Mizuki


 * Name: Mizuki Touji
 * Ninja Registration Number: 011141
 * Age: 26
 * Status: Former ninja
 * Birthday: October 21st
 * Height: 179.4 cm
 * Weight: 69.4 kg
 * Blood Type: AB
 * Rank: Chunin
 * Seiyu: Shinichiro Miki
 * Voice actor Michael Reisz (anime), Josh Keaton (Naruto: Clash of Ninja 2)

is a childhood friend and fellow Ninja Academy instructor of Iruka Umino. At the series' start he tricks Naruto Uzumaki into stealing Konoha's forbidden scroll that contains a number of forbidden jutsu. He convinces Naruto to do it by appearing sympathetic to him, but actually despises Naruto, considering him no different than the demon fox. While he intends to steal the scroll from Naruto and use Naruto as a scapegoat in the meantime, Iruka eventually figures out what he's up to and the two are drawn into battle, during which he, in a crazed rage, throws a giant shuriken at a scared Naruto. Iruka jumps at the last second to block the shuriken with his back, wounding him. Later, because of Iruka's kind, caring words and selfless action, Naruto had the courage to use the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique he learned from the scroll to defeat Mizuki as punishment for harming Iruka, which inevitably exacerbates Mizuki's hatred for Naruto. In what is perhaps an attempt to make him even more of an antithesis to Naruto, Mizuki's least favorite food is ramen, which happens to be Naruto's favorite.

Mizuki's lover, Tsubaki, claims that Mizuki used to be a sweet man, but ever since he got involved with Orochimaru her relationship with Mizuki has faltered. After she interrogates Mizuki about having a grudge against one who put his life on the line during Orochimaru's attack, Mizuki knocks out Tsubaki, who he apparently does not love anymore.

Although Mizuki initially seems to have no specific use for the scroll of sealed jutsu, the anime's filler arcs show that, as a former student of Orochimaru, he intended to give the scroll to his master. During the filler arcs, a much bigger and more muscular Mizuki is seen in a prison of the Leaf village. After leading a prison revolt to escape from jail, Mizuki uses the instructions depicted on a tattoo given to him by Orochimaru to create a potion. After consuming the potion, Mizuki uses it enhance his Curse Mark where he has stripes and his arms are enlarged with enhanced speed and power. Then, the potion gives Mizuki a tiger-like appearance. Naruto manages to defeat him with the Rasengan, with Iruka noting that Naruto has surpassed him. Mizuki is yet another victim of Orochimaru's manipulation, and turns into an angry, shriveled, and powerless old man when the potion dissipates due to the fact that the ingredients were incomplete. Tsunade eventually heals him back to his normal state and interrogates him about the whereabouts of Orochimaru, but learns nothing of any use.