The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

In the corner of the secret chamber, there was also a large stockpile of preserved food, clean water, and ration pills—enough to sustain three people for at least a month.

Since his time at the Kirigakure Academy, Mizuki Ryosuke had been secretly using Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu (Earth Style: Hiding Like a Mole Technique) to excavate and reinforce this underground sanctuary. Over the years, it had become his personal training ground, where he refined secret techniques, developed Kinjutsu (forbidden techniques), and practiced advanced ninjutsu away from prying eyes.

One of its greatest assets was a massive Gyaku Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Reverse Summoning Jutsu) array inscribed deep within its walls. In the shinobi world, summoning techniques were primarily used to call forth Kuchiyose (summoned beasts) from distant lands by signing a blood contract. The likes of Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade had mastered summoning contracts with the Toads, Snakes, and Slugs, respectively. However, few knew that the reverse technique also existed—allowing summoned creatures to pull a shinobi back to their domain.

Mizuki Ryosuke had spent years studying this principle, referencing the summoning arrays used by the Ryūchi Cave, Mount Myōboku, and Shikkotsu Forest. Through relentless refinement, he had successfully created a large-scale Reverse Summoning Formation, allowing him—or anyone within the designated space—to be instantly transported outside Kirigakure in an emergency. Unlike conventional Kuchiyose, which required reciprocal signatures between summoner and contractee, this formation had been optimized to function with a single activation item. However, it came with a major drawback: once triggered, the array would be destroyed, rendering it a one-time escape mechanism.

This was his contingency plan, prepared long before the looming power struggle in the Village Hidden in the Mist. Now, it would serve as a lifeline for Mizuki Lian and Mizuki Rokka.

At the designated reverse summoning location, Ryosuke had stationed three trusted allies—shinobi who would assist Lian and Rokka upon arrival. If the worst came to pass and the escape was activated, Lian would inform them of the situation, rendering all prior deceptions about a "three-day covenant" and a supposed journey to "seek the Mizuki clan's elder" completely meaningless.

This was a usoyaku—a white lie. One meant to shield his comrades from the burden of knowing the full weight of the Mizuki family's crisis.

"…This place…"

Mizuki Lian's delicate features twisted in surprise. Her mouth slightly parted as she took in the underground chamber's hidden depth.

"Madam, Sister Lian," Ryosuke began, his voice calm yet firm. "You will stay here for now. If I do not return within two days, activate the Reverse Summoning Formation. It will take you outside the village, beyond the Mizukage's reach."

His gaze shifted toward the intricate, fuinjutsu-inscribed formation covering 50 square meters of the floor. The sealing script pulsed with faint chakra, waiting for activation.

Mizuki Lian's eyes widened in shock. She immediately stepped forward, grasping Ryosuke's hand. The concern in her gaze was unshakable.

"Ryosuke, tell me the truth… What is happening?"

For the first time, Ryosuke hesitated. He wasn't sure how to respond.

Before he could speak, Mizuki Rokka gently pulled her daughter aside.

A seasoned woman who had witnessed Kirigakure's darkest years—the Bloody Mist Era, where genin slaughtered their comrades in survival exams—Rokka understood a fundamental truth: in times of war, a woman's duty was to ensure her man fought without hesitation. Adding to his burdens now would be a mistake.

"Lian," she whispered, "trust Ryosuke."

Her voice was calm, steady, and resolute.

Lian bit her lip, reluctant yet unwilling to disobey. In the end, all her emotions condensed into a simple plea.

"Promise me," she murmured, her grip tightening around his wrist. "Promise you'll return safely."

Ryosuke offered a solemn nod, his expression unreadable, before turning away without hesitation. He vanished into the shadows, leaving the two most important women in his life in the safest place in Kirigakure.

Dusk painted the sky in deep orange and crimson as Mizuki Ryosuke reemerged onto the streets, his features obscured beneath a dark cloak.

To avoid detection, he had used a Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu (Water Clone Technique), allowing his duplicate to act in his place while he monitored from a distance—an application of the Fourth Rule of Moderation: "If there is a risk, let the young bear it. If the risk is great, let the Mizu Bunshin go first."

After a calculated detour through Kirigakure's winding backstreets, the water clone arrived at the designated meeting spot: a nondescript wooden house on the outskirts of the village.

A quiet knock echoed against the door.

A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a robed figure within.

Kaguya Yūta.

The shinobi of the Kaguya Clan—descendants of the barbaric bloodline that once terrorized Kirigakure with their Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse)—stood before him.

As soon as the door opened, Mizuki Ryosuke's water clone pulled back its hood, revealing a familiar face.

"I come on behalf of the Mizukage," he said calmly.

A flicker of recognition crossed Yūta's gaze, followed by an expression of surprise.

"So it's you…"

Indeed, Kaguya Yūta hadn't forgotten. The last time he had faced Mizuki Ryosuke was during the Jōnin exams—a brutal match that ended in a stalemate, leaving both scarred.

Memories of that battle stirred in Yūta's mind.

For a brief moment, an awkward silence hung between them.

Then, the Kaguya Jōnin finally stepped aside.

"Come in," he muttered.

And so, Mizuki Ryosuke entered the house, stepping deeper into the dangerous game unfolding within the shadows of Kirigakure.

JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 30+ CHAPTERS

patreon.com/Kora_1