As the squad led by Mizuki Ryosuke departed from Kirigakure, they moved swiftly and efficiently, their movements silent against the damp forest floor. The village's mist still clung to their clothes as if reluctant to release them.
At the same time, Ryosuke's ice-blue eyes flickered, scanning his surroundings with subtle intensity.
Arcane Perception. Thermal Reconnaissance.
"…"
A faint chill swept through the air as he sharpened his senses, probing for anomalies. His chakra subtly pulsed, syncing with the moisture in the surroundings, amplifying his detection range.
After a brief moment of investigation, Ryosuke inwardly sighed.
So, it's as I expected.
From the moment the S-rank mission scroll was delivered, he had sensed multiple concealed shinobi monitoring their every move. These figures had maintained their watch from the shadows, never intervening, but never straying too far.
At first, the watchers had merely observed from a distance. However, the moment his team fully assembled and left the village gates, two of them had begun following in earnest.
No killing intent. No hostility.
These shinobi weren't enemies. They had another purpose.
Their chakra signatures were well-suppressed, but Ryosuke could recognize them—elite members of the Kirigakure Anbu, masters of assassination and concealment. For someone less cautious, their presence would have gone completely unnoticed.
But to Mizuki Ryosuke, the meaning behind their actions was already clear.
A silent test.
This mission wasn't just about the objective on paper—there was another layer hidden beneath it.
Yet, despite seeing through the facade, Ryosuke made no effort to expose it.
Tearing down the illusion wouldn't be fun. It's better to play by the rules of their game.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
His gaze subtly shifted toward his three teammates—Terumi Mei, Takeda Yoichi, and Mizuki Mitsuhiko.
Three burdens with no experience in true S-rank missions.
But Ryosuke wasn't one to underestimate anyone.
Even a burden can be useful in the right hands.
".03"
"Captain, what is the content of this mission?"
Not long after departing, Terumi Mei was the first to break the silence. Her amber eyes glowed with curiosity, but her tone remained measured.
As someone who held herself to high standards, she preferred to be fully informed before stepping into battle. However, she also understood that some missions carried strict confidentiality clauses, meaning only the squad leader had full clearance.
"Or is this mission classified?" she asked, her voice careful.
Ryosuke didn't hesitate.
Rather than withholding information, he used the moment to brief the squad, explaining the mission details as they advanced toward their destination.
Meanwhile…
As Mizuki Hidero and Hōzuki Mangetsu led their own teams out of Kirigakure, another event was unfolding within the village.
All Jōnin-ranked shinobi had received an urgent summons.
One by one, the highest-ranking ninja in Kirigakure gathered inside the Jōnin Conference Room within the Mizukage Building. Some were still drowsy, their eyes clouded with fatigue, while others exchanged silent glances, sensing something unusual in the air.
The moment the last Jōnin entered, the doors slammed shut.
Then—
A lavender-hued barrier erupted, sealing the entire chamber.
The Barrier Ninjutsu was swift and absolute, isolating the room from the outside world.
A murmur spread through the assembled shinobi.
"What's going on?"
"Squad Leader Maeda, what does this mean?" one of the older Jōnin demanded, rising from his seat.
At the center of the room, standing with a stiff, unsmiling demeanor, was Maeda Genshi.
The veteran shinobi, known for his unwavering composure, raised a hand.
"No need to panic." His voice was firm, brooking no argument. "All will be explained shortly."
Under his command, three large water screens flickered into existence in the center of the room.
At the sight of them, the gathered Jōnin collectively gasped.
"This is…"
"Water Mirror Jutsu?" one shinobi murmured in recognition.
The reflections within the shimmering water soon cleared, revealing real-time images of three squads—Ryosuke's, Hidero's, and Mangetsu's—moving toward their mission objectives.
The room fell into stunned silence.
"…What exactly is this about?"
Maeda Genshi exhaled slowly, then finally spoke.
"I have called you all here for one reason."
"The next Mizukage."
The weight of his words settled over the room like a dense fog.
At the same moment, the Jōnin noticed something else.
On the long table in front of them, multiple sealed mission scrolls had been placed.
Curious yet cautious, one of the Jōnin reached forward, breaking the seal on a scroll.
The first thing he saw was a bold, unmistakable letter—
"S"
Another collective murmur rippled through the room.
One by one, the Jōnin began reading the contents of the scrolls:
Mission Name: Recover the "Mizukage Secret Scroll"
Rank: S-Class
Mission Requirements: Must be completed as a ninja squad
Objective:
According to legend, following the founding of Kirigakure, the First Mizukage compiled numerous esoteric techniques into a single artifact—the Mizukage Secret Scroll.
It was said that before his death, he left behind a decree:
"The one who masters the Mizukage Secret Scroll will hold the power of the Mist's Forbidden Techniques."
Recent intelligence suggests that the scroll may be hidden at [REDACTED], a location heavily guarded by unknown forces.
Warning: The mission location is classified as extremely dangerous, containing high-level security measures and potential enemy threats.
The entire room fell silent.
Jōnin exchanged glances, expressions ranging from disbelief to deep contemplation.
"…This is an S-Class mission."
"And yet it's being handled… like this?"
Something felt off.
Many of the village elders furrowed their brows, searching their memories for any record of this so-called Mizukage Secret Scroll.
Nothing.
They had never heard of such an artifact.
As the tension in the room mounted, Maeda Genshi continued.
"The village has assigned this mission to the three teams displayed on the water screens."
"Their actions, decisions, and performance will be recorded in real-time."
A pause.
Then—
"This mission is the final assessment for the Fourth Mizukage."
The room erupted in an uproar.
Maeda Genshi's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"To ensure fairness, no one is allowed to leave this chamber until the mission concludes."
"This is to prevent external interference."
At those words, realization dawned upon the gathered Jōnin.
They were being locked in to prevent leaks.
A wave of unease rippled through them. Some found the approach refreshing—an unconventional but clever test of leadership. Others… felt something deeper at play.
In the midst of the murmurs, one man simply smirked.
Kuroshima Morita.
He recalled the Water Clone that had visited him just before this meeting.
The clone had left behind only two words.
"Stay silent."
And now, watching the images unfold on the water screen, he finally understood.
Mizuki Ryosuke knew.
He always knew.
And he was already three steps ahead.
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