The Mizukage Is Strong But Overly Cautious

Beside Yagura, two rogue-like figures stood with an air of disdain, their presence utterly unfazed by the authority before them.

"Heh. Hey, Anbu Captain."

"You remember our deal, don't you?"

A man with a massive, chipped blade and a smug, overbearing expression addressed Yagura with absolute disregard for formalities.

His short black hair, sharp teeth, and a distinctive red marking stretching across his mouth gave him a predatory look.

A deep cross-shaped scar marred his right cheek, while bandages covered his ears and neck.

This was Loquat Jūzō, wielder of Kubikiribōchō, one of the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

Fresh blood still dripped from his cleaver-like sword, staining the earth beneath his feet. A fallen shinobi lay motionless at his boots—the unfortunate guard assigned by the Third Mizukage to patrol the Lake of Mist.

Beside Jūzō stood another enigmatic figure, one whose appearance was even more unsettling.

It was difficult to discern if this shinobi was a man or a woman.

Their spiky yellow hair jutted out wildly, while a mask concealed their entire face. Their body was lanky, limbs unnaturally long and thin, resembling a black widow lurking in the shadows.

This was Kuriarare Kushimaru, wielder of the Nuibari (Longsword: Sewing Needle), another elite member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Kushimaru remained silent, his piercing gaze locked onto Yagura, his posture exuding an eerie stillness—utterly devoid of respect.

"Tch. Don't worry."

"Once this is done, I'll make sure you get what you want."

"And more importantly…"

"From this moment on, call me the Fourth Mizukage!"

Despite their blatant arrogance, Yagura remained unbothered. Instead, he responded with a sinister smirk, his own arrogance far surpassing theirs.

"Hahahaha!!!"

"Now that's what I like to hear!"

"Alright then, 'Fourth Mizukage.'"

A glint of madness flickered in Jūzō's eyes as he chuckled, impressed by Yagura's audacity.

Meanwhile, standing at a distance, Teru Yoruichiro, leader of the Terumi Clan, was unusually composed.

"Enough talk."

"Let's move."

"You will all get what you were promised."

"And under my leadership, the village will finally advance toward a new era!"

"Now…"

"It's time to send the Third Mizukage to meet Gengetsu Hōzuki and the Second Mizukage!"

As Yagura raised his hand, the forces surrounding him erupted in battle cries.

"Move according to plan! Attack!"

A cold glint flashed in Yagura's eyes. His calculations were precise—by now, the Three-Tails' seal was being undone, and Mizuki Taki would be completely preoccupied.

Victory would come easily.

But to ensure absolute success, Yagura had taken further precautions.

With a single command, nearly half of Anbu dispersed around the Lake of Mist, forming a massive perimeter.

Within minutes, a colossal barrier had taken shape, splitting the lake into an inner and outer section.

Any reinforcements attempting to intervene would first have to breach the ranks of over a hundred elite Anbu shinobi.

This barrier bore a striking resemblance to the Four Violet Flames Formation used by Orochimaru during the Konoha Crush—a technique designed for containment and assassination.

A secret Anbu jutsu.

"Teru Yoruichiro, you stay behind and guard the barrier."

"The Mizuki Clan won't sit idly by once they realize something's wrong."

"They'll come in force. That's your fight."

"I trust that aligns with your… expectations, doesn't it?"

"Hmph. Don't worry about me."

"The Kaguya Clan has never feared battle."

A savage glint flashed in Teru Yoruichiro's eyes. It was a look Yagura had seen countless times in the Anbu corps—that of a man ready to die for his cause.

Satisfied, Yagura smirked inwardly.

"The Kaguya are so easy to manipulate. All it takes is a few words about glory, and they throw their lives away like fools…"

Little did Yagura know, Teru Yoruichiro's resolve wasn't what he thought.

"If Yutaka has already made his move, then there's nothing to worry about on my end."

His gaze lingered on Yagura, filled with a silent, knowing pity.

"He has no idea that the Third Mizukage already knows his plan."

"This 'Anbu Captain' has no idea what kind of trap he's walking into…"

Oblivious to Teru Yoruichiro's thoughts, Yagura was still immersed in his own self-assured strategy.

"Jūzō. Kushimaru. With me. We move to the island."

"Suikazan Fuguki and Jinin Akebino are already waiting."

"The Third Mizukage is mine."

His expression hardened.

He had accounted for every possible move Mizuki Taki could make.

A direct one-on-one battle was out of the question.

That's why he had sought reinforcements.

The Rock Village.

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had no love for Kiri. But money and strategy could turn enemies into allies.

For this battle, Yagura had secretly recruited Iwagakure mercenaries, specifically Explosion Style users—shinobi whose Kekkei Genkai was a direct counter to the Ice Release of the Third Mizukage.

When the moment comes, those Iwa shinobi will strike the final blow.

Yet, despite his meticulous planning, Yagura felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Even now, the Rock Shinobi were nowhere to be seen.

"Tch… Still nothing."

While this was in line with their agreement to remain hidden, it still bothered him.

"No, they'll show up when it counts."

He forced himself to remain composed.

After all…

"Iwagakure shinobi are masters of deception."

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