The truly powerful don't often worry about chakra reserves. Even those not blessed with monstrous natural reserves find ways to compensate.
Tsunade's Byakugō no In—the Strength of a Hundred Seal—and the Yin Seal are classic examples. Technically speaking, the seal itself isn't just a chakra storage tool, but a regulation mechanism. It collects chakra slowly during peacetime and, when paired with the Yin Seal, releases it in battle—fueling healing, regeneration, and Tsunade's terrifying strength.
But Mizuki… couldn't replicate that. Let alone the Yin Seal or the regenerative Sōzō Saisei technique—it was an intricate medical system Tsunade developed herself, likely with principles inherited from Hashirama Senju.
It wasn't that Mizuki's chakra control or sealing knowledge were lacking. On the contrary, he believed few could match his precision at the cellular level. But he didn't have the deep well of medical ninjutsu mastery Tsunade had. And without that, the seamless integration of healing, chakra regulation, and sealing was simply out of reach.
"Sealing can do that too?" Sakura asked, her eyes wide with interest—and the faintest flicker of self-doubt.
She knew her disadvantages well. Physically, kunoichi her age typically lagged behind boys in stamina. It was biological, not a fault. And at twelve, her body was still developing—chakra capacity included. No matter how sharp her mind, some ceilings couldn't be broken with willpower alone.
Mizuki could tell what she was thinking. "You're underestimating what you've already learned," he said with a rare softness. "There's almost nothing sealing techniques can't influence. If it's not working, it's not the seal's fault—it's the user's power that's insufficient."
He paused, then gave her a half-smile. "Even someone like Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was sealed away, not killed. That tells you everything about what sealing can do."
Sakura opened her mouth, then hesitated. "But how do you use that in a real fight?"
"We've got around ten days before the next Chūnin Exam stage," Mizuki replied. "That's just enough to teach you something I've developed. If I had to name it—well, I like calling it the Breath Suppression Technique."
He didn't bother dressing it up with mystical names or poetic references. This wasn't some ancient fairy-tale martial art—it was a seal. Pure, unembellished fuinjutsu.
Unlike Tsunade's complex system with regenerative effects and chakra rebalancing, the Breath Suppression Technique served one purpose: restraint. It locked the body and spirit into a meditative rhythm, refining and slowly storing chakra—turning the body into a living battery.
It had no healing, no beautification, no miraculous power-ups. Just raw, quiet accumulation.
And it had been born out of Mizuki's own frustrations.
He, too, struggled with chakra limitations. If he'd been content to live as a jōnin-for-life, things would've been fine. His current level was enough to get him there, eventually. But he had other ambitions—ambitions that demanded Senjutsu.
Sage Mode was a barrier no normal ninja could cross casually. Without a unique bloodline or a bijū, there was no shortcut. Natural energy was fickle and dangerous. And his normal chakra capacity? A joke by comparison.
So he created the Breath Suppression Technique, cutting away everything that didn't serve one goal: surviving the threshold into Sage Mode.
"It's nothing fancy," he told Sakura. "But if you master it, you'll be able to fight beyond your normal limits."
After finishing the lesson plan in his mind, Mizuki turned to face the other student waiting nearby.
"Teacher Mizuki," Ino asked, "can I learn that breath-holding technique too?"
He sighed, not unkindly. "It's not about whether I want to teach you. It's just not your style. If you really want it, ask Sakura after she masters it. She'll know if it suits you."
Ino's shoulders drooped. Mizuki knew she was the kind of student who hated being excluded.
"You've done well to learn the Mystical Palm Technique already," he said. "That alone puts you ahead of most genin. But your main path lies in the Yamanaka clan's jutsu—you fight with the mind, not brute force. There's no shame in focusing on what makes you deadly."
Ino glanced away, conflicted. Mizuki tapped his pouch.
"That said… I do have a sealing technique I think would suit you."
Her eyes lit up with curiosity.
"It's a variant of the basic Sealing Formation. I've modified it for better chakra efficiency and more flexible applications. You can tag objects, creatures—even summon creatures—to trap or restrain targets. It's not glamorous, but it's useful."
It wasn't something to win headlines. But for someone like Ino, who already relied on perfect timing and control, it could be lethal in the right hands.
Far away, in the Land of Sound, Orochimaru listened as Kabuto delivered his report.
"Konoha has increased patrols again," Kabuto said, bowing slightly.
Orochimaru's voice slithered out. "Ah? Did we miss a loose end?"
Kabuto's glasses glinted. "It's likely. Maki and I assumed Moonlight Gale was dead after the ambush. But he counterattacked—wounded me, slightly. We had to retreat. It's possible he passed information before collapsing."
"I see…" Orochimaru smirked. "So the Third Hokage is digging in his heels. How nostalgic. He wants to drag this out? Fine."
He stood, robes fluttering like a molting snake's skin.
"Proceed with the original plan. Get Kimimaro ready. We'll move on the Kazekage sooner than expected."