The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Thousands of thoughts flashed through Mizuki Ryosuke's mind.

Countless "movie plots" from his past life surfaced, each involving deception, feints, and last-minute betrayals.

Could it be that Kaguya Yuta was deliberately using this method to lower his guard? To wait for the perfect moment when he let his vigilance slip, only to strike with a well-hidden senbon, akin to how Haku had once executed deadly precision with his ice needles?

After careful deliberation, Mizuki Ryosuke found this scenario the most plausible.

After all, in the world of shinobi, deceit was not only common—it was a fundamental survival tool.

Just as Mizuki Ryosuke prepared to eliminate Kaguya Yuta before the latter could make a move—

Suddenly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The dull impact of forehead against stone echoed in the narrow alley, freezing Mizuki Ryosuke in place.

Kaguya Yuta had slammed his forehead onto the cold, wet ground—three times in succession, without hesitation.

The sheer force behind the bows split his skin, and fresh blood trickled down, seeping into his peculiar, exaggerated eyebrows.

The sight of his burly frame, coupled with that desperate yet comically misplaced expression, was unsettling—both eerie and absurd at the same time.

This…

This gave off the same baffling energy as Naruto forcing the Raikage to acknowledge his plea by prostrating himself, yet it was laced with something far less noble and far more erratic.

Though Kaguya Yuta's actions reeked of… questionable intellect, Mizuki Ryosuke didn't mock him.

There was no denying the reputation of the Kaguya clan in Kirigakure. They were known for their love of battle, their reckless disregard for strategy, and their notorious lack of tactical brilliance.

Yet, more than anything, they were known for their pride.

A Kaguya kneeling?

That was unheard of.

Even when faced with overwhelming odds, the Kaguya had chosen to launch their suicidal rebellion against the village rather than submit to authority. Their arrogance was absolute; their bloodlust insatiable.

So what could possibly drive a warrior from such a clan to kneel and beg?

Mizuki Ryosuke's instincts screamed that something was off.

Even if he still suspected an assassination ploy, he was willing to hear Kaguya Yuta out—if only because this sheer display of humility was so abnormal.

"This formidable warrior—"

"Wait, no… this ninja," Mizuki Ryosuke corrected himself, adjusting his stance to exude the authority of a Mizukage.

"If you have something to say, stand up and say it."

"As the Third Mizukage, I do not turn away the voices of my shinobi."

He extended a hand in a gesture of goodwill, mimicking the authoritative yet composed demeanor of Hiruzen Sarutobi during Konoha's war meetings.

Kaguya Yuta, without hesitation, accepted the offer and stood up.

Under the dim glow of the moon filtering into the alley, his towering figure—standing nearly two meters tall—cast an imposing shadow. From this angle, the ridiculous expression from before seemed to harden into something more… desperate.

Mizuki Ryosuke silently observed.

The bow had already been drawn; there was no turning back.

"Mizukage-sama," Kaguya Yuta spoke in a gravelly voice, the weight of something unspoken lingering between them.

"This is not the place to talk."

He glanced around, his caution reminiscent of a rogue ANBU agent ensuring they weren't being tailed. Then, lowering his voice into something almost pleading, he added—

"Please, come with me."

This time, it was Mizuki Ryosuke who hesitated.

A one-on-one discussion in an alley was one thing.

Following an unpredictable Kaguya into an unknown location was another entirely.

The Mizukage wasn't a fool.

No matter how desperate Kaguya Yuta seemed, there was no world in which Mizuki Ryosuke—a man pretending to be Mizuki Taki—would walk into a trap.

But then, an idea struck him, and a sly smile tugged at his lips.

"As Mizukage, I have matters to attend to," he said smoothly, his voice carefully laced with authority.

"I cannot accompany you."

Kaguya Yuta's expression flickered—first with disappointment, then with barely contained frustration. His fists clenched, muscles flexing beneath his battle-worn robes.

But before that disappointment could fester into something dangerous, Mizuki Ryosuke continued—

"However…"

The slight shift in tone made Kaguya Yuta's gaze snap back up.

"I will appoint a representative in my stead."

"Someone who holds the full weight of my authority—someone you may speak freely with."

Mizuki Ryosuke folded his arms, watching intently for Kaguya Yuta's reaction.

For a moment, the Kaguya Jōnin appeared conflicted.

His clan wasn't exactly known for their intelligence, but even he seemed to recognize that this was the best deal he was going to get.

After an excruciating pause, he grit his teeth and nodded.

"Very well!"

"Mizukage-sama, I will wait!

"Please… make sure your envoy arrives."

And with that, Kaguya Yuta turned sharply on his heel and disappeared into the shadows.

Mizuki Ryosuke watched him go, hands still folded across his chest.

Something about this was still suspicious.

If Kaguya Yuta had truly intended to assassinate Mizukage, why would he agree to such terms?

This wasn't just a straightforward attempt on his life.

No… there was something deeper at play here.

That only made Mizuki Ryosuke more interested.

If Kaguya Yuta was willing to wait for his representative, then Mizuki Ryosuke would gladly send someone.

And that someone… would be himself.

For now, though, there was another matter that took priority.

With the Kaguya problem temporarily set aside, Mizuki Ryosuke turned and walked back toward the Mizuki compound.

The Mizukage mansion loomed ahead, its shadow stretching long under the moonlight.

By his estimation, Mizuki Ren and Mizuki Rokka should be inside.

And that was precisely where he needed to be.

At this point, certain gentlemen of culture might be imagining a different kind of scenario—one involving a certain 'father, mother, and daughter' dynamic.

But reality had other plans.

Mizuki Ryosuke had no intention of indulging in such distractions.

He had returned to his home—not as himself, but as Mizuki Taki.

And the next step in his plan was already in motion.

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