As the evening settled over Kirigakure, the three visitors remained in Mizuki Ryosuke's home, and the success of Mizuki Mitsuhiko's apprenticeship was regarded as a joyous occasion.
Under the diligent efforts of Rokka and Lian, a sumptuous dinner was prepared. The meal was a testament to the household's hospitality, filled with delicacies that were rarely enjoyed outside of Kirigakure's upper echelon. With the enticing aroma of freshly grilled seafood and the rich umami of miso broth filling the air, the atmosphere was unusually warm for a village known for its cold-blooded nature.
Despite the lively setting, Ren and Rokka refrained from commenting on Ryosuke's decision to accept a student. Their silence wasn't born of doubt—it was absolute trust in his judgment. If Ryosuke had made this choice, there was no need to question it.
The dinner was largely enjoyable, though there were some peculiar dynamics at play. Throughout the meal, Terumi Mei's gaze frequently lingered on Lian and Ryosuke, observing their affectionate gestures with a subtle, unreadable expression. Her normally sharp tongue had been unusually restrained since stepping into Ryosuke's home.
On the other hand, Mizuki Mitsuhiko, still absorbing the gravity of his newfound apprenticeship, remained relatively silent, his usually reserved demeanor giving way to occasional moments of contemplation. As a result, the burden of maintaining a conversation fell solely on Takeda Yoichi, who was far from gifted in the art of socializing. His attempts at small talk were awkward at best, and his frustration was evident.
Once the meal concluded, Mizuki Ryosuke rose, preparing to see his guests off. However, just as he approached the entrance, his senses sharpened, catching an anomaly in the quiet of the night.
"Knock, knock."
The distinct rhythm of knuckles against wood echoed through the house.
Ryosuke's expression remained calm, yet his mind immediately assessed the possibilities. He moved to the door himself, sliding it open with measured ease.
A lone figure stood outside, clad in the standard dark uniform of the Kirigakure Anbu. The polished, featureless mask concealed their identity, but the aura of official business was unmistakable.
"Special Jōnin Mizuki Ryosuke," the Anbu operative spoke with an even tone. "This is a special directive from the Kirigakure higher-ups. Please accept it."
Ryosuke's gaze narrowed.
"This mission is classified as an S-rank assignment, directly tied to the assessment for the next Mizukage. Proceed with caution."
No further words were exchanged. The Anbu agent handed over the sealed scroll before vanishing into the darkness, leaving only the faint rustle of disturbed air in their wake.
Ryosuke's fingers tightened around the scroll. As soon as he unfurled it, the encoded script immediately began dissolving after being read, an automatic security measure to prevent leaks. His expression remained unreadable as he absorbed the mission details, his mind rapidly processing possible strategies.
Unlike most S-rank missions, this directive had an unusual stipulation.
The mission required a team-based approach.
That in itself wasn't surprising—many high-risk missions necessitated coordinated efforts. However, there was an intentional vagueness in the wording. Nowhere in the scroll did it specify who had to be on the team.
Mizuki Ryosuke's lips curled into a smirk.
"So that's their game."
The higher-ups were watching. They wanted to see not just the completion of the mission, but how he assembled his team. This was a test beyond simple combat prowess—it was a measure of leadership, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
Ryosuke turned his gaze toward his three guests, who were still standing in the entryway, completely unaware of the shift in atmosphere.
"Well then," Ryosuke said casually. "An S-rank mission just landed on my lap. You three interested in tagging along?"
The reactions were immediate.
"Hah?!" Takeda Yoichi's voice cracked slightly. His face paled as if Ryosuke had just suggested swimming in a sea of sharks.
Terumi Mei arched an eyebrow, her lips tightening as if contemplating something.
Mizuki Mitsuhiko, however, visibly lit up at the prospect. His excitement was barely contained, his eyes gleaming with unfiltered ambition.
Seeing their contrasting expressions, Ryosuke's smirk widened.
Meanwhile, across the village, two other prominent figures were receiving identical mission scrolls.
Mizuki Eiro and Hozuki Mangetsu silently read through their respective scrolls. A knowing gleam flashed in their eyes.
Just as Ryosuke had deciphered the loophole in the mission's wording, so had they.
The directive only required a team—it never specified who had to be in it.
Within minutes, Hozuki Mangetsu had mobilized three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist:
• Jinpachi Munashi, wielder of the Blast Sword: Shibuki, a blade capable of detonating explosive tags with each strike.
• Kuriarare Kushimaru, the brutal master of the Sewing Needle: Nuibari, who could stitch enemies together mid-combat.
• Jinin Akebino, wielding the blunt-force Hammer and Axe: Kabutowari, designed to crush through any defense.
This team alone was formidable—each Swordsman was at least an Elite Jōnin, and their synergy made them even deadlier.
Mizuki Eiro, on the other hand, took a different approach. His choices were more politically driven. He summoned three Mizuki Jōnin, one of whom held the rank of Elite Jōnin. Though his team lacked the sheer brutality of Mangetsu's, their familiarity with Mizuki-style Water Release techniques ensured a seamless battle formation.
As Eiro tightened his grip on the scroll, a cold light flickered in his gaze.
"Mizuki Ryosuke…"
"Let's see who truly deserves the title of Mizukage."
—
Back at the village gates, Mizuki Ryosuke stood before his team of three, observing their reactions.
Takeda Yoichi's face remained frozen in thinly veiled panic.
"S-S-rank… mission… are we sure about this?" he muttered, his voice nearly breaking.
Terumi Mei's arms were crossed, her expression firm despite a flicker of hesitation. Having previously experienced an A-rank mission that had ended in catastrophe, she understood the true weight of what they were about to undertake.
But Mizuki Mitsuhiko?
He looked thrilled.
"Takeda, quit whining!" Mitsuhiko snapped. "This is an S-rank mission! Do you know how rare this chance is? A ninja's worth is measured by his achievements!"
Mizuki Ryosuke observed him with quiet amusement.
It was clear that Mitsuhiko, despite his talent, lacked real battlefield experience. His belief in strength and recognition was idealistic—something that hadn't yet been tempered by the true horrors of war.
"Good," Ryosuke thought. "I need that naïveté."
He shifted his gaze to Terumi Mei, his tone turning playful.
"What's the matter? This isn't enough to shake your resolve, is it?"
Mei's eyes flared. She refused to be outdone by Mitsuhiko's bravado.
"Hmph! It's just an S-rank mission. You think I'd back down?" she scoffed, turning her head in mock indignation.
Takeda Yoichi sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine… fine… I guess I'm in."
With that, Mizuki Ryosuke's team was assembled.
As they set off from Kirigakure, he sent two Water Clones in the opposite direction, relaying silent orders to Teru Yoruichiro and Kuroshima Morita.
"Do not act rashly."
He knew exactly what the others were planning.
And he already had his own countermeasure in place.
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