuke said flatly, his gaze piercing.

+20

Mizuki froze for a moment before letting out a cold laugh. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the house.

"Sasuke, we’ll meet again!" Mizuki called over his shoulder as he disappeared into the night.

Sasuke watched him leave, his expression unreadable.

"Sorry, Mizuki-sensei," Sasuke murmured. "We won’t."

He knew exactly what he’d written in those letters. They were designed not to save Mizuki, but to ensure he’d meet his end in Orochimaru’s lair. The “forged” handwriting was convincing enough to bait Orochimaru, but its implausibility would quickly unravel.

For Sasuke, this was all part of the plan. Mizuki wasn’t an ally—he was a resource to exploit.

"Why are you so stupid?" Sasuke mused aloud, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Reflecting on Mizuki’s failures, Sasuke couldn’t help but marvel at how the man had fumbled every opportunity. From inciting Naruto to steal the Scroll of Seals to misjudging his targets, Mizuki seemed destined to fail.

"Well, thanks for the points," Sasuke muttered, turning his attention to his system panel.

*System Points: 205*

"Not bad," Sasuke murmured, impressed by the haul. The points were enough to upgrade his Ninjutsu attribute from D to C, a significant boost. But the cost would leave him with only five points—a painfully low amount for sustaining his nightly training regimen.

"I should’ve milked Mizuki for more," Sasuke muttered with a sigh.

Glancing out the window, he saw the moonlit streets of Konoha stretching before him. The quiet night beckoned.

"No choice," he said, standing up. "If I can’t spend the points yet, I’ll find another way to earn more."

With that, Sasuke stepped into the darkness, his mind already calculating his next move.

The night was still young, and opportunities awaited.

(End of chapter)