The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

"Since we old trees will wither one day, why not burn ourselves willingly and turn into nourishment for you young ones?"

"On the remnants of us old men, a new, stronger, and greater Kaguya will rise!"

As Teru Yoruichiro spoke, his eyes burned with conviction. His words were not just sentiment but a declaration of will, a recognition of the inevitable cycle of life—one he had long resisted.

Beside him, Kaguya Yuta knelt, his broad shoulders trembling as he fought to keep his emotions in check. His normally fierce gaze was blurred with unshed tears.

"Yuta, I know you've secretly gathered many of our younger kin—those who share our dissatisfaction with the clan's outdated ways."

"Take them and go."

"Go to the Mizukage, reveal everything, and sever the chains of the past. Give our clan a future."

Teru Yoruichiro's large, calloused hand rested atop his son's head, lingering as if committing this moment to memory. Despite his brutish reputation, the warmth in his eyes betrayed a father's deepest love.

"Father…"

Before Kaguya Yuta could respond, Teru Yoruichiro let out a rough, barking laugh and clapped his son's shoulder.

"Men don't stand around sniveling!" he snapped. "I'm not dying just yet, so quit crying!"

"These so-called Mist Shinobi, do you think they scare me?"

His lips curled into a grin—proud, reckless, and utterly Kaguya.

"Yes!"

With a deep breath, Kaguya Yuta clenched his fists and stood. He wiped his face with his sleeve, then turned sharply toward the door.

Just as he reached the threshold, he paused, looking back one final time.

"Come back alive, you stubborn old man."

And with that, he strode away without hesitation.

Teru Yoruichiro watched him go, a smirk playing on his lips.

"This brat… he finally understands."

"A ship bound for a new era has no place for relics like me."

He let out a deep sigh. With Kaguya Yuta's departure, a new chapter in the clan's history had begun.

Mist Village – Present

As he recalled the weight of that moment, the anger in Kaguya Yuta's heart gradually faded. What were a few humiliations compared to the survival of his clan?

Determination steeled his gaze. He would not allow fleeting emotions to ruin this opportunity—one his father had paid so much to secure.

Taking a deep breath, Kaguya Yuta bowed lower before the man standing before him.

"My lord, you must understand," he said firmly.

"Teru Yoruichiro and Yagura have colluded against the village. They are no longer Mist Shinobi—they are traitors."

"As a shinobi of Kirigakure, my allegiance is to the village, no matter who stands against it."

Even if it is my own father.

Kaguya Yuta's voice remained steady, his expression unreadable.

Mizuki Ryosuke observed him closely.

Something was off.

He had seen many defectors, many traitors willing to grovel and beg for mercy. Their words were always laced with uncertainty, their expressions tinged with fear.

Yet, the man kneeling before him held his head high, his eyes unwavering.

A man truly surrendering wouldn't have eyes like that.

There was neither hesitation nor self-doubt in Kaguya Yuta's gaze—only defiance, tempered by the weight of duty.

Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes narrowed slightly.

This wasn't the look of a coward who had turned on his allies to save his own skin.

This was the look of a warrior who had made a painful but resolute decision.

Intrigued, he leaned forward.

"Does Patriarch Teru Yoruichiro know about this?" he asked suddenly.

"Answer carefully, because your response will shape my opinion of him… and determine how 'Mizukage' handles this situation."

His words struck deep.

Kaguya Yuta stiffened.

Mizuki Ryosuke had seen through him too easily.

For a long moment, Kaguya Yuta remained silent, debating his answer. He knew that the wrong response could unravel everything he had worked for.

Lying wasn't an option.

Finally, after careful consideration, he gave a slight nod.

Mizuki Ryosuke exhaled slowly, his sharp gaze gleaming with understanding.

So, Teru Yoruichiro had known.

And yet, he had done nothing to stop it.

That single fact spoke volumes.

It revealed not just insight, but foresight. Unlike the many Kaguya before him who blindly sought bloodshed, Teru Yoruichiro had recognized the dead end his clan was heading toward.

He had chosen to sacrifice his own standing for the possibility of a future.

Mizuki Ryosuke leaned back, lost in thought.

The Kaguya were a clan cursed by their own instincts. Since the Warring States period, their insatiable lust for battle had driven them into countless conflicts, making them both feared and reviled.

But the world had changed. The time of unrestrained slaughter had passed.

Kirigakure, once known for its brutal "Bloody Mist" rituals, was already undergoing a transformation. The era of reckless warriors like the Kaguya was fading.

Mizuki Ryosuke had seen this pattern before—most notably in Konoha.

The Uchiha Clan, once a cornerstone of Konoha's strength, had been systematically restrained by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Under the guise of granting them authority, the formation of the Konoha Military Police had isolated them, rendering them politically powerless.

History had shown what happened when a powerful, unruly clan was left unchecked.

And in Kiri, the Kaguya were heading toward the same fate.

Perhaps they were already past the point of no return.

Even if Teru Yoruichiro and Yagura succeeded in assassinating the Third Mizukage, there was no scenario where the Kaguya could hold onto power.

At best, they would become pawns in Yagura's reign.

At worst, they would be wiped out entirely.

If history was any guide, the latter seemed far more likely.

But now, a new possibility had emerged.

A Kaguya willing to abandon blind bloodlust.

A Kaguya willing to kneel and endure disgrace for the sake of survival.

A Kaguya who understood that raw strength was not enough.

Mizuki Ryosuke smirked.

For the first time, the Kaguya might have a chance.

And that was worth considering.

Mizuki Ryosuke turned his attention back to Kaguya Yuta.

"Interesting," he murmured.

He had already made his decision.

But first, he wanted to see how far this young Kaguya was willing to go.

After all, where there are leaves flying, fire will burn.

And sometimes, fire must first destroy… before it can create something new.

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