By the time Mizuki Ryosuke's consciousness returned to reality, his three team members had already adjusted to peak condition.
When Terumi Mei opened her eyes and saw Mizuki Ryosuke, she instinctively sensed something had changed. Her feminine intuition told her that in just a few hours, Ryosuke's presence had grown significantly stronger, more commanding. She clenched her fists, making a silent vow—this time, things couldn't go the way they did in the last mission.
Back then, Mizuki Ryosuke had gone off alone to eliminate a rogue ninja, leaving Terumi Mei and the others waiting anxiously in a designated safe zone. The feeling of helplessness had gnawed at her ever since. This time, she resolved to stand beside him, no matter what.
Without wasting words, the team proceeded into the canyon.
At the same time, Hōzuki Mangetsu and Mizuki Hidero also entered the canyon from another direction, their movements as silent as shadows.
The moment they stepped inside, the team immediately switched to combat mode. Takeda Yoichi, the sensor-nin, led the way, using his sensory abilities to scout ahead. Mizuki Mitsuhiko and Terumi Mei covered the flanks, maintaining vigilance. Ryosuke himself guarded the rear, his sharp eyes scanning for any abnormalities.
Even as they advanced, Ryosuke continued analyzing his surroundings, keenly aware of the hidden dangers in the canyon. With his heightened perception, he discovered several unsettling clues.
For instance, atop a thick canopy, he detected an eye hidden within a water-based surveillance technique—likely a modified form of the Water Curtain Jutsu used for real-time observation. Additionally, at one point, he heard a faint disturbance beneath the ground, indicating an underground presence.
Yet, despite noticing these anomalies, Ryosuke did not reveal his findings. He remained silent, guiding the team deeper into the canyon.
Meanwhile, back in the Mizukage Building, several Jōnin gathered before the Water Curtain projection, observing the mission unfold in real-time. Their expressions were grave—this was the true test of the new generation.
Within the canyon, an eerie calmness persisted. It seemed like nothing more than an ordinary ravine, devoid of threats.
Without realizing it, Ryosuke's team had covered nearly half the canyon's length.
Then—snap! A sudden noise echoed from the foliage ahead.
"Who's there?!"
Takeda Yoichi reacted instantly, hurling a kunai toward the source of the sound.
Pfft!
A sickening squelch followed. Blood splattered across the leaves.
Sensing his kunai had struck something, Takeda Yoichi cautiously moved forward to investigate.
"What happened?" Ryosuke asked, his gaze sharp.
A moment later, Takeda emerged, grinning sheepishly. In his hands, he held a rabbit, its neck pierced by the kunai.
"It's nothing, just a rabbit," he chuckled, embarrassed by his overreaction.
However, Mizuki Ryosuke's expression darkened. His eyes widened in alarm.
"Be careful!" he shouted. "Drop that rabbit! Now!"
But his warning came a second too late.
Poof!
A cloud of mist burst forth, engulfing Takeda Yoichi and the rabbit. In an instant, both vanished.
"What?!"
Terumi Mei and Mizuki Mitsuhiko instinctively drew closer to Ryosuke, their muscles tensed.
"What just happened?" Mei asked in a hushed voice.
"…Reverse Summoning," Ryosuke murmured, his expression unreadable.
The moment Takeda had touched the rabbit, Ryosuke had detected an intricate Summoning formation engraved on its body. Someone had set a preemptive Reverse Summoning Jutsu on the rabbit—triggered the moment it made contact with a living being.
As a result, Takeda had been transported elsewhere.
Ryosuke, who had studied Summoning techniques in depth, immediately recognized the chakra fluctuations involved.
"This wasn't a coincidence," he said grimly. "Someone's been waiting for us."
Terumi Mei's eyes narrowed. "What should we do, Captain?"
The fact that Takeda was taken meant the enemy had made the first move. They were watching from the shadows while Ryosuke's team remained exposed.
In such an uncertain situation, reckless action could be fatal. Only an experienced leader could make the right call.
Ryosuke remained calm. "The chakra signature of the Reverse Summoning was within range of my perception."
He pointed into the forest.
"Judging by the scale of the technique, the summoning distance can't be too far. Takeda is still somewhere in this forest."
"Then—"
"We're not abandoning him," Ryosuke declared firmly. "Our first priority is to locate Takeda Yoichi."
His voice hardened. "From now on, don't touch anything. Not even a leaf."
"Yes, sir!"
Mei and Mitsuhiko nodded in unison.
Just as they prepared to move, an unnatural mist rolled in, thick and fast. Within seconds, the entire forest was shrouded in an impenetrable white haze.
"Damn… Mist?"
Mitsuhiko's voice was laced with tension.
"Mist Shinobi Technique?" Mei asked, recognizing Kirigakure's signature jutsu.
But Ryosuke frowned. He stretched out his hand, letting the dense fog coil around his fingers. His expression darkened.
"No," he said. "This isn't just Mist Shinobi Technique."
Mei hesitated. "What do you mean?"
"Try to disperse it."
Nodding, Mei swiftly formed hand seals.
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
A powerful gust erupted, howling through the canyon. Yet—the mist remained unmoved. It didn't shift. It didn't thin. It was as though the wind had been swallowed whole.
"…What?" Mei's eyes widened. "Why didn't it work?"
Ryosuke exhaled sharply. "This isn't ordinary mist—it's infused with Yin-Yang Release."
Unlike elemental chakra natures, Yin-Yang Release operated on a different level. It could nullify or enhance techniques in ways that defied conventional logic.
And this mist? It was saturated with it.
Ryosuke clenched his fists. This wasn't just some random enemy. Whoever was behind this possessed an advanced understanding of Yin-Yang chakra manipulation.
And that made them extremely dangerous.
Still, he wasn't without options.
"I can sense the direction Takeda was transported to," he said. His voice was steady, unwavering.
Turning to his teammates, he issued a final order:
"Stay within three meters of me at all times. No exceptions."
Mei and Mitsuhiko nodded, determination gleaming in their eyes.
And so, within the suffocating mist, the remaining three members of the team embarked on their perilous search for Takeda Yoichi.
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